Sinister Secrets by Traci Hunter Abramson, Clair M. Poulson and Paige Edwards

 

Traci Hunter Abramson: Secrets of St. Augustine

FBI Special Agent Doug Valdez is in France looking for money launderers. The last thing he expects is to find a young girl fleeing for her life or the deadly game of cat and mouse that ensues.

Paige Edwards: In Plain Sight

Jaclyn Girard was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now she’s caught in the middle of a deadly investigation. With danger mounting, she must work alongside FBI operative Cody Ackert if she hopes to survive.

Clair M. Poulson: Hounded

Recently retired Army Ranger Renn Huitt has found the perfect job. Working for Bob, a private investigator nearing retirement, should be easy. But Bob has put a lot of people behind bars—people who hold a grudge. And now they are coming for him.

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Secrets of St. Augustine: 5 stars

If you have read any of this author's books, Agent Doug Valdez will be familiar to you.  He's been in quite a few books so his character was familiar to me.  Even if you haven't read about him before, his general backstory is covered so you will have a good idea just how awesome he is.  This story is action packed and fast moving starting in France and then through Europe.  Poor Layla.  The history of her short life so far will break your heart.  Doug was the perfect person to cross paths with her and save her.  I loved this story!  (no romance here, but definitely love!)

Hounded:  3.5 stars

Author Clair Poulson is going at knowing his terminology and the way the police process works.  His stories always sound believable and reasonable.  There was a lot going on in this story, and there were a lot of people involved.  I didn't have trouble keeping them all straight, I just had trouble connecting to the characters and to any sort of emotion.  I liked the strong men who had strong women helping them though.  That felt good.  (mild romance)

In Plain Sight:  5 stars

This story was such a good balance of all things emotional and suspenseful.  I loved the dual perspective from both Cody and Jaclyn.  Jaclyn's family was brought into the story and it really made things feel homey and gave that touch of realistic as they all shared a cramped apartment for a bit.  The food, the sleeping, the bathroom.  There was plenty of action and tension to keep me reading, anxious and invested all the way through.  My favorite of the three novellas in this book.  (This novella held the most romance.)

Content:  peril, violence (running, chasing, gunshots, fighting).

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

Storm Rising (The Book of the Wars #1) by Ronie Kendig

Once lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold ancient secrets and dangers. Former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe has been tasked with capturing the ancient text, but a Bulgarian operative snatches it, determined to secure her freedom. When a series of strange storms erupt, they must form an alliance to thwart impending disaster.

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How is this the first book I've read by Ronie Kendig?!?!  I have a couple of her books on my kindle and I've read a ton of good reviews for her books but somehow I just haven't connected and read one myself.  I'm so glad I have now rectified that mistake!  And now that I've been introduced to the world of Ronie Kendig, I'm never going back.  How happy that I have so many books to look forward to.  😃

This book!  Fast paced, action packed, full on, from beginning to end.  Sometimes a girl just needs to sit on the edge of her seat for a whole book, you know?  I really loved the alternating points of view so I really got to know the inner workings of both main characters.  It helped me connect and feel the passion behind their decisions- for better or for worse.  

I have to say that for the first third of the book I had a hard time with all the characters introduced.  It was hard to keep them straight and remember who was who.  There were SO many characters!  Eventually I caught on though and they became more familiar to me.  It's so much easier to fall into a book when you don't have to constantly think about who is who.  

There is so much going on in this book plot wise.  Yes, there is this overarching story about the "book" and the storms, but there are also smaller mysteries going on with different characters.  It definitely kept my mind spinning and thinking!  This is the beginning of a series and this book did not have much resolution.  A little tiny bit.  Now I am left waiting and wondering until the next book comes out.  It kind of makes me glad that I can go back to past books and read through them all without waiting.  The perk of coming in late to the game, I guess.  Waiting is so hard.

Content:  violence, death, peril, abuse, mention of repeat rapes with no details.  Kissing.

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

Plague by Gregg Luke + Win a Copy of This Book!

Professor Mitch Pine knows all too well the history of epidemics, so the startling new information he’s discovered has him racing to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Mitch has uncovered a startling pattern: dramatic environmental changes always occurred prior to devastating outbreaks, and current climate change may be such a catalyst. But before his plane lands, Mitch’s journey takes a terrifying turn. He is intercepted by a woman who represents a dangerous faction whose interest in Mitch’s research opposes his mission to save lives. To secure Mitch’s cooperation, his research assistant is being held hostage. With so many lives on the line, Mitch embarks on a turbulent trip around the world, uncovering pieces of the puzzle until he ultimately holds the key to prevent—or precipitate—global devastation. Unless he can find a way to stop the lunatics behind his abduction, a plague the likes of which the world has never known will be unleashed.

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Author Gregg Luke has such a creepy, creative mind and I mean that in the best way.  His books always make me wonder how he comes up with such crazy ideas.  I would scare myself trying to come up with the things he writes about in his books!

I have to say that out of all of this author's books (that I've read), this was probably one of the least intense and fast paced.  It progressed slowly and lacked some of the intense forward momentum I've come to know in most of his other books.  Things picked up in the last third of the book but even then it still felt a bit more sedate.  I would say that this book was more about intellect, paying attention to small clues and piecing together information.

In this story we follow Mitch around the world, collection information that helps him piece together a puzzle of globally devastating consequences.  It's a lot of information gathering.  I liked that things were happening on dual fronts so we got multiple perspectives.  Mitch is a genuinely nice guy and it was easy to like him and to appreciate his intellect.  

The cover for this book is pretty cool, I think.  The actual physical book is textured which gives it a creepy sort of feel.  

Content:  some violence, peril

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

 

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Dead Drift (Chesapeake Valor #4) by Dani Pettrey

Private Investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving Luke Gallagher after he disappeared. Now he's back, and together they must unravel a twisting thread of secrets, lies, and betrayal while on the brink of a biological disaster that will shake America to its core. Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist's next target?

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I have been anticipating this book for so long!  It's the final book in the Chesapeake Valor Series!  I would recommend reading these books in order.  They follow a group of friends and while each book is focused on one main character, each friend has story development in each one.  The books are so intertwined that reading them in order is essential.  I was so excited to finally get to Kate and Luke and reach some resolution for all these friends.

This book, as with all the other books in this series, is full of fast paced action and suspense.  It is balanced so well with character interaction and story development.  I love reading these kinds of books and Dani Pettrey is a master at writing them.  

I have loved getting to know these characters.  They feel real to me which is exactly where I want to be as a reader.  I am glad to see the conclusion of this series and some resolution for the characters.  They deserve a nice, long rest!  ha.  

Content:  violence, murder (some described in details), Christian fiction (talk of God, praying, forgiving)

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

Breach of Trust by Kathi Oram Peterson + $25 Giveaway

Lieutenant Commander Cooper Lane has so much to live for. With a loving husband and beautiful baby girl waiting for her back home, she is anxious to finish her mission in Afghanistan and return to her family. But in a split second, her world shatters. Her helicopter is going down in that hostile country, and there will be no survivors. Four Years Later . . . On a covert mission in an Afghan village, Navy SEAL Axe Talbot finds something no one ever expected: Lieutenant Cooper Lane—alive. Cooper survived the crash that killed her team and has been hiding behind enemy lines for four years. It’s the woman he’s been looking for and dreaming about for so long. After her rescue, Cooper is not sure she can survive the reality waiting for her back home—when she disappeared and was pronounced dead, her husband married her best friend. Cooper is lost, but her troubles are just beginning. In one horror-filled moment, her former husband is murdered before her eyes, and Cooper becomes the prime suspect. Now she must embark on one last mission to clear her name. And there are only two people she trusts to help her: her father and Axe, the SEAL who rescued her. Cooper and Axe take off, and together the makeshift team uncovers a trail of mysterious deaths that leads to unimaginable danger.

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I really loved reading this book!  It grabbed my interest from the very beginning and just didn't let up.

We get to know Cooper and Axe through current circumstances as well as flashbacks.  The flashbacks really help us understand the struggle and the bonding these two went through.

If I could summarize Cooper's life in one sentence it would be:  What a mess.  Honestly, What.  A.  Mess.  Her helicopter goes down in Afghanistan and everyone in her crew dies leaving her the lone survivor hiding in a remote village.  Little does she know that in the four years since as she has tried to just survive, back home she has been declared dead and her husband has married another to help raise their daughter that doesn't even know her.  See?  It's a mess.  But that's not all.  Cooper is suffering from PSD, her husband is killed and then she realizes that someone is trying to kill her.  But the local sheriff thinks Cooper is the killer.  Oy.  Axe shows up and he and Cooper are off on mission to discover what is really going on.  It's a crazy ride!

In my mind I kept thinking, "how much can one woman take?!"  I still wonder but at least Cooper had Axe and her father on her side.  They were her rocks and the steadying influence when her whole world was crashing down.  I loved them both.

This book has a bit of everything.  Suspense, danger, drama, action.  It was really good.  I read through this book so quickly because I just didn't want to put it down.  Yay!  I love when that happens.

Content:  No swearing or sexual scenes.  Some kissing, some violence.  There is some mention of the LDS religion and some talk of praying and God but nothing overly preachy.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  I was under no obligation to review and all opinions expressed are my own. 

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Walk of Infamy (Rhea Jensen #6) by Sheralyn Pratt

Rhea always knew she worked for a powerful men, but she didn’t understand the full scope of their influence until she quit her job—or tried to.

The clandestine group that calls themselves The Fours doesn’t accept two-week’s notice from employees. Instead, they’re demanding Rhea perform a final task of their choosing to earn a life free from their demands.

Rhea knows whatever The Fours ask of her will be unlike any challenge she’s ever faced. She’s prepared for the worst, but what she’s about to learn is that groups like The Fours are a secret for a reason.

Because no one gets to walk away from them. Not even Rhea.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

First, I have to note that this book is the sixth and final book in the Rhea Jensen series.  Then I need to tell you that I have not read any of the other books in this series.  That really scared me going into this review because I wasn't sure if it would be able to stand on it's own.  I was worried that because I hadn't read the previous books, I wouldn't be able to understand what was happening.  Even though I haven't read this complete series, I have read other books by Sheralyn Pratt and I have LOVED them.  I really, really wanted to love this book as well.

So, I'm happy to report that the author does a fantastic job of giving me plenty of essential backstory so I had a clear idea of what was happening.  There were obvious moments where I knew so much more had happened before and I was only getting a small bite of previous events but I had enough to feel like I still knew what was going on.  

This book is full on from beginning to end.  I was wound up tight and had to consciously make myself relax.  Sometimes I had to set the book down and do something else before coming back to the story.  It was nuts.  My heart was pumping, my eyes were leaking.  I was all over the spectrum of emotions with this one.  What a crazy ride!

I have read Pimpernel by Sheralyn and this book had a carry over to that book.  The ending left me floundering a bit and now I'm all sorts of wishing I had a next book after Pimpernel.  Is there going to be a next book?  There must be.  There has to be.  No pretty little boxes tied up with bows for this book ending.  I'm so glad I read it though!

Content:  violence, a few instances of swearing, flashback to a rape scene with no intimate details

-I received a copy of this book for free.  A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

Infected by Gregg Luke + $25 and Book Giveaway!

Mother Nature: the world's most innovative killer.

Deep in the jungles of Venezuela, mycologist Dr. Julia Fatheringham is engrossed in her study of native fungi. But what begins as a standard research trip quickly spirals into chaos when her associate's erratic behavior results in his horrifying death. Soon, Julia makes a startling discovery: her partner was contaminated by an organism found only in insects. It alters the victim's mind in alarming ways, with an invariably deadly outcome. Julia is baffled by her discovery—this organism has never appeared in humans. It shouldn't be possible. There is only one terrifying conclusion: The infection has jumped species.

Now, in this remote corner of the world, a contagion of unparalleled horror rests in Julia's hands. But even as she works to contain the organism that could spell devastation of apocalyptic proportions, there are others with a different agenda. They've learned of her discovery and will go to any lengths to acquire a sample—there is good money to be had in eco-terrorism.

Armed only with her strength of mind and what courage she can gather, Julia prepares to battle the devastating scourge—and the terrorists determined to unleash it on humanity.

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EEEEWWWWW!  This book gave me the willies.  I just have to say it again.  Ew!  The mental pictures I have from this book gross me out.  If this were a movie I would never watch it.  I'm a bit squeamish.  Can you tell?

At one point I had to stop reading this book because I was feeling like this fungus was creeping up on me.  Oh, and don't eat while reading this book.  It may cause you to lose your appetite.

Did I mention yet that I liked this book?  Ha.  It was fast paced and so plot driven.  The characters didn't really resonate with me (well, except the bad guy) but the plot carried them along.  I definitely never became bored while reading this book.

I can think of a lot of adjectives to describe this book.  Besides the few I mentioned above, here are a few more.  Terrifying because all of the stuff in this story could easily be real and all these things could really happen- maybe they are happening and I just don't know it.  Nasty- just wait 'till you read it.  Ew!  Intriguing because what if this did happen?  And what kind of mind thinks up stuff like this (Gregg Luke!) ?!

This book shook up my normal genre reading.  It's always fun to shift mind gears and read something different than usual.  

Content:  some violence, gruesome details

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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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.

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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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Portrait of Lies by Clair M. Poulson + $25 and Book Giveaway

It was a robbery gone bad, or so they said. For Detective Trey Shotwell, the murder of his mother, a prominent artist, was the catalyst for setting aside his own artistic aspirations to pursue a career in law enforcement—despite the opposition of his father, also a famous painter. When he agrees to attend an art auction featuring his father's work, the cruise ship locale provides the relaxation that Trey needs—and when he meets stunning fellow passenger Ariah Stanton, the undeniable chemistry they share is an unexpected bonus.

But the tranquil voyage quickly turns into a nightmare at sea. The Shotwell paintings have disappeared, and amidst the chaotic hunt for the thief, a murderer is free to roam the halls of the ship. Ariah finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and miraculously escapes the murderer—for now. But another victim is not so lucky...

The crime is eerily reminiscent of the death of Trey's mother so many years before. But this time, the young detective has the resources he needs to track the killer. As the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together, they paint the chilling picture of a sinister plot years in the making. In a manhunt that takes him from the high seas of the Pacific to the wilderness of Australia, Trey will stop at nothing to solve the crime and protect the woman he loves.

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Portrait of Lies is suspense just like I like it- just enough to keep you interested and on the edge of your seat but not too scary.  Clair Poulsen is one of my favorite authors in the LDS suspense genre.  His books are clean and have a great flow to them.  I really enjoyed this one!

This book is primary set on a cruise ship and revolves around some paintings.  There is a whole cast of characters and I suspected them all.  Even though there were so many characters in this book I never felt as though I didn't know who was who.  I had a clear picture of each character in my head and they all came into the story in a way that was easy to remember.  That is always a huge thing in a book like this.

Trey is a character that is easy to root for.  He is strong yet kind.  He knows what he wants and works hard to get it.  Ariah is less of a standout in this book, more needy than anything but a good contrast to Trey.

This book is an LDS suspense.  The characters mention their religion and the book will say they talked about religious things but nothing is detailed or specific.  There are some violent things, murders and such things that are usually found in suspense novels.  Other than that, this book is squeaky clean- no swearing or sexual content.

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Extreme Measures by Michele Ashman Bell + $25 and Book Giveaway!

Following the trauma of her estranged husband’s untimely death, Emma Lowell is happy with the life she has rebuilt for herself. She’s engaged to a wonderful man and anticipates a fresh start, free from her troubled past. Only one persistent obstacle remains: Margaret Lowell, her former mother-in-law. Margaret continues to be a demanding presence in Emma’s life, and her requests have become increasingly disconcerting. When Margaret asks Emma to accompany her on a sentimental journey to the family’s mountain cabin, the young woman reluctantly agrees. After all, her fiancé is out of town. No one will miss her. Emma could never have suspected the horror that awaits in the snow-bound cabin, for beneath Margaret Lowell’s elderly façade lies a sinister and terrifying nature—and a plot born of insanity. Alarmed by the dark plan that unfolds, Emma struggles to escape the isolated cabin in a chilling game of cat and mouse. As the danger escalates, and with little hope of rescue, Emma must engage in a battle of wills if she is to avoid becoming the final piece in Margaret’s twisted puzzle . . .

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 Ahhhh!  What happens when an old lady goes psycho?!  Very bad things.  Oh man, this was a good book with one very creepy woman.  Seriously, crazy stuff.  But I liked it!  ha.

This is a very plot driven book.  That isn't to say that the characters weren't developed or anything because they were great, but I was definitely more connected to the plot.  I was desperate to find out what was coming next.  What was going to happen?  What was Emma going to do?  And that Margaret. . . wow.  CREEPY PSYCHO!!

I tore through this book- couldn't put it down.  It was good stuff.

This is an LDS fiction book.  The main characters are both LDS and some religious beliefs are talked about.  My thanks to Covenant Communications for allowing me to read and review this book for them.

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