V. J. ChambersRezensionen

Wren & Reilly are still waiting for Hawk's upcoming trial hoping there's enough evidence to nail him for the murders. There's a new case involving hospital patients being murdered and delving deeper they find ties to the cult. The threads lead them to the tower where murders occurred years before from cult members. A hospital employee on the suspect list lived at the compound and Wren recognizes her and more childhood memories and conflicting stories are brought to life. The crimson ram is still being blamed and now there's another serial killer on the loose that was released from prison. Wren and Reilly take their working relationship to a new level while Wren tries to break free from the hold that her mother and Hawk still hold over her. Only irritating thing is that Wren keeps trying to bend suspects to fit her profiles. Onto the next in the series

Wren and Reilly are investigating a copycat murder that might not be a copycat after all. Visiting Major in jail they find information pointing to previous suspects. Piecing together the past and the present with Hawk and other former members of the cult has Wren losing a grip on her sanity especially after having to visit her mother in prison to try and get answers. Reilly has a lot on his plate too with his demanding relationship with Maliah and his sons autism. Wren and Reilly are drawn into a cat and mouse with killers that puts their lives in danger in their quest to find the truth and real murderer. Edge of your seat thriller. Looking forward to the next in series.

Wren goes back to cult compound she was raised in to try and find answers about her past. Murders are happening around town that tie to rituals the cult used to perform. She's obsessed with the case and is asked by Detective Reilly to join the task force for her insight into the cult. Many suspects from her past have to be confronted sending Wren back to her childhood and old fears rear their head. A partnership with Reilly is kind of awkward and she makes rash decisions and there's a side story on Reilly's divorce and child. A interesting book but kind of amateurish and stilted

Blake is a rich high school psycho who is going to destroy his boss, Apple's life. He wants her restaurant and is going to use pornography to get it. Macy, the girl he uses for sex and is abusive toward helps him out by pumping Apple for info. A few things happen and all is not what it seems in this slick novella.

Reilly and Wren are investigating a murder that turns into a serial killer case. Reilly is still under scrutiny from their last case when he lied in his report and said he killed the person instead of Wren. Wren is struggling with the current murders because she can't make a profile fit and she's getting defensive when things aren't going her way. She and Reilly's personal lives are in turmoil. Reilly's ex wife has some big news and Hawk is still creeping into Wren's life as the past an present keep melding together. Wren gets some big news about her past and is put into a dangerous situation. Reilly and Wren try and bring a killer to justice and not everything is as it seems

Wren & Reilly are recovering from their last case when they are called to a murder scene. The killer has left a message for Reilly. He must delve into his past to figure out who is taunting him. He and Wren's relationship takes some interesting terms as Hawk still has a hold over Wren. Surprising revelations about David Song and the cult are explored as Wren tries to leave her past behind. The murderer strikes again putting Wren and Reilly in a life or death situation. This was supposed to be the end of the series but the author noted on the last page that due to popular demand it's continuing. It wasn't a cliff hanger though

The task force now has federal funding so Cai & Wren are traveling to Virginia for a case involving violated murdered women. Homicide Detective Slater has requested them for help on the case. He's a huge fan of theirs and has a crush on both of them. The murders involve fanfic which borders on murder erotica and Slater is gleeful in dropping them hints and playing with them since he is the killer. Wren & Reilly both know it so they try and gather evidence against him as he lays out theories and teases them. A cat & mouse game ensues with Slater framing his college roommate while Wren & Cai try to trip him up. Meanwhile, there's a snag in the case against Hawk that has Wren reeling. Sly and tense read and one of the best yet. Looking forward to next book in series

covid has hit and restrictions are in place and Reilly and Wren are cohabiting at his house. Their relationship is tested by being in close quarters and together all of the time. Luckily there's a body found in an apartment complex that's a new case for them. Another body is soon found and another serial killer is on the loose during lockdown. Minimal help has the two fo them pursuing different lines as Reilly is looking at delivery men and repairmen while Wren is forcing her profile to fit a landlord. This book wasn't as good as the others. The couple is growing and each of them are facing past history and the lockdown puts a spin on things but this one was a little boring and forgetful.

I really liked the odd quirky bunch of characters that made up the Conviction Review Unit. Elke, Iain, Frankie and Amos are very unique people with lots of personality. This read may be a little dry for some, it's not a high speed supsenseful crime read - it's a slow and steady procedural that follows the leads and gently builds up to a resolution that ties up the whole case neatly. It's not for everyone but I loved it. The personal dramas each member of the team were dealing with weren't overwhelming and balanced the crime aspects of the case nicely. Iain was my favourite character, although I didn't love his relationship with Harley. Overall solid read. 3.5 stars.

So, I didn’t quite know what to expect with this book. Reading the summary, the guy seemed to be a lot like Oliver Queen from the TV show Arrow. Sexy. Damaged. Billionaire. Vigilante. But that’s where the similarities end. And thankfully, this book didn’t end up being a fanfic of the show.

Cecily Kane is in town to hunt down the man who killed her best friend. When she runs into trouble, she’s rescued by a masked man dressed in black. She writes a newspaper article about him and he ends up with the name Vigil. Vigil and Cecily fall instantly in lust and she wonders if they’re both crazy. Imagine her surprise when she realizes his alter ego is a man she hates, Callum Rutherford. A billionaire playboy who is often seen with many women on his arm. However, Cecily and Callum/Vigil have to work together to catch the serial killer that killed her friend and many other women. And they also have figure out what’s between them personally.

Like I said, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this. There were parts that kind of creeped me out. Like when she has sex with him, not knowing who he was, and he kept on his mask and costume, and that turned her own. And how a lot of her decisions about her own life and career seemed based on her physical attraction to Vigil. Damaged doesn’t begin to describe Vigil/Callum. He had some serious issues. I do like how Cecily couldn’t instantly “fix” him. But it was unrealistic that she could fix him at all. He needed psychiatric help.

Anyway, the book overall wasn’t bad. I actually ended up enjoying it. It was pretty sexy and racy, but there was enough plot to back it up. I enjoyed the suspense/thriller nature of it. And I liked watching these two damaged souls come together.

Still haven't read.
Maybe one day.

December 1, 2014 – Finished Reading

November 28, 2014 Amz

Trigger Warning: Rape, abduction, torture

This was an interesting werewolf book with some really good world-building by author V.J. Chambers. I enjoyed both the creative take on werewolf lore and the world-building/murder mystery the agents were working to solve while trying to untangle Dana from her Stockholm Syndrome like obsession with her former kidnapper and torturer, Cole.

The Innocence Unit or formerly known as the Conviction Review Unit (CRU for short) in Haven Hills is being established. Elke Lawrence, a former prosecutor now held in disgrace as she had believed her husband Felix to be innocent will be the team lead. Joining Elke is Frankie Hart, a former defense attorney, Detective Iain Hudson, an officer that meticulously trusts the evidence, and Amos Bradley, a gay executive assistant who likes to bring light and joy to whatever situation he finds himself in. The new team begins as strangers with review of a 25-year old murder case of a doctor and his wife ending in conviction of the daughter and her boyfriend. As the individuals investigate the old case each team member struggles with different aspects of their personal life and one wonders if they can become a collaborative team adding to the daily drama of each day's goals.

Investigative crime fiction that was riveting, page-turning, and shares a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes of law enforcement and the painstaking processes required to release the innocent wrongly convicted. At the end of every criminal trial there is hope that every aspect of an investigation was completed correctly and that justice has been served. This novel brings to light that sometimes justice gets it wrong.

A powerful introduction to a writer that is new to me and I wouldn't hesitate to read more of novels.

For more information: https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/mission.aspx

Having cut my teeth on decades of Stephen King's scary, scary, nights, I thought I had lost all my bejabbers years ago. I was wrong. There is a moment in this story so intensely frightening, I mean Jim-Bob, we are going to have to re-lock all the doors and windows tonight. Chambers' characters are wired wrong. Murder is a game, a craving, a need, a fierce pleasure. Whodunit fans, grab your favorite nerve tonic and curl up with this one!

Reading the book's summary, this story has many elements that I enjoy: fantasy, a dragon main character, vampires, romance, and a mystery. It circles around Penny, a dragon shifter who is living on the down low because she left her husband, her mate, and upset the dragon community. When the bodies of young dragon girls start to wash up on the beach near her hotel, she finds herself caught up in the investigation, working with the police detective who is in charge of cases involving magical creatures. At first, he considers her a suspect, but once he clears her of suspicion, Detective Lachlan asks Penny to continue working with him, as a magical creatures liaison. Romantic stirrings are sure to ensue.

Unfortunately, while the synopsis ticked many of my fluff-read boxes, they didn't mesh together for me. The story and writing were decent. I thought Penny and Lachlan had some chemistry, and I was mildly curious to see the solution to the mystery. On the other hand, I wasn't really engaged by the characters, which made it difficult to worry much about them or their fates, or even get that excited by the romance. I wasn't spurred on by the mystery; I generally need to read though mysteries quickly because I want to learn the solution, but that didn't happen here. The pacing of the plot also was rough, with too much text devoted to sequences that could have been covered in a couple of paragraphs (the visit to Penny's family burial site) and a lack of suspense before the climactic fight, which dragged on for too long. Overall, the premise of the novel sounds awesome, but in my opinion it wasn't executed well.½

I read this at the prompting of several URR friends & their impressive reviews of the book...

Well...hmmmm.
First, let me start by saying there were parts of this book that were incredibly well done. It's dark but not in tone. It's traumatic but somehow still edges to the side of less dramallama than a [a:Brittainy C. Cherry|7121791|Brittainy C. Cherry|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1372453435p2/7121791.jpg] It's twisted AF but somehow [b:American Queen|30314992|American Queen (New Camelot Trilogy, #1)|Sierra Simone|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475848621s/30314992.jpg|50802007] still takes the cake for what-the-fuckery for me in the past months. Oddly, this is all good. A book about a former hostage werewolf and the serial killer she 'inexplicably' cannot stay away from better not be too serious for its own good, after all, or we'd all be laughing like I insensitively did during Titanic when the boat tipped...So, crazily, I thought the overall story was really really well done in tone, pacing, and originality. Hell, I even enjoyed the romance. Cole is pretty hot, for a serial killer..Until...

BUT...Hmm.....
Apparently werewolf sex isn't my thing cause I legitimately can't get over that mating bit...
I had issues with Dana as alpha and all the betas chasing her tail...that's where the romance plot just fell apart for me. That was too much. Also, of course they were mated. I thought Dana read romances in high schools

Supporting characters Avery were well done, and in many respects, more multi-dimensional than Dana. I thought Cole even had a little more depth and the whole be who I am, embrace what I am, is sympathetic to a certain extent. Dana was trauma upon trauma, and yes, we are seeing her shortly after her release so maybe that is kind of real, and we can tell she's headstrong from her captivity and from her persistence. Ultimately, my main issue is her character's development or lack thereof, and I'm wondering if a little extra time between this plot and the end of her captivity so she could show a different side would have benefitted the book.

I thought the ending was intriguing, if convenient, and think the series shows promise. The main issue I have is very likely shifters really aren't my bag with their big packs and fur (there's a reason I like the Hidden Legacy trilogy 1,000 times better than Kate Daniels- Magic > Animals.) Despite all my reservations and issues, which are relatively minor but did keep me from 4-stars, and regarding my comma use, I'm sorry...no where was I, oh, this was a readable, enjoyable, well done series debut that's worth trying. It's got a decent anti-hero, I'm just a little iffy on the heroine.

Thanks for the shove in this direction, URRers. Oh, and OMG this cover. No.

Then it went wrong

Good idea for a world. Functionally different system of magic, etc. Plausible opening plot. Main character motivations are clear....oh, wait. Now there's a gargoyle she sometimes sleeps with that makes her all wet. It was bad enough the 'slayer' had no real idea how to find a rogue dragon, she now wants to drop trouser for two different people as soon as they meet.

Basically a poorly plotted romance novel with fantasy window dressing.

Plot driven

The characters are victims of the plot. Things simply happen and the next step is taken and the characters are dragged along. The underlayer of the story is there, but is not communicated well.

DNF

Then it went wrong

Good idea for a world. Functionally different system of magic, etc. Plausible opening plot. Main character motivations are clear....oh, wait. Now there's a gargoyle she sometimes sleeps with that makes her all wet. It was bad enough the 'slayer' had no real idea how to find a rogue dragon, she now wants to drop trouser for two different people as soon as they meet.

Basically a poorly plotted romance novel with fantasy window dressing.

Plot driven

The characters are victims of the plot. Things simply happen and the next step is taken and the characters are dragged along. The underlayer of the story is there, but is not communicated well.

DNF

This book was not for me although others may enjoy it. I felt the characters were far fetched. Of the four main characters, the most normal was the Aspergers teenager. The main character made so many mistakes, reacted so stupidly to events and was just downright annoying. I skipped a lot of it just to see if I had guessed the perpetrator correctly. I had; about 20 percent through the book.

3.5 stars. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy. As the title suggest, this is a novel of secrets . . . and secrets and more secrets. The story centers on the three children of the Napier family, which is headed by a retired police officer. When Scarlett — the favored, supposed “perfect” child — is killed in a car accident, the other family members start to become unglued as they each try to deal with their new sudden reality and to adjust to life without Scarlett. Although the police are certain that Scarlett purposefully caused the crash, Molly thinks otherwise. After her brother-in-law Nate makes a comment that gets Molly to suspect that Scarlett may not have been the perfect daughter everyone thought she was, Molly begins delving into investigating what really happened to Scarlett and what she was hiding. Molly’s investigation leads to her discovery of secrets, lies and deception that have long engulfed her family, including affairs, drugs and even police corruption. The more she learns, the more Molly struggles with keeping all these secrets hidden or risk losing her reality and what means the most to her: her family.

Although I found the novel a bit difficult to get into, I enjoyed it. Much goes on in the storyline, which seemed to stretch the imagination too far from time to time. Additionally, some of the dialogue, especially in the last third or so of the novel, seemed overly melodramatic, and I thought portions of the ending came out of nowhere. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. It was a pleasant read, which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.

Poor communication kills. And causes face-heel turns, apparently.

This must be a young adult book, certainly didn't appeal to me. very strange