Bunny's Reviews: Edge-of-Your-Seat

Showing posts with label Edge-of-Your-Seat. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

The Brother's Curse Review Spotlight

Welcome to the book tour for The Brother's Curse by Christine M. Germain. Read on for more details and a chance to win a fantastic giveaway!

The Brother’s Curse is the first book in Christine M. German’s The Brother’s Curse saga. You’re about to meet a cast of characters that will have you page-turning. You’re going to be eagerly devouring this book to see who survives this sordid tale, and who falls victim to the dangers that lie within.

For readers who enjoy paranormal novels with some romance woven in, this is the book to check out. Especially if you’re like me and love a good dose of horror mixed in. You’ll find that there are a lot of authors out there who promise you horror, but then fail to deliver. Not this Christine M. German. She promises you horror and absolutely delivers.

Prepare to meet Crystal Francois. She left home after high school, but now she’s coming back. If she knew what was waiting for her, she would never have returned. However, this is the path that Fate has set for her. Brutal killings have been happening all over town. Young men are disappearing only to turn up dead – in the worst ways imaginable. The police are baffled, and things only get worse when the killings strike closer to them. Lakeview Falls has a dark and bloody past, but things are only going to get more intense and dark.

The Brother’s Curse is a page-turner of a novel. I enjoyed the variety of characters that the author creates. It’s nice to have strong African American females as the main characters in this book. I appreciate the diversity of the cast in this book. You’re going to get a lot of emotional play from these characters, so be prepared. Crystal narrates the story here and there in this novel, but those moments are brief. I personally would have liked a little more of that element.

One of my favorite things about this book is the amount of diversity the author weaves into this book. You get strong black female characters, you get Hispanic/Mexican characters, and you get white characters. It's a nice variety to really give you a nice balance throughout the story. It's a nice balance that brings a lot of diversity to this story to take the engagement level up a notch.

You’re going to appreciate how the author works hard to make the characters as realistic as possible. They showcase an array of emotions, but there are moments when things seem a bit erratic. One minute someone is sobbing on a friend’s shoulder, the next they are accusing them of something heinous. These moments of whiplash throw you off the rails a bit because it’s unexpected. You’ll literally be rereading parts of the story to try and figure out if you missed something somewhere. Trust me, you didn’t. Don’t worry though, those situations are few and far between.

This book definitely has its twists woven into it. You get the obvious “devil” in this book. However, you’ll start to think “aren’t there supposed to be two?” Yes, there are supposed to be. Now begins the fun – who is the second? As I read this book, I kept wondering this very thing. As the pieces start to come together, they fall into place. Trust me, you’re going to come to the same conclusion yourself – one particular scene will cement the truth for you.

There are a ton of paranormal aspects in this book. The backstory the author places throughout the story really takes it to another level. It’s so good! You’re going to get stories of paranormal happenings that have tainted Lakeview Falls for years. It’s creepy and just downright delicious. I loved it! You will too, because the author doesn’t just give you little “headlines” of what happened. No, you get the legends told and images of the horrors experienced painted out for you in detail. Now, there are some questions that still arise. I mean, who doesn’t want more of the gory details?? LOL! I know I do. But what we do get...it’s pretty awesome in my book.

One particular negative element for me concerning this book though is the dialogue. It just doesn’t flow naturally. The conversations tend to feel forced. They took me out of the story at times. I also feel that some of the adjectives are just a bit overdone. The author’s intent was to really punch up the story, but it ends up taking away. Some of the descriptive terms could have been swapped for simpler versions and the story would have been just that much better. Especially surrounding some of the conversations when it ends up feeling like the characters are being overly dramatic in simple situations.

Brace yourself for the ending of this book. It is going to leave you shocked and with your jaw on the floor. Trust me, you’re going to be eager for book two and to find out what happens next with these characters. I absolutely loved the twisted element of this book’s ending. You’re honestly not going to see it coming. I have to find out what happens next.

Deciding on a rating for this book is really complicated because while it has a lot of pros, the cons, for me, are pretty heavy, too. I enjoyed this book a lot though, and it wasn’t long before this book became a serious page-turner for me. For that reason, I’m choosing to rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Not only will this book engage you but the author makes sure that you will never look at the cover the same again once you finish. LOL!

Thank you to the author, Christine M. German, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Brother’s Curse (The Brother’s Curse Saga #1)

Publication Date: May 2021

Genre: Dark Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance/ Horror/ Shifters

A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaving his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks.

Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace that is left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when being worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target for two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive.

When young men from town go missing, and bodies showing up eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn’t take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn’t who he claims to be or if he is even human.

Available on Amazon

Click the link below to enter for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card & Paperback Copy of The Stone: The Curse of Mastema (The Brother’s Curse #2)

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About the Author

Christine M. Germain is an Award-Winning American author of Horror Thriller & Paranormal Romance fiction. Born March 8, 1981, in Brooklyn, New York, she found her passion for writing in 1993 and wrote her first horror story at twelve. Watching horror movies and reading young adult horror fiction novels influenced her love for writing a story with a protagonist that looked like her. African American women weren’t portrayed as solid leads in horror films or books. Instead of waiting to see if that would happen, she created a story that she would love to read and watch on the big screen that catered to more diverse characters.

Admiring authors such as Stephen King and R.L. Stein, Christine pursued her writing journey majoring in literature, and graduated with a performing arts degree. Known for an imagination unlike any other, Christine is ready to take you to a thrilling shapeshifter world with Five book series, “The Brother’s Curse Saga.”

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Book Tour Schedule

August 22^nd

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off) http://rrbooktours.com

Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://readsandreels.com

@ofmoviesandbooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/ofmoviesandbooks/

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Books + Coffee = Happiness (Spotlight) https://bookscoffeehappiness.com/

Sadie’s Spotlight (Spotlight) http://sadiesspotlight.com/

August 23^rd

Nesie’s Place (Interview) https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com

@fle_d (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/fle_d

@creepylilbookworm (Review) https://www.instagram.com/creepylilbookworm/

@dreaminginpages (Review) https://www.instagram.com/dreaminginpages/

I Love Books & Stuff (Spotlight) https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpress.com

Book Reviews by Taylor (Spotlight) https://www.bookreviewsbytaylor.com/

August 24^th

@what.kerry.reads (Review) https://www.instagram.com/what.kerry.reads/

@gryffindorbookishnerd (Review) https://www.instagram.com/gryffindorbookishnerd/

@takealookatmybookshelf (Review) https://www.instagram.com/takealookatmybookshelf/

Bunny’s Reviews (Review) https://bookwormbunnyreviews.blogspot.com/

The Faerie Review (Spotlight) http://www.thefaeriereview.com

August 25^th

@shereadytoread (Review) https://www.instagram.com/shereadytoread/

Ecce! Libri! (Review) https://eccelibri702630676.wordpress.com/

See Sadie Read (Review) http://sadieforsythe.com/wp/

@amber.bunch_author (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/amber.bunch_author/

Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com

Misty’s Book Space (Spotlight) http://mistysbookspace.wordpress.com

August 26^th

@bri_serena_reads (Review) https://www.instagram.com/bri_serena_reads

Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.com/

Latisha’s Low-Key Life (Review) https://latishaslowkeylife.com/

@wolfesbooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/wolfesbooks/

Liliyana Shadowlyn (Spotlight) https://lshadowlynauthor.com/

Book Tour Organized By:

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Thursday, August 18, 2022

When Monsters Lie Review Spotlight

When Monsters Lie is the first book in Debbie Cassidy’s The Monsters Among Us series. This author is well known for her engaging novels that will leave you begging for more, and this book is no exception. Prepare to have your mind blown, be pulled to the edge of your seat, and your jaw on the floor.

Rue lives in a world that has been destroyed by monsters. That’s all she’s ever known, but something worse is coming. A shake-up that no one could have seen coming, and she will lose...everything. But deep inside of her is a secret that even she doesn’t know. But as she fights for survival with these monsters, the truth will begin to come to light piece by piece.

When Monsters Lie is the first book that I have read by Debbie Cassidy, and I absolutely ate this book up. Fun fact about this book – as you read you’re going to do one of two things: either 1) you’re going to devour this book in one setting or 2) if you absolutely MUST put it down this book will taunt your brain with the ever running question “what happens next?!”

As you read this book, right from the beginning the author hits the ground running. It’s going to be dark, twisted, and packed with horror. If you love those elements then you’re going to love this book. I got one tiny taste of that horror and I was off like a shot. You’ll be eager for more, too. Some authors like to tease you with monsters and then only give you little nibbles of that twisted darkness. Not this author. She gives you two heaping giant scoops of tasty twisted darkness and horror and tosses in an extra scoop for good measure. It’s absolutely awesome.

Reading this book will pull you to the edge of your seat. You’re not going to be able to get enough of the storyline or characters. Rue is an engaging character. She’s smart, sassy, and knows exactly when the “right” moment is to be mouthy. I’m not too keen on overly mouthy characters with a majorly smart mouth, but Rue really fits the bill for this book. She’s pretty much perfect. She does have her minor flaws, but nothing major enough to make me want to throw something hard and heavy at her. LOL!

There are a lot of secrets in this book. Some secrets are revealed while others are kept in the dark to give us readers something to look forward to. I’m all for it and I know you will be, too. One secret the author will tease you with the darkness of its truth but quickly rushes forward so that you can’t think on it too long. No, she wants to save that for when you’re done with this book. Hey, if you’re still thinking about this book long after you’re done then the author has done her job and done it well. But I know that I’m on to something with one particular secret, because when you put it all together...it makes sense.

The variety of monsters in this book will leave you more than satisfied. The author’s imagination in creating these creatures – mwah! Chef’s kiss! It’s perfect! I love that this author isn’t afraid to go deep into that dark well of horror and bring out some truly sinister creatures. I love that there are so many different creepy crawlers that you’re not going to see coming. Just when you think you’re safe...don’t think you are...because you’re not. Trust me, the author believes STRONGLY in the “element of surprise.” I think my jaw became a bit unhinged the number of times it dropped to the floor. LOL!

There isn’t much to go on when it comes to the “steamy” element of this book. I’m not going to complain too much though, because there might be some coming in later books. There are a couple of sex scenes, but it’s more of “use your imagination” than giving you the steamy details that some of us have come to hope for.

When Monsters Lie is truly a page-turner from beginning to end. I couldn’t put this book down, and I know that you’ll be devouring it just as quickly as I did. You’ll be rereading it again soon enough just to go back and savor this book like it deserves. The ending will leave you with your jaw on the floor and a clear revelation in your mind. It’s a cliffhanger ending, but nothing that will really have you ready to throw your reader at the wall. LOL! Trust me, there were a couple of moments in this book where I briefly feared the author would leave me hanging until the next. Thankfully, that’s not the case. LOL! But you’ll still be eager for the next book because things are getting intense.

I’m over the moon for this book, and this author has absolutely gained a new fan and avid reader. While I wait for book two in this series, I think that I’ll go and dig into their other series to tide me over. For avid readers of paranormal novels with a nice mix of horror grab this book. You’re not going to want to miss out on it.

I’m rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Exceptionally written and I can’t wait for more.

As I was reading this book, I absolutely KNEW without a shadow of a doubt that this book just simply had to be featured on my blog. I ate this book up, and I know that if you enjoy any of the elements featured in this story you're not going to want to miss out on it either.

Debbie Cassidy is absolutely one of those authors that you are not going to want to miss out on. So, on that note: Happy Release Day to the author and When Monsters Lie.

When Monsters Lie (The Monsters Among Us Book 1) - Kindle edition by Cassidy, Debbie. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Duatero Review Spotlight

Are you an avid reader of science fiction? Do you enjoy horror? If so, then this novel, Duatero, is going to be a great fit for you.

Duatero is a scifi/horror novel by Brad C. Anderson that takes you to a planet where the people every nine years wait for the Founders to return, and it seems like the planet was “forgotten” by them. People are struggling for survival and the vegetation that rules the planet. It doesn’t want them there, and it will do what it must to “bring them to heel.”

The protectors, the falchilo, do what they believe they must, by ordinance of the Founders, to protect the people and “cleanse” this evil. But what does it all mean when this vegetation, Malamiko, begins to evolve? The game has changed. The big question now is: Can the people protect themselves from what is to come?

This novel is packed with action in just the right places to keep this story engaging and a real page-turner and the first chapter in this book is really going to set the stage. You’re going to be introduced to Majstro Falchilo Kredo. He has his second, Talia, with him as well as a group of initiates. Danger is lurking nearby and they have no idea just how close they are. The author is quick to bring the horrors that these characters will face and just how insidious it is to them and their survival. You’ll learn very quickly that curiosity? It’s more dangerous here than the thing they are fighting.

Kredo is an interesting character, and he’s the one that the author focuses the story on mostly. We follow him and really get to see inside his head as he fights to save people from Malamiko, and cleanse those who are taken by it. You’re going to see his hard-boiled point of view, due to the belief system he follows to the letter, most times, and at times, even if his own consciousness appeals to him asking: “What if you are wrong Kredo? What if things aren’t what you believe they appear to be?“

The author focuses heavily on the situation that these people are finding themselves in, which makes this story multi-tiered. There is much more going on than what you first see, and it’s truly heartbreaking when Brad C. Anderson shines a light on how these characters behave when things are dire. Fear is the driving force for many things, but it’s not the only one and it’s beautiful to see how the author reinforces this throughout the book. There are some really heartbreaking moments in Duatero, so do brace yourself.

When it comes to characters, it’s difficult to pick just one favourite character in this book. I gravitated towards Talia and Esperante, specially the latter. She’s a kind-hearted character. She’s literally the exact opposite of Jak. Esperante does what she must, but she’s not senseless about it. She’s brave, smart, and observant, and she takes time to think about things. She wants to learn more, and solve problems. Not just assume that everything needs a “hammer” to be fixed.

Jak, is… a power-hungry character that will make a good contrast to the good ones. When he’s first introduced, he seems like a decent enough individual, but as the story continues, this attitude of his begins to develop and you’ll come to find that he has something darker and deeper than simply arrogance.

Duatero is a serious page-turner scifi. You’re probably going to be yelling at the characters, on the action packed scenes, and sometimes when things calm down a little, and appreciate while you read the struggles they battle within their minds and as the author builds up moments of hope, you will have those “maybe, just maybe” moments that will leave you on the edge, even when the outcome is dire.

You are going to enjoy this book. As I reflect on this story, I have tears in my eyes, I enjoyed it so much, the highs and the lows, because, ultimately, it is a true reflection of what we all know inside.

I’m honestly hoping that the author will consider, if he’s not already doing so, writing a second book to follow up on this one. I’d love to know what happens next. There are many questions left unanswered at the end and I’d love to know the answers to all of them.

Pros:
This book is emotionally evoking.
A real page-turner packed with drama, horror, and hope.
The characters are engaging and really help draw you in piece by piece.
I loved the unpredictability of this storyline. You just never really know which direction the author is going to take you.

Cons:
Kredo is a good character, but he’s too blind to the truth around him. It causes me to be disappointed in him.
I’d have liked more of the evolved Malamiko interactions.

Lesson of the book : Everything is not black and white, there are always shades of gray.

Cover Score: 9.0

Book Score: 8.7 (5 stars)

This review was made by me @ Duatero by Brad C. Anderson – Scribble's Worth Book Reviews (wordpress.com)

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Hell Road Review Spotlight

Hell Road is the first book in Tom Lash Kilo's The Courier series. This book's blurb was absolutely engaging and promised a thrill ride story, but it doesn't quite reach my expectations, unfortunately.

The author introduces you to the main character, Seba (short for Sebastian) right from the beginning. He has no idea that he's being set up to be double-crossed, but that's the plan. He's to do his job, deliver a package, but he's not meant to leave the location alive. What unfolds throughout the book promises to be a thrill ride of a cat and mouse "game" between Seba, individuals he knows, and a man in the shadows as well.

When I started reading this book I was eager to dive deeper. Unfortunately, right from the beginning, I was thrown back by the amount of detail and overly worded sentences. It was just too much. I thought that I would be able to push through it and adjust, or even that the word trappings would be toned down, but that's just not the case. The over-word usage only continues to dominate the book. A prime example is "At the voice of thunder, Seba got a call. His Sky Pavilion apartment, suavely perched within the core of West London, quaked in awe, on arrival of celestial waters rattling its shores." At one point I was expecting this to be a scifi thriller novel from some of the wordage/details used in this book. That's just not the case.

For me, it takes away from the storyline. I thought, and you might think differently, that quite a bit of the word used just doesn't fit with this type of novel. This is a political thriller mixed with secret ops so to speak. I was expecting words that were more mundane and not something that I would expect a college professor to expect in a student's dissertation. I really needed and wanted the author to tone things down and bring it down to more of the average reader's level. Some of these words I'm afraid you'll need a dictionary to really understand.

Add into this, for me, the characters quickly become unlikeable. There was just no connection to them. Seba is supposed to be "in love" with this woman, but yet he has no problems hopping into bed with whoever? Then the woman in question hasn't seen or spoken to him in almost a year? I'm sorry, but on no level does that equate to "this is the one." It feels like a reach for Seba, and desperation on the part of the woman. I struggled a bit with this book because if I don't like the characters or struggle to connect to someone I'm not really going to enjoy this book that much.

I will admit that there were moments in this book when I was engaged in the storyline. There are thrills and plenty of danger that the main character manages to just escape, but unfortunately, he's the character that I like the least. He has no problems putting other people in danger, and that's just a flaw I can't look past. Yes, his survival is essential to the storyline, but he could have at least considered others in his actions. I guess you can say that the author is looking to play towards "believability/reality" with some of the scenes, but that only goes so far. Because if that were to be the case, the body count would be a lot higher.

I appreciate the details that the author puts into this book as Seba and other characters take us, readers, through Africa. You get some idea of the garb that they wear, and even the attitudes that some of them have towards certain individuals...and women in certain situations. These moments I found the most interesting as they ended up engaging me the most. The learning about another country I should specify. Not so much of the objectifying of certain characters. LOL!

Normally, I'm an avid reader of thriller novels that are packed with twists and turns, but this book falls short for me. I struggled to get through due to the overflow of wordage throughout. Cut back on a lot of it and this book will become more palatable. This book doesn't need all the descriptive terms packed into it, it makes it feel like the author is going for a specific word/page count and less about the story itself.

With a bit of work, and some serious editing this book has a lot of potential, but for me, it's not a series that I will be interested in continuing.

I'm choosing to rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I wanted to like this book, but it just doesn't come together for me. The storyline has a lot of good points, but some things need to be rethought, edited down, and reimagined.

My sincerest thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

From the Deep Spotlight

‘Secrets Lurk Beneath’

Welcome to the tour for From the Deep by Kateri Stanley. Read on for more info and grab a copy today!

From the Deep

Publication Date: May 6, 2022

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Burton Mayer Books

Julian Finch, widower and fisherman, awakes to learn that the bodies of two colleagues have washed up on the beach of Drake Cove. The close-knit community is under fierce public scrutiny due to a long-standing tradition called “The Culling”, the annual slaughter of pilot whales for consumption. An act which divides the nation.

The suspects are the extreme animal rights group, the Fighters Against Animal Cruelty (FAAC) who go wherever the politics is trending. They’ve been harassing the small fishing town for many years, smashing up their boats and sending vicious hate mail.

Tensions mount after a viral video, uploaded by the FAAC of Julian killing a pregnant whale, causes uproar online and in real life. In the aftermath, Julian becomes the victim of hate crime. In order to avoid further life-threatening attacks, Julian and his daughter take refuge in the home of Frank Blothio: ex-fisherman turned writer and political activist who does not have the best history with the animal rights movement, or Drake Cove as a whole.

As Julian integrates into the Blothio way of life, he discovers heinous secrets and disturbing truths lurking beneath the skin of his hometown that will change his life forever.

Amazon | Waterstones | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

About the Author

Kateri Stanley is a pseudonym for the multi-genre fiction writer. Since being a child, Kateri has been inspired by the wondrous mediums of books, music, TV and film. After working in the healthcare industry for eight years and studying for an Arts and Humanities degree, she made the decision to move cities in the West Midlands and live with her ever-suffering partner and their two cats. Her debut novel Forgive Me was published by indie press house, Darkstroke Books in 2021 and became an Amazon bestseller reaching #1 in the US Horror Fiction charts. She is currently working on her third novel, Bittersweet Injuries and would love to pursue a full-time career in writing.

Kateri Stanley | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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Monday, May 2, 2022

Dark Obsessions Review Spotlight

Welcome to the book tour for a gritty crime thriller, Dark Obsessions by Marie Sutro! Read on for my review, more details, and a chance to win a great giveaway!

“…a taut and terrifying descent into madness and redemption…brilliant psychological thriller—pop culture entertainment at its absolute best…”

—Jon Land, USA Today Bestselling Author of Strong Cold Dead

Dark Obsessions by Mari Sutro is a twisted thriller mystery novel that will have you on the edge of your seat as Kate Barnes races against the clock to save an unknown number of girls from the dire situation that they have found themselves in. Dark Obsessions is one of those books that will stick with you long after you put the novel down, and will keep you coming back for more of this bad-ass character.

Dark Obsessions is the first book that I have read by Mari Sutro, but the minute I read the blurb of this book my first question was – is there more? LOL! This novel is the second Kate Barnes novel, but it can be read as a standalone novel. Trust me. I devoured this book and I’m already making plans to go and grab book one and am eagerly anticipating book three. Yes, it’s safe to say that this author has acquired a die-hard fan.

Now, just let me say this before we go any further – this book will not be for everyone. I am a zealous fan of horror, mystery, and thrillers and this book check all the boxes. There is some content that some readers might find difficult to read, so while there aren’t explicit details of the things that happen to the characters in this book, it’s best to think of your own mental health if torture and other heinous abuses are too much for you. If you have read the previous Kate Barnes novel and enjoyed it then you honestly know what to expect and I’m sure you’ll dive into this book eagerly.

Kate Barnes is in Washington State originally with one purpose – to find her mom and to get some closure concerning her youth. She has no idea that while she’s there that she’ll be drawn into a case of a murdered young girl stolen away from her home in a foreign country. Kate has been through a lot on a recent case, and she’s made quite a name for herself as well. When the local Sheriff asks her for some insight she agrees. She has no intentions of staying on, but one thing leads to another, and justice calls to be given.

Dark Obsessions is the second Kate Barnes novel, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone novel. The author touches back on things that happened in the first book, but it’s just enough to add some spice to the story and give a bit of insight into Kate’s past concerning the two cases' connection. Kate draws on similarities and familiarities to help ground herself when it’s absolutely necessary. I love Kate’s determination to find the answers regardless of who gets the credit and glory. She follows the rules as much as she can, but working “off the clock” so to speak affords her some liberties that she might not have if she was working in the full scope of the law.

The author’s writing style is truly phenomenal. I’m kept on the edge of my seat wondering – what is going to happen next? What twist is the author going to pounce on me? There was multiple times when my jaw was literally on the floor. There are some elements that I was quick to pick up on – which I absolutely loved, but the author keeps me guessing just the same. Throughout the book, I couldn’t help questioning – how deep does this go? As the puzzle comes together I couldn’t help but be in shock at the revelations the author has in store for readers.

I love the perfect moments of backstory that the author inserts into the novel. I appreciate the author works so hard to give readers a well-rounded image to work with concerning the characters in this book. I love seeing how the characters came to be in the various situations that they find themselves in. While this story does mostly focus on the mystery of the case at hand, the author remembers to give readers moments of Kate’s original objective in coming to Eagle’s Nest. In the process, the author is leaving little clues for readers to pick up on. The twists and surprises make this novel a true page-turner from beginning to end. I love how the clues answer so few questions while creating more at the same time. The horror element is so delicately done that it’s truly beautiful in its own twisted and unique way. I also appreciate that the author includes significant images in this book as well. They add so much to this novel that simple words cannot.

The attention to detail truly makes this novel a true work of art and me greedy to read more by this author. The amount of detail is well done and I love that the author draws on her familial law enforcement history to construct this novel. If you love a good mystery novel with just the right amount of twisted horror then this is the book for you. I cannot wait for the next book in the Kate Barnes series, but in the meantime, I’ll be sure to immerse myself in this author’s debut novel.

This book more than earns a 5 out of 5 stars rating. I ate this book and even when I finished reading it this novel stuck with me. I enjoyed every twisted element wrapped up inside these pages. I could almost see this book playing out in the twisted macabre of a news story on the television. Yes, that’s just how real these characters come off and that is one the true tells of a fantastically written novel. For readers who enjoy the twisted, the macabre, and novels absolutely dripping with mystery this book is a must-read.

Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book! Be sure to check out my fellow bloggers as they share their thoughts on this novel and further information about the author.

Dark Obsessions

Genre: Crime Thriller

Publication Date: April 26th, 2022

Reeling from the trauma of her last case, SFPD Detective Kate Barnes heads to the Olympic Peninsula hoping to heal the present by resolving the past. When the ravaged corpse of an unidentified teen is discovered, her search for personal peace takes a back seat to the quest for justice.

As Kate digs deeper, she discovers the victim was not the only one who had been taken against her will. Racing against the clock to rescue the remaining girls, she uncovers a complex series of ever-increasing horrors. In the darkest corners of Washington state, Kate Barnes will come face-to-face with an adversary so ruthless and powerful that it will take everything she has to save herself, let alone the girls.

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Excerpt

DEPUTY JENNA WHEATON slammed the door of the patrol car shut. The sound bounced off the walls of the abandoned quarry, doubling and trebling before finally fading in the late afternoon stillness. Spinning on her heel, she cast a final warning glare at the two teenage passengers huddled in the backseat. Exhaling, she turned toward the abandoned warehouse which stood across from the edge of the vast mining pit.

The setting sun reflected off a narrow row of windows running above the structure’s main entrance, lighting the surrounding forest ablaze in a fiery glow. Averting her gaze, she strode toward the set of stairs leading up to the double door entry. Bits of gravel crunched softly under her boots as she walked, amplifying the overall sense of desolation.

Jenna’s shadow kept pace with her as she moved—exaggerating her lean, lanky, features topped off by a shoulder-length mop of blonde hair. Exuding the air of a woman not to be trifled with, she remained convinced she was on a fool’s errand. There was no way the old warehouse would yield the unimaginable find the teenagers had reported when they had burst through the doors of the sheriff’s office over an hour ago.

She had been finishing up a domestic violence report on the other side of town when the call had come in. The DV complaint had been a farce—an adolescent attempt to punish a parent for failing to buy a new cell phone.

Jenna had finally convinced the ill-mannered fifteen-year-old daughter to apologize to her overworked mother when her radio had come to life, recalling her to the station. Once there, two more teens had been dumped in her lap. There was every reason to believe the two wanna-be skater boys sitting in her patrol car were fueled by the same adolescent angst, wayward hormones, and abject stupidity.

Foregoing the rusted railings on either side of the stairs, she jogged up to the porch. The right-side door stood open; a broken chain dangled from the handle—the padlock still intact. Beyond the first few feet of the doorway, darkness pervaded.

She unholstered her flashlight and stepped up to the threshold, glad she had taken the time to lock the boys securely in the car. The last thing she needed was for the miscreants to pop up from behind and scare the shit out of her—just their way of passing a boring Friday afternoon.

Truth be told, she could not really blame them. Eagle’s Nest was high on nature but low on things to do. Other than the bowling alley downtown, there was little going on within the town limits. It was a reality she knew all too well.

Divorced at thirty-eight, with a nine-year-old son in tow, Jenna had ached for a change from the predictability of life in small-town America. She had been about to accept a position with the Seattle PD when a sudden heart attack had prompted Sheriff Selby to retire early. With no local candidates for the position, the town had been forced to look elsewhere.

After three months, they had found a unanimous favorite. Far more handsome than any of the local singles, Sheriff Luchasetti, who was only a few years older than Jenna, had immediately infected her with some form of Disney-esque brain fever. Abandoning her senses, she had turned down the Seattle offer.

In hindsight, it had been a ridiculous move. After a few months of intense flirting on her part, Tony had made his disinterest clear by turning down Jenna’s invite for a nightcap at her place. He had claimed he could not risk his new position by fraternizing with a deputy. But Jenna knew better. Any man who made it to forty-four without signing a marriage license or siring a child had no sincere interest in either one.

Swallowing past the year-old frustration, she stepped over the threshold into the cavernous space. Her right hand settled on the butt of her Glock as she entered, evidence of good training and experience rather than anticipation of actual trouble.

The beam from her flashlight was not strong enough to reach the back of the building, but she moved ahead anyway. Had she even partially believed the boys’ outlandish story about finding a dead body in the concrete pit up ahead, she may have proceeded with more caution.

She had only made it about five feet before a vile stench—reminiscent of a cross between motor oil and animal fat—hit her like a semi. Steeling herself against the aroma, Jenna focused on the goal ahead. If the boys had seen something, it was certainly nothing more than a sick animal that had sought refuge here in its final moments.

As she continued, the rubber soles of her shoes squeaked softly against the dusty concrete. Arriving at the fifteen-foot-square opening in the floor, Jenna pointed her flashlight down. Her eyes tracked the circle of visibility as it traveled down the opposite wall of the shaft.

A moment later, the light revealed a pale arm. As it swept over a mutilated breast, then worked its way across the rest of the slender human form, the deputy staggered backward. Her right hand clawed at her shoulder, grasping for the radio affixed to her uniform. When her fingers finally closed around the device, it took an entire minute before she was confident she could speak without shrieking.

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About the Author

Marie Sutro is an award-winning and bestselling crime fiction author. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime whose writing has been inspired by the combined service of her great-grandfather, grandfather, and father in the San Francisco Police Department.

Her bestselling debut novel, Dark Associations, was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Award for the Best New Voice in Fiction. A proponent for literacy, she volunteers with California Library Literacy Services, helping adults learn to read and write.

She resides in Northern California and is currently at work on the next Kate Barnes story. To learn more about Marie, visit her website at mariesutro.com.

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