Review: Mary, Will I Die by Shawn Sarles

Author: Shawn Sarles
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: September 2021

It starts innocently enough. Four kids - three girls, one boy - are at one of their houses, playing games. One of them has read about "Bloody Mary" and the idea that if you look into a mirror and say her name thirteen times, she will show you the future. Some legends say she'll show you your one true love or a skull to mark your death within five years. Others say that conjuring Bloody Mary will bring her into your world.

Both sets of legends are true. The kids go through with the act, saying her name thirteen times. One girl looks in the mirror and sees her longtime crush. One girl looks in the mirror and sees the boy in the group. But she pretends to see something else. One girl looks in the mirror and sees a girl she's never seen before but can't get out of her mind. And the boy . . . he sees a skull. But he pretends to see something else. They try to laugh it off. And mostly they forget about it. Or at least they don't talk about it. Yes, over the next few years, whenever they look into a mirror, it's like there's always another figure standing in the background, getting closer.

Just short of five years later, the four of them are no longer friends, having gone on separate paths. The girl whose house it was has always tried to avoid the mirror they used - because she always sensed someone in the background. One morning as she's passing by, she sees much more than her own reflection - it's a scary figure taunting her. She startles and breaks the mirror. When the pieces are put back together (barely), the figure is gone.

Mary, Will I Die? is a YA Horror involving 4 kids and the Bloody Mary legend.  This has it's own twist on the legend.  Rumor has it that if you say "Bloody Mary" 13 times while looking in a mirror, you will see your future.  You may even see your soul mate.  When these four were in middle school, they played the game and each one saw something different. What they saw has affected their lives 5 years later. 

I thought this was a fun YA horror.  It was definitely creepy.  I liked all of the characters.  Each one showed a lot of growth by the end of the book.  Which is a rare thing these days.  There was a great twist regarding the mirror and the demon.  I do think that this would be a good horror for upper middle school readers who want to dip their toes into the horror genre.  I do recommend this one and think it would be a good addition to any middle grade/YA library.

Blog Tour: Excerpt from Back in Black by Julie Ann Walker

 
Julie Ann Walker’s new series is launching this month–check out the excerpt from Back In Black, and be sure to pre-order your copy today!
 

Title: Back in Black
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 29th
  
About Back In Black:
A secret identity mixed in with forced proximity on top of red-hot chemistry? What could go wrong?
 
The Black Knights are back and better than ever!
 
FBI agent Grace Beacham is on the run. After an operation to bring down a Russian disinformation campaign goes sideways and ends in her partner’s death, the Kremlin has sent its most notorious assassin to kill her. Not knowing who to trust inside the Bureau, Grace is forced to call on the one man who might be able to save her. The one man she hasn’t been able to forget.
 
BKI operative Hunter Jackson walked away from Grace Beacham three years ago. And he hasn’t looked back. But when his cell phone suddenly jangles to life with Grace on the other end begging for his help, he doesn’t hesitate to ride to her rescue.
 
Grace is no stranger to men like Hunter. Men who are devastatingly attractive and in love with their perilous professions and no-strings-attached lifestyles. As the two of them go off-grid to uncover the truth behind what happened on her last assignment, she fears her life might not be the only thing on the line. With Hunter, her heart could be in danger too.
 
"A first-rate thrill ride."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review for Thrill Ride
 
"This razor-sharp, sensual, and intriguing tale will get hearts pounding"—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review for Wild Ride
 
"Deft characterization, skillful pacing, touches of humor, and red-hot love scenes rev up this highly recommended roller-coaster." —Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review for In Rides Trouble
 
 
Pre-Order Your Copy!
Amazon | AppleBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | BAM!
 
 
Exclusive Excerpt:
“Some nights are so dark the dawn seems impossible.”
The words Grace Beacham’s father spoke to her that awful evening her husband filed for divorce came back to her as she used the outdoor spigot to wash the blood from her hands. Hands so shaky she could barely perform the task. Hands so pale the brightness shining from her lit cell phone screen made the skin appear translucent. She could see her veins snaking beneath her flesh like holding a leaf up to the sunlight.
Her father had been talking about the depths of her despair and the weight of her failure. But now she felt the simple truth of his words.
If she believed that text message , this moonless night may very well be her last.
Rubbing her wet hands on her thighs, she snatched her phone off the ground and forced herself to look at the screen again. Hoping the text had magically disappeared.
No such luck.
 Who would think six little words could have terror weighing her down until her body felt like a bag of wet concrete?
Orpheus is hunting you. Run. Hide.
 
About the Author:

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Julie grew up in a house full of women – she has three older sisters. As you can imagine, there was no lack of drama… or romance. Her mother enrolled her in a book club as soon as she began to read and it was the small spark that ignited her voracious appetite for the written word.
 
Because of Julie’s early immersion in literature, she found writing came quite naturally. In high school, she won multiple writing contests and was the proud senior editor of The Tiger’s Tale – her school newspaper.
 
During her college years, however, she longed for a challenge. “Reading and writing felt like second nature to me, so I looked for a way to flex my mental muscles,” she recalls. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, Julie began teaching advanced high school mathematics.
 
“I loved working with the students and facing the challenges of the classroom, but I longed for the occasional snow day when I could race to the local book store, buy two or three new novels, and curl up in front of the fire to read.”
 
It wasn’t until a fortuitous move to Chicago that Julie once more returned to her first passion.
 
Now Julie loves to travel the world looking for views to compete with her deadlines. When she’s not writing, she enjoys camping, hiking, cycling, cooking, petting every dog that walks by her, and… reading, of course!
 
Connect with the Author:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub | Instagram | Newsletter
 

Release Blitz: Review of Beached in Bali by Erin Brockus

Author: Erin Brockus
Publisher: Green Sage Press
Publication Date: August 10, 2023
Goodreads 
BookBub

Buy Links: Kindle Unlimited
Universal: https://mybook.to/bali
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C632GZTW 
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C632GZTW 
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C632GZT 
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C632GZTW 
Paperback: https://mybook.to/Bali_PB

Could one week change our lives forever?
I'm adrift in a sea of uncertainty, trying to figure out the woman in the mirror. All I ever wanted was a family, but my ex-husband blames me for its absence. After the divorce, I am embarking on an adventure to Bali, seeking who I’m meant to be.
But I'm not alone. My best friend, Cole Foster, insists on joining me. He's so sweet I hardly notice how hot and athletic he is. Really. We even booked separate rooms. Well, until a resort catastrophe forces us to share a bungalow.
And a bed.
Bali is supposed to clear my chaotic mind, but now my BFF is staring at me like I'm the answer to his wildest dreams. Can we leave our pasts behind and risk our friendship for a shot at love?
Beached in Bali is a sexy romance set against an exotic tropical backdrop, featuring an ugly duckling who doesn't believe he's a swan, and a woman torn between what's safe and what's worth risking.

Best friends on vacation in Bali. A secret crush. One bed.

Beached in Bali is an adorable friends to lovers story.  It involves Cole and Dawn.  Dawn has always dreamed of visiting Bali.  Fresh off a divorce, this is finally her chance.  Her best friend Cole agrees to tag along to make sure she is safe. Things don't go as planned, but that might just be a good ting. 

 I thought this book was really sweet.  I loved that they had a history going back to childhood.  It was so fun watching them figure out that they were perfect for each other.  Cole's admission toward the end to Dawn was just so sweeet.  It's a fun romance and makes me want to travel to some place tropical now.    I highly recommend this one.

Author Bio:
Dive into a Tropical Romantic Escape!
 
Erin Brockus writes steamy small town romances that transport readers to exotic, tropical destinations, and provide a perfect beachy getaway from everyday life. Her mature, relatable characters are impossible not to root for, and she weaves breezy romantic adventure into her stories, emphasizing scuba diving and the ocean.
 
Drawing on her twin passions for diving and travel, Erin infuses her characters and narratives with a sense of excitement and passion. Her idea of the perfect day involves sipping a cocktail on the beach after exploring the ocean depths.
 
Erin lives in Washington wine country with her husband, who is also a scuba instructor. She is currently hard at work on her next island adventure. When she's not writing, you might find her out for a run or cycling through the countryside on the next quest for adventure.
 
Social Media Links:
All Links: https://linktr.ee/erinbrockus
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Erin-Brockus/author/B08JJL9YPL
Website: https://www.erinbrockus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinCBrockus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinbrockusauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20764876.Erin_Brockus
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/erin-brockus
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erinbrockusauthor

Review: Olympic Mountain Pursuit by Jodie Bailey

Author: Jodie Bailey

Publisher: Love Inspired

Publication Date: June 2023

Can this K-9 get a child to safety?

Four years ago, former US Marshal Jackson Dean left his job after falling for a witness—who’s suddenly the target of an assassin. Now it’s up to Jackson and his K-9 partner to protect single mom Everly Lopez and her young daughter when Everly’s identity is blown. But with hired killers looking for a payday, Jackson must use all his resources to stop them from silencing Everly permanently.

Olympic Mountain Pursuit is the fourth book  in the Pacific Northwest K-9 series.  This sone is Jackson's story.  He is an ex-US Marshal who now works for the K-9 unit.  He is called back to protect a witness who was in his care in his last career.  Can he protect her and her daughter and still protect his heart?

I truly enjoyed this one. This is a second chance romance of sorts.  Jackson and Everly clearly still have feelings for each other four years later, even though they never acknowledged them when Jackson was handling Everly's case.  I loved that they had a history, so the love story didn't feel forced.  There wasn't a mystery really because it's known who is looking for Everly.  But there is non-stop action with several killers for hire.  The ending was perfect.  I highly recommend this one. It's among my favorites of the series.

Review: Missing Clarissa by Ripley Jones

Author: Ripley Jones
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication Date: March 2023

In a gripping novel perfect for fans of Sadie and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, two best friends start a true crime podcast—only to realize they may have helped a killer in the process.

In August of 1999, dazzlingly popular cheerleader Clarissa Campbell disappears from a party in the woods outside the rural town of Oreville, Washington and is never seen again. The police question her friends, teachers, and the adults who knew her—who all have something to hide. And thanks to Clarissa’s beauty, the mystery captures the attention of the nation. But with no leads and no body, the case soon grows cold. Despite the efforts of internet sleuths and true-crime aficionados, Clarissa is never found—dead or alive.

Over twenty years later, Oreville high-school juniors and best friends Blair and Cameron start a true crime podcast, determined to unravel the story of what—or who—happened to this rural urban legend. In the process they uncover a nest of dirty small-town secrets, the sordid truth of Clarissa’s relationship with her charismatic boyfriend, and a high school art teacher turned small-town figurehead who had a very good reason for wanting Clarissa dead. Such a good reason, in fact, that they might have to make him the highlight of their next episode…

But does an ugly history with a missing girl make him guilty of murder? Or are two teenage girls about to destroy the life of an innocent man—and help the true killer walk free?

This is going to be quick, because I don't have much good to say.  Ugh, where do I begin?  I'm not sure why I listened to this entire book. I should have DNF'd it.  If there is ever an advertisement for why we shouldn't let teenagers make crucial decisions, Cam should be the poster child.    She is insufferable.  She is not just awkward, she has zero filter.  She has a mother who never taught her how to stop and think before she acted. She has friends who enable the behavior. Sophie had me rolling my eyes every time she opened her mouth.  Blaire was the only good thing about this book. She was the only one who ended up growing at all in this book.  I'm glad she figured herself out by the end.   The mystery was meh.  I pegged the killer right away. It's not hard to figure out.  I have read much better YA mysteries. I don't recommend this one.

Blog Tour: Excerpt from In a Quiet Town by Amber Garza

 

Amber Garza
On Sale Date: August 8, 2023
9780778334255
Trade Paperback
$18.99 USD
336 pages\

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org:  
B&N: 
Amazon:

In this chilling new novel, a pastor’s wife discovers that her estranged daughter is missing, but no one will believe her, until she meets a man claiming to be her daughter’s fiancé.
 
The book is about Tatum, a woman who secretly reconnects with her estranged adult daughter—secretly because Adrienne’s been all but disowned by Tatum’s husband, a pastor at the church in their small California town, where every move is watched and reported by his congregation. When Adrienne doesn’t show up for her shift at the bar where Tatum’s been visiting her, she knows something is wrong. Adrienne may have been a bit of wild child, but she hasn’t missed a day of work without calling in for years.
 
Tatum tries desperately to get the police or her husband to take her daughter’s disappearance seriously, until a mysterious man shows up claiming to be Adrienne’s fiancé. It’s a relief to finally have someone who believes her and is trying as hard as she is to find out where Adrienne is. But can she trust that this stranger is really who he says he is? And can she find her daughter before it’s too late?
 
Enjoy this sneak peek:

PROLOGUE

His hands were in her hair, fingers threaded through the silky strands. I knew what it felt like. My fingers had been buried in her hair many times, including last night. When their lips met I sat up straighter, leaning forward. It didn’t feel real. I worked my jaw. It popped and clicked. My own mouth buzzed with the memory of how her lips felt on mine.

The kiss was long. Too long.

She liked it.

My shoulder muscles pulled tight, a rubber band being stretched beyond its limits. I thought they might snap.

The two of them drew back. She smiled. Smiled with the same lips that had smiled at me. Kissed me. Told me they loved me. Clearly, a lie.

She brushed back her hair, and the diamond on her finger sparkled.

Her ring. The one I’d given her. She was wearing it.

It felt like a punch to the gut. Like a big “fuck you” to me.

It wasn’t like she knew I’d followed her. But still… Shouldn’t she take her engagement ring off before she hooked up with another dude?

Throwing her head back, her neck exposed, she giggled.

Imagining my hands wrapping around that tender flesh, I squeezed the steering wheel. It gave under the pressure, and I squeezed harder. It felt good. Therapeutic. I pictured her terrified. Pleading. Mouth tight, eyes bulging. I squeezed and squeezed, my teeth grinding, the vein in my forehead throbbing. My muscles ached by the time I released my grip.

Their hands clasped. My breathing was labored as I watched them walk off together, around the side of the building, out of sight.

I’d loved her. Given her so much.

How dare she?

No one made a fool out of me.

She wouldn’t get away with this. Not by a long shot.

Excerpted from In A Quiet Town by Amber Garza, Copyright © 2023 by Amber Garza. Published by MIRA Books.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California.
 
 
SOCIAL LINKS:
Author website: https://ambergarza.com/ 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ambergarzaauthor/?hl=en 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambermg1?lang=en
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ambergarzaauthor/ 

Review: Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney

Author: Ellie Marney
Publisher: June 2023
Publication Date: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

This electrifying, chilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller None Shall Sleep focuses on junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for. 

After a harrowingly close contact with juvenile sociopath Simon Gutmunsson, junior FBI consultants Emma Lewis and Travis Bell went their separate ways: Emma rejected her Quantico offer and Travis stayed to train within a new unit of the FBI Behavioral Science division. But the unit’s latest case is feeling eerily familiar and Kristin Gutmunsson—Simon Gutmunsson’s eccentric twin—reaches out to Travis to send a warning: Emma is in peril.
 
When Travis and Kristin turn up evidence that points back to Daniel Huxton, the serial killer that Emma had escaped, things become more complicated. With a copycat on the loose, Emma returns to Quantico and is thrown back into her past traumas. Compelled to prevent more tragedy—even if it means putting herself in danger—Emma turns to Simon for help once again. But Simon is keeping secrets that could impact their entire investigation. Will the team be able to stop the Huxton copycat before time runs out for his next victims?

Some Shall Break is the sequel to None Shall Break.  While I was iffy on the first book, I enjoyed this sequel much more.  This takes place a bit after the fist book.  Emma is dealing with the aftermath and decided not to go to Quantico, while Travis did stay and continue training.  Emma gets sucked back in when there is a murder that is similar to the case they were on before.  I would not recommend reading this book first as it spoils things from the first book.

As I said, I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first one.  I liked the mystery and enjoyed watching Emma and Travis figure things out.  They were the best part of the book.  We get to know them a lot more in this one. I liked how they grew closer and trusted each other more.  Simon is just as creepy as in the first book.  Kristin...she is a lot to take.  I'll let you decide if you want to trust her or not.  The ending made me want the next book very soon.  

Review: Wild Island Love by Melissa Foster

 

Melissa Foster
Releasing Aug 2, 2022
World Literary Press
 
Blurb:
 
Sparks fly between a PR rep and an A-list actor who want nothing to do with each other.
 
Leni Steele might be looking for love, but she’s definitely not looking to be someone’s fake date. Especially not one of the most infuriatingly handsome and annoyingly cocky actors on the planet, Duncan Raz. But when the owner of the PR firm for which she works forces her to walk the red carpet on his arm, she has no choice. Neither wants to be there, much less with each other. They’re like oil and water, and he gets on her last nerve. But after a few tequila shots, that’s not all he gets on. What was supposed to be one date turns into a media frenzy they can’t afford to ignore, and Leni has no other option than to continue the ruse. All the fake kisses, furtive glances, and seductive touches eventually start to feel very real. But Raz didn’t earn his A-list-actor status for nothing. Is he just doing what he does best? Playing a role? Or is Leni the leading lady in Raz’s real-life love story?
 
Sneak Peek, https://melissafoster.com/wild-island-love-sneak-peek/
 
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61914315-wild-island-love?
 
Goodreads series link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/282375-the-steeles-at-silver-island
 

My thoughts:

Wild Island Love is the 5th book in the Steeles at Silver Island series.  One of the things I love about these books is that you can totally read any of them as stand alones without being lost.  I always feel like family when I pick up one of Melissa's books.  This one is Leni and Duncan's story.  I loved reading their fall into love.   Duncan was such a nudge but in a god way and slowly wormed his way into Leni's heart.  I'm having a hard time choosing what I loved most, Their chemistry or their banter.  Both where so natural and intense, you can't help rooting for them to stay together.  The scene in the haunted field was really sweet and I loved the surprise at the wedding.  I highly recommend this one. Oh, and I need Sutton's story ASAP! 

 
Buy Links:
➜KINDLE: https://lnk.to/WIL_Kindle
➜APPLE: https://lnk.to/WIL_Apple
➜NOOK: https://lnk.to/WIL_Nook
➜KOBO: https://lnk.to/WIL_Kobo
➜GPLAY:  https://lnk.to/WIL_GPlay
➜STANDARD PAPERBACK: https://lnk.to/WIL_Pb
➜SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK: https://lnk.to/WILsp
➜HARDBACK: https://lnk.to/WIL_hb
Audio coming soon! Narrated by Zachary Webber and Savannah Peachwood
➜AUDIBLE: https://lnk.to/WIL_Audible
➜AMAZON: https://lnk.to/WILa_Amazon
➜APPLE: https://lnk.to/WILa_Apple
 

Author Info
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:  
Website:  http://www.melissafoster.com/
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster
GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster
Newsletter: http://melissafoster.com/newsletter/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-foster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafoster_author/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissafoster_author

Release Blitz: Excerpt from Book Me , Baby by Tamrin Banks

 

by Tamrin Banks
 
What happens when the uptight town sheriff arrests the town librarian? Nothing but fireworks! Until a new man shows up in town and the sheriff wants to stake his claim. Readers who enjoy instalove and humor will love Book Me, Baby by Tamrin Banks, a steamy, small town, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, age gap romance.
 
 Add to Goodreads Here!
Buy Now or Read FREE with KindleUnlimited!
 
Hartley Hanover:

Oooh! I hate that man! Booker Sloan is the most uptight, arrogant, annoying man I've ever met! He even has the nerve to arrest me for not filing a permit. A permit! And when it turns out that I did file it, it just got lost in the shuffle....does he apologize? Heck no! He proceeds to tell me all the things I do wrong every single day of my life! I'm surprised he doesn't yell at me for breathing!
But when I'm alone at night...why do I keep thinking about him? Why does the occasional sadness on his face make me want to fix whatever's wrong in his universe? Why can't he stay out of my dreams and keep those dang handcuffs to himself?

Booker Sloan:

I know I messed up and I should apologize. I shouldn't have acted the way I did. But something about that dang, sweet woman just has me so screwed up that every time I open my mouth the worst things come out!
It's not her. It's me. And I know it. But I feel like if I give her one little inch, the gorgeous woman will take every piece of me I have left. I'm barely hanging on and if I have to push her away to protect myself? Well, that's just how it's got to be.
So why does it bother me so much when a new man in town shows a little interest in the petite, sunny woman who's got me tied up in knots? She's not encouraging him. In fact it seems like she's running away from him.
So how come I still want to punch his grinning mouth and grind him into dust under my boot heels and then haul her over my shoulder and make sure she understands that she's mine?
  
Excerpt
Copyright 2023 Tamrin Banks
 
Laughing, I reach over and hug little Edward Reese.  He hugs me back hard.  He is just the sweetest boy.
 
“Now, I know that you’ve been waiting for this book!”  I pull it from behind my back.  “Surprise!  It came in early and I made sure to set it aside for you!”
 
“You are the best, Miss Hanover!”  His huge, gap-toothed smile makes my heart light.
 
He hasn’t had an easy time of it lately.  His dad got hurt while driving home from work last month and broke his leg so the whole family has had to pitch in to help.  Even nine year old boys.  So he hasn’t been able to spend as much time in the library as he usually does and he loves to read.
 
“You just get it back to me when you’re done.  Doesn’t matter how long.  I’ll take care of it.”
 
His little round cheeks flush and his freckles disappear in a wash of red.  “Thank you so much, Miss Hanover.  I can’t wait to read it!”  He dances off and his mom smiles at me, watching his light steps before she turns back to me. 
 
“We really appreciate you doing this, Miss Hanover.  We’re all working really hard.  And Sam is  worried about him.”  She nods her head at Edward.
 
I can’t even speak, my throat tight with my own tears.  But I clear my throat and say, “I’m glad.  I hope that this helps him relax a little bit.”
 
“It will.  Thank you.”  She moves off and I turn back, groaning when I’m faced with the last person I want to see.
 
“Sheriff?  How nice to see you.”
 
His arctic blue eyes glare at the setup on the sidewalk.  “I talked to you about this last month with the Christmas in July to-do.  You cannot block the sidewalk like this.  And did you get a permit this time?”
 
I nod my head and sigh.  “Yes, I did.  Last month when you had your hissy fit.”
 
He stands up straight and pushes his broad shoulders back and I feel that little pull in my belly that I absolutely hate!  Why the fuck do I have to react like this around this man?
 
I mean, sure he’s hot.   His light brown hair is thick and gleams in the sunlight.  But it’s so tamed that it almost doesn’t look real.  His body is tall and tanned, muscles upon muscles to drool over.  I jerk my brain back in line.
 
No, not drool over.  Dread.  You dread seeing this man.  He smiles at me and I growl under my breath.
 
“Can I see it?”
 
“I don’t have it on me.”  He nods his tawny head at me.  “I’ll be back then.”
 
He steps away and I see him on his little radio talking to someone and I roll my eyes and turn to Mrs. Cassidy, discussing the latest thriller that she just read that I recommended to her.
 
“I loved it, Miss Hanover!  So good!  Do you have any more like that?”
 
I’m nodding at her when I feel a big hand grab my wrist and pull it backwards.  My mouth falls open when I see that the Sheriff has a hold of my wrist.
 
“What the heck are you doing?  Get off of me!”  I try and pull away and he grits hit teeth, his firm jaw tensing.
 
“Stop resisting.”
 
“What are you doing, Sheriff?”  Mrs.  Cassidy’s mouth is hanging open and she’s glaring at him like he’s mugging me.
 
“I’m arresting her for disturbing the peace, not having a license for a demonstration and now resisting arrest.”
 
“You must be joking,” I huff, staring at him.
 
“Nope.”  He grabs my other hand and pulls it behind my back, clicking the handcuffs on my wrists.  The cold steel against my skin makes me shiver and freeze in my tracks.
 
His blue eyes look me up and down and I swear there’s some kind of emotion there that I don’t understand.  I don’t think I want to understand it.
 
I just want him to get away from me and leave me alone.  And take his handcuffs and shove them where the damn sun doesn't shine!
 
About Tamrin Banks
I'm a mother of three who works for a school district as a cafeteria aide but I've also had a lot of different hats over the years.  Divorced single mom fresh out of the military working nights in a plastics factory all the way to teaching cardio kickboxing and zumba at the YMCA.  
I've been married to my honey bunny for 22 years now.  He's absolutely the best and tries to keep me in check as much as possible because I am a crazy person that stacks too much on her plate and then does it all no matter what.  Even if it drives everyone nuts!
I love the kind of romances where you know what you're getting.  I don't like happily for now.  That just feels like cheating to me.  I also don't like love triangles.  I'm an easy girl and I like my books like I like my men...lol!  Uncomplicated.  So if you're reading my books, you know that no matter what, there's a happily ever after!
 
Follow: Website | Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter
 

Review: Explosive Trail by Terri Reed

Author: Terri Reed
Publisher: Mills & Boon Love Inspired
Publication Date: May 2023

Can an officer and her K-9 partner survive a bomber with a vendetta?
When a serial bomber’s explosion in Olympic National Park lands K-9 officer Willow Bates in the hospital, her estranged husband, FBI agent Theo Bates, rushes to her side. He’s determined to protect her and the baby he didn’t know she was carrying. But the bomber has revenge on his mind and will stop at nothing to finish them off. Mills & Boon Love Inspired Suspense — Courage. Danger. Faith.

Explosive Trail is the third book in the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit  series.  This one is Willow and Theo's story.  It's a second chance romantic suspense.  It works well as a stand alone. However, as in the first two, there is a mystery that has yet to be solved.  In this one, Willow and Theo are teamed up to find a serial bomber.

This one is, so far, my favorite of the series.  The mystery was really good and kept me guessing.  The action was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat.  But what I loved most was watching Theo and Willow find their way back to each other.  They are in the process of a divorce because of a lack of communication and overall trust in their love.  I was rooting for them from the first page.  I highly recommend this one.