Month: December 2022

High Force by L.J. Ross

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

High Force (DCI Ryan Mysteries, #5)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: DCI Ryan Mystery #5
Publication Date: 1/30/17
Period: Contemporary Northumberland
Number of Pages: 265

Oh! What an exciting, thrilling, fast-paced story! I started reading this series with the 16th book, and I loved it so much that I’m now reading those first 15 books that I missed. For me, it isn’t a problem to read them out of order because each book has a stand-alone mystery. While there is a core cast of characters whose growth and relationships develop incrementally throughout the series, it tickles me to already where they are heading.

There is a nationwide manhunt in progress because a heinous serial killer has escaped his maximum-security prison. It was an exceedingly daring escape, but nothing out of the ordinary for Kier Edwards, a former medical doctor and serial killer known as the Hacker. DCI Ryan and his crew captured Edwards and put him in prison, but the cost to Ryan was unfathomable. (Read The Infirmary for that story) Now, Edwards is out and has someone very close to Ryan as his captive. Can they find and rescue MacKenzie before Edwards butchers her?

It is all hands on deck for the manhunt – every police department is working together to re-capture Edwards. He outmaneuvers them at every turn and bodies are showing up again. How many will Edwards murder before they catch him this time? This is Edwards’s former hunting ground and he knows it like the back of his hand. He knows every back road, every wooded area, every neighborhood. He is handsome, smart, and sly. How will they ever find him and rescue MacKenzie – or is it already too late?

This author’s books are always outstanding and she is right up there with the best in the genre. She has a way of making you feel as if you are right in the scene with the other characters – yet she isn’t overly wordy in her descriptions. The crimes are believable as are all of the steps in the investigation.

I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. Jonathan Keeble (narrator) has a smooth voice that is easy to listen to and his delivery is well-paced. I will definitely listen to more of his narrations in the future.

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Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

On By TracyIn Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Scottish/Highlander, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Never Cross a HighlanderNever Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: December 27, 2022

Ailsa Connery was born and raised in the Highlands, the daughter of a freewoman of African descent and a Scottish warrior. Prior to her death, her mother was a healer, a role that Ailsa had been trained to take over. But three years ago, while at a gathering she was mistaken by a guard for a slave purchased for the King, and ignoring her protests, she was pressed into service as a maid to Princess Elizabeth. And despite previous failed attempts to escape, Ailsa is sure her new plan is foolproof. Or it was until an interfering highlander decided to “rescue” her.

Kallum MacNeill is also of African descent and was raised as the son of the Laird’s brother but is known to many as the infamous Highland warrior known as Auld Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil. But unbeknownst to most, this fearsome warrior is also known by another moniker, The Shepherd, who for the last five years, has been secretly liberating enslaved people across Scotland and helping them escape to England. Which is exactly what he thinks he is doing for the woman who saved his life, but it won’t be long before the lovely and feisty lass sets him straight and demands to be returned to her clan!

This was a fascinating story, featuring a slow-burn romance between two amazing, unforgettable characters as they fall in love and overcome many obstacles on the journey to find their HEA. I thought the writing was good, although a little wordy, but not bad for a debut novel, the real issue was the pacing, the book was a slow read, until the halfway mark, where it leveled out until the rush to the ending. In addition to that, I was concerned about the inaccurate historical facts until I read the Author’s notes where she explains that this book is a work of fiction and that she did manipulate some historical facts to work with her story, stressing that this book was for the purpose of entertainment. I also appreciated her book suggestions to further educate readers on the issue of slavery in this era. Overall, this was a Highland adventure unlike any that you have ever read, touching on some sensitive issues as well as incorporating the problems that all people have when falling in love, with an added touch of danger and a dash of steam.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*