Thursday, October 2, 2025

5 Stars for The Enforcer's Revenge (Untamed Hearts #4) by Kele Moon

Tino Moretti is a hardened, dangerous man, forged from the unforgiving fires of the Italian Mafia. The only joy in his difficult life is Brianna Darcy, the woman whose love offers him a defense against the cruel reality he was made to live. She was his last piece of light, his escape from the darkness, until war came in the most horrific way possible and shattered their fragile happiness. In Enforcer’s Revenge, we finally see where it all goes wrong and why loving completely means letting go.

In the wake of tremendous loss, Tino and his brother Nova are left teetering on the brink of surrender. Until the lost kids Tino turned his back on, the ones who once shared his dark past, step out of the shadows to save them right at the moment when they could lose it all. Their loyalty is a lifeline, and together with the growing power of the Moretti brothers, they are ready to embark on an awe-inspiring quest for revenge and dominance of the underworld—Turning the despised bastards into the most feared force in Cosa Nostra.

Welcome to the brutal world of the Moretti brothers and the Lost Kids of Cosa Nostra. Their truths, revealed book by book, pull back the veil to some of the most vicious corners of the underworld. Their stories explore dark themes like violence, addiction, traumatic pasts, grief, the emotional tolls of abuse, and morally complex choices. It includes scenes with extreme violence, drug use, suicidal ideations, and references to past abuse that may be disturbing to some readers. While it is a very real story of love and loyalty, it is born from loss and pain. The lost kids deserve happy endings, but the journey isn’t easy for any of them. This is a dark romance series for a reason.

Reader discretion is always advised.
 

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What I thought about The Enforcer's Revenge

Tino Moretti's story continues in The Enforcer's Revenge, the much anticipated return to the Moretti Family story in the Untamed Hearts series from Kele Moon. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and once I started it, reading it was all I wanted to do. It's the adventures of Tino and Nova, two of the most interesting male characters I've ever had the pleasure to read about.  In this follow-up, there's more to learn about Tino's life as an enforcer for the Moretti family and the impact it is having on his life and mental health.

The story starts out quietly, with the gang of Moretti's celebrating, but all does not stay quiet for long.  Once the action picks up at around thirty percent into the book, it's non-stop until the very end.  There are some definite hold-your-breath moments there too, which I loved. Even though there were many years between the previous book and this one, it didn't feel that way. I only wished I had time to re-read The Enforcer before I read this one. I don't know what it is about Tino and Nova, but I just love their story. It's so emotional -- raw and dirty and compelling all at the same time. 

There were a few parts of this book that I absolutely loved. There is quite a bit of Carina and Brianna in this one. I really liked getting to know them better, and seeing them interact with Nova and Tino. It's such a crazy life they are all living -- it was really great to have that rounded out in The Enforcer's Revenge. I feel like I learned so much more about all of them, especially Tino. There is a very powerful scene where he talks about all the different "Tino's" there are, depending on who he is with. It was so eye opening and sad, all at the same time.  His emotional state is really in jeopardy by the end of the book. Oh, my heart!

I just love this series.  I recommend it to anyone who will listen.  The writing is terrific -- I feel pulled right into the story from the start. And the emotional content is sometimes tough, sometimes tender, and always interesting.  I can't wait for more.  

Definitely recommended for readers of dark romance, and dark romantic suspense. 

Friday, September 26, 2025

Review: Lover Forbidden (Black Dagger Brotherhood #23) by J. R. Ward

The aristocracy is making a run for the throne in this latest thrilling, star-crossed paranormal romance entry in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

When Lyric goes out for the night, she’s not ready for a brush with death—and she’s really not ready for the male who comes out of nowhere and saves her. Her family, especially her father, Qhuinn, are so relieved she’s okay, but all she can think about is her mysterious savior.

Without telling anybody, she seeks out Devlin, and they are immediately drawn to one another. Her near-death experience has given her a fresh appreciation for life and the desire to live it to its fullest, but she has no idea that he’s hiding a secret—or that he could be the key to ending the war between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the lessers forever.

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What I thought about Lover Forbidden

So here we are with a 23th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Wow. It's amazing that this series just keeps on going and these stories of the next generation have captured my interest.

Lover Forbidden deals with Lyric, Qhuinn's daughter and Rhamp's twin sister. She's an influencer who is disillusioned with her chosen occupation. One night an accident occurs that brings her in contact with Devlin, who happens to save her life. She's attracted to him and vice versa, but there is one big secret that keeps Devlin from Lyric. How I didn't figure this one out is beyond me, but it comes with a pretty big reveal that will make you catch your breath.

I liked this story even though it doesn't have tremendous depth to it. It's always great to get a new story from this world, and I love this new generation, especially LW, Shuli and Rhamp. There's some good stuff getting set up there for future stories. I was disappointed with Lover Forbidden because the reveal of Devlin's background is a big story, and the book just ho-hummed through it with a few sentences that everyone accepted the situation. No way, I say!! There is no way that Qhuinn's was okay with all of this, even when he's dealing with all the sadness that was happening in Blay's family.

I did like that it all had a happy ending, but I'm still shaking my head about Qhuinn's acceptance of Devlin, and Devlin's sudden dis-inheritance. Oh well. Still good. I'll read this series as long as JRW gives them to us!

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Review: Don't Say A Word (Angelhart Investigations #2) by Allison Brennan

 
 
 A tragic accident…or a murder?

The police ruled Elijah Martinez’s death an accidental drug overdose, but the teen’s grieving mother isn’t convinced. With the case officially closed, Angelhart Investigations is the only one who can help her find the truth. Margo Angelhart’s sure this will be an easy solve—she’ll talk to Elijah’s friends and employer, retrace his steps, and figure out what happened in his final hours.

Except none of his friends believe he did drugs, and the teacher who’s been vocal about the police mishandling the case turns up dead. Every thread Margo pulls leads back to a dangerous drug ring that once ran through the school.

When Margo’s brother Jack, a former cop, can’t get straight answers out of the police, they don’t know if it’s because of an active case…or a cover-up. Margo’s only sure of one thing—she has to find out what really happened to Elijah before more teens become pawns in a twisted scheme.
 
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What I thought about Don't Say A Word
 
Margo takes a pro-bono case to investigate the death of a young high school student. His death has been ruled an accidental overdose, but family and friends don't believe it and they ask Margo to investigate.

The investigation brings back a thirty year old case, introduces some new collaborators and kept this reader turning the pages until the very end. I guessed the culprit somewhere along the way and it became a matter of law enforcement and Angelhart investigations to connect all the dots.

There was also some romantic elements with Margo meeting a new potential date among the collaborators. This was an very nice and welcome addition to the story.

I'm loving this series and I see that I may get my wish with Mother Angelhart getting more involved. Looking forward to more in the series.
 

 
 
 Other books in the series
 
 
 
Angelhart Investigations # 0.5 
 
 
 
Things are heating up in Arizona in this thrilling novella introducing a page-turning new series by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

Margo Angelhart was recently certified as a private investigator, but she isn’t convinced that it’s her calling. All of her cases have been minor, mostly for family and haven’t paid the bills. She’s more than happy to keep bartending and figure out her post-military career later. That is, until prosecutor Andy Flannigan walks into her bar and offers her a case she can’t turn down…

Nineteen-year-old Sergio Diaz has confessed to murder—except Andy doesn’t buy it. With his own job on the line, Andy asks Margo to work the case discreetly. The more she digs, the more she’s convinced an innocent kid is going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Now she just needs to figure out why he’d confess. Can Margo prove Sergio’s innocence and help Andy find the real killer before anyone else dies?
 
 
 
 
Angelhart Investigations #1 
 
 
 Nothing brings family together like crime.

Working alone as a private investigator is tough. Estranged from her PI family, Margo Angelhart does what she must to get by—including taking on sordid cases that pay the bills, even if she’d rather be helping those the justice system has failed.

That is, until a cheating husband case she’s working intersects with her siblings’ corporate espionage investigation, forcing Margo to cooperate with the Angelhart firm. Now, as the siblings compare notes, it’s clear they need to work together before a white-collar crime escalates to murder.

With far more questions than answers and a key suspect on the run, they’ll need the whole family to pitch in. But as they investigate the ever-twisting mystery, Margo isn’t sharing everything. Can she learn to trust her family and heal their once-close relationship before her secrets put those she loves most in danger?
 
 
 Angelhart Investigations #1.5
 

A fabulous new series from the queen of crime fiction. —J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of It’s One of Us

In this suspenseful new novella in New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan’s Angelhart Investigations series, the PI team’s biggest client hires them to look into a burglary that quickly escalates into a case with deadly stakes.


Logan Monroe’s family is in danger. After his sister, Laura, and her kids are run off the road and their house is broken in to, Logan tasks the Angelharts with keeping them safe, and the PIs drop everything to take on the case.

But they quickly realize there’s more to the situation than anyone thinks. First, the burglars didn’t take anything—were they just trying to scare her or were they after something they didn’t find? Then Laura can’t reach her ex-husband, who was supposed to take the kids for the weekend. While Jack protects the family, Margo tries to find the ex…but he seems to have disappeared.

As she digs deeper, Margo uncovers someone hiding in the shadows who will do anything to get what he wants—including killing anyone who stands in his way.

Read my review 

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Review: Cowboy's Last Stand (His to Protect #1) by Jill Sorenson

 

U.S. Marine Jason Reed survived wounds that should have ended him. Instead, he’s stepping into the streets of Last Chance, Texas, to honor a battlefield promise to his fallen comrade. Haunted by war and torn between duty and the cowboy life calling him home, Jason plans to check on widowed Natalie Luna and move on. But Natalie’s fragile beauty and fierce resilience kindle a hunger he can’t outrun. When a dangerous suitor threatens her, Jason’s protective instincts surge, compelling him to stay awhile.

Natalie is barely holding on, juggling two jobs and a spirited son who tests her every day. She has no time for a charming stranger, even one trading handyman skills for a place to rest his head. Yet Jason’s disruptive presence stirs a longing she can’t ignore. She wants him in her bed, and if he proves worthy, maybe more. But Jason is a man of secrets—dare she trust him?

Can Jason protect Natalie from danger and win her heart? Or will the truth he hides destroy their shot at love?
 

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What I thought about Cowboy's Last Stand

Young widow Natalie has her hands full working two jobs as a single parent. She doesn't complain about it, she just puts her nose down and does what needs to be done. Ever since her husband was killed in action, she's had to carry the entire load for the family. When she meets Jason one night at work, she doesn't know that it will change many things in her life.

Jason has been traveling on foot after a serious injury in combat. He didn't expect to fall for Natalie but he can't seem to leave her alone, especially after Jason experiences an altercation in the bar where she works that escalates into more drama and danger later in the evening. It's all the typical small town behaviors -- look out for those that live there -- and be very suspicious of outsiders. Jason is the outsider and he seems to attract trouble.

There aren't too many surprises in this romance. You'll figure out the big secret of jason's appearance on your own probably, but that's okay. It's the slow burn and development of Jason and Natalie's feeling for each other that makes this a lovely romance. They are good for each other and it just takes a while for both to get on the same page.

There are some light suspense elements to this story as well, when a murder occurs in town and outsider Jason gets accused. Everything comes to a head and Jason and Natalie are forced to figure out how they feel about each other.

The pace of the story is slow and steady, which works with the growing attraction between the two main characters. While this is insta-attraction, it takes a while for the deep feelings to develop. With a precocious son to help season things, Cowboy's Last Stand is a quiet, deliberate romance that I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

Thursday, August 28, 2025

5 stars for We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter

 
The first thrilling mystery in the new North Falls series from Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and the Will Trent series.


Welcome to North Falls—a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or so they think.


Until the night of the fireworks. When two teenage girls vanish, and the town ignites.

For Officer Emmy Clifton, it’s personal. She turned away when her best friend's daughter needed help—and now she must bring her home.

But as Emmy combs through the puzzle the girls left behind, she realizes she never really knew them. Nobody did.

Every teenage girl has secrets. But who would kill for them? And what else is the town hiding?

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What I thought about We Are All Guilty Here

Missing persons and small town America come together in this new series from Karin Slaughter.  Emmy Clifton is second generation law officer, working with her father who is the Sheriff of North Falls. When two teenage girls go missing, they must work against the clock to find them and apprehend the killer. There are some close ties to family here in the investigation and as with a small town, there are deep secrets to unfold.

One of those secrets is the discovery of child pornography during the investigation. The heat gets turned up quite a bit and Emmy does a great job of keeping her focus on the case when things get personal and so difficult.The case becomes more complicated when DNA analysis shows the wrong person was arrested years ago.

Here is where things get really interesting and complex. Another FBI agent comes to assist and brings both expertise and drama to Emmy and her family. I don't want to spoil anything, so that's all I will say.  

I just loved this story.  The pace is excellent. I didn't want to put it down, and I was engaged with the story from the start.  I'm still thinking about it days later, especially since there is a big twist near the end that just flips a few things in a completely different direction and sets the stage for more of this series.  I don't know how I've never read this author before, but the author and this book will be on my list of favorites for 2025. 

If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery with excellent writing and story elements, you just might like this one as much as I did. 

 


 

Monday, August 25, 2025

Review: The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan


A ninth generation Appalachian herself, Archer Sullivan brings the mountains of North Carolina to life in The Witch’s Orchard, a wonderfully atmospheric novel that introduces private investigator Annie Gore.


Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore joined the military right after high school to escape the fraught homelife of her childhood. Now, she’s getting by as a private investigator and her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler not unlike the one where she grew up.

Ten years ago, three little girls went missing from their tiny mountain town. While one was returned, the others were never seen again. After all this time without answers, the brother of one of the girls wants to hire an outsider, and he wants Annie. While she may not be from his town, she gets mountain towns. Mountain people. Driving back into the hills for a case this old—it might be a fool’s errand. But Annie needs to put money in the bank and she can’t turn down a case. Not even one that dredges up her own painful past.

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track the truth, navigating a decade’s worth of secrets, folklore of witches and crows, and a whole town that prefers to forget. But while the case may have been buried, echoes of the past linger. And Annie’s arrival stirs someone into action.

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What I thought about The Witch's Orchard

Private investigator Annie Gore needs a client, so when she is offered a job in a small mountain town in North Carolina, she takes it. Ten years ago three girls went missing, and the brother of one of the girls is looking for something -- the answer to what happened to his sister, and whether she's still alive. Annie comes to town to uncover all the secrets and shake things up in a big way.

The action moves along quite nicely in this story, with the witch's tale bring a taste of the supernatural and it illustrates just how a story can change as it gets told over and over. I liked that part of the story.

Annie runs afoul of the locals as she investigates the missing girls. She might be an outsider, but she's aware of how folks in a small town act and react to strangers poking around.  It isn't long before she finds herself in real trouble.

The pacing is good, and Annie is an interesting main character. There are hints of a relationship with a former colleague throughout, but it's all very hazy at this point. Annie likes to shake things up and I liked that about her.

Overall, a very engaging mystery with plenty of what-happened-there moments and a few twists.  I really didn't see the ending coming about the way it did, and that contributes to the suspense of the story.  The secondary characters, especially the witch in the woods, help round out the story by representing their unique environment. I enjoyed this look inside the small Appalachian town and the mystery of the missing girls. It kept me interested until the very end. 

 




 

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Review: The Soldier (Alpha Cove #1) by Susan Stoker

  

In this steamy contemporary romance about family, unforeseen circumstances, and unexpected love, an ex-military man and a down-on-her-luck woman find more than they bargained for when they find each other.

When Chad Young moves home, it’s not a decision he makes lightly. A former military man, he doesn’t make any decision lightly. But his father’s passing has left the family—and their business—reeling. Now more than ever, they need to stick together.

Britt Starkweather moved to Maine with her boyfriend, never imagining he’d abandon her there. With no money and nowhere to go, she accepts the Youngs’ offer of a job and room on their property. What more does she have to lose?

Although they just met, Chad makes Britt feel safe in a way no one has before. And she makes him feel things he’d given up on finding. But even as they grow closer, Britt realizes that something is amiss at Lobster Cove…and Chad will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

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What I thought about The Soldier

 When Chad Young's father passes away, he decides to move back home along with his other brothers to run the family business. He meets Britt one morning and offers her a job and a place to stay because he just senses that she needs some help, and she does. Chad and his brothers are all ex-military and they have character and charisma for everyone, and it doesn't take long for Britt to understand that Chad is just a good, decent man. Unfortunately, not everyone holds the same standards in Lobster Cove, which causes a good deal of drama and peril for Britt and Chad's mom. 

I was really looking forward to digging into this story. This author has a good reputation for writing romantic suspense and I was ready for that sort of story. What I got was something closer to romance than romantic suspense. I don't want to say more because it might spoil it for you, but I thought with all that military background in the family, that it would come into play, but that wasn't the case here. 

Overall, this is a pleasant romance with some insta-attraction between two good-hearted people. It's hard not to get behind Chad and Britt's romance. The drama and suspense is light-weight and quickly resolved without too much trouble, which I why I found this to be more romance than romantic suspense. A sweet romantic tale starts this Alpha Cove series.


5 Stars for The Enforcer's Revenge (Untamed Hearts #4) by Kele Moon

Tino Moretti is a hardened, dangerous man, forged from the unforgiving fires of the Italian Mafia. The only joy in his difficult life is B...