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The Archcrusade: Tome One (The Archcrusade Series) by K. M. Hogenson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Archcrusade: Tome One: The Archspawn - Pilgrimage & PropheciesThe Archcrusade: Tome One: The Archspawn – Pilgrimage & Prophecies by K.M. Hogenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Archspawn – Pilgrimage & Prophecies is the first book in the Archcrusades series. This book is quite hefty with over 1300 pages and over 100 characters, with about a third of those having their own POV chapters. This is a story full of magic, adventure, mythical characters and creatures, and action. Even with the length of the book, this is quite fast paced and easy to follow once you get down the varying POV switches and who is who. Some of the names are a bit fun so it did take me a little to realize “oh, that’s THAT guy…” early on, but you do get the hang of it as the pages turn. This made me feel like a Game of Thrones type read with the varying timelines and POV that intermingle and separate at the same time and I love books like that. I did not expect to enjoy this book, since I do not read much high-fantasy but this was actually really well written and thought out, and kept a smooth transition throughout. I did get confused at times but it does circle around and make sense at some point. This book is definitely complex and has some darker aspects so if you have triggers, make sure you look into that before reading. I will definitely be looking forward to the next one, I love these longer reads!

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Murder At Music Hall (True North Murder Mystery Book 1) by A. J. Ullman – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Murder At Music Hall (A True North Murder Mystery Book 1)Murder At Music Hall by A. J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder at Music Hall is a dark murder mystery that will pull you in and keep you turning the pages. Trueman North is investigating an old murder case where someone was presumed to be wrongfully convicted. As the detective delves deeper into the crime, and the victim’s life, he finds things were not as perfect as they seemed originally. As secrets and pieces of information come to light, anyone can be a suspect. Who really killed the victim, and why? This was my first read from this author and while I did find some historically inaccurate things for the time period, it was not enough to pull me from the story. I will be reading more from the series and can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.
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Dark Sky at Dawn (Free Men and Dreamers Book 1) by L.C. Lewis – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Dark Sky at Dawn (Free Men and Dreamers, #1)Dark Sky at Dawn by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark Sky at Dawn is the first part of a five book series and quite a solid start to the story line! This is a well researched historical fiction, set in the early 1800s and the beginnings of the nation. The characters are so well written, it is like reading a real memoir or telling of things that actually happened. Dark Sky at Dawn is full of struggle as the characters battle through life in an unbearable time, living and experiencing things like slavery, war, spies, and corruption. This is a lengthy book, but a well paced and hard to put down story that makes it a fast read. I am not typically a fan of historical fiction but this one won me over and I will be continuing on with the rest of the series.

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The Curse of Jean Lafitte (The Big Easy Collection) by Mary Walsh – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Curse of Jean LafitteThe Curse of Jean Lafitte by Mary Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Curse of Jean Lafitte is full of history, adventure, and mystery, and a spin of humor as well. Set in New Orleans, the author spins a vivid supernatural tail that pulls you into the rich paranormal history that surrounds the city. You can easily tell the author took the time to do some research, and make the story believable and easy to follow. I have never visited New Orleans myself, but the author makes you feel like you are there, and gives great recommendations around the city! Now, about the actual story…When a food critic almost chokes on a plastic baby in one of the King Cakes, Juliet is left without a job. Before long she finds herself working to break a treasure’s curse with only two weeks to succeed. She ends up finding help in some unlikely places, and with a time crunch, the story progresses quickly. I actually really liked this more than I thought I would, and will be looking into her other books as well.
reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Lost Property (The Tom Grant Series Book 6) by Samantha Adair – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel (The Tom Grant Series Book 6)Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel by Samantha Adair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the sixth book in the Tom Grant series, and while it can be a standalone, I highly recommend reading them in order as it helps with character development and backstory. As with the other books in this series, it is full of plot twists, turns, and danger. This time around, Tom is trying to enjoy his retirement after a life of running, hiding, and overall drama that the life of an agent entails. He simply just wants to live in peace and leave his past behind him with Isabella. Poor, poor Tom…life is never that simple. When 2 women from a previous case show up (Melody and Annika), he immediately wants to turn them away, he is done with that part of his life. Isabella convinces him to talk to them, one last favor. This decision throws Tom right back into the life he so desperately is trying to escape, and now he is dead center in the middle of a human trafficking ring and everyone is in danger. Can Tom escape this time, with everyone safe, or will his career finally catch up to him?

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Motherland (The Tom Grant Series Book 3) by Samantha Adair – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Motherland (Tom Grant #3)Motherland by Samantha Adair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Tom Grant series and I really liked the continuous action with twists and turns all the way through. This is my first book by this author and was able to read it as a standalone, even though it is the third book, but I will be going back to read the others to see if there is any further character development or backstory to enhance this read. There were a couple instances where I was lost or confused on details, so that is why I want to go back and read the others (plus it is a really good story!). In this book, Isabella’s father has passed away and she plans to take his body back to her homeland of Belarus, a country bordered by Russia and Ukraine. This alone is dangerous since Isabella has a bounty for her capture, and she is not sure who put the bounty on her or why. When circumstances brings a childhood friend back into her life, things are not as they seem, and he is not the same boy she remembers. Threats against Tom makes her delve back into the life she had thought she left behind, and now she has to find her escape in a dangerous world where even her friends may not be trusted.
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Children of the Wild (Children of the Wild Series) by Krysta Tawlks – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Children of the WildChildren of the Wild by Krysta Tawlks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Children of the Wild is the first book I have read by Krysta Tawlks and a book my middle-grade kids will love! (I always read books before them, you never know what someone might sneak in, and I am a horror lover so have been properly traumatized lol). This book is a historical fantasy that is full of coping with all the big emotions kids go through, such as anger and love. The characters and settings are written so well and beautifully that you can really see yourself in the story, even with all the fantastical creatures. I really loved that the story deals with a young boy that has a lot of self doubt but learns to find himself. This is such a great under-lying lesson in a wonderful story and I hope to pick up more by this author! Very well done!

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another amazing read by Susan Specht Oram, she never disappoints! Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship is full of secrets (as the title implies) with an interesting plot. This one is a cozy mystery, so nothing too brutal or over the top, but plenty of twists and turns along the way. When Karina’s grandmother passes away, she is left in charge of the family cafe and her journal. When the journal is stolen, Karina has to make sure she gets it back, afterall, it was her grandmother’s dying wish. Now with the unread journal missing, the questions begin to circle in. What is in this journal that is so important, is it a treasure map of sorts? Was it taken for greed or to keep something hidden? Who would want her grandmother’s secrets, or who would want to keep them hidden? So many questions and the only way to answer them is to get the journal back. There was definitely some questionable decisions made. Some distrust and some trust given in places that did not make sense to me, but overall I really liked this story and how it played out.

Reviewed BY @zoltrixes

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Knight In Peril (A Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery) by Alice Bienia – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Knight In Peril (A Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery #6)Knight In Peril by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Knight in Peril is the sixth book in the Jorja Knight series but the first book I have read by this author. That being said, this CAN be read as a standalone, as I had no difficulty following the story or characters along the way. I do think I would benefit more from reading previous books which would add to the character development and back story a bit, and I will be going back to read the others to confirm that. I really liked the main character, she is such a feisty spitfire of a woman that I could really get behind. The story takes place in Istanbul, where Jorja goes to visit her friend. Upon arrival, her friend is nowhere to be seen, and she isn’t back at the guest house either. Now, with a sinking feeling in her chest, Jorja must search the foreign land for her friend. I have never been to Istanbul but the descriptions and settings are absolutely believable and immersive. I really liked this writing and am kicking myself for picking up the series at the end!
Reviewed By: @zoltrixes

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The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Catford Catastrophe ZoneThe Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Catford Catastrophe Zone is a dystopian sci-fi book set nearly 100 years in the future. The year is 2120 and Frankie is an undercover policewoman in London and she is tasked with infiltrating a group of rebels in the Poverty Zone. As you can imagine, that area is exactly what it sounds like…a place of nightmares, where the worst of society delves. Not only are the people more rugged and conditioned, even the plants are dangerous and creatures lurk. The deeper she gets, the more “over her head” things become. It is not often I can say that I have never read anything like that before, but that is true with this one. It has many layers and the characters and politics are believable, and I will be checking out some of the other works by Petra Jacob.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Mission Target (Jake Wolfe Thrillers Book 7) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Mission Target (Jake Wolfe, # 7)Mission Target by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mission Target is book seven in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series. I do recommend reading the previous books in the series just to get better character development but it can also be a standalone. Jake and Cody are back at it again, with more adventures, action, danger, and violence. Mission Target deals with drugs, and the aftermath of them. Jake and Cody must try to find the source of the drug war to end it before more people are affected, or killed. That is, until Jake becomes a target himself. If there is ever a person that can attract all the danger, it is Jake. This one is full of twists and turns and when you think you got it figured out, more information is released. I liked this one more than the previous ones but still way too unbelievable for me to get fully immersed into the story. I absolutely LOVE Cody and his intelligence and loyalty, so if there are any more adventures planned for Jake and Cody, I will definitely read them. Overall I would say this series is a solid 4 star, for me, but don’t allow that to deter you as it is a fun storyline with a lot in each book.
reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Key West Dead (Jake Wolfe Book 6) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Key West DeadKey West Dead by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Key West Dead is book six in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series and can be read as a standalone. This one is probably my least favorite of the series so far, and feels rushed and not executed as well as the previous books were. It could be that I am used to Jake and Cody now, and predicting what is to come, so it could be a biased focal point for me. This time around, the duo are on a boat in the Keys with long-time girlfriend Sarah when someone decides they want to take out all the military in attendance. Cody is an ex-war dog that can do it all, and this time is no exception, and goes right to work helping Jake discover who is involved and taking down the bad guys. While we still have all of the action, danger, and over the top scenarios, the last two books have also had quite a bit of romance in it as well. This is still a good book to read, just not as interesting to me as the previous ones have been, but hopefully the next one will step back up to the plate. Anyone that is new to the Jake Wolfe Series may love this, as there is a lot to unpack in it, just like the others.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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DEADLY WEAPON (Jake Wolfe Book 5) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Deadly Weapon (Jake Wolfe, #5)Deadly Weapon by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Deadly Weapon is the fifth book in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series and can be read as a stand alone. Reading the previous books does help with the character development but is not necessary for the story and plot line. Action, danger, and trouble seems to follow Jake and his ex-war dog, Cody and this time is no different. Deadly Weapon focuses on something we have all recently dealt with…a global pandemic of a deadly virus. Now Jake and his beloved sidekick/dog must get to the bottom of who/what has caused the spread, and ultimately get it stopped before things get worse. I did like this one more than the previous ones as it was somewhat relatable and had a lot of issues we face going on in it. That being said, what can Jake NOT do? He has done so much in just five books, and keeps changing careers and gets his hands dirty in everything he does. I like the action and danger, but it becomes unbelievable and makes me lose the immersion that I love in a book. Still a great read and plenty of people will love this series for the fast paced craziness that always happens. I still adore Cody most of all, he is such a loyal and clever companion and always knows just what to do! I will continue the series to see what other trouble these two can get into next.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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San Diego Dead: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 4) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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San Diego Dead (Jake Wolfe #4)San Diego Dead by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

San Diego Dead is book four in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series. As with the previous books in the series, San Diego Dead is full of action, drama, danger, and violence. Jake and Cody have returned again, and as we know, trouble is always present with these two. This time around, a dangerous cartel boss has set his sights on Jake and his loved ones and doesnt seem to be backing down any time soon. These stories are told in multiple POV, including Cody (the ex-war dog), so you get into the heads of good guys and bad guys alike. Even though I have read through this series, I do think this could be a standalone and easily followed without the previous books. Reading the entire series does give background and insight into Jake and Cody, but the excursions and things that happens becomes a bit much and unbelievable at some point. Everything that can happen, does. I do like the action and the fast paced read of this series, but wish it was more believable overall. I still say Cody is my favorite character, and is such a clever dog. I will continue to read the series to see where else Mr.Nolan can take us with these characters and how much more trouble they can find. Not a bad read at all for those that love the action and on-going troubles that follow.
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Killer Lawyer: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 3) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Killer Lawyer (Jake Wolfe, #3)Killer Lawyer by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Killer Lawyer is book three in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series. Jake and Cody have returned for more adventures and danger, reminiscent of the previous books. This time around, Jake is a lawyer who also works in a secret agency, trying to find a killer who murders at random. The story is more complex than the previous two books, but still plenty of action and danger. As Jake gets more involved, the killer turns his sites on the main character, and his loved ones. This book is told in multiple POV so you get insight into the antics of different characters, including Cody the dog. I think my favorite part of this series is the dynamic relationship Jake and Cody have, and how they work so well together.
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Vigilante Assassin: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 2) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Vigilante Assassin (Jake Wolfe, #2)Vigilante Assassin by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vigilante Assassin is the second book in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series. Book two returns with Jake Wolfe and his very clever dog, Cody (who may be my favorite character). Cody is extremely smart and an amazing service dog that gets in the middle of the action and wins you over quickly. Jake, an ex Marine with has seen his share of action, continues to bring more to the plate. The book starts out fast and never slows down. There is A LOT of action and scenarios that happen in this one and is more fast paced than book one, which I did enjoy. My only complaint are the scenarios are very far fetched and unbelievable. For instance, Cody alerting Jake about a man approaching with a grenade launcher…who has a grenade launcher!? I do love reading multiple POV books and seeing things from different angles and there is plenty of that to be had with this series. You even get inside the head of Cody (the dog) as well and I found that to be unique. Overall, it is a nice read if you love action and military cat and mouse style books, and would give it a try for sure.

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Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie: A Gripping Thriller (Jake Wolfe Book 1) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Dead Lawyers Don't Lie (Jake Wolfe, #1)Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dead Lawyers Don’t Die is the first book in the Jake Wolfe Thriller set, and also the first book I have read from this author. Former marine and current photo journalist, Jake Wolfe, accidentally comes across “The Artist”, a local murderer. Now that is is involved, the inevitable and predictable game of cat and mouse begins. The story was entertaining and kept me turning the pages, but was not my favorite, as I found some instances unbelievable and pulled me from the immersion. Some things seemed a little TOO conveniently set out for the elusive murder and while his games were fun to follow, they were also a bit cliché at some points. That being said, I enjoyed the characters and their many very different personalities, and that they were well written. I especially loved Cody, a very clever dog, and you get to see some things from his perspective as well! Some dialogue was left hanging, but let’s be real, conversations can sometimes be hard to write. I did, overall, enjoy this book, and will give his other books in the series a try and see if the story continues to develop and grow on me.
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Lost and Found (Logan McKenna Mystery Book 9) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Lost and Found: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 9 (Logan McKenna Series)Lost and Found: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 9 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lost and Found is the ninth book in the Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller series and can be read as a standalone, although I do recommend reading the previous books just for character development. From birds of prey in the last book, to the crabbing industry in this one, Logan gets her hands in all sorts of things. If you think life has become normal for this strong headed woman, think again….murder seems to follow Logan and this time is no exception. When the suspect turns out to be a friend, she knows she has to help prove their innocence. But, are they innocent?? Who can shee trust? If you have read any of the previous books, you know that Logan McKenna will get the answers and she will not back down until the right person is caught. But can she do that before the killer stops her? I found alot of enjoyment reading this nine book series so far, and I do hope the Logan McKenna series continues.
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In Plain Sight (Logan McKenna Mystery Series Book 8) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Logan McKenna is back again in book eight of the series. All of the series can be read as stand alone books, but it does help with background character building to read them all in order. The story itself is not affected by reading the books solo. In Plain Sight brings us back into Logan McKenna’s ever busy life and things seem to be going well for her. She decides to volunteer at a wildlife rescue center, helping wild birds of prey. Her life can not get any better…until a coworker is found murdered. This one is a little different. There is no evidence, or even a sign that a murder took place other than the body. Law enforcement are stumped so Logan, ofcourse, gets involved. This one may be my favorite in the series so far, I cant wait to read the next one in the Logan McKenna series.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Whisper Creek: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 7 by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Whisper Creek (A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 7)Whisper Creek by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whisper Creek is the 7th installment in the Logan McKenna series and she’s found trouble….and murder…once again. Logan has gone viral with her voilin compositions, her confidence is booming, and her long time boyfriend has finally proposed. Life is perfect. That is, until a woman no one likes turns up dead. The local law enforcement have it all figured out, except Logan is sure they have it all wrong. As always with Logan McKenna, she has to get involved and help solve the murder, and take the suspicion off of her friend. This woman is a magnet for trouble but she knows how to get out of it too. I like that we are in book seven and the story is still fresh but it IS becoming a bit predictable with her always being involved or getting a friend off. Overall, I still love the series so far.

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Lies That Bind (Logan McKenna Series Book 6) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Lies That Bind (A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 6)Lies That Bind by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lies That Bind is book six in the Logan McKenna storyline. Valerie Davisson brings in different sensitive topics into her writings, and this time is no different. Trauma is sometimes passed from generation to generation, causing a multi-generational curse that is hard to break. Once again, Logan McKenna has found herself in the middle of a murder, and ofcourse she can’t keep her hands clean enough to stay out of it all. While in the middle of buying a new home, meeting her half sister, and now a murder, she really has her hands full this time. This was a great addition to the series and the characters continue to evolve and develop. Even after six books in, I am still intrigued with how Logan keeps finding trouble. Let’s see what new problems she encounters in the next one…..

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Safe Harbor: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 5 AUDIO BOOK by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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SAFE HARBOR: Logan Book 5(The Logan McKenna Series)SAFE HARBOR: Logan Book 5 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Safe Harbor is book five in the Logan McKenna series and very well written crime story with a strong female lead. As always, you can read this as a standalone, but it does follow characters from previous books so extra character development and details carry over. This time around, Logan McKenna is in Oregon and if we have learned anything at all, she has a knack for finding problems. When a murder is reported, Logan finds herself being a suspect and she must prove her innocents. The author has an ability to suck us in to her characters, plots, and settings in a believable way, making this an easy read. I wonder where the next one will take us with Logan and her crew!

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VANISHING DAY (A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 4) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Vanishing Day: A Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller Logan Book 4 (Logan McKenna Series)Vanishing Day: A Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller Logan Book 4 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vanishing Day is book four in the Logan McKenna series and once again touches on sensitive topics. While this is a continuation in the series I do think it could be read as a standalone as well. In Vanishing Day, a Lori is trying to keep herself and her small child safe from an abusive husband. When the husband comes to try to make a bad situation worse, Logan steps in to try to help her new friend. Now, with too much information and getting involved in Lori’s dilemma, Logan is also in danger. I really liked the way this author can take a serious topic and twist it into an engaging story, bringing awareness to situations but not lecturing on them. Well done and well written.
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DEVIL’S CLAW (A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 3) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Devil's Claw: A Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller Book 3 (Logan McKenna Series)Devil’s Claw: A Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller Book 3 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devil’s Claw is the third book in the Logan McKenna series, and so far my favorite of the first three books. I am coming to find out each book focuses on a different social issue and is well presented in how it is handled. I never feel lectured or forced to see things from the author’s POV, but rather shown that the issue exists, and how to navigate through that. Devil’s claw taught me a bit about sea otters and rescue as a side educational portion to the actual storyline. The author paints vivid pictures describing her scenes and characters and the character development is believable and easy to follow. When a new sea otter rescue is presented with legal battles over who the real owner of the property is, greed and complications come out in full swing. Many people come forward as the owners, and the hostility amps up quickly. Inevitably, someone turns up murdered. With so many people involved…some with everything to lose, and everything to gain…who is the culprit? Very fast paced and edge of your seat writing style, and I liked this one the best so far. Can’t wait to check out book 4!
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Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Forest Park: Logan Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series)Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Forest Park is book two in the Logan McKenna Mystery series. Logan McKenna is back and this time we see things from different perspectives and thoughts of different characters. there was not much transition from one character’s thoughts to another, but I was able to easily follow who it is we are are meant to be in the head of. I enjoyed that sensitive topics were handled well and not shoved into the reader’s faces, and was not presented in a way to come across as lecturing. While this is a continuation from book one (about 6 months after the last book), I think this could easily be read as a standalone. Their are two stories happening in Forest Park. One is dealing with a Vietnamese food truck that was bombed and the other is a homeless veteran with PTSD and it somehow works that both storylines come together smoothly. I wouldnt really say this was much of a mystery, and more of a thriller, but I still enjoyed the story and the way it was presented and I do think the writing, overall, is well done.

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Shattered: a Logan McKenna Mystery Book 1 (The Logan McKenna Series) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Shattered: Logan Book 1 (The Logan McKenna Series)Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shattered is book one in the Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller series and my first read from this author. Logan’s life is falling apart around her. She has lost her husband to a car accident and sold her business to become a school teacher. Other teachers began accusing her of helping her students cheat, so now she might lose that as well. To try to escape from everything and get her head back in the game, she goes to South Cali for the summer. The fresh air and familiar faces will do her well….until a body shows up at the art festival she is working at. Now Logan McKenna has to help solve the murder to save her and her friend from false accusations. I love the strong female lead character quite a bit, and the story progressed well without too many slow spots or unbelievable moments. I still have 8 more books in the series to read so I am curious where it goes next.

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Sweet Vengeance (Mission Belles Book 3) by Pamela Gibson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Sweet Vengeance (Mission Belles #3)Sweet Vengeance by Pamela Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet Vengeance is the third book in the Mission Belles Series, and is a historical romance. I usually do not read historical novels OR romance but this one had a twist of mystery and adventure that appealed to me so decided to give it a try. I was unaware this was a series, and this is the third book but fortunately it can be read as a standalone and was easy to follow. I’m sure if you read the others, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the plot continues from the previous reads, but it is not needed.
In this story, Elena is on a mission to carry out her mother’s dying wish and to find the man that ruined her family. Sean is a man that doesn’t trust easily, but maybe that will change when paths and plots become crossed. Will Elena have the heart to carry out her mother’s revenge, or will love win instead??

I did like that the story remains historically accurate for the time period (as far as I can tell, I am no history buff) and nothing seems out of the ordinary for San Francisco Gold Rush days. I also liked the revenge plot, and all of the fluctuations of emotions throughout the book. Nothing felt unrealistic and characters were angry when they should be, and tensions were high at accurate moments. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this one, and may go back and read the others in the set before this to see if it makes the story even better! Give genres a try that you usually wouldnt touch, you might like it!

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Liar, Liar (The McIntire County Series Book 4) by Winter Austin – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Liar, Liar (The McIntire County Series: #4)Liar, Liar by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liar, Liar is book four in the McIntire County series and is a standalone story that is easy to follow without reading the previous three. I DO still recommend reading them in order if you can, for some back story and character development that (for me) makes the story so much better. This time around, we are focusing on Sheriff Shane Hamilton. After quite the year, he just wants some down time and quiet time to himself to reflect on all that has come to pass. That wish comes to an abrupt halt when his phone starts ringing nonstop and a body is found. FBI Liza Bartholomew gets word of the murder and is pulled back to Eider, Iowa…a place she thought she would never have to return to. Now the suspect she is chasing may know she is on the trail and her entire cover could be blown. It doesnt take long for the two to realize their cases are connected, and are forced to work together to find the killer before anyone else is found dead. A reluctant partnership becomes a bit more friendly, and a romance starts to bud. Liar Liar is a great addition to an already amazing storyline, and the plots keep thickening and twisting with each book. These are books you will want to read in one sitting, but be aware that not all the answers are always given! The not-so-clean endings can be frustrating but keeps you coming back for the next one.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Killer Smile by Allan Evans – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Killer SmileKiller Smile by Allan Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Killer Smile is book two in the series (the first book is Killer Blonde). Detective Cade Dawkins is back and this time things are a bit more complicated. Instead of chasing down a single serial killer, now Detective Dawkins is part of a new sort of “game”. A page has been posted for serial killers to post challenges to each other and now the detective is the target. Now, with multiple serial killers in the area, all targeting him, the Detective is growing paranoid and terrified of what is to come. His loved ones are in danger and he has no idea when or where the next attempt will come from. I really enjoyed this one more than the first book, since there are so many more threats and chances at things going wrong. I also loved that it was a unique idea and not something you see in other “catch the killer” books. Very well done!

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Killer Blonde by Allan Evans – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Killer BlondeKiller Blonde by Allan Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Killer Blonde is a multiple POV story, told from Detective Cade Dawkins’ and a psychopathic serial killer’s POV. I liked this alot as it gave me both perspectives and tiny details that may have been missed from the other person’s view. This is a fast paced story and has alot of things to unravel. Cade Dawkins is your typical story-book detective. Seasoned and professional, and known to close impossible cases. When a series of car accidents turn out to be a little too suspicious, it becomes apparent there is a serial killer on the loose. And, not only is there a killer on the loose…he has a specific type – gorgeous blonde women. Now Detective Dawkins needs to catch this guy before he finds a new target, and the ongoing game of cat and mouse becomes more and more intense. I think the only thing I did not thoroughly enjoy about the book was finding out the identity of the killer “too soon” and would have enjoyed that little detail to be drawn out a bit longer. Overall it was a great book and well written.
Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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