"Devil's Way Out" Is A Read You Don't Want To Miss..

I received a copy of “Devil’s Way Out” by Nika Dixon from my friends at Net Galley. I haven’t read anything by Dixon in the past but I have received copies of other ARCs from Entangled Publishing. 

I really enjoyed this read and I’ll start with some of the basics that everyone looks for in a read. Grammatically, I did not see any errors and if there were editing issues I was not able to locate them. Often times, if a book has a multitude of spelling mistakes it can take away from the narrative, but it certainly wasn’t the case here. The cover of the book is great and it clearly reflects the content of the book. Although you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, this cover was pretty amazing. 

The story has romance, mystery, action and some supernatural aspects. So.. Let's get down to business. The main character is Emmaline who ends up mysteriously in rural Montana after hitching a ride with Georgie - a local residence who has some dementia and is known for getting into trouble when she leaves her assisted living residence. Georgie crashed a stolen car into a creek and as a result the local Sheriff Danny Boyer and his brother, Marshall respond. Marshall find Emma and they take her to the Doc for treatment. 

It comes to light that Emma left where ever she came from with nothing. No money. No ID. No shoes. She is sent to stay with the Sheriff and his family until she is able to get out of town. Her internal dialogue addresses her fear of a character named Alan, but we don’t find out her past until later in the book. Marshall is intrigued by Emma and her ability to draw amazing sketches. 

Eventually, it becomes noticed that Emma's behaviours are similar to those of a woman who has experienced significant abuse. But it isn’t until an FBI agent shows at the Sheriffs office with a photo of Emma that the connection is made to Allan. Emma had been held captive by Allan (major bad guy) since she was 15 years old. He recognized that she had the gift of sight and that she drew photos of the future or of people’s secrets. Allan would use the sketches to blackmail them into working for him. Emma has witnessed the deaths of numerous people who have tried to help her over the years, but it isn’t until a car bomb that happens on a rare occasion when she is out in the world that she has the opportunity to flee. 

Emma discloses everything to Marshall and Danny when confronted with the FBI’s information. At this point, Marshall and Emma have developed feelings for each other but Marshall is struggling with the death of his  last girlfriend who over dosed. Emma and Marshall flee to another ranch house on the property until one of Allan’s men are caught. During this secluded vacay, things get heated between the two. Bow chicka wow wow. 

Unfortunately Allan tracks her down and she becomes aware that he has taken Lucy, Danny’s daughter hostage. Emma sacrifices herself to ensure that Lucy stays safe. Allan demands that she draw his future and then he sets the barn on fire with Lucy and Emma tied up I inside. Emma gets Lucy out and Lucy finds her father in the tree line. When Emma gets out of the barn, Allan is there waiting for her. He drags her to a hilltop and is prepared to shoot her. But, Emma's connection with animals comes to help and a rogue stallion named Devil, who Emma befriended rushes to her aid and bashes Allan’s head in.

Of course this story has a HEA with Marshall proposing to Emma after she has been gone from the ranch for three weeks. I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to more! I hope that Nika intends to write about Danny and Sam’s adventures in the future. 

Five stars from us! We loved it and would recommend!

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"Waiting For Tom Hanks" Left Us Waiting.. ★★★★☆

Title: “Waiting for Tom Hanks”

Author: Kerry Winfrey

Published by: Berkley (Penguin Random House LLC)

Length: 260 pages

This is the first novel that I have read by Kerry Winfrey and I have no preconceived notions of previous works or writing style. This book is definitely fitting of the genre Romantic Comedy. It’s a fun loving and hilarious plot with intriguing characters. It was a pleasure to read but there are some things that stopped me from giving it a five star review. 

Annie Cassidy is our heroine in this lovely romantic comedy. She is a struggling writer who lives with her uncle Don in Columbus, Ohio. Annie is obsessed with romantic comedies and has been fixated on the genre so much so that she is “waiting for her Tom Hanks” to come along before she commits to a relationship. Throughout the course of the book, we see that Annie’s obsession with romantic comedies has less to do with the genre itself and more to do with her memories of her parents. Annie’s father died when she was a toddler and her mother had a heart attack when she was in high school. Annie is an only child and thus has limited family supports to help her process the grief she experienced. Annie has fond memories of her mother’s picture perfect description of her marriage with Annie’s father. Setting the bar high for any future relationships Annie may cross in her life. 

Annie has a funky and hilarious friend in Chloe, who is a barista at a local coffee shop that is owned by another member of the funky bunch, Nick. Nick and Chloe has an adorable banter with each other in most of their scenes together and of course, its filled with sexual tension. I mean, who wants banter without sexual tension?? It looks like Nick and Chloe’s story will be told in Kerry’s next book in the series “Not Like The Movies” (stay tuned people). Chloe and Nick are also not aware that Annie is writing her screen play about the two of them and their unbelievable sexual chemistry. 

Everything really starts to be pushed into high gear when Annie finds out that a big time movie is making its way to Columbus for filming. Considering Annie’s desire to work behind the scenes of the movies, Chloe tries to persuade her to apply for a job there. Writing hemorrhoids self help tips can only pay the bills for so long. And I’m sure she would run out of material. Unless there is a new strain of hemorrhoids out there.. anyway.. 

It comes out that Uncle Don went to school with the director and Annie lands a role as his assistant. Giving her a great opening to slip in her own work. She is less thrilled about the lead role of the romantic comedy being played by Drew Danford. Her initial thoughts aren’t sexy or nice. And her thoughts are more embarrassing the following day when she runs into him spilling scalding hot coffee. He ends up bumping into her frequently throughout the time of her employment. Its intense and Annie has already come to the conclusion that Drew only talks to her so he can mock her. Eventually she finds out there is more under the pretty outside shell.  

“[pg. 191] He’s funny and he’s sweet and he’s a good kisser with a body that makes me want to rub my hands all over it the same way I compulsively need to touch those sequinned mermaid pillows when I see them at Target.”

Annie does try her hand at dating throughout this weird situation with Drew. She ends up dating “sexy guffer” (real name is Carter, but who cares). There is no chemistry there and Carter actually points out that she likes Drew and Drew wants her. On a side note.. Annie’s date with Barry (set up by Chloe, of course) is fucking hilarious. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong. 

In the end, Drew and Annie end up tangled in the sheets together and this is where I felt something was missing. Primarily, details. Big. Dirty. Details. This is the one part where I felt there could have been some intense loving moments. But instead, I felt as frustrated as Chloe.. watching the build up until it happens and then.. nothing. Very PG 13.  Moving on. Annie then decides that she is going to take a photo of half naked sleeping Drew in her bed to send to Chloe as proof. WHY? I’m sure she didn’t need proof. This level of stupidity combined with technology is reason for a high divorce rate.. I’m sure of it.

Unfortunately, she sends the photo to a Gossip Column and Drew is pissed. He flies to New York the next day after trying to get to talk to Annie, but she ignores him! AGAIN… WHY??? In fairness, she also discovers that her mother was having an affair with a married man close to the end of her life and the perfect ideal she has idolized her parents marriage, comes shattering down. Uncle Don also turns out not to be a complete geek and has a girlfriend.. which everyone is a bit surprised about. 

She eventually realizes that after 2 weeks she is in love with Drew and tracks him down in NYC. Where she looks like a complete stalker but is able to grab his attention and spill her glitter infested heart to him in front of a live audience. They kiss, birds chirp, people cheer and all across NYC hearts are melting. 

Amnesia, Cowboys & A Surprise Baby.. What More Could You Want?

“Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy” by Caitlin Crews

I received a copy of this book pre-release to review by my friends at Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press, who are the publishers for Crews. I hold my own opinions as it relates to this novel and I have not had the opportunity to read anything from Crews before. This book is due to release on July 30, 2019. It can be purchased through Amazon for those who use a Kindle or the Kindle app on any device. You can pre-order your copy now for $8.99 (kindle edition). 

Cold Heart, Warm Cowboy is the second in the Cold River Ranch series by Crews. I have no read the first book and it seems as though they can be read as standalone novels. I believe the first of the series is related to Gray and his own story, but this one focuses on Ty Everett and Hannah Monroe. 

In this book, we see two spilt perspectives, which suits the plot well. The dual perspective allows us to see the internal conflict present with the protagonists. Ty suffered a serious injury during a bull ride approximately twelve months prior to the start of the storyline. He had a long recovery, but was ashamed to admit that he did not recall the last two years of his life. Y’all heard of “faking it til you make it”. Good ole Ty could have won a Golden Globe for his performance of being fine. Twelve months after his injury and seven months after he ended his pity party at the end of a whiskey bottle, Ty decides it is time for him to return to bull riding. 

Hannah Monroe remembers everything about Ty and has believed for the past year that he simply did not want to maintain their marriage. But rumours are flying that he has a brain injury and Hannah wonders if he doesn’t recall their last conversation the night of his tragic accident. She questions whether he remembers and is just a defeat father or if he doesn’t remember her or their son.Needing answers, Hannah jumps on a plane to Colorado from Georgia to seek the truth about the man who she once loved. 

Ty doesn’t remember Hannah but something inside him feels as though he should. They spend some time pissing each other off until Hannah is able to determine that Ty really doesn’t remember her. She convinces him that she knows him and then finally tells him that she is his wife. His secret wife. Who knew the life of a Rodeo Queen was so secretive. Getting married, having sex and making a family is normal for people. Hannah’s mother, Luanne, has her own thoughts on marriage and underage sex. She has essentially brainwashed her daughter in order to prevent her from making the same mistakes. 

When Hannah divulges their martial status, Ty insists that she return to his ranch with him to try and work on the marriage. They become connected throughout the course of the book, but Hannah chooses to miss the opportunities to disclose their son to Ty. That is until Luanne shows up at the ranch with little Jack in tow. Ty has struggled since returning to the ranch to understand the impact his father’s abusive tendencies influenced him. He convinces himself that he would never be a good father and that he has his father’s poison in him. He sends them off and it isn’t until Ty’s brother, Brady shows up in Georgia that Hannah decides to fight for her family. 

They arrive the day of the bull riding comeback and have a heated conversation before Ty gets on the bull. Hannah stands her ground and tells him that she plans to fight for him and their family. Its basically a big eff you and your easy way out Mr. Everett. Ty gets on the bull and while he manages to stay on for eight seconds, his memories return. And they live happily ever after. The End. 

This book was a good read. It did frustrate me at varying points that Hannah elected not to be honest with Ty about their son from the beginning. But I get how it contributed to the suspense of the plot. There was a lot of internal conflict for the main characters, which I felt really brought them into their own and allowed the readers to see things from their perspectives. I got really invested in the characters which, caused a lot of emotions to bubble to the surface at parts. This is really deep novel that tackles some tough issues such as child abuse, teenage pregnancy and alcoholism. 

I would rate this at a 4 star.. Click the Amazon Logo to be directed to where you can pre-order your copy. 

"Danger Next Door" - Short But Decent

“Danger Next Door” by Katie Reus

I obtained a copy of this book from my wonderful friends at Net Galley and the publisher, who graciously allowed me to read it. I have not read anything by Katie before and I did not read the first book in this series, but it was fine as this can be read as a standalone novel. 

I would give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. It was a great book and I would recommend it to someone looking for a quick read. That being said, the book was short and I was able to complete it in one sitting. I typically have no issue with finishing a book in one sitting, but the shortness of the novel left me feeling as though it was rushed. There were definitely places whereby the characters and the plot could have been developed more.  

I enjoyed the aspect of the serial killer/stalker and the mystery associated with the plot. I would have liked to have seen this character’s perspective more throughout the novel. There was a lot of missed opportunities to develop the characters and the plot into something more substantive. 

That being said, Grant and Belle’s characters were interesting and both had their own insecurities that lended to their overall chemistry. Grant’s physical scars versus Belle’s emotional scars was a great juxtaposition. Many of the minor characters left the author with the ability to carry on the series. The title is misleading and without knowing anything about the book itself I would have assumed that the neighbour was the danger.

Overall, it was a good read, but as previously noted I felt that it was rushed and there was a lot of missed opportunity to develop the characters and the plot to make the overall product more intriguing. If you are interested in getting your hands on a copy of this book, visit our friends at Amazon for the Ebook for your Kindle or tablet.