Breath of Deceit

Breath of Deceit (Dublin Devils #1)

by Selena Laurence

Dublin Devils are just handsome devils that are part of a mob. The oldest brother is in charge or, so he thinks until dear old dad shows him he isn’t. This book introduces all the members of the cast. Though it centers mostly on Cian, his likes, dislikes, being boss, his world and the revenge he wants on one member of his family. Something happened long ago that has set him on a course to take down one man and save the rest of his family. Each brother has his own story to tell as the series goes on you will get to know each one better. For now, we deal mostly with Cian, Conner, his girlfriend and their father along with a few other people. What a thrilling ride as you are taken deep and deep into the crime world dealing with drugs, cybercrime and the FBI who wants to make a deal but the deal just got bigger leaving a crime family on the edge of trying to save their world or let it fall apart. Who will be left standing and who will end up dead, the world as they know it does a 360 spinning out of control.

What an exciting read with thrills, excitement and danger as a father and son fight it out. One's health won’t let him run the business and the other doesn’t run it the way his old man does which lead to control issues. When Cian was eighteen something happen to turn his world upside down turning him against the man he calls his father. Nothing has ever been the same since. What it must be like to have all the money in the world you could want but never being able to walk outside without bodyguards, wondering if today will be your last day alive since other crime leads wants what is yours. You can’t just go for a nice dinner, shopping or even a trip. At first, I had mixed feelings for Cian but as the story really takes off he becomes my hero in so many ways.

The characters are fun, exciting, and dangerous but at the same time fearful, not many wants to get into their crosshairs. Above all my heart went out to Connor and his girlfriend for waiting a life that is normal and knowing they can’t have it. The next would be Cian who wants to give his whole family their wants and desires at a great cost to his self. I did like how he tried to handle things in a calming manner keeping peace where his father wanted war. I liked how he tried to help others not only his family but those outside of it as well. He is a man of honor who said what he means, but he isn’t bad, just caught up in a world he was born into. Just when things are going his way someone steps in throwing a tailspin on his world leaving it spinning out of control. He fights to tilt it back but finds some things will never be the same.

I really loved and respected his mother she is a gem, his brothers won me off as well but his father should be taken out and shot for what he has done to his family. The women in the boys lives are sweet, kind and just dearly. The author gives you a well-thought-out plot that holds your attention with a read I could not put down. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching some take their last breaths. (Does that make me a bad person, sorry, but they deserve what happened to them) I found myself talking to them, smiling with them, and my heart just broke for a few. It is a very Intriguing read that sucks you in from the first page and leaving you holding your breath at the last page with an OH NO. The ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger which I hate but here I didn’t mind it at all because it semi completes itself which was a very good place to stop.

All in all I totally loved it and can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. If you like crime mob stories with danger, excitement, love, drama and revenge this is the book for you. It is up for pre-order at a nice price pick it up before it is marked up.

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Deceit-Dublin-Devils-1-ebook/dp/B07BVML5X4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523145085&sr=1-1&keywords=Breath+of+Deceit

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breath-of-deceit-selena-laurence/1127691251;jsessionid=3BBC740A096B7D1E8192A237B5FC7927.prodny_store02-atgap03?ean=9781635764789

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/breath-of-deceit

Summary

The Departed gets a modern upgrade with the injection of cybercrime and four sexy Irish mob brothers fighting to stay alive amidst drug deals and FBI probes.

Cian MacFarlane is the oldest son of Chicago's reigning crime family. Now the defacto boss of the organization after his father's retirement, Cian is feared by his enemies and revered by his brothers. But what if Cian isn't all he seems to be? What if his end game isn't to maintain his father's empire but to topple it? As the MacFarlanes broker a deal with the owner of the world's largest dark web site, Cian brokers a deal with the FBI. But when he meets Lila Rodriguez, a genius hacker working with the dark web, his feelings for her only make life more complex.

Determined to save his brothers, even if it means sacrificing himself, Cian lives moment to moment in a deadly underworld of cybercrime, drug deals, federal agents, and a vengeful parent who won't hesitate to remind his oldest son what it means to be a MacFarlane. Through it all, Cian fights for his brothers to make it out of Chicagoland crime. But will the pieces fall into place before his breath of deceit is discovered?

Bad Games

Bad Games

Written by: Jeff Menapace

Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Series: Bad Games, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:03-27-15

Publisher: Mind Mess Press

First let me say I most likely will never go camping again, vacations are even questionable after listening to this audio. This story could have been taken out of today’s headlines it is so believable and scary you have to trouble buying into it. I found myself talking with such emotion to the characters in this audio my husband looked at me as said you know this is not real it never really happened? I gave him one of my whatever looks it might not be true crime but dang these people were real to me. I started this audio home alone at night when my husband wasn’t due back until very late. I am not one who scares easy but this audio hand me locking the doors and jumping at every noise. I was very grateful when my husband finally did get home. Warning this is a violence book with graphic murders. If this doesn’t scare you in some way there is something wrong with you lol.

Mr. Tiedemann had me in the palm of his hand from the first few words. He puts so much emotion into this audio and keeps you right on the edge knowing nothing good is going to come out of it. From the first few words you can hear the danger in his tone. You see the scenes as they play out. At times you may even cover your face, bite your nails as your heart speeds up hoping you are wrong but knowing you aren’t. The narrator gives just the right amount of pause to really let it sink in scaring the crap right out of you. Believe me when I say you know just what each character is feeling and what emotion has a hold of not only them but you. His character voices are outstanding you always know who is talking. His female voices are just as wonderful as his male ones. The audio is very clear, clean and crisp with no background noises, if any breaks were taken you cannot tell. The narrator’s voice blends in very well with this story it fits what is going on right down to a T. This is such a compelling listen that you are invested in the story from the start to the end. Mr. Tiedemann performance is outstanding I wish I could give him more than 5 stars. He really adds so much to this listen giving you a highly entertaining audio that I could not put down.

As the story plays out I really wonder what all goes through this authors mind. The twist he throws in are mind blowing. I found myself talking to the characters at times even yelling no, no don’t go in, or yes pack up and leave right this minute. Yes that is a good idea, go with your feelings, are you crazy RUN RUN for your lives. It has been awhile since an author had such an effect on me, scaring me to the point of locking my doors, checking my windows. Lord help my poor dogs if they barked I was checking to see what was outside and then yelled at them to stop doing that. I think they were laughing back at me. I have even waited a few days before I wrote this review and I find my heart is still racing like crazy. At the time of listening to this I was scared senseless, now not do much. Did I have a strong reaction you better believe it, I doubt anyone can listen to this and not have. What the author brings to the table is a thrilling, horror, exciting, suspenseful, humor, laughter, action story of murder, kidnapping, stalking of sociopathic brothers who are serial killers out looking for a few laughs playing by their own set of rules terrifying everyone in their path. Let the games begin if you dare pick up this audio and become invest in each terrifying scene that will have hanging on the edge as every scene keeps you with your ears on high alert jumping at every sound. I really wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I pick it as one of my favorite reads. I just loved it and plan on listening to it again and again.  

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/Bad-Games-Audiobook/B00V97JV7Q

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Games-Dark-Psychological-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00BIP1S8E/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

Participation is not an option....
The Lambert Family is heading to Crescent Lake, a rural cabin community in western Pennsylvania, for an idyllic weekend getaway. Some fishing, some barbecue, some games...
The Fannelli brothers are heading to Crescent Lake too. Some stalking, some kidnapping, some murder, definitely some games - though not necessarily the type of games the Lamberts had in mind.
But it doesn't matter. The Lamberts are going to play whether they like it or not.
An intense psychological thriller, Bad Games has the dark, mind-bending terror of Cape Fear combined with the fish-out-of-water dread and suspense of Deliverance.
So let Jeff Menapace's best-selling thriller keep you up all night as it delves into the mystery of nature versus nurture when comprehending the evil in man, along with the will and determination an innocent family must summon to fight back against horrific odds.
Bonus! Includes the first chapter of the pulse-pounding sequel, Vengeful Games.

The Cain Conspiracy

The Cain Conspiracy: The Cain Series, Book 1

Written by: Mike Ryan

Narrated by: Charles Hayward

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Series: The Cain Series, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-17-16

Publisher: Mike Ryan

At times this story was a little slow and other times a steady beat. The story has good parts and some not so good. What throw me more than anything was when the character said I thought and then someone answered their thought. If someone is thinking most likely it is in their head and others to not hear it. This happens way too much for it to have been a thought that slipped out. Just as I was getting into the story “I thought” was said and just took away from all I had enjoyed which left me thinking more about why that was there I and missed what happen next. The hooker relation throws me as well, he is such a gentleman with her but with his handle he is a starved man, there was no chemistry for me to buy into this part. I feel a little more development is needed, more follow up is needed on the med Cain took, to him checking out the agency to make sure they were on the up and up.  I found these things very confusing. Before I get into what worked for me let’s talk about the narrator.

Mr. Ryan has a delightful voice which really adds to the story. His character voices are great. You have no trouble knowing who is talking at any given time. I am unsure why their boss is so harsh he always sounds mad which confused me. His emotions are not bad but I thought at one point the hooker laughed or chuckled the narrator should have does so as well why talking to make it more believable. I did not feel any sparks between any of the women or men. Now when the handler got mad at her ex I felt that through Mr. Ryan’s voice. When the ex got cocky I had no trouble I heard it in his voice and chuckled a time or two. There were parts that the emotion or excitement was easy to feel others a little more work is need but it wasn’t bad at all. There are no background noises nor any place where the volume changes. There are times Mr. Ryan need to pause give brakes between what is happening or between sentences. The audio is very clean, clear and crisp. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. I thought the narrator give an enjoyable listen that added to the audio. I do believe this is some of his first works and do believe with time he will become a very talented narrator.

What worked for me in this story was Cain when he wakes up I could feel his confusion. I had so much respect for him with the hooker from helping her start over to how he was a true gentleman. I am a little confused over what this agency is and why all the secrets between so many also the ex leave hints as to what it truly is but I am unsure as to why he wanted out but I feel as we go along we will understand more. The hooker I have to say my heart went out to her, the first time she finds a man that treats her as a person and she falls for him…so sad. I do have respect for her for trying to better herself. The handler has an emotional story to tell. The boss has me a little confused but again I feel that will come out as they story goes on. For the most part the action is wonderful I loved the car scene that really got my mind going. The excitement from the driver had me chuckling. To many fillers for me is a big problem which I have to give to the author he doesn’t use any. More or less every word written is needed to tell the story. For that alone it was worth the listen. Even with the confusing and the “I thought” part I thought this was an enjoyable listen. I most likely would listen to it again at some point.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Cain-Conspiracy-Audiobook/B01MDLK2O5

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Cain-Conspiracy-Book/dp/B01M23UQUA/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Summary

Shot in the head and recovering from brain surgery, Delta Force soldier Thomas Nelson wakes up in a military hospital unable to remember who he is. Faced with going through recovery alone, with no family that he's aware of, he is recruited by a top secret government agency. Project Specter is tasked with eliminating targets they deem to be a threat to the United States. Their goal is to turn Nelson into a super assassin named Matthew Cain.
Cain's first mission is supposed to be a piece of cake. Just take out an escaped fugitive in Honduras who's on the run for the rape and murder of a little girl in New York. There's only one problem; somebody beat him to it. Everything is not what it seems as Cain gets mixed up with an international arms dealer and an ex-government agent who's gone rogue and is supposed to be dead.
The Cain Conspiracy is the first book in the high-octane Cain Series.

Rough Justice: Knight & Culverhouse

Rough Justice: Knight & Culverhouse, Book 4

Written by: Adam Croft

Narrated by: Adam Croft

Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins

Series: Knight & Culverhouse, Book 4

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:11-28-16

Publisher: Adam Croft 

WOW from the first page this author grabs your attention to the last with his gripping tale of mutilation that will make all men and most women cringe I know I sure did. The author left me with my mouth hung open as the killer starts is act and all he does to kill his victims. One serial killer down the author takes us off to the next one who has it in for pedophiles as he takes them down one at a time. This is the second book I have listened to by this author and it is just as good as the first one. The author took me in from the first page making me hold my breath with the chilling tales of a serial killer who knows just how to make these criminals pay for their crimes in a way that most of us would love to.   

The author is also the narrator which had me a little nervous because most authors cannot narrate very well. However I thought that Mr. Croft did a pretty good job not as good as his past narrator but a pretty good job. I thought his voice was very pleasant with a delightful accent that pulls you in. I do think his female voices do need a little work to sound more female. I thought he did put emotion into the listen I always knew who was talking and what they were feeling. The tones for each character are pretty good that you have no trouble feeling the emotions the characters are feeling.  There are no places where there are a repeat of words or any place where the volume is higher or lower than anywhere else in the audio. There are no background noises just a clear audio that is very enjoyable.  If any breaks were taken I could not tell it was a very crisp clean audio that did hold my attention and at times making my heart speed up and leaving me holding my breath.  I am looking forward to listening to more of his narration and feel he will become a wonderful delightful narrator as he goes along narrating more.

Poor Jack has so much on his plate from his wife coming back, not being able to see his daughter, his wife leaving again and is friend dying that it is hard for him to puy his heart into his work. He feeling the new serial killer is doing a wonderful job not saying he won’t do his job but when his mouth overruns his mind he gets into a lot of trouble. With a new boss coming on the scene he over steps his self lands him on leave.  Wendy has her hands full trying to work out who the killer is and keeping poor Jack in line.

This was a very entertaining listen that really grabs you and keeps its as you try to work out who the killer is as well as trying to get over the shock of how he kills. It is very well written in a style that isn’t overwhelming even through the things the killer does is shocking.  There is no romance or anything new on Jacks wife. What you get is how hard Jack is finding life when his whole world starts falling apart. He takes the death of his friend very hard and has trouble dealing with it. Not working is very hard for him as he starts drinking more and caring less. Wendy does her best to pull him back in but leaving her asking some tough question not only about Jack but other officers. This is a very suspenseful story as always it has its chills. Wendy and Jack work well together but this might be the last time they do if Jack can’t get his act together.  The author gives you a surprising ending that really is wonderful. This is the second book I have listened to from this author and find his writing style a delight that really gets to your heart with characters that really pulls you in making them a part of their life. I just love these characters and what they bring to the story. The buildup of the plot is great with a few heart stopping moments that shock you. I can’t wait for the next one. This has turned out to be a wonderful series.

Buy Links

Audible

http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/Rough-Justice-Audiobook/B01MTRYFBT

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Justice-Knight-Culverhouse-Book-ebook/dp/B017D7TDLO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rough-justice-adam-croft/1123120722;jsessionid=72A22F2C7F1B8DCF314D1D00881E830A.prodny_store02-atgap03?ean=2940157025571

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rough-justice-31

Summary

When a man is found dead, mutilated in his house, DS Wendy Knight and DCI Jack Culverhouse soon realize that Jeff Brelsford was killed for one reason: he was a pedophile.
As Wendy does her job and tries to find the killer, Culverhouse is less keen. As far as he's concerned, this is justice.
With Culverhouse's attitude and stubbornness leaving him on the sidelines, Wendy delves deeper into the dark and murky world of Jeff Brelsford, and what she discovers is enough to shock her to her core.
Could it be that the killer was someone very close to home, a police officer?
Rough Justice is a gripping, fast-paced serial killer thriller which will captivate fans of Peter James, Ian Rankin and Mark Billingham.

Cold Fear: Cold Justice Series, Volume 4

    Written by: Toni Anderson
    Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
    Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
        Series: Cold Justice, Book 4
    Unabridged Audiobook
    Release Date:09-29-15
    Publisher: Toni Anderson

My Review

This author has always been able to pull me in, keep me guessing as she entertaining me to no end. Between the author and narrator this was a hard to put down I wanted to know how it ended. Serial killers have always got my attention this is the next best thing to a true read. Trying to understand the who and why is mind blowing. Ms. Anderson pulls you in with her very talented mind as the narrator hooks you with his smooth voice painting a story of mystery and death leaving you second guessing who the killer or killers are. Just when you think you have it worked out and you say that is just to easy no way...the author talks you into believing what she has setup for you only to find your first thought was true. It was to easy and you might need to do a little more looking. I can honestly say I never saw that coming, would have never guessed it.

The narrator as always did a wonderful outstanding job. There are not any breaks that you can tell just a smooth rich voice plotting the story the author wrote. He hits all the correct tones pulling you in making you believe what is going on. He has wonderful character voice, you have no trouble knowing who and what sex they are. There are no background noises just a smooth reach narration that will keeping you hanging on not wanting to put this book down. I have loved Eric G. Dove from the first book I have ever listened to that he narrated. I always look forward to his narration. He has narrated a few of Ms. Anderson books which I have loved. I always get excited when I see his name and know I am going to totally love the book.

Frazer has always been one of my favorite characters throughout this series. He is strong, alpha, will a wonderful attitude. He is a tough cop who doesn't give up easy and always gets his person. It was nice to see him get his own story. He does however need to deal with his past as the author brings more of it to life in this read you come to understanding him better. Not only does he have his handful with Izzy  along with the killer and some teens that are working through their own issues. This is one cop that toes the line all but one time. Even years later he is still dealing with this which will get in his way with Izzy and her secret. Ones past has a way of coming back to bite you on your butt as he will find out when all of Izzy past comes back to haunt her. He is going to have to decide if love can out weather the fall out when the past comes knocking.

Izzy has been haunted by her past and it is about to come back in a big way. She walked away years ago but with her mother dying she must come home to help take care of her sister. Teens can be so trying on their best days but her sister is hell-bent on making bad decision. Getting even with the popular girls will be her down fall in many ways the bigs is losing her best friend. As Izzy does her best to help her sister through some very trying times she must also face her past while trying to find out who the killer is and why they have come back after all these years.  Danger is all around is there no stopping this killer? What about her new founded relationship with Frazer will he still want her when he finds out her secret?

I was drawn to Ms. Anderson's book from the very first book. She deliveries a bang from the first page that pulls you in and holds you throughout the read. Her stories are very believable with all that is going on in the world it isn't hard to believe this could or has really happened. This series revolves around states and place I know well which is an added bonus for me. This is one author that has done her research well knowing the places this series takes place it is easy for me to know she given great thought to the plot and the place she has built it around. She always keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. You must look deep and give much thought before you can pick him out. I have to say I am always surprised when he is revealed never guessing to who it is. Ms. Anderson is another of my go to authors when I want thrills, adventure and excitement she never lets me down. The sex is hot as two people find their way and could be torn apart when things come out. There are some very heated scenes that will give you hot flashes. She has picked a narrator that goes well with this series. Between the two they make the perfect match to bring you all you come to expect. This book was a little more intents and graphic than most of her stories. It will shock you and keep you turning the pages. I am so looking forward to the next book I can hardly wait. I know it will be as thrilling and exciting as this one has been. If you haven't read anything by this author I highly recommend you do. All of her books have been outstanding but this series has been the best so far. Read this one as a standalone but if you want the full impact of the characters you do not want to miss one book in this series.

Buy Links
Audible

Amazon

B&N

Kobo


Book Description
A relentless FBI profiler hunts a vicious killer.

When old evidence turns up on a fresh corpse, ASAC Lincoln Frazer is determined it won’t delay the execution of a convicted serial killer. But when more young women are brutally slain, it becomes clear—this new killer is intimately familiar with the old murders.

A dedicated emergency physician hides a dark secret.

Former Army Captain Dr. Isadora Campbell helped her mother hide a terrible crime. After her mother’s death, Izzy resigned her commission and returned to the Outer Banks to raise her rebellious teenage sister. But it doesn’t take long for Izzy to suspect that someone knows exactly what she did, all those years ago.

If they work together, maybe no one else will die.

With pressure mounting to reopen the old case, Frazer will use any means possible to catch the killer. Thrust together during the investigation, he and Izzy find themselves reluctantly attracted to one another, and begin an affair. Meanwhile, the killer is much closer than they think. Izzy’s confession of her secret drives Frazer away as he struggles with her deception. By the time he realizes he’s fallen in love with the stubborn woman, the killer has her. Now the race is on to save Izzy, and any chance of a future they might have together.

About the Author

***Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice Series with A COLD DARK PLACE currently free on Amazon. You can sign up for her newsletter at www.toniandersonauthor.com***

New York Times and USA Today international bestselling author, Toni Anderson, writes dark, gritty Romantic Suspense novels that have hit #1 in Barnes & Noble's Nook store, the Amazon and Kobo Top 10, and the Top 50 on iBooks. Her novels have won many awards, and she's been nominated for the prestigious Romance Writers of America® RITA® Award.

A former Marine Biologist from Britain, she inexplicably ended up in the geographical center of North America, about as far from the ocean as it is possible to get. She now lives in the Canadian prairies with her Irish husband and two children and spends most of her time complaining about the weather.

Toni has no explanation for her oft-times dark imagination, and only hopes the romance makes up for it. She's addicted to reading, dogs, tea, and chocolate.

If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website (http://www.toniandersonauthor.com) and sign up for her newsletter. If you want to read other fascinating stories about life in a city that during winter is sometimes colder than Mars, friend her on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/toniannanderson).

Toni donates 15% of her royalties from EDGE OF SURVIVAL to diabetes research--to find out why, read the book!