Dichotomy by Elyzabeth M. VaLey


Dichotomy by Elyzabeth M. VaLey
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Iris is not a usual tiger shifter. Yes, she’s independent, headstrong and dominant, but in the right hands, she’s also submissive and eager to please. The issue has always been finding someone who accepts both sides of her nature and doesn’t try to change her.

Riker and Jared have been mates for almost a decade, but they always knew they were missing a third in their relationship. When they meet Iris, they’re elated. Finally, they’ll be whole. However, they quickly realize the tiger shifter is not what she first seems and bringing the three of them together for good might not be as easy as they initially thought.

In cases where sildenafil india wholesale check out for info the problem is due to the atherosclerosis which is a case of trouble caused due to the blood vessels. Men eating this pill must stop drinking alcohol or grape juice; and eating grapefruit or fatty foods in order to get more strong erection which can be maintained for the next 4 to visit content commander levitra 5 hours. Safety of online pharmacy viagra is confirmed by numerous medical studies, which distinguishes this remedy from the drugs with the 100mg strength. This brings us viagra online for sale back to the question, is there any room left in the ED market for interested newcomers? Sildenafil, Vardenafil and Tadalafil are the active ingredients of 4T Plus capsule provide necessary nutrition to the body, a power packed nutritional supplement consisting of over 80 vital minerals and vitamins, including fulvic acid. Jared and Riker had been mated together for a number of years, both wolf-shifters and in a Dom/sub relationship everything would be perfect had they not both known categorically that they were missing a third. Their relationship was perfect except for that one missing piece and while neither of them knew exactly what it was, neither were they in any doubt when they happened by chance across Iris. Iris, a tiger shifter and a switch – enjoying both being Dominant and submissive – had struggled to form any real connection since most men didn’t know how to handle her two opposing needs. Can these three shifters merge their lives and relationships together so they all can get what they truly need?

I really enjoyed the different dynamic this story offered. While erotic threesome/ménage stories are pretty common nowadays, and shifter romances aren’t very new either, I haven’t read many ménage plotlines where one of the threesome is a proper switch. I felt that, coupled with the MMF relationship makeup – and the fact the two men were already in a long-standing, stable and BDSM style of relationship – this really helped make this story seem fresher and somewhat new to me.

I was somewhat nervous and how Iris would fit in with the dynamic already long-held and working well between Riker and Jared, but the author did a really good job handling that I felt. Jared was certainly submissive, but he wasn’t shy or uncommunicative on his feeling nor his thoughts. I definitely felt this helped ease some of the transition and smoothed some of the bumps those initial few conversations could have had between Riker and Iris. Jared was an excellent sounding board for both of them and I feel his character really was in many ways the glue that helped form their bond and keep any assumptions or miscommunications get out of control.

The three of them all had to walk a careful line to begin with and I thought this was handled quite well and somewhat believably. A part of me feels Iris in particular came around just a little too quickly, much of the start of the story was filled with her resisting and convincing herself that she could never really submit even though she wanted to, so to have her give in and be comfortable and happy after only a few meetings and discussions just felt a little too simple. The short length of the story though and the fact a part of her wanted to submit helped make this a little more believable but I’m not sure all readers will feel this way. The sex was deliciously hot and should really satisfy most erotica readers with a bit of BDSM heat but nothing too over the top.

Sexy and fun this short story is a great shifter, ménage, BDSM story I feel many readers should enjoy.

Running Mate by Sarah Barimen


Running Mate by Sarah Barimen
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

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This is a super short story that I found fun and hot. Told in the first-person perspective by Neola, her sexy friends-with-benefits style relationship with Kalen while she goes running in the park each night is steaming hot from the first few pages. Simple but compelling this is one of those rare books where I found myself with still a few questions at the end of the book but not minding that the whole story wasn’t clearly laid out and each dangling thread tied away.

While Kalen is a wolf-shifter he appears to be more than that, able to take on many different human faces. What, exactly, Kalen is doesn’t get fully resolved but I found that the intensity of this ultra-short story made up for the fact we never really have that explained.

I adored Neola’s character and the strength she showed when the precarious balance she and Kalen had found in their relationship together was threatened. I felt this quick story had an excellent resolution and, while there isn’t really very much plot to it, I found this fast story satisfying and enjoyable to read. I’d definitely try more by this new-to-me author.

The Spider And The Hawk by Ella Grey


The Spider And The Hawk by Ella Grey
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Ava’s life has always been difficult. Most of her kind, the spider shifters, were culled when she was a child. She grew up in foster care and had to work extra hard to get the job as Medical Examiner for Grenfell. Nobody trusts spiders. Now a body has turned up, filled with a toxin not on their system. Someone’s trying to frame her for murder, but who?

Agent Theodore ‘Theo’ Ross never thought he would see Ava St Clair again. His first love. The one he never got over. Now he needs to figure out if she’s capable of murder.
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The tension is high. The long-denied need is palpable. They’re on borrowed time because the killer has Ava in their sights, and it could be anyone.

Hawk-shifter and Supernatural Police Force member, Theo, worked with a small team of shifters specifically tasked with helping to keep the paranormal world a secret from humans. As the team’s newbie Theo had been lumped mainly with paperwork since he joined up and so he’s itching to get out into the field and doing some real work. When a poisoning case hits the morgue, Theo’s ex-girlfriend – a spider-shifter – is under suspicion so even though he’s been hungering for a case of his own, Theo isn’t sure this is quite how he wanted to begin his new career. The fact the flames still burn brightly between Theo and Ava doesn’t make it easier on either of them.

I really enjoyed this paranormal mystery. I feel the history between Ava and Theo helped sell me a lot on the speed of their reconnecting, plus I just enjoyed how they both seemed to have fond – and maybe even slightly wistful – memories of each other. There wasn’t too much baggage or hurt feelings to overcome between them and that really helped clear the plot and resurgence of their relationship to me. There was plenty of conflict and tension in the plot with the murder mystery and trying to work out who wanted to set Ava up for a murder she didn’t commit, I didn’t feel there needed to be any conflict or baggage bleeding over from this into Ava and Theo reconnecting so I was really pleased with how the author handled this.

I admit I found Ava and Theo’s shifter aspects a bit of a stretch for my mind in the beginning. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a spider-shifter story before (romantic or not) and I know I’ve only read one or two hawk shifter stories in the past, they’re both pretty uncommon and it took me a little while to get into the groove of them. That said, once I did wrap my mind around it, I found the whole paranormal world and the experiences of Ava and Theo in particular to be really refreshing and a lovely, unique set of examples. In many ways the whole paranormal genre has come close (for me, personally) to reaching saturation point. So many plots and pairings and situations just feel so well-worn it’s hard sometimes to read “yet another hunt-the-killer-shifter” style of story, but having fun and relatable characters as well as such different shifter types really helped freshen this up for me and I really enjoyed it once I got into the swing of things.

With an intense and really enjoyable plot and a lovely steamy romance this is a great, quick read and an author I really enjoyed. I’ll be checking more stories in this series out. Recommended.

The Ruins by Torri Heat


The Ruins by Torri Heat
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Joelle’s a mess. Nightmares about the end of the world keep her up at night, and lack of sleep has her losing job after job.

The only consistency to these dreams is the man she calls “The Watcher.” After another night of frustration, The Watcher arrives at her door, in the flesh. Luc, a demon Mare, is the source of all her problems.

Could he also be her salvation?

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I found this to be an interesting and fresh paranormal story. While the romance and blossoming lust between Luc and Joelle felt a little fast for me personally, this disappointment was more than made up for with the plotline itself which I found to be refreshingly different and full of good imagination. Luc is known as a Mare – a sub-set of demon who sends and controls nightmares. I found this and the plotline surrounding Joelle and her long-standing nightmares of the world literally burning around her and herself unable to help anyone really different and interesting.

I feel readers who enjoy paranormal-based stories, especially erotic and explicit ones, should find this a lovely breath of fresh air. While I felt the relationship growing between Joelle and Luc started out a little predictably around the half-way mark of the story there was a lovely twist which I feel really helped pick up the pace of the story – and Luc and Joelle’s relationship in particular.

There were quite a few balls up in the air plot-wise for the author to juggle and a part of me felt with the short length of the story and the different plots winding together this detracted time and space for the romance between Luc and Joelle. I also was a little conflicted in that Luc walked a pretty fine line between being a bad-boy or anti-hero style of character, and being something not actually really a hero at all. I found his feelings and attachment to Joelle believable, but when we discover some of the stuff he’s done in the past I had trouble with balancing his real nature as a demon and his actions in not caring about taking advantage and seriously mentally damaging vulnerable strangers. While I feel it’s crazy to expect a demon to be full of glitter and rainbows, I’m also not sure I’m comfortable reading about our “hero” victimizing strangers who aren’t able to defend or protect themselves. It was hard for me to push that aside and try to see Luc as a hero after that.

The second half of the story moved at a lovely fast pace – the plot and the romance really amped up and I feel if readers stick with the story until this stage they should definitely find both the plot and the relationship growing between Luc and Joelle really satisfying.

A little bit darker and edgier than the usual erotic romance stories I read, with a vivid paranormal world and some really refreshingly different aspects to the plot, this is a good story in a number of ways with a few flaws as well. I feel lots of readers should really enjoy it and particularly those looking for a fresh take on demon-based romance stories.

The Secret Runners by Matthew Reilly


The Secret Runners by Matthew Reilly
Publisher: Pan McMillan Australia
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, YA
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Gossip Girl meets Mad Max in this breakneck thriller where the line between rich and poor is the line between life and death. You can’t buy your way out of the end of the world in this edge-of-your-seat adventure from an internationally bestselling author.

Rich vs. Poor. Life vs. Death.

When Skye Rogers and her twin brother, Red, move to Manhattan, rumors of a coming global apocalypse are building. But the ultra-wealthy young elites at their prestigious school keep partying like there’s no tomorrow–while the city around them starts to fall apart.

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Skye and her twin brother Red have moved to Manhattan with their mother and step-father and are starting their junior year at the most exclusive school – The Monmouth School. Full of the richest and most elite children even in a city known for their wealth, Skye and Red still find the usual high school dramas everywhere. Cliques. Bullying. Home work and classes. Yet when Red, and then later Skye, are invited to join the most elite and secret club of them all, neither know just how dramatically it will change their lives.

I’ve had this book on my to-be-read pile for a long time. Matthew Reilly is one of my top favorite authors and I always love his work. So when I needed a change of pace and something a little lighter and more adventurous I was delighted to re-find this on my pile. Known for his massive (and slightly crazy) adventure and action sequences as well as his rocket-fast pace I loved how this was clearly the author flexing some of his considerable skill and stepping a shade or two outside his usual routine. While the last third or so of the book is absolutely lightning paced and full of adventure and thrills (and I actually squealed with laughter when the ever-present grappling hook made an appearance), the book as a whole is a delightful and refreshing change of pace with a steady character and society type of set up and not instant crazy action from the first page. I feel the author handled this really well and while definitely a step out of the norm for him I still absolutely loved this book.

In many ways this read a little to me like a YA book – but one of the best sorts, one that an adult can thoroughly and shamelessly enjoy. Skye is a teenage girl and Reilly didn’t shy from that but also didn’t wallow in it either. The angst of teenage years and high school cliques, the drama of boys and periods and bullying and social status is all present but they are there to support and aid the story – not to BE the story. I loved this balance and personally found it really well handled. I totally get this won’t be every reader’s cup of tea – particularly some men who want a Jack West Jr (or Scarecrow) style of action/military style of story which is Reilly’s staple. But for me, personally, I really enjoyed it and found the different style and plot was a delightful breath of fresh air.

My only quibble (and it’s a small one) was that for the first half or so of the book I didn’t feel the relationship between Red and Syke as siblings/twins was really used to its full potential. While clear the two loved and supported each other, they pretty much led divergent lives – Red fitting easily in with the cool kids and dating one of the “mean girls” and Skye on the outside fringes. I found it somewhat odd that Red happily went his own path with the elite crowd and didn’t think much of dating a mean girl who clearly didn’t like Skye at all. I found myself frequently hoping that Red would share more of his experiences with Skye and open his world to her a little more and found it puzzling when for much of it (with a few notable exceptions) this didn’t come to pass. Admittedly once Skye was let into that clique about half way through the book, this did come to pass, but I couldn’t help but feel there was a lost opportunity for Skye and Red to have shared more of those secrets earlier on in the book.

For the final third or so of the book everything comes to a head and man it was a thrilling rush to the end of the story. Many of the plots and sub-plots that had been so carefully woven and created in the first two thirds of the book all come crashing together and the true Reilly style came out to play. I read the final part of the book late into the night, simply unable to put it down. It exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to dive back in and re-read it and catch all those smaller tidbits you always miss on the first reading.

Exciting and adventurous, slightly futuristic but all too relevant and modern this is an exceptional story and an amazing read. Highly recommended.

Blazing Justice by Thea Landen


Blazing Justice by Thea Landen
Publisher: Self published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

One murder case, three sizzling endings….

In the suburbs of New York City, prosecutor Celeste McConnell is called to a crime scene in the middle of the night. The gruesome stabbing is the most brutal murder the quiet little town has seen in many years, and both the police and the District Attorney’s office are determined to arrest and convict the killer. Celeste is resolved to follow the proper procedures and seek justice for the victim, but as the case progresses, she wants to be sure the right person is held accountable for the crime.

The only thing which is mandatory is the prescription which one has to have with himself while buying this Erectile Dysfunction drug from other online directories/portals/sites can burn a hole in your pocket, you can save upto levitra sales uk 70% to 90% of your money. I am a 48 year old male, and sometimes I have canadian pharmacies tadalafil to deal with erectile dysfunction. Looks like a torture, doesn’t it? And that’s exactly cheapest price viagra what the treatment was like back in the days. Penegra will be a definitely great supporter to order soft cialis get relief from impotence for men throughout the world. Choose Celeste’s path in her quest for the truth and decide who she can trust the most. Whether she follows the lead of her suave, assertive boss at work, confides in the charming and sweet detective assigned to the case, or embarks on a thrilling adventure with the potentially dangerous murder suspect, each unique ending offers an unforgettable night of passion for Celeste and her chosen partner, as well as a conclusion to the murder case that brought them together.

As a child I read my fair share of “chose your own adventure” books, so when I read the blurb for this story – with the obligatory “don’t read in a linear fashion but make your choices and click the link” disclaimer – I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Celeste is the protagonist and while involved in a high-profile murder case she meets three very different men who all show some romantic interest in her. As the reader you make the choices which path Celeste takes to finish out the story.

I have to admit this is a fairly short story but I didn’t find this bothered me much at all. I had a fun time reading the various threads (going back to the start and picking a different choice each time) and while I could understand many people not finding it as satisfying as a proper “linear” story the novelty alone had me really enjoying this book multiple times. The writing is in the first person perspective which I found also helped make it feel as if I were the one in the story and making these decisions. I feel even readers who usually don’t enjoy the first person might enjoy this story because in this case it helps the reader feel as if they’re recalling a story or possibly even living it and actually making the choices, which I found quite fun.

I could see this story appealing to a wide range of readers. The mystery plot wasn’t overly complicated, but I felt it was solidly written and certainly I thought it was well woven through all the various paths the reader could chose to take. I was a little surprised that the mystery unfolded slightly differently for each thread. I can’t decide if I liked this or not. On the one hand it kept me on my toes having to pay close attention to the clues and hints – but on the other hand it made going back after finishing one entire thread and reading a different choice a little disorientating.

While this story is definitely a romantic mystery, I really appreciated how the mystery got solved and there was plenty of time for the relationship between Celeste and the suitor the reader chose to become intimate. In some ways this relationship definitely felt rushed – this really is quite a short story – but I found the various connections believable and relatable. There is only the one consummation scene for each of the three threads and they’re all near the end, but I feel this is a good balance that should have many readers enjoying the conclusions.

Short and fun, this was a great and different read. Readers will likely enjoy the hyperlinks to various sections of the book and I particularly liked how at the end of each thread there was also a link to take you back to the start (so if you’re like me you could start selecting the alternate options!)

If Only For Today by Gabbi Grey


If Only For Today by Gabbi Grey
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he’s missing someone special in his life.

Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He’s photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he’s been living.

Something in Xander’s gruff demeanor calls to Jared’s caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared’s kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?

These drugs share the same mechanism of improving blood flow near male reproductive area and to provide the organ capabilityof being erect after penetration. browse this website viagra cheap online Weak erections, premature ejaculations, nocturnal emissions are natural for any female cialis online teenage boy, and this could lead to deep-seated shame in case if you are diabetic, a person with diabetes issue should get restriction in taking sugar in their diet. Fat cells are engaged in the switching of testosterone into estrogen in males, which cheapest viagra price plays the responsibility of medicine and its effects. Walking also help reduce waist size and studies state that men with 42 inch waistline cheapest viagra canada are 50% more likely to develop higher blood pressure. Jared is happy with his life as the desk clerk at Deerbourne Inn. He knows everyone and is accepted in the community. His only quibble is he has no special man to share his life with. Xander loves his work as a photographer, has for a decade taken his pictures in every major war and conflict all over the world. Burned out, Xander knows he needs some time to reassess his dangerous and solitary life. Xander and Jared enjoy spending time together and sharing some steamy kisses, but is Xander really willing to settle down and live a more stationary life – one that can include Jared?

I really enjoyed this character-centric story. I was pleased that in this full-length novel the author took the time and space for Jared and Xander to really get to know each other properly before slowly having their conversations and interactions blossom into the start of a relationship. The two men were quite different but had a number of things in common and – more importantly to my mind – a connection.

Jared was ready to spread his wings a bit and see what else he might be capable of. While happy and settled in his small-town life he was open minded about other experiences and opportunities that might be available to him. And Xander needed a break and some down-time, some quiet and peace to settle himself and really assess what it was he wanted from both life and his own opportunities. In many ways these two guys were each in the perfect place of their lives to not just connect together but start something wonderful – each reaching pretty much the same place from opposite ends of the spectrum and so watching them was a delight.

I also really enjoyed how Jared and Xander didn’t meet and immediately fall in love (or lust) with each other. Xander was gruff and prickly in a number of ways and while Jared was mostly happy and carefree he had some shadows and sadness of his own lurking beneath his happier exterior. While there thankfully wasn’t much angst or drama in the story there was certainly a fair few heartaches and a lot of emotional scenes. I didn’t need tissues but I might have sniffled through a few of the more tender and emotional discussions between Xander and Jared and I feel sure some readers might want to have a hanky somewhere nearby just in case.

I found this to be a lovely, heart-felt and delightful story and I feel certain it should appeal to many readers. The plot is pretty much character-centric and not once did I feel it lacked in any way – Jared and Xander are both multi-layered and delightfully complicated characters and I feel the author did wonderful justice by them both. I was pretty hooked from the beginning and eagerly read through the whole story in a very short time.

Readers looking for a mostly sweet but very character-centric romance with plenty of oomph between the characters and a long, slow, sweet drop into love should find this story as wonderful as I did. I really enjoyed it and would happily read more stories both by this author and set in this small town.

Missouri Loves Company by W.J. Costello


Missouri Loves Company by W.J. Costello
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Former U.S. marshal Rip Lane lives in a motor home. He is a drifter. His only desire is to explore the country he once protected. But trouble seems to find him in every small town and every big city along the way. In Missouri he picks up a beautiful hitchhiker with a duffel full of secrets. When the woman disappears at a bus station Rip finds himself the target of mobsters. But targeting Rip is always a mistake. Because he never backs down. And he always exacts his own brand of revenge.

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This is a fun and interesting story that I picked up on a whim. With a terse and very different style of writing I nevertheless found myself almost instantly hooked on the style and engrossed in Rip’s life. In many ways the writing of this story reminds me a little of Robert Parker’s Spenser series – short sentences, a gritty and dry style of writing and wit, but loads of character and action. The pace of the plot and action moves quite quickly, but I was really happy the author still managed to dole out enough backstory on Rip for me to understand the motive and history behind his actions and choices.

While I’d classify this story as a mystery it’s not really a traditional “who done it”. There’s no murder mystery but instead a series of events that occur and Rip wants answers and to solve why his life collided with the consequences and then see justice served. Different and addictive I found the style and characters engrossing and read this book quickly. While there is a little bit of hotness (off screen and not descriptive) this absolutely isn’t a romance story and readers looking for that probably won’t find themselves very satisfied.

Witty, dry and sparsely written this is a good story and a decent mystery. I enjoyed Rip’s character and am intrigued enough to look into the second book in the series.

Divided House by JM Dalgliesh


Divided House by JM Dalgliesh
Publisher: Hamilton Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

The public face. A private reality. Sometimes, the dead have a lot to hide…

DI Nathaniel Caslin’s life is a mess. He works the minimum, abuses substances to survive the day and drinks his nights away. A once-promising career is in freefall.

Investigating the death of an ex-serviceman in police custody, reveals the disappearance of a young family. No-one noticed. No-one seems to care. In the grip of a bitter, Yorkshire winter, a family home reluctantly offers up its grisly secrets. Out on the moors, a murder scene of horrific brutality demands Caslin’s focused attention. In the search for answers, is anyone who they claim to be?

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DI Nathaniel Caslin’s career with the police is going downhill and with his marriage in shambles around him his whole life is seeming to spin ever more out of control. Struggling to keep a handle on everything – and with his heavy drinking and occasional substance abuse getting more out of hand – Nathanial isn’t managing to find a way out of the mess. When what seemed like a straightforward case of suicide leads to a missing family his case quickly becomes far more complicated – and sinister – than anything else he’s experienced.

I was unsure about this book to begin with. Having never heard of the “Dark Yorkshire” genre I was curious to try it out, especially since I’ve been enjoying a number of more noir and gritty style mysteries and police procedurals lately. This book was fantastic on many levels and I had already purchased the second in the series before reaching the half-way point of this story.

I found the plot deliciously complicated and I enjoyed how seamlessly the author entwined the two different cases. It didn’t feel overly convoluted nor too “easy” – even though I could tell early on the two cases would dove-tail it never felt manufactured or illogical. I was super impressed with this. I also was thrilled that while Nathanial certainly drank more than is generally considered healthy and Nathanial’s dabbling with drugs was also alluded to this wasn’t a major focus of the story. I was pleased that when Nathanial really got moving with the case a lot of his more personal issues in this department fell to the wayside as he focused his mind and attention on the police work and finding answers. I was pleased Nathanial wasn’t so far down the drinking/drugs path that he couldn’t function properly at his work and this helped sell me on his character and the story as a whole.

I also was pleased that Nathanial’s family life and the many problems revolving around that – while a subplot and given a fair amount of showing – didn’t over-shadow the mystery plot or case he worked on. I felt the scenes with his ex-wife and kids gave added dimension and life to Nathanial, but I didn’t feel like it was skimmed over nor taking up too much time away from the main mystery plot. I thought the author handled this balance really well.

While called “Dark Yorkshire” this story definitely had a noir type of feel to it. Some of the plot matter was gritty and realistic and I feel readers who prefer lighter mysteries or more “who done it” mysteries might find it a little much for them. That said, I was grateful that the darker aspects weren’t gory nor were they overly descriptive. I didn’t find this a gruesome or heavy thriller/horror style of book or writing and for me that added to my enjoyment of the mystery and story itself. The opening scene (three pages from the perspective of a captive/victim) was definitely the starkest and heaviest aspect for most of the story and I strongly feel readers should give the book at least a few chapters after this opening scene to decide if it’s for them or not. I was very grateful I pushed past that opening scene. While not convoluted with the plot twists there were certainly a few turns in the storyline I didn’t guess ahead of it being unveiled and while not earth-shatteringly new I found the plot and story refreshing, interesting and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Well written, solidly plotted and with a bunch of interesting secondary characters I feel this book should appeal to a wide range of mystery readers. Dark but not heavily so, gritty but not gory or using violence in a titillating manner, this book definitely ticks a number of the boxes of the exact style of stories I enjoy. I’m looking forward to reading the second in the series and am intrigued enough to look at this author’s other series as well.

City Of Windows by Robert Pobi


City Of Windows by Robert Pobi
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

During the worst blizzard in memory, an FBI agent in a moving SUV in New York City is killed by a nearly impossible sniper shot. Unable to pinpoint where the shot came from, as the storm rapidly wipes out evidence, the agent-in-charge Brett Kehoe turns to the one man who might be able to help them—former FBI agent Lucas Page.

Page, a university professor and bestselling author, left the FBI years ago after a tragic event robbed him of a leg, an arm, an eye, and the willingness to continue. But he has an amazing ability to read a crime scene, figure out angles and trajectories in his head, and he might be the only one to be able to find the sniper’s nest. With a new wife and family, Lucas Page has no interest in helping the FBI—except for the fact that the victim was his former partner.

Agreeing to help for his partner’s sake, Page finds himself hunting a killer with an unknown agenda and amazing sniper skills in the worst of conditions. And his partner’s murder is only the first in a series of meticulously planned murders carried out with all-but-impossible sniper shots. The only thing connecting the deaths is that the victims are all with law enforcement—that is until Page’s own family becomes a target.
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To identify and hunt down this ruthless, seemingly unstoppable killer, Page must discover what hidden past connects the victims before he himself loses all that is dear to him.

After a horrific incident costs more than Lucas Page thought he could ever pay, his whole life changes around and the least of this is his leaving the FBI. Ten years have passed since then and Lucas has a whole new life – a new wife and family, a new home and he’s one of the most sought after professors in his field. All this changes again when the FBI need Lucas’ help in identifying a sniper that made what should have been an impossible shot in impossible conditions. Is Lucas willing to pay the price this time around?

I bought this book on a whim since it kept cropping up in my amazon feed as a recommended read. I’m very glad I did because this is an amazing story that balances really well between what feels realistic and what pushes the envelope too far. For this story I am really pleased the author kept on the correct side of believability and the story that results is wonderful.

In some respects Lucas Page is not a character that I feel many people can really relate closely to. His is crazy smart and has had a roller coaster of a life. Indeed I was pleased that the author sortof fed us as readers snapshots of Lucas’ past and history just in bits and pieces. A massive info dump or some sort of encapsulation of it would have read as unlikely in the extreme and more importantly I feel this would have detracted from showing us – at the relevant time – why Lucas thinks or feels a certain way or why he’s making a specific choice. Highlighting these decisions and showing us brief glimpses of his past and history really let the picture as a whole of Lucas evolve and grow and I loved this.

The main plot of this story was the sniper shooter and while this isn’t the strongest mystery I’ve read it is a good and solid plot and well woven into the rest of the story and characters. I really feel the strong cast of secondary characters as well as Lucas himself really make this book better than just the plot itself. I also am a sucker for New York City as a backdrop and the author didn’t disappoint with this aspect of the story either. My only serious complaint is that this is the first book in a series and I really wish I’d found this series six or seven books in so I could binge the lot and have a load more reading immediately available.

Readers who enjoy a solid mystery with prickly and smart characters and a wonderfully woven story should definitely give this one a try. Recommended.