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Wicked Ends: A Dark College Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Series, Book 8 ) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Wicked Ends (Hidden Valley Elite #8)Wicked Ends by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wicked Ends is Book Eight in the Hidden Valley Elite Series. It is a dark college, enemies to lovers’ story full of loss, angst, passion, romance, revenge, dark secrets, toxic families, and uncertainty. This book wraps up Shane and Winter’s saga. Winter was at a dark place in her childhood, and it caused her to lash out at others. Shane was one of the unfortunate victims of Winter’s bullying during childhood. Her mistreatment of him caused him to consider ending his own life. When Winter resurfaces in Shane’s life years later all his hurt, anger, and resentment towards Winter resurfaces. He decides to exact revenge which puts them both on a path that simultaneously pulls them apart while also drawing them together. They do not trust each other but do not know who else to trust either. A complicated situation to say the least. Winter has changed her life around and is attempting to move forward. Shane is dealing with both past and current trauma. Both are trying to overcome their dark pasts and have a brighter future. Both have a hard time trusting. Both feel the attraction to the other, but can they put past hurts and resentments behind them? Can they have a future together? When Winter receives threatening notes and the danger to her life escalates Shane is the only one, she feels safe with. A tension filled ride full of twists and turns as secrets are revealed and we find out how entangled Shane and Winter’s lives have been through the years. Winter and Shane really developed and grew throughout this book, and we learn that deep down Shane is a nice guy with a heart of gold. Bittersweet to see this series ending and I am hoping the author has more books in store for us!

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Knight In Peril (A Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery) by Alice Bienia – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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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 Book Six in the Jorja Knight Series. The story centers around the main character of Private Investigator Jorja Knight. Her recent adventure finds her in Istanbul trying to locate her missing friend who seems to have vanished without a trace. Jorja finds herself trying to search for her friend in a foreign city so large that it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. As Jorja tries to solve her friend’s disappearance, she is greeted by lies, greed, danger, and corruption at every turn. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as the tension and suspense escalates and the twists and turns will keep you reading until the end. I loved the exotic location of Jorja’s latest mystery and the bond she had with her friend. Jorja is smart, determined, strong willed, and courageous. This book had action, suspense, mystery, drama, secrets, lies, and corruption. Another great book in this series!
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Spectral Revelations (The Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 6) by Ellen Butler – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Spectral Revelations: A Karina Cardinal Mystery (The Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 6)Spectral Revelations: A Karina Cardinal Mystery by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spectral Revelations is Book Six in the Karina Cardinal Mysteries Series. It is a cozy mystery with drama, danger, ghosts, secrets, lies, greed, and corruption. In her most recent adventure Karina finds herself trying to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of her aunt. Uncertain if her aunt has disappeared on her accord or if something bad happened Karina delves into the mystery headfirst to see what happened. When she goes to her aunt’s home, she finds a mischievous ghost that seems to be wreaking havoc in her aunt’s home. At first Karina brushes off the ghost’s behaviour but soon realizes that he is leaving her clues to help solve her aunt’s disappearance. As usual Karina learns more than she bargained for when she uncovers secrets, lies, and corruption. Another great read in this amazing series. The author has a way of pulling you into the story and fully immersing you in the mystery until the very end. The characters are unique, quirky, funny, and entertaining. I absolutely loved the addition of the paranormal element and Karina’s ghostly crime solver.

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Swindler’s Revenge (The Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 5) by Ellen Butler – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Swindler's RevengeSwindler’s Revenge by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Swindler’s Revenge is Book Five in the Karina Cardinal Mysteries Series. Karina’s newest adventure finds her single after her and her FBI boyfriend Mike broke up. Now he is in a heap of trouble after being accused of taking a large bribe and running away with 1.2 million dollars. On the run as a wanted fugitive only adds to making him look guilty. As his ex-girlfriend, Karina is also someone of interest to the FBI. Although Mike is her ex, Karina does not believe for a second that he is guilty of taking the bribe. It seems that someone dangerous is determined to frame Mike and Karina is equally determined to clear Mike’s name and get to the bottom of who is responsible. The situation becomes intense as Karina delves into the case with the help of some friends. This book had danger, drama, mystery, tension, action, suspense, witty banter, and a bit of romance. I love how feisty, determined, strong, and independent Karina is. Bring on Book Number Six!

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Pharoah’s Forgery (The Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 4) by Ellen Butler – Review by

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Pharaoh's Forgery: Karina Goes on Vacation (The Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 4)Pharaoh’s Forgery: Karina Goes on Vacation by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pharoah’s Forgery is Book Four in the Karina Cardinal Mysteries Series. It is a cozy mystery following the adventures of Karina Cardinal. In her latest adventure she finds herself in Mexico where she is hoping to relax and soak up the sun. However, the mystery package she has been asked to bring by her neighbor. The seemingly innocent package turns out to be a magnet for all sorts of criminal elements which leads Karina into a world of danger. Karina and her friend Rodrigo find themselves facing certain death and it could mean the end for them both. This book had action, suspense, mystery, drama, danger, suspense, humor, crooks, killers, swindlers, and an ancient Egyptian death mask. The characters are unique, quirky, lovable, and feisty. Bring on Book Five!

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Diamonds and Deception (The Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 3) by Ellen Butler – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Diamonds & Deception (Karina Cardinal Mystery, #3)Diamonds & Deception by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Diamonds and Deception is Book Three in the Karina Cardinal Mysteries Series. It is a cozy mystery with action, adventure, danger, mystery, suspense, secrets, lies, and a diamond heist. Karina again finds herself in the middle of a mystery when her sister calls her asking for help. Their friend has been accused of stealing some diamonds and Karina and her sister are determined to clear her name. As the two sisters delve into the case, they come face to face with criminal elements that would have been better off left alone. The tension and suspense escalate as the secrets and lies are revealed. The storyline is intriguing and really draws you in because it has been so well written and clearly well researched. The character of Karina is smart, strong, feisty, and determined. I look forward to reading Book Four.

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