Review: Deadly Revenge (Pearl River #3) by Patricia Bradley

About the Book

Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I've been looking forward to this book, and it did not disappoint. This whole series has kept me on the edge of my seat, but this one is my favorite. I was invested from the very first paragraph and could hardly set the book down to tend to other things. I finished it in record time. It was intriguing and suspenseful the whole way through.

I really liked Jenna and Max. They made a great team as they worked together to solve the baffling crimes going on around town. There were some things they had to work through, but I was rooting them on the whole time.

It was really interesting (and infuriating) hearing about what happened when the dam was built and the trouble it caused and might still be causing twenty years later. The tension and intrigue kept rising as the story progressed and had me turning the pages as fast as possible, eager to discover the outcome.

This was a fantastic romantic suspense that had a dash of psychological thriller thrown into the mix. I highly recommend it! Even though it's book three in the series, it stands alone perfectly fine.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Review: Rift (Rift Trilogy #1) by Steven James

About the Book

Bestselling author Steven James unveils a gripping tale of loss, longing, and courage in his latest young adult horror trilogy, Rift.

Seventeen-year-old Sahara is sent to live in the Appalachian Mountains while wrestling with the tragic loss of her father in an accident she believes she caused. As Sahara battles her inner demons, a mystical rift between the spiritual and physical worlds triggers a chilling string of paranormal events. Nightmares bleed into the waking world, and Sahara must unravel the mysteries hidden within the fabric of her own mind to save those she loves.

Her quest leads to a turbulent exploration of self-forgiveness and resilience amidst unimaginable loss. Author Steven James says, "Sahara's grief becomes a potent catalyst as she confronts supernatural forces threatening her town, delving into the intricate connections between personal anguish and unearthly mysteries."

Rift weaves together ancient mountain folklore with universal themes of loss, guilt, and redemption, resulting in a compelling young adult horror novel. Heart-wrenching vulnerability intersects with spine-chilling suspense, carrying readers on an emotional odyssey that grapples with the power of shame, the fragility of certainty, and the courage required to confront the mistakes of the past.

Brace yourself for a roller coaster of suspense as Steven James invites readers on a dark and thrilling ride through the mysterious corridors between worlds.

Amazon / Goodreads / Author's Website / Sky Turtle Press

MY THOUGHTS

Haunting and atmospheric, this chilling tale gripped me and still hasn’t let go. I was completely captivated and flew through the pages as fast as I could.

I liked Sahara and really felt for her. She had a lot of regrets and blamed herself for her father’s death. But I thought she had a good heart and acted like a typical teenager. I loved her creativity and the way she told her stories. I liked seeing the genuine friendship between her and Cadence, and I loved the relationship she had with her Grams.

I really enjoyed the writing style. There was something so authentic about it. And I loved the almost eerie quality to it. The story really came to life.

I enjoyed the folktales and ghost stories. I was familiar with a couple of them, but they took some surprising turns. They were chilling! I got goosebumps on numerous occasions.

There was a brilliant twist that I didn’t see coming, even though I probably should have. It ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger, which has me so anxious for the next book. It can’t come out soon enough! I absolutely loved this spooky tale and would give it more than five stars if I could. I highly, highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS