All three books in this series were fun and satisfying reads, each focusing on a different Donovan brother. All of the characters were well drawn and relatable, but Ellie and Finn are particularly suited and sufficiently flawed to ooze great chemistry from the pages. The added layer of parental dramas created a real internal struggle for both of them, and I bawled my eyes out at the end. (One of the highest accolades I can give an author, because it means I really care for the characters and can relate to their situations.) When Ellie returns to the home town that ridiculed her mother and made her childhood a misery, because her sick father needs her, the last thing she wants is additional stres. Finn constitues additional stress. Not because he's smoking hot and stirs all sorts of sordid thoughts every time Ellie's within 10 feet of him, but their childhood competition always goes too far.
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It's what you don't see that could kil you ...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this locally set crime story. Let's face it, South Australia has a creepy history of having killers in our midst. I'll definitely be grabbing the next book in the series. Melanie Casey has a comprehensive writing style that builds vivid images and characters I could sympathise with. She puts an interesting twist on hunting a serial killer. Cass's ability to see past traumatic events, lends a terrifying intimacy with the victims, and the idiosyncrasies of the characters are well developed and make them interesting. The curse of retrocognition makes Cass a remarkable woman, but it could also be the death of her. This recluse is lured from her home to help Detective Dyson solve a murder in her sleepy town, but she gets more than she bargained for with the troubled but intriguing man and the discovery of a serial killer. A Taste of Evil by Christina Carlisle Wow! Full of twists and tension This crime provided a stunning opening with the murdered woman telling you about her own death. Imagine finding out what people really thought of you from a fly-on-the-wall viewpoint. The tension ratcheted up a notch in every chapter until I was on the edge of my seat, heart racing, trying desperately to guess whodunnit. There are just so many suspects in the intricate web of secrets and human emotions, each with a bitter and sweet side. Brilliant characters, great police procedural details and a riveting read. Wings of Fear, by Helene Young The book that made me want to write romantic suspense This Aussie novelists brought her own passion for flying planes into this romantic-suspense. There was plenty of action, sexual tension, authentic references to bureaucracy, well developed characters and sustained suspense. Catch of the Day by Carla Caruso I can smell the ocean It wasn't just the gorgeous cover that caught my eye with this story. This small town is far from sleepy and the characters in it are colourful and tenacious. They get under your skin and you just want to give them a hug. I couldn't put this sweet story down and Carla Caruso's free-flowing style and lovely seaside descriptions made for a great read. Poor Winnie is banished to the tiny coastal town of Kingston, from her glamorous Sydney life. She throws her energy into getting a new lifestyle magazine up and running, making unexpected friends along the way. Freelance photographer and cray fisherman, Alex, catches her eyes, but he's aloof and she needs to stay away from non-committal men. Negotiating the small town gossips is tricky, but nothing compared to the devastation when Alex's secret past is revealed. Queen of the Road by Tricia Stringer An independent woman I can root for Angela is an independent woman who's life isn't where she imagined it should be at this time in her life, but when an opportunity presents, she takes the bull by the horns and gives it her all. Making an isolated country town her temporary home and finding surprises and challenges at every turn. Tricia Stringer is skilled at weaving wonderful details into every scene and creating characters that you will love and hate. I enjoyed the mystery and blatant sexist attitudes Angela had to deal with. The story lured me in immediately and kept me interested through out. Bad Debts by Peter Temple Fantastic down-to-earth hero This is the first book in the Jack Irish series and is rich with Melbourne city culture and lingo. It looks at the city's seedy underbelly, corrupt officials and developers, as well as getting up close and personal with working class folks. You couldn't get a more flawed hero, and yet Jack's tenacity and decency makes you love him. Jack gets a call from ex-client and is drawn into a series of suspicious circumstances that make him believe the case might not have been as open and shut as everyone though. Breaking Cover by J D Rhoades Intrigued me from the get-go Wow, Tony Wolf was immediately likeable and frightening. I wasn't sure what to believe half the time and wished it wasn't true the other half. The whole story was gritty and gripping and made my heart race and break. I'll be looking for more from this author! A Pretty Mess by Carla Caruso A fun and flirty read The first in the Astonvale Series, this is a fun read with loveable characters. Having a professional organiser with a hoarder father is brilliant, and I giggle every time I say Celeste Pretty's name. Her first client is a famous health and fitness guru with something to hide and Celest and Lenny (the seriously sexy builder onsite) team up to investigate. There are plenty of snobs and false friends in the well-heeled suburb of Astonvale, but Celeste manages to remain grounded. It remains to be seen if Celeste will emerge with her heart and professional reputation unscathed. Fear for Hire by Natalie S Ellis Loved the absolute nail-biting tension This story has a unique and interesting start with a psych patient, Molly, who convinces her shrink, Rudy, that the best way for her to get over her fear of abduction, is for him to organise an abduction. His ex-copy brother, Jack, agrees to do it. What Jack didn't expect was to be attracted to Molly's fighting spirit. Molly is a TV journalist and threatens to expose what he's done, but she might just need him, because someone is out to get her in the most final way. Jack is a born protector with his own demons and can't leave Molly unprotected. Excellent read with a new twist. |
Author“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.” Categories
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