Elliot Ray: Heist in Paradise

 

In the first in a new series Elliot Ray some thieves get more than the bargained for on an Island Heist:

The Premise of this book got me. I mean who wouldn't want to read a book about an unhinged merry Band of thieves, that are okay with doing some bad things but at the same time end up having some heart as well. I enjoyed how Ray brought Jax's team and Olivia together on the island, as i didn't expect that to be the set up that Ray went with. I also appreciated that Ray went for a darker subject manner a few times in the book which I was not expecting. I was also not expecting how Ray had the plot unfold there are a few surprises along the way.

This book is very much insta-lust between Jax and Olivia so if that is not your thing you will want to avoid this book. I will say that while you feel the tension between Jax and Olivia and at a later point Olivia and Madoc, the true tension is between Jax and Madoc. I personally wish that this was more of a Jax and Madoc story and just left Olivia out of it. Does she add to the story, yes her reasons for being there are solid, but I think that Ray could have had a similar plot without her. Now this book does end on cliffhanger, so I feel like the next book will explore this relationship more.

Madoc is by far my favourite character. He is the unhinged secondary MMC in the book, who has the darker side and knows how to get things done. Also to me it seemed like most of the banter in the book is associated with him or about him. Other than Madoc, I you don't really get to know the secondary characters, even though we get Jax's POV, the side characters are just there. I wish we got more information about who they are and how they ended up being in Jax's crew.

Overall, this was a fun quick read, that is fairly spicy and a bit of mystery throughout with a cliffhanger ending that will want you to pick up the next book.

Enjoy!!!!

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Stephen King: Mr. Mercedes

 

In the first in a series, Stephen King puts solving a mass murderer in the hands of a retired Detective:

This is the first book that I have read by King (shocking I know) so I had some expectations but more about the content than the actual writing. I thought that this book would be darker and more scary that it was but this was much more a police procedural/PI book than anything else. I appreciate the cat and mouse aspect of this book but it is underplayed at times as we get POV from Hodges and Brady.

I enjoyed that King decided to have the two main characters have the POV in this book. Through Hodges we get to see how even retired a police officer never really gives up the hunt for those who got away and the need to have a puzzle in their life. Through Brady we get an a look into the mind and life of the killer and the Why and High that he wants to get through the mass murder. We also get to see the depraved life that Brady had growing up (very much a nature vs nurture aspect). You can also tell that Brady needs to have someone know what he did and needs to have some attention on him. I also enjoyed the two side character of Jerome and Holly as they add more 21 century to the book, I think that Hodges would have been lost without them, especially Jerome.

I appreciate that King did not feel the need to keep adding up the bodies in the book. The first mass murder at the beginning is enough to set up the book and the motive for why Hodges wants to find Mr. Mercedes.

My one problem with the book is with Janey. Before we know Janey's age, I thought she was closer in age to Hodges and she is written as such from how she acts and the language that she uses.

For my first book by King I would say that it was a success. Though it was not dark or scary like it thought it would be, I enjoyed Hodges hunt for Brady and I look forward to continuing on with this series.

Enjoy!!!!

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Kate Alice Marshall: The Girls Before

 

Kate Alice Marshall shows how far a woman will go to find those who have been lost.

This is the fourth book that I have read by Marshall and once again she was very quicky able to draw me into the story that I did not want to put this book down. Even though this is the fourth book I have read by her, the books have not felt like they follow the same formula with the mystery. Yes, there are  similar aspects within them, but nothing that makes the plots/story feel the same.

I loved how Marshall decided to tell the plot in this book, with two POV and we are not really sure what the time frame is for the second POV. You don't know if the timelines are ever going to meet, and i appreciated the unpredictable nature of this. It really became a question of who Audrey is trying to save.

I have not read a book in a long time where the main character has a search and rescue background and I really enjoyed that aspect. I loved that Audrey was willing to shirk the law and go where she was not allowed because of where she thought a lost child may be. Does this make her Audrey reckless at times throughout the book, totally, but it makes her more interesting and serves her well throughout the book.

I think that would be my one complaint as I never felt any danger or suspense in the events surrounding Audrey. She is mainly left to her own devises in the investigations she decides to partake in, you'd think there would be someone who would do more to try and stop her (permanently), as she does not hide her intent at all.

Barry is the best and I will not hear otherwise.

Marshall was able to keep me on the edge of my seat with this one. I really enjoyed Stranger's POV, Stranger really is the highlight of this book and how Marshall had the story unfold. I look forward to reading more by Marshall.

Enjoy!!!!

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Antonia Hodgson: The Raven Scholar

 

In the first in a series, Antonia Hodgson brings a story where one woman fights to discover the truth of herself, murder and the empire:

I don't think there are enough words to express how much I enjoyed The Raven Scholar. and right now it is going to be one of my favourite reads for the past year. I was lucky to have a physical copy and get access to the audiobook via my library that I never had to put this book down.

When the book starts, I totally had an idea of where Hodgson was going to take the story and man was i completely wrong. Hodgson has created a fantasy world that is easy to understand (there is not too much info dumping). The empire is divided between different groups that worship a different animal god, each of which has it's own strengths and weaknesses. Whichever animal sits on the throne dictates how the empire will be won. When it is time for a new leader to steps down (24 year cycle) a tournament is held to determine who the next successor will be (there is no birth right succession in this empire). The top candidate from each animal house will compete. Cue in not only a tournament with trial but also so much political intrigue that I was kicking my feet throughout (I love political intrigue books). The mystery and intrigue are so well done, that you will be questioning everything and everyone till the very end and what an ending it is.

I loved Neema as a character and the amazing mind that she has. The Raven's don't understand what they have with her. As with many court, she is looked down upon as she is not from the high class but she takes this to be the best Raven that she can be. When she is thrust into the tournament to be the neI will say that Neema did seem younger than the 30 years that she is supposed to be, especially in social interactions, she is all book smart and full of facts. I think this immaturity is due to that fact that she is the loner, she has no friend and the one she did have was gone near the beginning of the book..

This book does have multiple POV throughout but Neema is the main POV and the main character. I also adored the loan crow. And that we do get it's POV from time to time in short bursts, which is the perfect amount.

My main quip is I now have to wait till October 2027 to get my hands on the next book, so I would personally wait if i were you till closer to that date, as you are going to want to jump in from this book till the next. Great Fantasy read and I cannot wait for more.

Enjoy!!!

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Bal Khabra: Spiral

 

In the second book in a series, Bal Khabra show's how a fake date may just lead to something real:

This may be the second book in a series but I found that I was still able to follow the relationships and story. You do have a bit of intersection with the first couple in this series but not enough that you need to read the first book before this one.

I'm not sure if it is just me, but I seem to keep finding sports romances where the FMC is a ballerina and I don’t mind it. I love the juxtaposition of ballet to more “traditional” sports and for the MMC to acknowledge how hard ballet actually is.

I enjoyed  Khabra did not just have them jumping into a relationship and bed together right after they meet each other and Khabra takes the time for the relationship between Sage and Elias to grow.

Sage is such a determined character to the point that she will not accept any help for herself from her wealthy uncle, but if it something for her brother she has no problem. You can tell that Sage does not want to be in anyone's debt or have to rely on anyone else because of her past and it is a tragic one. This is a big thing that she needs to work on in this story and you get to watch her grow albeit slowly. I really loved that Sage would just speak what was on her mind, even when it was something dirty to try and set Elias off.

Elias was a good character but really not a memorable as Sage and really his backstory was not as interesting and I find it hard to believe his choices after one incident plus his inability to score goals should not be made into a big of a deal as it is. I mean he leads with assists and that is just as important. I do love how much Elias put Sage first and that it was okay for someone to take care of her for once. He really is a golden retriever. 

This book is very much about the characters and their relationship, but I wish there would have been more to the ballet drama as well as Elias' past as well. They are big parts of both of them and it felt like the surface is barely scratched with them especially with the ballet drama

Overall this is a cute and spicy (at times) read and I enjoyed it. I would read another one by Khabra and would continue on with the characters in this series.

Enjoy!!!!

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Kelley Armstrong: An Ordinary Sort of Evil

 

In the Fifth book in Kelley Armstrong's A Rip Through Time series, things are are getting ghostly:

This series has gotten the better and better with each book. I have loved the overall arc of the story and the relationship between the characters. You can tell that Armstrong has done some research of what was hot and popular with the wealthier class at that time and I always find it interesting when she incorporates them into her story. From the Mummy unwrapping a few books back to now the introduction of seances. It is also fun when she has actual historical figures making their appearance known and maybe that is why she chose this point in time.

I think the aspect of the seance was done really well. Mallory knows that they are fake, but even with them just starting to happen, it is not entirely clear how they are making all the noises or maybe there truly is a spirit contacting them from the other side. The introduction of this spirit and the way the plot unfolds is done really well. There are a few suspects along the way and Armstrong does a great job of keeping you guessing of who the murder is.

Now normally I am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope, though in this setting (and that of the previous book) it is fitting. Since Gray and Mallory are from different times, how things are interpreted are going to be different as well as you have Mallory trying to adapt to how things are done in the 1800 there is going to be some confusion and miscommunication along the way. I think it is cute as they bumble around their feelings for each other and very mush everyone else can see it but them. 

Am I the only one who thinks that Jack needs her own spin off novella or something like that? 

Once again Armstrong has written an interesting story by showing that one can weave together character development, atmosphere and an engaging plot. It are these aspects that have me coming back not only to this series but the other books and series that she writes.

Enjoy!!!

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