Old Wounds: A Nick Shelby Case and Other Crime Stories by Tom Batt

December 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Old Wounds: A Nick Shelby Case and Other Crime Stories by Tom Batt
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, LGBTQ, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Old Wounds: A Nick Shelby Case and Other Crime Stories is a collection of 15 short crime stories from dark detective noir to domestic murder, crossing time periods as far back as the Victorian era and into the near future. Some with a twist of horror, science fiction or the supernatural. Each story revolves around intriguing characters with twists and turns and on occasion a sting in the tail.

Private investigator Nick Shelby is struggling to move on from the abrupt and unexplained departure of Louise, the woman he loved. When she turns up dead in Mexico, he sets off to investigate her death and, in the process, unravels a web of lies and betrayal woven together by a roster of shady characters in 1940s Los Angeles. A mysterious man thought to be dead, a deceiving doctor and a notorious gangster are all connected, but the big question is who killed Louise and why?

Plus, three small town sheriff’s deputies are made a tempting offer by a sinister stranger they’ve arrested; a young prostitute tracks down the man who murdered her friend and exacts brutal revenge; in the near future where reproduction is regulated a desperate mother will risk everything to have a child of her own and in Victorian London a married couple encounter one of the city’s most infamous criminals and find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Sometimes the fringes of society are the most interesting places to be.

After going broke and nearly losing their home, George’s wife decided to work as a prostitute to keep her family housed and fed in “An Unexpected Encounter in Spitalfields.” His angry response to the way their community treated them once word of her new occupation got out piqued my interest. I had a lot of compassion for this couple and was curious to see how they’d manage their financial woes as well as the stigma they faced. There were some wonderful twists in this tale that kept me guessing, and the final surprise was the best one of them all.

“A Deadly Suspicion” began with Cooper and Gabe making small talk as they got rid of a body. I was intrigued by how casually these characters cleaned up the scene of the death and how much more attention they paid to other concerns in their lives like making sure their hair looked good. That wasn’t how I’d expect anyone to behave in that situation at all, so I couldn’t imagine what their reasoning was for it. As intrigued as I was by their unusual behavior, I did find myself wishing that they’d gone into more detail about why they were so used to handling dead bodies and how they were planning to get away with their crimes. This was a pattern I noticed in a few other stories here as well. I would have gone with a higher rating if the author had been a little more methodical about explaining what was going on in them.

Russell was dismayed to learn that his mistress was pregnant in “Fatal Infidelity.” After his mistress died in a car accident a short time later, he had to figure out how to cover up the evidence of their affair and her death. I thought I knew where everything was going based on the beginning and middle of it, so it was a pleasant surprise to see how many tricks the author still had up his sleeve as the characters moved closer to the climax. This was quite creative and was one of my favorite tales of them all.

Old Wounds: A Nick Shelby Case and Other Crime Stories was a well-rounded collection that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys all sorts of different types of mysteries.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Guild Boss by Jayne Castle (Author), Barbara Rosenblat (Narrator)

December 9, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Guild Boss by Jayne Castle (Author), Barbara Rosenblat (Narrator)
Publisher: Berkley, Recorded Books, Inc. (Publisher-audio)
Genre: Romance, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Living in this new, alien world doesn’t stop the settlers from trying to re-create what they’ve left behind. Case in point—weddings are still the highlight of any social calendar. But it’s the after-party that turns disastrous for Lucy Bell. Kidnapped and drugged as she leaves the party, she manages to escape—only to find herself lost in the mysterious, alien underground maze of glowing green tunnels beneath Illusion Town. She’s been surviving on determination and cold pizza, scavenged for her by a special dust bunny, when help finally shows up.

Gabriel Jones is the Ghost Hunter sent to rescue her, but escaping the underground ruins isn’t the end of her troubles—it’s only the beginning. With no rational reason for her abduction, and her sole witness gone on another assignment for the Guild, whispers start circulating that Lucy made it all up. Soon her life unravels until she has nothing left but her pride. The last thing she expects is for Gabriel Jones to come back to town for her.

The Lucy that Gabriel finds is not the same woman he rescued, the one who looked at him as if he were her hero. This Lucy is sharp, angry, and more than a little cynical—instead of awe, she treats him with extreme caution. But a killer is still hunting her, and there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to heroes. Despite her wariness, Gabriel is also the one person who believes Lucy—after all, he was there. He’s determined to help clear her reputation, no matter what it takes. And as the new Guild Boss, his word is law, even in the lawlessness of Illusion Town.

When I found out that Ms. Rosenblat was the narrator for Guild Boss, mixed with the story-telling talent of Ms. Castle, I couldn’t wait for this novel to come out. I just knew it was going to be fun and entertaining. My wait was worth it; every moment was awesome and I simply could not believe the ending came so soon. It’s the first time I’ve listened to an audio book that I’ve lost track of time and the ending took me by surprise. I expected at least 3 days to listen to the whole thing. It took me a day and a half. Just like her print books that I can read from end to end in one day (who needs sleep?), I finished the audio version in record time. I’ll be buying the print version of this novel as well, now that I know it’s a keeper.

I guess you could say that my review is colored by the narrator’s talent, and you’d be right. Granted, it wouldn’t work if the book itself wasn’t done perfectly, from dialogue, description, action and mystery, and with solid writing all the way through. My favorite scene descriptions were with Otis, the dust bunny, and how he utilized his sparkly pink toy. So adorable and sweet, it satisfies a figurative sweet tooth craving.

That first kiss reminded me of something Captain Kirk would do in Star Trek. I guess for some readers it might seem like a negative thing. Not for me. Sometimes there are moments when you meet someone and the spark is blinding and compelling. You give in to temptation. Reality hits later leading to a let-down or a romance culminating in a marriage of 50 years. It’s happened in real life, so I am totally on board with Gabriel’s character and his actions. Besides, it worked, didn’t it?

As for the heroine, Lucy, her fall from respectable to looney-toons and bit jobs might seem extreme to some readers. I mean, how her new boss treated her and paid her was not fair. That he took advantage of her was apparent. Ms. Castle could do anything she wished while writing this novel – it’s her world-building after all, right? My perspective is – keeping it close to what really can happen in real life allows the believability factor to easily translate to fantastical scenes on a far-off planet. Human nature being what it is does not change just because it’s in a different place. The vices, character quirks, unfair business practices and such happen because humans are eminently fallible. Same with the villains. My favorites are the scheming megalomaniacs with delusions of world domination – it worked in the original series, the Avengers with John Steed and Emma Peel, and adventures on Harmony remind me of some of their plots. Fun, pure escapism, adventure, daring-do, and with Ms. Castle’s books, romance and happy-ever-afters are a given. It’s what I look forward to and Ms. Castle delivered.

I am a happy reader/listener because Guild Boss gave me what I needed – a great read. The novel met all my expectations. I enjoyed how the relics of the past continue to cause havoc, I enjoyed the rescues, the chases, the clever quips, and how the story stayed on point with the plot and romance. There were a couple of love scenes and for a change, they weren’t there to take the place of the story. They were well placed and ensured I would have no doubts that Gabriel and Lucy are compatible and well-matched in all the best ways. The mystery was solved and the villain was someone I didn’t suspect.

All in all, Guild Boss is a keeper. No matter if you read it in print, or listen in audio format, it’s a wonderful story. It’s also a great addition to my growing tower of favorites written by Ms. Castle. If you decide to read this novel, I hope you have as much fun as I did.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Anomaly by Michael Rutger

December 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Anomaly by Michael Rutger
Publisher: Zaffre Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Not all secrets are meant to be found.
Nolan Moore is a rogue archaeologist hosting a documentary series derisively dismissed by the “real” experts, but beloved of conspiracy theorists.

Nolan sets out to retrace the steps of an explorer from 1909 who claimed to have discovered a mysterious cavern high up in the ancient rock of the Grand Canyon. And, for once, he may have actually found what he seeks. Then the trip takes a nasty turn, and the cave begins turning against them in mysterious ways.

Nolan’s story becomes one of survival against seemingly impossible odds. The only way out is to answer a series of intriguing questions: What is this strange cave? How has it remained hidden for so long? And what secret does it conceal that made its last visitors attempt to seal it forever?

Nolan Moore is part of a tv crew on their first big break from their own YouTube channel and trying to crack the cable network. As an amateur archaeologist and host of “The Anomaly Files” Nolan and his small crew travel the country unraveling conspiracies, investigating strange occurrences and always seeking the truth. For their first attempt at a broader audience, however, they’re going big, trying to find a secret and long hidden cavern in the Grand Canyon rumored to have ancient treasures deep within. What they discover is so much more wondrous and dangerous than they could have ever believed.

I admit I am a total sucker for cave adventure style stories and I also have a soft spot for “finding the treasure” or “discovering something new” type of adventures as well. This story had both of those – and having been twice now to the Grand Canyon myself I absolutely adore this awe-inspiring and magnificent setting so that just sold me more on the story. I found this story started out fairly slowly, which in my adventure/mystery stories I’m not always a fan of, but this time I really appreciated the time to get to know the small group of characters. I also enjoyed the author taking time to really lay out and explain how the tv show and their trip into the Grand Canyon came about. Explaining their actions and reasons helped me get a good grip of where the story was coming from and so when the exploration and adventure began in earnest I was emotionally on board with the group and ready for the fun to begin. Had the author jumped right into the action I might have struggled a little connecting better with the characters.

Like so many mystery/adventure stories I thought there were a number of excellent reveals and that wonderful sense of exploration. This part of the story was really well handled and in part I feel it helped propel the bulk of the story along. While not the usual fast pace of other adventure style stories I thought this was still really gripping and I was quite eagerly along the trip with the others. Toward the end of the story there were a few big twists (one in particular I hadn’t seen coming, though a few of the smaller shifts I had an inkling about) so I feel readers who enjoy their mysteries not straight forward or procedural should definitely feel this appeals to them.

I also was surprised by how light a touch the author made with the paranormal aspect of the story. Indeed, for much of the book (almost three quarters of it) there is virtually nothing paranormal at all, and even when that element does get woven into the story it’s not along the usual line of “monsters going bump in the night” which I had partly expected. I have read more than my fair share of “monsters eat everyone in the party” style of stories (and I love them – that was a deciding factor in me trying this new-to-me author) but it was with surprise and pleasure I discovered this is far more of a “cave adventure” and “uncovering hidden secrets” sort of story and not a monster trapped and killing everyone sort of paranormal adventure. I think readers expecting a “monsters” or strongly paranormal story might not be satisfied with this aspect of the story. I feel this book is far more suited to readers wanting a mystery and adventure story which has flavour of paranormal/other worldly plotline to it towards the end

Two of the lead men are not your traditional style protagonists or “hero” type of material, they are both excellent characters and I enjoyed them, but they are flawed and not shy about it. Also two of the other characters were recent additions to the group and so watching them interact and become meshed into the group with the other characters was interesting but meant the group didn’t start from the first page as a cohesive well oiled working group of people. This all made for excellent reading to my mind, but did slow the pace of the adventure itself somewhat. I found this slower start really paid off once the adventure began and the trip started falling apart – the action and plot wound higher but my emotional attachment to the group and characters was solid enough by then I really cared what happened to them and that was due in large part to the slower beginning where I as a reader could become more invested in the people rather than just along for the adventure.

Readers who enjoy action and archaeology based stories should really enjoy this book. I loved the sense of wonder the exploration gave the story (and it reminded me slightly of other Egypt-based type of treasure hunting stories that I’ve read) and the small tidbits of history and facts peppered in through the story really helped me feel that while clearly fiction there were truths and factual elements to the story, more than enough to have me Goggling and researching myself both during and after reading the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was pleased to find the author has a number of other stories under different names. I’ll eagerly be looking into these and I will absolutely enjoy re-reading this adventure again in the future. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Tethered Goat by Mikala Ash

December 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Tethered Goat by Mikala Ash
Elizabeth Hunter-Payne Steampunk Adventures, 7
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Dicentra

Hell-bent on revenge for the death of her husband, Elizabeth takes the initiative and sets a daring trap for Vladimir, the Russian spy she suspects of the deed. Meanwhile, Peter Smythe, a handsome and dedicated correspondent, is investigating the disappearances of street people in the docklands of London.

The discovery of a horribly mutilated body of one of the victims reminds Elizabeth of the horrendous acts perpetrated by the Whitechapel murderer known as the Collector. Elizabeth slew that monster, itself a creature of Vladimir, and she fears this is a new apprentice.

Sparks fly when Peter and Elizabeth come together, and they set off on a roller-coaster adventure in a fogbound steam-driven world. When the hunted becomes the hunter, Elizabeth is the bait!

When does the hunter become the hunted? Imagine setting a trap for a vicious beast, but you end up being the one trapped instead. Mikala Ash takes readers into their 1800’s steampunk version of London where our daring heroine might have bitten off more than she can chew.

I loved Elizabeth’s character. An intelligent, beautiful, bad-ass woman who can take care of herself? I am all here for that! She’s not always one to take other’s feelings into account, but I feel like that’s part of her character arc and something she has room to fix. Ms. Ash had me invested in Elizabeth’s journey when Elizabeth allowed herself to be vulnerable and talk about how she’s still affected by the death of her husband. That moment gave her a lot of depth in my eyes.

While you can technically read this as a standalone, readers may miss out on some of the backstory and character dynamics. For example, I felt like I was missing something in the relationship between Elizabeth and Marianne. Despite missing some small details and nuances because of this, I didn’t have any issues understanding the mystery aspect and the overall story arc.

The erotic romance factor was not as obvious. Yes, there were some erotic scenes but there was no romancing (which is disappointing). Erotic scenes lose a lot of their excitement for me when there’s no connection (or when the connection is not believable). A meeting of the brains? Love at first sight? Plain and simple lust a character needed to work out? Anything works! Just give me something I can believe in to establish why characters are getting in bed with each other. Unfortunately, the story failed to deliver a meaningful romantic connection. If it had, I would have been able to give it a higher rating.

Overall, The Tethered Goat is a quick and enjoyable adventure-filled tale. I would recommend this book to readers who might enjoy a steampunk, female driven mystery that’s similar in style to Sherlock Holmes (with minimal elements of erotic romance).

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Shiloh’s Secret by KD Ellis

December 3, 2021 By 2 Comments


Shiloh’s Secret by KD Ellis
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Shiloh Beckett has a trust fund, a stalker and a secret. He doesn’t trust easily, but his new bodyguard might just break the cycle.

Shiloh Beckett might be the sole heir to Beckett Industries, one of the leading tech companies in the world, but the last thing he wants is to become another suit-and-tie. He’s learned the hard way that money can’t buy happiness, just a better brand of misery.

Gage Tucker lives by the motto Protect and Serve. Raised by a cop who failed his family, Gage chose to serve his country the only way he knew how—with boots on the ground and a gun in his hand. After a mission gone wrong, Gage came home with a broken body but the same drive to protect. Months of rehab later, he joined Eagle Security as a Personal Protection Officer and he’s been a bodyguard ever since. Protecting a trust-fund brat from the paparazzi isn’t what he signed up for.

Soon he learns that there’s more than just the media after Shiloh, and the secrets the boy is hiding will change everything. If he can’t convince Shiloh to trust him, how can he keep him safe?

How many masks can one person wear?

Shiloh wears more than a few – playboy and slut to the press, disappointment to his father, pain in the ass to his bodyguards – and yet there is so much more to him than what you see. Luckily, as the reader, you see the many aspects of him and hear his truth. And it’s horrible, just so you know. There are trigger warnings for this book so take heed.

Gage is Shiloh’s latest bodyguard, and the last thing he wanted to be was a babysitter to a socialite playboy, but when he spends time with Shiloh, he realises just how wrong he was. He is the one who gets Shiloh to lower his guard, who trusts him, who cares for him. There was one part when I was ready to slap him upside the head but he quickly realised his mistake and went back to Shiloh for his side of the story.

I was completely engaged with this story and so wanted Shiloh and Gage to get their HEA. There is one bit about the ending that I can’t figure out, but I won’t say because, you know, spoilers. The thing is, even with that part, I still can’t give this less than 5-stars. I may not understand exactly how something was achieved, but I am oh-so-glad it did!!! And I’m happy it was Shiloh who did it. I feel he definitely was the one who would need the closure that brought.

This is book two in the series but it can be read as a standalone. But, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and find book one now. Thoroughly loved this dark romance. Absolutely and utterly recommended by me.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Rook’s Palace by Alexa Piper

November 30, 2021 By 1 Comment


Rook’s Palace by Alexa Piper
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Emilia is excited to start a house-sitting job, even if the house is creepy and more than a little on the odd side — as odd as the owner’s requests. When she finds an unusual gaming console, she is drawn into a lusty video game in which she crosses paths with five inhuman creatures. She is drawn to them all, but when the five men keep telling her that the game is very much not what it seems, Emilia realizes she can no longer play along.

As the path she follows offers not just desire and intense experiences but also sadness, cruelty, and hurt around every bend, Emilia’s resolve firms: she will free the five men, who tell her they are already a family, already lovers. Whatever she has grown to feel for them, she cannot let them suffer if saving them is within her power.

With the rules of a game she doesn’t understand forcing her to play along, Emilia must find a way to get to the end of the game and get everyone out — whatever the cost. The freedom of her five monsters depends on her.

A steamy Jumanji-type computer game!

That’s what Emilia finds when she house-sits. She is told that if she enters she will find lots of sex, so surprisingly doesn’t answer no when asked if she is sure. What she finds is more than she bargained for though.

This was a quick read with, yes, plenty of sex. I actually felt sorry for Arden. He was the first ‘encounter’ and, as such, I didn’t feel the emotional connection to him as I did to the others that came later. Each of the male characters is very individual and brilliantly described. The objects that Emilia collects is perfect for each one and shows thought by the author, instead of just randomly picking an item out of thin air.

This is the first in a series and I honestly can’t wait to continue the series. I want to know more about Emilia, plus the men, but most especially Radovan!

Enjoyed and recommended by me.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Devil’s Necromancer by Alexa Piper

November 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Devil’s Necromancer by Alexa Piper
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Lionel, a necromancer and consultant for the Brunswick Police Department, wants nothing to do with immortals. Specifically, he wants nothing to do with Lucifer, who shows up on his doorstep one day with a ridiculous proposal. Lucifer, also known as the Devil, wants Lionel to be his pretend boyfriend. Except the pretend part is something the Devil doesn’t really seem to care for.

Lucifer has read enough romance novels to know that a good dose of forced proximity might be just the thing to get the stubborn necromancer he desires into his bed. The Devil’s plans are soon complicated when Lionel proves more uncooperative and oblivious to love than Lucifer could ever anticipate.

While the Devil wants to claim Lionel, all Lionel wants is to get away from Lucifer. Meanwhile, magic users are being murdered in the city. Lionel cannot escape the implications of those murders for long, and the case soon takes a different turn. Will Lionel be able to escape the Devil’s thrall, or will the necromancer fall for the immortal seducer?

Enter a world where magic users, including necromancers, help out the Police Department; where you can find cursed Hellpoodles, and Lucifer prefers to be called Lucy.

The blurb offered me so much, and I was looking forward to reading this. This was good but could have been so much better! Unfortunately for me – and I’ll probably be in the minority here – but it just never felt like it delivered. Lionel is full of snark, but you never get a reason why… unless it’s the old “I really like him, but I don’t” which seems to be the theme of this book. There is a warning about DubCon and I would take note! The mystery side is an afterthought, taking up very little page space.

Neither of the main characters was memorable for me. I much preferred Trony and Tiamet and would like to see more of them in the future. They, plus others, helped move this story along. Christine was fun to read about as she was not prepared to take any sh*t from Lionel.

I’ve read others by this author and enjoyed them more. I feel like this will be a book to split opinions. I think you will either fall in love with it or just find it meh. All in all, a quick, okay read.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Murder by the Glass: Cocktail Mysteries by Edited by Teresa Inge and Yvonne Saxon

November 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Murder by the Glass: Cocktail Mysteries by Edited by Teresa Inge and Yvonne Saxon
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Whether the setting is a vineyard in Argentina or a small town in Virginia, these 17 mystery and suspense authors infuse this collection of deadly deeds with a variety of potent potables, the stories in Murder by the Glass: Cocktail Mysteries range from light-bodied puzzles to edgier tales with bitter consequences. No matter what your taste, these stories pair well with any beverage, each blending a baffling mystery, a glass and a murder.

This anthology includes works by Allie Marie, Betsy Ashton, Frances Aylor, Mary Dutta, Eleanor Cawood Jones, Diane Fanning, Debra H. Goldstein, Libby Hall, Maria Hudgins, Teresa Inge, Maggie King, Kristin Kisska, Allie Marie, K. L. Murphy, Alan Orloff, Josh Pachter, Shawn Reilly Simmons and Heather Weidner.

Sometimes thirstiness is deadly.

Maddie attempted to solve her sister’s murder and get revenge on the killer in “Revenge on the Rocks.” There were so few clues to go on that I was quite curious to see how she’d figure out who killed her sister. I liked the fact that she had to work so hard to put the pieces together. It made sense given what a private person the sister was and how she originally met the man who took her life.

All of the stories in this anthology were well worth reading, but I thought a few of them would have benefitted from a little more development. “The Good Citizen” was one of them. While I completely understood how irritating it is to spend time with someone who complains about everything, I would have liked to know why Sylvia’s killer thought that taking her life was their best option. She was no doubt a highly difficult person to have a conversation with, but she wasn’t violent or dangerous. It seemed to me that it would have made more sense to let her live out her final days and avoid her as much as possible in the meantime. With more exposition, this could have been one of my favorite stories of them all.

“Swiping Right” started off with a first date between Corynne and Tad, two single people who’d recently matched with each other on a dating site. They were both excited to meet, but there was something unusual about Corynne that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I eagerly read on to find out what else she was looking for from Tad other than the possibility of love. This tale meandered a little, but everything it mentioned while slowly moving towards the exciting conclusion was critical to understanding what was really happening here. I had a wonderful time figuring it all out.

Murder by the Glass: Cocktail Mysteries kept me guessing. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a strong drink or an intriguing mystery.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Hands of Love by Omar Scott

November 24, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Hands of Love by Omar Scott
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Everyone has a dark side … and one never quite knows just how dark it can get until they’re pushed to their limits. Steeped in a culture of dirty cops on the take, Lorenzo Love – Ren, as he’s known on the street – maintains a few vices of his own. The married narcotics detective has put countless notches in his belt with one casual sexual fling after another – but he finds he’s playing a deadly game. When young women with whom Ren’s known to have fooled around start turning up dead – with their hands ruthlessly cut off – the evidence starts pointing to Ren himself. He’s covered up many an affair, but can Ren clear himself from a heinous string of crimes that threaten to take him down for good? The Hands of Love is a thriller that promises to keep readers hooked from page one, right through to its unbelievable finale.

Have you ever read a book and it didn’t quite catch your attention in the beginning and you were wondering where the author is going with this? Have you asked yourself, should I bother finishing it? Well that’s how I felt when I first started reading The Hands of Love. The book started off materialistic and superficial with greedy cops doing questionable deeds. And a lot of characters were mentioned but no details about them were given.

But then at some point I sat down to pick up where I left off and it turns out I didn’t want to stop reading. The dirty cops are being questioned by Internal Affairs, Momo’s brother wants to get revenge for his brother’s death and wait…women are being killed right in front of their homes. Then I was hooked!

After a few chapters I learned to appreciate the author’s writing style and his knack for including wise sayings or advice during character conversations. People in the world can be harsh and I felt the author gave us a glimpse of that dark side. I don’t condone murder but in the book the murders were speaking what wasn’t said verbally. Lorenzo (Ren) Love had good qualities, he loved his dad and would do anything to save him, but he just wasn’t a good person. He is cocky, thinks he is untouchable and that he can sleep around but he learns there is always someone else who has a darker side. A warning for possible readers, the book does contain and reference sex and also there are details that disclose how the murders happened.

The author did an awesome job on setting the foundation and making the puzzle pieces click. There was a reason behind it all. I figured out early on who the killer was but it was interesting to see if the detectives ever would. The detectives on the case, McCain and Bernstein, were not the best detectives because they only seemed to focus on one suspect and they didn’t look at the big picture and ask what would be the motive for the suspect. I’ve watched enough crime shows and read enough books to have several hours of investigative skills so this was an easy solve. But if the case had been solved there wouldn’t have been the surprise ending. Thumbs up to the author on keeping the suspense going and ending with the big reveal.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Killian Unbound by Rebecca York

November 24, 2021 By 2 Comments


Killian Unbound by Rebecca York
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Princess Sabina has always obeyed her father, King Norwen. But when he plans to marry her to a ruthless prince, she runs away. Soon captured, she’s thrown into a tower cell to await her punishment.

The prison is already occupied — by a terrifying ghost. Hiding her fears, she befriends him, hoping they might help each other. As they grow close, she realizes he’s not a phantom but an enchanted mortal who remembers nothing of his past. Physical contact with Sabina is the key to bringing back the memory of the man she learns is named Killian. The more intimate they become, the more he remembers.

Their shared adversity forges a bond between them, but will they be free to acknowledge their love for each other, or will her ruthless father capture her and drag her away from the man she’s coming to love?

What would you do if a ghost is not a ghost and can only remember just who he is by touching you?

This is the dilemma Princess Sabina finds herself in. She has run away from home, determined not to marry the cruel man her father has chosen. Unfortunately, money speaks louder than morals, and she is betrayed and thrown into a haunted cell.

This was a great little coffee-break book. There is a story here, even if it isn’t too deep, and characters you can get behind. It is steamy – once Sabina decides she wants to lose her virginity, and once Killian finds his body and memories! There is also an emotional connection between the two and it could easily be expanded into a full-length novel if so desired, giving more background to the father, cruel prince, and our main characters and Killian’s kingdom. Everything was sorted out just a little too easily but that’s me being picky.

All in all, this is a book that gives you exactly what it offers. Thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending it.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,
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