Today I am excited that it is my turn on this Blog Tour and I get to share my Feature Post and Book Review for INTO DARKNESS (A Shannon Ames Thriller Book #1) by T.J. Brearton. I love when I find an intelligent new protagonist and series to follow.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an about the author section with the author’s social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Blurb
They have been judged. The verdict – guilty. The sentence – death.
Two beautiful young women are found strangled, their bodies meticulously washed and groomed. The only thing they have in common – both worked as reporters for local TV stations.
A coincidence? Or something more sinister?
Rookie Special Agent Shannon Ames is assigned to the case and soon impresses with her brilliant intuition and startling ability to think outside the box.
But as Shannon takes a more prominent role in the investigation, she finds herself drawn into a deadly dance with a master of deception, a serial killer whose victims all work in media – journalists, influencers, reporters.
Shannon’s superiors are convinced it’s part of some grand attack on the free press, but she has a hunch these killings are much more targeted. And she follows that hunch – straight into the heart of darkness…
Into Darkness is a gripping mystery thriller that will keep you up all night as it races towards its shocking conclusion. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Robert Dugoni and Lisa Regan.
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My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
INTO DARKNESS (A Shannon Ames Thriller Book #1) by T.J. Brearton is the first book in a new FBI procedural thriller series by a new to me author. The protagonist of this series is a rookie FBI agent who is an independent thinker and has the intelligence to view a case from outside of the box.
Special Agent Shannon Ames is assigned to assist her new FBI associates and a team of NYC policemen on a case with one local female on-air reporter found dead and a second female media personality is missing. When the second woman is also found dead, Shannon finds herself chasing a serial killer who is targeting journalists, media personalities and social media influencers.
Shannon’s FBI superiors believe it is a terrorist set on attacking the free press, but Shannon believes these murders are more targeted and personal. The body count mounts as Shannon refuses to stop working on her theory as she suddenly comes between the killer and his final target.
I was completely engrossed in this fast-paced procedural thriller! Shannon is a great new protagonist who is beautiful, intelligent and willing to work hard to prove her theories and hunches. She does not just follow the easy and quick solutions of her fellow agents which causes some internal friction. This is the perfect antagonist for her because he is always misdirecting the authorities, but she stays on course. As the story progresses and you learn more about the killer, you cannot condone his killing, but his reasons for the murders tore me apart. All the secondary characters where realistic and I hope will return in future books in this series.
This thriller is easy to read with plenty of action, plot twists and misdirection which kept me reading. I will be looking forward to more books featuring Shannon Ames.
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About T.J. Brearton
T.J. Brearton’s books have reached half a million readers around the world and have topped the Amazon charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in Manhattan, Brearton first worked in film before focusing on novels. His books are visually descriptive with sharp dialog and underdog heroes. When not writing, Brearton does whatever his wife and three children tell him to do. They live happily in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate, New York. Yes, there are bears in the Adirondacks. But it’s really quite beautiful when you’re not running for your life.
T.J. is the author of Dead Gone and many other crime thrillers. INTO DARKNESS will be his first novel published with Inkubator Books.
Today is my turn on the Blog Tour for this exciting new thriller and to share My Feature Post and Book Review for I MAY KILL YOU by Keith Dixon. This serial killer lets you know he is coming for you.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, an about the author section with the author’s social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Blurb
Serial killers are secretive animals. They keep their deeds to themselves and hope never to be found.
But there’s a new man in town—a killer who warns people in advance he’s going to kill them, then does it, in a variety of unusual, even bizarre, ways.
Ex-policeman Ben Buckland wants to catch this man not because he’s on the list … but because his 15-year-old daughter is. And that’s just not fair.
Especially when the killer has sent out warnings to several hundred people …
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My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
I MAY KILL YOU by Keith Dixon is an intriguing new serial killer standalone thriller by a new to me author. The protagonist is an ex-DCI and the action moves along at a fast pace as he works to find the killer when his daughter is threatened.
Random people are receiving a letter in the mail that finishes with the final line – “I may kill you”.
Ex-DCI Ben Buckland left the police force three years ago in disgrace. He has been working a job he hates as a mall security guard when one of the elderly tenants in his building shows him a threatening letter. He takes it to DCI Serena Howarth at his old station and learns there have been many letters received throughout their town. When murders related to the letters are discovered and his daughter receives the same letter, the chase for a killer has now become personal.
Ben is able to figure out the way the killer will eliminate his targets, but he cannot figure out the why. As Ben consistently butts heads with the police, he is also helped by Serena as he works to find a way to stop the killer and save his daughter.
I really enjoyed this thriller. Ben is not your typical hero, but even with his moral flaws and failures, I was cheering for him and admired his love for his daughter. The killer in this book is known almost from the beginning as he tells his own story at intervals and yet it did not take away from the suspense. All the characters in this book are realistic and could walk right off the page, good and bad. This thriller moves along at an ever increasing pace to a climax that satisfies.
I enjoyed this thriller and can recommend it for an engaging and tension filled read. I will also be looking for other books by this author in the future.
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About Keith Dixon
Keith Dixon was born in Yorkshire and grew up in the Midlands. He’s been writing since he was thirteen years old in a number of different genres: thriller, espionage, science fiction, literary. Two-time winner of the Chanticleer Reviews CLUE First in Category award for Private Eye/Noir novel, he’s the author of ten books in the Sam Dyke Investigations series and two other non-crime works, as well as two collections of blog posts on the craft of writing. His new series of Paul Storey Thrillers began in 2016.
When he’s not writing he enjoys reading, learning the guitar, watching movies and binge-inhaling great TV series. He’s currently resident in France.
Today I am excited for my turn on the April 2020 Harlequin Series Blog Tour. My Feature Post and Book Review is for Melissa Senate’s Special Edition book – WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY.
Below you will find a book description, my book review, a letter from the author, an excerpt from the book and an about the author section. Enjoy!
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Book Description
Their feuding fathers never could have predicted this…
He came to claim the Dawson Family Ranch…but was Daisy Dawson’s heart part of the deal? Harrison McCord was sure he was the rightful owner of the Dawson Family Ranch. And delivering Daisy Dawson’s baby on the side of the road was a mere diversion. Still, when Daisy found out his intentions, instead of pushing him away, she invited him in, figuring he’d start to see her in a whole new light. But what if she started seeing him that way, as well?
WYOMING SPECIAL DELIVERY (Dawson Family Ranch Book #2) by
Melissa Senate is a contemporary romance and the newest addition to the Dawson
Family Ranch series. This story can easily be read as a standalone, but it was
so engaging that now I want to read about all the Dawson siblings.
Daisy Dawson is abandoned at the alter and decides to leave
on her own to her honeymoon hotel, but on the way her car breaks down and her
baby decides it is time to be born. Stuck on the side of the road and in labor,
the mystery man from Cabin 1 comes along just in time to help deliver Daisy’s
baby. She cannot thank him enough, until she returns home and finds out why he
is on the ranch.
Harrison McCord has come to settle a ten-year-old score for
his deceased father and terminally ill aunt. He is the rightful owner of the
Dawson Family Ranch. When Daisy returns, Harrison gets the family together and
tells them his reason for being on the ranch. The family is ready and willing
to fight him in court, but Daisy has another plan.
Can Daisy show Harrison what the ranch has meant to the
Dawson family for generations and help him change his mind about his father’s
last request? Will Harrison be able to keep this as strictly business and not
let his growing feelings for Daisy and her baby interfere with his decisions?
This is a cozy romance with no sex scenes, but a lot of love. The romance happens quickly with a lot of emotional ups and downs. I enjoy how Ms. Senate gave both Harrison and Daisy valid points of views and sides in the feud that had to be worked out for the HEA. This was an enjoyable read, but for me this plot would have been more realistic over a longer timeline.
I will be anxiously waiting for Daisy’s brothers’ stories and hoping they find all the love that Daisy wishes for them too.
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A Letter from the Author
Dear Reader,
The nine-months-pregnant single heroine of Wyoming Special Delivery, Daisy Dawson, is one of six siblings and the only female. But when she goes into labor on the side of a Wyoming road in the dead of summer without a cell phone or a spare brother, she’s beyond grateful when the handsome, mysterious guest at her family’s dude ranch turns up—and delivers her baby boy.
But Harrison McCord has a secret reason for staying at the Dawson Family Ranch. A reason Daisy will not like one bit. Bringing her newborn son into the world, though, changes everything for the both of them.
I hope you enjoy Daisy and Harrison’s story. Feel free to write me with any comments or questions at MelissaSenate@yahoo.com and visit my website, melissasenate.com for more info about me and my books. For lots of photos of my cat and dog, friend me over on Facebook.
Happy spring and happy reading!
Warmest regards,
Melissa Senate
***
Excerpt
Late the next afternoon, Daisy stood in the farmhouse nursery with Noah and Sara and gasped as she looked around. She gently put down Tony’s infant carrier and unbuckled him, carefully cradling him along her arm as she stepped around the room. The nursery sure looked different than it had a day and a half ago. She’d had the basics of the room set up for a couple months now—the crib, the dresser with its changing pad, the glider—all gifts from Noah a few days after she’d told him she was pregnant. But now there were surprises everywhere. In one corner was an adorable plush child’s chair in the shape of a teddy bear for Tony to grow into. And someone had stenciled the wall facing the crib with the moon and stars. Tony’s name was also stenciled on his crib, which was Sara’s handiwork. And there were stacks of gifts in one corner that she knew were baby clothes and blankets and burp cloths. She wouldn’t have to buy anything for Tony for a long time.
“Ford and Rex did the moon and stars,” Noah said. “For novice stencilers who had to read the instructions twice and watch a tutorial, they did a great job.”
“And Zeke and Axel hit up BabyLand and bought that adorable polka-dot rug and the yellow floor lamp,” Sara added. “I didn’t even go with them to make sure they didn’t buy anything weird or clashing, and what they picked out is absolutely perfect.”
The room was so cozy and sweet. “You guys are going to make me cry,” Daisy managed to say around the lump in her throat as she surveyed the nursery. She used her free hand to swipe under her eyes.
She couldn’t say she and her brothers were close—well, except for Noah these days—but they were always there for her. And they’d all been there to meet Tony the day he was born. That was the one lucky thing to come out of her nonwedding—her whole family had already been at the ranch.
This place had always held bad memories for all the siblings, but after inheriting the ranch from their father, they’d all invested in rebuilding and renovating and reopening the Dawson Family Guest Ranch. Noah had done the lion’s share on his own; Daisy had been too pregnant to help much when she’d arrived a few months ago, and the four other Dawsons couldn’t get away from the ranch fast enough.
Ford had once said hell would freeze over be-fore he’d come back here, a sentiment shared by the other three brothers as well, but Ford, Rex, Axel and Zeke had surprised Noah and Daisy at the grand opening this past Memorial Day weekend. And now Axel was staying at the ranch for a bit. That meant three out of six Dawsons at the ranch at the same time. It was a start. And Daisy was going to run with it.
***
About the Author
Melissa Senate has written many novels for Harlequin and other publishers, including her debut, SEE JANE DATE, which was made into a TV movie. She also wrote seven books for Harlequin’s Special Edition line under the pen name Meg Maxwell. Melissa’s novels have been published in over twenty-five countries. She lives on the coast of Maine with her teenaged son, their sweet shepherd mix, Flash, and a comical lap cat named Cleo. Visit her website MelissaSenate.com.
Today I am very excited to be sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for MY WAY TO YOU (Canyon Creek Series Book #1) by Catherine Bybee. This is an emotional and heartfelt romantic start to this new series.
Below you will find an author interview, a book summary, my book review, an excerpt from the book, an about the author blurb and social media links and a Rafflecopter giveaway. Enjoy!
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Author Interview
Please tell us about the fire that inspired your
newest novel My Way To You.
I was taking my youngest son to his senior
pictures for the school when we noticed a plume of smoke in the rearview
mirror. I have lived through many fire scares in the twenty years I lived in my
home. Only this time, it wouldn’t be a false alarm.
You had to evacuate your house because of the fire. How did you feel in those
moments?
I was thankful my children and I escaped, and terrified that I would come home
to nothing but ash and debris. I’d packed up the cars with pictures and things
I felt I couldn’t replace, but had to leave one of my cars behind because the
fire engine was blocking my ability to drive it away. But none of that truly
mattered. I felt like all the work I had done to keep my children’s family home
after my recent divorce was for nothing. That fire was going to undermine the
stability I had desperately tried to preserve. In short, I was an emotional
mess.
While your property suffered immense damage, thankfully your home was
left standing. Did this experience change the meaning of that word for you—home?
Home is stability. It’s a base for all the
things we cherish. But it’s the people who make it so. I had a conversation
with my youngest son not too long ago. I asked him if he missed the home he
grew up in. (I’ve since moved to San Diego and sold my property in Santa
Clarita.) This is what he said, “The day we ran from the fire, I stopped caring
about the house. I didn’t think it would be there when we came back.” So no, he
doesn’t miss his childhood home. I was shocked to hear this since my youngest
tends to hold back his feelings. I lived in that house for 21 of my 51 years of
life. There were memories in every corner. But in the end, the fire and flood…
and exhaustion made it easier for me to sell it and walk away. Now that I’m in
a new place I’m reminded that my family and memories are always with me—and a
house is wood and stone. Whether I like it or not, however… it is stability.
And that was shook to its core because of the fire.
Your life changed drastically in just one day, which is something your heroine
Parker experiences—twice. The first time is when her parents die. How does this
one event inform the course of her life?
She has to stop thinking about herself and put others before her. She had to
grow up. Trauma changes you! Period. And I needed Parker to experience that so
she could realize just how strong she was.
She has to find that strength again when fire almost destroys her home. Tell us
how your heroine changes during all of this.
She needed to learn to lean on others again. Her parents death took that away
and made her a very controlling person. (Ahummm… that’s my own epiphany.) It’s
through the course of the book, and all the other players, that she learns to
open herself up to live a full life. I think she also learns to be a big sister
again and not the parental figure she took on.
In what ways is Parker like you? In what ways is she different?
She learned to let go, I still can’t do that.
She fell in love… That’s not me.
She had a privileged childhood with tons of
options… Not me.
Parker fought to keep her home and make it right to live in it. I fought to
keep my home and make it right to sell it. After so many years and so many
struggles, it just wasn’t the peaceful place it once was. And with an empty
nest and no Colin there to give it meaning, I needed to let go and start
new.
***
Summary
When a wildfire nearly destroys Parker Sinclair’s family home, it’s just one more disaster to add to her mountain of stress. For the past two years, she has shouldered the responsibility of raising her younger brother and sister after their parents’ untimely deaths. Forced to leave college for a crappy job that barely pays the bills, Parker manages her family property, which consumes every aspect of her life. Now winter is coming and the forecast isn’t spreading sunshine on the dark cloud over her head. The last thing Parker needs is a mudslide destroying everything she has worked so hard to maintain.
Colin Hudson’s job as a public works supervisor is to protect Parker’s property and neighborhood from further damage. But it’s a little hard when the owner of the land is a control freak who tries to do everything herself. The hardworking, attractive young woman is far from the “hot mess” she claims to be. In fact, her tight grip of control is one of the things that attract him the most. It’s also the hardest to crack. Now Colin’s working overtime to help Parker open up her heart, trust him, and let him in.
As Parker and Colin work together to keep her home and neighborhood safe, they may be in for another disaster. Or they may just realize that sometimes it takes destruction to create something new.
About the Title
Title: My Way To You
Author: Catherine Bybee
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Publisher: Montlake
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My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
MY WAY TO YOU (Canyon Creek Series Book #1) by
Catherine Bybee is the first book in a new contemporary romance series that is a
powerful and engaging emotional read. I have enjoyed many books by this author,
but this one grabbed me and would not let go.
Parker Sinclair had to grow up fast. Her parents were killed
in an accident which meant she had to drop out of college and return home to finish
raising her two younger siblings. After two years of a job that barely pays the
bills, Parker is managing to keep the family property up in Canyon Creek, but
it takes everything out of her.
When a wildfire strikes and burns all of the outbuildings
and vegetation on the surrounding hills, Parker knows she is lucky to have had
the house survive, but now with the rainy season coming Parker has to worry
about mudslides that can destroy everything she has worked hard to save.
Colin Hudson is the county public works supervisor sent to
evaluate Parker’s property for mud slides. He is struck by the tenacious and strong
young woman shouldering such a large burden. Colin and Parker butt heads due to
Parker not willing to give up control, but Colin is the is willing to work hard
for Parker’s trust.
Can Parker and Colin work together to save her home and
neighborhood?
I absolutely fell in love with Colin and the way he treated
Parker. I know how hard it is to give up control even when you feel like you
are drowning and I could relate with Parker. Ms. Bybee gave the couple witty
banter and realistic dialogue. The sex scenes were explicit, but not gratuitous
and did not overshadow the tenderness of the romance. I will be thinking of
these two H/h’s for a long time to come. This story also has a third major
character in Mother Nature and the destruction that she can bring. All the
secondary characters are fully fleshed and are completely believable.
I highly recommend this emotional contemporary romance! I am
now anxiously waiting for more books in this series.
***
Excerpt: My Way To You by Catherine Bybee
“Excuse
me?”
Parker turned toward the sound of the male
voice and brushed aside hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. The sun
glared in her eyes, making it difficult to get a clear picture of the man
standing on the other side of her gate.
“Hello,” she greeted him.
“Do you live here?”
Probably a neighbor, she thought to herself.
They’d shown up constantly after the fire to see how close the flames had
actually come to their homes. Many of them invited themselves in without
knocking. That was until she paid to have someone come in and fix the broken
gate and stop the trespassers.
“I would hope so,” she said, waving the pruner
in her hands. “I don’t think I would take this job for actual money.” The
closer she got to the gate, the better the features of the man came into focus.
He stood at least three inches taller than her, no easy task when she was five
nine. Broad shoulders and arms that didn’t look like they slaved in an office
all day. He wore jeans. It had to be over a hundred degrees, and the man wore
jeans.
And filled them out nicely, if she wasn’t too
tired to notice.
Parker forced her gaze back to his face, his
eyes hidden by his sunglasses; his thick brown hair wasn’t covered by a hat.
She stopped in front of him, the gate to the
property a clear division. The intense set of his jaw softened slightly. “Is
your, ah … husband here?”
Three years ago, in a bar … or while out with
friends, she would have instantly denied a lack of a husband. Out here, with a
stranger … even an attractive one standing at her front door, she wasn’t about
to correct him. “Who’s asking?”
The man’s smile fell and he quickly removed his
sunglasses. “I’m sorry. My name is Colin Hudson. Colin to my friends.”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Hudson?” She wasn’t about to
call him by his first name.
“I work with the Public Works Department and
wanted to see if you’d let me take a quick look at the wash that runs through
your property.” He reached into his back pocket and removed his wallet. Out came
a business card that he handed her through the bars of the iron gate.
She had to move close enough to take the card,
but retreated once she had it in her fingertips.
He instantly shoved his hands in his front
pockets and took a step back.
The card looked legit. Parker reminded herself
that anyone with a computer could make a business card. “Does your department
work on Saturdays, Mr. Hudson?”
“All the time.”
She peered beyond the gate, didn’t see a car.
“Did you walk here?”
Mr. Hudson looked over his shoulder, pointed
his thumb down the street. “I have a company truck. I parked around the
corner.”
“Ah-huh.” She wanted to believe him. His
caramel brown eyes looked kind enough. “Even Ted Bundy was good-looking,” she
said loud enough for him to hear.
Parker looked up to find him staring, his mouth
gaped open. “That’s a first.”
“Sorry.” Not sorry. “By-product of being a lone woman on a large piece of property with
a stranger asking to come in. Business card aside, you could be anyone.”
He lifted his hands in the air. “Very wise. I
hope my sister would do the same. I was just hoping to get an eye on the canyon
before Monday’s meeting. But I can wait.”
She relaxed her grip on the tree pruner. “What
meeting?”
“The city and county are meeting to discuss the
concerns of the watershed after the fire. We’re developing a plan to preserve
property during the winter. If I could take a quick look it would help.”
“You mean prevent mudslides?”
“Control mudslides,” he corrected her.
She shifted from foot to foot. “You can do
that?”
“It’s a big part of our job.” He smiled, looked
over her shoulder. “I can wait. I don’t want to make you uneasy.”
Parker looked back toward the house. “Tell you
what. You go get your company truck and I’ll grab a snake fork and show you the
wash.”
His eyes narrowed with an unasked question.
“It’s summer. Rattlesnakes are a thing,” she
explained.
“You sure?”
Yeah, she was sure. “I’ll open the gate. You can park inside.”
***
About the Author
New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has
written thirty-four books that have collectively sold more than seven million
copies and have been translated into more than eighteen languages. Raised in
Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a
movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and
became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency
rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite series, the
Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.
For more information on the author, visit www.catherinebybee.com.
I am very excited to be one of the first to share on the Deadly Waters Blog Tour today! This Feature Post and Book Review is for DEADLY WATERS (Detective Jane Phillips Book 2) by OMJ Ryan.
I am a huge fan of DI Jane Phillips books! Jane was first introduced in DeadlySecrets and now is featured in the Detective Jane Phillips series that began with Deadly Silence which is labeled as book 1.
Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and an about the author section with social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Blurb
Several young women have recently drowned in Manchester’s vast network of canals. A coincidence? Or something more sinister?
When star detective DCI Jane Phillips begins to investigate, her finely tuned instinct tells her these are no accidents. And when she discovers that each of the drowned women has a mysterious circular bruise on the back of her neck, Phillips is sure of it — she’s up against a very clever serial killer.
But how are the victims being chosen? And who will be next?
With the body count rising, Phillips and her team find themselves in a fight to the death with a shadowy figure who always seems to be one step ahead.
Can Phillips stop the killer before the next victim dies? Or will she herself become an offering to Manchester’s deadly waters?
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
DEADLY WATERS (Detective Jane Phillips Book 2) by OMJ
Ryan is an edge-of-your-seat addition to this British Police procedural thriller
series. This can be read as a standalone focusing on the serial murder plot
itself, but the characters continue to become more fully fleshed with each book
in the series and I recommend they be read in order. (FYI: To read about Jane
in order, the numbering of these books is somewhat confusing. Jane is
introduced in Deadly Secrets but is featured in Deadly Silence which is labeled
book 1 and now Deadly Waters is labeled book 2.)
DCI Jane Phillips and DI Jones are called to the scene of an
apparent drowning in a Manchester canal by an overeager young recruit on the
basis of a rumor. Everything points to an accidental drowning until a second
body is found with the same strange circular bruise on the back of her neck and
under the same circumstances. Each was a heroin addicted young prostitute with
a small child at home.
With the body count rising and pressure from the top, Jane
and her team have a short amount of time to figure out how and why the victims
are being chosen. Will Jane be able to stop the killer or will she be another
corpse in the deadly waters?
I loved DCI Jane Phillips, her team and this thriller plot. This
series is fast becoming one of my favorites. Mr. Ryan was able to focus my
attention completely away from the true identity of the killer. I once again
thought I had it all figured out with the team and I was wrong, but I love when
that happens. I also love being completely engrossed in the suspense and not
being able to put a book down as I was with this book. The pace of this
thriller starts out slowly with just a hunch and then builds to a fast-paced
crescendo. The tool used by the killer that produced the bruise on the neck of
the victims was unique and an interesting twist.
I highly recommend Deadly Waters and all of the books in
this series!
***
About OMJ Ryan:
Hailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and
entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and
accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards.
In 2018 he
followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people
who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or
those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from
the first page to the last. DEADLY WATERS will be his third novel
published with Inkubator Books.
I am excited to once again be posting on the Harlequin Series Blog Tour for March 2020. This Feature Post and Book Review is for Debra Webb’s new Intrigue – BEFORE HE VANISHED (Winchester, Tennessee Book #6).
Below you will find a short author Q&A, a book description, my book review, an excerpt from the book and the author’s info and social media links. Enjoy!
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Debra Webb Author Q&A
1. What was the romance novel that got you hooked on the genre (or: What was the romance novel that inspired you to become a romance author?)
A: I’ve always written stories, but it wasn’t until about a year after I started writing with a goal of actually being published that I understood what I wanted to do. A friend who had a home library that looked much like a small Barnes & Noble store read my newest completed manuscript and announced that I was writing romance. She thrust a book from her extensive library at me and said, “read this.” The book was Perfect Partners by Jayne Ann Krentz! I was hooked!
2. Please share in your own words what it means to experience That Harlequin Feeling
A: Sometimes life can throw some really tough times your way. There is nothing like a great book to give you a mini-vacation away from those less pleasant times. Harlequin has published about 60 books in my Colby Agency series. I’ve received a great deal of fan mail about Victoria Colby and her team. One I remember well was from a lady who needed extensive eye surgery and would literally be unable to read for an entire year. At the end of her ordeal once her eyes started to recover, she wrote to me and said that one thing that helped her get through that dark period was the four Colby books that were released during that time. She couldn’t wait to see what would happen next with the Colby Agency.
3. What was the name of your first published novel, and tell us a bit about that experience?
A: Safe By His Side, a Harlequin Intrigue! When I received “the call,” I was in the middle of preparing for my local school’s annual harvest festival. I was the PTA president and in charge of the event! I was so overwhelmed by emotion that I couldn’t stop crying during the call. The editor said she would call me the next day. The rest of that day all I wanted to do was tell everyone and celebrate, but I couldn’t! Not to worry, I celebrated plenty later!
***
Book Description
Twenty-five years ago, Halle Lane’s best friend vanished from their Tennessee town.
When a childhood photo brings Liam Hart to Winchester, Halle is certain the man is the same child who vanished. Now Liam seeks out Halle to help him investigate the circumstances of his mysterious past.
Can Liam and Halle uncover the truth before a killer buries all traces of the boy Halle loved—and the man he may have become—forever?
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
BEFORE HE VANISHED (Winchester, Tennessee Book #6) by
Debra Webb is a March 2020 Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense that had me
hooked from page one and that is why Debra Webb is an automatic buy for me when
I see her name on a book cover. This book is a part of a series, but is easily
read as a standalone novel.
What if your best friend disappeared 25 years ago and the
feature article you write on the anniversary brings a man to your office who
looks like the grown version of that friend, but goes by a different name and
does not remember you?
When Halle Lane was seven years old, her best friend, Andy
disappeared on his way home from school.
Now 25 years later, Halle has written a feature story for the
paper she writes for about her missing friend. Halle is the only reporter to
get an exclusive from Andy’s mother after all these years, but Halle feels she
has not been told everything.
Liam Hart is a successful vineyard owner in California. He
receives a copy of a newspaper article in the mail from Winchester, Tennessee
about a missing boy from 25 years ago who looks just like his childhood photos.
He feels compelled to go to Winchester.
Despite Liam’s belief he is not Halle’s friend, Andy, Halle
is positive that he is her missing friend. As they search for the truth, people
connected to Andy are being killed. Someone wants to keep this 25-year-old mystery
a secret.
I could not put this book down! The mystery/suspense kept me
turning the pages well into the night. You think you have it figured out and
then Ms. Webb would throw in another surprise twist. The climax was a complete
surprise and I did not even consider that scenario. I loved both Halle and Liam
and how they worked through everything together. The slow unfolding of Liam’s
memories and the increase in their mutual attraction was paced perfectly for a
novel of this length.
I highly recommend this Harlequin Intrigue for a great, fast-paced read that completely satisfies!
***
Excerpt
The shower was like heaven on earth. Her body had needed the hot water so badly. Her muscles relaxed and she took her time, smoothing the soap over her skin and then shampooing her hair. She was grateful for the toiletry pack that included not only soap, shampoo and the usual, but disposable razors, as well.
By the time she was finished, her bones felt like rubber. She dried herself, slipped on underwear and the nightshirt and then used the hotel dryer to dry her hair. That part took the longest of all. When she exited the steamy bathroom the delicious aromas of room service had her stomach rumbling.
“Oh my God, that smells good.” She rushed to the table where the silver service sat. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“I was waiting for you.” He joined her at the table.
Ever the gentleman.
Halle curled her feet under her in her chair while Liam removed the covers from the dishes. Fish, chicken, vegetables. He had ordered all sorts of dishes and they all looked amazing.
“I thought we’d try a little of everything.”
A bottle of white wine as well as a bottle of rosé had her licking her lips.
“I wasn’t sure which one you preferred.” He gestured to the iced-down bottles. “And I didn’t forget dessert.” The final lid revealed a heavenly-looking chocolate cake with fudge icing.
“I may die right now.” She wanted to taste it all.
“Eat first.” He placed a linen napkin over his lap and stuck his fork into a tiny, perfectly roasted potato. She watched him eat and it was the sexiest thing she had ever seen. She didn’t fight it. Surrendered to instinct and that was how they ate. No plates, just taking whatever they wanted with a fork or fingers and devouring. They drank the wine and laughed at stories from their respective childhoods. From all the stories he’d told her, she could not wait to meet his sister, Claire.
By the time they were finished, she was feeling a little tipsy. The food was mostly gone and both bottles were drained. She felt more relaxed than she had in decades. They had discussed the day’s events and Burke and Austen—and Derrick. The man was still convinced she had a thing for Derrick. No way. She’d also told him what her mom had to say about any friends from Nashville the Clarks might have had, which was none who ever appeared at their door. She and Liam agreed that was somewhat unusual considering how social the Clarks had been in Winchester.
“You know,” she said, after polishing off the last of the wine in her glass, “I wrote you dozens of letters.”
“Me?”
She frowned and shook her head. “Andy.” Then she stared at him. “No. You. I mean you. Whatever you believe, I know you’re him.”
“Okay.” He laughed, his eyes glittering with the soft sound.
God, his mouth was sexy when he was relaxed. She put her hand to her mouth just to make sure she hadn’t said the words out loud.
“Tell me about the letters,” he prompted.
“I told you what was going on in Winchester. Who was doing what at school. I even put pictures with the letters.” She laughed. Placed her glass on the table. “It was silly, I know. But I wanted to still feel you and that was the only way I could.”
She blinked. He had moved. He was suddenly next to her, on his knees, staring into her eyes, and her breath caught.
“I don’t know if I’m this Andy you loved so much when you were a kid,” he said softly, so softly she shivered, “but I would really like to be the guy you care about now.”
Her heart swelled into her throat. She started to suggest that it was the wine talking, but it wasn’t. The truth was in his eyes. Those blue eyes she knew as well as her own. And despite her wine consumption, she was stone-cold sober as she considered what could happen between them tonight.
“I’m really glad, because I would hate to think I’m in this alone,” she confessed.
He kissed her so sweetly that tears stung her eyes. Then he stood and pulled her into his arms. He carried her to the nearest bed.
No matter what happened tomorrow, she would always cherish this night.
***
About the Author
DEBRA WEBB is the award winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama.
Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com or write to her at PO Box 176, Madison, AL 35758.
