Can't Wait Wednesday: Fatal Pattern (The King Legacy Book #2) by Kate Angelo

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Fatal Pattern (The King Legacy Book #2) by Kate Angelo releasing September 15.

SYNOPSIS

A COVERT INVESTIGATION
A stalker attacks behavioral analyst Dr. Tori Crew at knifepoint, shattering the fierce independence she's built since her parents' unsolved murder. Forced into an off-the-books criminal investigation, Tori must push her expertise--and her fiercely guarded heart--to the breaking point as a killer's pattern emerges.

A LOOMING THREAT
Homicide detective Blade St. James has been Tori's friend and protector since childhood. Haunted by his own past of parental abandonment, Blade is determined to build a stable life and find the peace that always seems just out of reach. But when Tori's life is threatened, his guardian reflexes collide with everything he's been trying to build.

A HIDDEN MENACE
As the conspiracy rooted in Tori's past pulls them deeper, the boundaries of their friendship blur, and the truth neither can deny becomes impossible to ignore. Can they unmask the sophisticated serial killer before they become the final, fatal piece in the pattern?

In this gripping romantic suspense thriller, Kate Angelo delivers pulse-pounding psychological suspense and forensic investigations threaded with slow-burn romance and a heart-stopping cold case. Perfect for fans of Criminal Minds, Lynette Eason, Nancy Mehl, Colleen Coble, and Irene Hannon.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Flaw and Order (The Worst Detective Ever Book 14) by Christy Barritt

SYNOPSIS

Some women panic. Joey Darling packs a suitcase.

Joey Darling knows not to interfere with a police investigation—especially one involving her husband, Detective Jackson Sullivan. But when Jackson vanishes while working undercover and no one will tell her what's happening, Joey launches her own investigation.

Armed with little more than a cryptic clue, an overactive imagination, and her irrepressible Aunt Dizzy, Joey heads to a charming coastal town where a stranger seems far too interested in her arrival, mysterious late-night activity unfolds along the waterfront, and the tightlipped locals warn her to stay away from the wrong side of the docks.

She soon suspects Jackson is in far more danger than anyone realizes. But with no script to follow, a knack for turning simple surveillance into spectacular disaster, and a celebrity face even a clever disguise can’t hide, Joey must improvise now more than ever.

Will her flaws lead to order this time? Or will this be the case that plunges her in too deep to ever find her way back to the surface?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Flaw and Order did not disappoint! I loved it so much! It was so great being back with Joey and the gang. This is my favorite Christy Barritt series, so I’m always excited to see what new is going on with these characters. And there’s a lot that happens in this book!

Jackson, Joey’s husband, has been deep undercover for longer than he was supposed to be, so Joey and her aunt Dizzy take it upon themselves to head off and find him. Joey and Dizzy are quite the pair! They’re hilarious and often found themselves in some dangerous situations. But they always meant well!

While this book had me laughing out loud in so many spots, it also had me emotional in others and on the edge of my seat throughout too. It was the perfect combination of funny, suspenseful, and emotional. It took turns I wasn’t expecting, and there was resolution to some things from previous books. There’s also some exciting things to look forward to!

This book left a big smile on my face. I absolutely adored it! If you’re a fan of fun cozy mysteries, don’t hesitate to pick up this series. You’ll love it!

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

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Flaw and Order (The Worst Detective Ever Book 14) by Christy Barritt

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Flaw and Order (The Worst Detective Ever Book 14) by Christy Barritt.

SYNOPSIS

Some women panic. Joey Darling packs a suitcase.

Joey Darling knows not to interfere with a police investigation—especially one involving her husband, Detective Jackson Sullivan. But when Jackson vanishes while working undercover and no one will tell her what's happening, Joey launches her own investigation.

Armed with little more than a cryptic clue, an overactive imagination, and her irrepressible Aunt Dizzy, Joey heads to a charming coastal town where a stranger seems far too interested in her arrival, mysterious late-night activity unfolds along the waterfront, and the tightlipped locals warn her to stay away from the wrong side of the docks.

She soon suspects Jackson is in far more danger than anyone realizes. But with no script to follow, a knack for turning simple surveillance into spectacular disaster, and a celebrity face even a clever disguise can’t hide, Joey must improvise now more than ever.

Will her flaws lead to order this time? Or will this be the case that plunges her in too deep to ever find her way back to the surface?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Three things never stopped at the Fatty Shack: the hush puppies, the gossip, and the Hot Chicks once they got rolling.

Friday 56

He tugged the ball cap low again, and the stillness came back over him like a tide coming in, smoothing everything flat. "You've got good instincts. So here's some free advice on top of the pie: Trust those instincts. The minute this town stops feeling friendly, you need to get back in that car, and you don't stop till you're back home."

What have you been reading?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Lazarus Protocol (Division Zero Special Ops Book 1) by Lisa Phillips

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Lazarus Protocol (Division Zero Special Ops Book 1) by Lisa Phillips releasing August 19.

SYNOPSIS

A suspicious death in Washington, ruled an accident.
A team dispatched into hostile territory.
A covert agent, bruised and hunted, but very much alive.

The CIA saved Stephanie-Jo’s life. Now she owes them her soul, and there’s no way out. When a private black-ops team becomes her only chance at survival, the mission shifts to a battle of wills. These men answer to no government, only to each other, and they’re hunting the same device she’s been sent to secure. Steph’s handlers don’t accept failure. She has to complete the mission—or die trying.

Adam Helton was declared dead by the Army years ago. Now he leads a team racing the clock to retrieve sensitive technology from a hostile zone, unaware of what will be unleashed if they fail. He’s always risked everything, but this time the stakes are different. Caught between the loyalty he lives by and the oath he swore a long time ago, Adam must risk it all if any of them are going to make it out intact.

With a ruthless group of true believers closing in and an enemy who always seems one step ahead, Division Zero faces its greatest test yet. Every thread they pull in this global conspiracy only reveals another, placing them squarely in the crosshairs as they race to stop an ally from making a catastrophic mistake.

The greatest threat isn’t always the one coming for you.
Sometimes it’s the one standing beside you.

*The new action-packed espionage thriller series from Lisa Phillips features a deadly conspiracy that stretches across the whole series, plenty of threads to keep you reading late into the night, and happily ever afters in each book.*

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Defender (Heroes of Renegade Book 6) by Michelle Sass Aleckson

SYNOPSIS

She's his best friend's little sister. He's always been off-limits. Until their cases collide and everything changes.

Police Detective Michael Martinelli has spent four years hunting his mother's killer. When a string of burglaries reopens the cold case, the last complication he needs is Dani Kim walking back into his life.

She came back to prove herself—then get out. She never expected him to make her want to stay.

FBI Special Agent Dani Kim's "punishment" assignment in Renegade is temporary—keep her head down, prove she belongs in the big leagues, and escape back to her real career. But when her investigation into financial irregularities collides with Michael's case—both leading to a shadow syndicate that may have murdered his mother—everything changes. Michael's always been off-limits—her brother's best friend, nothing more. But working together ignites feelings neither expected.

When enemies strike and bodies pile up, can they survive long enough to explore what's growing between them?

Sometimes justice requires faith, courage, and risking your heart on forbidden love.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Defender was another great addition to this series. In fact, it’s one of my favorites. It wasn’t quite as action-packed as some of the previous books, but it was no less compelling. I was completely invested and didn’t want to put it down.

I really liked Michael. He was helpful, chivalrous, and just an all-around good guy. It took a little while to warm up to Dani. She was impulsive, rushing into things without thinking about the consequences, even when she was told not to do it. But she did mean well, and by the end of the book, I ended up liking her. I enjoyed seeing her character growth. I thought Michael and Dani were really good together. They really balanced each other out.

There was even more progress made with the Shadow Syndicate. I’m really curious to see how things end up in the final book of the series! If you’re a fan of faith-filled romantic suspense, don’t hesitate to pick up this series. It’s so good!

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

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Defender (Heroes of Renegade Book 6) by Michelle Sass Aleckson

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Defender (Heroes of Renegade Book 6) by Michelle Sass Aleckson

SYNOPSIS

She's his best friend's little sister. He's always been off-limits. Until their cases collide and everything changes.

Police Detective Michael Martinelli has spent four years hunting his mother's killer. When a string of burglaries reopens the cold case, the last complication he needs is Dani Kim walking back into his life.

She came back to prove herself—then get out. She never expected him to make her want to stay.

FBI Special Agent Dani Kim's "punishment" assignment in Renegade is temporary—keep her head down, prove she belongs in the big leagues, and escape back to her real career. But when her investigation into financial irregularities collides with Michael's case—both leading to a shadow syndicate that may have murdered his mother—everything changes. Michael's always been off-limits—her brother's best friend, nothing more. But working together ignites feelings neither expected.

When enemies strike and bodies pile up, can they survive long enough to explore what's growing between them?

Sometimes justice requires faith, courage, and risking your heart on forbidden love.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Roused from a deep sleep, Detective Michael Martinelli swatted at the buzzing near his ear.

Friday 56

A beat of silence reigned for a moment. Then her father wrapped an arm around her mother. "I think that's enough for one night. I need to get your mother home."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Splintered Life (Shattered World Book 2) by W.R. Gingell

SYNOPSIS
The world isn’t the same as it was yesterday. In fact, Viv is no longer sure that she is the same as she was yesterday. She can do something she never knew was possible—and Luca tried to kill her, just like Jasper said he would if she let him get too close.

At the teahouse, it’s business as usual, however: tentacles in the top floor, an invasion of not-quite-real-but-nevertheless-terrifying spiders...and a new murderer to catch, of course. Someone is trying to make sure a Greek-Australian couple never makes it to the altar, and it's not just perfume they're sneaking into the bride's room.

But Luca isn’t talking to Viv; not since she stopped him from escaping. That shouldn’t be surprising—and the last thing Viv should be doing is trying to talk to him more than she has to—but there’s another murderer on the loose, and they’re going to need Luca’s help to catch him.

Life was already hard, but now Viv has to somehow stop the wilder side of that life from spilling over into her normal life. Her human life. But if the two halves begin to split apart, which should she try to hold onto?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I started reading this book immediately after finishing the first one. I can't get enough of these characters, the story, and the worlds. I enjoyed this story just as much as the first one.

It picks up right after the events of the previous book. I was hooked! I loved the cozy mystery vibes and enjoyed seeing Viv come into her own as she grappled with the new otherworldly aspects of her life. Luca is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters I've read about in recent memory. Yes, he's unhinged, but I can't get enough of him.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys twisty urban fantasy. Be sure to start at the beginning because this does not stand alone. I can't wait to start book three!

FIVE STARS