RS Review: I'll Never Let You Go (Morgans of Nashville)

 

I've finished "I'll Never Let You Go" the 3rd book in her Morgans of Nashville series by Mary Burton.

Product Description

LOVE HURTS

He promised to kill her. One night four years ago, Leah Carson’s husband almost succeeded. Philip stabbed her twenty-three times before fleeing. The police are sure he’s dead. But fear won’t let Leah believe it.

AND SOMETIMES

It starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn’t so terrifyingly familiar. Leah has a new veterinary practice and a new life with no ties to her nightmare. But Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Alex Morgan suspects something.

And when another woman’s body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her.

IT KILLS

As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until death — that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps his word.

About the Author

Mary Burton lives with her family in Central Virginia. She is an avid hiker and enjoys the occasional triathlon. She can be reached by e-mail at www.maryburton.com.

Product Details
Series: Morgans of Nashville
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra (October 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420132156
ISBN-13: 978-1420132151

My Review:

Storyline:  Leah Carson’s husband Phillip promised he would kill her and he nearly succeeded.  Four years ago on their anniversary he stabbed her 23 times and managed to get away but the police believe he is dead!  But is he?

Strange occurrences start happening like missing keys, flat tires and mysterious flowers being sent and when another woman is stabbed 23 times Alex Morgan knows something is up!

Characters:  Leah Carson used to be a strong and confident woman before her husband stabbed her 23 times and reduced her to be aware of her surroundings and being frightened he has returned from the grave.

Alex Morgan is a great investigator among his own people but isn't well liked.  I really like how the Morgan clan is very close and they love to rib and support each other.

Romance:  Leah and Alex's romance takes time to build up because they are always busy or something or someone always ruins their dates.  From the very beginning you can sense the attraction between them and they were made for each other because they are both loners and keep their emotions in check.

Villain(s):  The villain was very psychotic, sick, cruel and sadistic.  He believed that he loved his wife and she should never of left him so decided to take things into his hands!

4/5

RS Review: Cover Your Eyes

I've finished "Cover Your Eyes" by Mary Burton.

Don't Look

At first, they struggle to escape. Then a torrent of blows rains down upon their bodies until their eyes cloud over in final agony. The killer shows no remorse -- just a twisted need to witness each victim's last terrified moments.

Don't Speak

Public defender Rachel Wainwright is struggling to reopen a decades-old case, convinced that the wrong man is in prison. Homicide detective Deke Morgan doesn't want to agree. But if Rachel's hunch is correct, whoever fatally bludgeoned young, beautiful Annie Dawson thirty years ago could be the source of a new string of brutal slayings.

Just Prepare To Die

Rachel's investigation is about to reveal answers -- but at a price she never thought to pay. Now she's become the target of a rage honed by years of jealousy and madness. And a murderer is ready to show her just how vicious the truth can be.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Zebra (October 28, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420132113
ISBN-13: 978-1420132113

My Review:

Storyline:  Rachel Wainwright goal is to defend wrongfully convicted offenders because her older brother got stabbed in jail before she got evidence to prove he was innocent.  Rachel's new client is Jeb Jones who was convicted of killing Annie Dawson three decades ago.

Detective Deke Morgan is under the shadow of his father Buddy Morgan who solved the case of Annie with unverified evidence and blood on a weapon found in Jeb's car trunk.  Deke's recent case is Dixie Simmons who was murdered by the same kind of weapon used on Annie.

Characters:  I'm glad that Rachel didn't back down and let anyone intimidate her from her mission to defend Jeb.  I'm also glad that she hounded Deke about the DNA analysis like a pitt bull!

Romance:  This was actually funny because they got on each other nerves at the beginning but they were attracted to each other.   It was a surprise to both of them and it wasn't until near the end they finally gave into their feelings.

Villain(s):  Both of them are quite sick in the head and one is even more than the other.

3.5/5

RS Review: You're Not Safe (Texas Rangers) Mass Market Paperback

I've finished "You're Not Safe" the 2nd book in her Texas Rangers series by Mary Burton.

He Will Never Forget

The broken body hanging from a tree in Texas Hill Country the frozen figure huddled in a meat locker only at second glance does the truth become apparent. What seems like suicide is far more sinister, and the terror is only beginning.

Never Forgive

One devastating moment changed Greer Templeton's life and ended two others. Now, with a body found on her property and Texas Ranger Tec Bragg on her doorstep, Greer's nightmare has returned. With each new victim, her link to Tec's case grows, and soon it will be too late to run.

And Never Let Them Live

Greer hoped the past was behind her, but an obsessed killer has never forgotten the bond that unites them. One by one, he will track down his victims, finish what was started -- and make Greer's dying wish come true.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) (March 25, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420125079
ISBN-13: 978-1420125078

My Review:

Storyline:  One devastating moment when Greer was 15 changed her life and left two people dead.  A body is found on her property and Texas Ranger Tec Bragg on her front porch which is Greer's worst nightmare come back to haunt her.  As Tec investigates he realizes all the victims are linked to Greer.

Greer thought she had put her past behind her but the killer remembers the bond between them.  He is determined to track them one by one and grant Greer's final wish. 

Characters:  Greer has a lot of baggage but it has made her a strong and resilient woman.  I'm glad that she was able to hold her own against Tec and it was very nice to see her walls come crashing down.

Glad that Tec was a very patient and fair in his investigation.  He believes what he sees, touch and hear and he is quite unsettled by his attraction to Greer.


Romance:  Greer and Tec were a great couple/team because they both know what each was feeling.

Villain:  I really like how the villain played with their victims both psychologically and physically.

4/5

Thanks JOAN SCHULHAFER PUBLISHING & MEDIA CONSULTING for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

ARC Review: The Seventh Victim [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "The Seventh Victim" by Mary Burton.

It's been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorized the city. His victims were all young, pretty, their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a home-sewn white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death, just before the Strangler disappeared.  Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack.

What she does have is a home in Austin, a job, and a chance at a normal life at last. Then Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep with shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he's in Austin.  He's always craved her, even as he killed the others. For so long he's been waiting to unleash the beast within. And this time, he'll prove he holds her life in his hands - right before he ends it forever.

About the Author

Mary Burton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several historical romance and romantic suspense novels, including Senseless, Dying Scream, and Dead Ringer. Her novella Christmas Past appears in the 2008 New York Times bestselling anthology Silver Bells. Her commitment to realism has led to eye-opening interviews with law enforcement, to forensic seminars and to the firing range. She is a graduate of the Henrico County Citizens Police Academy and the Richmond FBI Citizen's Academy, and has participated in Sisters in Crime's Forensic University program. Mary lives in Virginia with her family.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra (January 29, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420125052
ISBN-13: 978-1420125054

My Review:

Storyline:  Seven years ago in Seattle a killer nicknamed "The Seattle Strangler" left his calling card young pretty women were found wearing home-made white dresses.  Lara Church just barely got away before the Strangler disappeared and her memory is very hazy about the attack.

Lara has moved to Austin Texas with a nice paying job, a home, has adopted a dog and is living a normal life.  Now the Strangler has resurfaced in Austin, Texas and Lara finds out when Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep. James believes Lara is the key to solve the case and he vows to protect her to the very end!

Characters:  I didn't really like Lara that much because when someone asked her not to do something to ensure her safety she didn't listen to them and did it anyways (ex:  visit a former crime scene to take pictures)  If I was her I would definitely like to remember what happened that day and to figure out who the culprit was.

I really liked James because he was persistent and persuasive to convince Lara that she needed to seek therapy to remember what happened the day she was attacked and left for dead.  He was determined to protect Lara and make sure no one hurt her again on his watch.  Glad that he didn't listen to his captain and went with his own instincts.


Romance:  You could feel the chemistry between Lara and James and it was simmering below the surface.  The love scene between them was very steamy and hot.

Villain(s):  Both villains were quite creepy in their own individual ways and the way they both thought.

This book focused more on the suspense then the romance and I really enjoyed reading about all the Tex-Mex food that was eaten.

4/5

Thanks Joan Schulfer for sending me this ARC to review, greatly appreciated!

RS Review: Before She Dies [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Before She Dies" by Mary Burton.

Product Description

In death, they are purified. Holding his victims under water, he washes away their sins as they struggle for their last breath. Then he stakes their bodies to the ground, exposing them for what they really are. Witches, sent to tempt and to corrupt. No one knows about defense attorney Charlotte Wellington's murdered sister, or about her childhood spent with the carnival that's just arrived in town. For Charlotte, what's past is past. But others don't agree. And as a madman's body count rises, she and Detective Daniel Rokov are drawn into a mission that's become terrifyingly personal.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (January 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420110217
ISBN-13: 978-1420110210


My Review:

Charlotte Wellington is a defense lawyer with a secret past.  She's well respected by her peers and is high powered defense lawyer.  She hides before a mask and has built a wall around herself to protect her privacy.

In her past, her mother married Grady Tate a Carnival owner when she was eight and her sister Mariah was nine. They didn't have any roots and lived like a gypsy. When their mother died when she was thirteen, Charlotte and Mariah stayed with Grady. Charlotte left the Carnival when she was sixteen when Mariah died from a drowning accident.  Grady promised that he would put Mariah's daughter Sooner up for adoption to give her a real good home. Charlotte wanted to take Sooner with her but Grady refused. Grady liked being in control of everything and everyone.

Charlotte hasn't seen Sooner for eighteen years when one day Grady shows up asking for her help in defending Sooner.  She was arrested for shoplifting and all these years Charlotte thought Sooner was put up for adoption.

Woman are being found dead with the word WITCH tattooed on their foreheads and Detective Rokov and his partner have the lead on the investigation.  When the Carnival rolls into town Rokov take a closer look on the owner Grady. 

Charlotte is in a secret relationship with Rokov which she doesn't want anyone to know about.  Rokov is in love with her and wants more than she can give.

I was so glad that Detective Rokov treated Charlotte with extreme care and understanding.  I liked how he was very determined to bring the killer to justice and solve the case.

This book has an alpha male and female, intriguing secondary characters, gruesome and well descriptive crime scenes, etc.

3.5/5

Merciless (Zebra Romantic Suspense) [Paperback]

I've finished "Merciless" the sequel to "Senseless" by Mary Burton.

Product Description

Each skeleton is flawless - gleaming white and perfectly preserved, a testament to his skill. Every scrap of flesh has been removed to reveal the glistening bone beneath. And the collection is growing. When bleached human bones are identified as belonging to a former patient of Dr. Dillon Dixon, Detective Malcolm Kier suspects the worst. Dixon was recently acquitted of attempted murder, thanks to defence attorney Angie Carlson. But as the body count rises, Kier is convinced that Angie is now the target of a brutal, brilliant psychopath. Angie is no stranger to the dark side of human nature. But nothing has prepared her for the decades-long legacy of madness and murder about to be revealed - or a killer ready to claim her as his ultimate trophy.
 
Product Details
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (February 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420110209
ISBN-13: 978-1420110203

My Review:
 
Angie Carlson known as the Barracuda has made a name for herself as a no-nonsense, tough as nails defense attorney. Angie got plastic surgeon, Dr. Dillon Dixon off on charges of raping a prostitute (see Senseless), having ripped the victim to shreds on the witness stand, after proving she lied about her drug use. As a favor to her sister Eva, the same prostitute now wants Angie to help her get her child back, swearing she is clean and no longer hooking. But when the client doesn't show up for her court appearance, something doesn't sit right with Angie. After more bones are found, and they are believed to be that of Angie's client, it doesn't take long for the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. Adding in a slew of other prostitute murders and a 30-year-old murder, it becomes quite clear that there are three common denominators - Angie, Dr. Dillon Dixon, and once again, the Cross Family. 
 
Malcolm, fighting his attraction to Angie because of his involvement with another woman, knows he must do whatever it takes to protect Angie from this obviously incredibly bright killer before he takes her as his final prize. 
 
Wow some of the names Malcolm calls Angie are quite harsh and hurtful!  But she sure could give it back to you!
 
We got to see the same scenes from the eyes of the cops viewpoint to the possible victim trying to save herself and the devious minds of two sick and demented killers.  Really enjoyed how the viewpoints were switched from Angie to Malcolm and the two killers!
 
Glad to see the romance between Malcolm and Angie slowly formed and they got to know each other and dealing with their issues before jumping into a relationship.

5/5

Thanks Joy from Joan Schulhafer Publishing and Media Consulting for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Senseless [Paperback]

I've finished "Senseless" by Mary Burton.

Product Description

The vicious burns scarring the victims' flesh reveal the agony of their last moments. Each woman was branded with a star, then stabbed through the heart. With every death, a vengeful killer finds a brief, blissful moment of calm. But soon it's time for the bloodshed to start again. Ten years ago, Eva Rayburn and her sorority sisters were celebrating the end of the school year. That party turned into a nightmare Eva can't forget. Now she's trying to start over in her Virginia hometown, but a new nightmare has begun. Every victim is linked to her. And Detective Deacon Garrison isn't sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating - or protecting. Only Eva's death will bring peace. Only her tortured screams will silence the rage that has been building for ten long years. Because what started that night at the sorority can never be stopped - not until the last victim has been marked for death.

Product Details
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra; 1 edition (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420110195
ISBN-13: 978-1420110197

My Review:
 
Storyline:  Ten years ago Eva while partying with her sorority sisters she was raped and branded with a star-shaped pendant.  She barely escaped when a fire started and her rapist Josiah Cross is killed.  She is charged with his murder but she doesn't remember much what happened that night (she's certain she didn't kill Josiah).  Her sorority sisters testified she was the one who killed Josiah and she was convicted for ten years.  Now she's in her late twenties but looks 15 or 16.  Now bodies are turning up with the same star-shaped branded onto them so she teams up with Deacon to find out who the killer is and why they are killing?  She doesn't tell her sister Angie that she has moved back to the town she grew up in.  She works as a bartender at Kings, an attendant at a half way house and as a process server in between. 

Characters: All the characters were well written so it feels like you know them in real life.  Eva is such a great character because she is determined to prove she didn't kill Josiah and to find out what really happened that night.  Deacon makes a great hero beacause he's determined who the killer is and why they are killing.  He doesn't really want to believe that Eve is a killer and involved in the recent killings of her sorority sisters.

Romance:  I really liked the romance between Eva and Deacon because he's extremely attracted to her but she's a suspect in the recent murders (a conflict of interest) and he's fighting it.  Their romance didn't start until half way though the book and it was slowly built up.

Killer:  Never figured out who the killer was until the end and that was such a delight.  The killer is able to function in the real world as a normal person and that is really scary!

5/5
 
Thanks Joy from Joan Schulhafer Publishing and Media Consulting for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

In the Mail 2011 (Jan 24)

I received this in the mail yesterday for review (sent by Joan Schulhafer Publishing and Media Consulting), thanks Joy!

Merciless [Paperback]

Product Description

Each skeleton is flawless - gleaming white and perfectly preserved, a testament to his skill. Every scrap of flesh has been removed to reveal the glistening bone beneath. And the collection is growing. When bleached human bones are identified as belonging to a former patient of Dr. Dillon Dixon, Detective Malcolm Kier suspects the worst. Dixon was recently acquitted of attempted murder, thanks to defence attorney Angie Carlson. But as the body count rises, Kier is convinced that Angie is now the target of a brutal, brilliant psychopath. Angie is no stranger to the dark side of human nature. But nothing has prepared her for the decades-long legacy of madness and murder about to be revealed - or a killer ready to claim her as his ultimate trophy.

Product Details
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Zebra (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420110209
ISBN-13: 978-1420110203

Dying Scream (Paperback)

I've just finished reading an ARC of "Dying Scream" the 3rd book by Mary Burton.

Product Description

No One Will Find You

An aspiring artist. A high-school senior. A stripper. Three women who seemed to have nothing in common except their sudden disappearance. But one man knew them all. Wealthy, privileged Craig Thornton even claimed to love them. And for that, they paid the ultimate price.

No One Will Save You

When Adrianna Barrington receives an anniversary card from her husband Craig, she assumes it's some crackpot's idea of a joke. After all, Craig is dead. But then come phone calls, flowers, messages. . .all reminding her how much Craig misses her. While Adrianna begins to doubt her sanity, grisly remains are found on the Thornton estate. Detective Gage Hudson is convinced the bodies are linked to Craig. But the biggest shocks are yet to come.

No One Will Hear You Scream

A psychopath has taken up his chilling work again, each death a prelude to the moment when she is under his control at last. And the only way for Gage and Adrianna to stop him is to uncover the truth about a family's dark past--and a twisted love that someone will kill for, again and again. . .

My Review:

Storyline:  There were two storylines the first has to do with finding out who were murdering all the women and why?  The second was the love story between Gage & Adrianna which I thought was great!!!

Characters: All the characters were well written and you got to know them and care for them. 

Romance: I enjoyed the romance between Gage & Adrianna because I enjoy books where the main characters are former lovers who find their way back to each other and they both are tortured and really still love each other.  Glad to see they are together at the end and finally saying "I Love You"!!!

Killer(s): The main killer was just sick and perverted and I'm glad he got what was coming to him.  His accompliance was also sick in the head but at least he wasn't perverted and finding out a secret about him was quite a surprise to me. Never saw that one coming!!!

5/5

Thanks Joy Strazza from Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting for sending me this to review!

In the Mail (Sept 15)

I received this in the mail today (ARC) - review for publisher (thanks Joan Schulhafer) :

Dying Scream (Paperback) - Release December 1, 2009

DYING SCREAM features missing person’s detective Gage Hudson, who never considers a case closed until it's solved. When the two-year-old remains of a missing woman are found in an unmarked grave , Hudson turns to the prime suspect's widow Adrianna Barrington, a woman the detective once loved and lost.

Dead Ringer (Paperback)

I've just finished reading "Dead Ringer" by Mary Burton.

From Publishers Weekly

A taut race to identify and apprehend the person who is killing look-alikes of popular Richmond, Va., TV anchorwoman Kendall Shaw is enhanced with a dash of sexual tension plus generous handfuls of emotional baggage. After two women who resemble Kendall are found dead, it's clear that sooner or later the killer will directly target the aggressive newscaster. As homicide detective Jacob Warwick, who saw Kendall at her most vulnerable after rescuing her from an insane kidnapper, struggles with his attraction to her, he also needs to simultaneously protect her and keep her sharp reporter's instincts away from police business, all while she denies that she's in danger or needs any help.

Product Description

Beside each body, he leaves a simple charm bearing a woman's name. Ruth, Martha, Judith. The victims were strangers to each other, but they have been chosen with the utmost care. Each bears a striking resemblance to Kendall Shaw, a local anchorwoman...each brutally strangled by a madman whose obsession will never end...In front of the cameras, Kendall is the picture of stylish confidence. But at night she's haunted by nightmares in which she is young, alone, and filled with fear. Are these memories - or omens? Despite warnings from Richard Detective Jacob Warwick, Kendall can't stop investigating the recent string of murders. She knows she holds the key to catching an obsessed psychopath - if he doesn't get to her first...The deeper Kendall and Jacob dig into the victims' backgrounds, the more terrifying the discoveries. For from the shadows of the past, a legacy of evil has resurfaced. Every murder, every moment has been leading to Kendall. And this time, nothing will stop the killer making her his final victim...