WILD SIGN by Patricia Briggs

An Alpha and Omega Novel, Book 6

ACE

March 16^th, 2021

978-0440001584

Paranormal Mystery, Fiction, Romance

E-ARC

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher via Netgalley

4 Hearts

 

In a small town in Northern California, the residents have disappeared and the Marrock, leader of the werewolves, finds out the town of Wild Sign is on their lands they own there. So, Bran sends mated werewolves, Charles Cornick and Anna Latham to check it out, but the question remains, how did the residents disappear with no trace? As past collides with present, Charles and Anna find that danger mounts as they deal with something they never anticipated before and if they can’t find the answers, whatever awakened will continue to cause havoc.

 

Wow! WOW! WOW! Is all I can say after reading this latest installment in the Alpha and Omega series which is a spin-off of the wildly popular and one of my favorite series, Mercy Thompson series. This time, Charles and Anna are tasked to investigate something that is more than either anticipates or finds the past of their pack meeting with the present as it collides in WILD SIGN. What I love about this series is that the author delivers a set of characters that just grow with each book and deliver some amazing scenes together and apart. I love how soft Charles can get around Anna yet anyone looking at her crossly will get his back up and his title as enforcer of the pack is not all for show. Add in a mystery that is as complex and unique as ever well, the reader will get sucked in like I did with the story and get lost with all the twists and turns. I know some things I sure didn’t see coming and the ending alone, left my jaw on the ground.

With each book in this series, we get treated to more of the pack, the complex and unique dynamics that engulf Anna as the omega of the pack and Charles who stole her heart and is one scary guy/wolf. Ms. Briggs delivers an action-packed story full of interesting characters-some old faces, some new ones, a mystery to figure out and danger that comes closer with each page to Charles and Anna. When the climatic last chapter hit, I was on the edge of my seat, anxious to see if they would live or die. It was that intense. Ms. Briggs is a talented storyteller who knows how to weave a spell around her readers and in WILD SIGN, the readers won’t be disappointed. Get ready for an edge of the seat ride from start to finish and you will be amazed in the end of some secrets that were only hinted at in past books. I can’t wait to see where the next book will take these guys and the readers as well.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

 

 

WRONG ALIBI by Christina Dodd

An Alaskan Mystery, Book 1

HQN Books

December 29^th, 2020

978-1-335-08082-0

Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary Fiction

Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Author.

3.5 Hearts

 

For Evelyn Jones, this was the perfect job in small-town Alaska as she works for a reclusive wealthy art collector when he disappears, and she is the prime suspect in a double murder as well as being accused of embezzlement and theft. With life in prison in her future even as she protests her innocence, she goes on the run and isolates herself as she tries to solve the crime against her. Determined to get to the truth of the matter, Evelyn is on the search for a killer who set her up and destroyed her life. But whispers are on the wind as danger grows as she gets closer to the truth, but what happens when she finds out who set her up and why, will it shatter this strong and courageous woman she has become or force her to see what was always in front of her?

 

WRONG ALIBI is the start of a juicy new series by Christina Dodd and one I couldn’t wait to delve into. There were times I had to suspend disbelief a little in the beginning, but I think it helped set up Evelyn the character as well as the story itself. The story flows smoothly after that initial introduction of characters and events that cause Evelyn to flee into hiding. I love Christina Dodd’s thrillers and found WRONG ALIBI to be entertaining as well as a mystery that had me on the edge of my seat. With the right amount of tension, mystery and thrills, the author delivers a story that will keep the reader guessing who the killer is as well as the why about it.

WRONG ALIBI delivers an entertaining story that left me turning pages as quick as can be as well as rooting for Evelyn to get to the bottom of things. Yes, there were times the story did bog down a bit but it helped that it didn’t hang on the author righted the ship those times so to speak. I liked Evelyn and though she felt a bit naïve in the beginning, I felt she grew into herself as time went on within the story to become a wonderful, intriguing character to enjoy. If you are looking for a mystery to keep you entertained these cold, snowy nights then I highly recommend WRONG ALIBI and hope you can enjoy it as well as I did.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

MIDNIGHT WEB by Yasmine Galenorn

A Moonshadow Bay Novel, Book 2

Nightqueen Enterprises

February 28^th, 2021

Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Romance, Mystery

Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self Purchase

5 Hearts

 

January Jaxson is finding herself again after a disastrous marriage ends with her starting over, divorced, and living back in her hometown of Moonshadow Bay. Her job with Conjure Ink is interesting and she is enjoying her new relationship with wolf shifter, Killian, her next-door neighbor. But when she opens an old bottle, she got from a thrift store, she finds more than even she has bargained. A djinn needs her help and after promising to see what she can do; she vows to give him his freedom at all possible. But at same time, the case Conjure Ink is working on has them in wrestling with active, malicious spirits and more in a local restaurant. Can January figure out how to calm the spirits down and let them rest before they do more damage, or will she find that turning forty-one is just a wish and prayer as danger heats up?

 

MIDNIGHT WEB continues January’s story from Starlight Web as we get to know more about her, her hometown and her friends and family in Moonshadow Bay. I got to admit this series is definitely coming in a close third as one of my favorites of this author’s. The world building is phenomenal, and you feel like you are part of the story with January and the gang and with each book, you get to see more of the town’s secrets as well and more of the residents there. I love the characters in this series as they are all diverse, unique, and beautifully written. January is a curvy older woman starting over and I love how relevant she is to me. It made me appreciate her a lot more as well as her good friends and family helping shore her up when she finds herself insecure with herself.

 

Meet January Jaxson. Divorced and living back in Moonshadow Bay, she is finding herself again after her marriage went belly up and she came home with nothing but what she could gather. With her life in tatters, she finds a job at Conjure Ink, a paranormal investigation business and finds herself intrigued by the different cases she gets to check out and is enjoying making new friends with her coworkers. She also finds out the spooky case she is checking out is more than she ever imagined as spirits are up in arms and determined to hurt people. Add in a djinn who is now her houseguest for the moment and another small mystery to solve, well January has her hands full trying to figure things out before danger mounts and she provably bites the dust. I just adore January and find her extremely relatable. She is at times tough, tender, assertive and insecure. She is flawed but that is what makes her, in my opinion, so much fun to read and enjoy in MOONLIGHT WEB. All the characters are multidimensional and for me, January is the star of the show by far. Add in her relationships with family, friends, and lovers then you find a well-rounded woman who is finding herself again and that right there calls to me in so many ways. With this second book we see more of the strength that is inside of January as well as her connections to several people deepen and grow. Ms. Galenorn is a master at creating diverse, unique characters that fairly brim to life and step off the pages.

MIDNIGHT WEB delivers an action-packed ride from start to finish and lots of twists even I didn’t see coming. This is an author who knows instinctively how to captivate and enthrall her readers, so much so that they need more after finishing the book. I know I did, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be out in April though I want it now. So, if you enjoy an older main character that can kick butt and is soft on kittens, then this series is for you. I am really looking forward to seeing where the author goes in this new series as it is definitely hitting all my love buttons with each book.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement.

 

THE CASE OF THE SEXY SHAKESPEAREAN by Tara Lain

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date published: July 31, 2018
ISBN:9781640804869
Genre: Mystery
Ebook
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)
Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-case-of-the-sexy-shakespearean-by-tara-lain-9782-b
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 4 Hearts

When a woman comes to the university claiming to have proof of the true person who wrote as Shakespeare looking for the help of Dr. Llewellyn to prove her claims nobody thought much of it but when she turns up dead all bets are off. Who could have done such a thing and just what are they after? Money? Fame? Truth?  Dr. Llewellyn must figure it all out and decide if Blaise is truly the man that he has fallen for or has the man played him for information? Can what they have been building be a lie or can he trust in his heart?

Affection is not something that should be given lightly or falsely. Blaise and Llewellyn learn this the hard way. It seems that everyone has a secret to hide and everyone is a suspect. Yet Llewellyn cannot forget the taste of heaven that he had with Blaise and is determined to find the true killer. I loved seeing the attraction that the two men share turn into something deeper and the way that the men fight for it when it comes into question. The author does a wonderful job of mixing romance and mystery giving the reader an engaging read. This story moves along nicely and gives you many interesting twists to the story. This is a sweet story full of intrigue and emotions. Double lives and murder top the list of adventures for the shy college professor and his associates. This is an engaging read that grabbed my attention right from the start and I hope to see more from these characters in the future.

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

CROSS HER HEART by Melinda Leigh

Bree Taggert Series Book 1

Montlake Publishing

March 17^th, 2020

978-1542006927

Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller Crime Fiction

Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self Purchase

4 Hearts

 

For Detective Bree Taggert, her life growing up was been rough as her parents’ deaths in a murder-suicide left a lasting impact on her and her two siblings. Now an adult, she finds herself back Grey’s Hollow and the memories there. Finding out her sister was murdered, her estranged husband missing, and considered a person of interest has Bree joining forces wit former deputy Matt Flynn to get to the bottom of the mystery. But as their investigation unfolds, Bree and Matt discover that danger lurks closer than they think as they close in on the murderer and this time the danger hits closer to home for Bree as her family is caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous individual determined to close all loose ends regardless the cost.

CROSS HER HEART is an amazing introduction to the new series by Melinda Leigh that is full of twists and turns that will leave the reader on the edge of their seat right up till the last page is turned. It is full of captivating characters, a mystery that will leave you guessing and a potential romance between Bree and Matt that will keep the reader glued to the pages. The story just flows smoothly and kept me glued to the pages, wondering what would happen next. I didn’t know who the bad guy was until almost to the end and was shocked by it. The twists and turns the author throws in the story were perfect and had me hanging on the edge wondering what would happen next.

Meet Philadelphia detective Bree Taggert. She left Grey’s Hollow after her parent’s murder-suicide as a child and hasn’t been back in years. Now with a desperate call from her sister Erin, Bree is back and determined to find her sister’s killer. I love, love, love Bree. She’s strong, relatable, and quite determined. Her vulnerabilities are mentioned several times and as the reader gets to know more about Bree and her family, you can’t help but find yourself sympathizing and rooting for them all. The characters are where the author shines the most in my opinion. Ms. Leigh creates strong characters who can stand on their own but also are able to accept a helping hand as well. They are complex, multidimensional, and relatable. I found all the main players in this first book of Bree’s series wonderful and unique in their own way.

CROSS HER HEART is a perfect introduction to the new series by Melinda Leigh and captured my interest right off the bat. I could not put this book down and can not wait for book two to get here. I see a winner in her new series and look forward to seeing where the author goes with this one. If you enjoyed past series like Morgan Dane or her Widow’s Island series she cowrites with Kendra Elliott, then you will definitely have to check CROSS HER HEART out and settle in, the story will leave you breathless till the very end.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement