Category Archives: Reviews

Review – Infected by Jessica Gomez #jessicagomez #infected

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MY REVIEW

I grabbed a copy of Infected by Jessica Gomez from her newsletter. I was sucked in by the cover and, of course, an apocalypse. I love end of the world novels.

A bright light, a flash in the sky and billions are dead. We all know that there are more things to fear than the mutants. Sometimes our own kind is the most terrorizing of all. Man’s worse traits and best traits rise in times of catastrophe

There are lots of characters and they all have an important part to play. Of course, the main characters, Lillian and Azami shine the brightest. Some of the cutest dialogue happens when Azami is involved. When the book begins Lillian spend one night of magic with HIM and the result is Azami. For the longest time, it’s just the two of them.

Some things were predictable and some were a total surprise. I loved the tension, suspense and pacing that kept me on pins and needles. Sometimes Jessica Gomez’s words dragged me over the rough spots, and there were a lot of them. When they cried, I cried along with them. I felt their pain, the loss, their total despair their fear and their terror.

I am excited that I have Immune, Book II of The Flash series, on my ereader.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Surviving the apocalypse was easy. The aftermath is an entirely different beast…

I didn’t trust people before the end of the world. Now, I trust them even less.

In this post-apocalyptic hellscape, other survivors are as deadly as the Infected. Avoiding everyone was how I protected myself.

Until I met him.

Ian was a man I might’ve let myself love before society fell. In the aftermath, however, I didn’t suffer any romantic delusions. All we had was one night. And in the morning, I let him go. I thought I’d never see him again.

Not even after I gave birth to his daughter.

But fate saw fit to bring us together for a second chance. And even after years apart, our connection is strong.

I wish I could say I’m sure we’ll live happily ever after. I want to say I completely trust Ian with my heart.

I can’t, though. Because letting my guard down isn’t an option.

Especially not when my psychic visions have shown me what’s coming for us…

**Trigger Warning: This book contains material that may not be suitable for all readers. Violence, Dubcon, and Death by Zombie play roles in this apocalyptic world. Recommended for 18+ as it contains scenes with sexual aspects.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Horror, Romance, Zombies
  • 303 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published March 10, 2015
  • Series: The Flash, Book I

ABOUT JESSICA GOMEZ

Jessica Gomez, a bestselling author, who skillfully juggles her time between family and the captivating worlds she weaves through her writing. A true bibliophile and self-proclaimed eccentric, she engages in lively debates with the characters residing in her mind, especially the irresistibly hot bad boys willing to set the world ablaze for the ones they love.

Outside the realm of writing, Jessica finds joy in outdoor family activities and globe-trotting adventures. Her writing is a delightful reflection of her quirky sense of humor and unabashed sarcasm, guaranteeing moments of laughter in the most unexpected places. Brace yourself for those odd looks!

Jessica welcomes engaging conversations with readers, whether it’s about her own books or any literary works that capture the imagination. Feel free to connect and join the discussion!

Website: authorjessicagomez.wixsite.com

TikTok: tiktok.com/@jessicagomezdarkromance

BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/jessica-gomez

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Review – Struggle For Existence by Geoff Jones @Jonesy_Geoff #struggleforexistence

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MY REVIEW

Struggle For Existence by Geoff Jones is the second book in The Preservation Of Species trilogy. It picks up where Rule Of Extinction, the first book in the trilogy left off. I LOVE apocalyptic and dystopian novels, and I am super excited to share this series with you.

We have some familiar characters and new ones are introduced. We are not going to like all the characters. We have to have some villains…right? Randall is a good villain, a character we can love to hate. I love authors that can create such a despicable character. I also like to see them get what they deserve by the time the story is told.

The monsters are fabulous and I do wonder about the caretakers. And that’s all I’m saying about that.

There is so much I want to tell you about this fabulous series, but I don’t want to give it away. I loved finding out for myself, and I want you to have that experience also. I will tell you that the story moves at a rapid pace, danger oozes off the pages and you need to be careful about choosing a favorite character. They may not survive to return in Book III, Beasts Of Prey.

As much as I loved the first book, Rule Of Extinction, I loved the second one, Struggle For Existence even more. From the moment I picked up my ereader, I didn’t want to set it down. I ‘flipped the pages’, eager to find out what would happen next, at the same time I wanted to slow down and savor the story as it unfolded.

I can hardly wait for Beasts Of Prey!

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Escaping Earth was just the beginning…

The Preservation of Species trilogy continues in Struggle for Existence, a post-apocalyptic science-fiction adventure filled with unforgettable heroes, terrifying monsters, and heart-pounding action.

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Science Fiction
  • 370 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication June 24, 2025 by Breakaway Delusions
  • Series: The Preservation Of Species #2

ABOUT GEOFF JONES

Geoff Jones graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Colorado. His honors thesis was a novella about dragons taking over the world.

Geoff worked as a Video Game Designer, writing story and dialog for licenses such as STAR WARS, INDIANA JONES, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, LEGO, and MARVEL SUPERHEROES.

After a stint as Director of User Experience for a business software company, Geoff became a full-time writer and stay-at-home father to two girls.

His first book, THE DINOSAUR FOUR, is an R-rated B-movie time-travel dinosaur thriller. His second project, THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES trilogy, is a post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure about a small group of everyday people who survive the end of the world.

Geoff lives in Colorado, where he enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, spending time with his family, and seeing classic films on the big screen.

Website

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Review – Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino #katiesturino #netgalley

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MY REVIEW

Sunny Side Up is Katie Sturino’s debut novel and she knocked it out of the park.

I don’t read a lot of chick lit, but there was something about Sunny Side Up that spoke to me. The main character, Sunny Greene, is not a slim and trim damsel in distress. She is a plus size business owner with a new goal. She’s planning a vacation, but she can’t find a bathing suit that she likes, so she, along with her best friends, create a line for plus sizes, which quickly becomes a success.

She has a newsletter that becomes hugely popular. Kinda reminds me of Carey Bradshaw of Sex and the City (like the blurb says), only plus size. Sunny has a fun sense of humor. I laughed out loud at:

Were there new dating rules she didn’t know about? Moves to practice? How much hair were people working with down there nowadays, anyway?

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino has some predictable moments but I enjoyed spending time with Sunny. I loved watching her become all she can be and finding a love interest. So, if you are looking for a light, entertaining read for the beach season, you can’t go wrong with Sunny Side Up.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“A clever and stylish ride.”
—New York Times, The Summer’s Best Beach Reads

“Escape into a world of designer clothes and trendy NYC restaurants, where career dreams come true at the drop of a hat, preferably by the pool in a flattering swimsuit.”
—Oprah Daily, 26 Best Summer Reads of 2025

From body-acceptance advocate and MEGABABE founder Katie Sturino comes a heartwarming and hilarious debut.

Sunny Greene is thirty-five, recently divorced, facing the looming prospect of going solo to her little brother’s wedding, and currently trying to find anything plus-sized in the Bergdorf Goodman swimsuit department that doesn’t make her want to cry. It’s not going well. But isn’t rock bottom the perfect place to start a climb?

She decides it’s now or never. Sunny has her PR empire, her gorgeous Chelsea apartment, her two dogs, and her loyal best friends. Maybe it’s time to just love her body and accept herself for who she is. With a new commitment to confidence, her journey begins. Who says a plus-sized divorcee can’t put herself first, feel beautiful, and date up a storm?

Of course things are never straightforward in the dating world. Is fate knocking at her door with Dennis, the charming and down-to-earth mailman, or should she be with Ted, the business tycoon who seems ready to make her size-inclusive swimsuit brand a reality? And what should she do about her ex, who shows up unexpectedly, eager to reconnect?

With the same candor and confidence her followers love, Sturino brings us Sunny Greene, a Carrie Bradshaw for the next generation, and her journey through the trials and triumphs of dating, friendship, and finding yourself.

  • Genre: Beach Reads, Chick Lit, Comedy and Humor, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Plus Size, Romance
  • Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication June 24, 2025 by Celadon Books

ABOUT KATIE STURINO (from Amazon)

Katie Sturino is an entrepreneur, author and body acceptance advocate. Through her personal platform @katiesturino, she lends her voice and personal style to raise awareness for size inclusivity, empowering women of all sizes to find their confidence and celebrate their style. Her regular content series, #SuperSizeTheLook and #MakeMySize, have gone viral, reaching millions of people and attracting global media attention.

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Review – Gunmetal Gray (Gray Man #6) by Mark Greaney @MarkGreaneyBook #gunmetalgray

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MY REVIEW

Being the Gray Man didn’t mean being in control all the time. Sometimes it meant relinquishing all control, playing the game, and dealing with fucking bullshit, like some asshole standing on the back of your head.

To those who lurk in the shadows, he’s known as the Gray Man. He is a legend in the covert realm, moving silently from job to job, accomplishing the impossible and then fading away. And he always hits his target. Always.

Court Gentry is an awesome character. I love an assassin and he is one of the best I have ever come across. He has his own set of ethics and works outside the law. The only complaint I have about him is…why I have I not read the first five books in the series. I LOVE HIM. He is a perfect fit for me.

The nonstop action had me rapidly flipping pages. I won the book some time ago and it is 494 pages of nonstop action. It’s a good thing I knew he couldn’t die, because Mark Greaney puts him through Hell and I found it hard to look away.

I’ll definitely be reading more of the Gray Man’s books.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Mark Greaney, the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan novels, delivers another breakneck thriller following the world’s deadliest assassin the Gray Man.

After five years on the run Court Gentry is back on the inside at the CIA. But his first mission makes him wish he had stayed on the outs when a pair of Chinese agents try to take him down in Hong Kong. Normally the Chinese prefer to stay eyes-only on foreign agents. So why are they on such high alert?

Court’s high stakes hunt for answers takes him across Southeast Asia and leads to his old friend, Donald Fitzroy, who is being held hostage by the Chinese. Fitzroy was contracted to find Fan Jiang, a former member of an ultra-secret computer warfare unit responsible for testing China’s own security systems. And it seems Fan may have been too good at his job because China wants him dead.

The first two kill teams Fitzroy sent to find Fan have disappeared and the Chinese have decided to supervise the next operation. What they don’t know is that Gentry’s mission is to find Fan first and get whatever intel he has to the US.

After that, all he has to do is get out alive…

“I Love the Gray Man.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

“Bourne for the new millenium.”—New York Times bestselling author James Rollins

“Mark Greaney reigns as one of the recognized masters of action and adventure. Back Blast is no exception.”—New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Steve Berry

“Fast-paced [and] tightly written…A great ride.”—New York Times bestselling author Larry Bond

“Punches with bone-busting power…Flesh-and-blood priceless.”—New York Times bestselling author Stephen Templin

“Greaney’s unraveling of the Back Blast mystery is masterly, but it’s the Gray Man’s ability to outthink and outgun…that will keep readers glued to the pages.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“[A] high-energy thriller…Clancy fans will have a blast.”—Kirkus Reviews

  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Espionage, Fiction, Mystery, Spy, Suspense, Thriller
  • 494 pages, Hardcover
  • First published February 14, 2017 by Berkley
  • Series: Gray Man #6

ABOUT MARK GREANEY

Mark Greaney has a degree in International Relations and Political Science. In researching The Gray Man series he traveled to ten countries and trained extensively in the use of firearms, battlefield medicine, and close range combative tactics.

Learn more at MARKGREANEYBOOKS.COM

Email Mark at MarkGreaneyBooks@gmail.com

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Review – The Great Decay by Steven Jenkins #thegreatdecay @Author_Jenkins

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MY REVIEW

Zombies are not your friend!

Ruby and her friends find what may be the last zombie on earth, and they make him their friend. They hang out at the cave with him, until…

The group of friends are too young to remember The Great Decay, a zombie apocalypse that nearly wiped out the human race.

Of course, I know what’s coming. I mean, look at that cover. Is there anything good about it?

The towering walls that had been built fifteen years ago during The Great Decay…Are they there to keep the zombies or the humans, in or out?

The short chapters and shifting points of view make The Great Decay an easy, fast paced read.

I’ve read enough zombie stories to be on the lookout for one that I can’t predict who will live and who will die. I want to be surprised. AND, I don’t mind if it’s one that has me wanting to throw my ereader at the wall. In fact, that gets my emotions riled up and makes if even better. Then I know, I have to be on my toes, and so do they.

My thanks go out to Steven Jenkins for the opportunity to share The Great Decay with you.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“Stand By Me meets World War Z.”

Like so many towns and cities, the giant walls around Camberwood stand as silent reminders of humanity’s darkest hour—The Great Decay: a zombie invasion that nearly wiped-out mankind.

For seventeen-year-old Ruby and her friends, these walls are nothing more than relics of a history they’re too young to remember, monuments to their parents’ trauma.

Ruby dreams of a better life away from this small, soul-crushing town. Away from her alcoholic mother who still grieves the loss of her husband.

But boredom suddenly lifts when Ruby and her friends discover what seems impossible: a lone, emaciated zombie, perhaps the last of its kind, trapped in an abandoned coal mine. The creature appears docile, almost pitiful—a living artifact begging to be studied. Against all reason, they keep it secret, drawn to this rotting piece of forbidden history.

But their dangerous game of friendship with the undead is about to shatter their safe, uneventful world.

As a new wave of infection erupts within Camberwood’s walls, Ruby faces a devastating realization: she and her friends haven’t just unearthed a scientific curiosity—they’ve unleashed the very nightmare the last generation barely survived.

As the shadows of the past rise again, Ruby must fight to prevent a second Great Decay—or watch everything she loves crumble into ruin.

  • Genre: Fiction, Horror, Zombies

ABOUT STEVEN JENKINS

Born in the small Welsh town of Llanelli, Steven began writing stories at the age of eight. His inspiration came from his love for ‘80s horror movies, and novels by Stephen King and the late Richard Matheson.

During Steven’s teenage years, as well as being a black-belt kickboxer, he became a great lover of writing dark and twisted poems – six of which gained him publications with Poetry Now, Brownstone Books, and Strong Words.

Over the next few years, and after becoming a father and a husband, Steven’s passion drove him towards writing short stories, gaining him further publication with Dark Moon Digest: an American horror magazine. His terrifying tales of the afterlife and zombies gained him positive reviews, particularly his story, Burning Ambition, which also came runner up in a Five-stop-story contest.

Finally, in 2013, after years of hard work (and countless rejection letters), Steven got his debut novel, Fourteen Days, published by Barking Rain Press.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / YouTube / Instagram

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Review – Pearl’s Fight by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor #romanticsuspense

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MY REVIEW

Jane Blythe is always a must read author for me. I love her romantic suspense novels where enemies become lovers. They go through hell to find their happy ever after…and this time it’s Pearl’s turn.

Pearl is one of four women who were stolen when they were young girls. They were used, abused and tortured. They consider themselves family and Pearl knew that without Ivory, Lacey and Opal, she never would have made it. Pearl had a mission. She had just recovered from a gun shot wound and was determined to find the six little girls that she had left behind.

DEA Special Agent Jesse Masters will have to work with Pearl, who works with Prey Security. He holds them responsible for his brother’s death, so it won’t be an easy alliance.

I had some issues with Pearl’s Fight, but I was already invested in her welfare from prior novels, so I knew I would enjoy it anyway. Jane Blythe always has me ripping through her stories having to know what hell she will put her characters through…and how they will manage to survive. I love her kickass ladies and her hunkalicious men. I am eager to dive into the next book in the series, Lacey’s Fight.

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3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Their anger will either bring them together or destroy what could have been. Pearl Smith is angry at the world. Stolen as a baby and raised under torturous conditions now she uses those same skills to save other innocents, but it doesn’t abate her anger. Nothing does, until a random encounter with a DEA Agent. Now the two are undercover with only each other to rely on, problem is they don’t like each other. DEA Agent Jesse Masters needs answers. A cartel sold his little sister and he lives for one purpose, to find out who she was sold to and if she’s still alive. The last thing he wants is someone from Prey Security getting in his way. He blames the company for what happened to his family and he has no intentions of getting along with their operative. Easier said than done when he can’t stop obsessing over her.

  • Genre: Fiction, Military, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller
  • 346 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published July 11, 2023
  • Series: Prey Security: Artemis #2

ABOUT JANE BLYTHE

USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe writes action-packed romantic suspense and military romance featuring protective heroes and heroines who are survivors. One of Jane’s most popular series includes Saving SEALs, part of Susan Stoker’s OPERATION ALPHA world! Writing in that world alongside authors such as Janie Crouch and Riley Edwards has been a blast, and she looks forward to bringing more books to this genre, both within and outside of Stoker’s world. When Jane isn’t binge-reading she’s counting down to Christmas and adding to her 200+ teddy bear collection!

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MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

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Review – Rejected by M C Frank @mcfrank_author #rejected

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MY REVIEW

M C Frank’s books have some eye catching covers and Rejected is no exception.

As Josephine St Claire and her two sisters grow older, her sisters leave the next. Josephine is fine right where she is, but she also knows that her best friend, Theodore Lawrence, will leave her too. She spends a lot of time feeling sorry for herself…and I think she is in denial.

Sometimes what we want is right in front of us, we just aren’t able to see it.

I have been enjoying the Rakes and Ruin series, but Rejected is not one of my favorites. That’s okay, it as still worth the reading to find out more about Josephine and what she wants out of life. 

The POVs switch from her writing letters to her deceased sister, Beth, and current events. Sometimes I felt her despair and other times I just wanted to tell her to get over herself. The pages ooze angst, and I guess, if you think of the times, it may be more realistic than I originally thought. At least Josephine was able to live her life the way she wanted, not being forced into a marriage she didn’t want. Love is messy and it takes her the entire book to figure it out. I’m glad Rejected was a quick read, because it lacked the depth of plot that I love so much, yet I was satisfied with the end result.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“Everyone I love will leave me,” Josephine St. Claire whispered to herself.

“Wrong,” an annoying voice said behind her ear. “ I won’t leave you.”

She turned around to behold the unbearably handsome yet immensely irritating face of Theodore Lawrence, Lord Lowry, or ‘Teddy’ to his long-suffering friends.

“You don’t count, Teddy—wait, is your mouth full?”

“Indeed it is,” Teddy replied, with said mouth spitting crumbs of cake. “And, may I ask, why do I not count?”

Josephine sighed. “Because you are my best friend.”

He was wrong; she’d been right. He did leave her. But not before he had ruined everything by kissing her.



Josephine St. Claire prefers to be called ‘Jo’.

Unruly, with more interest in books, writing, and swordfights than in corsets and slippers, she is struggling to find her place in Regency London’s marriage mart. Her one comfort in life, her three sisters and one roguish brother, are slowly slipping away into adulthood, leaving her behind. And she, at nineteen, is horrified by the idea of looming romance and marriage.

At least she still has her best friend, Laurie. Or, as he now likes to be called, ‘Teddy’. She can rely on him not to succumb to any silly romantic ideas.



Theodore Lawrence, Lord Lowry, used to be called ‘Laurie’ when he was a child.

He is not a child any longer. He is about to step into his title and his responsibilities, and leave away the comfort of his early boyhood for good. Orphaned at infancy, he has been blessed with a found the St. Claires. Four sisters and a boy slightly older than him were the ones who saved his life when he was lost and alone. And his friendship with Jo has continued to save him, every day since.

Too bad he is about to utterly wreck it.

Because Laurie has a he has been in love with his best friend for years. And if he doesn’t do something about it soon, he is going to lose his mind.

Laurie is about to propose to Jo.

It is going to be a resounding disaster.

And that, by far, is not the worst thing that’s about to happen.



Rejected is a Jo and Laurie rewriting. This story is not a retelling of the book in its Just of the Jo and Laurie part. We are going to remake their story into a Regency era swoon-fest. And we are going to get it right this time.

Or not.

Bring tissues

……

This short and dark Regency retelling of Jo and Laurie’s story is for everyone who has shipped them so hard, they wished for a better ending. Do you think we might get it with this story?

Rejected is a quick, short read, but don’t let its length fool It’s packed with drama, romance, heat, darkness and light, and it will make you cry and swoon, and then cry again.

This one is for the Jo and Laurie endgame fans.

  • Genre: Enemies to Lovers, Fiction, Regency Romance, Romance
  • 257 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published May 11, 2025
  • Series: Rakes And Ruin

ABOUT M C FRANK

Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK’s books, where characters aren’t going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they’re in Jane Austen’s England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they’re scared they’ll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don’t worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there’s a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that’s before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren’t exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she’s like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her ‘dude’ in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn’t pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com

  • Website: mcfrankauthor.com
  • Twitter: @mcfrank_author
  • Instagram: @mcfrank_author
  • Tumblr: @litlereddoll
  • Facebook Page: M.C. Frank
  • Goodreads: M.C. Frank
  • Youtube: M.C. Frank

MY M C FRANK REVIEWS

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Review Fatal Intrusion by Jeffrey Deaver & Isabella Maldonado @jefferydeaver @isabellambooks

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A SERIAL KILLER SPINS A WEB OF DECEPTION

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MY REVIEW

I have read numerous novels by Jeffrey Deaver, but this is my first experience with Isabella Maldonado and I was not disappointed. Fatal Intrusion brings together Carmen Sanchez, a Homeland Security agent, and Jake Heron, a security expert. Carmen is by the book, but Jake…not so much. I love the combination.

Jake owes Carmen a favor and she is calling it in. The peripheral characters who surround them are all important players and each has their own talent to contribute to the investigation.

I love a book that draws me in from the opening pages, making it impossible to put the book down and Jeffrey and Isabella make it look easy. I love a feisty, kickass female lead. The tension was high and the pacing furious. Danger oozes off the pages and I rapidly flip them, having to know what comes next…and I sure didn’t anticipate where they took me. I do love a story that twists and turns and keeps me guessing.

I want to thank Thomas & Mercer and MB Communications for the opportunity to read and review Fatal Intrusion by Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

As a wave of murders grips Southern California, an unlikely pair must untangle the mysterious patterns of an elusive killer. A propulsive new series by New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado.

Carmen Sanchez is a tough Homeland Security agent who plays by the rules. But when her sister is attacked, revealing a connection to a series of murders across Southern California, she realizes a conventional investigation will not be enough to stop the ruthless perpetrator.

With nowhere else to turn, Sanchez enlists the aid of Professor Jake Heron, a brilliant and quirky private security expert who, unlike Sanchez, believes rules are merely suggestions. The two have a troubled past, but he owes her a favor and she’s cashing in. They team up to catch the assailant, who, mystifyingly, has no discernable motive and fits no classic criminal profile. All they have to go on is a distinctive tattoo and a singular obsession that gives this chillingly efficient tactician his nickname: Spider.

Over the next seventy-two hours, Sanchez and Heron find themselves in the midst of a lethal chess match with the killer as they race to stop the carnage. As the victims mount, so do the risks. Because this spider’s web of intrigue is more sinister—and goes far deeper—than anyone could possibly anticipate.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 434 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published August 6, 2024 by Thomas & Mercer
  • Series: Sanchez & Heron, Book I

ABOUT JEFFREY DEAVER

#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He’s received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.

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ABOUT ISABELLA MALDONADO

Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author Isabella Maldonado wore a gun and badge in real life before turning to crime writing. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in her police department, she retired as the Commander of Special Investigations and Forensics. During more than two decades on the force, her assignments included hostage negotiator, department spokesperson, and precinct commander. She uses her law enforcement background to bring a realistic edge to her writing, which includes the Special Agent Nina Guerrera series, the Special Agent Dani Vega series, the Detective Veranda Cruz series, and the Sanchez and Heron series (co-authored with Jeffery Deaver). Her books are published in 24 languages. For more information, visit www.isabellamaldonado.com.

MY JEFFREY DEAVER & ISABELLA MALDONADO REVIEWS

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Review – The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark #julieclark #netgalley #theghostwriter

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NEW RELEASE – 6.3.25

GOODREADS

MY REVIEW

I was scrolling through NetGalley, checking out the new arrivals and saw The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. I haven’t read any of her work, but I was intrigued by the premise of the story. Julie Clark was able to grab my attention from the opening pages and keep me engrossed in Olivia’s story until the very end.

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont is having financial problems, so when she was approached to ghost write her father’s memoirs, she said yes.

Her father, Vincent Taylor, a famous horror writer, has Lewy body dementia, which creates difficulties when it comes to figuring out what is true and what is false. Olivia will have to face her father’s past. His family had been murdered and he was the only one left standing. That fed the rumor mill. Was he involved? Did he kill them himself?

We float from past to present and I loved Poppy as much as I loved spending time with Olivia.

I quickly became involved in Olivia’s story, watching the past unfold, wondering what was true and, even when the story was finished, was it the truth? I love an author that can keep me flipping pages, unable to put the book down, having to know, having to reach the end and have all the secrets exposed.

I love when I find a new author to love, keeping my eyes open for new books to come.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of legendary horror author Vincent Taylor, famous not only for his novels but for being the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of his siblings. On the brink of financial ruin, Olivia reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite her father’s last book, not realising she will be forced to reckon with the ghosts that live at the centre of her family.

  • Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller
  • 368 pages, Hardcover
  • Expected publication: June 3, 2025 by Sourcebooks Landmark

ABOUT JULIE CLARK

Julie Clark is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We Choose and The Last Flight, which was also a #1 international bestseller and has been translated into more than twenty languages. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and a golden doodle with poor impulse control.

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Review – Lucid by Michael S Milano #michaelsmilano #lucid

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FREE TO BE SAFE (Surveillance cameras and Pansophical Corporation flags)
SAFE TO BE FREE (Surveillance cameras and Pansophical Corporation flags)

 

GOODREADS

MY REVIEW

Lucid by Michael S Milano is a combination apocalyptic, dystopian and technothriller.

Antony Sartori is the star of the show. Since the death of his wife, things have changed for him. He began to question the regime, and that can be very dangerous, seeing they are watching…all the time. It will take him on a perilous journey.

I thought I would love Lucid, but it was hard for me to get into it. I don’t know if I was burnt out on reading or if the writing style didn’t work for me. The character didn’t speak to me. It did have its moments, there just wasn’t enough of them.

My thanks go out to Michael for the opportunity to read a copy of Lucid.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A mind-altering regime. Unity and loyalty dictated. Can one man resist the machine and rip away the veil to reveal the truth?

Seattle, 2084. Antony Sartori hides his grief. Struggling to find a sense of purpose after losing his wife to a deadly pandemic, the former engineer silently suffers while surviving on welfare payments. Out past curfew after a long night of drinking, the devoted citizen is detained, put on trial, and assaulted by the authority he once served.

Plagued by flashbacks that feel more real than the world around him, the fifty-four-year-old begins to question whether his mind or reality itself is unraveling. And though bombarded by reminders to leave the past behind and to live for his fellow man, the seeds of defiance take root in his heart.

With every move watched and judged, can Antony wake up before all is lost?

  • Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Political, Technothriller, Suspense, Thriller
  • 292 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published December 10, 2024 by Praxis Books

ABOUT MICHAEL S MILANO

For over a decade, Lucid has consumed Michael S. Milano’s waking hours. Finally, he is an author. Michael earned his PhD from The Ohio State University. His articles have been published by the Mises Institute and the Libertarian Institute. Michael is a hammock enthusiast who enjoys the Madness of March and drinking wine. He lives somewhere in the observable universe.

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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