Scan barcode
mags_louise's reviews
3681 reviews
My Word Against His by Lauren North
4.5
This is my first introduction to author Lauren North and what an impressive introduction it is!
As My Word Against His is a story that will have you questioning everything and an ending that'll leave you asking did that really just happen?
As Lauren takes you on a twisted, crazy, and at times uncomfortable jaw-dropping journey. With characters that I'll be honest aren't very likable. But somehow that makes it all the more compelling to read.
And honestly this story is nothing like anything else I've read this year. But boy did I enjoy it!! And I'll definitely be reading more from Lauren North in the future.
I would also happily recommend My Word Against His to others.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of My Word Against His. 😊
As My Word Against His is a story that will have you questioning everything and an ending that'll leave you asking did that really just happen?
As Lauren takes you on a twisted, crazy, and at times uncomfortable jaw-dropping journey. With characters that I'll be honest aren't very likable. But somehow that makes it all the more compelling to read.
And honestly this story is nothing like anything else I've read this year. But boy did I enjoy it!! And I'll definitely be reading more from Lauren North in the future.
I would also happily recommend My Word Against His to others.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of My Word Against His. 😊
Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons
5.0
The brilliantly tenacious DI Kim Stone is back! With a cracking story. That sees her and her dedicated team take on a case involving the horrific murder of a so-called psychic.
And it's a case that immediately has the team asking the question, is there such a thing as psychic ability? And is that the reason why Sandra Deakin is dead?
But with a big potential pool of suspects. All of whom seem to be lying about something. How are the team ever going to find out?
Especially when another person working on a psychic hotline is killed.
Yet, that isn't the only problem facing Bryant, Stacey and Penn. As Kim has learnt of a homeless man, found dead with no ID as well as the kidnapping of a boy ten years ago. And she wants answers.
But these can't be connected to Psychic Sandy and her death, can they?
Not to mention, one member of the team is keeping a secret that might just turn deadly.
And with twists, shocks and surprises. Plus, a killer I did not see coming. This was another unputdownable read. And for anyone who hasn't yet read the series, what are you waiting for? Seriously! You are really missing out on one of the best female detectives I've ever read!!
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an early copy of Deadly Fate. 😊
And it's a case that immediately has the team asking the question, is there such a thing as psychic ability? And is that the reason why Sandra Deakin is dead?
But with a big potential pool of suspects. All of whom seem to be lying about something. How are the team ever going to find out?
Especially when another person working on a psychic hotline is killed.
Yet, that isn't the only problem facing Bryant, Stacey and Penn. As Kim has learnt of a homeless man, found dead with no ID as well as the kidnapping of a boy ten years ago. And she wants answers.
But these can't be connected to Psychic Sandy and her death, can they?
Not to mention, one member of the team is keeping a secret that might just turn deadly.
And with twists, shocks and surprises. Plus, a killer I did not see coming. This was another unputdownable read. And for anyone who hasn't yet read the series, what are you waiting for? Seriously! You are really missing out on one of the best female detectives I've ever read!!
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an early copy of Deadly Fate. 😊
Claim by Sienna Snow
4.5
I'm a huge fan of BDSM stories, and so I was really excited to read CLAIM, by a new to me author Sienna Snow. And it didn't disappoint. As this is so much more than a BDSM story.
As Sophia Morelli the wild child and black sheep of the Morelli family and a frequent visitor to her brother Lucian's kink club makes the leap from voyeur to participant and chooses the one man she shouldn't to play with.
That man being the dark, dangerous Damon Pierce a friend of Lucian's and a dominant. Who has a reputation and a dark history. So he knows he should stay far away from Sophia.
But fate conspires to push them together and soon Damon is ready to claim her.
Only Sophia is adamant she isn't submissive and feels frustrated by the feelings he envokes and his reactions to her.
However, when Sophia makes a reckless move against a vindictive and sleazy designer, it's Damon and not her brother she turns too. But his help doesn't quite go to plan.
And with off the charts chemistry, lots of sexy moments, intrigue and difficult situations broached. This is a fantastic read. That ends with a cliffhanger. Which has me desperately counting down the days until Defy is released. And I would happily recommend this story to all.
Am now off to see what other books of Sienna's I can read in the meantime!
My thanks to Sienna Snow and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an early copy of Claim. 😊
As Sophia Morelli the wild child and black sheep of the Morelli family and a frequent visitor to her brother Lucian's kink club makes the leap from voyeur to participant and chooses the one man she shouldn't to play with.
That man being the dark, dangerous Damon Pierce a friend of Lucian's and a dominant. Who has a reputation and a dark history. So he knows he should stay far away from Sophia.
But fate conspires to push them together and soon Damon is ready to claim her.
Only Sophia is adamant she isn't submissive and feels frustrated by the feelings he envokes and his reactions to her.
However, when Sophia makes a reckless move against a vindictive and sleazy designer, it's Damon and not her brother she turns too. But his help doesn't quite go to plan.
And with off the charts chemistry, lots of sexy moments, intrigue and difficult situations broached. This is a fantastic read. That ends with a cliffhanger. Which has me desperately counting down the days until Defy is released. And I would happily recommend this story to all.
Am now off to see what other books of Sienna's I can read in the meantime!
My thanks to Sienna Snow and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an early copy of Claim. 😊
HOSTILE EXTRACTION: Tri Star Securities by Nicole James
fast-paced
4.25
Meet Asia Fox, who leaves her conservative Catholic family in Texas for a chance at a new life in Miami. Where she meets gorgeous rich guy Nico. Who immediately sweeps her off her feet and soon proposes marriage.
But within days of Asia accepting she finds herself cut off from the outside world, guarded day and night and with no way to contact her brother Carter and best friend Emily.
Yet, Asia is blissfully happy and in love and although there are red flags. She's excited to marry him.
Only Nico isn't who Asia thinks he is and is actually planning to sell her in a virgin auction. Something he does regularly.
So when Asia's brother Carter seeks help from Dusty an old friend and learns who Nico really is, he is desperate to save her. And Dusty who was once half in love with Asia is more than ready to step up and be the one to do it.
But the FBI can't get close. So how will Dusty and his Tri-Star colleagues fair?
And what happens when they rescue her? As she believes completely that Nico loves her.
And with danger, suspense, heat and emotion. This is a fabulous read. That is fast-paced, thrilling and hard to put down and I'll definitely be reading more from this author and series in the future.
My thanks to Nicole James and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an early copy of Hostile Extraction. 😊
But within days of Asia accepting she finds herself cut off from the outside world, guarded day and night and with no way to contact her brother Carter and best friend Emily.
Yet, Asia is blissfully happy and in love and although there are red flags. She's excited to marry him.
Only Nico isn't who Asia thinks he is and is actually planning to sell her in a virgin auction. Something he does regularly.
So when Asia's brother Carter seeks help from Dusty an old friend and learns who Nico really is, he is desperate to save her. And Dusty who was once half in love with Asia is more than ready to step up and be the one to do it.
But the FBI can't get close. So how will Dusty and his Tri-Star colleagues fair?
And what happens when they rescue her? As she believes completely that Nico loves her.
And with danger, suspense, heat and emotion. This is a fabulous read. That is fast-paced, thrilling and hard to put down and I'll definitely be reading more from this author and series in the future.
My thanks to Nicole James and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an early copy of Hostile Extraction. 😊
Dirty Rich One Night Stand by Lisa Renee Jones
4.25
Meet Reese Summers aka Mr Hotness or as Cat likes to call him Mr Arrogant Ass. A defense attorney who is a killer in court. Known for getting his clients off and only representing those who he truly believes are innocent. Reese gets what he wants and has a reputation to prove it.
But Cat isn't ready to fall at his feet. Although he certainly makes an impression on her. So much so, she's all for having a one night stand with him.
Yet, one night isn't enough and the chemistry shimmers between them. And with Cat a valuable resource in Reese's quest to get his client off a murder charge. She might just be the perfect woman for him.
But Cat has been burned in the past and it will take a lot for Reese to break through her walls.
And with a case to win too there is plenty of intrigue and danger to be had and with great characters and plenty of heat. This is a story that will keep you reading, and its one I would thoroughly recommend to others.
But Cat isn't ready to fall at his feet. Although he certainly makes an impression on her. So much so, she's all for having a one night stand with him.
Yet, one night isn't enough and the chemistry shimmers between them. And with Cat a valuable resource in Reese's quest to get his client off a murder charge. She might just be the perfect woman for him.
But Cat has been burned in the past and it will take a lot for Reese to break through her walls.
And with a case to win too there is plenty of intrigue and danger to be had and with great characters and plenty of heat. This is a story that will keep you reading, and its one I would thoroughly recommend to others.
The Girls in the Glen by Lynne McEwan
4.0
This is my first introduction to the Detective Shona Oliver series, and it certainly was an engaging one. As The Girls in the Glen is filled with detail and a nice amount of mystery.
As DI Oliver and her daughter Becca are out spending time together on an archelogical dig. When Becca helps uncover some human remains. Which are quickly identified as being recently buried.
But before Shona can act. An officer arrives informing her of a shooting at a nearby estate.
Only when Shona arrives, she learns the victim is a rather opinionated Scottish MP. Who has been hit with a bullet from a rifle rather than the shotguns of the shooting party. Which means there is a gunman on the loose and with plenty of places to hide and targets to hit the race begin's to find them.
But who could want an MP dead? And what about the remains? Could they really be one of the missing 'Girls in the Glen' ?
And as DI Oliver investigates she has to deal with a husband on trial and secrets. Not just those buried on Belid Moss but from her team and higher ups who'd rather she concentrate on the present and forget the past.
But Shona is determined to get answers. No matter the cost and with lots detail of the area and some twists and turns. This was an enjoyable mystery, that I'd happily recommend to others.
My thanks to Canelo Crime and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Girls in the Glen.
As DI Oliver and her daughter Becca are out spending time together on an archelogical dig. When Becca helps uncover some human remains. Which are quickly identified as being recently buried.
But before Shona can act. An officer arrives informing her of a shooting at a nearby estate.
Only when Shona arrives, she learns the victim is a rather opinionated Scottish MP. Who has been hit with a bullet from a rifle rather than the shotguns of the shooting party. Which means there is a gunman on the loose and with plenty of places to hide and targets to hit the race begin's to find them.
But who could want an MP dead? And what about the remains? Could they really be one of the missing 'Girls in the Glen' ?
And as DI Oliver investigates she has to deal with a husband on trial and secrets. Not just those buried on Belid Moss but from her team and higher ups who'd rather she concentrate on the present and forget the past.
But Shona is determined to get answers. No matter the cost and with lots detail of the area and some twists and turns. This was an enjoyable mystery, that I'd happily recommend to others.
My thanks to Canelo Crime and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Girls in the Glen.
The Ones Who Are Hidden by Kerry Wilkinson
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This is my first introduction to author Kerry Wilkinson and the Whitecliffe Bay Mysteries and it was certainly an engaging one.
As protagonist Millie helps search for answers when her sons guitar teacher Oliver weirdly asks her to look behind his ear. The reason being he has discovered a tattoo that he has no recollection of ever getting and he wants to know where it came from. So when he learns somebody else in the area also has one he arranges to meet them and Millie tags along.
And together Millie, Oliver and Georgia go in search of answers and end up learning things they could never of imagined. But that's not the only mystery Millie ends up involved in when she witnesses a robbery on her way home.
And with a character driven storyline, plenty of mystery and some really great characters. This was an enjoyable introduction to the series, and I'll certainly be looking out for more in the series especially as this one ends with a slight cliffhanger.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Ones Who Are Hidden
As protagonist Millie helps search for answers when her sons guitar teacher Oliver weirdly asks her to look behind his ear. The reason being he has discovered a tattoo that he has no recollection of ever getting and he wants to know where it came from. So when he learns somebody else in the area also has one he arranges to meet them and Millie tags along.
And together Millie, Oliver and Georgia go in search of answers and end up learning things they could never of imagined. But that's not the only mystery Millie ends up involved in when she witnesses a robbery on her way home.
And with a character driven storyline, plenty of mystery and some really great characters. This was an enjoyable introduction to the series, and I'll certainly be looking out for more in the series especially as this one ends with a slight cliffhanger.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Ones Who Are Hidden
Protege King by Lisa Renee Jones
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.5
It's been ages since I last read a Lisa Renee Jones story. That wasn't part of the Lilah Love series. So, I was super excited to get my hands on an early copy of Protege King.
An enthralling and sexy story featuring the mysterious Damion West. Who is billed as the protege to his father. A ruthless businessman. A corporate raider. Who will do anything and walk over anyone to get what he wants.
But Damion claims he is different and is ready to dethrone his father. But to do that he needs the one woman he knows he should stay far away from. His weakness Alana Blue.
Who grew up next door to him in New Jersey and claimed she was going to marry him when she was seven years old.
Yet, she soon learns Damion isn't the boy for her and by her early twenties, she had been burned enough times to know he isn't worth it.
But thanks to Alana's dad, her family is deeply entangled with the Wests and when Damion reappears Alana really can't say no to him.
Yet, with so many secrets between them. Not to mention a lot of bad history. Can the pair really survive and get a happy ending or will Damion's father strike a final blow?
And with a cliffhanger ending, plenty of tension, chemistry and intrigue. This was a cracking start to a new series, and I can't wait for Scorned Queen to find out what happens next.
My thanks to Lisa Renee Jones and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the opportunity to read an early copy of Protege King. 😊
An enthralling and sexy story featuring the mysterious Damion West. Who is billed as the protege to his father. A ruthless businessman. A corporate raider. Who will do anything and walk over anyone to get what he wants.
But Damion claims he is different and is ready to dethrone his father. But to do that he needs the one woman he knows he should stay far away from. His weakness Alana Blue.
Who grew up next door to him in New Jersey and claimed she was going to marry him when she was seven years old.
Yet, she soon learns Damion isn't the boy for her and by her early twenties, she had been burned enough times to know he isn't worth it.
But thanks to Alana's dad, her family is deeply entangled with the Wests and when Damion reappears Alana really can't say no to him.
Yet, with so many secrets between them. Not to mention a lot of bad history. Can the pair really survive and get a happy ending or will Damion's father strike a final blow?
And with a cliffhanger ending, plenty of tension, chemistry and intrigue. This was a cracking start to a new series, and I can't wait for Scorned Queen to find out what happens next.
My thanks to Lisa Renee Jones and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the opportunity to read an early copy of Protege King. 😊
The Twenty by Sam Holland
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Twenty is my first introduction to author Sam Holland. But I do have The Echo Man on my bookshelf and after devouring this story. I will definitely be reading it very very soon!
As The Twenty is a deliciously dark, complex, gripping and twisted story featuring major crimes detective DCI Adam Bishop. Who is called to a crime scene. The likes of which no one on his team has ever seen before.
A scene that includes numerous dead bodies each with a roman numeral assigned to them and Adam is immediately concerned that this killer is using the numbers as a way to count their kills.
What he doesn't expect is his ex-wife arriving on his doorstep claiming she knows who the killer is.
Yet, Adam is having none of it. Only he comes to regret that decision when the killer strikes again and again. And somebody close to the team is targeted.
But as the hunt intensifies the killer becomes even more barbaric and dangerous and absolutely no one is safe not even DCI Bishop himself.
And with macabre crime scenes, big twists and an ending I did not see coming. This was a fantastic read. That had me reading long into the night! And it's a story I would 100% recommend to others!!
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Twenty. 😊
As The Twenty is a deliciously dark, complex, gripping and twisted story featuring major crimes detective DCI Adam Bishop. Who is called to a crime scene. The likes of which no one on his team has ever seen before.
A scene that includes numerous dead bodies each with a roman numeral assigned to them and Adam is immediately concerned that this killer is using the numbers as a way to count their kills.
What he doesn't expect is his ex-wife arriving on his doorstep claiming she knows who the killer is.
Yet, Adam is having none of it. Only he comes to regret that decision when the killer strikes again and again. And somebody close to the team is targeted.
But as the hunt intensifies the killer becomes even more barbaric and dangerous and absolutely no one is safe not even DCI Bishop himself.
And with macabre crime scenes, big twists and an ending I did not see coming. This was a fantastic read. That had me reading long into the night! And it's a story I would 100% recommend to others!!
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Twenty. 😊
Made For You by Natasha Madison
4.5
The Grant/Stone family are back, and this time Vivienne Grant takes centre stage. When she decides to buy a boat and live on it for the summer much to the dismay of her father Matthew.
As Vivienne hasn't the first clue how to crew a boat. Even though she's got a license. But that's not going to stop her and neither is her new next door neighbour grumpy sexy Xavier.
Who's quiet life with his adorable dog Beatrice is about to be upended.
But Xavier has a secret.
As he used to be a hockey player until the game and press attention became too much. And with no support from his team or his fellow teammates Xaviers mental health deteriorated. So much so he tried to kill himself and after surviving he knew the only thing to do was to walk away from the game he once loved.
Yet, time spent with Vivienne and later her family helps Xavier see he still has a future in hockey.
And with real mental health issues highlighted, plenty of heat and family feels. Made For You, is a beautiful and emotional story. That I would happily recommend to others.
I was kindly provided with an ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions in exchange for an honest review
As Vivienne hasn't the first clue how to crew a boat. Even though she's got a license. But that's not going to stop her and neither is her new next door neighbour grumpy sexy Xavier.
Who's quiet life with his adorable dog Beatrice is about to be upended.
But Xavier has a secret.
As he used to be a hockey player until the game and press attention became too much. And with no support from his team or his fellow teammates Xaviers mental health deteriorated. So much so he tried to kill himself and after surviving he knew the only thing to do was to walk away from the game he once loved.
Yet, time spent with Vivienne and later her family helps Xavier see he still has a future in hockey.
And with real mental health issues highlighted, plenty of heat and family feels. Made For You, is a beautiful and emotional story. That I would happily recommend to others.
I was kindly provided with an ARC via Wildfire Marketing Solutions in exchange for an honest review