"Blood Ties" by Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen is a chilling and creepy Southern gothic thriller. Having read and enjoyed all of Ashley's other wonderful novels, I've come to expect an enthralling and stellar read from this multi-talented author. This book does not disappoint. I'm not sure if it's the combination of the mother-daughter writing team, but this book seems even more twisted and diabolical than ever. And that's a good thing!

LiAnn Tuck and daughter Karina Summers are moving back home to the South to care for LiAnn's elderly parents. Little do they know they are about to encounter more evil than they could have ever dreamed. With a whole cast of quirky characters, this book will pull you right in from the first page to the last. I don't think I've ever encountered a more mesmerizing and unique villan and the scenes depicting his descent into madness are some of the more chilling I've ever read. Still thinking about him can send chills down my back even months later.

Ashley Fontainne excels at creating and maintaining suspense and the addition of her mother as co-author has only served to sweeten the pot. And the best part of all is the fact that this is slated to be a trilogy, so we have at least two more thrillers to look forward to from this dynamic writing duo. ( )

LiAnn Tuck, retired detective, and her daughter Karina Summers, along with the dog Ranger, are moving from sunny California to Sheridan, Arkansas. There, they move in with LiAnn’s parents (Ruth and Junior) to help keep up the small farm and care for them. It’s a much slower pace and they have lots to learn. Both ladies are accomplished in their careers and both had to leave broken-hearted affairs in California.

Meanwhile, the Mob has their claws in one of the local independent living retirement homes, The Magnolia, as well as a mortuary and an ambulance service. Sometimes they assist the aging into their graves a little early and harvest the organs for sale on the black market. But they come under LiAnn’s and Karina’s notice when a Magnolia resident, Cecil, talks to them about his concerns. He has a lot of money in different banks and he worries that someone is trying to steal from him. Karina, who use to co-own a detective agency, dives right in to the new case. It’s just the thing to add some zest to her life.

This story starts out a touch slow, being more focused on developing the main characters. Yet there is still movement with the plot even as the two ladies move from California to Arkansas. The book cuts back and forth between them and the main Mob family. They are definitely crooked but they have their own woes as the head of the family starts to slip mentally. Things eventually turn into a cat and mouse game as the Mob becomes aware that someone is looking into their affairs.

The mystery was well laid out with several moving parts where things could go wrong. As things start to unravel for the mobsters, the danger increases for LiAnn and Karina. I loved the tension and the plotting on both sides. Then there is all this romance stuff that I could have done without. Both ladies left failed relationships behind and both have difficulty moving on. Yet both give it a go in Sherridan, each hesitant to do so. There’s one detailed sex scene that was sweet. There’s also some ridiculous endearments. Meh.

I liked that so many age groups were represented in this book and the senior citizens weren’t simply background or a mild comedic relief from the main story. The Mob family have this ingrained attitude or culture they were raised with that really becomes the center of what drives most of them. And yet they still watch out for each other even as they steal from others. The ending was pretty intense. I was worried that one family member wouldn’t make it. The ladies kept their common sense handy throughout the story.

I received a copy at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

The Narration: Rebecca Roberts was pretty good, pulling off some Italian and New Jersey accents. She also did a good job of making old people sound old. However, her male voices lacked masculinity. ( )

Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen’s Blood Ties has a level of creepiness and reality that will linger long after you have finished reading the novel. The mother and daughter writing team continues into the characters of the story with Karina and her mother, LiAnn.

Karina, a private investigator for We’ve Got Ya, and LiAnn, a cop, had become sickened after their last case, that dealt with the abuse of senior citizens in assisted living facilities and quit their jobs. Now, it was off to Grandma and Grandpa’s farm in Arkansas.

Karina does not have female friends, except for her mother, who is her best friend. I love Karina’s badassery and the snarky dialogue between and her mother. My mother is my best friend and I spend more time around men than women. Who has time for cat fights, jealousy and shopping? Not me. I am not afraid to tell my mother anything, like Karina, sometimes in very “colorful” words. I do love Karina’s foul mouth and her “take out my gun and shoot you” attitude. I love fast cars and beer, too, Karina. She has a black Charger, with dark tinted windows and racing tires. She named it Dragula, after a Rob Zombie song based on the Munsters. Makes me think of driving the country roads when I first moved south with my Monte Carlo SS and doberman. Karina has a big dog, a 100lb black lab. I sure see the similarities and feel right at home with Karina and her family.

Of course, we need a love interest and her encounter with one of the twin Greek Gods had me grinning at the descriptive writing, which drew me further and further into Blood Ties.

Karina’s biggest Achilles heel is the mistreatment of senior citizens. She will not stand by and watch them be neglected or abused…by anyone.

The Magnolia is an assisted living facility that houses some of her grandparents friends. As Karina and LiAnn become aware of some funky goings on, they begin to investigate on their own.

Caesar is a mobster, a ruthless criminal and ex assassin that has taken many lives. When his wife dies, I find it impossible to feel empathy for him. What about the families he ruined? He has his sights set on The Magnolia, but…money isn’t the only thing he will be taking from the seniors.

Nick runs The Magnolia and sold his soul to the devil – Caesar – in return for money. He stuck his head in Caesar’s noose and would never get it out. Terror stalks him, day and night.

The Magnolia is understaffed with poorly trained workers, residents are neglected and abused – lawsuits and government investigations abound. How relevant is that today? Will you be in an assisted living facility? Blood Ties is a very thought-provoking novel that will haunt me into my golden years.

What can I say? I LOVE Blood Ties. Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen’s ability to grab me from the beginning and keep me turning page after page, unable to put the book down, is proof of their awesome writing. The emotion I felt while reading ranged from happy and playful to rage and the need for justice. But is there any justice for crimes so despicable that I cannot find the words to describe them?

Blood Ties by Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen is the first in a three-part murder mystery/suspense series and I can hardly wait to see what they come up with next!

I received the ARC of Blood Ties in return for an honest review.

Check out the book trailer and more on my blog at: http://www.fundinmental.com/senior-ci... ( )

ABR's original Blood Ties: The Bonds are Permanent audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

One retired detective, one retired PI; both are a mother and daughter team with tempers and a loyalty that many have come to fear. LiAnn Tuck and Karina Summers are moving from California to Sheridan, a small intimate farming community in Arkansas. Expecting to care for LiAnn’s aging parents; both women are expecting quiet sunny days after having worked a joint investigation into the vile and evil thievery from invalid old folks in nursing homes.

The two women are enjoying themselves – new love interests and a blood bond so strong and complete, no one can break it. Someone tries, someone with a different set of blood ties and a will to do evil and murder for profit. The women find themselves knee deep in a conspiracy that could get them killed.

Ashley Fontaine and Lillian Hansen have created a story that is close and dear to most people’s heart – aging parents. They have crafted a tale woven of words and emotions that will hook the reader completely and have them sitting on the edge of their chairs until the end. Vivid and rich in details, the readers cannot help but feel placed in the story. Fontaine and Hansen skillfully tug on heart strings, eliciting gasps of horror and fear from the reader. Well written with excellent character development, Blood Ties is a must read!

Blood Ties: The Bonds Are Permanent (The Magnolia Series Book 1) is the first in a series. Given Fontaine’s past successes, I have no doubt that this series will be popular and remain breathtaking.

Rebecca Roberts did an excellent job of narrating, capturing the personality of the characters and the thrilling plot.

RMSW Press did an excellent job on production – there were no errors, distracting noises or issues.

I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys suspense and thrillers.

Audiobook provided for review by the author. ( )

Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen’s Blood Ties has a level of creepiness and reality that will linger long after you have finished reading the novel. The mother and daughter writing team continues into the characters of the story with Karina and her mother, LiAnn.

Karina, a private investigator for We’ve Got Ya, and LiAnn, a cop, had become sickened after their last case, that dealt with the abuse of senior citizens in assisted living facilities and quit their jobs. Now, it was off to Grandma and Grandpa’s farm in Arkansas.

Karina does not have female friends, except for her mother, who is her best friend. I love Karina’s badassery and the snarky dialogue between and her mother. My mother is my best friend and I spend more time around men than women. Who has time for cat fights, jealousy and shopping? Not me. I am not afraid to tell my mother anything, like Karina, sometimes in very “colorful” words. I do love Karina’s foul mouth and her “take out my gun and shoot you” attitude. I love fast cars and beer, too, Karina. She has a black Charger, with dark tinted windows and racing tires. She named it Dragula, after a Rob Zombie song based on the Munsters. Makes me think of driving the country roads when I first moved south with my Monte Carlo SS and doberman. Karina has a big dog, a 100lb black lab. I sure see the similarities and feel right at home with Karina and her family.

Of course, we need a love interest and her encounter with one of the twin Greek Gods had me grinning at the descriptive writing, which drew me further and further into Blood Ties.

Karina’s biggest Achilles heel is the mistreatment of senior citizens. She will not stand by and watch them be neglected or abused…by anyone.

The Magnolia is an assisted living facility that houses some of her grandparents friends. As Karina and LiAnn become aware of some funky goings on, they begin to investigate on their own.

Caesar is a mobster, a ruthless criminal and ex assassin that has taken many lives. When his wife dies, I find it impossible to feel empathy for him. What about the families he ruined? He has his sights set on The Magnolia, but…money isn’t the only thing he will be taking from the seniors.

Nick runs The Magnolia and sold his soul to the devil – Caesar – in return for money. He stuck his head in Caesar’s noose and would never get it out. Terror stalks him, day and night.

The Magnolia is understaffed with poorly trained workers, residents are neglected and abused – lawsuits and government investigations abound. How relevant is that today? Will you be in an assisted living facility? Blood Ties is a very thought-provoking novel that will haunt me into my golden years.

What can I say? I LOVE Blood Ties. Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen’s ability to grab me from the beginning and keep me turning page after page, unable to put the book down, is proof of their awesome writing. The emotion I felt while reading ranged from happy and playful to rage and the need for justice. But is there any justice for crimes so despicable that I cannot find the words to describe them?

Blood Ties by Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen is the first in a three-part murder mystery/suspense series and I can hardly wait to see what they come up with next!

I received the ARC of Blood Ties in return for an honest review.

Check out the book trailer and more on my blog at: http://www.fundinmental.com/senior-ci... ( )