Review: Hotwire (Maggie O'Dell, #9) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

Hotwire by Alex Kava
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In Hotwire, the latest and 9th instalment of Alex Kava's Maggie O'Dell's Series starts off with two puzzling but interesting cases that I thought were linked.....a teen party gone wrong in Nebraska and an outbreak of food poisoning in 2 schools. Sorry to say.....but they are not at all....in the end I wondered what the reason was for the two plots!!! The food poisoning plot felt pointless to me........

The story is well paced and there are some intriguing parts but in the end, we are again left dangling with unresolved issues........which left me really frustrated.

Still no development between Maggie and Benjamin Platt's relationship....it's still up in the air.

Most of the characters were forgettable with the only one exception......Lucy Coy, the local forensic pathologist.

This series seems to be losing some "momentum" for me..........the characters are becoming static and seem to be going nowhere.

Again, not a stellar addition to this series.

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Review: Black Friday (Maggie O'Dell, #7) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

Black Friday by Alex Kava
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Black Friday is the 7th book in FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell Series and opens with the bombing of Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota the day after Thanksgiving.

The storyline is frighteningly real and the use of real facts interwoven into the story makes it even more believable.

The plot moves at a good pace....it takes place over a period of 24 hours. The first chapter kicks off really well but then it goes in all these different directions that become confusing and I started losing track of what was going on and who was who.............

I like Maggie O'Dell...but in this book I kind of lost her along the way..........in fact there are no characters that stood out to me.......perhaps Maggie's brother did!!!

There are so many lose ends that never get tied up and we're left up in the air about who the bad and good guys actually are.

Not one of the best in this series.

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Review: Breaking Her (Love is War, #2) by R.K. Lilley (Goodreads Author)

Breaking Her by R.K. Lilley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

WHEW!This is me after going thru some hell of an angst fest!!!!

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Breaking Her is the 2nd book in R.K. Lilley's Love is War Duet. I loved the 1st book, Breaking Him https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... and I was so looking forward to the follow-up. I so wanted to like this one............but sadly I did not.

Dante & Scarlett's intense and shaky relationship continues in this book.....it's become even more intense...in fact, it's overflowing with over-the-top angst.........did I say angst????!!!YES!!!!

Each encounter between these two seems to end in angry sex............turn page...angst....turn page....angst.....

Why the hell these two didn't just come out and say what they were thinking/feeling instead back and forward with all the internal doubts!!!!

Then the drama................the cliff-hanger we were left at the end of the 1st book is now revealed!!!
Again............drama....drama....drama............

Okay, Scarlett's secrets come out..............Dante's secrets come out.............but boy did it take a looooooooooong time for the revelations to come up!!! Big reveals......almost at the very end of the story!!!! In between I am kind of skimming a lot of the pages....why??? Because I am beyond confused...........what the heck is going on here!!! My head is spinning...the story moves from present to past to present again!!!! I just kept waiting for something monumental to happen...but just never does......

The whole plot was a bit unbelievable in some parts which added further to my addled reading brain state!!!! And some of the secondary characters......OMG!!! The most awful and unlikeable people ever............Dante's debauched father........his evil mother........Scarlett's traitorous friend, Farah....and then there's that really bad bad bad one........Tiffany........what a cow!!!! Well, there are a few nice ones...but somehow they just seemed to fade into the background......so, I'm off now....I need some fortitude after meeting up with these humans!!!!

Most people loved this book and in a way I understand their reasons...but for me....it was a case of between It Was Okay and I Liked It -------because I did like the Epilogue!!!!

And may I add........I am still a total R.K. Lilley fan!!!!

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Review: Now You Die (Bullet Catcher, #6) by Roxanne St. Claire (Goodreads Author)

Now You Die by Roxanne St. Claire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At long last...................Lucy Sharpe's story is finally here. She has fascinated me from the very beginning of Roxanne St Claire's fabulous Bullet Catcher Series, featuring an organisation of highly trained security/investigation consultants.

Now You Die is the 6th book in the series and also the final in story of a trilogy that revolves around a story of a dying woman, Eileen Stafford, who has been in falsely imprisoned for 30 years for a murder she did not commit and who needs to find her daughters that had been illegally adopted when they were babies. The first two books were First You Run and Then You Hide and two of her daughters have been found and reunited with her.

Now You Die is the search for the third daughter. Jack Culver, an ex Bullet Catcher now PI has been in charge of the case from the first book, with the help of Lucy and her organisation.

The plot is filled with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns and the investigation into the murder and the mystery that sent Eileen Stafford to jail reaches a breathtaking and unbelievable conclusion.

I have read the entire series and this is my ultimate best. I absolutely loved Jack and Lucy's story. Lucinda Sharpe is such a phenomenal heroine. Ex CIA agent now owner of her own organisation. Smart, fearless, beautiful, driven, loyal, lonely and takes no prisoners.

I want to be like her when I grow up!!!

Jack Culver.........oh man..........I'm totally in love with this guy!!!

He's an alpha with a soft heart male!!!!

We finally discover what their history is and what secrets Lucy has that haunt her and make her so driven.
The chemistry between Lucy and Jack is incredible...........their sex scenes are pretty hot, sexy and sizzling.........

and I liked that there was also more than just the sexual attraction...they are also friends....loved the banter between each other.....they were a pretty awesome couple!

"They slid down the wall to the wet tiles. Their strangled breaths evened out.
And Lucy cupped her hands on his face and looked him in the eyes.
“You are the only one,” she whispered, still trembling. “You are.”

I found the Bullet Catcher Series to be a incredibly readable experience.

Each book can be read as a standalone whilst the arcs that work across all the books.

The author has created a group of characters that are engaging and brilliant heart-stopping romantic suspense that has made this series so fantastic.

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Review: Pick Your Poison (Bullet Catcher, #8.5) by Roxanne St. Claire (Goodreads Author)

Pick Your Poison by Roxanne St. Claire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been reading this series a bit out of order but it hasn't stopped me from really enjoying the Bullet Catcher hot guys series.....and not forgetting their boss, their mysterious and interesting boss lady, Lucy Sharpe. And best of all........in the #8,5 and last book/novella in the Bullet Catcher Series, we get Lucy, her husband, Jack Culver (who is my abso fav) and their seriously cute daughter, Gracie.......oh sorry, and yes, we have sexy and hot Bullet Catcher, Benjamin Youngblood's story.

Ben is in big trouble with Lucy and to redeem himself he has to find an assassin before the agency's principal is bumped off.

Along the way, he meets up with Lizzie Dare (don't you just love these names!!!), sexy flower farmer, who has some connection to his assignment. The two go on an exciting ride filled with danger, being locked up.... together, thankfully, in a huge freezer, duck and dive from a mad and murderous chef holding a knife and a gun, avoiding killers chasing them......and in between trying to find time to do it to each other!!!

This was such a fun read. Sweet, cute, some action and some suspense....and not forgetting to be beyond surprised when the baddie/s are outted!!!!

I really liked the two main characters....I actually think that Ben Youngblood and Lizzie Dare could have done with a full length book together

Oh, I'm actually quite sad to see that there are no more BC adventures. What am I going to do? I was so into this series!!

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Review: Thrill Me to Death (Bullet Catcher, #2) by Roxanne St. Claire (Goodreads Author)

Thrill Me to Death by Roxanne St. Claire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Thrill Me To Death is the 2nd book in the series.....and it was great...it was very good...and I loved it.

Sexy Bullet Catcher Max Roper's assignment...........protect his principal, Corinne (Cori) Cooper Peyton, widow of billionaire William Peyton and Max's ex lover....who also is suspected of bumping off her much older husband.

Max and Cori have a past history........they use to be in love but fell out and she went off and married the billionaire and he went off to become a BC!!! Now, thrown together....and perhaps given a "second chance" at love....or maybe not!

These two had an amazing chemistry and I liked them together a lot. The poker games that the two use to play together in the past and play again in the present made for some pretty hot scenes!!!

Great suspense, fabulous romance, hot sexy scenes, tension, action, red herrings thrown your way that have you guessing until the very end. The revelation of who the baddie was in this story was a bit unbelievable but it wasn't that a big issue.

I am hooked on this series.

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Review: Then You Hide (Bullet Catcher #5) by Roxanne St. Claire (Goodreads Author)

Then You Hide by Roxanne St. Claire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Then You Hide is the 5th book in the series and continues the search for the three sisters that were sold as babies to reunite them with their birthmother, which started in the previous book, #4 First You Run.

Bullet Catcher Wade Cordell is assigned to finding the second sister, Vanessa Porter, the successful NYC workaholic, who is on her own mission in the Caribbean to find her missing BFF, Clive someone or other who also happens to work with her.

Lots of things happen to the two on the Caribbean islands.....bad guys shooting at them, killers on the loose, twists and turns and some unexpected surprises.

Despite the exotic settings and the suspense and action, this was not as good as some of the others in the series.
One of the problems I had with this story was the heroine. She drove me absolutely up the wall...for someone who is supposedly super- smart - she does some pretty stupid things......

It's a miracle that she never gets bumped off by the baddies!!!! She started off a bit iffy for me....I guess I could say that I did warm up ...just a bit...to her in the end.

Of course her life is saved time and time again by the hero, sexy southern man Wade. Let me say, that I found him very sweet and sexy........but somehow I couldn't feel the chemistry between these two..........their sex scenes together were just...lukewarm.

So, in conclusion:

the romance....weak
the plot/suspense/mystery/action...good
locations/settings.... fabulous
characters.....hero... good....heroine...... okay....secondary character...Vanessa's travelling companion...the Jewish mama was totally.... fabulous!!!
pacing.... a bit too slow at times

It wasn't a bad book in the series...........just not amazing!!

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Review Leo by Mia Sheridan (Goodreads Author)

Leo by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Leo is the debut novel by one of my favourite authors, Mia Sheridan. I've read a few that she has written after this one, which I have really liked, but this one...let me just add that I am in the minority here...didn't work for me. It failed to excite me.......

I'm going to try and keep my "rant" as short as possible.

The writing was nothing like the other books...it was just okay. No great quotes stood out to me!!!

There were so many things that glaringly reminded me of 50 Shades of Grey.....all that internal dialogue, the broken and dominant hero, the sweet and virginal heroine, etc, etc

So, the heroine is still at a virgin....she promised to wait for Leo, remember.......and then..........presto.............2 dates and she sleeps with the hero...who is not Leo!!!!

Can I do some eye exercises here please!!!!!

I actually liked Evie, the heroine. She was a really sweet and likeable characters......but when she starts telling her besties and friends all of Leo's secrets and how much she loves him....blah blah..........I just couldn't believable that any sane person who do that, even if it's her very best best BFF...............

I couldn't engage with Jake, the hero.........his whole attitude was ...ooh I'm so great.........and quite honestly, I can't believe a guy that age would be running a company like he does!!! Oh, did you say he's like Mr Christian Grey????? Really!!! Guess there's a lot of hot hot very very rich very very young zillionaires out there that I am not aware of!!!Or not!!! Ummm

Yes, some more eye exercises after this......

Evie sleeps with Jake....lots and lots and lots of times and she never never ever sees the ginormous tattoo on his back.........what, they just do the missionary position in the dark!!!! Seriously!!! And to test my intelligence further....Evie DOES NOT recognize Leo when she sees him after all those many years........come one...(view spoiler)[so, he's had plastic surgery but still, I found this part very hard to swallow....... (hide spoiler)]

So when Evie discovers Jake's big secret - she's heartbroken for him...naturally!!! She's a sweet and loving and caring person.......and she's totally so understanding......really!!! The guy has slept his way through the years.....she's remained a virgin.........allright, so I can't exactly expect a person to keep their virginity in this day and age......but why can he be a slut and she has to be a virgin!!!!

Jake's sob story ..............I was like......

Despite the disappointment, I am still going ahead and reading the remainder of MS books........and I can't wait.

As they say, you can't win them all..............

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Review: Revenge by Lisa Jackson (Goodreads Author)

Revenge by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been reading Lisa Jackson for years ....and she is one of my favourite romantic suspense authors....I have enjoyed most of her books...see my reviews of a lot of her novels..........and as I hadn't read The Love Letters Trilogy when they were first published in the 90's, decided to delve into yet another of her well-written stories.

Sadly, the "repackaged" 3 books into one, Revenge, was a bit of a letdown!!!

The trilogy is about the rich McKee family who live in and control the small town of Rimrock, Oregon and how the death of the totally horrible and disliked patriarch dies in an accident, which soon becomes apparent that he had been murdered. Each book tells the story of his three children and their connections in the town. Cowboys!!!! Cowboys!!! Cowboys!!!

Book A - Always - is the story of the eldest McKee son, Max and the local girl done good, who was driven out of town by his father seven years before and has now returned as the local doctor. Breaking up and getting back together......they were both likeable characters.....although I liked Skye more than Max. She had gumption and was very forgiving and kind. I thought the two made a good couple. The suspense wasn't that huge...more sex and a fire in the family ranch........

Book B - Baby - is Jenner, the youngest son and rebel, who is hurt in the ranch fire at the end of the previous book. He's feeling pretty miserable...and adding to his woes.......discovers that his one night stand a few years back has resulted in him having a son. I liked Beth Candrall but I totally hated Jenner...for f.............s sake, he couldn't remember having slept with Beth...in fact, he didn't even recognise her!!! Well, he kind of redeemed himself in the end...so I didn't exactly hate him...........

Their son Cody was pretty cute...and I loved Beth's mother.........she's the local town's Elizabeth Taylor...she marries the man/men each time she falls in love with them..........she believes in marriage and divorce.....and the McKee grandmother Mavis is a total hoot!!!

Book C - Cowboy - is Casey McKee, the sister, who tried to make it in Hollywood and has come back home for the funeral. She was my favourite McKee. So, she gets kidnapped and Jenner hires his friend, cowboy, Sloan Redhawk to find and save her. It's no huge surprise..........they fall in love....passion....love.....and happiness!!!

We finally get all the answers.......who killed Jonah McKee, who started the ranch fire, the kidnapping...........and all those attempted murders in the small local town...............hell, a lot happens around that small place.

I did enjoy the sense of small town living....the local bar, diner...and all the quirky people.

This was not one of the best by this author.........to be honest, I did find reading this rather long "book" a bit monotonous after a while, but I did not give up.....and I was pleased that I reached the end of the McKee family HEA's.

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Review: Beneath This Man (This Man, #2) by Jodi Ellen Malpas (Goodreads Author)

Beneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 stars

I'm sorry....I know the majority liked Beneath This Man, the 2nd book in Jodi Ellen Malpas's This ManTrilogy........but it just didn't work out for me.

Jesse Ward has become beyond obsessive.......his behaviour is weird and crazy and extreme...so what if we now know his age and how he received the famous scar and how evil and horrible his parents were...blah blah blah....

I could not like Jesse in this book......his actions were pretty scary.....he lies to Ava about a lot of important things...those are not little white lies......he manipulates her......he stalks her.....he checks up on her....

“Do they want to keep me in a glass box so nothing and no one can hurt me?”
“You're mine, and mine alone, baby. Just for my eyes, just for my touch and just for my pleasure. Just mine. Do you understand me?”

.interrupts her business meetings.....STALKER....STALKER....NOT MUCH............

At first, I thought....finally, Ava is showing some backbone.........maybe it's true...after all, she handcuffs Jesse to the bed post and leaves him to stew......

And then what happens next???? Oooh, Jesse, Jesse

....So forgive me if I don't feel sorry for you.......when you say things like this.....

“He disregards my opinions and wishes at every turn, with his neurotic, challenging ways, and now I fear I’m becoming neurotic and challenging as well. He brings out the worst in me, and I know damn well I bring out the worst in him.”

And just as fast as I can......forget those thoughts......rather......I just love sex with Jesse.....so think I will just give in to him..........Pleeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

hell, this woman, Ava, drove me absolutely bonkers!!!! I wanted to jump into the book and give her a piece of my mind..............like something like this...

I like well-written sex scenes that form part of the story........but how much is enough sex scenes....

“Well, Mr Ward. Given how much sex we have, I'd say you're the majority shareholder of power in this relationship.”

And for heaven's sake........what about carpet burn.......but no, this does not happen in fiction darlings........and no, Jesse Ward does not need Viagra for those hundreds and hundreds and more hundreds of sex times with sweet little Ava...

This book could have been cut in half.....there was so much repetition that I found myself skimming a lot of pages.

Truthfully...........I'm become a bit "enthusiastic" about this series, so I probably will read book #3......much to my dismay!!!!

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Review: This Man (This Man, #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas (Goodreads Author)

This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3,5 stars

This Man is the 1st book in Jodi Ellen Malpas This Man Trilogy
I was impressed that this was her debut novel. Despite some qualms, I found myself drawn into the story. There were some parts that I enjoyed which made me continue reading, even when I became frustrated with some parts.

This Man Trilogy is the tale of sexy, controlling, enigmatic, mysterious Billionaire, Jesse Ward's obsession and pursuit of Ava O"Shea, gorgeous and talented interior designer, who he hires to do some work at his very secretive country estate'

Okay, I like rich, sexy alpha-males...but Jessa Ward takes alpha to a new level........totally OTT.........he becomes beyond obsessed with Ava......fixated really.........poor Ava just can't understand it.....he's too gorgeous for her!!!!

I must own up that I kind of liked Jesse despite his secrets.......which there are so so many......and his "stalkingness"....he somehow gave off this "hug me" vibe, which I found quite endearing.

The major problem with this story was Ava!!!! I just could not understand Jesse's obsession. She can't make any decision....

And if you think Jesse couldn't keep up.............. neither could I!!!

Between these two............I just wanted to kick their butts and beat their heads together.....seriously, it gave me a headache...........

And the sex....and more sex....It just became repetitive after a while......and all that nonsense about Jesse's age!!! Please Ms Author, put Ava and me out of our misery!!!! I cannot continue to read about her obsession!!!!

Regardless of some of my peeves, I did end up with a morbid fascination for these two unlikely characters and being given the "twist" at the end, I am going to read the next book.

So, it wasn't one of my "loved" books but it wasn't that bad.....I did like it.

PS.....I have to insert the quote below....I had a laugh or two...is this for real!!!! Really!!! Do women still think this??????

“The modern man needs to catch on to the fact that women want to be treated as equals, but only when it suits us. the modern woman's fierce need for independence doesn't mean we want to pay for our half of a meal, or that we don't want a man to hold a door open for us. We still want to be looked after, but on our terms.”

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Review: Stinger by Mia Sheridan (Goodreads Author)

Stinger by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a total Mia Sheridan fan!!!! I can't wait to get "stuck" into her books. I'm on a MS binge right now!!!!

Stinger was a fabulous surprise...........a law student meets porn star in Las Vegas.......but it's more than just that.

Two people who would probably have never met, who have a hot and incredible weekend fling that turns into something deeper and unexpected. How your life is changed without you ever expecting it...........

“In life, there are those who save us, both in big ways and in small. Sometimes that means being set free from a dark, windowless room, or being pulled out of a burning building. More often, it means being saved from yourself, and made to finally believe that letting someone love you, isn't just a big lie that you're unwilling to tell.”

I found Grace and Carson very engaging but Carson........geez...I fell in love with the guy..........he was the most unexpected hero ever...

“Sometimes, you don't even realize anything is wrong until someone comes along and changes you, and makes you want more. In my case, it was a beautiful girl with a plan who shattered the world I thought I knew.”

The banter between these two is so enjoyable......funny, witty.......

“Tell me, where did you get your clinical psychology degree from? Oh, that's right. The University of Bullshit.”

“Let me guess, law student conference?" I started to walk around him, but stopped when I heard the clearly condescending nickname and the amusement in his voice. “Yes, actually. Is there something wrong with that?”
“No, not at all. Looks like we’re both here to learn how to be the best at getting people off.”

The humour is off the charts.........

““She stared into my eyes. “Oh shit. You idiot. You totally did! You fell in love with the porn star!” She groaned, leaning back and sliding down in her chair. “Oh God, this is worse than I thought. When you let loose, you really go all out, don’t you girlfriend? Holy crapola.”

I must admit that the story took a turn that I was least expecting....loved the second chance aspect of the story.

Fantastic epilogue.

If you haven't discovered Mia Sheridan.........please go out there and start reading her books.

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Review: Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan (Goodreads Author)

Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing conclusion the Calder & Eden's absolutely unique and breathtaking love story which began with the 1st book, Becoming Calder......(see my review here .. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ).

Finding Eden picks up just after the shocking ending to Becoming Calder and we see how Calder and Eden are now having to face living in a world that they never imagined existed, struggling with loss and heartache and pain and what they have to face before being reunited again.

The story is told through dual POV so we are able to look into both their thoughts and feelings as they journey to finding each other.

The eventual reunion is amazing.....rediscovering and healing each other

Calder and Eden are one of the most unique characters.....how these two were ever able to get through all the pain and heartache in their lives and still come through strong and intact....still able to believe in the good in the world....

This story made me think about a lot of things in life.......it inspired me to think that despite the knocks that life gives you.....there is always something good that can come out of it.......that you can still find light and laughter there somewhere....

The writing is beautiful and the author transported me into the story from the very beginning. She made me feel what the characters felt............The quote below just flipping blew me away....

“You listen to your heart, Jack. And you listen to the voice that comes to you when you close your eyes. You'll know it because it will be something between a feeling and a whisper. And that voice? Jack, if your heart is good like yours is, that voice never, ever lies.”

An unforgettable story.

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Review: Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan (Goodreads Author)

Becoming Calder by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Becoming Calder is the 1st book in a 2-book series and tells the story two people whose courage, goodness and love triumphs over evil.

“I had dreams as well. In that moment, right there and then, I admitted to myself that I longed for more for my life and maybe those dreams were beautiful too. Brave. I had always pushed that desire away, ashamed of it, thinking it sinful, selfish.
But maybe, just maybe, my own dreams weren’t as sinful as I’d always thought them to be…somehow.”

Mia Sheridan has written an extraordinary tale of conquering your fears despite the many obstacles that face you and how truth and goodness always find the light in your life.

“But of course, life never worked that way. You had to live every minute of the hard part in order to get to the good.”

This book begins with the two protagonists, Calder and Eden first meeting as children when she's brought to the religious community that he has lived since he can remember, as their leader's future wife.

Under the most pervasive and sinister circumstances, a bond of friendship and love blooms between these two engaging characters. Their love story takes place over several years as the two face the hardships and struggles that come with their finding happiness together. Their story touched me deeply....they have this innocence...and at the same time something so powerful, deep and consuming that is so poignant and so touching.

The characters development is very well done. They're memorable, they drive the story and transport you into their lives.

I found Calder and interesting character. He questions what he has believed in most of his life - what if there something else, something more.......

Eden just pulled me in from the first moment she's introduced.........

In this place, there is a girl with the face of an angel and a heart full of courage. To her family, she is the vision of obedient perfection. But she dares to want that which she has been told can never be hers.

There's something magical and beautiful about her that draws you in.

Another character I liked, was Xander, Calder's best friend. They have an incredible bond and I am interested to finding out how their friendship develops in the next book.

The author's depiction of the community's daily life is filled with a sense of evil.....you can feel it ....the menace that permeates around the members who may question the cult leaders words is pretty scary and chilling.

This book ends in a huge cliff-hanger and Calder and Eden's story continues with Finding Eden, the next book.

A beautifully written and captivating story.

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