Sheriff Joanna Brady is on her way home after making funeral arrangements for her mother, Eleanor, and her step-father, Dr William Morrow September 2016
Sheriff Joanna Brady is on her way home after making funeral arrangements for her mother, Eleanor, and her step-father, Dr. George Winfield, who were victims of a teen-aged binge killer, when she gets a call from her chief deputy, Tom Hadlock, about two female bodies that could possibly be a double homicide or murder/suicide. After a quick trip home to change clothes and eat, the pregnant sheriff is off again and upsetting her husband, Butch, because she’s working too hard.
The victims were either pushed or jumped off of Geronimo, a double humped limestone peak, and are laying one on top of the other. The bodies were discovered by two young boys who slipped out of their house to go climb Geronimo, which is a tradition in Bisbee. The coroner declares the women were dead when their bodies landed on the ground, and pronounces this is a double murder. Investigation shows that the women weren’t acquainted. Desiree Wilburton, a graduate student, had been camping and looking for a rare cactus. Susan Wilson lives and teaches in Sierra Vista and is married. Her husband, the good Reverend Wilson, has nothing good to say about his wife. With little clues here and there, Joanna Brady is able to find the dark and dirty killer that is hiding in plain sight.
As usual, J. A. Jance leads us on a merry pursuit of chasing shadows and red herrings, while enjoying every bit of time spent. Joanna has a lot on her plate, and the fact she hasn’t slowed down is causing some friction in the marriage. She hasn’t grieved properly over the loss of her mom; her daughter, Jenny has just started college; and, Joanna has some strong issues concerning her newly found half-brother, Bob – he and his wife, Marcie, will be coming to Bisbee for the funerals. Add the fact she is taking care of her job and her five-year-old son, Denny, while expecting a baby girl in a few months, and anyone can understand why Butch is exasperated!
Ms. Jance always delivers a superb mystery starring a core of boldly drawn repeating characters readers care about. DOWNFALL delivers the good with the bad situations, and it is also emotionally beautiful. This is a terrific, evenly paced and gratifying read.
Destiny Jones has been estranged from her father, Tony Award winning Broadway actor Albert Jones, for twe BROKEN PIECES Kathleen Long
Lake Union July 2016
Destiny Jones has been estranged from her father, Tony Award winning Broadway actor Albert Jones, for twenty years – except for his annual Christmas visits, which lasted fifteen minutes last year. When he and his luggage show up on her front porch in Paris, New Jersey, in the middle of August Destiny tries to deny him entrance, but he reminds her it is legally his house, even though he has not slept under its roof for the last twenty years. He pleads for “just a visit”, and she grants him “one night”.
When Destiny’s mother died twenty years ago, next-door neighbor Marguerite Devine and Destiny’s grandmother took care of her, and after her grandmother passed on, it was team Destiny and Marguerite, and neither is a fan of Albert. Destiny is a skilled and gifted craftsman who designs and installs custom cabinetry. The lady is scheduled to make a presentation the next morning to bid on renovations of the Paris Opera House. Destiny wants this job very much as she feels that this restoration is what she has been waiting on all of her career; she will not let Albert’s untimely appearance disrupt her preparations.
Albert does have reasons for his homecoming, but they can’t be revealed until he feels he has laid the necessary groundwork. Destiny plays a starring role in the most important production of his life.
WOW! I should know by now that I need a box of tissues handy when I’m losing myself in a story by Kathleen Long. BROKEN PIECES is a beautiful and emotional story of flawed characters and dysfunctional families working together to find a happy ending. Ms. Long’s narrative is truly a work of art and she is firmly in control of her characters, their dialogue, and especially their emotions. BROKEN PIECES is, undoubtedly, one of the best books this reviewer has ever read, and it comes to you, the reader, recommended highly.
Ace Thompson, the preacher’s son, owns the most popular bar in Copper Ridge, Oregon. The once bad boy leONE NIGHT CHARMER
Maisie Yates
Harlequin May 2016
Ace Thompson, the preacher’s son, owns the most popular bar in Copper Ridge, Oregon. The once bad boy left town after high school, did the rodeo circuit and other things before he decided to come back to his home town. His bar has made him a good living, and he wants to expand his business opportunities. He is buying an old empty flour mill with a view of the Pacific Ocean and plans to turn it into an upscale restaurant and micro-brewery. He asks his best friends, Jack Monaghan and Eli Garrett, if they would like to go into business venture with him. They both say yes and Jack has a favor to ask of Ace; would he please give Sierra West a job.
Sierra West is from a very wealthy family and Ace met her a few nights ago when she was very inebriated and had been left to her own devices at his bar by her so called friends. Ace ends up taking her to her brother’s home in the early hours of the morning. He has Ms. West pegged as a spoiled, do nothing young woman, and he really doesn’t want to offer her a job, but Jack has asked as a personal favor. Over the next few weeks, Sierra proves herself to be more than just a pretty face. The lady has some excellent suggestions for his new project and is also a very hard worker at the bar. Ace is fighting a losing battle with his standing rule: Don’t get personally involved with the hired help!
The amazing Maisie Yates gifts her readers with a superb tale focusing on family heartbreaks and separations. When Ace and Sierra get together, it seems that all their familial problems work themselves out. ONE NIGHT CHARMER is a terrific romantic tale that also brings many of our favorite characters into the mix.
After losing her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment Mia has no other options than to leave the Big Ap
SUDDENLY IN LOVE
Julia London
Montrose April 2016
After losing her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment Mia has no other options than to leave the Big Apple and return to East Beach and live with her parents. She works in her Uncle John and Aunt Beverly’s home interior shop as a “gofer”, and is making sure things are going right on a large renovation project.
Brennan Yates – aka Everett Alden, lead singer of the successful musical group Tuesday’s End – wants out of the limelight after his friend Trey dies. He is hiding out at Ross House, the historic mansion he bought for his mom in East Beach, staying drunk and smelling rank. Mia is helping her aunt the decorator by taking pictures and measurements at the mansion, while it is undergoing a complete renovation; Aunt Bev will be putting in a bid for the decoration. When she sees Brennan on the property she tells security that a bum is on the premises. She is unaware that the new owner, Nancy Yates, has a son, much less that he is a famous entertainer.
Mia and Brennan develop a tenuous relationship. He enjoys the fact she is unaware of his fame. Brennan encourages Mia’s art aspirations, and honestly likes the fact that she dances to her own tune when it comes to opinions of her lifestyle. Mia seems to stabilize Brennan, and he is doing wonders for her poor self image. When Brennan is offered to personally write the score for an upcoming movie, Mia’s faith in him is just what the doctor orders. The bad news is that he will have to live on the West Coast while the film is in production, and Mia refuses to relocate.
Julia London can add another touching story to her outstanding repertoire. The protagonists are strong, but flawed, and complement each other in every way. SUDDENLY IN LOVE has just the right amount of humor, conflict, and romance to satisfy every reader of this genre.
Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan feels like she is going to break into a million pieces due to all the personal problems she has encountered and her hecti
Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan feels like she is going to break into a million pieces due to all the personal problems she has encountered and her hectic surgical schedule. She takes a leave of absence and goes to visit her father, Sully, at Sullivan’s Crossing, his campground and country store for hikers located outside of Denver and on the Continental Divide trails. Sully has kept his daughter’s room ready for her since she was a child visiting during the summers; Maggie lived with her mom, Phoebe, and new husband, Walter, in Chicago the rest of the year. Before his retirement Walter, was a very prominent neurosurgeon in Chicago, but now he and Phoebe live in Denver to be near their daughter.
Since it is March now and too early for the hikers, Cal is the only person on the grounds and lives in his camper. He helps Sully out when necessary and seems to be just passing time until hiking season starts. Maggie isn’t sure she trusts him, but Sully does. Just a few days after Maggie’s arrival Sully suffers a major heart attack and Maggie insists on staying by his bedside during his hospital stay. Cal has volunteered to keep Sullivan’s Crossing going, and does a commendable job. After Sully’s release, Cal and Maggie develop a good and very comfortable rapport that eventually turns into a physical relationship. They share their doubts and fears, and their unhappy pasts.
When the weather finally clears enough to start hiking, Cal takes off for an indeterminate length of time, but promises Maggie he will return. This time apart gives them both time for introspection about the future. Maggie must decide whether to wait at the Crossing or return to her practice in Denver.
WHAT WE FIND is an exquisitely written tale about two wounded souls that find each other and eventually share feelings of tranquility and healing with a deep and abiding love. Robyn Carr is a true genius with a talent for an engaging style, credible characters and extraordinary narratives.
Slater Carson, award winning documentarian, is at home on the family’s ranch in Mustang Creek, Wyoming putting the finishing touches on his latest fil Slater Carson, award winning documentarian, is at home on the family’s ranch in Mustang Creek, Wyoming putting the finishing touches on his latest film. Slater loves his career, but it’s really good to be back at the ranch. As he is winding up an exhausting day he gets a visit from an unknown woman that is insisting she must see him immediately. His energy level perks up when a beautiful redhead – and he has a fondness for redheads – walks into his office with a teenage boy in tow. It seems that Grace Emery’s mutinous stepson, Ryder, has stolen some property belonging to Slater, and she has dragged him in to return it.
Grace is divorced from Ryder’s father, Hank, who is career military. The young man had no one else when his dad was deployed again so Grace left her job in Seattle as a cop and accepted the job in Mustang Creek as manager of the Bliss River Resort and Spa. She is crazy about the teenager, and is willing to help him in any way possible, but his attitude is wearing her down. Slater is so impressed by Ryder’s admission of stealing that he offers him a job at the ranch mucking out the stalls and anything else that needs to be done.
ONCE A RANCHER is the launch of a new series, the Carsons of Mustang Creek, starring brothers Slater, Deke, ranch manager, and Mace, vineyard and winery, and costarring Blythe Carson, the matriarch; Raine, Slater’s ex-girlfriend and Daisy, their nine-year-old daughter. It doesn’t take Slater long to woo and win Grace and Ryder. However, Grace has a stalker that is making things dangerous for anyone Grace gives her attention.
Linda Lael Miller is an award winning author and fan favorite. ONCE A RANCHER is a beautiful romantic tale that is chock full of appealing characters, witty repartee, and family dynamics. Hurry and get your copy of this one because it truly is “Miller Time.”
The Cowboy Way: A Creed in Stone CreekPart Time Cowboy (The Montana Creeds) By Linda Lael Miller HQN February 2016
The Cowboy Way: A Creed in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller
Steven Creed, a distant cousin of the McKettrick clan from Indian Rock, has adopted five-year-old Matt St. John; and has purchased fifty acres of farm land and the dilapidated house that was part of the original O’Ballivan estate in Stone Creek. Matt’s parents, Zack and Millie St. John, were longtime friends of Steven’s and named him guardian of their son in their Wills. Steven and Matt are starting a new life together, swearing to be “pardners to the end”. In his prior life Steven was a corporate lawyer in Boston, but for the past few years he was with a Denver firm and specialized in criminal law alongside Zack St. John. Steven is financially independent and doesn’t have to work. However, he loves the law and opens a pro-bono public defender’s office in Stone Creek.
Melissa O’Ballivan is the County Prosecutor and dislikes all defense attorneys. That is she did until she and Steven were introduced, and truly the earth moved for both of them. Melissa’s brother Brad loans Steven and Matt his tour bus to live in while their house is being renovated. Brad was a C&W super star until his marriage to Meg McKettrick. Matt makes friends at the day camp and is counting down the days until Stone Creek Rodeo Days parade.
Steven’s father, Davis and step-mother Kim raised the twin cousins Brody and Conner Creed on a ranch in Colorado after their father’s death. Steven spent summers with them growing up. The brothers had a falling out years ago and are not speaking to each other; Conner helps Davis run the ranch and Brody is on the rodeo circuit.
THE COWBOY WAY - A CREED IN STONE CREEK introduces newcomer Steven Creed into the Stone Creek series with an outstanding story that centers on single parenthood, a very lovable little boy and an adopted dog. How could it get any better? Why, by giving Steven an intelligent, loving lady love and lots of new extended family members. Linda Lael Miller creates stories that readers thoroughly enjoy, and satiates the story lines with wonderful characters, great wordplay, and spicy romance. THE COWBOY WAY - A CREED IN STONE CREEK is an excellent book.
Boston Detective D. D. Warren lets her husband Alex talk her in to attending the “Writers’ Police Academy” in Wisconsin on a free weekend. Alex has gi
Boston Detective D. D. Warren lets her husband Alex talk her in to attending the “Writers’ Police Academy” in Wisconsin on a free weekend. Alex has given workshops here several times and really enjoys helping writers with details for their mystery/thriller police procedural stories. D. D. has no idea what she is going to say to her packed classroom, especially since she didn’t expect to be a very big draw. The placard on the classroom’s door says “Insider’s Guide to Policing”; that doesn’t sound like her. She recognizes thriller writer Karin Slaughter, who is the keynote speaker; and Kathy Reichs a forensic anthropologist, who knows a lot more about dead bodies than she ever will.
Alex had told his wife that when he addressed authors in the past, he found that the bloodier the case, the happier the audience. D. D. decides to share one of her own very strange and bloody case with her audience that involves a sleazy motel, a hooker, and a sawed off leg. She advises that this case contains three truths and a lie. It will be up to them to solve and discover the lie.
3 TRUTHS AND A LIE is a novella; a prequel to Lisa’s Gardner’s next title, FIND HER. Ms. Gardner delivers careful plotting with plenty of intrigue, and flawed eccentric characters to these writers – and to us, her devoted readers. With the clues given, the mystery comes together like a jigsaw puzzle.
My Kind of Wonderful (Cedar Ridge) By Jill Shalvis Grand Central December 2015
Bailey Moore has spent the majority of her life not knowing how much time she has left to live. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in junior high school and started chemo therapy. Her best friend, Aaron, was always there for her and at one time they were engaged. However, she has a newfound future and Aaron has a newfound woman. Bailey’s “bucket list” is very eclectic. She wants to ski in the Rockies and she wants to paint a mural.
Bailey advertises her artistic talent on eBay and her free services are grabbed up by Carrie Kincaid, the slightly confused matriarch of the Kincaid siblings: Gray, Aiden, Kenna, Hudson, and his absentee twin, Jacob. The Kincaid’s own the Cedar Ridge Ski Resort and Carrie wants a huge family inspired mural on the side of the lodge; one that skiers will see as they are coming down the mountain. Bailey wants no fee; just room and board on the week-ends while she is painting. She has a job in Denver, and it is about two hours to Cedar Ridge.
Hud takes care of everything and everyone but Hud. He manages on about three hours of sleep at night between his jobs at the lodge, a law officer, and training ski patrol applicants way before the sun comes up. Plus he visits his mom daily. Carrie really wants the mural as their family is unique; she also believes the children are teenagers most of the time. All the rest of his family wants the mural so Hud agrees. Mainly he just doesn’t trust himself to be around Bailey. There is a deep attraction, but there is just no time in his life for a woman, or so he believes.
MY KIND OF WONDERFUL is exactly the kind of romance that Jill Shalvis writes so beautifully. Bailey is a stubborn woman that doesn’t want pity or help in most cases. Her bucket list doesn’t seem that important when she believes she has found the man of her dreams, but Hud just can’t believe in happily ever after. Outstanding characters sharing witty repartee and Ms. Shalvis’s spot on narrative produces a story that is a one sitting read.
Eons ago in a world dissimilar from today, Celene, Luna, and Arianrhod, three goddesses of the light, gathered to commemorate the birth of a new queen, and to choose a unique gift worthy of her. Their gifts have to be everlasting as the queen is immortal. The gifts chosen were “Stars for Aegle, the radiant.” Arianrhod’s star is a jewel of ice along with a wish for a strong and adventurous spirit; Luna’s, a jewel of water and a wish for a strong and hopeful heart; and, Celene’s a jewel of fire and a wish for a strong and questing mind. As these gifts were spun toward the moon and its power, Nerezza, a goddess of the dark protested the gifts and wishes were wasted on mortals and throws her prophecy to the sky: the stars and wishes will tumble from the sky and the moon and lightness will die and darkness will win.
Sasha Riggs is a noted artist that captures her dreams and visions on canvas. Some are peaceful and beautiful landscapes or scenes with people; others are chaotic; but, they are all master pieces. The lady realizes that she is a seer, but doesn’t understand her gift. Sasha doesn’t feels uncomfortable around people because of her visions and has cloistered herself in a mountain cabin in North Carolina. Lately she is feeling restless and compelled to travel to Corfu. She can’t explain it to anyone, but she buys her airline ticket, makes her reservations, and packs some of her drawings and goes off on her adventure.
Six people are fated to meet up in Corfu in a search for the stars. Sasha is the only one that does not know the history of these treasures; her duty was to draw the “team of Guardians” together. She has perfectly captured their image in her paintings, and her paintings and dreams will guide them in their quest. Sasha meets Riley Gwin, an architect, and Bran Killian, a magician in Corfu. With Riley’s connections they get a villa in the mountains across from Albania, near the village of Kassiopi at a villa called Acharavi and comes with a dog named Apollo. They are joined there by three others: Sawyer King, the seeker; Annika Waters, a young naïve girl; and Doyle McCleary, a warrior. The journey has begun.
Sasha has dreamed of Bran Killian for years, and has been in love with her mystery man. Bran has been aware of Sasha through her art, and has purchased several paintings that depict his beloved Ireland. The magic that is in the air seeps into the lives of these people. Bran introduces Sasha to desire and sensuality. He wants to protect her, but she wants to be strong enough to help fight the darkness when it comes.
STARS OF FORTUNE, Book One of the Guardians Trilogy Passion, is Sasha and Bran’s story. They are joined with their comrades to find Sasha’s star and to protect it from Nerezza, a formidable enemy and her minions which are some of the most dangerous and despicable to be found. Nora Roberts has included the right amounts of passion, humor, adventure, and mortal danger to the mix to keep the pages flying.
Secret Sisters By Jayne Ann Krentz Berkley December 2015
Madeline Chase’s grandmother, Edith, died under mysterious circumstances in a hotel fire three months ago leaving Madeline the sole heir to her estate which includes the chain of Sanctuary Creek Inns. The first Inn that Edith opened was in the San Juan Islands of Washington State – Aurora Point on Cooper Island. That property was abandoned nearly two decades ago and is looked after by Tom Lomax, a man hired as a caretaker. Madeline has just received a request from Tom that she come to see him about a problem they have. She makes the trip by herself, and upon her arrival she finds Tom bleeding out on the floor where it looks like he fell down the stairs. His last words to her are that he failed her. Madeline notices hair and blood on a broken stairway railing and believes Tom was struck from behind and shoved down the stairs.
Jack Rayner is one of two employees of Rayner Risk Management. He talked his way into the job with Edith, but Madeline is so closed mouth he thinks that his services are in now jeopardy. She calls him to join her at Aurora Point, and he is on the next flight out. When he arrives Madeline fills him in on several things including family secrets that should have stayed buried, but evidently have risen from their grave to haunt her.
Daphne Knight was Madeline’s best childhood friend and her mother, Clara, worked for Edith. Daphne saved Edith from being molested, but the aftermath of that scene left both children scarred. The Inn was closed the next day and everyone but Tom left the island. Madeline has a phone number for Daphne and calls her to warn her someone is looking for the briefcase that was hidden that horrible night. Daphne has just returned from a cruise to find her condo ransacked. She agrees to come to the island and adhere to the secret sister oath two frightened twelve year girls pledged eighteen years ago.
SECRET SISTERS is an excellent mystery with just the right amount of romance included. Jack is the epitome of an Alpha male hero and has his hand full with Madeline, who is an independent and obstinate kick-butt heroine. Someone wants Madeline and Daphne dead, and is determined to get the job done. Jayne Ann Krentz is a master of the written word in each and every genre she writes.
Corrupt DEA Agent Nicole Rollins makes a blatant escape while being transferred from a holding facility to the federal courthouse where she was to give information on her double role of the last fifteen years, and to sign a plea document. A bus load of small children blocks the intersection after the lead Federal car has gone through, and Nicole advises her captors that there is a bomb on the bus that is sent to go off in minutes if she isn’t released. There were casualties that day, but all the children were off the bus when it blew up. Nicole’s lover of many years, Joseph Contreras, is waiting to whisk her away to a helicopter and to safety.
Sixteen-year-old Elise Hansen has been arrested and detained for two weeks for the murder of wealthy Harper Worthington. She is under the protection of Dr. Oakley, the court appointed psychiatrist that deals with underage prostitutes and victims of sex crimes. As sharp as the good doctor is, Elise is much sharper and quicker and has the doctor petitioning for her release. Once that happens all hope of finding the drug kingpin known as Tobias goes out the window.
The boys, actually children that were used as drug mules by “The General” are safe. Lucy Kincaid and her fiancé Sean Rogan and his brother Kane, rescued these children in Mexico, and they are now living in a safe house that Sean purchased across from the Catholic Church and Father Mateo.
NO GOOD DEED ties up all the loose threads from previous stories: DEAD HEAT and BEST LAID PLANS. Allison Brennan’s strongly formed characters, good guys and depraved villains alike; attention-grabbing story lines; and excellent pacing brands NO GOOD DEED as a suspense filled and extraordinary psychological thriller.
Devin Shaw is filling in as an attending physician at the Lake Heaven Hospital emergency room when a manEVERGREEN SPRINGS
RaeAnne Thayne HQN October 2015
Devin Shaw is filling in as an attending physician at the Lake Heaven Hospital emergency room when a man comes in with a very pregnant woman and a couple of frightened children. The woman, Tricia Barrett, recognizes Devin as a friend from High School. The big man with her is her brother Cole. Devin remembers Cole as being rather wild during their high school days and then he went on the professional rodeo tour after graduating. Tricia slipped on the ice and twisted her ankle which brought on false labor pains. She is carrying twins that are not due until after Christmas. An examination reveals she is trying to go into early labor which would really be dangerous because at least one of the twins might not survive. Tricia is put on forced bed rest for the next few weeks until it is time to deliver. She moved in with her brother two months ago and has been helping out with the children.
The children belong to Cole. His ex-wife was killed with one of her boyfriends in a car accident. Even though Cole had fought for rights to see his children, his requests had been denied because of his past. He now has custody of a ten year old girl and an eight year old boy who really don’t know their father, and now their newly found aunt, won’t be at home with them.
Cole is a bachelor trying to make a go of his ranch all by himself, and at the same time a name for himself training horses. Both are a full time job and Cole knows nothing about children. However, when Devin tells her sister, who happens to be the Mayor of Evergreen Springs, about Cole needing help with his children, the word is quickly spread throughout the community and Cole ends up with two freezers stuffed with homemade meals. On Devin’s days off she offers to watch the children while Cole takes care of some business with his horses. She also is responsible for him finding an older woman who makes an excellent nanny. A mutual attraction between the protagonists isn’t enough for Cole. The cowboy doesn’t feel he deserves someone like Devin, but the lady doctor doesn’t see it that way.
EVERGREEN SPRINGS is a warm and poignant tale of family dynamics; self-deprecation and doubt; and forgiveness. RaeAnn Thayne has created characters with substance and believability. This is a very good and evenly paced tale, and Ms. Thayne’s narrative is so crisp it had this reader looking for a log fireplace to sit by while enjoying the story.
Madeline Krug manages a very successful wedding gown store in Fool’s Gold, California. Madeline’s partner
MARRY ME AT CHRISTMAS Susan Mallery HQN October
Madeline Krug manages a very successful wedding gown store in Fool’s Gold, California. Madeline’s partner Dellina is pregnant and has asked Madeline to plan a wedding for mega-movie star and hunk, Jonny Blaze’s younger sister Ginger. Madeline has a big crush on Johnny – as do most of the women in Fool’s Gold – and hopes she act like a professional – and not a groupie – and help him with the wedding. Jonny is tired of living a celebrity’s life and is quite happy in Fool’s Gold. Everyone has granted him his privacy except two older women who want a picture of his naked butt for their local TV show; they are having a contest for their viewers to match the bottom to the person.
Jonny’s sister is the only family he has and he wants to go all out on her wedding. However, Madeline has been in contact with Ginger, via email, and knows that Ginger wants a very simple wedding. It’s up to Madeline to talk Jonny out of what he wants for his sister.
An early blizzard hits Fool’s Gold while Madeline is going over wedding plans with Jonny at his mountain top home, thus making for dangerous driving. The next morning the snow plows don’t get there in time for her to leave. Jonny is drawn to Madelyn because she has always been a professional with him, plus she is a very beautiful woman. There have been a lot of long, passion filled looks between the protagonists during this unexpected time together. Needless to say that Mother Nature gives this couple a big shove that turns into a hot relationship.
Susan Mallery has struck twenty-four carat gold with the Fool’s Gold series, and MARRY ME AT CHRISTMAS is another readerlicious installment by this resourceful author.
Four years ago Leah Carson was stabbed 23 times by her ex-husband, Phillip Latimer, because she divorced him. Miraculously she survived but Phillip di Four years ago Leah Carson was stabbed 23 times by her ex-husband, Phillip Latimer, because she divorced him. Miraculously she survived but Phillip disappeared. Years later his car was found at the bottom of a canyon, burned beyond recognition. The deceased was identified by the two rings he wore, which were turned over to his mother.
Alex Morgan is an agent of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He is called in on a case by his brother Deke who heads up the Nashville Police Homicide squad. Deke has discovered a body, a torso with no hands, no feet and no head. There is a briefcase near the torso that has a business card of a police officer named Deidre Jones. Deidre is now a detective. She is also under suspicion for skimming money from a case that she worked. Deke asks Alex to look into Detective Jones activities . Georgia Morgan, Alex’s and Deke’s sister is a forensic technician with the Nashville Police Department, and in her spare time she likes to sing at a cop shop. Georgia wants her new friend Leah to meet her brother Alex. Leah is also friends with Deidre so Alex figures he can maybe get a little background on Deidre Jones.
Someone is in the shadows keeping tabs on Leah and using scare tactics to make her feel that Phillip is still alive. Is he? Leah is very leery of all men, especially police officers, therefore she tries to distance herself from Alex but he won’t let her. He risks his life to save hers.
Mary Burton, with her smooth story lines, likeable characters, and wonderful pacing, is one of the finest writers in the romantic thriller genre. The narrative in I’LL NEVER LET YOU GO is riveting and chilling, and a real page turner. ...more
Prominent and highly respected San Antonio businessman, Harper Worthington, is found dead in a sleazy motel, with his pants around his ankles. Harper Prominent and highly respected San Antonio businessman, Harper Worthington, is found dead in a sleazy motel, with his pants around his ankles. Harper was supposed to be in Dallas for a meeting, but flew back to San Antonio and had a return flight booked to Dallas later in the evening. A teenaged girl is seen leaving the motel room by a taxi driver hired to pick Harper up and take him to the airport. FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid and her new partner, Barry Crawford, are assigned to the case. Harper was a government contractor with high level security, and his wife is a sitting United States Congresswoman. At first glance it is assumed that Harper was evidently with a hooker who took all his money and his cell phone. However, an autopsy reveals that Harper Worthington was given a lethal injection of poison and was dead before any sexual activity was performed. His cell phone is traced to a five-star hotel room of one of Harper’s acquaintances. The taxi driver gave a good description of the woman leaving the motel room, and she is identified.
Harper was very close to his daughter; they worked closely together, and she and her step-mother are not on good terms. Harper’s wife is secretly under investigation by another division of the FBI, and access to her is limited.
Sean Rogan, Lucy’s boyfriend, is a brilliant securities expert with high security clearance, and along with Lucy’s brother, Patrick, founded RCK. Sean is hired by Gregor Smith, the head of HWI, Harper Worthington International, to check out the company in San Antonio, and some very interesting information comes to light. The FBI isn’t pleased that Sean is involved in a case that one of their agents is working.
Exciting, dark, edgy, and pure terrific reading, BEST LAID PLANS might be one of the best books of its genre that you will read this year. Real characters are involved in believable story threads of treachery and greed. Allison Brennan is at the top of her game, as always, with this Lucy Kincaid page turner.
The first two people that seem to have completely vanished from Serenity, Tennessee were seventeen year old Amy Grimes and her boyfriend, eighteen yea The first two people that seem to have completely vanished from Serenity, Tennessee were seventeen year old Amy Grimes and her boyfriend, eighteen year old Simon Church. Their abandoned Jeep was found on the north side of town by Detective Sarah Waters. The doors were opened and Amy’s purse with her savings was sitting in the front seat. It appears that Amy and Simon just got out of the Jeep and disappeared. There were some faint footsteps nearby, but these don’t show up in the crime scene photographs. Also, Sheriff Jonah Riggs’ watch and the clock on his cell phone lost the time while he was involved with the crime scene.
One week later Judge Phillip Carson was seen with his fishing gear going to his favorite spot. All of his equipment was located there undisturbed, but no sign of the judge. Once again the sheriff’s watch stops at the crime scene. More missing persons – a young mother going to neighbor’s to borrow baby food; man at a moving getting up to get refreshments; a ten-year-old girl getting up to get a drink of water during the night. A total of six mysterious disappearances, including a child; an Amber Alert is put out for her.
Jonah has been to workshops concerning the FBI’s Special Crime Unit, and feels he needs the help of Bishop and his team to help him. Four special agents are sent to Serenity: Lucas Jordan, psychic and his wife, Samantha, a clairvoyant; Dante Swann, a medium; Robbie Hodge, a telepath.
The villain does his work in the darkness, and changes his method of operation on the next victim just because he can. He takes the life of a police officer while trying to get into Robbie Hodge’s mind and that was his first big mistake. Robbie is much stronger than expected by anyone.
Kay Hooper skillfully balances emotion and suspense in one more spellbinding and creepy psychological page-turner. The atmosphere and firm pacing make FEAR THE DARK an eerie, knuckle-clenching read. Kay Hooper is a master creator of magnificent characters and stunning narrative. ...more
Tilda Morrison is a police woman in the small town of Icicle Falls, Idaho and like most womCHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE
Sheila Roberts
Mira November 2015
Tilda Morrison is a police woman in the small town of Icicle Falls, Idaho and like most women she wants a husband, a home and children, but she hasn’t been able to find a man who isn’t in awe of her abilities. Devon Black keeps flirting with her, but she considers him a trouble maker. Tilda has broken up too many barroom brawls that seem to attract him. She buys a total make over, repossessed house in a very nice neighborhood on Candy Cane Lane and is immediately told she the covenants decree that she has to decorate her front yard during Christmas season. Tilda thinks this is stupid but agrees to put up some lights when she has time. Devon surprises her by putting up her Christmas lights, and offers to help her do some work in her new home. One day Tilda is going to notice that Devon has really cleaned up his act.
Ivy Bohn lives next door to Tilda; she is recently divorced and has two small children. Ivy owns a Christmas shop in town. Ivy and Tilda knew each other in high school, but didn’t have much in common. Their neighborhood relationship is about the same, but the incidents they are involved in provide a lot of humor to this story.
Maddy Donaldson is the self-appointed welcome wagon lady and chairman of the neighborhood Christmas extravaganza. Each year all the residents put up lights and lighted candy canes (that can be purchased at her husband’s hardware store). When the rest of Icicle Falls come to view the decorations they are met at the entrance by “Mrs. Claus” and a real candy cane. Maddy owns a unique spice shop, and is the mother of two children; her teenage daughter is playing the guilt card over her mother’s working full time and helping others the rest of the time.
Someone is destroying yard decorations and Maddy feels that it is Tilda’s job to find the culprits. The lady cop is not going to get any peace until she does. In the meantime Devon Black is always there to help her out when she needs -- but won’t admit she needs -- help.
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is another entertaining visit to Icicle Falls, Idaho, home of some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. Love, humor, laughter, and the holiday spirit spill from the pages of this clever story by the talented Sheila Roberts.