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Friday, September 25, 2015
A Good Killing (Anna Curtis #04) by Allison Leotta {Audio}
My Rating: 5 of 5 Butterflies
Title: A Good Killing
Author: Allison Leotta
Series: Anna Curtis #04
Length: 9 hours and 51 minutes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Published: May 12, 2015
Source: Publisher via Audiobook Jukebox
Format: Unabridged Audio
Genres: Fiction; Mystery; Suspense; Legal Stories
Subjects: Public Prosecutors; Traffic Accident Victims; Murder Investigation
Former federal prosecutor and critically acclaimed author Allison Leotta's spellbinding thriller follows prosecutor Anna Curtis as she heads home to Michigan to defend her sister in a case that will bring her to her knees.
Newly single after calling off her wedding, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis is summoned home to Michigan when her old high school coach - a hometown hero - is killed in a fiery car crash. But Anna isn't there to prosecute a crime; she's home to support her innocent sister, Jody, who has been wrongfully accused of the coach's murder.
But maybe Jody isn't so innocent after all. The police are convinced that Jody was having an affair with the married coach and killed him out of jealousy. As Anna investigates with the help of her childhood friend, Cooper Bolden - an Afghan War veteran with a secret of his own - she slowly peels back the facade of her all-American hometown and discovers that no one is telling the truth about the coach, not even the people she thought she knew best.
When the town rallies against them, threatening not just Jody's liberty but both sisters' lives, Anna resolves to do everything she can to save her sister and defend the only family she has left.
In her best book yet, Leotta, "a highly entertaining storyteller" (George Pelecanos), explores the limits of vigilante justice, the bonds of sisterhood, and the value of the truth.
©2015 Allison Leotta (P)2015 Simon & Schuster
The Anna Curtis series was pretty much love at first site for me, and I haven't lost a bit of that feeling throughout the entire series! I find that I love this series more and more with each book!
I find myself totally engulfed in the writing of Allison Leotta! I thoroughly enjoy that with each new book comes a totally different set of problems for Anna to figure out! I also like that she provides enough of a back drop that even if it's been awhile since you've read the previous book, you can pick up the newest book without any sense of being lost! I think that Leotta has a unique ability to write mystery books, as she's a former Prosecutor and has the know-how to adequately write and accurate depiction of what would really being happening if the book were real-life!
Anna Curtis is such a great character! She is a fierce, independent woman who has no fear of what's to come! She has a no-nonsense attitude and doesn't let anything scare or away nor will she back down from something she believes in! I think her character is part of what I love so much about this series! I find myself living vicariously through Anna Curtis!!!
Speak of the Devil left me heartbroken for Anna, so I was really interested to see where A Good Killing would take us! It was a breath of fresh air to remove Anna from DC and her heartbreak, and to see her step outside of her usual Prosecutorial role, and to step into the Defense Attorney role to protect her beloved sister!
A Good Killing will lead you through a series of emotions, from heartbreak, to vulnerable characters, to shocking acts that will leave you guessing clear to the end of the book! This book will peak your interest from the very beginning to the last word, so make sure you don't miss out on Allison Leotta's latest and greatest creation! You won't be sorry!!!!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Slammed (Slammed #01) by Colleen Hoover {e-Book & Audio}
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Title: Slammed
Author: Colleen Hoover
Series: Slammed #01
Narrator: Heidi Baker
Length: eBook - 352 pages; Unabridged; 07 hours and 36 minutes (Audio)
Publisher: Atria Books (eBook); Colleen Hoover (Audio)
Published: August 10, 2012 (eBook); August 30, 2012 (Audio)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: eBook & Audio
Genres: Fiction; Love Stories
Subjects: Death; Fathers; Life Changing Events; Families
Layken Cohen isn't your typical 18-year-old. After the recent death of her father, she is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's slowly losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for performing "Slams". Will and Layken immediately form an intense and emotional connection neither of them knew they needed until it was found. However, the two of them are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their relationship to a halt.
Once again, Layken must put on a brave face and accept that which she cannot control, but when a family secret comes into play, it becomes the ultimate test of her resolve. Unable to accept the harsh reality of her future, Layken puts everything at risk and turns to Will for solace.
Both Layken and Will struggle as they attempt to find a balance between that which keeps them apart and the feelings that pull them together.
©2012 Colleen Hoover (P)2012 Colleen Hoover
My Review:
I haven't found a Colleen Hoover book that I've read that I didn't rate 5 stars, and Slammed was no different! I just can't believe that I've had this book for so long, and am just getting around to reading it! I'm torn between my undying need to devour, but also my insistent need to saver any and all writings by Colleen Hoover!
I must say that I think Hoover is one of the most phenomenal writers that God has ever created! Dang, that woman was born to write stories! Thank God she took a chance one day and shared her story! I can only imagine her sense of amazement at how far she has come! Even her very first stories are the best of the best, to be ranked right up there with stories of some of the best author's of all time!
Hoover has such an amazing talent for creating these unforgettable characters, perfectly interweaved in this magical story that captures you, the reader, from the very first word, clear through the very last word, leaving you hanging on to every word, leaving you desperate for more...more...more!!!!
I still can't believe that I held on to this jewel for so long without reading it, and anxiously anticipate continuing this series, along with catching up on her newer releases! There are not enough appropriate words to even express my overwhelming feelings towards Colleen Hoover and her writing! All I can say is COLLEEN HOOVER, NEVER QUIT...WRITE UNTIL YOU DIE, because I want to live the rest of my life reading your awesomeness!
Monday, September 7, 2015
Eeny Meeny (Helen Grace #01) by M.J. Arlidge {Audio}
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Title: Eeny Meeny
Author: M.J. Arlidge
Series: Helen Grace #01
Narrator: Annie Aldington; Elizabeth Bower; Lucy Gaskell; & Nigel Pilkington
Length: Unabridged; 9 hours and 01 minutes (Audio)
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: June 18, 2013 (e-Book & Audio)
Source: Audible
Format: Audio
Genres: Fiction; Mystery; British Detective
Subjects: Policewomen; Serial Murder Investigation; British Mystery
The international best seller that "grabs the reader by the throat" (Crime Time).
First in the new series featuring Detective Inspector Helen Grace.
Two people are abducted, imprisoned, and left with a gun. As hunger and thirst set in, only one walks away alive.
It's a game more twisted than any Detective Inspector Helen Grace has ever seen. If she hadn't spoken with the shattered survivors herself, she almost wouldn't believe them.
Helen is familiar with the dark sides of human nature, including her own, but this case - with its seemingly random victims - has her baffled. But as more people go missing, nothing will be more terrifying than when it all starts making sense....
©2015 M. J. Arlidge (P)2015 Penguin Audio
My Review:
I do want to clarify that contrary to my rating system, I would give Eeny Meeny a solid 3.5 rating, however, I don't have the clip art to depict that! So, with that being said, I also must admit that some of the lack of rating is due to the fact that this story is a British Detective Mystery, which isn't always my favorite, especially when I'm listening to them. It takes me a bit to get used to the accent, and by the time I do, sometimes I find myself having a hard time getting into the story!
With that being said, I honestly don't know that I could have told you that this title had four different narrators. Two, yes...but I never would have guessed four! Maybe I just wasn't paying a great deal of attention to the detail in the voices, I don't know!
I think that the premise of the story isn't particularly unique, but interesting, nonetheless. It makes you wonder what you would do in that situation. It also is proof that the human race is that of sick and deranged people, and sometimes those people are the people that you'd least expect, as we find with DI Helen Grace!
I have mixed feelings about Helen Grace! I do intent to read the next book in the series, as it is a read provided to me by Netgalley, so hopefully after that I will have more of an informed opinion of her!
I had a difficult time in trying to come up with a rating for this title, and still struggle with it a bit! I am impressed with the surprise ending, but the story just didn't seem to capture me like others do! I found myself not really feeling much emotion toward it at all! Perhaps it was my mood at the time of reading...who knows! I should have a better picture of my feelings and thoughts after reading Pop Goes the Weasel!
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Killer Ambition (Rachel Knight #03) by Marcia Clark {eBook & Audio}
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Title: Killer Ambition
Author: Marcia Clark
Series: Rachel Knight #03
Narrator: January LaVoy
Length: eBook - 657 pages; Unabridged; 15 hours and 04 minutes (Audio)
Publisher: Mulholland Books (eBook); Hachette Audio (Audio)
Published: June 18, 2013 (e-Book & Audio)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: eBook & Audio
Genres: Fiction; Mystery; Detective Stories; Legal Stories; Suspense
Subjects: Public Prosecutors; Police; Murder Investigation; Los Angeles, California
When the daughter of a billionaire Hollywood director is found murdered after what appears to be a kidnapping gone wrong, Los Angeles Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight and Detective Bailey Keller find themselves at the epicenter of a combustible and high-profile court case.
Then a prime suspect is revealed to be one of Hollywood's most popular and powerful talent managers - and best friend to the victim's father. With the director vouching for the manager's innocence, the Hollywood media machine commences an all-out war designed to discredit both Rachel and her case. Killer Ambition is at once a thrilling ride through the darker side of Tinseltown and a stunning courtroom drama with the brilliant insider's perspective that Marcia Clark is uniquely qualified to give.
©2013 Marcia Clark (P)2013 Hachette Audio
My Review:
With each book that I read in the Rachel Knight series, I find it harder and harder to pick which one I liked more! I find that each book fulfills different yearnings that quinces my reading thirsts!
I like the fact that the main characters don't really change throughout the series! You may hear less from a few throughout the different books, but for the most part, they are all back, with much more greatness with each book! Of course, new characters are introduced as each story is different, but I find comfort in knowing my favorite characters keep coming back, because I enjoy reading and learning more about Rachel and her crew!
Marcia Clark has infinite knowledge of the judicial system and that shows in her writing! She beautifully weaves factual legal strategies within her stories, which is one thing that I think pulls me in like it does! I enjoy the thoroughness of her writing in the legal sense!
January LaVoy is the perfect narrator to portray Rachel Knight! I am also beyond thrilled that LaVoy has narrated the entire series! I hate when a narrator changes every few books, especially if that narrator is jiving with the stories and characters! LaVoy is spot on with her narration, delivering a stunningly stellar performance! She is a true professional narrator and I find myself picking up titles just because she narrates them!
Overall, the Rachel Knight series is one of my favorite series' to read and I fall in love with it more with each book! I just read the synopsis for the next book, The Competition and I can't wait to jump into it! Killer Ambition has the perfect title...because that story is KILLER!!!
As Night Falls by Jenny Milchman {eBook & Audio}
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Title: As Night Falls
Author: Jenny Milchman
Series: Stand Alone
Narrator: Susie Berneis
Length: eBook - 385 pages; Unabridged; 12 hours and 17 minutes (Audio)
Publisher: Ballentine Books (eBook); Dreamscape Media, LLC (Audio)
Published: June 30, 2015 (eBook) July 21, 2015 (Audio)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: eBook & Audio
Genres: Fiction; Psychological Fiction; Mystery; Suspense
Subjects: Escaped Prisioners; Brothers and Sisters; Family Secrets
Sandy Tremont has always tried to give her family everything. But as the sky darkens over the Adirondacks and a heavy snowfall looms, an escaped murderer with the power to take it all away draws close.
In her isolated home in the shadowy woods, Sandy prepares dinner after a fight with her daughter, Ivy. Upstairs, the fifteen-year-old - smart, brave, and with every reason to be angry tonight - keeps her distance from her mother. Sandy’s husband, Ben, a wilderness guide, arrives late to find a home simmering with unease.
Nearby, two desperate men on the run make their way through the fading light, bloodstained and determined to leave no loose ends or witnesses. After almost twenty years as prison cellmates, they have become a deadly team: Harlan the muscle, Nick the mind and will. As they approach a secluded house and look through its windows to see a cozy domestic scene, Nick knows that here he will find what he’s looking for...before he disappears forever.
Opening the door to the Tremont home, Nick brings not only a legacy of terror but a secret that threatens to drag Sandy with him into the darkness.
©2015 Jenny Milchman (P)2015 Dreamscape Media, LLC
My Review:
I haven't found a Jenny Milchman book that I haven't LOVED and considered one of my favorite books and As Night Falls is no different! I've had the true pleasure of obtaining a copy of each of her books early as a reviewer, and never at any point in time, have I been disappointed with her writing. She is proving herself to be an amazing writing, and I found myself just as excited at a new Milchman release as I am about a Lisa Gardner release! This writer has got it going on, and I believe has carved her name in the Mystery/Psychological/Suspense genres!
Milchman is a professional at creating intricate, totally interweaving plots that keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing what is going to happen next throughout the entire book! She writes about these incredibly strong characters that peak my interest and make me want to learn more about them! I don't think there are enough adjectives to describe how great her stories and characters are! Her entire story is pulse-pounding with many intense dramatic effects, clear to the very end!
I think that Susie Berneis was a perfect fit as a Narrator for this title. She seemed to fit the character perfectly and managed handling different voices like a pure professional. She was a sheer joy to listen to, kept me entertained throughout, at times allowing me to be lost in the story! Stellar performance from Susie Berneis!
Overall, I think that As Night Falls is one of 2015's MUST READ stories! If you haven't read it yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???? If you have read it, I'm sure you will agree...This is a phenomenal story that will knock your socks off!
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Sinister by Lisa Jackson, Nancy Bush, & Rosalind Noonan {eBook & Audio}
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Title: Sinister
Author: Lisa Jackson, Nancy Bush, & Rosalind Noonan
Series: Stand Alone
Narrator: Hillary Huber
Length: eBook - 448 pages; Unabridged; 13 hours and 23 minutes (Audio)
Publisher: Zebra Books [of Kensington Books] (eBook); Brilliance Audio (Audio)
Published: November 26, 2013 (eBook & Audio)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: eBook & Audio
Genres: Fiction; Suspense; Romantic Suspense
Subjects: Arson; Families; Wyoming
New York Times best-selling authors Lisa Jackson, Nancy Bush, and Rosalind Noonan unite their talents in this riveting novel of family secrets, obsession, and murder
A killer's patience…
Ira Dillinger, the family's wealthy patriarch, has summoned his children home for his upcoming wedding. Eldest son, Colton, and his siblings don't approve of their father's gold-digging bride-to-be. But someone is making his displeasure felt in terrifying ways, setting fires just like in the past. Only this time, there will be no survivors.
…in blood
As fear and distrust spread through Prairie Creek, soon all the Dillingers, and those closest to them, are targets - and suspects. A killer has been honing his skill, feeding his fury, and waiting for the moment when the Dillingers come home - to die…
©2013 Lisa Jackson, LLC, Nancy Bush, and Rosalind Noonan (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
My Review:
I have read a collaborative effort before, but each author had written 2 novella's each in a series, for a total of 4 titles, so each story was still the author's own. Sinister is a collaborative effort between 3 authors, who each write their own part to the story...so one story, three parts, written by 3 different people.
I must say that at first, I was not captivated, nor was I interested in what was going on. I was almost to the point to where I was wondering if I should give up on it and try something else, but kept listening! I am certainly glad that it did, because boy did this story grow on me! It is like a fine wine, it just got better with time.
There is a large cast of character's to keep up with, but once you get into the story a little bit, that gets easier! The Dillinger bunch is quite the family! They were wickedly entertaining and thouroughly creative! I think the characters were one of the best parts of the book!
The story was also a great one! It was a creative take and one that threw me for a loop! It's not your every day mystery! I loved that it had an element of romance to it, but not nearly enough that it took over the story!
The narrator was excellent and easy to follow. She kept me entertained throughout. I look forward to hearing more from her in the future!
I was skeptical at first, but ended up really enjoying this story! I'm glad that I stuck it out, because if I hadn't, I would have missed out on a great collaborative book! Very unique...very unique!!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Minutes to Kill (Shadow Falls #02) by Melinda Leigh
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Title: Minutes to Kill
Author: Melinda Leigh
Series: Scarlet Falls #02
Narrator: Cris Dukeheart
Length: eBook - 336 pages; Unabridged; 10 hours and 04 minutes (Audio)
Publisher: Montlake Romance (eBook); Brilliance Audio (Audio)
Published: June 30, 2015 (eBook & Audio)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: eBook & Audio
Genres: Fiction; Mystery; Romantic Suspense
Subjects: Kidnapping; Murder Investigation; Las Vegas, Nevada
After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries - and fails - to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can't shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn't save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it's frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.
Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he's embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow...and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.
Minutes to Kill is the pulse-racing second novel in bestselling author Melinda Leigh's Scarlet Falls series.
©2015 Melinda Leigh (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
My Review:
I found myself more exited about Melinda Leigh and the Scarlet Falls series than I have about a book or a series in a long time, so after reading Hour of Need, I knew that I wouldn't wait long to dive into Minutes to Kill. I tend to bounce around authors and series reads quite a bit, but I was so intrigued with this series, that there wasn't much time between reading both books in this series!
I love that Melinda Leigh creates such strong characters and stories, and I find that it's difficult to not get wrapped up in what you're reading! I enjoy being able to become part of the book and getting lost in what I'm reading to or listening to, and I found it quite easy to do with this book!
The story is gripping and entertaining, shocking and suspenseful! Leigh keeps you going until the very end, with surprising twists throughout! I can't wait to see where else she is going to go with the Scarlet Falls series!
I've not listened to narration by Cris Dukeheart prior to this, but I think she was a superb choice for this series! I look forward to seeing if she will continue on with the series! Several reviewers indicated that they didn't care for the narration, however, it wasn't a problem for me!
This was a book that I was able to scarf right up! I am anxious to get my hands on the next book in the Scarlet Falls series when it comes out and to also exploring more titles written by Melinda Leigh!
Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #01) by Melinda Leigh {Audio)
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Title: Hour of Need
Author: Melinda Leigh
Series: Scarlet Falls #01
Narrator: Cris Dukeheart
Length: Unabridged; 10 hours and 13 minutes
Publisher: Brilliance Audio (Audio)
Published: Deccember 9, 2014
Source: Library
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Genres: Fiction; Mystery; Romantic Suspense
Subjects: Man-Woman Relationships; Murder Investigation; Family/Family Loyalty
While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant's youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it's not a random act... and neither were the murders.
Already devastated by her neighbors' violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant's impending return to deployment.
But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.
Best-selling author Melinda Leigh delivers another gritty mystery simmering with spine-tingling passion in this first Scarlet Falls novel.
©2014 Melinda Leigh (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved
My Review:
Let me just start by saying that I devoured this book up! From the story, to the characters, to the narrator, Hour of Need has got it going on!
I found myself enamored in listening to the story, trying to figure out how it was going to end, and what was happening throughout! I think it had the perfect romantic suspense touch...not too much, but also not too little!
I had only listened to a collaborative novella series between Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot, so I didn't have much experience with this author! I typically bounce around author's and series reads quite a bit, but I honestly couldn't wait to continue on with the Scarlet Falls series after reading this book.
I totally got excited over this book and series and I love it! I think that Melinda Leigh is well on her way to becoming a staple in the mystery/romantic suspense genre!
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