Thrillers & Suspense

Crimson Lake Road by Victor Methos

April 18, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

I get really excited when I am reading a book and I realize it is part of a series. Especially if I like the book I’m reading. Typically, when I am reading, I get very invested in the characters. That’s why I like series books so much. The Desert Plains series by Victor Methos is no different. I read Crimson Lake Road in two days. If you are like me and like good character development, then you will want to read this book.

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

A Killer’s Wife (Desert Plains Book 1)Crimson Lake Road (Desert Plains Book 2)

About Crimson Lake Road

From Amazon –

Retiring prosecutor Jessica Yardley can’t turn down one last investigation. This time, it’s a set of murders inspired by a series of grisly paintings called The Night Things. She’s the only one who can catch the killer, who’s left a trail of bodies in a rural community outside of Las Vegas.

But the more Jessica finds out, the less clear her case becomes. Out of options, she’s forced to consult her serial killer ex-husband—to gain additional insight into the crimes and the killer’s motivations.

By the time Jessica realizes that pursuing this case is a deadly mistake, it’s too late to turn back. Can she catch the killer, or will she be the final addition to a killer’s masterpiece?

My Thoughts

When I initially read the first book in this series, A Killer’s Wife, I really liked the main character, Jessica Yardley. That didn’t change when I read Crimson Lake Road. In fact, I think I like the character even more. Good news, there is a third book in the series coming out August 17, 2021! I will definitely be adding that one to my Kindle Paperwhite!

If you are thinking about picking up a Kindle, the Paperwhite is one I absolutely love! I got my first one when it first came out about nine years ago, and my husband got me a new one a year or two ago. This is something I use every single day! For those of you with kids, it makes a great gift for kids too. Pair that with a Kindle Unlimited membership, and you have a great gift for them! My kids used to take their Kindle Paperwhites to school with them when they were required to have a chapter book to read every day in middle school. It was much lighter and easier to store in their binder!

Minka Kent, The Watcher Girl Thriller

April 18, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

Reading is my absolute favorite pastime. Well, besides napping. As an adult, it cracks me up to see kids so upset to have to nap. If someone told me, “Leah you need to nap right now”, I would be in heaven! One of the things I look forward to every month is the Amazon First Reads list. Each month, as an Amazon Kindle Unlimited Member (more about this later), I get to choose a new book from a list of books, for free! Not only for free, but I get it before it comes out! This month I was super excited to see a Minka Kent book on the list. She is one of my favorite authors!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

Minka Kent, as I mentioned above, is one of my favorite authors. She’s written books like Stillwater Girls and The Thinnest Air, both of which I absolutely loved and couldn’t put down. She has a way with her writing where you think you know where the book is going, and you may be slightly right, but then a huge curveball is thrown at you and something happens that you totally did not see coming! I love it!

The Perfect Roommate The Watcher Girl: A Thriller The Stillwater Girls

About The Watcher Girl by Minka Kent

From Amazon –

Eight years ago, Grace McMullen broke Sutton Whitlock’s heart when she walked away. But it was only to save him from the baggage of her own troubled past. Now all she wants is to make sure he’s okay.

Only everything she learns about him online says otherwise. According to his social media accounts, he placed roots in her hometown, married a look-alike, and even named his daughter Grace. He clearly hasn’t moved on. In fact, it’s creepy. So Grace does what any concerned ex-girlfriend would do: she moves home…and watches him.

But when Grace crosses paths with Sutton’s wife, Campbell, an unexpected friendship develops. Campbell has no idea whom she’s inviting into her life. As the women grow closer, it becomes clear to Grace that Sutton is not the sentimental man she once knew. He seems controlling, unstable, and threatening. And what a broken man like Sutton is capable of, Grace can only imagine. It’s up to her to save Campbell and her baby now—but while she’s been watching them, who’s been watching her?

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My Thoughts

Like every other Minka Kent book, this one did not disappoint! From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down. In fact, like many other times that I have read her books, I thought I knew what was going to happen, and while I was slightly right, I was also thrown with what did happen! If you like books that keep you on the edge of your seat and encourage you to continue reading, even when you should have gone to bed hours earlier, then this Minka Kent book is for you!

Kindle Unlimited

I prefer to read my books on my Kindle Paperwhite. To me, it’s much easier to shove my Kindle in my purse than a few books. We were traveling last week and had a long flight with layovers. I knew I would read multiple books during that time. With my Kindle Paperwhite, I can store more books than I would ever read in my lifetime! One of the things I picked up when I got my Kindle Paperwhite was a Kindle Unlimited membership. With that membership, I can download as many books as I want (10 out at a time) in a months time, for just $9.99 a month. Since I read about four or more books a month, that membership is more than worth it! Plus, I have many authors I have found on Kindle Unlimited that I really like, so the membership is more than worth it for me! Check out the Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans. You get the first month free!

What Should I Read Next?

I love getting book recommendations. Leave me a comment or shoot me an email with what I should read next! I am open to all types of genres! Thanks!

Deadly Cross by James Patterson

January 6, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

One of my favorite authors, that I read several of his series books, is James Patterson. He is the author of the ever popular Alex Cross series and the Women’s Murder Club series (among others). I’ve been reading the Alex Cross series for about 20 years. As soon as I find out that James Patterson has a new Alex Cross book coming out, I instantly go on the Libby app and reserve it for my Kindle! Deadly Cross is the latest book in the Alex Cross series. Like every other Alex Cross book, this one most definitely did not disappoint!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

Deadly Cross (Alex Cross, 28)Criss Cross (Alex Cross, 25)Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 24)

About Deadly Cross

From Amazon –

A double homicide in the nation’s capital opens the psychological case files – on Detective Alex Cross.

Kay Willingham led a life as glamorous as it was public – she was a gorgeous Georgetown socialite, philanthropist, and the ex-wife of the vice president. So why was she parked in a Bentley convertible idling behind a DC private school, in the middle of the night, with the man who was the head of that school? Who shot them both, point blank, and why? The shocking double homicide is blazed across the internet, TV, newspapers – and across Alex Cross’s mind. Kay had been his patient once. And maybe more.

While John Sampson of DC Metro Police investigates the last movements of Christopher Randall, the educator killed along with Kay Willingham, detective Alex Cross and FBI special agent Ned Mahoney find unanswered questions from Willingham’s past, before she arrived in DC and became known in Washington society as someone who could make things happen. They travel to Alabama to investigate Kay’s early years. There they find a world of trouble, corruption, and secrets, all of them closed to outsiders like Cross and Mahoney.

Kay had many enemies, but all of them seemed to need her alive. The harder the investigators push, the more resistance they find when they leave behind the genteel law offices and doctors’ quarters of the state capital. Alex Cross will need to use all his skills as a doctor, a detective, and a family man to prevent that resistance from turning lethal…again.

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 19)Criss Cross (Alex Cross Book 27)Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, 1)

My Thoughts

Well…first…I read the book in a day and a half. So I guess you could say, I liked it! Actually, I like Deadly Cross a lot. Like I said before, James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. With that said, sometimes when he has a co-author, the book doesn’t have the “James Patterson voice”. Deadly Cross, however, was 100% James Patterson. The old James Patterson. I loved it! The simplistic sentence structure, and I do not mean that as an insult, keeps me engaged and moves the story along. Moves it along so much that I finished it very quickly! I’m sure the next people in line to read the book at the library was very pleased that I returned it so quickly!

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What Else Does James Patterson Write?

I could literally sit here all day and write out every single thing James Patterson has written, but the best thing I cold do is send you to his website. At his website you will see a list of his books, as well as, each book series broken up with reading lists. If you are like me, you will want to read the books in order. I highly recommend you do. The older Alex Cross books are so good and they provide you with a TON of backstory. If you have children, he writes excellent books for kids. When my kids were tweens (especially my son) they really enjoyed his books. They made them laugh!

Trading Secrets by Rachael Eckles Review

January 5, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

As a writer myself, I enjoy reading novels by new authors. I get excited to see someone get their first novel published. In a sense, it gives me hope that I will finish my novel AND get it published myself. As a result, when I was approached to read Trading Secrets by Rachael Eckles, it was a no brainer, instant yes from me. Not only did the synopsis sound very interesting, but this novel is her first, and it makes me really happy to read debut novels!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I received a Kindle copy of this novel from the author, for the purpose of this review*

Trading Secrets Kindle Paperwhite – Now Waterproof with 2x the Storage – Ad-Supported

Synopsis of Trading Secrets

Celeste Donovan, a high-powered finance executive, seems to have it all–the penthouse apartment, the supermodel physique with a mathematician mind, and a trail of beautiful men she has loved and left behind.

But when her boyfriend Theodore is killed in a mysterious accident, she discovers Omar, her abusive ex she had hoped would never resurface, is behind his death.

Now she’s caught in a game of cat and mouse, trying to anticipate Omar’s next move, as she realizes he will stop at nothing to get to her. She sets out alone on a whirlwind journey to entrap him, determined to put an end to Omar’s destruction.

Soon Celeste is thrust in the middle of the largest financial scandal in decades. This time, however, powerful government officials are in bed with some of the world’s most dangerous men.

When she discovers that those she thought she knew best are involved in a secret society warring with Omar and his coconspirators, she must decide how far she will go to avenge Theodore’s death and whether she is willing to risk her own life to save everyone she loves.

Doesn’t it sound intriguing?!?

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this debut novel by Rachael Eckles. One thing I really like in this book, is the strong female lead character. And let me tell you, Celeste Donovan is probably the strongest female lead I have ever read in a book. I must warn you that this book is definitely for 18+ as it does contain explicit sex scenes. As a result, having the strong female lead, this would be a good book to be made into a movie.

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About the Author, Rachael Eckles

Rachael Eckles grew up in the midwest. It was after finishing law school, that she decided to move to the east coast. She is currently living in Manhattan with her puppy! As I mentioned, Trading Secrets is her first novel. However, she is currently working on book two in the Trading Secrets trilogy! While you wait, you can keep up with Rachael by following her on social media.

To learn more about Rachael Eckles and Trading Secrets, visit her website.

Kendra Elliot Novella, Below the Bones

November 29, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I’ve told you before, my absolute favorite thing to read are series books. A close second are novella’s. Why? Well, simply because they are usually part of a series and they are short. I don’t mind reading long novels at all, but sometimes I just need a quick read. Insert the novella! This Kendra Elliot novella came at the right time for me. I needed something short, but I also wanted familiar characters. This gave me exactly what I needed at the exact time!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

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About the Kendra Elliot Novella, Below the Bones

From Amazon –

Former FBI special agent Cate Wilde is a new bakery and bookstore owner—and retirement is now complete with a doctor boyfriend. Although she struggles with PTSD, the sweet life she’s living is a far cry from the gruesome work she left behind six months ago.

But when skeletal remains turn up on Widow’s Island—and the MO of the killer is too familiar to Cate—the dream comes to an abrupt end. What if the case she solved eight years ago isn’t as closed as she thought? Her hometown needs her, and despite her mental health and her boyfriend’s protests, she has no choice but to return to her dangerous past life.

Soon Cate is in a desperate race to stop a cold-blooded murderer from killing again, once and for all…only this time, she’ll have so much more to lose.

My Thoughts on the Novella

First things first, what is a novella? Very simply put, a novella is considered a short novel or a long short story. This Kendra Elliot novella was literally less than 100 pages. Despite not having a lot of pages, this book gave just as much as a 200 or 300 page novel. Kendra Elliot is one of my favorite authors. I have a Kindle Unlimited membership (check out the Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans) and I’ve read almost every single book by this author. In fact, when I finish one in a series, I always Google to find out when the next one comes out AND I put it on my calendar. Yes I do!

Close to the Bone (Widow’s Island Novella Book 1)A Bone to Pick (Widow’s Island Novella Book 2)Whisper of Bones (Widow’s Island Novella Book 3)Bred in the Bone (Widow’s Island Novella Book 4)Below the Bones (Widow’s Island Novella Book 5)A Broken Bone (Widow’s Island Novella Book 6)

One thing I like most about this author is that she does an amazing job making the characters feel believable. If I am reading a book and a character says or does something that just would never happen in a million years, and it’s not a fantasy type book, then it annoys me and I have a hard time buying into that character. That’s not the case with this Kendra Elliot novella or any book by this author. For instance, check out Columbia River series. This is another series by Kendra Elliot and it is fantastic.

I See the Series is Written by Two Different Authors

If you noticed that the series above is written by two different authors, then you would be correct! Both Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh co-write several series books that you find on Amazon. I don’t know the story behind how these two authors found each other to start writing, but they have very similar styles. It is not distracting at all. In fact, I sometimes don’t even realize which author wrote the book I’m reading. That’s how similar they are!