Unmask Me If You Can by Shana Galen


Unmask Me If You Can by Shana Galen
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (337 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

This masked lord…
Lord Jasper, younger son of a marquess, suffered horrible burns fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. He wears a mask to hide his face from the stares and screams and finds comfort in the shadows. Jasper is an exceptional bounty hunter, so when a woman summons him to her deathbed and asks him to find her runaway daughter before she passes away, he doesn’t refuse. Jasper is close to his quarry when he’s knifed by an assailant. Imagine his surprise when he regains consciousness in the arms of the woman he seeks. Except she’s not at all what he expected.

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On a remote cliff on the sea, Olivia Carlisle calls her five-year-old son in from an approaching storm. But the little boy is more interested in the man he’s found on the trail to their hidden cottage. Olivia fears men and wants nothing more than to leave the injured man where she found him. But his knife wound is severe, and with the approaching storm, she knows leaving him will condemn him to death. As Jasper begins to heal, Olivia acknowledges her attraction to him, even though such emotions terrify her almost as much as returning to London. Jasper must convince her that her only chance at safety is to challenge the man who pursues her. They must travel into the lion’s den—he to face his vulnerability and she to face her worst fears.

I had a suspicion from meeting the hero, Jasper, in previous books of The Survivors series, that I was going to love his story, and I was so right! Draven’s Dozen is a group of soldiers who were survivors of the original thirty man suicide squad who took on dangerous missions with little expectation of returning alive. Jasper’s heroic actions caused part of his face to be burned and scarred, and he now wears a mask to avoid horrifying people he meets. Though he’s nobility, he now makes a living by hiring himself out as a bounty hunter, or a finder of lost things.

Five years ago, Olivia Carlisle fled an arranged engagement to the vile Duke of Withernsea, and no one has been able to track her down. Olivia’s father hires Jasper, sure that if anyone can locate his lost daughter, it’s him. Jasper is almost to Olivia’s door, when an unexpected attack leaves him near to death. Though Olivia’s prior experience has left her with no love for men, her conscience won’t allow her to leave Jasper to perish. She manages to bring him into her cottage and slowly nurse him back to health. Olivia is living (hiding) in a remote location, so while Jasper recovers, his only company is Oliva and her young son, Richard.

I love the forced intimacy between these two wounded people, who have both built up substantial walls for their own protection. Jasper is one of the most honorable of men, and in addition to his physical scars, he is bearing survivor’s guilt. My heart broke for him, and how he decided that he was not worthy of being loved. Olivia suffered trauma at the hands of her fiancé, and made the decision that living anonymously and without wealth was better than being married to a true monster.

Little by little, the walls start to come down, and trust starts to build between this unlikely couple. The attraction between them literally jumps off the pages. I especially enjoyed seeing Olivia, who has never known physical pleasure finally experience it. I loved seeing Jasper feel accepted, and able to show his face to both Olivia and her son.

Jasper convinces Olivia to return home, assuring her of his protection, and she doesn’t doubt him. But she is still officially engaged, and her fiancé has every intention of having her back in his power. There is also another unexpected villain, one who is determined to keep Olivia and Jasper apart. Unmask Me If You Can is a breathtaking and passionate romance that held me captive all the way through. The treachery and uncertainty kept me on the edge of my seat. I adore how Jasper and Olivia manage to find all the acceptance and genuine love they need with each other. The strong writing and heart touching emotion makes Unmask Me If You Can one of my favorite books of this year.

The Boyfriend Mistake by Charity West


The Boyfriend Mistake by Charity West
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (116 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

All Mya ever wanted was to date golden boy Prescott Monroe, captain of the football team, loved by the entire school. But when she gets her wish, it isn’t long before she realizes that things are not all as they seem. The guy everyone in her school loves is hiding something, and there’s a darkness in his eyes that only she seems to see. Can she get away before it’s too late?
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Ryder James has earned his label as Central High’s bad boy, and he relishes the title. It gives him a different girl at the snap of his fingers, and more parties than he could ever hope to attend. But the one thing he’s always wanted and knows he can never have—the untouchable Mya Henderson.

Until one fateful morning Mya’s world changes forever, leaving her completely shattered, and Ryder suddenly isn’t the bad boy everyone’s warned her away from. Instead, he’s her knight in shining armor.

Mia doesn’t know what to do. Girlfriend of the school’s football star she discovers he’s not as nice as he makes out. However, it would be social disaster for her if she ditched him. The other boy in her life is Ryder, the school hottie, but his reputation precedes him and he is always sarcastic to her so she tries to steer clear of him.

Things come to a head when her boyfriend tries to take it a step too far and she says no. Ryder intervenes and everything changes for Mia.

I really liked the way the author got inside both Mia and Ryder’s heads to show how they reacted to the most horrible thing a girl can go through. The whole story seemed so real and the characters were three dimensional and appeared to be very caring of each other.

This book is brilliant. If I had a teenage daughter I would insist she read it. It’s a story which shows how a teenager can be brave in the face of adversity. Totally deserves a 5 star rating.

Heroes for Hire: First Contact by C.S. Feldman


Heroes for Hire: First Contact by C.S. Feldman
Book Two in the Heroes for Hire Fantasy Adventure Series

Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (187 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Her first—and quite accidental—foray into the field of heroics brought plucky St. Louis waitress Peg Brickner more than one narrow escape from danger and doom in the magical land of Cantrial. But hey, the first Hero’s Quest is always the roughest, right? Right. Unless maybe the next one involves airlocks that can suck people into the vacuum of outer space, warring alien races that are vying for political control of a planet, ruthless kidnappers, a ticking clock, and the ever-present risk of—God forbid—alien probings. And that’s before what was just supposed to be a simple ransom drop implodes. Suddenly it’s up to Peg to come up with Plan B before a snatched comrade disappears forever, an alien client’s hapless offspring meet a grisly fate, or all-out war takes over the planet. And all before her oxygen runs out. Sure. What could possibly go wrong?

Peg Brickner, Mighty Sagittarius, has signed up for another adventure!

Peg seems to have embraced her role as a hero for hire. With one successful mission under her belt, Peg has developed a bit of a taste for adventure. I had so much fun following Peg and her band of misfit heroes on their first mission that I could hardly wait for their next adventure to begin. In order to have a clear understanding of Peg’s team and how she “accidentally” became a hero, I highly recommend reading the first book, Heroes for Hire: Discount Prices. It is excellent and will greatly add to the enjoyment of this story.
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Peg has all the makings of a great hero, especially with Grodan as her mentor. Although Peg is very inexperienced, she is loyal, brave, and genuinely wants to help those in need. I loved seeing Peg reunite with Grodan and Kraak, but I must admit I missed Masie. The team didn’t quite feel complete without the dragon. It was amusing to see Peg and Danby working together. Danby insists he is nothing more than a master thief. Nevertheless, I get the sense that Danby cares for Peg and her team, or at the very least he enjoys annoying them. However, he comes to their rescue in moments when he doesn’t have to. Danby could have cut his losses and left many times, but he stayed. Peg just might make a hero out of the thief yet.

As I mentioned, Peg is incredibly inexperienced. While her heart is in the right place, she is prone to making errors. Many of her blunders are minor and extremely humorous. However, some of Peg’s mistakes are costly and have the potential to cause major devastation. It is a tough realization for Peg, but I have faith in Peg’s character. I’m certain there are more adventures in Peg’s future.

Throughout the story, Ms. Feldman has sprinkled excerpts from other books on magic. While these passages are not directly related to Peg’s current situation, they do provide some very useful background information on magical history. These passages also hint at something ominous on the horizon regarding the stability of magic and the portals that connect various worlds. I’m intrigued and look forward to learning more in the next installment of this series.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the first book, Discount Prices, was how well Ms. Feldman balanced humor and more serious moments. I’m pleased to report Ms. Feldman has once again achieved that perfect balance. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I watched Peg trying to adapt to life in outer space, and I was genuinely moved by the more serious moments. I was particularly touched when I learned more about Grodan’s past and how he was cursed into his current form.

Ms. Feldman did an excellent job creating the magical world of Cantrial in Discount Prices, and she has proved to be just as adept at creating a more technologically advanced society in space. She describes the planet, various alien races, and spacecraft in great detail that makes it easy to picture the new world Peg is exploring, but the pacing never suffers.

Heroes for Hire: First Contact is thoroughly entertaining. The Heroes for Hire series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The pacing and world building are excellent, and Peg and her team are some of the most fun characters I’ve ever come across. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J M Bergen


Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J M Bergen
Publisher: Elandrian Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: Full length (352 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Thomas thinks he’s an ordinary twelve year old, but when a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, the world he knows is turned upside down. Suddenly he’s faced with a secret family legacy, powers he can hardly begin to understand, and an enemy bent on destroying everything he holds dear. The more he reads and discovers, the deeper the danger to himself and the people he loves. As the race to the final showdown unfolds, Thomas must turn to trusted friends and uncertain allies as he seeks to prevent destruction at an epic scale.

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This is a wonderful fantasy tale well-told by the author. The character development is good, the friendships Thomas has are heart-warming and the magic is unpredictable. After all, if you didn’t know you had any, how could you practice?

What he finds in the shop is a “real” magic book. The owner tells him to take it home and read it and then bring it back as soon as he’s done. Tell no one and keep it hidden. He does that but he finds the contents of the book confusing and he starts meeting up with people who are unfriendly to him. He soon learns they are after the book.

When he finishes the book, they tell him of his destiny and that he has mighty powers. He’s not sure about that but when they give him his first training assignment and lock him in a room, he has to perform to get out. He can’t quite figure it out but he’s getting hungry. Will he manage to do what he needs to? He does and he finds that the training moves faster once he’s won the first battle to open his mind.

With magical acts all through the story and the fight between good and evil, it’s an exciting tale that reads fast. It’s also the first book in the series so Thomas will be back.

A Ghost Story by Mark Twain


A Ghost Story by Mark Twain
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Historical
Length: Short Story (30 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“A Ghost Story” is one of the best-known humorous stories by Mark Twain (pen-name of Samuel Clemens, 1865-1936). First published in 1870, it is set in Nineteenth-Century New York City.

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The world-building was phenomenal, and it happened for a character who spent the entire plot in an old, dusty bedroom of a house whose upper floors hadn’t been used in years! All of the descriptions of the home and the things that happened in were so vivid, though, that I could picture exactly what it would be like to stay there. I was pretty impressed by how the author was able to do this given the fact that there was only one setting for the entire storyline.

There aren’t a lot of characters out there who react sensibly when they realize that a ghost is haunting them. Luckily, one of these such individuals was the narrator of this tale. While he was definitely concerned about all of the scary noises he was hearing, he didn’t overreact. I liked reading about his thought processes as he attempted to figure out how to respond to his late-night visitor. He stayed as calm and logical as anyone could reasonably expect to under those circumstances, and that was refreshing.

Not only did the ending fit the tone of this book perfectly, it also made me laugh. I appreciated the narrator’s sense of humor even more once he realized what was actually making all of the frightening noises outside, and later inside, of his bedroom. Honestly, I didn’t want to stop reading his descriptions of what was going on. While I was satisfied with how everything was resolved in the end, I was also left yearning to know what happened next in a very positive sense.

I’d heartily recommend A Ghost Story to anyone who loves the paranormal genre.

The Promise of Tomorrow by Anne Marie Brear


The Promise of Tomorrow by Anne Marie Brear
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (355 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Charlotte Brookes flees her lecherous guardian, McBride, taking her younger sister with her. After a year on the road, they stumble into a Yorkshire village where the Wheelers, owners of the village shop, take them in. This new life is strange for Charlotte, but preferable to living with McBride or surviving on the roads.

Harry Belmont is an important man in the village, but he’s missing something in his life. His budding friendship with Charlotte gives him hope she will feel more for him one day, and he will marry the woman he yearns for.

When McBride discovers where Charlotte lives, his threats begin. Harry fights to keep Charlotte safe, but World War I erupts and Harry enlists.

Left to face a world of new responsibilities, and Harry’s difficult sister, Charlotte must run the gauntlet of family disputes, McBride’s constant harassment, and the possibility of the man she loves being killed.
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Can Charlotte find the happiness that always seems under threat, and will Harry return home to her?

The Promise of Tomorrow is one of those books that the reader will absolutely love or the reader will not like it at all. It will depend on who likes melodrama. I’d wager if the reader enjoyed the movie The Patriot with Mel Gibson, then they’d be a candidate to read and love this story.

The book is very well written, there is no doubt about that. The cast of characters are strongly developed and relatable. The heroine, Charlotte was a perfect match for the hero, Harry. Together, they were unstoppable and unforgettable.

To be honest, this book could have ended at chapter eleven for me except the plot thread of the villain, McBride, would have been unresolved. I’m not giving any spoilers because the prologue states “World War 1 erupts and Harry enlists”. That was chapter twelve which felt like a start to another story. The first eleven chapters were a splendid romantic love story and then the next fourteen chapters were pretty much about Harry fighting in the war.

It’s my opinion that a military wife would perhaps more likely enjoy this story because she has walked in Charlotte’s shoes. I’m grateful for what our military men do for our country but I know I would never make a good military wife. They have to be able to push their selfishness aside. They have to possess the ability to support their husbands and send them off with their blessings when they are deployed. The solider misses their children’s births, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

This was a heartwarming love story that I’m sure it could have been someone’s reality at one time. I prefer to read books that make me laugh and escape the responsibilities of my life. I didn’t enjoy feeling sad for Charlotte while Harry was fighting in the war, wondering if he was going to return home alive.

I have no choice but to rate this book a five because I recognize that it’s a genuine quality book. It would make a great Netflix movie. The narrative has several threads among the characters to keep the story flowing and the reader’s interest captivated.

It is my honest opinion that readers should give this book a try.

My African Craving by Audrey Flynn


My African Craving by Audrey Flynn
Publisher: Inkspell Publishers
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short story (138 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

The Nights are Hotter in Africa…

When Erica Knight arrives in Lebombo Game Reserve for her first African safari she has no idea that her life is about to be changed forever. As an executive for a mining company she believes that negotiating the mining rights for the Lebombo Reserve will be a slam-dunk, but she didn’t count on locking horns with the reserve’s enigmatic owner, Jean-Luc de Graaf.

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Far away from the rat race of New York Erica feels the stirring of a different drum, ancient and irresistible. But surrendering to the wild would mean she would have to submit to the powerful attraction to Jean-Luc and she isn’t ready to give up control just yet…

I’ve never read an Audrey Flynn book but the title spoke to me. I was craving to escape into a happily-ever-after world. I’ve never read a book that was set in Africa. Needless to say I was full of hope as I sat down to escape my reality. I am ecstatic to share that my love tank is full and I’m experiencing a book glow.

Erica Knight, the heroine, was down to earth and easy to relate to. She worked hard to get where she was at. I felt a ton of respect for her as a person. The same can be said for the hero, Jean-Luc. I admired his values and integrity. It was unfortunate they were on “opposite sides of an escalating conflict”. I certainly could see both sides of the issue. This conflict was brilliantly written between the two leading characters with a tantalizing and irresistible attraction between the two. As hot as it is in Florida it is apparently hotter in Africa! Oh vey! Good thing I read this when a cold front was hitting Florida or else I’d melt for sure.

I enjoyed the plot as it captured my interest immediately and flowed with a steady quick pace full of unpredictable, seat gripping plot threads. The cast of characters were well developed and intriguing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Audrey Flynn’s writing style as I honestly felt like I was in Africa on a safari with Erica. I wonder if a place such as Lebombo Game Reserve really exists.

All I know is that I really loved this book. Jean-Luc is my new book boyfriend and I’d love to go on a safari with him! I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick get away from real life.

Seeking Sanctuary by Jodi Ashland

Seeking Sanctuary by Jodi Ashland
Publisher: Duvall Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full (306 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Poppy

She thwarted a killer’s attack. He’s off the case because of their prior involvement. Now, they’re at the top of the hit list…

Aleks Levin promised herself she’d never become a victim again. Out for a late evening run, she spies something terrible: a serial killer attempting to murder his next victim. Aleks interrupts the deed and saves the woman’s life, but in the process she becomes the only witness to the U-District Strangler’s brutal attacks. Refusing protective custody, Aleks has a better idea for keeping safe: pretending to date a detective on the case…

Neal Hawkins never knew if he’d see the alluring Aleks again, but he certainly didn’t expect such life-or-death circumstances when he did. After their prior involvement gets Neal kicked off the case, he can’t help but continue to investigate as the killer creeps closer to his next victim… her. The detective knows that sheltering Aleks is the best way to keep her safe, though he wonders if there’s any way to suppress the sparks that start flying the minute she crosses his threshold.

Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, old wounds and secret lives threaten to reveal the Strangler’s identity. Can Aleks and Neal stop the killer before his reign of terror continues with them?
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Seeking Sanctuary is the third standalone novel in the captivating U-District series of romantic suspense novels. If you like sizzling chemistry, edgy characters, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Jodi Ashland’s riveting tale.

I sat down to read a few chapters in the book one night before bed, just to get it started, and I did something I haven’t done in years… finished it in one sitting.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that’s had real, unique and interesting characters, smooth writing and a solid plot all at the same time, and it’s that trifecta that kept me turning pages.  From the first, I was completely invested in Aleks (though I have to admit that the spelling of her name drove me a little crazy and it always made me stutter as I read).  Her choice to go jogging at night, even though there was a killer on the loose all but had me screaming at her, and this was just in the first couple of pages. Yeah, I already cared that much.

Neal was just such a good guy.  He’s honest to a fault and has a deep devotion to helping the little guy, those folks who can’t help themselves.  True, there were a couple of times he strayed outside the bounds of the law (and propriety) to do what he needed, but that only made me like him more.  No one was going to hurt someone he cared about.

The mystery of the U-District Strangler was a good one. The author introduced several really strong suspects and it was hard for me to decide which I thought made the best one.  While ultimately the bad guy was not entirely a surprise,  I did spend most of the book not really sure who had done what wrong. Some of the suspects were just bad people, some weren’t, and the clues were well placed and sometimes just ambiguous enough to keep me guessing.

The romance moved at an appropriate pace, especially considering Aleks and Neal’s brief past with each other and the fact that Neal was sort of involved with someone else. I really appreciate that the author didn’t make the other woman a jerk (instead she’s nearly perfect) and so his decision between Aleks and Kenzie was difficult and painful and real.

This appears to be the third book in a series, and while there were indications of this (like Neal’s injury and an upcoming wedding), it didn’t affect my enjoyment in the least.  I had no issue at all following the story or the characters and can absolutely state that this is a complete standalone (though I am interested in going back to see what the circumstances of Neal’s injury were and how he and Aleks first met).

Seeking Sanctuary was one of the best romantic suspense novels I’ve read in some time (and I read a lot in this genre).  I’m definitely going to be on the look out for more from this talented author.

Sophie’s Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller


Sophie’s Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Genre: Childrens, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (41 pages)
Age Recommendation: 6+
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This charming sequel to the beloved Sophie’s Squash is the perfect antidote to the back-to-school jitters. Sophie goes to school for the first time and has no interest in making friends that aren’t squash. Here’s a gently humorous read-aloud that proves that making friends, just like growing squash, takes time.

On Sophie’s first day of school, nobody appreciates her two best friends, Bonnie and Baxter, baby squash that she grew in her garden. Even worse, one classmate, Steven Green, won’t leave Sophie alone. He sits by her at circle time. He plays near her during recess. And he breathes on her while she paints. Steven just wants to be friends, but Sophie isn’t interested. Still, Sophie knows that her squash friends won’t last forever. Maybe it would be nice to have some human friends after all. . . .

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As much as I liked Sophie, I liked Steven even more. This wasn’t an easy thing for me to admit since I’ve been a huge fan of Sophie’s creativity and strong self esteem ever since I first started reading about her. Steven was such a friendly and helpful child that I couldn’t help but to hope his persistence would pay off. I wanted nothing more than for these two characters to realize they had a lot in common and to start playing together every day at recess.

There was so much kindness woven into this tale. Sophie was different from her classmates for reasons that were never really explained. I loved the fact that those reasons were left to the reader’s imagination and that so many of the people in this girl’s life were willing to keep trying to help her until they hopefully figured something that would make sense to her. Whether she was an unusually quirky kid or her behaviors could be explained by a specific diagnosis didn’t ultimately matter. She was surrounded by deeply kind people who genuinely wanted to see her succeed either way.

The character development couldn’t have been better. Not only did Sophie learn some important lessons about how to make friends when your first attempts don’t work at all, her classmates learned equally valuable lessons from their experiences with her as well. While I can’t go into much detail about those scenes without giving away spoilers, I adored the fact that the characters were all on equal footing. Everyone had something to learn from someone else whether they originally realized it or not.

This is the sequel to Sophie’s Squash, and this series should be read in chronological order.

Sophie’s Squash Go to School is the perfect story to read for anyone who has ever struggled to make friends or adjust to a new routine.

Widows by Lynda La Plante


Widows by Lynda La Plante
Publisher: Zaffre
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (424 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Before PRIME SUSPECT there was WIDOWS . . . Facing life alone, they turned to crime together. Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli and Shirley Miller are left devastated when their husbands are killed in a security van heist that goes disastrously wrong. When Dolly discovers her husband Harry’s bank deposit box, containing a gun, money – and detailed plans for the hijack – she realises that she only has three options: 1. Give up and forget she ever found them; 2. Hand over Harry’s ledgers to the police, or to the thugs that have been hassling her for information they think she has; 3. She and the other widows could carry out the robbery themselves Novices in the craft of crime, the three women make their preparations. Along the way they discover that Harry’s plan required four people, not three. But only three bodies were discovered in the carnage of the original hijack – so who was the fourth man, and where is he now? Recruiting hooker Bella O’Reilly as their fourth, the widows are determined to execute their plan. Facing mounting pressure from DI Resnick, and local thugs Arnie and Tony Fisher, can they stick together and finish the job their husbands started . . .

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I enjoyed this book from page one until the very end. The author didn’t spend much time on the story of the individual husbands, but did a great job in giving details and developing each female character. The women each had their own individual lives apart from each other. Now add having to deal with the loss of their husbands during a recent robbery. The ladies know of each other but would not normally be in each other’s circle of friends. The plot is perfect. The writing is spot on. The characters are so well developed I formed a fondness for them.

I enjoyed the relationship between the women. They may have been at odds, may have even doubted each other at times but as time went on the ladies grew to know each other and started to look out for each other. The book is full of intense pressure on Dolly and the girls to keep their plans away from Harry’s rivals and also the police. Not only is there the next bad guy trying to take Harry Rawlin’s spot but Detective Inspector George Resnick has an agenda to take down Harry. Even after Harry’s death George is still adamant that Harry’s record is not so clean. Everyone is after Harry’s ledger. Harry’s detailed ledger is being used but not by the rival crimnal gang. Detective Resnick is willing to risk it all to prove that he is right.

This was a well-crafted novel that was fun to read and it also gives a surprise twist that I didn’t see. The women in this novel are at a vulnerable time due to loss of their husbands but the three together gain strength to pull off a heist just as well as any group of men.

The author told a well developed story in a detailed and suspenseful tale that I throughly enjoyed. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and after reading this book I can’t wait to see what other gems I may discover. This is highly recommended for those who enjoy suspense but also enjoy seeing smart and strong minded women in a leading role.