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Night Shift

This series is one of those rare gems that elicits a longing for its continuation, even as readers acknowledge that every tale must eventually reach its conclusion. I must say, the ending of this particular installment was masterfully crafted, providing a satisfying resolution that deftly tied up all loose ends.

In this third book, the characters have evolved significantly, allowing readers to form a deeper connection with them. The author has painted a vivid picture of the town, making it so well-defined that you can easily imagine the streets, the cozy corners where each character resides, and the unique atmosphere that envelops Midnight. The storytelling is compelling, with prose that grips the reader’s attention, leading them to read long into the night, despite knowing the pressing need for rest.

The narrative takes a darker turn as an unexpected phenomenon begins at the pawnshop in Midnight, where residents are purchasing weapons to commit suicide at the infamous crossroads. Initially, this unsettling trend goes unnoticed, but as more townsfolk succumb to this chilling impulse, it becomes clear that something sinister is at play. Lemuel, the town’s solitary vampire, is deeply invested in unraveling the mystery. He has been meticulously translating a collection of ancient texts, believing these may hold crucial insights into the strange occurrences.

Fiji and her circle of friends find themselves grappling with a deep sense of unease and confusion as the situation escalates. It is only when Fiji reveals to her companions that she has been hearing a disembodied voice seemingly urging others to a fatal destiny that the group begins to grasp the gravity of their situation. Notably, the situation also weighs heavily on Olivia, who must confront her own challenges amidst the turmoil facing their community. The decisions that must be made have the potential to irrevocably alter the lives of everyone in Midnight, leading to outcomes that could be either disastrous or transformative.

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and genuinely hope for more installments in the future. Midnight has become an enchanting place full of intrigue, making it an irresistible destination for readers. If you haven’t yet delved into this series, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so; it is truly a captivating journey.

My rating: ★★★

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Red Tide

red tide

Red Tide

I love a good mystery and this is a very good one. I started reading and was unable to put it down because I was so caught up in who could be doing the killing and how it was going to effect everyone around them. This was able to keep me guessing even after I thought I knew who it was. The characters were very real and got me involved in their lives, they are very lively and full of life. The dialogue is easy to follow but does not talk down to you at all and even the technical terms are defined. The story maintains the tension throughout and draws you in as the time ticks away and things become more complicated.

Aspen Falls is a small town in Colorado which has the distinction of having had a serial killer bury his victims within its boundaries. When FBI agent Nicholas Grant finally finds the location of the dumping ground of a the serial he has been tracking for the past ten years,  he thinks that he will finally be able to bring closure to the families of his thirteen victims, what he actually finds is more bodies. Jamie Taylor is brought in with her dog to help pinpoint the graves, she is one of the best in the field, and she found them and a lot more.

What they uncover means that there is another serial killer operating in their small town and using the same area to dump bodies. Now they have to find the culprit before any more people go missing to a killer who leaves no marks on the body and no evidence that will lead back to him.

I think this was a great book and I enjoyed it a great deal. I would recommend it highly to any fan of the mystery/suspense genre.

 

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

Grief is a place, even in the most lush surroundings, that is solitary. There is nothing but the loss.
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Cry Sanctuary

cry sanctuary

Cry Sanctuary (Shifter Town Enforcement #2)

This is a story that has an erotic feel but still has that police procedural element. You wouldn’t think they would work together well, but they really do here. The characters are interesting for more than the fact that they are shifters and not just ordinary shifters for the law enforcement, most of them are some type of canine shifter, meaning a dog. The characters have real personalities that can raw you to them or repel you depending on what you like. I was pulled in and so absorbed that I read this book in less than a day. I just did not want to stop until I had found out what was going to be happening.

The language was perfect for the characters and the region that they occupied. I could see them speaking exactly the way that did. The killer is actually revealed fairly early which I was worried about at first, but it actually added another layer to the story by my knowing who it was when they did not. The changing point of view was nice because it allowed me to get a feel for the full picture by giving a voice to everyone. It also gave me a look at my favorite characters from the first book on the side, and I always love that. There are a few word glitches, but they are minor and easily overlooked.

Holly Lawrence did her final research paper on a cold case that involved a serial killer who was never caught. By a stroke of luck she actually finds him, and is captured and becomes a potential victim. Holly does escape, the only person to ever do so, and becomes a target for an insane killer who does not like to lose. Caine Morgan is the Alpha of the Sanctuary Falls wolf pack and has had one of his wolves go missing, the M.O. fits that of the serial killer and Holly becomes involved in tracking him before any more women are killed. Wolfhounds and Wolves do not work together but Holly and Caine are about to change that. They will hunt this killer to protect his pack as the killer hunts Holly to finally bring her down.

There was a very real feel of tension and dread about what this guy was doing and how he was doing it. The feelings that Caine and Holly have for each other start a bit quickly but are not consummated right away which was good since they were being stalked. This should definitely be given a try!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It wasn’t terror yet, not the blind, all-consuming fear that he would slowly train her to feel. No, she still had too much control yet for that. But they’d get there.