THE HANGMAN by Mary Burton

The Forgotten Files Book 3
Montlake Romance
April 25^th, 2017
978-1503943698
Romantic Suspense, Thriller/Mystery
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Self-Purchase

4 Hearts

 

For Julia Vargas, she is a cop on a mission to clear her father’s name and solve a case that has stymied the police and public alike. Even as she takes down the bad guys in her job, she is determined to get to the bottom of the Hangman Serial killer case that caused her father to kill himself three decades before. But the truth she is hunting down is elusive and can be deadly if she gets close enough to it. But when women’s bones show up in an empty house with a picture of Julia and her father when she was younger cause Julia to team up with homicide detective Tobias Novak, a man she has a complicated yet passionate history with. But as danger looms, Julia will have to confront her past in order to see where the truth is because the Hangman is determined to silence her once and for all.

 
Wow is all I can say after finishing the third book in the Forgotten Files series by author Mary Burton. I love this series so much. It’s a fast paced, police procedural series that has intriguing characters, captivating storylines and a few twists that you do not see coming. This author does an amazing job keeping the reader on the edge of their seat till the very last page is read with THE HANGMAN. I loved the first two books in the series (book 1-The Shark & book 2- The Dollmaker) and was eager to delve into this next book. I was not disappointed at all. The author delivers some pulse pounding, edge of the seat twists in the story that left me reeling, gave some former characters from past two books some time to shine in this third book and introduced a killer that chilled me to the bones.
 
Meet Julia Vargas. A cop like her father before her, she is determined to get to the truth of his suicide thirty years before as she delves into the one unsolved case from her father’s time, The Hangman serial killer. Entrusting the Shield Security to use their advance technology to help in getting her answers, Julia finds herself racing against the clock with detective Tobias Novak as the hangman comes back to play…this time Julia is in his crosshairs and the killer won’t settle until she is dead. I loved Julia. She was tough, independent and willing to ask for help from others. She was a strong woman in a male dominated job that had me rooting for her right from the beginning. She is paired with Tobias and man you can feel the sparks fly between these two. Past history between them comes into play and I loved how gentle he is with her even as she races head long into danger. All the characters are well written and engaging, the secondary characters from the past two books appear and help move the story along nicely and the author does a top notch job in keeping the suspense at high flame until the climatic ending.

If you enjoy suspense/thriller story that leaves you gasping for air, flipping the pages until the end page is read then you will definitely want to grab Ms. Burton’s The Forgotten Files series. Each book is stand alone story but loosely interconnect with some of the characters. I would definitely start with The Shark and read the books in order to get the best handle on the series.  I am eager to see where this author goes next in this series and hope she continues in the future with more interesting cases and characters for her readers to enjoy and fall in love with.

 
This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD by Kelly Meding

Book 3 in Dreg City Series
Publisher: Bantam Books
Date published: August 2nd, 2011
ISBN 9780345525772
Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Evy Stone has survived dying and coming back with extraordinary powers and another chance on life. Now with just a handful of people she trusts knowing she is still alive, after the fire that was specifically set to kill her, Evy & Wade, her partner and lover, they race against the clock to figure out who was the one who created the monsters now in the hands of the Dreg Bounty Hunters. For this mad scientist is determined to wipe out vampires completely and he will use anything he has to get the one thing he wants more than anything-Evy Stone.

With most series, by book three the story starts to slow down, get bogged down in repeated telling of the past books and just sheer exhaustion. Not so in ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD. With heart pounding action from start to finish, the reader is taken on a roller coaster of a ride with Evy, Wade and their small band of allies. With each page I turned, I was drawn into the world this author created, so much so I couldn’t put it down to sleep. I just had to see what would happen next for this amazing cast of characters. Her world building is so wonderful that the reader doesn’t need to keep a score card handy to keep track of events, places and characters. The story gives enough of what happened in the first two books without it going into the dreaded repeat that some series have issues with. With the right amount of tension, action, mysteries and more, Kelly Meding delivers a high octane ride that will satisfy her readers on every level.

The character rich storyline delivers everything I adore about an urban fantasy book. They grow with each book, the reader finds more layers to explore and the way this author writes them, makes me want to join this merry band of heroes. Evy Stone has powers that she got when she was resurrected back from the dead and no, these aren’t your typical powers either as she is learning that it hurts to use them and she is figuring out the limits of her power. Evy is a woman after my own heart. She stole it with book one-THREE DAYS TO DEAD-and I loved her ever since. She is a kick ass woman who is determined to find a way to get some peace…though trouble follows in her wake no matter what. The secondary cast of characters steps up and delivers some amazing scenes that leave you on the edge. The ending alone in ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD left me going “Oh My God!!” in shock. This is an author who knows her characters inside and out and lets them shine-warts and all. The evil mad scientist is guaranteed to make your skin crawl and I was hoping Evy, Wade and their friends would do a good beat down on his butt.

ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD picks up after AS LIE THE DEAD ends and the readers are in for a treat. With a few surprises thrown in, mystery, a little romance plus action galore, Kelly Meding delivers a story that will keep you coming back for more. I can’t wait for the next addition to the Dreg City series and hope this author continues Evy’s adventures as she tries to accept her new life in her new body. Get ready for a pulse pounding ride in ANOTHER KIND OF DEAD and I guarantee, you won’t be able to put it down.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

FATE’S SECOND CHANCE by AJ Jarrett

Twist of Fate Series, Book 1
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Date Published: November 3rd,2011
ISBN 9781920501372
Contemporary M/M, Fantasy, Romance
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Author


Finding out your soul was put in the wrong body when your guardian angel was off doing other things, is something Marie Carter, now named Marc, finds out when he comes back to the land of the living after unexpectedly dying. Now Marc has one month to make his best friend fall in love with him, redeem his guardian angel in the eyes of his superiors and save his fate. Easy, right?

AJ Jarret delivers a unique story in the whole ‘dying then coming back to life’ plot line. One that had me intrigued after reading the book blurb. She delivers a twist that had me rooting for Marie/Marc to get his happily ever after. This is a new to me author and I found this author’s writing style to be delightful as the story wound itself around me. I wasn’t sure how it would play out with the whole ‘died a female but come back as a male’ line but it worked really well here.

After the first few pages, Marie ceased to exist to my mind and Marc came into full force to me. I loved how the author had Marie’s mannerisms, words, etc transfer over into Marc. He was a wonderful character to get to know. You could see how Marc wanted to have everything work out-get the love of his life, fix everything and live happily ever after…except reality has a way of bitch slapping you when you least expect it. The secondary characters were also enjoyable and relatable. I found Shawn and Sabrina to be delightful as Marc’s best friend/soul mate and sister, respectively. I could really relate to their disbelief and amazement, once it comes out Marc is not who he says he is. The one thing I had an issue with, it was too short. I would have loved to have seen this a bit longer and more in-depth with everyone, but overall, this novella worked just fine for an afternoon of reading pleasure.

Who hasn’t wanted to fix things in their lives? In this debut novel for the Twist of Fate series, AJ Jarrett delivers her version of what she thinks someone may do with that second chance. FATE’S SECOND CHANCE delivers a cast of unforgettable characters, a fast paced storyline with a touch of humor, sadness and romance mixed in to keep things interesting. I am eager to see what is next for this series and look forward to exploring more of this author’s work in the future. Love, friendship and a guardian angel with a sense of humor…that is what’s in FATE’S SECOND CHANCE.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

LEGAL ARTISTRY by Andrew Grey

A Bottled Up Story
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date Published: September 2011
ISBN 978-1-61372-113-1
ASIN: B005P20DDW
Contemporary GBLT
E-book
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


When Dieter Krumpf’s grandmother died, he found she’d left him everything, including her precious photo albums that included pictures of her family art collection…the collection her family left behind when the Nazi’s came. Now many years later, Dieter finds out that the paintings are still around and he meets with Gerald Young, an attorney that seems determined to help win him back his family legacy. There isn’t much hope as the legal challenges begin but as Dieter and Gerald grow closer, they find something much more than they ever imagined: love.

Whenever I pick up an Andrew Grey book, I always feel like I am coming home from being away a long time. The character rich stories this author creates are delightful, sweet and always leave me wanting more. LEGAL ARTISTRY is part of his critically acclaimed Bottled Up Series, and also spins off into a new series as well that is set in this world. We meet up again with familiar faces from past Bottled Up books and meet some new ones like our main characters, Dieter and Gerald, that will keep you intrigued till the very end. The writing is tight, the storyline ebbs and flows perfectly and the sex scenes just enhance the growing closeness between Dieter and Gerald.

Meet Dieter Krumpf. He works in the computer field and finds himself with a mystery on his hands after his grandmother dies. Looking over the photographs of his family’s art collection before WWII, Dieter is stunned to find out that the collection is still around but in a museum. Now the game begins as Dieter starts the legal ball rolling to get his family legacy back. What really impressed me each time I open one of this author’s books, is that he has a way of creating memorable characters within tough situations that don’t come across as whiny, annoying or anything negative like that. You sympathize and grow to love them over the course of the story. I fell in love with Gerald and Dieter as they worked toward the most unbelievable court case, yet also finding the one person they are meant to be with in life. Some of my favorite characters are back in the Bottled Up Series and I was thrilled to see how they were coming along as they helped Dieter as well.

Mr. Grey delivers a wonderful compelling story that leaves you eager for more at the end. The ending alone had me racing to see if the story will continue on his website. The characters, the tough subjects this author isn’t afraid to incorporate in his books, and the lyrical way he writes leaves readers spellbound. LEGAL ARTISTRY is more than a typical male-male story but one of two people finding the love they need and more importantly, deserve. I can not get enough of this author’s work and love that he continues to surprise me with his books. If you are looking for an introduction to this author’s work, take your pick of any of his books. You won’t be disappointed at all. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

HARVEST HUNTING by Yasmine Galenorn

An Otherworld Novel, Book 8
Publisher: Berkley Jove
Date published: October 26th, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-515-14853-4
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Self-Purchase


Delilah D’Artigo has been through the ringer lately. Her love life is a mess as she was marked by the Autumn Lord as one of his Death Maidens, his only living one. Plus add in family issues, a bounty by Demon general Stacia Bonecrusher and a nasty drug called Wolf Briar that has the D’Artigo sisters, their friends and family on race to find the sixth seal, stay alive and find the answers she needs for death is knocking at her door if she fails.

I love the Otherworld series a lot. Not only does the author, Yasmine Galenorn, have some of the most complex characters to enjoy, she also provides an ongoing storyline that encompasses all the characters in some way, shape or form. What really draws me to this author’s books in this series is her unique way of putting each sister in her own book, with her own point of view in focus. I love that every book is about the continuing storyline for each sister and it feels so natural to read how each sister is doing, growing as a character and the twists the author puts in her books leave you on the edge of your seat.

In HARVEST HUNTING, we find Delilah D’Artigo finding out it’s time to be trained as a death maiden for her master, the Autumn Lord. Plus add in mysterious werewolf deaths, a nasty drug is being used against them and on top of it all; her love life went to hell in a hand basket. Needless to say she is ready to kick some ass and find the answers she needs to solve the werewolves deaths. I love, love, love this series. It has a diverse cast of characters you can’t help but fall in love with, some of the best writing I ever experienced and a storyline that continues to surprise the heck out of me. The writing is tight, the storyline moves at a nice even pace and I was enthralled till the very end.

I just could not put HARVEST HUNTING down, not even to go to sleep. I was so engrossed in Delilah’s story that I totally lost track of time until the very last page was read. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series and can’t wait to see what else happens in the world where fae, demons, weres and other otherworld creatures live among us. If you are looking for an exceptional series to enjoy, then I highly recommend the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn. I do suggest reading them in order as each book continues the storyline started in the previous one.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE RED HEART OF JADE by Marjorie M. Liu

A Dirk and Steele Novel
Publisher: Avon
Date published: February 22nd, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-201988-2
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Dean Campbell is in assignment in Taipei, investigating a series of perplexing murders for the Dirk & Steele Agency. Dean has a special and unique gift of being able to see and sense things others cannot. Now fighting forces even he has no clue how to fight, Dean finds that the woman he thought dead is in all reality alive and in the cross hairs of a mysterious group.

Mirabelle Lee is an acclaimed archeologist and when the find of the century has her on the run with Dean, she finds herself trying to reconcile the man before her to the boy he once was. For Mirabelle is in danger-not just for her life but also for her heart. Dean is determined to have Mirabelle no matter the cost. The question is will they live long enough to have their own happily ever after?

I love Marjorie M. Liu’s work. Her stories are lyrical, entertaining and quite engrossing. In her Dirk & Steele series, she tackles some intriguing paranormal aspects, from shape shifters to psychics to magic. It’s all covered in one of these stories and I greedily grab the new books with heartfelt abandon. THE RED HEART OF JADE is about two people who thought the other was dead. For twenty years both have moved on, realizing their dreams and finding they are missing that part of themselves. A chance encounter leads to reconciliation…and loads of danger. What I love the most about this author’s work is her varied cast of characters. They are multi-dimensional, unique and quite intriguing. Each character, secondary or not, is just as rich and detailed as the main characters. You can tell this is an author who knows her characters inside and out.

Mirabelle Lee lost her childhood love, Dean, to a grisly shooting. Assuming he is dead, it’s a shock to see him in her hotel room twenty years later. Both Dean and Mirabelle find themselves drawn back to one another as they try to stay one step ahead of the mysterious bad guys and find that the connection they had years before had never died. Dean Campbell is a man with a gift and he uses it for the Dirk & Steele Agency. He met the killer once and barely got away with his life. Now seeing Mirabelle again, Dean is determined to have the love he had with her again. Can these two find a way to stop the bad guys before it’s all too late? Both of the main characters are quite delightful. I loved that Mirabelle was no slouch or wilting violet. She held her own against Dean and the bad guys. Dean is a complex wounded hero. His vulnerabilities come into play when his case gets complex and memories threaten to overwhelm him at times. Ms. Liu does a great job in creating a spectacular cast of characters to enjoy and be intrigued by. The secondary characters are quite enjoyable and kept the story flowing smoothly.

THE RED HEART OF JADE delivers a pulse pounding ride from start to finish. Once the last page was read, I was eager to see who would be the next in this exceptional series. If you are looking for a wonderful complex storyline that draws you in and leaves you breathless, then grab a Dirk & Steele Series book.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SPIRITED by Cari Z.

Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Date published: August 2009
No ISBN # Given
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
E-book
Obtained Via: Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn


CLICK TO PURCHASE! Five years ago, Detective Andrea Haney and her partner, Darren O’ Connel, were involved in a relationship that ended badly. Andrea has been determined to never fall for his charms again and when a case she is working on has her working with Darren again, eager to get back into her good graces, will Andrea be able to resist the one man who has a hold on her heart? Will they be able to find a way to stop a sorcerer manufacturing a deadly drug that is killing people all over?

SPIRITED by author Cari Z. was a pleasant surprise and well worth the few hours of reading pleasure I got this afternoon. Ms. Cari Z delivers a story that keeps the reader enthralled from start to finish, had tight writing, some interesting characters and a mystery that keeps things tense between Andrea and Darren. These two characters are a joy to read as Andrea tried to keep her heart locked behind a wall and Darren was determined to break it down. The sexual tension between these two was quite electrifying and it helped that even though they had a past, Andrea and Darren also knew how to do their jobs as well…in this case to find out where the manufacture of the deadly drug, Fairy Dust, is and who is controlling it. Ms. Cari Z. is definitely an author to keep an eye on in the future and I just hope to see more of Andrea and Darren in the future.

SPIRITED introduces Det. Andrea Haney to the readers. A dedicated cop who is determined to find and bring down whoever is manufacturing the deadly drug, Fairy Dust, as it kills more people. Darren broke her heart five years before and she is determined to not succumb to his charms a second time. Can Andrea find a way to forgive the one man who is destined to hold her heart? SPIRITED answers that question and more as this author delves into the world of Shamanism and magic and Ms. Cari Z. deftly weaves a spell around you as you get into the problems Andrea faces as she squares off with Darren over their painful breakup. All the while trying to find a way to stop the toxic drug from killing others. With a fast paced storyline, this author keeps the reader intrigued even as the tension between the main characters heats up to almost boiling over.

If you enjoy a quick read that will keep you highly entertained and introduce you to memorable characters, than grab SPIRITED and settle in for a enjoyable ride. Ms. Cari Z. is a “new to me” author that I am going to keep an eye out for. I highly enjoyed SPIRITED and hope you can check it out as well.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.