The Trespassers by Stephanie Black

 

Rayna Kirkpatrick has lived her entire life with a secret: she possesses dangerous paranormal abilities. But she’s carefully kept her powers hidden from the world―or so she thinks. When new struggles in her life prompt her to seek information about her abilities, her internet search sends up red flags. Without her knowledge, she is placed under surveillance by a government team who monitors people with unique gifts like hers, individuals known as Trespassers. There are only two options for those manifesting such supernatural abilities: submit to regulation and scientific study or be eliminated.

Damon Hale is an invaluable asset to the government. As a Trespasser himself, he is perfectly positioned to determine how to handle others like him. When a series of unexplained deaths is connected to Rayna, Damon is assigned to go undercover to her California hometown to determine whether she’s the killer they suspect she is. As he gets to know this kind and charming woman, he’s determined not to allow his growing attraction to her to shake his objectivity. But the deaths surrounding her are no coincidence, and as his suspicions about her guilt begin to fade, he realizes he and Rayna must work together to discover the truth or risk becoming the next victims.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

First, I have to say that I think the cover on this book is super cool.  I love how it represents this book so perfectly.  Yeah, very cool cover.

The story is pretty cool too.  All mystery and a bit of suspense.  The plot thickens with every turn of the page while I suspect everyone at some point or another.  There is a big cast of characters but I never felt overwhelmed or lost in keeping track of them all.  That's a huge credit to the author.

Rayna has a crazy supernatural, paranormal type of ability.  I can't even imagine how that would be but it was fun to be immersed in a world that was nothing like my own for a bit.  It all felt so real, so plausible.  It was good stuff.

I'm hoping this has set us up for a whole new series by this author.  Rayna's story definitely isn't over so it better continue on!  Also, as a note, there is no romance in this book.  Just in case that is a make or break for you. 😉

Release day is September 5th!  You can pre-order now.

Content:  peril, mild violence, death.  Mention of miscarriages, divorce, abuse.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Come, Gentle Night (Natalie Marsh #5) by Stephanie Black

 

After her entanglement in several homicide investigations, psychologist Natalie Marsh is determined to avoid further trouble. But when her intern needs help monitoring and calming family drama for the duration of a party, Natalie steps up. After all, acting as a peacemaker at a fundraising gala seems relatively risk-free in comparison to her past escapades—what could happen at a dance? When an argument between feuding guests becomes assault, Natalie realizes the situation is more complicated than she anticipated, with one man at the center of it all: Rowan Montrose.

Four years ago, Rowan’s brother was convicted of murdering his wife. But Rowan believes there’s more to the story, suspecting that the real murderer is walking free. His romantic interest in the younger sister of a police detective renders him more determined than ever to clear the family name. Familiar with Natalie’s reputation, he seeks out her assistance. Natalie tries to decline—she’s no private detective—but as frightening incidents unfold, it’s clear she’s in the middle of this whether she wants to be or not, and breaking through the layers of deception that hide the truth may have lethal consequences.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

I've been reading these Natalie Marsh mystery books since the very beginning and I'm always so excited to get a new one.  Natalie is a character with smarts and a gift for patience but she is also a trouble magnet.  And when I say trouble, I mean death and destruction kind of trouble.  It's frightening.  Just ask her husband.  Poor guy.  He is always put through the ringer.  I don't know how they both don't have PTSD.

This mystery was so well crafted.  I love suspecting everyone and finding the truth right along with the characters.  This one had me so invested from beginning to end.  The danger had a growing momentum that had me reading so fast, I had to purposely slow myself down.  I was in such a hurry to find out the "who done it" that I was missing the good stuff.  I'm impatient like that.  

The ending was awesome.  I loved how everything came together.  I'm a fan of this author and her mysteries.  So, so good.

This book releases on Nov. 2nd!  It is part of a series and I think you will be happier if you read it in order because Natalie will feel like a friend and you will know her history.  But, I think you could read it as a stand alone.

Content:  violence, death, peril.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Eye for an Eye by Stephanie Black + Win A Copy of This Book!

 

After a family tragedy nearly destroyed Mallory Ingram, she's fighting to get her life on track. When her sister and brother-in-law open their home to her, Mallory is certain that moving across the country will allow her to focus on a hopeful future. That future looks even more promising when her enrollment at a local university connects her with the charming Darien Thomas.

However, when illegal drugs turn up at her sister's house, the first person accused is Mallory, and suddenly, she doesn't know who to trust. Mounting evidence of Mallory's guilt is straining the tenuous bond she has just begun to develop with her sister after years of living separately. Desperate to prove her innocence and keep the harmful patterns of the past from hijacking her future, Mallory reaches for Darien's help to discover the truth.

But the truth may be more dangerous than any of them imagine.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

Wow, this story packs a punch into it's short pages!  It's novella length and I read it in less than an hour.  I'm not sure if that was me speed reading because I was so anxious about the story or if it was really that short.  Haha.  

This author did a great job of giving me what felt like a full sized story in a novella size.  Yeah, the romance wasn't there but the beginnings of it was there.  It was perfect for what was happening.  The story was fast paced and exciting from beginning to end.  The perfect little bite sized snack.  So fun!

 Content:  mild peril, kissing, mild violence

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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Bound In Shallows (Natalie Marsh #4) by Stephanie Black

 

 

It’s the week before her wedding, and Natalie Marsh doesn’t have a moment to spare. But when a potential donor requests a meeting regarding Natalie’s mental health clinic, the soon-to-be-bride makes time for the conversation—especially since that donor is tied to a tragedy in the life of Natalie’s fiancé, Gideon: eight years ago, Gideon’s roommate Travis died of a drug overdose.

Now Travis’s mother wants to honor his memory by helping others avoid the same fate. It is a noble request that soon turns into a nightmare. As wedding celebrations ensue, old friends renew
acquaintances. But what begins as a party of wedding guests becomes a cast of suspects when the discovery of a bloodstained knife puts them all under the spotlight. Things are taking a deadly turn, leading Natalie and Gideon to a horrifying realization: all those years ago, Travis didn’t overdose—he was murdered. And his killer is willing to take deadly action to silence anyone who suspects the truth.

  * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

Oh my.  I think Gideon and Natalie will need a lifetime of counseling after all the things that have happened not only in this book but the previous three.  How can two people go through so much?!

I love when I'm thinking about a book even when I'm not reading it.  This was one of those kind of books.   Every secondary character was a suspect in my mind at some point or another and it was a long list.  You know that a murder mystery is going well if you suspect everyone!  

Natalie and Gideon's relationship has been growing since the first book and in this book, it's wedding time.  I would really recommend reading this series in order.  You will have all the backstory understanding you need if you do.  While the books are more plot heavy, there are many characters who are in all (or most) of the books.  You will want to know them.  And if you are starting from the beginning, get ready for a crazy ride!!

The build up in this book was great.  I loved the tension and the multiple perspectives.  It was an excellent diversion.

Content:  Peril, violence, death.   

 - I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

To Die To Sleep by Stephanie Black + Win This Book!

After surviving a difficult year, Natalie Marsh is heading for Ellsberg Keep, an exclusive mountain resort that promises to provide the tranquility she desperately needs. She’s eager to relax and to reconnect with her estranged cousin Lily, who works as the Keep’s nurse—a reunion that begins abruptly when an accident on the winding mountain roads lands Natalie in the infirmary in the care of her cousin. They have little time to bond over childhood memories, however. Everything is thrown into chaos when the owner of the Keep is rushed to the medical wing, wildly delusional and raving about a murder plot.

Despite Lily’s care, the owner dies. Is his death simply an accident, or are his frenzied suspicions true? Determined to help Lily cope with the loss of her patient—and the accusations that she’s to blame for his death—Natalie searches for answers and is swept into a mystery that grows more puzzling as frightening hallucinations torment the dead man’s son. When a staff member who asks too many questions disappears, it is clear that this idyllic resort harbors someone with deadly intent—and Natalie may not survive to uncover the truth.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

Stephanie Black is an author whose books I have been reading for a long time.  I know exactly what I'm going to get when I pick up one of her books and I love that.  

This book is labeled suspense and there was some of that but to me it felt more like a mystery.  The characters are trying to piece together what is happening around the Keep because things are definitely not as they should be.  I kept trying to guess who the "bad guy" was but it was always changing.  The author was great at casting suspicion on all the people at some point or another.  There were a lot of characters in this book but I never felt confused or overwhelmed by who was who, which is another tribute to the author.

I enjoyed the building nature of the story and the climactic ending where everything starts coming together.  I tend to start reading faster when things get climactic and I really had to purposely slow myself down several time toward the end.  So good!!

This book is definitely more plot driven than emotionally driven.  There isn't much romance to speak.  It was interesting and engaging though, from beginning to end.  I really enjoyed it!

Content:  death, mild violence, peril

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author:  

I’ve enjoyed making up stories since I was a child, when my sisters and I would play long Barbie games full of intrigue and danger, or write and direct plays for ourselves and our younger siblings. I took a creative writing class in high school, but my stories stunk, since I hadn’t yet figured out that a story needs a plot. An encouraging comment from the teacher got me rolling in the right direction (thank you, Mrs. Owen!) and my final story for that class eventually developed--after many years, much studying of fictional technique, and countless hours of writing and rewriting--into my first published novel: The Believer, a dystopian thriller, was published in 2005 by Covenant Communications.

Four of my contemporary mysteries are Whitney Award winners for Best Mystery/Suspense, and my second dystopian novel was a Whitney Award Finalist for Best Speculative Novel. My novella “An Eye for an Eye” was part of the RONE Award-winning anthology Timeless Romance: Autumn Suspense collection.

My husband Brian and I have five children, two children-in-law (with one more on deck), and a rather majestic cat. I love spending time with my family, enjoy homemade pizza and anything chocolate, and have recently developed a fondness for LEGO projects. I play the violin in a community symphony (but never practice enough), and always have unmatched socks, post-laundry. At the center of everything that matters most is my love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

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Mind Games by Stephanie Black + $25 and Book Giveaway!

Psychologist Natalie Marsh’s dream is now reality: her mental health services clinic has opened and is housed in an elegant, newly renovated nineteenth-century building. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the clinic’s presence, including Heather Osbourne, a troubled young woman who wholly objects to the occupation of the building. Heather has spent years wandering the halls of the abandoned structure, convinced she’s communing with her ancestor’s ghost. When Natalie thwarts Heather’s attempt to leap from a window, the shaken psychologist soon realizes Heather’s failed jump is merely one piece of a disturbing puzzle. Greed and deceit are weaving a web around Natalie, and someone will stop at nothing—not even murder—to get what they want. Stretched to her breaking point, Natalie struggles to learn the truth, but only one thing is clear: nothing is as it seems.

 * Goodreads * Amazon * Deseret Book *

This is a book I have rules about.  Number one:  don't read at night.  Number two:  don't read when you are alone.  Both of which I had to do for this book in order to get it read in time for my review.  I'm a wimp, no doubt about it and I really wish I would have kept to my rules.  😱

This book started out slow for me.  It took me a few chapters to get a grip on who the many characters were and what role they played.  I'd have to stop and think- wait, who is this?  I don't like having to do that.  By the middle of the book the intensity ramped up and things started happening at a faster pace.  I was thinking everyone was guilty, bad and lying!  The ending is very climactic!  (and it scared me)

Stephanie Black is so good at writing these suspense/thrillers.  What a mind she has.  I appreciate that she is able to write in this genre and keep it clean.

Content:  violence, death, attempted suicide

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

*Sept. 11^th: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 12^th: http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://empowermoms.net/

*Sept. 13^th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

*Sept. 14^th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/,http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

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Not A Word by Stephanie Black + $25 and Book Giveaway

Psychologist Natalie Marsh is a pro at keeping secrets. She not only guards her clients’ confidences but also expertly hides her own pain after being disinherited by her dying mother. As fresh personal challenges begin heaping on top of professional ones, Natalie’s best friend, Camille, confides that she thinks someone is stalking her. Natalie suspects that stress, not a stalker, is shadowing Camille—but Camille’s fear only continues to grow when the widow of a local businessman starts whispering that her husband was murdered and a new client of Natalie’s seems to be concealing something much more frightening than her inability to stand up for herself. Soon a shattering crime proves the danger is real. But when everyone has something at stake, is there anyone Natalie can trust? Or will she fall victim to a killer who will do anything to keep secrets hidden?

 * Goodreads * Amazon * Deseret Book *

If mystery/suspense is a genre you love, you really need to read this book.  Stephanie Black is so good at weaving a mystery where I am constantly trying to guess who and why.  Every chapter has me looking at people and events differently, suspecting everyone, and I love that.  

There were quite a lot of characters in this book.  It took me a good third of the book to feel like I had a good grasp on each character and who they were but it did happen and by the end of the book I felt like I knew each person and I could give a detailed description to the police.  Ha!

I loved the pacing of this book that had me interested and involved in the plot from the beginning.  There was never a dull moment.  The ending was gangbuster and had my heart pounding.  I was reading so fast I had to stop myself and go back to read more slowly so I didn't miss something!  Awesome, right?

Content:  Some violence but otherwise clean.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  A favorable review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

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*Nov. 10th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

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Played for a Fool by Stephanie Black + $25 and Book Giveaway!

Three years ago, the small town of Britteridge was rocked by the senseless murder of Gail Ludlum. Now the people most affected by the tragedy have returned to the place where it all began, and the scene is set for the perfect revenge . . .
Megan O’Connor’s life was shattered when she was unwittingly drawn into a kidnapping plot that ultimately led to the murder of an innocent woman. Though the road to redemption has been long, she’s finally found happiness with her recent engagement to a wonderful man, a pillar of the community. But amid the chaos of wedding planning, the return of Gail Ludlum’s son to Britteridge sets in motion a disturbing sequence of events. Soon Megan finds herself the victim of a series of cruel deceptions that indicate one thing: her past mistakes have not been forgiven or forgotten. As the mischief escalates to dangerous levels, it becomes clear that someone is determined to avenge Gail’s death. And he won’t rest until he’s taken a life for a life.

 * Goodreads * Amazon * Deseret Book *

Played for a Fool is the second book with these main characters.  You should really read the first book, Fool Me Twice, before reading this book.  It will help with understanding the background and characters.  It had been awhile since I read Fool Me Twice so it took me a minute to remember and find my groove with the characters.

This is a light suspense novel and a continuation of Megan's life since the last book.  She is now engaged to married and working hard as a student to get a degree.  Bad things start happening to Megan again- hate mail, cruel tricks and deceptions.  

Many times in suspense novels, you don't know who the bad guy really is but you have a list of potential suspects.  In this novel, you know exactly who the bad guys are and you know exactly what they are doing.  You get the story from both perspectives- the perp and the victim.  It's amazing to me that even though I knew who the bud guys were, and I knew what was going to happen, I was still on the edge of my seat.  Crazy stuff, that.  I found myself reading faster and faster until I had to force myself to slow down.  ha.  

I hope poor Megan gets a break now and is able to live a healthy, happy life.  Hopefully the next book, which I look forward to reading, will have new characters in a new place.  Stephanie Black is a fun author and if you love suspense with a touch of romance, you should check her out.

This is an LDS fiction book but there is nothing religious expressed in this book.  There is a mention of where the couple hopes to be married in connection with LDS temples, but that is it.  This book is clean (no swearing or sexual situations).

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*Oct. 1st: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

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