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Kill Pocahontas

by

Ray Anthony Morris

 

Absorbing tale of murder and genocide set against the backdrop of Canada’s Indian Residential School tragedies.

 

Kill Pocahontas by Ray Anthony Morris is a heartbreaking and gripping story of murder, institutionalized abuse, and genocide of indigenous children, using the tragic history of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools as its background. Indigenous attorney Hallee Landry is on her way to the First Nations PowWow and Potlatch when she is abducted, her head shrouded and hands bound behind her back, and shoved into the back of a fleeing Porsche Cayenne, without a clue as to why. She believes it is a case of mistaken identity. However, careless driving, an encounter with a bull moose on a winding mountainous roadway, the subsequent car accident, and the aid of two good Samaritans effect her eventual escape. Safely back and in touch with her PowWow contacts, Hallee is informed of her family’s history, which connects her to the tragic events at the local South Thompson Indian Residential School, of which she was completely unaware. Her existence, her very DNA, irrefutably connects a powerful Roman Catholic Church official directly to the abuse and murder at the school, and he’s not about to go down without doing everything he can to get rid of all evidence. 

This mesmerizing story is told from multiple points of view, both in present time and 50 years in the past, but the main perspective is that of Hallee Landry. She begins the story in complete ignorance of her connection to the notorious school, so Hallee and readers learn of her past at the same time. While the points of view and time periods switch back and forth, they are clearly identified and well told, so there was no confusion as to who was narrating or when events were occurring. 

The book starts with Hallee’s frightening abduction, and it’s a truly riveting opening. The story relates horrific incidents of all manner of abuse against the children at the school and incorporates the history of the government’s residential school policies. Readers sensitive to or triggered by the stated content warnings should take into consideration their tolerance for these issues prior to proceeding with the book. The author further acknowledges that the book contains scenes that may be triggering for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people, especially victims of abuse at residential schools. In the end, the resolution is hopeful, surprising, and satisfying. 

I recommend KILL POCAHONTAS to readers of thrillers and historical crime fiction. 

CONTENT WARNING: child abuse, child sexual abuse, racism, racial subjugation, racial slurs, murder, kidnapping, hatred, violence, bullying, drug use, fentanyl. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Death at Rock Bottom

Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery, #2

by

Kris Bock

 

The museum crew is back in action, investigating the death of an old friend.

 

Death at Rock Bottom is the second book in author Kris Bock’s clever and unique Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery series featuring geologist and rock collection curator Petra Cloch and her new friends and colleagues at the quirky Banditt Museum in small Bonneville, New Mexico. When Petra’s colleague, Liberty, suspects the death of her old friend, petroleum engineer Frank Underwood, is no accident, the two enlist the help of their coworker, Haven, and the women of their monthly book club to investigate the circumstances. 

Petra Clock is a likable and unique protagonist with her unusual gift and the struggles it has caused her to engage socially with others. She gets visions or impressions of a person from touching their belongings or things they’ve handled. Complications from her past have Petra in a perpetual state of anxiety, and interactions with others literally exhaust her. She’d previously discovered that the man she’d replaced at the Banditt Museum had been murdered when she’d inadvertently picked up the mineral formation that had been used to kill him. In this latest adventure, Petra uses her gift to help Liberty get to the truth behind the death of her friend, fellow rockhound and veteran desert hiker Frank Underwood. 

The story moves at a fast clip as the two enlist the aid and skills of the women in their monthly book club. The investigation becomes an interesting and well-coordinated ensemble performance as each woman brings their special skills to the table. With a number of people set to benefit from Frank’s death, there is plenty of work to divvy up to eliminate suspects. While I had my eye on a particular individual, it wasn’t until the unusual final reveal that I knew for sure who the murderer was. As in the previous book, the dialogue and narrative are clever. However, there were incidents where details were repeated again and again. Readers new to the series should be able to pick up the story in this latest volume, but the first book is really an entertaining ‘must-read’ as well. 

I recommend DEATH AT ROCK BOTTOM to cozy mystery readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Girls of Dark Divine

by

E.V. Woods

 

Gothic tale of naïve young dancers given their heart’s desire – with strings attached.

 

Girls of Dark Divine by E.V. Woods is a mesmerizing gothic tale of what happens when some naïve and ambitious young dancers are lured into unknowingly trading their lives for their heart’s desire to dance as a member of the renowned Manrow’s Marionettes. The story follows lead dancer, Emberlyn, and her sister dancers, revealing the truth behind the success of the magical troupe. 

The dancers of Manrow’s Marionettes are exquisitely beautiful, flawless visions as they perform the magical choreography of Malcolm Manrow, giving the audience the illusion of full-sized, lifelike dolls. What the audience doesn’t realize is that, despite being living, breathing women, their amazing “stringed” performances are real, the result of a curse and controlled by Puppetmaster Malcolm Manrow himself. 

Emberlyn, the lead and longest tenured of the Marionettes, has always been looked up to by her fellow dancers for guidance and protection. However, by the time of the opening in the novel, she is burnt out and exhausted by the unimaginable truth of her life, stretched to the breaking point by her horrific existence. She is ready to attempt an escape, with or without her best friend in the troupe, Aleida, even though Malcolm has made it clear that dancers can never leave. Her planned escape is one of survival rather than an abandonment of her sisters. I felt she was long past being selfish and heartless or any noble sentiments whatsoever by this time. Malcolm is a cruel predator and master, especially after he’s been drinking. He exercises control through fear and violence, and is devoid of any redeeming qualities. 

The workings of the curse are original and horrifying, and details are kept hazy and mysterious through most of the story, increasing the gothic feel of the work all the more. I was captivated by the unique addition of the shadow, which initially only appeared during Marionette performances, to lift and twirl Emberlyn across the stage. His mysterious existence was a highlight for me, and I particularly enjoyed this aspect of the story. 

With its atmospheric settings, many sympathetic characters, and a frighteningly imaginative plot, I recommend GIRLS OF DARK DIVINE to readers of gothic young adult mysteries, thrillers, and tales of horror. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.

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More Than Ivory

by

Gina Augustini Best

 

Riveting young adult thriller!

 

More Than Ivory by Gina Augustini Best is an absolutely riveting young adult thriller about a teenager whose mother, a well-loved local teacher, is forcibly abducted by two ski-masked men as she withdrew money from an ATM one morning before school. With its wonderful characters and the unrelenting tension of time running out for this single mother’s safe return, once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down. 

Mireya Torres is the relatable young main character, the only child of Ana María, the woman who has been taken, and at 17 years of age, she is beginning to build a life separate from her mother. She likes a boy on her debate team at school and, naturally, wants to spend some free time hanging out with her friends and, hopefully, get to know and develop a closer relationship with Luke, the object of her affections. However, her mother is unnaturally protective and, predictably, would squelch any such plans, so Mireya has been lying about where she is going and what she’s doing after school. While her afterschool pursuits are innocent enough, the last words she will have said to her mother will turn out to be lies, and this knowledge haunts her for the entirety of the look. 

Mireya’s Uncle Angel, Ana María’s brother, is a DEA agent, and he takes an active role in the investigation, but she knows he’s hiding critical information from both her and the police. She is wracked by suspicions that this man, who has always cared for her and her mom, may have had a hand in her abduction. As the police appear to be dragging their feet and going off in the wrong directions, and Uncle Angel refuses her help in finding her mother, Mireya takes matters into her own hands. Helping her in her hour of need is her best friend, Cici, and a more “ride or die” partner would be difficult to find. 

The author’s storytelling is mesmerizing, totally captivating me from the first scene, and completely immersing me in her narrative. I couldn’t delay seeing this story through to its resolution and stayed up almost all night to do so. The mysterious plot takes some shocking twists and turns as family secret after family secret comes to light, and the suspense mounts as Ana María’s abduction shifts from being a random act of opportunity to a targeted operation. The plot addresses tough, realistic issues that readers sensitive to these topics may find difficult to read. Others, however, may gain valuable knowledge and take heed. The action swiftly moves from Mireya’s quiet north Dallas suburban community to the prairie farmland west of Fort Worth to the Pineywoods of East Texas to the eerie, otherworldly deserts of West Texas as the author uses the ecological diversity of the state to her spectacular advantage. 

I recommend MORE THAN IVORY to readers of young adult mysteries, thrillers, and family dramas. 

Content warning: Discussion of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, missing children, abduction, murder, cartels and gangs

 

For this and more book reviews, visit Boys' Mom Reads!

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Whispers

by

J. Herman Kleiger

 

Someone is killing all the shrinks in this fantastic standalone sequel.

 

Whispers by J. Herman Kleiger may have been written as a sequel to the author’s earlier book, Tears Are Only Water, but this fascinating psychological thriller stands perfectly well on its own. However, this book was so absorbing and exciting, book one is definitely on my TBR list now! The series follows the career of Special Agent Nicola Kitts of the FBI, and book two focuses on her first assignment with the Bureau’s elite Behavior Analysis Unit in Washington, D.C. Three psychologists have been murdered under similar circumstances. The FBI gets involved when evidence left at the scenes indicates one person, a serial killer, is responsible for them all. 

Nicola Kitts is an interesting and likable main character. Charged with solving these cases and bringing their perpetrator to justice, she’s young, somewhat insecure in her new role, and flawed, with a lifetime of sorrows and guilt weighing her down. But even when she was getting involved in things that were painfully obvious to be risky to her career and well-being, I still rooted for her to come out okay on the other side.

 Nicola is surrounded by a team of engaging and, sometimes, quirky colleagues in the BAU. Dr. Siddharth Ramachandran is the team leader and straight man to the quibbles of the others. Dr. Bernice De Vere is well known for her brilliance and recently completed her transition from Dr. Bernard De Vere. Dr. Gideon Saks is an intellectual bully who intimidates the agents on the team, including Nicola. Later additions to the team include the irresistible older married man, Dr. Solomon Mendelson, and Carmine “Books” Luedke, an old friend out of Nicola’s Colorado law enforcement days. Together, they form a formidable team as they try to profile the killer. 

The plot progresses quickly as the killings continue and their first suspect, Raevyn Nevenmoore, is identified. The story has a couple of surprising twists and turns that had me revising my guesses as to the probable outcome of the book several times. The cryptic messages – poetry and complex mathematical equations – left at the murder scenes were absolutely stellar bits of business, too. 

I recommend WHISPERS to readers of psychological thrillers, especially those who enjoy FBI connections in their stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Whispers

by

J. Herman Kleiger

 

Someone is killing all the shrinks in this fantastic standalone sequel.

 

Whispers by J. Herman Kleiger may have been written as a sequel to the author’s earlier book, Tears Are Only Water, but this fascinating psychological thriller stands perfectly well on its own. However, this book was so absorbing and exciting, book one is definitely on my TBR list now! The series follows the career of Special Agent Nicola Kitts of the FBI, and book two focuses on her first assignment with the Bureau’s elite Behavior Analysis Unit in Washington, D.C. Three psychologists have been murdered under similar circumstances. The FBI gets involved when evidence left at the scenes indicates one person, a serial killer, is responsible for them all. 

Nicola Kitts is an interesting and likable main character. Charged with solving these cases and bringing their perpetrator to justice, she’s young, somewhat insecure in her new role, and flawed, with a lifetime of sorrows and guilt weighing her down. But even when she was getting involved in things that were painfully obvious to be risky to her career and well-being, I still rooted for her to come out okay on the other side.

 Nicola is surrounded by a team of engaging and, sometimes, quirky colleagues in the BAU. Dr. Siddharth Ramachandran is the team leader and straight man to the quibbles of the others. Dr. Bernice De Vere is well known for her brilliance and recently completed her transition from Dr. Bernard De Vere. Dr. Gideon Saks is an intellectual bully who intimidates the agents on the team, including Nicola. Later additions to the team include the irresistible older married man, Dr. Solomon Mendelson, and Carmine “Books” Luedke, an old friend out of Nicola’s Colorado law enforcement days. Together, they form a formidable team as they try to profile the killer. 

The plot progresses quickly as the killings continue and their first suspect, Raevyn Nevenmoore, is identified. The story has a couple of surprising twists and turns that had me revising my guesses as to the probable outcome of the book several times. The cryptic messages – poetry and complex mathematical equations – left at the murder scenes were absolutely stellar bits of business, too. 

I recommend WHISPERS to readers of psychological thrillers, especially those who enjoy FBI connections in their stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Whispers

by

J. Herman Kleiger

 

Someone is killing all the shrinks in this fantastic standalone sequel.

 

Whispers by J. Herman Kleiger may have been written as a sequel to the author’s earlier book, Tears Are Only Water, but this fascinating psychological thriller stands perfectly well on its own. However, this book was so absorbing and exciting, book one is definitely on my TBR list now! The series follows the career of Special Agent Nicola Kitts of the FBI, and book two focuses on her first assignment with the Bureau’s elite Behavior Analysis Unit in Washington, D.C. Three psychologists have been murdered under similar circumstances. The FBI gets involved when evidence left at the scenes indicates one person, a serial killer, is responsible for them all. 

Nicola Kitts is an interesting and likable main character. Charged with solving these cases and bringing their perpetrator to justice, she’s young, somewhat insecure in her new role, and flawed, with a lifetime of sorrows and guilt weighing her down. But even when she was getting involved in things that were painfully obvious to be risky to her career and well-being, I still rooted for her to come out okay on the other side.

 Nicola is surrounded by a team of engaging and, sometimes, quirky colleagues in the BAU. Dr. Siddharth Ramachandran is the team leader and straight man to the quibbles of the others. Dr. Bernice De Vere is well known for her brilliance and recently completed her transition from Dr. Bernard De Vere. Dr. Gideon Saks is an intellectual bully who intimidates the agents on the team, including Nicola. Later additions to the team include the irresistible older married man, Dr. Solomon Mendelson, and Carmine “Books” Luedke, an old friend out of Nicola’s Colorado law enforcement days. Together, they form a formidable team as they try to profile the killer. 

The plot progresses quickly as the killings continue and their first suspect, Raevyn Nevenmoore, is identified. The story has a couple of surprising twists and turns that had me revising my guesses as to the probable outcome of the book several times. The cryptic messages – poetry and complex mathematical equations – left at the murder scenes were absolutely stellar bits of business, too. 

I recommend WHISPERS to readers of psychological thrillers, especially those who enjoy FBI connections in their stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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The Cardinal Code

by

Avery Sterling

 

Exciting and sexy new vampire romantasy!

 

The Cardinal Code is a suspenseful and sexy new vampire romantasy by author Avery Sterling that presents a fresh and intriguing perspective of vampire lore. With its irresistible main characters, slow-burn romance, and fascinating vampire social order, I was hooked until the very final page. 

Michael Chamberlain is the cool, collected, wealthy scion of his elite Sicilian cardinalis family now residing on Long Island. He’s preparing to take over ownership of his father’s successful New York City nightclub, Allusion, when he becomes enamored of a new waitress at the club. 

Paislee Sullivan is a college student just trying to pick up the pieces of her interrupted life after a terrible accident two years earlier had almost ended it. With huge medical bills hanging over her head, she takes a job as a waitress at the exclusive Allusion nightclub. One night, the unwanted attentions of a persistent and obnoxious customer lead her to grab the first man she sees, pretending he’s the boyfriend she’s waiting on, in hopes his presence will discourage her pest once and for all. Her surprised rescuer turns out to be none other than Michael Chamberlain, the club’s new owner, and the pest is his estranged brother, Esben. 

The couple’s attraction to one another is undeniable, and so begins their slow-burning romance, which starts as a contracted business arrangement. They experience several rocky moments as they learn about each other, and Esben continues to target Paislee as a means of getting back at Michael. The back and forth between the two before convincing Paislee to agree to the contract and then what their relationship was going to look like went a little long for me as they rehashed their motives, emotions, and intentions. Their relationship includes some sexy, erotic scenes as well as darker incidents of anger and violence. Readers sensitive to these kinds of depictions should consider this and proceed accordingly, taking into account their tolerance for such scenarios. An author’s note at the beginning of the book accurately and clearly details this. 

The concept of the Codex and an all-powerful order to enforce it was intriguing to me as a reader and intimidating to many characters in the book. There are some surprising twists in the plot, not only regarding past events involving the brothers but also the current action. The story concludes with a cliffhanger ending, which absolutely begs for a quick sequel. 

I recommend THE CARDINAL CODE to readers of darker, more adult paranormal romance. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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The Ignoble Lie

Of Gods and Men, #1

by

Matthew Peters

 

Exciting, history-laden religio-political thriller.

 

The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters is the first book in his new political thriller series, Of Gods and Men, and the story truly hits the ground running, with the bombing of the iconic pyramids of Giza by terrorists. Former Jesuit Scott Larson and his friend, Zady Jones, the niece of a powerful security consultant, race against the clock to rescue her abducted sister and prevent further acts of terror, both internationally and on U.S. soil. 

I enjoyed the main characters from the start. Their high energy, easy camaraderie, and intriguing past history were nice as they worked together to stop those behind the terroristic blackmail. An eventful backstory is woven into the early narrative, but rather than just building context for the characters, I felt like I must have missed a prior book, and the tantalizing glimpse into Larson’s past seems to warrant one. 

The story moves quickly; a lot is packed into the single week’s timeframe. I was hooked by the creative plot revolving around the Ark of the Covenant. The suspense builds as the American president faces an impeachment process. At the same time, a number of politically high-placed figures stir the pot, offering unbidden advice, assistance, or conducting mysterious behind-the-scenes manipulations dealing with the ISIS demands. I didn’t know for certain who the main characters could trust, as everyone seemed to have hidden motives and something to gain. While the pacing may have been a little uneven at times, I found the pages almost flew by. I look forward to the next installment in the series. 

I recommend THE IGNOBLE LIE to readers of political intrigue and thrillers.

 I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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They Came at Night

by

Westley Smith

 

An absolute stunner of a thriller!

 

They Came At Night is an absolute stunner of a thriller by author Westley Smith, and I was absolutely enthralled from start to finish. From the horrific opening scene to the uneasy relationships among the characters and the unsettlingly atmospheric setting of an almost abandoned rural town, I developed a case of the heebie-jeebies that I couldn’t shake until the story’s climactic resolution. 

Sandra Leigh had been a promising concert pianist until she’d suffered a career-ending injury during an attack on a deserted rural highway one night. She’d escaped with her life, but the emotional trauma eventually sent her away from her family to a secluded rehab program for those suffering from PTSD run by a retired former Navy SEAL in the West Virginia hills. Five years later, she agrees to accompany her sister and her family on a restful weekend trip to a lovely vacation rental home outside the quiet little town of Little Hope, Pennsylvania. 

The reunion with her sister and her family is awkward at first, and it becomes even more so when Sandra’s critical and manipulative mother shows up unannounced. Then, too, rather than being a quaint tourist town, Little Hope is eerily empty, with many properties bearing either “SOLD” or “CLOSED” signs. Sandra feels like someone is watching their every move, even when they arrive at the beautiful rental home, and because of her past, the rest of the family scoffs at her growing sense that something is off. But then, little things start happening … 

Sandra, the main character, is a tragic figure, but one who refuses to remain a victim any longer. Even when her family refuses to take her feelings seriously, getting angry with her for voicing her concerns, she stands firm and continues to trust her gut. At first, her family seems to tiptoe around what happened to her five years earlier, but as her niece Emalyn begins to warm back up to her, her sister and mother seem to release pent-up anger and frustration toward her. I was relieved when Sandra’s relationships with the women in her life finally started to heal as the story progressed, even if this did happen under the worst of circumstances. 

The author creates one heck of a creepy atmosphere from the very beginning. The descriptions of the various settings are vivid and literally gave me goosebumps. The suspenseful plot is full of twists and unseen, yet palpable menace that begins with a shocking attack. There are exciting, Rambo-esque action sequences later on that match or surpass the opening in intensity and its highly visceral impact, so readers sensitive to this kind of thing should be forewarned. In between, the suspense was constantly building, and I couldn’t put the book down because of the feeling that something more was just about to happen. I was riveted to my seat and read the book in one gloriously tension-filled sitting. 

I recommend THEY CAME AT NIGHT to readers of action or psychological thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.