The Highland Dead: A totally gripping Scottish crime thriller (A Rachel McKenzie Mystery Book 2)

 by Morag Pringle

https://geni.us/365-po-fbo-am

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This is my first read by this author so obviously I've not read book 1. This story stands alone and there though I'd like to know more about Rachel so I'll go find the previous story.
This story was set in Scotland, I referred to the referencing tool on my kindle a couple of times.
A friend of Rachel's is the latest victim in a series of women dying. Rachel sees a pattern and is determined to flush out the killer.
There is also the background of her father's incarceration for the murder of her mother. Was it as straight forward as it seems or is he protecting her from someone. Seems a lot more to this story to come.
The mounting danger towards the end had me glued to my kindle reading faster. I had no clue until it was revealed who the killer was.
Really good story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The death of a school friend forces Rachel McKenzie to confront a remorseless killer in her Highland hometown…

Rachel is no stranger to the darkness in the hearts of men. When the body of a young woman is found, tragically killed in her own home, Rachel is devastated to discover she knew the victim. Gillian helped her when she was at her lowest; now Rachel vows to find her friend’s murderer.

When the killer strikes again, frighteningly close to home, Rachel sees a chilling pattern to his victims. As she races to decipher the clues, she unravels a twisted plan years in the making. And when a young girl is taken, Rachel knows it’s reaching its terrible conclusion. As the clock counts down, how far can she push herself to stop this ruthless killer in his tracks?

#MoragPringle #NetGalley #TheHighlandDead #StormPublishing

Dirty Laundry

 by Jennifer Ryder

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Title: Dirty Laundry
Author: Jennifer Ryder
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Neighbours
Tattooed Bartender/Hollywood Alpha
Release Date: June 20, 2024

US: https://amzn.to/45kuTFP
UK: https://amzn.to/3VqDPVo
CA: https://amzn.to/45qOtzZ
AU: https://amzn.to/3yZfkqN
B&N: https://bit.ly/4bYSI8r
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3VmtcD8
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3Vm09iT
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/bp1BZW

Review:

This book was just what I needed while not feeling great seemed an excuse to curl up and read in one go.
Pru is a dog trainer, an interesting girl with amnesia for all her childhood. An accident that took her mother and left her in a coma so everything is new again. She had a stint as dog handler in a movie and now she's home from Hollywood making a new life.
Her neighbour across the hall Darius takes an instant liking to her and helps her with a few things in her apartment.
All the characters in this story were likeable, or love to hate in one case.
Set in Australia I love my bit of sightseeing of an area I've not been to.
The story was emotional, yes I cried and not just happy tears. I did not see that ending coming, well done, great book.

BLURB
 
Celebrity dog trainer Prudence Cassidy never imagined her life would be like this. Filming in Hollywood went haywire when she caught the charismatic Mr Hollywood’s eye—but Prue doesn’t have room in her life for complications. She’s still recovering from retrograde amnesia so she flees to Robertson, home of the ‘Big Potato’ in country Australia, determined to start anew.
 
For Darius Dalton, family comes first. Always. His architectural dreams can wait while he tends bar in the family restaurant in Robertson, dazzling patrons with his cocktails whilst maintaining the complex he built with his late father. Day in, day out, work is all he sees—until Prue.
 
When she moves into his apartment building, Darius falls head over paw for the animal-loving brunette—and it seems she feels the same way. Their chemistry is undeniable. The more time they spend together, the more Darius questions if he can have it all: a life outside of work, and love.
 
When Mr Hollywood himself comes to town, intent on winning her back and casting her simple life in the spotlight, who will Prue choose?
 
That’s the thing about the past—your dirty laundry will always find you.
 
 
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209489190-dirty-laundry

The Summer Escape: A Novel (The Sunrise Cove Series, 6)

 by Jill Shalvis

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Anna is on a quest after finding a coin in her father's belongings, it's worth a small fortune so where is the rest and was it stolen?
Anna's sister Wendy is heavily pregnant with a litter...ok triplets and can't stop meddling in Anna's life. She means well, she practically raised her since she was born.
Owen enters the picture as the nephew of the gold coins owner, he wants to know where the entire collection and an expensive necklace are. The hunt is on to prove her father's innocence while ignoring the chemistry with this annoying man.
The banter between them and the sisters had me chuckling throughout this story.
I have to admit at the beginning I had doubts about this story despite loving this author. However, it really kicked off and I became invested in the characters and their quest.
Wonderful story, I highly recommend it and this author.

Secrets are revealed and forbidden sparks ignited in this sizzling Sunrise Cove standalone, a tale of enemies to lovers, redemption, missing treasures, and love—by romance superstar and New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

Anna Moore didn’t just wake up one day and decide to go on a wild quest—especially since her life no longer lends itself to wild anything—so how in the world does she end up racing against the clock with Owen Harris, a sexy, enigmatic adventurist, to prove her beloved dad innocent of stealing a million-dollar necklace? 

It’s all Wendy’s fault. Her older, bossy sister, who’s seven months pregnant and on bed rest in their small Lake Tahoe hometown, is desperate to clear their departed dad’s name. Owen, though, is convinced he’s guilty as hell and wants to return the jewelry back to its rightful owner—his elderly great aunt. Together Anna and Owen go on a scavenger hunt for clues to the past (with Wendy remotely along for the ride via an earbud, supplying a running wry commentary to boot).  

On opposing sides and suspicious of each other as they are, Anna and Owen still can’t deny the inexplicable and explosive chemistry between them on this heart-stopping adventure, the outcome of which will prove the necklace isn’t the only thing stolen—their hearts have been as well.

The Love Shack

 by Lori Foster 

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https://lorifoster.com/story/the-love-shack/#order

I really love this small town Cemetery and it's relatable characters. They might be nosy but they are all there for their own. Berkley and Lawson came from the same neighbourhood. A town of hard knocks that they both escaped from. Fate brought them both to Cemetery, both deciding to ignore each other as Berkley was involved in a former scandal. The chemistry and friendship was inevitable. Berkley ran the local animal rescue centre, her love for animals making her close to the whole town. Lawson ran a print shop after travelling the world helping people it was time to wind down. I really enjoyed this light hearted read, I always feel that I can just immerse myself in this town and read until it's sadly over...or is it? I can't wait for the next one.

They’ve been trying to avoid each other.
But this town has other ideas…

When Berkley Carr opened The Love Shack Animal Haven, she thought she’d finally put her past behind her. But sometimes she feels the sting of the scandal from her youth, especially when she keeps crossing paths with her handsome neighbor. So, she keeps her head down and pours all her love into caring for animals.

Lawson Salder moved to Cemetery, Indiana, to escape from the grinding poverty of his childhood. He barely knew Berkley from their old neighborhood, but every time he sees her, the shame and pain come crashing back. He knows she’s got major baggage of her own. They're better off just avoiding each other.

But that’s downright impossible in a town full of matchmaking busybodies. Then there’s the hard-to-ignore attraction they feel every time they see each other. When the universe is conspiring to bring them together, will Berkley and Lawson let past hurts go and embrace the love they deserve?

Fighting for Adalyn (Redemption Harbor Security Book 3)

 by Katie Reus

https://geni.us/FightingforAdalyn

⭐⭐⭐⭐

An exciting read from the beginning. I haven't read the previous two books but the action stands alone. I'll go back to learn more about the characters eventually.

The connection between these two characters is strong but in great denial. Something went wrong in a mission and he wants to hate her, but  she's busy hating herself.  Back together in New Orleans Adalyn races to protect her sister after her friend in murdered. Someone wants Adalyn dead and is happy to take out her loved ones and childhood places. Is it obvious or a set up.

This story culminated into a whiz bang ending and I loved every moment.

Return to the action-packed Redemption Harbor Security series in this enemies-to-lovers romance!

She trusted the wrong person…

And got good people killed. While Adalyn will live with that mistake forever, she finally got justice. Even if it cost more than she’d imagined. But the past has come back to haunt her—and it wants revenge. An old enemy is out to destroy everything she holds dear, starting with her sister. He’s targeting all her former haunts and connections in New Orleans, using the wildness of Mardi Gras week to commit his crimes.

He thought she betrayed him and never looked back…

Rowan, veteran Marine, has hated Adalyn for getting his team killed. Until he discovers that the former CIA agent risked everything to stop the real perpetrator. Now they’re racing against the clock to stop a faceless madman determined to kill them and as many people as possible before the week is over. If they can’t figure out who he is or what his endgame is, an entire city could go up in flames—with them in it.

Author note: this book is a stand-alone in the Redemption Harbor Security series with an HEA and no cliffhanger.

#NetGalley #KatieReus #FightingForAdalyn

Eyes Tight Shut: A completely unputdownable and absolutely gripping serial killer thriller (Detectives Kane and Alton Book 22)

 by D.K. Hood

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Dark & twisty.

Intense.

Unputdownable.

Happy Publication Day to D.K. Hood and #EyesTightShut (Kane & Alton Book 22)!

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CW1YKPFCsocial

Apple: https://ow.ly/LUrg50QG3Zk

Kobo: https://ow.ly/gQp850QG3Yx

Google: https://ow.ly/m1Q050QG40R

Audible:

UK: https://ow.ly/Q6eH50RFqUi

US: https://ow.ly/uAFV50RFqUh

Listen here: https://ow.ly/W3cx50RFqUj

Another brilliant story in this series. It touched on AI and the changes to things I'd never even thought of.
We have two major crimes in this story, the first touching on their personal lives putting them all in danger. The second crime is against women, seeming they did wrong to the killer. Electrocuted and left for dead by someone resuming their own FBI Agent. I really enjoyed the police procedures involved in solving these crimes, my heart is still racing.
As for the end awww, big changes for these characters.
Fantastic series, I hightly recommend it.

Her heart races as she waits for her date to arrive. When the doorbell rings, her excitement quickly turns to fear when she takes in her date’s menacing stare as he closes the door behind him. He’s not here to find love, and there’s no time to scream before her world goes black…

When Dakota Slade fails to turn up to work at the general store, Sheriff Jenna Alton and her deputy David Kane visit her home in Black Rock Falls. TV still blaring, Dakota’s lifeless body is draped across the battered old sofa, her dark hair hanging over her delicate face, her young life taken too soon. With a shuddering breath, Jenna notices two small scorch marks on the back of the victim’s neck. Dakota has been electrocuted.

Leaping into action, Jenna traces Dakota’s last steps but quickly hits a wall. Dakota went to church every week, helped at local charities, and she was loved by those around her. Why would anyone want to harm her?

Then another young woman is found dead in her living room, the same two burn marks on her neck. Jenna’s heart shatters. Convinced a twisted killer is preying on women who live alone, she fears another innocent soul will be taken soon.

A breakthrough comes when Jenna uncovers rumors of a sleazy customer who visited both victims at work. Watching CCTV footage, her pulse pounds as she looks at the screen. The man in the film is someone close to her, someone she thought she could trust. Can Jenna take down the killer if it’s someone she loves? And will she catch him in time to stop another vulnerable young woman being murdered?

#EyesTightShut #NetGalley #Bookouture

Her Dying Secret: A completely addictive and heart-racing crime and mystery thriller (Detective Josie Quinn Book 20)

 by Lisa Regan 

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https://www.amazon.com/Her.../dp/B0CW99285J/ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Oh my goodness I was hooked from the beginning. A little different and a slow build but I was intrigued and couldn't wait for the author to put all the pieces together.
The new cop on their squad is such an inappropriate dude, I think he's there so we can all despise him.
As for the crime of murder, so many subtle clues to keep us guessing until the end.
I did not see that twist coming and I'm so glad I was clueless.
Exciting story and a wonderful glimpse into their lives outside of the daily horror they witness.
This one is not even out yet but I can't wait for the next story.

She gently opens the woman’s tightly clenched fist, uncurling each finger to reveal a square of folded paper hidden in her palm. Scrawled in thick crayon, beside a child’s crooked drawing of a red flower, is one word that sends a shiver through the evening mist: HELP

It was supposed to be a routine road accident recovery, but the moment Detective Josie Quinn sees the passenger—pale and painfully thin, a sharp tool lodged in her stomach—it’s clear she was the victim of something far more sinister, and likely dead before the crash. Watching the driver taken away in an ambulance, questions spin through Josie’s mind. Where were these two women going? Was the driver trying to save a life, or hide a body? And—most heartbreaking of all—is there a child in danger, crying out for help with no reply?

Josie quickly identifies the crash survivor as Mira Summers, a singleton and animal-lover on her way home from nearby stables. Mira swears she doesn’t know who the woman in the car beside her is, or how she was injured. And when she’s diagnosed with concussion and memory loss, Josie is forced to back down.

But the discovery of Mira’s prints on the child’s drawing is all the proof Josie needs that Mira knows more than she’s letting on, and a witness saw Mira meeting with a man with a gnarled diamond-shaped tattoo at the stables. In a race against the clock to track down this elusive man, Josie faces danger from the most unexpected places. Pushed to her limit, can she stay alive long enough to catch the killer and save the life of an innocent child?

#HerDyingSecret #NetGalley