mags_louise's reviews
3672 reviews

Their Angel's Cry is my first introduction to author Shannon Hollinger and main protagonist Coyote Cove Chief of Police Maggie Riley. 

Who starts her day confronted by a dummy hung outside her office and then it gets progressively worse. When a call alerts her to a possible murder scene at the top of Rattlesnake Mountain.

So Maggie takes off with the aid of Brad a part time guide and pot user. Who agrees to take her to the location not knowing what awaits them.

And it's a shocking scene in an isolated area, half a days hike from civilisation lie three dead bodies and two members of the public. Who claim they just stumbled upon them.

Then Maggie whilst guarding the scene and awaiting the M.E, forensics and state police finds something even more disturbing. A baby; blue and barely breathing. Along with a dog that seems to have rescued the child.

But how is the baby related to the three victims? And why did they all end up dead on top of a mountain?

That's what Maggie is determined to find out. But her task is not an easy one. Thanks to no lieutenant, a lack of support from state police and a storm that has cut off the isolated town.

And with great pacing, plenty of twists and turns. Not to mention a killer, I did not see coming. This was a story I could not stop reading. And I really liked the multiple points of view. Which is not something I'm usually a fan off. 

I would happily recommend Their Angel's Cry to all.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of Their Angel's Cry. 😊

A Childhood Crush is a delightfully captivating friend to lovers romance featuring Emmy and Luke. Who have been best friends since childhood. But for a variety of reasons, they've never crossed the friendship line.

Until their close friend Leo gets engaged and it has them both realising they want more. Yet, neither is brave enough to tell the other how they really feel.

That is until a pre-wedding party. When after Emmy rows with her dad  they kiss and after a brief stumble they start a relationship.

However, it's not all plain sailing as neither Emmys parents or Luke's dad are happy about this latest development and their opinions and comments soon have the pair questioning their feelings and commitment to each other.

And with likable characters, some angst and plenty of sparks. This was a really enjoyable introduction to author Ember Kelly and the Boston Billionaires and I would happily recommend this story to all. And will definitely be checking out the other books in the series especially Leo and Carolines.   

My thanks to Ember Kelly and Greys Promotions for the opportunity to read an early copy of A Childhood Crush 😊

Tempt Me Forever is my first introduction to Layla Hagen's Maxwell Brothers Series and what a fabulous introduction it is. As this was a romance, I could not put down.

Thanks to Kimberly a feisty yet vulnerable heroine and Drake, an alpha hero full of heart. 

Who is hooked on Kimberly from the moment he arrives in Chicago to start his new job as general manager of the Maxwell Hotel and gets the opportunity to crash Kimberly's latest date. Even though the pairs communications beforehand have been anything but friendly.

But when they find themselves sharing a hotel room in Aspen on valentines day, everything changes. Although the couple know, they have to tread a fine line as work colleagues and lovers. Yet, their romance goes from strength to strength even when Kimberly begins to waiver thanks to the tragedy of losing her mum at a young age.

And with a great cast of characters, plenty of family feels and sizzling heat. Not to mention a little angst as Drake's sister Suze battles her scumbag ex. This was a captivating romance. That I'd happily recommend to all and I'll definitely be reading the six books I've missed out on. 

My thanks to Layla Hagen and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the opportunity to read an early copy of Tempt Me Forever.  😊

Lauren North returns with another cracking story. That grabbed me from the first page and never let go. As the Wick family on holiday on the East Coast of England are rocked to their core when their four-year-old daughter Abi wanders off and is never seen again.

That is until nearly fourteen years later a seventeen year old girl walks into a London police station and claims to be the missing Abigail Wick.

But is she? 

And what really happened fourteen years ago? 

And more importantly if this is really Abigail where has she been?

And as the story unfolds all of these questions and more are answered and once again Lauren takes you on a roller coaster journey. That has you questioning EVERYTHING and believing NOTHING!! And I loved every minute of it and seriously I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

And with fantastic pacing, sooo many twists, shocks and surprises. This is another superb read and I would recommend this story and author to all and if you're yet to read any Lauren North novels what are you waiting for?? 

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an copy of She Says She's My Daughter. 😊

Just a Little Secret returns readers to the world of the Dare/Kingstons. With a story featuring Chloe Kingstons (from Just One Scandal) brother-in-law Drew Daniels. A lawyer with a prestigious law firm and Georgia Brooks. Who works for Aurora Dares ( from Just One Dare) non-profit.

And who meet at a swanky law awards ceremony. Where Georgia's dad is being honoured and Drew is immediately smitten. 

However, he notices that Georgia is on the arm of his old college classmate Elliott. Whom he has always found to be a narcissistic arse. And Georgia agrees. Unfortunately though, her parents want nothing more for her than to date and eventually marry him and Elliott and her mother seem to think it's a done deal.

But when Georgia's sister Courtney bids and wins Drew at a charity bachelor auction and then gifts him to Georgia, everything changes. As the pair spend a wondrous weekend together.

Although Elliott doesn't like taking no for an answer and neither does Mrs Brooks.

Yet, Georgia isn't backing down and is determined to go after the man she really wants. 

But does Drew want her? Or will ambition get the better of him?

And with little angst, plenty of sweetness and a little spice. This was an enjoyable and easy read. That I'd happily recommend to others.

My thanks to Booksprout and both authors for the opportunity to read an early copy of Just a Little Secret. 😊

Meet Clover a child actress/pop star who gave it all up for the love of a man. A man who she's just found out is cheating on her with her BFF and so Clover after confronting him and showing him the evidence (kindly provided by said BFF) walks away ready to reinvent herself and reclaim her career.

Which is how she meets grumpy, suit wearing, billionaire Joar. Who has just crushed her ex-Harrison and taken control of his company after its revealed he has been stealing from his clients.

And he's exactly the type of man Clover has sworn off.

Yet, Joar believes Clover is involved in her ex's misdeeds and is determined to get close enough to her to find out. But it doesn't quite go to plan. As once Joar lays eyes on Clover he's hooked and the pair spend eight hours trapped in an elevator having the hottest, dirtiest sex of their lives.

Only Clover has no idea who Joar really is and when she finds out she wants nothing to do with him. 

So, Joar creates a hate date in order to get Clover to go out with him, and it works.

However, their romance is far from easy as both have big trust issues and don't wholly believe the feelings they bring out in each other are real or will last forever. But they can't deny the sex is AMAZING!!!

And with sooo many spicy moments, great characters and some pretty awful ones. Yes, I do mean her ex! This was a great read. That had me completely hooked and it was the perfect story to introduce me to author Kaylene Winter and I would happily recommend The Hate Date to all. 

My thanks to Kaylene Winter and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Hate Date. 😊

WOW!! Never has a book title summed up a story and the characters themselves as much as this one and what an incredible introduction to author Fiona Cummins.

As I was hooked from the very first page of the prologue and particularly from the moment a killer asks a mother to choose which of her two children should die; teenage daughter Galen or baby of the family Tom.

But before Christine Hardwicke gets to make her heartbreaking decision. The story takes you back to how this family unwittingly ended up in a room face to face with a pair of cold blooded killers.

And to how this pair of killers got started. Think a modern day Bonnie and Clyde with a lot less morals and care for human life.

And it's a cracking story. That is woven together beautifully. With the story told from multiple points of view including Christine Hardwickes, the killers Missy and Fox and the murder team including DS Saul Anguish. Who is leading the cross country chase to try and stop them.

And with so many twists and shocks. This was a dark thrilling and at times harrowing but completely unputdownable and memorable read. That is on par with The Twenty. As the best crime fiction, I've read this year, and I would thoroughly recommend All Of Us Are Broken to others.

My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 😊

Lost Little Angels returns readers to Utah and specifically the closed small town of Hildale. Where mostly everyone is under the control of a cult run by a so-called prophet. Who is currently rotting in jail.

And where babies are going missing and mothers are too scared to speak out.

But for Detective Eve Bennet who escaped the community. The news strikes extremely close to home and evokes fear and memories she'd rather forget.

However, Eve is also determined to get answers and ensure whatever the community is up to is brought to light and stopped.

But to do that she has to face her step brother Aaron. The attorney for the county and part of the community that won't speak out.

Yet, a couple of brave members are willing to go against the others and offer Eve and her team scent details to go on. 

Which leads them, and particular Eve down a dangerous path and in the end provides evidence that could blow the case wide open.

That's if Eve and her team survive.

And with such a fascinating setting, intriguing characters and a storyline that had me gripped. Not to mention great pacing, shocks, twists and plenty of detail. This was a really enjoyable read and it's a story I would happily recommend to others, particularly because of the cult/closed community setting.

You or Someone Like You is a romance full of heart and a big dollop of sweetness.

As single dad Roman still grieving the loss of his beloved wife Emma is convinced by his Aunt Theodora to go on a blind date. With a member of her staff Margaux who she thinks is perfect for him.

But Margaux has suspected food poisoning. So she begs her twin sister Sloane to go in her place and to be as dull and undateable as possible.

And it works.

Until Roman bumps into Sloane whilst walking home and finds out she not only lives where his wife did when she first came to New York. But she's a huge fan of an elusive artist called Halcyon and now Roman wants to see her again.

Much to the real Margaux's despair and Sloanes shock.

But one conversation later it becomes clear why he wants to see her again. Although Roman makes it clear he's not looking to date.

Yet, time spent with Sloane soon has him ready to move on from Emma and Sloane soon starts falling for him too.

If only she hadn't lied.

And with a few emotional moments, sweetness, likable characters and some not so likable characters. Yes, I'm talking about the real Margaux. This was really easy and engaging read. That had me invested from start to finish and I'd happily recommend it to others. 😊

My thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of You or Someone Like You. 😊

Lilah f******g Love is back! In a story that packs a punch both in intensity, intrigue and emotion. 

As deputy director of the FBI and Lilah's direct supervisor has been murdered in what appears to be an assassination and now Homeland Security want Lilah to find out who did it.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this story. As Lilah's husband Kane is in Mexico ready to kill his uncle and install an ally as head of the family cartel.

However, it all goes wrong, and Kane is faced with a ghost from his past and a dilemma that has him seriously thinking leaving Lilah is his only way forward.

But the reappearance of a ghost and the death of Murphy can't possibly be a coincidence, can it?

And as Lilah scrambles to get her brother and team to safety and learn all she can about those now in charge. She's summoned to Washington. As another high-profile person has been assassinated and now Lilah has two murders to solve and no way of asking questions or interviewing potential witnesses. 

And with a ghost assassin hanging around and a ghost resurfacing. Not to mention pressure mounting from the highest levels of government who may not be telling Lilah the whole truth.This was a gripping read. That had me hooked from start to finish and I can't wait for the conclusion of this story and to find out how Lilah and Kane are going to work their way out of this.

I would thoroughly recommend The Ghost Assassin and the Lilah Love series as a whole to others.