No Bad Deed by Heather Chavez

Publication: February 18, 2020

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher

Synopsis:

Packed with the electrifying pacing and pulse-pounding suspense of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner, a thrilling debut about a mother desperate to find the connections between her missing husband and a deadly stalker who knows too much about her own dark family history.

Driving home one rainy night, Cassie Larkin sees a man and woman fighting on the side of the road. After calling 911, the veterinarian makes a split-second decision that will throw her sedate suburban life into chaos. Against all reason and advice, she gets out of her minivan and chases after the violent man, trying to help his victim. When Cassie physically tries to stop him, he suddenly turns on her and spits out an ominous threat: “Let her die, and I’ll let you live.”

A veterinarian trained to heal, Cassie can’t let the woman die. But while she’s examining the unconscious victim, the attacker steals her car. Now he has her name. Her address. And he knows about her children. Though they warn her to be careful, the police assure her that the perpetrator—a criminal named Carver Sweet—won’t get near her. Cassie isn’t so sure.

The next day—Halloween—her husband disappears while trick-or-treating with their six-year-old daughter. Are these disturbing events a coincidence or the beginning of a horrifying nightmare? Her husband has been growing distant—is it possible he’s become involved with another woman? Is Cassie’s confrontation with the road-side attacker connected to her husband’s disappearance? With all these questions swirling in her mind Cassie can trust no one, maybe not even herself. The only thing she knows for sure is that she can’t sit back while the people she loves are in danger.

As she desperately searches for answers, Cassie discovers that nothing is as random as it seems, and that she is more than willing to fight—to go the most terrifying extremes—to save her family and her marriage. 

******

Little did Cassie Larkin know that what started as a seemingly innocent action to help someone in need, would end up tilting her world upside down and put her family in possible jeopardy.

Cassie was an interesting character. I didn't always agree with some of the decisions that she made while attempting to find her husband; however, I did like her dedication to keeping her kids safe while finding out the truth about her husband. She was fearless and relentless in her actions. 

I wished I could have gotten just a little bit of Cassie’s husband Sam’s POV, so I could learn more about his backstory. It’s not necessary, but it would have been a nice addition to the story. 

No Bad Deed was a pull you in and have you on the edge-of-your-seat story that had me guessing from beginning to end. I loved that there was always something going on...nothing boring or slow with this story. There were several twists and turns that kept me on my toes and the final reveal at the end was one that I hadn't been expecting.

RATING: 3½ OUT OF 5.

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Hunted by Meagan Spooner

Publication: March 14, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Purchased my own copy.

Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them. So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance. Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast?

Yeva (aka Beauty) and her family are wealthy and enjoying life among high society. Well everyone except for Yeva. She tires of the endless parties and vapid chatter with the ladies in their social circle. She longs for more.

When her merchant father loses their fortune, they are forced to leave the city. Her father is determined to get their fortune back and continues working. One day when he is out traveling, he never arrives back home. After weeks of not hearing any word from him,Yeva takes it upon herself to go search for him.  It is then that she finds herself captured by the Beast….

I was really hoping that I would have liked Hunted more than I did. Maybe I’ve read too many Beauty and the Beast retellings? I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the characters were interesting. I loved  the relationship between Yeva and her sisters. They were very close and cared deeply about each other. However, nothing really surprised me in this story and I didn’t really fall in love with the characters. If you happen to love all things Beauty and the Beast then I would recommend Hunted to you.

RATING: 3 out of 5

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Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Publication: January 31, 2017

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Source: Bought/Own

Why is everyone talking about the ending of Sarah Pinborough's Behind Her Eyes? Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone. When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise. And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend, but she also just happens to be married to David. David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife, but then why is David so controlling, and why is Adele so scared of him? As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong, but Louise can’t guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.

David is one interesting character. He is a physiatrist specializing in addictions and yet he has a drinking and apparently a communication problem. He and his wife Adele never talk about their issues. And he seems to barely tolerate being with her. So why does he stay?

Adele is the beautiful supporting wife. She is very devoted to David. Life has not been very easy for either one of them, but especially Adele, since she lost both of her parents in a tragic fire when she was younger. She may be a little emotionally unstable, which appears to be the reason she is on medication. Is it because of her parents death or is something more going on with her?

Louise is a single mom who adores her son. She also likes her job as a part-time secretary. At least she does up until she discovers that her new boss is David, the man she made out with in bar one night.  Both David and Louise agree to put the accident behind then pretend like nothing happened. That might work..

Except Louise and Adele strike up an unlikely friendship one day. And Louise finds that she likes spending time with Adele. She sees Adele as fragile and possibly scared of David.  And the more time Louis spends with David the more time she realizes her attraction to him has not faded. But I couldn’t really understand why she was attracted to David. I thought maybe she was a little desperate to have a guy in her life. She was needy and a bit stupid IMO. There was no way any of this could end well. And that’s why I kept reading. I wanted to see it all unfold.

Behind Her Eyes promised to be an edge of your seat psychological thriller. And that’s exactly what I was hoping for.

I wasn’t on the edge of my seat with anticipation, but what I actually got was a good suspenseful novel. Though at times it felt like the story went on a little longer than it needed to. But having said that, I did found myself wanting to know what would happen next and how all of the puzzle pieces would fit together. Nothing is as it seems with this story. The characters were alright. I did not like any of them. But I don’t think the reader is really supposed to. The story is told from both Adele and Louise’s POV, which I enjoyed. I got to see what their thought process was. Though it did not help me figure out what was going to happen. And believe me, I tried.

That ending though...The ending was creative. And also a  little crazy if not somewhat ridiculous. I kept thinking...really? Did that just happen? It took me even several days to figure out how I felt about not just the ending, but the whole book. Behind Her Eyes will keep you guessing and have you talking about it with anyone and everyone who has read it.

RATING: 3½ out of 5

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One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress #2) by Jeaniene Frost

Publication: April 29, 2008

Publisher: Avon

Source: Bought/Own

You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide… Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She’s still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind. Being around Bones awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline rush of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard Cat tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever…and Bones won’t let her get away again. Original.

After reading Halfway to the Grave, I immediately needed to read book 2. One Foot in the Grave pretty much picks right where the first book left off. It’s four years later and Cat now works for the Homeland Security Paranormal Department. Even though time has passed, she is struggling with her attempts to move on and get over Bones.

Thankfully it doesn’t take very long in the story for Bones and Cat to reunite. He is still mad and hurt at Cat for leaving him like that. But he does understand why she did what she did. And even-though it has been four years, he loves Cat and their passion/chemistry is stronger than ever. They both show their jealous sides in this book when ex’s and love stuck co-workers come into the picture.  It was fun to see how everything played out.

Separately they are strong, stubborn, and smart. When they are together they make one heck of a kick ass team. I couldn’t picture them not being with each other. Jeaniene does a really good job with the development of these characters. Every single one of them is interesting and add something extra to the storyline. I devoured this book in a short time and couldn’t wait to start on book 3.

RATING: 4 out of 5.

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When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After #3) by Tessa Dare

Publication: August 25, 2015

Publisher: Avon

Source: Purchased Book

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart. A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely. Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

 

From the very moment I read the premise, I just knew I would like this book. It seemed to be both sweet and funny; just what I was looking for.

I loved this book. I cannot recall the last time I enjoyed a historical fiction romance more this year. Tessa Dare is my go to writer in that particular genre, and so far she hasn’t disappointed. I may not always love them, but I do like them. Up until now A Week to Be Wicked was my favorite book of hers. Now I am not so sure…When a Scot Ties the Knot is coming a close second to that one.

Madeline is a pretty woman, but she suffers from severe shyness. Whenever she is in the presence of a large number of people she freezes like a deer in the headlights; which is why she doesn’t care to have a debut or go to balls. After creating the story about a handsome Scottish captain in the military she found the perfect escape route. Or so she thought. After she “kills off” her imaginary love, Maddie inherits a castle in Scotland from her godfather. With just herself and her Aunt Thea, she is able to do what she loves…draw. Maddie is a naturalist. She has aspirations of becoming a well known illustrator. Maddie has a great talent for drawing animals, insects, and pretty much anything she puts her mind to. She always carries a pencil with her, no matter what.  

Who doesn’t love a guy who reads? Especially when that man is a sexy and well muscled Scot. I loved that twist...it was something I was not expecting. But it made logan even sexier in my opinion.  Logan is used to be in charge and having men under his command. He is very loyal to his men and he’s determined to see them have a home, land, and to make sure they find some sort of happiness. He thinks he isn’t a good man. He doesn’t expect or want love. But all of that changes when he meets Maddie.

I really enjoyed getting to know both of these characters. My only issue is that I felt that for all of the secrets Maddie shared in those letters to Logan (even though she didn’t believe him to be real at the time) he could have been more forthcoming with her about his life. I know that wasn’t the goal in the beginning. They had an arrangement, but still it would have been nice.

When a Scot Ties the Knot was one of the sweetest and funniest stories I have read so far this year. I fell in love with both Maddie and Logan almost instantly. They have great chemistry. I couldn’t get enough of them. If you are looking for your next historical romance read then look no farther.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

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Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1) by Jeaniene Frost

Publication: October 30, 2007

Publisher: Avon

Source: Purchased/Own

Flirting with the Grave... Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father - the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership. In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner - are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfound status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

After reading the first two books in the Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost and loving them, I decided to try the Night Huntress Series. Book one is Halfway to the Grave and tells the story of Catherine Crawfield aka Cat. 

Cat has been basically brainwashed by her mother to think that all vampires are evil demons and need to be killed so the world can be a safer place. So what does she do? She goes out and kills them. Turns out she isn’t just a normal human, she is half human, half vampire. This is one leading lady that can definitely handle her own. She kicks butt and takes names. Cat is very good at what she does and she isn’t really afraid of putting herself at risk hunting vampires. But her world becomes a little bit more dangerous than she expected once she encounters master vampire, Bones.

Bones isn’t your average vampire. He is a master vampire. One who has been around for many many years. And with those years, he has developed knowledge and powers that make him tough to go up against. Bones is pretty badass. He is a unique vampire because he just happens to hunt down vampires himself. And that is how he happens to cross paths with Cat.

Cat and Bones end up working very well together. I loved them both. Bones has this weird sarcastic sense of humor that I enjoyed. And Cat is an impatient vampire killing machine. They are both stubborn and set in their ways, but were Cat is impatient, because of years and experience, Bones thinks things through a little better. And he was smart for trying to get Cat on his side knowing he could use her as an advantage.

Even though I liked Jeaniene Frost’s other series I was a little unsure about this one, but it turns out I was unsure for no reason. I ended up liking Halfway to the Grave very much. So much so that I am already on book five of seven in this series. The writing is well done and there is a ton of action...something is always happening. I never once felt the story lag. If you’re into vampire paranormal romances with a sprinkling of good humor, I would definitely recommend this series and author.

RATING: 4 out of 5.

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