Book Review: Twisted by: Michaelbrent Collings

Publisher: Michaelbrent Collings

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Origins:  From Author for Review

Synopsis: The Douglas family just wants to live their lives, and maybe find a bit of happiness. But when the ghost in their home breaks out of a centuries-long sleep, all hope for happiness will die. Because the thing that haunts them is not just evil... It is something much, much worse. 

Watching them from the shadows. Hungry to start killing once more. and thirsty for the blood of the children, the blood he has so long been denied. The thing that haunts them is not just evil it is twisted. 

Review: TWISTED is a strange novel of the macabre where a sleeping monster is awakened to terrorize the unsuspecting Douglas family. The Douglas family has had a new addition, Ruthie, but she’s born with a rare disease which causes her much pain. Now a new challenge has arisen in the form of a malevolent spirit who longs to start killing again to satisfy its twisted hunger. TWISTED is creepy and scary with both physical and psychological threats to the Douglas family. TWISTED is a special type of horror novel for those who have a strong constitution. Reader Beware!

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Book Review: Trust No One by: Jayne Ann Krentz

Publisher: Putnam Adult

Publication Date: January 6, 2015

Origins:  From Publisher for Review

Synopsis: It's no coincidence when Grace Elland finds a vodka bottle next to the lifeless body of her boss, motivational speaker Sprague Witherspoon. The bottle is a terrifying--and deliberate--reminder of the horrors of her past. Grace retreats to her hometown to regroup and tries to put everything she's learned about positive thinking into practice--a process that is seriously challenged on the world's worst blind date. Awkward doesn't begin to describe her evening with venture-capitalist Julius Arkwright. 

She has nothing in common with a man who lives to make money, but the intense ex-Marine does have some skills that Grace can use--and he's the perfect man to help her when it becomes clear she is being stalked. 

As Witherspoon's financial empire continues to crumble around them, taking a deadly toll, Julius will help Grace step into her past to uncover a devious plan to destroy not only Grace, but everyone around her... 

Review: Grace Elland is a survivor and, unlike many, a seemingly eternal optimist. She works for Sprague Witherspoon, a motivational speaker, and has helped launched his career into the stratosphere. When she finds him dead in his home, a vodka bottle next to him, Grace is undeniably and understandably upset. Out of a job and trying to find her balance again, Grace moves back home. Talked into a blind date by her best friend, she goes out with Julius Arkwright, an intense venture-capitalist who lives to make money. Grace isn’t sure Julius is right for her, but she knows she can trust him when she discovers she’s being stalked by an unknown person with a motive Grace can’t figure out. Does this have to do with the current investigation or Grace’s tragic past? TRUST NO ONE is a romantic suspense novel in which you are immediately drawn to the main characters. I liked Grace, even though she’s super-sunny, because it’s tempered with realism. Julius has his own past issues, which made him appealing as a person and as a romantic interest for Grace. The suspense is well-drawn out and is convoluted enough without being confusing to make it a thrilling tale. TRUST NO ONE is exciting, steamy, and highly enjoyable.

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Book Review: Acts of Violence by: Ross Harrison

Publication Date: January 20, 2014

Origins:  From Author for Review

Synopsis: My name’s Jack Mason. I made a mistake. Took home the wrong girl. Now she’s dead. Cut up. And they’re telling me I did it. 

It’s the same cop that tried to take me down ten years ago. Now he’s coming at me hard. And he’s not the only one. Cole Webster, the city’s crime lord, thinks I stole from him. Broke me out of custody just to ask me about it. Then I killed his son. Now he really wants me. 

Add to this equation a government agent, and I’m a real popular guy right now. Pretty much everyone I meet wants me dead, lawfully or otherwise. There’s nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. I’ve got till morning to uncover Webster’s trafficking operation and take the heat off me. And all I’ve got to go on is a pissed off homeless girl with a thirst for revenge. 

Guess it could be worse. Can’t quite figure how.

Review: Jack Mason is a former cop who now works as an unlicensed private detective. Looking for information at ‘The Web’, a high-end night club, he gets involved after witnessing acts of violence toward one of the bartender. Taking the waitress home, Jack finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery with himself as the prime suspect as the bartender ends up dead in his home. This being the second time he’s accused of murder a female companion, Jack’s got to work to clear his name against all odds. ACTS OF VIOLENCE is set in Harem, a city which everyone has forgotten and is run by the Webster family which is headed by Cole Webster. Jack is, at best, a questionable narrator and the story itself is told in past tense. We’re reading a memory and, as we all know, memory is notoriously unreliable. ACTS OF VIOLENCE is quick-moving and gritty with a noir flair which was definitely appealing to me. I liked the final reveal and while I could see the possibility coming, I was still a bit surprised by the ending. Overall, ACTS OF VIOLENCE is an enjoyable story.

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Book Review: One Wish by: Robyn Carr

Publisher: Mira

Publication Date: February 24, 2015

Origins:  From Publicist for Review

Synopsis: Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she's proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she's created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement. 

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace's fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other. 

But things get complicated when Grace's past catches up with her, and she knows that's not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He's determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

Series: Thunder Point series

Review: Grace Dillon owns the flower shop in town she bought when she moved to Thunder Point. Grace is also a former gold-medal winning champion figure skater famous under her birth name. Only one person knows who she really is in Thunder Point and she prefers it that way. Once Grace’s best friend, Iris, marries her long-time love, Troy Headly, who was interested in Iris, has now decided to appoint himself Grace’s ‘fun-coach’. They decide to keep company, no strings attached, but soon Grace’s past comes home to roost.

I liked both Grace and Troy as people and I was happy to see how their relationship started out as friendship which grew over time into more. I find the evolving relationship stories to be more emotionally satisfying in romance novels and Ms. Carr is a master at this type of story. I love how reading a Thunder Point novel is like visiting old friends. ONE WISH is a solid addition to the Thunder Point series.

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Book Review: Red Hot Blues by: Mickey J. Corrigan

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: December 17, 2014

Origins:  From Author for Review

Synopsis: Growing up in the fast lane...

By the time she's sixteen, Telluride Marshall is tired of running away from bad men with her sex kitten mother. On the road from Maine to Florida, Tellie tries to talk sense to Kittie about the stolen Porsche and the thousands of dollars taken from her abusive ex. Mother and daughter are destined to clash--and to share some wild ride adventure.

Review: Kittie has drug her daughter, Telluride, across the country as she’s made bad decision after bad decision when it comes to men. Kittie seems to be stuck in the mentality she has to have a man to be happy. Now Telluride is sixteen and she’s tired of being the victim of her mother’s bad choices. On the road from Maine in a stolen car with her mom, Telluride tries to talk to Kittie and make her see sense about her life so far. Unfortunately, cats don’t change their stripes. RED HOT BLUES is a novella featuring a smart and sassy sixteen-year-old named Telluride. She’s had a crappy childhood, but still manages to make the best of it and she is more street smart than her mother will ever be. RED HOT BLUES is a great story with interesting and unique characters. The author always brings to life characters which jump off the page. RED HOT BLUES will keep your attention as mother and daughter go on a wild car trip!

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