reecaspieces

Overview

Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case files.

The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an intellectual equal.

The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target, enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most painful reckoning of all—with her own violent past.

Review

This is a heart palpitating, fast paced, edge of your seat read. Dr. Iris Ballard is on the path of self destruction until the FBI call her back in to help profile “the Woodsman”. She must face her violent past to succeed in saving the lives of women on the Woodsman radar. 

I do not really know where to start. The book will keep you up late at night with its mounting anxiety.  The Woodsman is a serial killer abducting women and he wants to go toe to toe with Iris.  He is a sadistic, evil killer and Iris must overcome her many obstacles before she can take him on. But, take him on she does!  

I love Iris! Her strength and resilience are not to be matched. She is one smart, tough lady with a gun!  And she knows how to use it. This makes her much more endearing to me. I love strong women who are not afraid to tackle anything that comes their way. Iris is this type of character.  She also has a MOUTH on her…And in a mans world…she needs it and uses it well. 

I did feel the book is a little longer than necessary. However, it is still a fabulous read. I was reeled in HOOK, LINE AND SINKER!!! 

I received this novel through Netgalley for a honest review. 

                                        
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Overview

Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.

Marcello was the man—the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…

Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food, Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

Review

OMG!! Do I LOVE Alice Clayton!! This novel actually read a little differently than her other books. This one was not so much about the heat and sexual attraction (however, there was a LOT of that), it was more about the story. 

Avery is escaping a failed marriage. She escapes by moving to Rome where she encounters an old boyfriend and this opens up a whole new world for her,  or should I say, a world she forgot. 

I absolutely adored the setting of Rome. I could not get enough of the outdoor cafes and the old world charm. I felt  I was there experiencing the wild Vespa rides and the amazing food along with Avery. And when she runs into Marcello and literally falls on her A$$, you know you are reading classic Alice Clayton. 

Marcello is the usual strong, silent, handsome, Italian type.  The kind of man dreams are made of….you know the “sex on a stick”. He and Avery have a past.  A past which is rekindled with a fiery passion and some drama not to be missed. These two have a great connection which can overcome just about anything, including a soon to be ex-husband.  

The novel has everything, history, passion, great setting, great characters….I could go on and on. 

I have never read a book by Nina Bocci before.  I will say she has found herself a new reader.  I will be on the look out for more of her work! 

I received this book from Simon and Schuster as part of #XOXperts.

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Overview 

Julie Prentice and her family move across the country to the idyllic Mount Adams district of Cincinnati, hoping to evade the stalker who’s been terrorizing them ever since the publication of her bestselling novel, The Murder Game. Since Julie doesn’t know anyone in her new town, when she meets her neighbor John Dunbar, their instant connection brings measured hope for a new beginning. But she never imagines that a simple, benign conversation with him could set her life spinning so far off course.

After a series of misunderstandings, Julie and her family become the target of increasingly unsettling harassment. Has Julie’s stalker found her, or are her neighbors out to get her, too? As tension in the neighborhood rises, new friends turn into enemies, and the results are deadly. 

Review

I won copy of Catherine’s very first book years ago.  I fell in love with her then and I am still!! And her writing has changed from a chick lit to a literary fiction/thriller. She has really out done herself with the one though.  I thought her first novel Spin would always be my favorite but, I was mistaken. 

Julie is a famous  author with a stalker. She moves across country to start fresh. Needless to say, this does not turn out the way she hoped. She moves her family to Cincinnati with great expectations.  These expectations are very quickly quelled and plain squashed. She becomes a pariah on her own street. 

Catherine Mckenzie really knows how to weave a tale and keep you guessing. I will be honest, I really had no idea where this book was leading until almost the very end. There were many places I thought, “have I missed something?” But, the more the tale unfolded the more I was addicted. And I means addicted. This reads like a psychological thriller with a massive twist. So keep reading….this book has a kick at the end! 

I would absolutely love a sequel. There were many items left unanswered, as per the authors whim. For fans of Girl on the Train…..this one is for you!!

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review. 

                                                                 
Purchase here 

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Amazon