Review – Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner @LisaGardnerBks #kisshergoodbye

Posted on August 12, 2025 by fundinmental

MY REVIEW

Lisa Gardner was a must read author for me before I began blogging. This woman can write and her love of research shows through the words on the pages of her books. I have not read any of the Frankie Elkin novels, but after reading Kiss Her Goodbye, I plan to remedy that. I was quickly hooked by the character. She’s tough, persistent, and once she sets her sights on something, she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Kiss Her Goodbye bounces between Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi’s past and the present. When she goes missing, her best friend seeks Frankie Elkin’s help. Frankie has had a rough life and I love that she travels light, with a brown leather messenger bag and a small rolling suitcase. She’s not trained in finding people, but she is good at it.

Lisa Gardner writes about the Afghans that helped the Americans, especially those left behind. I wondered if what she shared was true…and it is. I found it fascinating. It lends a feeling of reality to the novel.

I love a book that twists and turns and takes me down an unexpected path where I am unable to foresee the outcome. I felt anger, dread, suspense and sorrow. I couldn’t stop reading, yet I didn’t want the story to end.

My thanks go out to Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner returns with the 4th installment in her bestselling Frankie Elkin series, in which Frankie is called to Tucson, Arizona, to find a missing Afghan refugee, whose friend suspects she is in grave danger, before it is too late.

A young mother haunted by war, determined to make a fresh start. But sometimes, the sins of the past aren’t so easy to escape.

Recent Afghan refugee Sabera Ahmadi was last seen exiting her place of work three weeks ago. The local police have yet to open a case, while her older, domineering husband seems unconcerned. Sabera’s closest friend, however, is convinced Sabera would never willingly leave her three‑year old daughter. At her insistence, missing persons expert Frankie Elkin agrees to take up the search through the broiling streets of Tucson. Just in time for a video of the young mother to surface—showing her walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.

Frankie quickly realizes there’s much more to the Ahmadi family than meets the eye. The father Isaad is a brilliant mathematician, Sabera a gifted linguist, and their little girl Zahra—she has an uncanny ability to remember anything she sees. Which given everything that has happened during the girl’s short life, may be a terrible curse. When Isaad also disappears under mysterious circumstances and an attempt is made on Zahra’s life, Frankie realizes she must quickly crack the code of this family’s horrific past.

Someone is coming for the Ahmadis. And violence is clearly an option. When everything is on the line, how far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Frankie is about to find out.

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 12, 2025 by Grand Central Publishing
Series: Frankie Elkin #4

ABOUT LISA GARDNER

Lisa Gardner is the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author of the Frankie Elkin series, as well as the Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series.

Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!

Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!

Website

MY LISA GARDNER REVIEWS

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Review – Callasandra Fractured by Stephanie Douglas #callasandrafractured @St3phnieDouglas

Posted on August 8, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Callasandra Fractured by Stephanie Douglas is a dystopian, science fiction novel about a young girl traveling through dimensions. It slowly drew me in, picking up the pace as the story unfolded.

Cassi had been jolted awake by what sounded like a burst of thunder – the hair on her arms stood on end, and in her gut, she knew something was wrong.

That’s putting it mildly. She finds herself in a world called Cimerrion, where every move is watched. When rules are broken, ‘motivation’ is used. It depends on who is doling it as to how brutal it can be. At least, for a moment, she is protected from grave bodily harm. They want her unmarked until they decide what they are going to use her for, but there is one guard who has his eye on her and believes she may be a Disunited, a person from another world. If they knew she was also a twin, they may have been even more worried. There is a prophecy…Our control of Cimerrion hangs in the balance of the twin fates of our destiny.

The main characters are young and I love watching them grow and develop, working together. Knowing they can’t just sit there and do nothing, they become a part of the resistance and risk their lives to save those targeted for a life of slavery.

Stephanie Douglas has created a world of danger, but no matter how bleak things look, the characters still have hope. The pace increases as does the suspense, the closer we get to the end…and that ending. It’s a good one. I am looking forward to what comes next.

Also, for a unique reading experience, Stephanie has sprinkled QR codes for music so you can listen along with the characters. I did not choose the option, but it may enhance your reading experience.

My thanks go out to Stephanie Douglas for the opportunity to read and review Callasandra Fractured.

GOODREADS BLURB

A DANGEROUS SECRET AND ENEMIES EVERYWHERE

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SURVIVE?

Sixteen-year-old Cassi Dyson thought she had a normal life—until the day her world shattered. In a sudden, terrifying moment, two men seize her father right in front of her. Before they drag him away, he shouts a coded message to her—the warning changes everything. Soon after, a dimensional fracture scatters Cassi—and all of Earth’s citizens—across dimensions.

Separated from her family, Cassi awakens alone in Cimerrion, a world where the government sees her as a threat, where every move is watched, and any misstep could mean capture—or worse. Not knowing who to trust, she adopts a new name—Callasandra—but even that may not be enough to keep her safe. Assigned to The Camp, a monitored sector where sixteen-year-olds are trained, Cassi must blend in to survive.

When Joren, a charismatic and quick-witted fellow student, sees through her disguise, he brings her to the covert resistance known as the Antistasi. Desperate to find her family, Cassi turns to them for help and learns that survival means more than just concealing her identity—it means playing a dangerous game where trust is scarce, deception is everywhere, and escape may not be an option.

For Fans of Action, Suspense, and High-Stakes Survival

A thrilling blend of impossible choices, gripping action, and cunning resistance, Callasandra Fractured is perfect for readers who love action-packed stories set in dystopian worlds with young protagonists who refuse to back down. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat until the very end, immersed in a world where secrets and action collide.

Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult
474 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2018 by Dreamer’s Lair Books

ABOUT STEPHANIE DOUGLAS

Stephanie Douglas writes YA dystopian sci-fi that explores identity, power, and survival. Her debut novel, Callasandra Fractured, blends psychological tension, cinematic worldbuilding, and unforgettable characters navigating a fractured dimension. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her family, singing whenever the mood strikes, or plotting the next twist in the Callasandra series.

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$20 GC & Review – A New Life by L J Ambrosio @authorlambrosio @GoddessFish

Posted on August 5, 2025 by fundinmental

A NEW LIFE L.J. Ambrosio

GENRE: Coming-of-Age

MY REVIEW

I have been reading the Reflections Of Michael Trilogy by L J Ambrosio since I got my hands on the first book, A Reservoir Man. The series is thought provoking, leaving me thinking of the things L J Ambrosio shared long after the books have been read.

If you love character driven books, this series is for you. L J Ambrosio explores humanity, the feelings of friendship, love, grief and loss, hate and prejudice.

A New Life may be a quick read, but it was filled with emotion. The ugliness of politics and homophobia play a part in Louie’s life. I had a thought of what was to come for him, but I was still caught off guard when it happened.

My thanks go out to Goddess Fish Promotions and L J Ambrosio for the opportunity to read and review A New Life.

BLURB

From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope.

A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page

EXCERPT

They spent the rest of the trip talking about Rhonda and how great she was, from the fight where she tried to protect Ron to the National Cemetery where she was left behind by accident at dusk, not found until midnight.

Louie started crying, and Ron comforted him, assuring him that the pain was fine; he needed to accept it.

“Rhonda was so smart,” Louie said proudly. “Some people don’t know the relationship between an owner and their pet. It is so special, so unconditional. Rhonda will always be a part of me. It was nice to bury her here in America, her home country.”

A while later, Ron and Louie arrived at their motel. Ron said to him, “Let’s get the luggage and go to bed. Hey, I was thinking when we get back to Paris, you should move in me with me and stop sleeping in the bookstore.”

Louie could not believe what he heard. Sharing more time with Ron would be special; he was excited to have that time together.

Louie and Ron had a chuckle over how Rhonda refused to walk on the sidewalks in Paris because of all the cigarette butts on the ground; she had to be pushed around in a baby carriage, because she did not want to burn her paws.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljambrosioauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlambrosio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louis.ambrosio
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ljambrosio
Blog: https://ljambrosio.blogspot.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2XkCETDOj_VUtCFcB74ig
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Reflections-Michael-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B0F9YPJZQ3/ref=sr_1_1

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Review – Beasts Of Prey by Geoff Jones @Jonesy_Geoff #beastsofprey

Posted on August 5, 2025 by fundinmental

THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES

The Ender is coming.

The Preservation of Species II: Struggle for Existence by Geoff Jones

Escaping Earth was just the beginning.

The Preservation of Species III: Beasts of Prey by Geoff Jones

Humanity is on the brink of extinction.

MY REVIEW

Beasts Of Prey by Geoff Jones is the thrilling conclusion of The Preservation Of Species Trilogy. I spent days with the intriguing characters and the monsters they encountered. I loved the original idea for this apocalyptic/dystopian novel, merging horror and science fiction seamlessly, creating such an amazing story I hated to see it end.

It all began when the aliens targeted Earth with a comet that wiped out billions of humans and animals alike. They kept a small amount of specimens in a zoo like setting, and their motives for doing so are horrifying.

We will see the best and the worst that humanity has to offer. There was one character in particular that I had my eye on. I empathized with him, but I was afraid he would betray the others. He has been pushed to his limit.

“Sometimes you have to do something truly awful,” Reggie said quietly. “To prevent something even worse.”

I was amazed with The Preservation Of Species series. Geoff Jones has created a unique experience with aliens and monsters, both human and animal. I found it easy to visualize many of the scenes, seeing they were described in such vivid detail. Geoff did an excellent job of wrapping up the series, tying up all the loose ends in a very satisfying package.

Many thanks go out to Geoff Jones for the opportunity to read and review The Preservation Series. Be sure to read it in the order it is written.

GOODREADS BLURB

Earth has been devastated by a comet.

Just before impact, alien caretakers collected human specimens and placed them in a wildlife preserve on an orbiting starship. A small group led by Sierra Preston and David Williams escaped, only to find the ruins of Earth inhabited by vicious creatures known as gorgers.

The group returned to the alien ship, determined to convince the caretakers to release the remaining human specimens and help them defeat the gorgers.

Unfortunately, the aliens have a different agenda.

The Preservation of Species trilogy comes to a thrilling conclusion in Beasts of Prey , a post-apocalyptic science-fiction adventure filled with unforgettable heroes, terrifying monsters, and heart-pounding action.

Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Science Fiction
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 28, 2025 by Breakaway Delusions
Series: The Preservation Of Species #3

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 – The Magical Legacy Of The Ryujin by Stephan Lethaus #stephanlethaus

Posted on July 28, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Magical Legacy Of The Ryujin by Stephan Lethaus has been translated from German with the help of artificial intelligence. This is one instance where I have no problem with artificial intelligence. A pretty good job was done, and seeing I am reading an ARC it may even get better.

We have a wide cast of characters, which you can find at the end of the book. I haven’t really chosen a favorite, but Robin is one of the main characters, so it is easy to choose him. He a nice guy and some not so nice things happen to him. I also liked Mi Lou. She is in danger and on the run, and before the book is done, so is Robin. I’m eager to see how the storylines will come together, seeing Mi Lou is from the year 2055 and Robin is from the time of dragons.

The Magical Legacy Of The Ryujin starts out a little slow, but the further I read, the more the pace picks up and a subtle urgency spans the pages. The point of view switches from Robin to Mi Lou. I was able to predict some of what comes. Treachery, treason, and betrayal puts many lives in danger and many bodies will fall.

This is one of those stories where I am afraid to say too much. I don’t want to spoil anything for you. We have artifical intelligence and robots. We have magic and dragons. The world is rich in detail and if you love fantasies, I think you may love The Magical Legacy Of The Ryujin.

I want to thank Stepahn Lethaus for the opportunity to read and review The Magical Legacy Of The Ryujin. I can hardly wait to begin the second book, The Discovery Of The Inner Magic.

GOODREADS BLURB

The Magical Legacy of the Ryūjin is the captivating beginning of a saga where ancient forces awaken, unlikely bonds form, and the fate of a magical world begins to shift.

Have you ever debated the ethics of killing… with a dragon?

Rob, a stable boy from Castle Skargness, never asked for any of this. But when a twist of fate throws him together with Fuku Riu—a reckless young forest dragon with far too much attitude and far too little patience—everything changes.

After a tragic turn during the legendary dragon tournament, Rob and Fuku are forced to flee north, hunted by the merciless servants of pure magic. Their uneasy alliance is tested at every step, and trust is hard‑won in a land full of ancient threats and unseen watchers.

Meanwhile, in a very different world, Mi Lou—a pragmatic systems analyst from 2055—finds herself pulled into Skaiyles by forces she doesn’t yet understand. Her arrival marks a turning point, though none of them realize it yet.

As pure magic rises and buried legacies begin to stir, even the smallest bond may carry the weight of destiny.

German readers will find both Volumes 01 and 02 combined in the original German edition.

Genre: Dragons, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
Series: The Ryujin #1

ABOUT STEPHAN LETHAUS (from Amazon)

Stephan Lethaus has been telling fantastical stories since childhood—long before he could write, he spun wild tales about ghosts, dragons, and untamed creatures. His creative journey has since taken him from directing and producing award-winning children’s content to writing epic fantasy. Today, he brings that same sense of wonder and adventure to his fantasy series, The Magical Legacy of the Ryūjin.

Based in Berlin, Stephan is an author and creative producer with over two decades of experience in the animation and media industry. His background in storytelling for the screen has shaped his vivid, cinematic writing style. His earlier productions for children’s television have received multiple awards, including the Goldener Spatz, the Silver Dragon of Beijing, and a nomination for the prestigious Grimme Prize.

In 2016, Stephan published the first book in Skaiyles, a sweeping fantasy series filled with magic, dragons, and untamed legacy [This makes no sense. It’s untamed creature, but to avoid repetition we should look for another word]. He is currently expanding the saga, crafting stories that invite readers into a richly imagined world full of mystery, myth, and heart.

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Review – Reckless by Skye Jordan #skyjordan #reckless

Posted on July 24, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Godreads

MY REVIEW

I picked up a copy of Reckless on a free day on 8.18.16. I recently signed up for Skye Jordan’s newsletter and saw some interesting looking books, so I checked my ereader. Lo and behold, I had one of her books, so I started reading Reckless, the first book in the Renegades series.

Reckless is hot, hot, hot. I loved the characters, even those that were not so nice. I loved that Lexi LaCroix is the main character and is a plus size. She specializes in handmade wedding dresses and when she expands into the lingerie business I can only guess how sexy they will be. There are those that support her whole heartedly and those that want her to dumb down her creations. I love that she sticks to her guns.

Of course, we have some romance. Neither one realizes who the other one is and it makes for some miscommunication. That’s typical for any couple. But, they are magic in bed and pull no punches, burning up my ereader. I look forward to reading more of Skye’s work

Reckless would make a great movie.

GOODREADS BLURB

A couture wedding dress designer to the rich and famous, Lexi LaCroix’s image means everything. But crossing paths with a sexier-than-sin, bad-boy biker makes Lexi realize how much living she’s sacrificed for her success and one touch is all it takes to threaten her carefully choreographed life. When that touch fills far more than just Lexi’s physical needs, she finds herself torn between the career she needs and the bad-boy she craves.

Jax Chamberlin gave up the superficial life of acting for the thrill of running his own stunt company years ago. But a recent betrayal proves he’s still too close to the limelight to find a woman who doesn’t plan to use him as a stepping-stone to success. When the charming and mysterious Lexi offers him a totally anonymous hook-up during an out of town trip, Jax accepts. Only Lexi is more sextacular than charming, and Jax wants more.

But Lexi’s got a major hang-up over his renegade lifestyle, and Jax isn’t willing to change his ways. Especially not when he discovers who she really is. Because if she finds out his connections could catapult her to the top of her career, he’s afraid the fantasy woman he’s falling for might just end up like all the other gold-diggers. And this time, it’s not just his bad-boy reputation at risk, but his heart, too.

All books in the Renegades series may be read as stand alone books.

The Renegades series includes:
RECKLESS
REBEL
RICOCHET
RUMOR
RELENTLESS
RENDEZVOUS
RIPTIDE
RAPTURE

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, New Adult, Romance
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2013 by Cygnet Books
Series: Renegades, #1
Settings: Los Angeles, California, New York City, New York, United States

ABOUT SKYE JORDAN

Skye Jordan is a New York Times and USA bestselling author of sexy contemporary romance and edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense.

A California native transplanted to the DC area. When she’s not writing, Skye enjoys travel and medical volunteer work. She is a lifelong learner, always taking courses in everything from spy craft to knitting and loves spending her summer rowing on the Potomac.

Visit Skye online:

www.SkyeJordanAuthor.com

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$10 GC – Curse Of Ashmedei by Michael Snaerravn @goddessfish #curseofashmedei #michalsnaerravn

Posted on July 23, 2025 by fundinmental

CURSE OF ASHMEDEI by Michal Snaerravn

GENRE: Epic fantasy

MY REVIEW

I am always up for a good fantasy story to get lost in and Curse Of Ashmedei by Michal Snaerravn provided me one. There are also some cool illustrations.

Curse Of Ashmedei is one of those stories I find it hard to review without spoilers.

Curse Of Asmedei is filled with battles, betrayals and death. I felt the loss as Michal killed off some characters I had grown to care about. We have Druids, Demonsblood, Lycans, Trollbloods and Ogrebloods, plus creatures that fly and hide in the sand, so be careful crossing over those dunes.

I was quickly drawn in by Amnon, a young Demonblood that vows revenge on those who killed his parents. The action is nonstop. I couldn’t figure out who he should trust and who he should kill outright. There is a price to be paid for letting the bad guy live. Strange alliances are made, because he is not the only one that has a price on his head. A Blood War is coming.

My thanks go out to Michael Snaerravn for the opportunity to read and review Curse Of Ashmedei. The real downside I came across is I need the next book, Golems Of Beithir to find out what happens next.

BLURB

The Black Star approaches, heralding the cataclysm of Hell’s Gate. The pawns on the chessboard have played the opening gambits as the Races vie for its power. Amnon, a young Demonblood consumed by revenge, finds himself drawn into a maelstrom of treacherous alliances and primeval magic. With a price on his head and outmanoeuvred by Druids and Trollbloods at every turn, he can’t survive alone. An ancient Lycan who has lost his humanity is the only one he can trust.

EXCERPT

The sun began to slip behind the ragged slope, staining the wisps of clouds surrounding the peak in blood red.

It was late summer, and the bitter katabatic wind was making its way down the slope, rustling a few dying leaves, and chilling my bones. A lone peregrine falcon drew lazy spirals high above the erratic maze of rocks and boulders, looking for the unwary marmot that enjoyed the evening sun just a bit too long. Crouched, I carefully studied nearly invisible tracks. It was the same company I had been trailing for weeks now, consisting of an armored party of more than a dozen men and women. The tracks wound along the steep slope and entered the open scree. Soon their trail would be lost in the jumble of jagged rocks and Troll-sized boulders. I hesitated, my tail twitching as it usually did when I was annoyed. The path they were on faced directly against the sun as it dipped into the glacial valley. I knew the valley well, and it was perfect for an all-too-easy ambush. I suspected the company had already detected my presence, and it would be foolish to tempt fate, especially when facing a dozen armed men … headed by a Druid, no less.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Michal Snaerravn is an outdoor enthusiast, an aficionado of the martial arts, and, above all, a sci-fi/fantasy nerd. A fan of all the timeless fantasy classics, he is eager to share his imagination: “Living in seven distinct cultures and reading hundreds of novels in four languages inspired a fantasy world that had to be revealed.” He considers novel writing not for the timid, or for selling a million copies; it is for those who have a vision to share. “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Curse of Ashmedei: Book 1: https://amzn.to/3IxIO41

Golems of Beithir: Book 2: https://a.co/d/hW1YFT 7

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michal-Snaerravn/author/B0DHDBSC55

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amnonofhadur/

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Review – Sanctuary by Michael J Stiehl #michaeljstiehl #sanctuary #blackharepress

Posted on July 22, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Sanctuary by Michael J Stiehl is a fantasy, horror, novella. I hesitated with the rating, bouncing between a 3 and a 4. When that happens, I round up. I know it’s hard to grab someone’s attention and hold them til the end when the story is so short, but I feel Sanctuary warrants that extra star.

Theobard is training to be a monk and has lived a quiet life among the Silent Brotherhood. Everything changes when Dellia arrives. She opens Theobard’s eyes to what is really going on at the Sanctuary. Michael J Stiehl did a great job of increasing the anticipation of what was coming, making me feel that life can be very dangerous at the Sanctuary if you don’t toe the line. The ending caught me offguard and, Michael, you kinda pissed me off…but that’s a good thing.

My thanks go out to Michael J Stiehl and Black Hare Press for the opportunity to read and review Sanctuary.

GOODREADS BLURB

Deep in an impenetrable swamp, lies the Sanctuary. Abandoned there as a child, Theobard has lived a quiet life among the Silent Brotherhood, a monastic sect that never speaks.

The arrival of Dellia, a beautiful golden-eyed girl with a secret, will change everything.

Her secret will expose Theobard’s true nature, and that of the Sanctuary, pulling apart the only world he has ever known, leaving nothing the same.

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Novella and Short Stories
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2022 by Black Hare Press

ABOUT MICHAEL J STIEHL

Michael J. Stiehl has had a lifelong passion for fiction, in particular horror, comics, adventure and science fiction, and is thrilled to finally be writing some of his own. Michael lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife, two kids and his very silly poodle Jack. When not writing fiction, Michael spends his time riding bikes, camping, reading books, obsessively listening to music and playing D&D with his friends. In short, he hasn’t changed a bit since junior high.

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Review – Dead West (The Endings #3) by Linda L Richards @lindalrichards #deadwest

Posted on July 18, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have read a couple of books in the Endings series by Linda L Richards and loved them, so when I found I had Dead West hanging around from a free book day, I had to read it. I love assassins and I think she is one of the most mysterious assassins I have met in a while. It doesn’t matter what her name is because it is as fictional as her life story, but I like the twist Linda L Richards incorporates into her story.

I have read another book recently that dealt with the wild horses out west and the struggles they have to survive in the political climate. I love horses and so much of the problems in Dead West ring true.

It doesn’t take much and she is ready to switch sides. How can she get out of killing Cameron Walker, a rancher in Arizona. He’s a good man and she is torn between what she has been paid to do and what she feels is right. If she reneges on the deal, it could mean the end of her.

We have a lot of twists and turns in Dead West. The mystery is not easy to figure out and I was surprised when I learned who the biggest villain was. As we approach the end, I wonder how she will make herself and everyone else happy. Dead West is one of my favorite books in the Endings series.

There are book club questions at the end of the book and they prove thought provoking whether you are part of a book club or an individual, like me. I love a book that makes me think and sticks with me after the reading.

GOODREADS BLURB

Rule #1 of being a hired never get to know your target . . . and definitely don’ t fall in love with them

Taking lives has taken its toll. Her moral justifications have faltered. Do any of the the people she has killed — some of them heinous, but all of them human — deserve to die?

Her next target is Cameron Walker, a rancher in Arizona. When she arrives at his remote desert estate to carry out her orders, she discovers that he is a kind and beautiful man. After a lengthy tour of the ranch, not only has she not killed him, she’s wondering who might want him dead.

She procrastinates long enough that a vibe grows between them. At the same time, she learns that he’s passionate about wild horses and has been fighting a losing political battle to save the mustangs that live on protected land near his property. He’s even received death threats from those who oppose him.

She finds herself trying to protect the man she was sent to kill, following a trail that leads from the desert, to the Phoenix cognoscenti, to the highest offices in Washington, DC. Along the way she encounters kidnappers and killers, horse thieves and even human traffickers. Hopefully she can figure out who ordered the hit before they hire someone else to execute the assignment.

Perfect for fans of Dean Koontz and Tana French

While the novels in The Endings Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is as:

Endings
Exit Strategy
Dead West

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2023 by Oceanview Publishing

ABOUT LINDA L RICHARDS

Linda L. Richards is the award-winning author of over a dozen books. The founder and publisher of January Magazine and a contributing editor to the crime fiction blog The Rap Sheet, she is best known for her strong female protagonists in the thriller genre. Richards is from Vancouver, Canada and currently makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona. New for 2024: INSENSIBLE LOSS, the fourth book in the Endings series featuring a reluctant hit woman struggling towards the light. Linda’s 2021 novel, the first in this series, ENDINGS, was recently optioned by a major studio for series production. Richards is an accomplished horsewoman and an avid tennis player, and is on the National Board of Sisters in Crime.

Catch Up With Linda L. Richards:
LindaLRichards.com
Goodreads – @lindalrichards
BookBub – @linda1841
Instagram – @lindalrichards
Threads – @lindalrichards
Twitter/X – @lindalrichards
Facebook – @lindalrichardsauthor

MY LINDA L RICHARDS REVIEWS

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

Posted on July 17, 2025 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It’s wonderful to be back In Jane Blythe’s world with Prey Security and the Artemis Team in Lacey’s Fight. Lacey had been kidnapped when she was just a baby. Her blood family had died in a fire and her mother had committed suicide. Lacey’s bubbly, happy, full of smiles personality covers the pain. The Master had kidnapped her and her sisters and trained them to be assassins. Why does he need his own army, no matter how small? We find out in Lacey’s Fight and I have been waiting for The Master to be exposed.

There’s not much that can scare Lacey, but she is not a fan of water. That does not mean she won’t jump in the ocean to save a girl that had been tossed overboard. Isn’t that the meaning of courage? Facing your fears and doing what needs to be done.

That is when she comes face to face with Benjamin “Rabbit” Blanchett. If it wasn’t for him, she would not have survived. Lacey uses sex as a coping mechanism. She is game for one night stands, but no commitments…Until Ben. But, Ben had his own baggage and felt he had nothing to give.

Ben and Lacey are posing as husband and wife, when they go undercover to save some girls being sold off at auction. Lacey believes that The Master may be there and she is determined to take him down.

Jane, Jane, Jane. You sure do put your characters through life altering situations….and I love it! I can’t get enough of it. This quick, engrossing, fast paced thriller had me reading at a frantic pace. Every time I thought I could take a breath, wham, bam, thank you ma’am, something else would happen. I love a book that keeps on giving.

GOODREADS BLURB

Behind her bubbly, flirty smile hides a world of hidden pain.

Despite her dark childhood Lacey Smith believes in looking for moments of joy wherever you can find them. But when a seriously hot SEAL saves her life and then turns her down when she asks him out she begins to rethink everything. Going undercover with a man who doesn’t like her isn’t ideal but that doesn’t mean that the danger won’t have sparks igniting between them.

Most days Navy SEAL Benjamin Blanchett is so mired in grief and guilt that he doesn’t even want to move forward. So when a bubbly, sassy, ball of energy asks him out of course he says no. He thought that was it but now they’re going undercover together as husband and wife. Lines are blurred, feelings emerge, but by the time he realizes what he wants it might be too late.

Genre: Enemies To Lovers, Military Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Thriller
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
Series: Prey Security: Artemis Team #3

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