The Walls by Hollie Overton

September 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment


The Walls by Hollie Overton
Publisher: Century
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (416 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review by: Cholla

A heart-stopping psychological suspense novel about a Texas prison official driven to commit the perfect crime, by the author of the international bestselling thriller Baby Doll.

WOULD YOU KILL TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY?

Working on death row is far from Kristy Tucker’s dream, but she is grateful for a job that allows her to support her son and ailing father.

When she meets Lance Dobson, Kristy begins to imagine a different kind of future. But after their wedding, she finds herself serving her own life sentence—one of abuse and constant terror.

But Kristy is a survivor, and as Lance’s violence escalates, the inmates she’s worked with have planted an idea she simply can’t shake.

Now she must decide whether she’ll risk everything to protect her family.

Does she have what it takes to commit the perfect crime?

For as long as she can remember, it’s been her, her dad, and her little boy. So, when Kristy Tucker meets Lance Dobson, she’s wary at first, but is soon won over by his charm and gregarious nature. But is he too good to be true or are years of having to survive on her own dragging her down?

Kristy Tucker has worked hard to give her son, Ryan, everything he needs. She hates her job working in public information officer for the Texas Department of Corrections, but it pays well and helps her get what she needs. Even though her job is difficult on both physical and mental levels, Kristy always manages to give her family and the inmates she’s responsible for one hundred percent of her best effort. She’s an extremely complex character who has a lot going on internally.

I think it’s easy to see that there’s something very wrong with Lance from the beginning. Anyone who has managed to develop as much blind devotion as Lance has is a giant red flag. You can’t fault Kristy for wanting to believe, however. She’s a loving and devoted wife and daughter and deserves a little happiness for herself. Lance makes sure to take every ounce of it away in the end.

Although there were many times when Lance came across as over the top, he remains frightening and intense throughout the entire novel. Thankfully, I’ve never been in this kind of situation so it’s hard for me to judge whether he’s overly dramatic or if this is possibly real life. When Kristy finally makes her decision to stand up for herself, protect not just her own life but those of her loved ones, I found myself all in with her crazy plan. While I don’t think it would have succeeded in real life, it still took guts to do what needed to be done for everyone involved.

The Walls is an interesting look into death row in Texas as well as an intense rollercoaster ride of a story. One of the best books I’ve read this year and had me turning the pages as fast as I was able.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Canary for the Dragon by Angelique Voisen

September 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Canary for the Dragon by Angelique Voisen
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (61 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistletoe

Sky’s a canary prince that’s been kept in a gilded cage all his life. As a breeder for his dying people, it’s his job to find a suitable mate and continue the bloodline. All he wants to experience is a one-night-stand with a stranger he’s attracted to, before someone puts a permanent lock on his cage.

Rex’s a century-old Alpha dragon shifter trying to make it past each day. Losing his mate tore his soul in half. As a result, his dragon’s broken beyond repair. When Rex meets Sky, he realizes he’s been given a second chance at love. But things are never that simple.

Sky’s powerful avian family wants their breeder back and Sky’s terrified for Rex. Little does Sky know who the real threat is. When a dragon finds his mate, the hunt never ends until the Alpha claims his mate.

Sky is looking for safety and love. Could Rex be the man to give him that? Can a canary find a way to save a dragon? Rex lives in his own prison, one of his own making. His daily trips to listen to a beautiful bird’s song gives him a little peace in his life. When fate has the two crossing paths Rex can do nothing but step in to save Sky but in the end it just might be two men saving each other. Will love win in the end? Can Rex and Sky be what each other needs?

I really enjoyed Sky and Rex’s story. The author does a wonderful job of bringing these men to life and filling them full of depth. Each man has his own pain to deal with and maybe even try to overcome. Alone they only survive but together they fight. Sky is a small shifter but he is ready to stand up for himself and others of his kind. Rex is mighty and when he wants something there is no stopping him. The two make a wonderful pair and I loved seeing them fight for their love. Each one believes the other deserves better and the two must make some hard choices if they want to find their happy ever after. Love is a special thing and it should always be fought for. Rex and Sky learn this lesson the hard way. Their story is a fast-paced adventure that shows us the power of true love and what it can do. I enjoyed my trip to this world and cannot wait to return for more.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

iHunt: Killing Monsters in the Gig Economy by David A. Hill Jr.

September 21, 2017 By 3 Comments


iHunt: Killing Monsters in the Gig Economy by David A. Hill Jr.
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Paranormal, Horror
Length: Full Length (269 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Astilbe

It’s like Uber, but for slaying monsters!

Lana is a monster hunter. She kills vampires, werewolves, demons and all the other terrifying creatures of the night. She doesn’t do it because she’s the chosen one. She doesn’t do it because it’s her duty. She does it because working one job just doesn’t cut it for a millenial in Southern California.

She takes contracts using iHunt, an app which freelance monster hunters use to find profitable prey. It’s like Supernatural meets Uber, Buffy meets Airbnb, and sadly, Blade meets Fiverr.

Lana’s story is about making ends meet, about economic anxiety, and about what a person’s willing to do to pay the bills. It’s a equal parts horror, dark humor, slice of life, and social commentary on the gig economy.

I’ve reviewed hundreds of books for Long and Short Reviews over the last five years. This is the by far the best one I’ve ever reviewed for them.

The character development was amazing. Lana was an incredibly complex woman whose personality could never be condensed to a few short sentences. Everything I learned about her was doled out gradually between and during her various iHunt assignments, That only made me more curious to find out more about her. I especially loved how much time Mr. Hill spent exploring her many reasons for signing up to be a monster hunter. Every single one of them taught me more about her as a person while they were also pushing the plot forward in all kinds of exciting ways.

Speaking of the plot, the pacing of it was so beautifully relentless that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page. The blurb gave an excellent introduction to this universe, but there were many new conflicts and characters introduced later on in the storyline that were somehow even more fascinating than the original idea of freelancers being hired to kill monsters.

One of the many reasons why I gave this story the highest rating possible is how much attention it paid to real-world issues. The characters dealt with all kinds of frustrating situations when they weren’t actively fighting monsters: dealing with deeply prejudiced people, running out of money well before payday, experiencing truly terrible customer service, and so much more. Some of these scenes made me laugh, while others made me wince. All of them developed this world so thoroughly that I honestly forgot I was reading a piece of fiction. It was like listening to a friend talk about her terrible or wonderful day instead.

The romance was handled perfectly. Not only did the characters involved in it have an unbelievable amount of chemistry, they also genuinely liked each other as human beings. Their strong friendship made me eager to see if they could turn their platonic feelings into romantic ones. This part of the plot was also a refreshing break from the often intense fight scenes.

iHunt: Killing Monsters in the Gig Economy was phenomenal in every single way. If you can only spare the time to read read one more novel this year, make it this one!

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Robin & Sam by Sean Michael

September 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Robin & Sam by Sean Michael
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (97 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/M/M, Ménage, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When Master Renard sees Robin and Sam on the night’s auction block, he decides he must have them and makes a pre-emptive bid, wanting them in his playroom sooner than later. He’s intrigued by the two boys who look so different and by the idea of having two boys at once to dominate.

Are they destined to find pleasure and happiness all together, or is this magical week going to end in tears?

Robin and Sam have been best friends and lovers for years. They both know what they need though – and that’s to share a Master together. Problem is they haven’t had any luck finding the right man, so they decide to auction themselves as a pair. Master Renard wins them for a whole week of deep submission. Can it be what all three of them want it to be?

This is two super hot menage stories. I loved the connection between Robin and Sam, they clearly love each other deeply and have a good, strong relationship already. They both want a Master though and have struggled to find the right match to suit them both. I enjoyed how Renard didn’t instantly get everything perfectly right either – with two such different guys with different needs it took Renard a little while to understand exactly what each needed and that small bit of realism really made this story for me. I’m all about escapism in my romance fiction, but the fact that the guys had to work even just a bit to make the threesome click properly together really helped sell me on what a great story this was.

The sex was intense and explosively hot – I’d recommend not reading this in a public place because I sure blushed a lot while reading it. I found that this was an intense BDSM relationship – nothing over the top, but certainly not just a little light spanking in the heat of the moment. Sheaths, nipple clamps, delayed gratification and restraints were all prominent and quite a few other elements too. I’d think that readers would need to be comfortable with a lot of BDSM lifestyle elements before suggesting they read these two stories.

Overall I loved both the connection Robin and Sam had together, as well as the threesome they become with Renard. I found this to be a hotly written, steamy BDSM story and well worth the read.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Jack, Alec And Ben by Sean Michael

September 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Jack, Alec And Ben by Sean Michael
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (114 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/M, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Three men risk it all to find the Master of their hearts at the Shibari Auction House.

Jack: When Jack’s gambling debts catch up to him he decides to sell his time for three years to the highest bidder, hoping someone is willing to pay him enough to clear his debts for good. Is he jumping from the frying pan into the fire? Only time will tell.

Alec: Experienced sub Alec is back at the Shibari Auction House to sell two more years of his time after his master of ten years turns him in for a “newer model.” Novice Top Benj can’t believe anyone would throw the lovely Alec away or complain that he’s too old and snaps Alec up for twice the asking price. Is it possible both men will find what they need together?

Ben: Three years ago, Ben let Master Lukas buy him over multiple evenings, only to cut and run when he felt himself beginning to fall for the perceptive and handsome Master. Now he’s returning to the Shibari Auction House stage, but is he ready to pick up where he and Master Lukas left off? Only time will tell.

Jack urgently needs the money auctioning himself off can give him, can it solve his problems or open up a whole new set for him? Alec is an experienced sub who is only recently out of a long-term contract. Can Alec and Benj find what they’re both looking for together? Finally, Ben had run when his feeling for Master Lukas grew deep. Can they reclaim what they’ve both left behind? Enjoy this three-story set all in the one volume.

In desperate need of money to pay off a gambling debt, Jack is literally out of options until a bartender friend tells him about the Shibairi Auction house. With nowhere else to raise the funds, Jack sells himself off for a three year contract and meets Master JF. I found myself chuckling at the opening scene where Jack is doing the paper-work side of the auction, going over a list of what will and won’t be allowable. Even though it’s clear he is in dire straits and has no other options, his almost casual agreeing to items (and checking that no one would want to cut his balls off) just struck a chord with me and I was caught, somewhere between sympathy, keen interest and laughter. It was a delicious balance and I must admit, hooked me from the very beginning.

Equal parts intense, romantic and hot this was a lovely read and while I initially felt that Master JF was a little clichéd as the wealthy, bored patron the chemistry between Jack and JF quickly sucked me back into the story. Ending with a “Happy For Now” style of conclusion this is a sexy short story that I really enjoyed.

I instantly felt empathy for Alec’s character – released from his contract when his Master felt that Alec, at twenty-nine, was “too old”. As a plot it was certainly something different to me, what happens to submissives when they’re no longer fresh and young? Even more interestingly, I was intrigued by Master Benj being a relative new Top – his first night being when Benj buys Alec. Watching these two very different men coming together and exploring the delicate, new and unusual relationship grow between them was a delight I utterly loved. I found the storyline refreshingly different and the characters charming. I really loved this short story.

The third short story centered around Ben and Master Lukas. Although they had spent a few nights together years ago, watching Ben and Lukas reconnect again was lovely. I loved the mix of teasing and hot sensuality that crackled between them. Reading about them getting their happy ending was just a delight.

Three deliciously hot short story compiled together into an amazing book that I thoroughly loved. Highly recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Last Gambit by Om Swami

September 19, 2017 By 5 Comments

Last Gambit by Om Swami
Publisher: Black Lotus
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full (208 pgs)
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

Success by design is infinitely better than a win by chance. Vasu Bhatt is fourteen years old when a mysterious old man spots him at a chess tournament and offers to coach him, on two simple but strange conditions: he would not accompany his student to tournaments, and there was to be no digging into his past. Initially resentful, Vasu begins to gradually understand his master’s mettle.

Over eight years, master and student come to love and respect each other, but the two conditions remain unbroken – until Vasu confronts and provokes the old man. Meanwhile, their hard work and strategy pay off: Vasu qualifies for the world chess championship. But can he make it all the way without his master by his side?

Inspiring, moving and mercurial, The Last Gambit is a beautiful coming of age tale in a uniquely Indian context.

I have to confess that I’m not a chess whiz. I know the names of the pieces… I even know how they move. But, that’s the extent of it. But, the good thing is, you don’t really need to know chess to get a lot out of this book (though I’m sure a chess background wouldn’t hurt and you might get a whole other level of understanding from it).

The lessons that Vasu learns at the hands of the Master go way beyond playing chess–they are definitely life-changing and life-encompassing. The Master’s wisdom, and the way he imparted it, made me think at times of the relationship between Daniel and Miyagi in Karate Kid, though the stories couldn’t be more different.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was getting to see a glimpse of Indian life. This was something new to me, and it was presented simply as a background to the story. I found the glimpse of the culture fascinating.

All in all, this is a book I found easy to read, but at the same time it’s a book I think I could dip into again from time to time– just to pick places in random to reread and see what lesson I could learn more about…and to pick up little nuggets of information to think about.

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Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

This Old Cafe by Marci Boudreaux

September 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment


This Old Cafe by Marci Boudreaux
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (135 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Jenna Reid purchased the Stonehill Café to prove to herself that her ex-husband was wrong…that she could make her dreams come true. Three years later, all she has is a crumbling building, no social life, and her bruised pride.

Pride is something Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Maguire lost long ago and isn’t likely to find living in the alley behind the café. He just needs a little time to get on his feet. In the interim, keeping an eye on the overworked café owner gives him a sense of purpose. He has no intentions of making his presence known until he hears the woman screaming late one night.

He rushes into the café, but instead of finding her in dire straits, he finds a broken pipe and Jenna—soaking wet and holding a wrench. With her last bit of hope fading, Jenna accepts Daniel’s help to fix up her building, but it doesn’t take long for them to start trying to fix each other.

Jenna had opened her small café to prove to herself (and her ex-husband) that she could indeed make her dreams come true. She hadn’t been prepared, however, for just how much hard work and expensive it would be. Desperately trying to fix a broken pipe in the café’s kitchen, screaming at the cold water sploshing everywhere and ruining her floors, she’s shocked when Daniel comes in to “rescue” her – assuming from her cries that she was being mugged. Both Daniel and Jenna are desperate in their own ways. Can they help each other?

I found this to be a lovely, slow-paced, small-town style of story. Both Daniel and Jenna have their own problems, Jenna is recovering from a nasty marriage and some emotional baggage resulting from that and Daniel is trying to fit back into a “normal” life after fighting in Afghanistan. Neither are looking for love – merely for a way to try and make the best of the life they want to have. While I found the plotline was nothing too new or unique – Jenna helping Daniel out in thanks for his handyman help around her café and the two fall in love – I really did enjoy the author’s tone of storytelling.

I found both Jenna and Daniel interesting and sympathetic characters, and the whole situation unfolded steadily enough that I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. I always enjoy a slower-paced romance, one where I can get to know each character, see how well they’ll fit together and then watch as they ease into something lovely together. Add in some strong secondary characters – Jenna’s brother and some of the other towns-folk – and there is plenty to keep my attention and have me eagerly turning the pages.

I was a little disappointed at how clichéd the conflict in the story was. While it didn’t drag the whole plot down too much, it made me frustrated with both Jenna and Daniel for different reasons. Personally I felt that their own issues (Daniel’s PTSD especially) were plenty of “conflict” for the plot and adding in the miscommunication and annoyance toward the latter end of the story merely made me frustrated as a reader – I truly feel it didn’t add anything to the romance, or to Jenna and Daniel’s storyline. I feel it could have been much better handled – though admittedly this is my only criticism of the entire story, I thoroughly enjoyed all other aspect and this didn’t annoy me enough to stop me continuing to read the story right to the last page.

The romance was spicy but also sweet – I loved how both Jenna and Daniel wanted to protect and support each other, in so many ways this really was a match of equality. I also enjoyed how modern the romance was, even though Daniel’s instincts were to be all alpha male and super-protective, he could enjoy Jenna’s spirit and fire and I loved how he accepted and understood her desperate need to help and protect him, too.

I really enjoyed the parts where Jenna and Daniel compromised and worked together – I found those parts particularly delightful to read. I loved how the physical intimacy grew slowly between them, first with chemistry, then with a solid and long “getting to know you period” and then finally with some actual consummation. Personally I found the sex to be tastefully written and while it was clear what happened, it was eluded to – not actually described intimately.

Apart from a few hiccups toward the end I found this generally to be a great book with vibrant characters, an interesting plotline and a deliciously slow, romantic love story. I genuinely enjoyed this story.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Immortally Yours by Lynsay Sands

September 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Immortally Yours by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (400 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

One hundred and twenty-five years is a long time to nurse a crush. That’s how long it’s been since Beth Argenis first met Cullen “Scotty” MacDonald and he instantly became the star of her most X-rated dreams. Back then, he was rescuing her from a Rogue Immortal. Now Beth’s a Rogue Hunter—a damn good one. She doesn’t need saving anymore, despite what Scotty thinks. What she does need is the fierce, wild desire that finally erupts between them.

Scotty has hesitated to claim Beth as his own. But one explosive kiss confirms what he’s long suspected: She’s his life mate. But Beth is tough, fearless, beautiful…and in immortal danger. Unless he wants to lose her forever, he’ll have to rethink everything he once believed about love and destiny as well as confront an enemy who’s terrifyingly close.

No matter how fantastical the paranormal aspect is in a novel, it’s the human factor that helps a reader relate to the characters and the overall story. One of the plot conflicts is a tale as old as time in Immortally Yours and yet Ms. Sands injects a refreshing wrinkle, Argeneau style, and makes it her own.

In the last book with the mad scientist, I thought for sure the next novel would pick up that thread and in a way it did, but not as I expected. This tale shifts to the ramifications and effects on the rest of the Argeneau clan that were left behind when the others went to rescue their kidnapped family members. Reinforcements are called in from other parts of the world which introduces new personalities that the Canadian Argeneaus need to not only work with but trust. One would think that was a safe bet, they’re sort of like family after all, right? Nope, because not all of them are Argeneaus and there are other prominent Immortal families out there that are also movers and shakers. I found out that there is a Russian faction that, from the sounds of it, are rather fierce, who play hardball and are feared by many. So, how does that play into this plot? It’s effective, clever, interesting and surprising.

The mystery involves the basic questions of figuring out who is a traitor, who is betraying them and why do all the attacks seem to target specific people and how in the world are the villains always one step ahead? I didn’t find out until the heroine, Beth, found out the hard way. Once I read the ‘great reveal’, I sat back and thought, “Why didn’t I figure that out earlier? It seems like it should have been so obvious!”, except it wasn’t. Not for me. I was wonderfully stunned.

As for the heroine, that poor girl! I mean, seriously, how many times can a person get toasted like a marshmallow, skewered like a shish kebab or dodge other surprising attacks? Beth had some near misses and some attacks were dead on. Was she continually in the right place at the wrong time? Was it a jinx of supreme bad luck? The thing is, in the middle of one of the most physically painful times between Beth and Scotty, a/k/a Cullen, the author slipped in a brief moment of hilarity.(Ms. Sands does that a lot) It was their reaction that made me snort and guffaw. It was like a Loony Toons moment; totally snicker-worthy.

In addition to the mystery conflict, there’s a huge internal conflict going on. It seems Scotty has this noble idea about what is best for Beth. He also thinks he’s magnanimous, forgiving and enlightened. Yes, he’s giving, but he’s not forgiving or enlightened as he’s deluded himself to be. The hero had a rude wakeup call, that’s for sure. I liked watching him not only come to terms with his own failings but grow as person to become better – which seems incongruous as he was already totally swoon-worthy and sexy and heroic.

As for the heroine, her own internal conflict was substantial and mind blowing. Her early life was a nightmare. And yet, the analogy of the sword that Ms. Sands used totally made sense, was believable and basically summed up Beth’s personality. The heroine is a strong, stubborn and highly opinionated woman. I loved it.

Of the new Immortals that were introduced, I like Kira the best. She has a future, I think. She has attitude, confidence and her own serious conflicts to deal with which makes her an ideal future heroine especially if she ‘hooks up’ with an Argeneau. The conflagration from that could be highly incendiary, dramatic, and a perfect venue for more snickers and snorts. After a reader experiences Kira in this novel, I think they’ll understand my opinion.

The shared sex dreams of new Life Mates, and the physical sexual encounters were of course, hot, but what intrigued me was how Ms. Sands used the sex for something practical and altruistic. It also proved to me without doubt that Scotty and Beth are perfect together.

Immortally Yours is more about people than the paranormal. It’s about healing, challenging perceptions and admitting when you’re wrong. It’s about imperfect people falling in love in the face of the dangers of assumptions. It’s about why it’s important to take the time to really listen to the person you love, even if it hurts. And, it’s about fighting for what you believe in. There’s a lot of emotional depth to this novel that makes it more than just a fun, fluffy and entertaining read. Ms. Sands has another winner and is an easy recommend.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

River City Dead by Nancy G. West

September 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment


River City Dead by Nancy G. West
Publisher: Henery Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (224 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Advice columnist Aggie Mundeen and SAPD Detective Sam Vanderhoven plan their first rendezvous at a San Antonio River Walk hotel during Fiesta Week—sumptuous sights, sounds, and festivities in the middle of America’s Venice. A vacation from crime and a reset for their tumultuous relationship.

But murder descends on the Casa Prima Hotel. Disturbing revelations surface about the Fabulous Femmes, Aggie’s new friends holding a convention. Evil emerges at parties in La Villita. Calamity plagues Aggie’s debut dance performance at the Arneson River Theater, the celebration skewed by carousing, crazies, and corpses. Even in idyllic River City, crime complicates relationships.

All Aggie wants is a quiet vacation cozied up to her new boyfriend, Sam. With the relationship still fresh and new, she wants to spend some quiet time with Sam and get to know him better. But when you’re dating a cop, things don’t always work out the way you had planned. Case in point: when a woman is murdered in the hotel you’re staying in, your boyfriend tends to get really busy really quickly. Not that Aggie is about to let that stop her fun.

Aggie Mundeen is an advice columnist who takes her real life experiences and uses them to guide others. I was amused that the letters from her readers were included in the story, giving us a little insight into Aggie’s downtime rituals. Her boyfriend, Sam Vanderhoven, is also an interesting character. Although he’s a rather typical cop-like character, his frustration and affection for Aggie make him a more complete character. That he knows he wants to keep her safe and yet realizes at the same time that he’ll never get her to heel, is both sweet and reassuring.

I really enjoyed the setting in Austin, Texas. It’s a city I hear so many good things about and yet have never visited, despite having lived in Houston for a year. The characters are also very interesting and likable, despite Aggie’s penchant for getting herself into trouble, even though her boyfriend and cop, Sam, warn her to stay out of it. That said, if every lead in a cozy mystery took that advice, we’d never have any novels, right? At times I felt like the dialogue was a bit stilted and awkward, but the overall story was entertaining and engaging. I’m going to hunt down the prior three books in this series now and find out how it all began. A story with a few twists and turns and an unforgettable cast.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Sacrificial Lam by Gary Guinn

September 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Sacrificial Lam by Gary Guinn
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (268 pgs)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Stargazer

When English professor Lam Corso receives a death threat at work, he laughs it off. A liberal activist at a small Southern conservative college, he’s used to stirring up controversy on campus. It’s just part of the give and take of life. Even when violently attacked, Lam is convinced it must be a mistake. He can’t imagine anyone who would want to kill him for his beliefs.

When his home is broken into and his wife’s business vandalized, Lam is forced to face the truth. His wife—a passionate anti-gun crusader—is outraged when Lam brings a gun into the house for protection. The police can’t find a single lead. Left to their own devices, Lam and Susan are forced to examine their marriage, faith, and values in the face of a carefully targeted attack from an assailant spurred into action by his own set of beliefs.

What will it cost to survive?

Sometimes your job forces you to push on the limits of society.

Lambert Corso is an individual with just such a job. As an English professor with very liberal views teaching at a religious college, Lam has stepped on his fair share of toes. Suddenly unnerving written threats against his life and then physical attempts against both Lam and his family cause a deeper concern for what is happening at the university. Lam is suddenly forced to question everyone and everything in order to protect his own family.

Sacrificial Lam is an enveloping story told from the viewpoint of Lambert Corso and his wife Susan. The story highlights the various types of personalities that exist on a college campus as well as the frustrations that occur from being the voice for those oppressed when the majority of those on campus have very opposing views.

The threats and Lam’s reaction to the increased threats are understandable and realistic, given Lam’s history and views. The dialogue is smooth and concise and the descriptions of work, personality conflicts, student concerns and the main plot line of fear and mystery focused on Lam and his family weave together to form a great mystery!

I really enjoyed the various conflicts and frustrations that Lam encountered, both internally and externally. Lam’s marital concerns and even his stress impacting his parenting of his two sons speak volumes into the psychology of the storyline. The depth of human nature and our response to external stress is a great pivotal point in the story.

If you enjoy suspense and mystery stories, be sure not to miss Sacrificial Lam!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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