BOOK REVIEW- Greyson (The K9 Files #9) by Dale Mayer

 

Combining a trip to see his grandparents with hunting down a K9 dog sounds like a good excuse at the time to Greyson. Somehow the K9 had been accidentally flown halfway around the world in the wrong direction and then lost. Finding the dog wasn’t easy, but Greyson follows the trail of destruction the same as the K9 does … and finds the female shepherd protecting a mother and child …

So not what he expected. Jessica didn’t understand why the dog was always around, but the dog was plain scary. Although not as much as everything else going on in her life right now. Most things she blames on her ex-husband, but was he this mean?

With her toddler son to protect, she knows she can’t make a mistake that will bring them harm. As the events escalate, it doesn’t take long to decide who was on her side and who … wasn’t.

 AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

I ended up with mixed feelings on this story.  To start off with though, I did like Greyson, Jessica and her son Danny.  Both Greyson and Jessica had their own challenges.  I liked that the author shone the light on the fact that Greyson was not physically "perfect." Also, the introduction of War Dogs made it even more unique. Kona, had served as a War Dog and I enjoyed her interactions in the story.  

Jessica has lived through quite a bit of terror and stress as she is stalked and getting almost no relief.  No one could seem to do much about it until Greyson showed up.  The police force was small and at first really weren't sure there was a problem.  

One thing I do have to say about the romance between Greyson and Jessica.  I could see that they developed a sweet friendship, but just wasn't feeling the spark of romance. 

Something that kept my interest too was the mystery of the who, how and why Jessica and Danny were being stalked.  And the additional question of how the stalker kept getting away when they got so close to catching him. There were some other surprises waiting for the reader at the end too.

I received a free copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts about it.  

 ( Claimed free from a newsletter)

 

BOOK REVIEW- Fearless A Novel by M. W. Craven

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Mystery & Thrillers 

 What is a truly fearless man capable of?
They’re about to find out. . . .

Ben Koenig used to head the US Marshal’s elite Special Operations Group. His team hunted the bad guys—the really bad guys, and he could find anyone. Then one day Koenig himself disappeared.

Koenig has been on the run for six years. Now suddenly his face is on every television screen in the country and his cover is blown. A woman has gone missing, and her father will do anything to find her. He wants Koenig to discover what happened, no matter the cost.

The trail leads Koenig to a small town in the burning heat of the Chihuahuan Desert, where some people have a secret they’ll do anything to protect. But Koenig has a secret of his own: a unique condition that makes him unable to feel fear.

Now Koenig is coming for them. And they should be afraid.

AMAZON LINK 

5++ STARS

 Wow, the opening chapter grabbed me ! Part of it had to do what was happening but also part was because of Ben's reaction and words  when he was apprehended.  It was hilarious to me how to talked to the officers trying to "not" arrest him.  They hadn't ever met anyone like him and he left them off balance.  I loved that and it made me want more; hoping the rest of the book would be just as good.  It did keep being just as good, in fact it got even better !!

The way that areas were explained were like words used as a paintbrush to really fill it in.  I also really liked the author's writing style especially when it came to Koenig's often hilarious way of thinking and speaking to opponents.  Of course he was also lethal in both too.  Even some of the people that Koenig encountered had some funny way of saying things that made me smile. 

 The weapons, fighting styles and some of the actual battles really give a feel of the author knowing their stuff.  So yes, there is violence in this story of course, how could there not be?  But there is also some relationships in the story that also make it more than just that.

I found this story unusual, unique and totally unpredictable. I would give it 10 plus stars if I could.  The ending is a stunner with several other surprises being revealed.  Making it look like its an ending ...for right now. 

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.” 

(NETGALLEY)

BOOK REVIEW- Break of Day( Annie Pederson # 3) by Colleen Coble

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Mystery & Thrillers | Romance | Women's Fiction  

 

Description

Annie Pederson’s happily ever after is finally within sight . . . if she can stay alive long enough to grasp it.

Law enforcement officer Annie Pederson’s life has been rocked by tragedy, but things finally seem to be heading in the right direction. Her relationship with the love of her life—who’s also the biological father of her precious daughter—has never been better, and it looks like an engagement ring is in Annie’s future. She’s also slowly building back trust with her sister, Sarah, after a separation that has lasted for decades.

When a man escapes law enforcement custody and Sarah’s safety is suddenly in question, Annie’s personal and professional lives once again merge. Meanwhile, her investigation of hikers who have gone missing in the remote woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula puts her in the crosshairs of a deadly game.

Now, Annie is the one being hunted. When she discovers the terrible truth about the men who are stalking her, she realizes that she’s in for the fight of her life if she’s going to redeem the sister she once lost, build the family she dreams of, and keep all those she loves safe.

Return to the beloved town of Rock Harbor in the final installment of the Annie Pederson trilogy by bestselling suspense author Colleen Coble.

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

Such a well written book that kept me involved.  Starting with Annie and her daughter  Kylie, and Annie's past love with Jon.  Even Nate, Annie's late husband and Jon's best friend brings an other level to the story. Annie's long-lost sister Sarah is one messed up woman but who wouldn't be with what she suffered through.  The emotions that they are going through in the family is easy to understand.

The world building is rich and well fleshed out as is the mysteries that have been afflicting their town.  The people in this town for the most part were really good.  It was enjoyable witnessing the tightness of many of the people.  Anu was one of the best; she was kind, loving even while fighting her battle against cancer.  

When the villains of the piece were revealed it was a stunner as was how they hunted Annie and her family.  It'll keep you on your toes for sure. The leader of the group was also a big stunner. He feared Annie because he knew how skilled she was at finding the truth and fighting back.  And what a great leader she was at bringing the fight to those after them.

I liked how faith in God and his love and protection was included in the story. 

A good ending follows although the way it is written it feels more like new beginnings.

 

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

 

(I read this through Netgalley)

HOOPLA/ BOOK REVIEW- Heart Bones: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

   

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us!

Moving, passionate, and unforgettable, Colleen Hoover's novel follows two young adults from completely different backgrounds embarking on a tentative romance, unaware of what the future holds.

After a childhood filled with poverty and neglect, Beyah Grim finally has her hard-earned ticket out of Kentucky with a full ride to Penn State. But two months before she’s finally free to change her life for the better, an unexpected death leaves her homeless and forced to spend the remainder of her summer in Texas with a father she barely knows.

Devastated and anxious for the summer to go by quickly, Beyah has no time or patience for Samson, the wealthy, brooding guy next door. Yet, the connection between them is too intense to ignore. But with their upcoming futures sending them to opposite ends of the country, the two decide to maintain only a casual summer fling. Too bad neither has any idea that a rip current is about to drag both their hearts out to sea.

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

This was a surprising, different kind of story. I've never read anything quite like it.  It'll touch a lot of emotions as the story continues.  It was also totally unpredictable.   One thing that shines through strongly is that Beyah is a survivor.  And at her young age, you can see that she's survived a lot.  Made me rooting for her from the start, with all her protective walls and all.

When she meets Samson, it's in an unusual way filled with some misunderstandings.   She begins to recognizes that he is damaged.   She sees someone who has been SO hurt by life, similar to herself.

Beyah's new "family" added even more emotional baggage but her stepsister Sara turns out to be such a good plus.

When the truth comes out about Samson's life it's a stunner.  And the way Beyah finds out is brutal.

I liked how the why of the book title came out, that in itself was special.   A new look at Heart Break.

Do you expect the ending of the book to not be emotional?  If you do, you'd be wrong,, because it's not only emotional but tender too.   Turns out Beyah and Samson are both survivors.

 

I read this book through the HOOPLA Library App 

BOUGHT/ BOOK REVIEW- JANE’S DUTY: Leading The Family Business (# 2 Crime Series)by Samantha Smith

   

After taking down her brother, Jane takes over the family business. Finally, her dream has been achieved. Now, she has to take the reins and show her worth. A vast majority of the elders of the family don’t approve of her leading the family, as they believe she will lead them to their downfall.

With this new job as the head of the family, Jane will have to prove to everyone and herself, she is worthy of leading the business. Several adversaries will come forth and try to stop her, however, some new allies may come and help. Maggie, an old friend of Jane, and Chris, Jane’s fiancée and right hand man.

 BOUGHT AT:

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

Jane was one smart cookie who was vastly underestimated.  Chris is not one of those who saw her as a woman unable to lead.  He supported her in every way that he could.  

Maggie was someone who was like a sister to Jane.  Jane had tried so hard to keep Maggie out of the business.  But there came a point where Maggie declared she was all in, and she was.

This story did have clever plans, twists and betrayals.   The downside for me was some of the conversations sounded stilled and the story ended on a cliffhanger.   I still gave it a good rating for what I did like that was well done in the story.

PRME READING/ BOOK REVIEW- A Lone Wolf (The Michael Wolfe Saga Book 1) by J.C. Fields

   

From Amazon bestselling author J.C. Fields comes a thrilling new adventure featuring retired-Marine sniper and ex-CIA black ops operator, Michael Wolfe.

Somebody wants Wolfe, and his ex-Mossad girlfriend, Nadia Picard, dead. When an attempt to assassinate them in Barcelona, Spain goes awry, they manage to find their way back to Wolfe’s rustic property in remote southern Missouri unscathed. Not one to hide from a threat, Wolfe aggressively starts using his training and skills to find out who tried to eliminate them in Barcelona, but more importantly—why.

 AMAZON LINK

 5+ STARS and I wish I could give it more

Brilliant ! Outstanding ! Even better than I hoped for !  This story was a total thrill ride ! Made me want to read more about this series.  Imagine my surprise when I found out, Book 2 is in my TBR pile! 

But getting back to this story. I totally fell in love with both of the main characters, each on their own was unique.  But put them together and they became a powerhouse of loyalty, skills, cleverness and loyalty to each other and country. I also enjoyed the romance between Michael and Nadia and that was without  needing detailed sex scenes.  Oh, there was sex suggested between them but I enjoyed the affection and trust  But they had no idea of the depth of the lies and the betrayals that awaited them.  Good thing that they had at least Joseph and J.R. as known allies that are there for them, all the way though.

 The same thing can't be said of Gerald Reid and his sidekick assistant,  Kendra Burges.  It didn't take too long to figure what side of the fence they were on.  But that by no means ruined the story by knowing that.  Reid was not only a power hungry, evil, man with a lot of money behind him but he was also clever with a lot of people he could use illegally to hunt Michael and Nadia. 

 The world building was off the charts good!  As was the hunt on both sides, it made me feel like I was right in the middle of things. 

It started excellent, stayed exciting and excellent and it ended the same way !

 

BOOK REVIEW- How To Protect A Princess (Wilde Ways: Gone Rogue Book 1) by Cynthia Eden

 

 She’s royalty. He’s the wrong guy. But he’s the only one who can keep her safe. Get ready for a red-hot new romance from New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Eden.

How do you protect a princess?

Step one: Do the job. Make her the priority.

Constantine Leos can’t believe his new assignment. He’s supposed to protect a princess. An actual, no BS royal princess. Sure, she spent her whole life in the US, and she’s only just discovered that she’s royalty, but, still…this isn’t his typical type of case. He’s used to bad guys who fight dirty and hard. He’s not prepared for…her. A gorgeous princess with dark eyes, lush lips, and a deceptive delicacy that makes him want to take on the world in order to protect her.

Step two: Stay close to the client. Intimately close.

Seemingly overnight, Juliet Laurent went from being a nobody to being the lost princess who now has her face splashed across social media. The new fame comes with danger because someone seems intent on making sure that Juliet never gets to wear her promised crown. She’s scared and desperate, and Juliet doesn’t know who to trust in this crazy royal life…

Enter the new bodyguard. Big, buff, and dangerous. A man who isn’t scared of anything. Just the man she needs. A man she desperately wants.

Constantine promises to protect her from every threat. His job is to stand between her and danger. With him, Juliet feels safe. And with him, Juliet also feels the stirring of a fierce desire that catches her by surprise. How can she want a stranger so much, so desperately? But when the threats continue and Constantine shields her again and again, her feelings for him just grow stronger. Forced into close proximity, the attraction rages past her control and his…

Step three: Protect the princess. Don’t fall for her.

Constantine knows a guy like him won’t ever get a happy ending, but he will do whatever it takes to make sure that Juliet stays safe. Because Juliet doesn’t need a Prince Charming. She needs a bodyguard who will eliminate every threat and who will destroy anyone who tries to hurt her. In other words, this princess needs the big, bad wolf. Luckily, Constantine has always excelled at being bad.

 BOUGHT @

AMAZON LINK

4.5 STARS

This is a good story with really good main characters.  The first meeting between Juliet and Constantine was quite an unusual and almost funny one.  Misunderstandings abound between them.  Another unusual thing is the bold rescue that Constantine pulls off when she needed it. Can anyone else say Cool ? This is first but definitely not the last time he will be there for her.  

The heat between Juliet and Constantine is blazing almost instantaneously, no matter how they fought it.  To be honest, they didn't fight against it all that hard because the connection was already there. It made me want to know how everything was going to turn out for them.

Holden, was Constantine's new partner and he was not only skilled but hilarious at times too! He made me smile more than once.

Alexandre was the Counsellor who was temporarily in power for the king in Lancaden.  Talk about a shady kind of guy and not feeling any trust for him and his motives.  

You think you've got it all figured out?  Nice try but you're probably wrong because there are yet plenty of surprises in store for the reader. 

Did I like how the story ended?  That would be a big Yes.