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When the body of a young woman is discovered in a derelict cottage in the middle of Los Angeles National Forest, Homicide Detective Robert Hunter finds himself entering a horrific and recurring nightmare. Naked, strung from two wooden posts, the victim was sadistically tortured before meeting an excruciatingly painful death. All the skin has been ripped from her face - while she was still alive. On the nape of her neck has been carved a strange double-cross: the signature of a psychopath known as the Crucifix Killer.
But that's impossible. Because two years ago, the Crucifix Killer was caught and executed. Could this, therefore, be a copycat killer? Or could the unthinkable be true? Is the real killer still out there? 

This review has zero story details so as not to spoil anything and is more just the general thoughts I was left with at the end. 

This was my first book by this author and the first book in their Robert Hunter series. This book was first published in 2009, and I could feel that. I found out after reading that it was the authors debut novel and whilst reading I did wonder if that was the case as at times the writing felt clunky and underdeveloped but not to the point I wanted to dnf. I just had a feeling this was their first book, and I was right. 

The beginning hooked me, I was intrigued by Roberts character and how the story was going to unfold, majority of the characters and how certain things were written did feel/come across clichéd and I'm hoping that boils down to inexperience with this being a debut novel. The whodunit of it all didn't surprise or shock me. I had figured that out quite early on... my brain just picks up on stuff and it's very rare for a book like this to surprise me and it's one of the reasons I stopped reading thrillers etc for a while because never having the rug pulled from under me was tedious. Overall, I liked this, and I'm interested in reading the next in this series to see if/how the authors writing changes and if he is able to surprise me with the ending. 

*Disclaimer I rate novellas/short stories out of a total of three stars.

Book 2 follows straight on from book one but gives us a little more background on Zodiac & Reynard. It gives us just enough to want/need more from the coming books. I can't wait to find out the secrets Adam is hiding, and as little bits are slowly being given, i am eating them up with a spoon! Everything i enjoyed about book one is present in book 2, and the more we get to know these characters, the more I adore them Zee especially as his attitude and sass crack me up. There is a bit more action in this, and the story is constantly moving forward with fantastic humour and spice sprinkled. So far, this novella series is ticking all the boxes, and I'm having such a fun time reading it. 🌶🌶

"That makes you"- he counted on his fingers -"me, Abe, Ramone, and Vampire Daddy. Abe is worth, like, three fucking demons when he gets his wolf on. It's some impressive, completely unhinged, fucked-up, rabid Cujo shit. He'll chew up that Vampire hoe like she's a squeaky toy." 

" I thought we were friends?" he asked, leaning closer, since the music had gotten louder. "We were, before I learned about your plot to gift me to your queen." "Ah, yes, kidnapping does put a negative spin on things." 

"Why couldn't he be an ugly, mean-spirited, horrible, untalented, bunny-boiling nosferatu? He'd have been so much easier to hate. No, he had to be gorgeous, charming, smart, and sexy, with a tiny side order of psycho." 

"Oh Adam, my sweet, dull-as-dishwater kitten. You're walking into a mansion brimming with humourless vampires looking like a sunshine twink?" That was precisely what I was doing. I smiled. "I'll do the talking, you do the fighting. You ready?" "I was fuckin' born ready." He sheathed the sword at his hip. "Let's go fuck up some vampires." 

*Disclaimer I rate novellas/short stories out of a total of three stars.

Walker is a member of the landscaping crew started and owned by Oakley a character from Defender book 3 in this authors Kensley Panthers series. He is sent out on a job and meets Dutton. Dutton has just inherited his grandma's home after her passing and is unsure if he wants to sell and go back to California or keep it and stay in small-town kansas. These two meet and sparks fly and the story goes from there.

This is on the shorter side in comparison to previous books I've read by this author but it was just as enjoyable as her others. Super low angst, small town, strangers to Lovers MM romance with really cute moments, likeable characters, small town/found family vibes with a sprinkling of good spice that left me with a cosy warm feeling by the end. Walker gives some golden retriever energy and I liked that about his character, Dutton is a bit more reserved to begin with but I wouldn't put him in the black cat category either. I liked how their romance developed and the glimpses we got of future characters in this coming series. A sweet, quick and easy read that I enjoyed from start to finish. Definitely recommend giving this one a try. 🌶🌶

"I like simple. I love the simple life. I love it here, and loving you was the easiest thing I've done, even if I was afraid to admit how much I loved you already."

This review is going to be basic and brief so as not to give too many details away. 

Hayden has been in foster care since she was eleven after her parents were murdered. She is now heading off to college on a scholarship to eventually become a doctor. On day one she bumps into Knox and they immediately have a connection, Knox just happens to also  have four other brothers (not all blood related) that he has a special bond with and that Hayden is also drawn to... for reasons... and the story goes from there. 

My second buddy read/listen of the year and  my first Tessa Hale book. It has been a hot minute since I've read a poly/why choose book of any kind, but I felt that dynamic really worked in this paranormal/fantasy/supernatural setting as it didn't feel forced because there is a mates aspect woven in. This is very insta-lusty, but again, I can live with that here because of the overall premise of the story. Are there aspects of this book that follow the typical why choose formula within the story and dynamics between all the characters, and therefore felt a tad predictable to me? Yes. We're parts a little tropey? Also, yes. But I had such a fun time listening to this that I don't care. It was a quick, entertaining listen that hooked me from the very start and kept my interest throughout, it had some humour, a bit of mystery, five protective and caring heroes who I want to know more about and a sprinkling of spice that was well written and didn't overshadow the story which I've found can happen in other books I've read that are why choose. This is book one of three, so it does end on a cliffhanger. 

The narrator line-up is INCREDIBLE! This was my first listen by Vanessa Moyen, and it won't be my last. Here is a list of who voices each character - 
Hayden (Vanessa)
Knox (Teddy) 
Maddox (Connor)
Cael (Joe)
Easton (Jacob) 
Cillian (Jason) 

The audiobook was great, I loved that each character was voiced by a different narrator, especially given the talent on that list above. My only wish is that it had been recoded in Duet Style as having each narrator voice their characters no matter who's chapter it was would have been so immersive. That and the predictability is the only reason this didn't reach a five star read for me though as I had a great time and am looking forward to buddy reading the rest in this 3 book series. 🌶🌶.5

Reread number... I've lost count. Mariana Zapatas books are comfort reads/listens for me. 

Iris has recently moved in with her half brother Sonny, Sonny happens to be part of the Widows MC and through his connections gets Iris a job as a receptionist at Dex's tattoo shop, Dex has an attitude problem that Iris gets first hand experience of straight out of the gate so it takes a while for them to warm up to each other and the story goes from there.

The slow burn tension & buildup is quintessential Mariana Zapata and I adore it. There is just something in the way she writes her characters and their development/stories/relationships that is like catnip to me. I enjoyed every second of listening to Callie Dalton perform this, I know this book has recently re-released on audio with new narrators & in Duet style but I honestly don't think I could listen to anyone other than Callie narrate these books as there is just something about her performance that encapsulates the overall vibe/feel I want from Zapatas books. Thoroughly enjoyed my reread of this and it gave me exactly what I needed. 🌶.5

"Babe, I've handpicked everythin' and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want," he breathed. "And I keep what's mine."

"Baby, there’s nothing wrong with my judgment. I know exactly what I’m doin’, and I know damn well that if I ever see you smile at somebody like you did at Trey today, I’ll kill the poor bastard."

West and Brandt are best friends and have been since basic training. They are each others’ most important person and are each others’ family. Whilst out on a mission, they are both severely injured and lose the rest of their team. They are sent home where they are medically discharged and start the long journey of recovery both physically, but mostly mentally. West, in particular, struggles deeply with his grief and mental health journey,  Brandt is there for him every step of the way - through his own physical and mental recovery and whilst on this journey their love for each other morphs into something more.

Check content and TWs if needed.

I think the way the author wrote about military life, the realities of war, and its potential aftermath for those who serve was mostly done and handled well . She covers really sensitive subject matter with care and consideration whilst also not shying away from the brutal and harsh realities of PTSD, Mental health issues, suicidal thoughts and attempts and coming to terms with a disability etc and that is what kept me turning the pages on this one.

The romance between Brandt & West didn't add anything, in my opinion. It felt very one sided with Brandt always being the one to be strong for West and West never reciprocating, even though both MCs went through the same traumatic event Brandts recovery was swept under the rug and all focus was put on West which didn't feel right to me. The physical relationship between them also felt very one-sided with Brandt, yet again, being the one to do it all, it left me feeling like West was using Brandt to some extent. Considering the overall subject matter of the book I was expecting far more emotional depth than we got, some of the more important plot points were skimmed over and not explored the way I hoped/wanted them to be.

Overall I feel like this and stories like it are important to be told and this was mostly done so well, I just don't think it works marketed as a romance as that isn't the lasting impression I'm left with from this book. Yes it is about friendship, loyalty, love, connection and not giving up on someone or yourself, but that could've been told without forcing a romance between two characters that didn't need one to have an impact. This was my first book by this author, and I will definitely read another to see how I get on with that and if their writing style is for me or not. 🌶🌶

"A feeling of ease settles over me. No matter where in the world we're stationed, if Brandt is there, I'm good. I'm home." 

"Lean on me. Take from me. My strength, my conviction, my hope, and my love." He clutches my hand to his stumbled cheek and squeezes. "Take all my love and let it fill up all your broken, empty places." 

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. Going off the blurb, I was expecting a darker retelling of Sleepy Hollow with Gothic vibes, but this just didn't deliver what I hoped/thought it would. I would place this more under the YA umbrella than anything else, and had I known that I probably wouldn't have bothered picking it up at all. 

I found the FMC bland and her self deprecation became tedious very quickly, when a character doesn't believe in themselves or their abilities till the last possible second I don't either so my investment in them lacks. I understand the author was trying to portray crippling anxiety and trauma due to parental abuse, etc, but it just didn't work. 

As for the MMC Alexander... I was expecting more morally grey considering he is the Headless Horseman, I wanted more menace and to be unsure of his true motives but instead we were given a one dimensional simp that didn't really add anything in my opinion. The magic system was basic, as was the big bad threat in the end. It was all resolved too quickly and easily. I wasn't invested in anyone or anything, tbh and given the synopsis, I was expecting much darker and compelling themes than was delivered. This was my first book by this author and narrator. The narrators performance was great, and i will listen to more from her in the future. 

*Disclaimer I usually rate novellas/short stories out of a total of three stars... so my rating here should tell you something.

Adam Vex, who is totally, 100% human and has nothing to hide whatsoever, and his business partner, an ex-porn star lust demon called Zodiac, are ready to open the doors to the SOS Hotel. A hotel for the Lost Ones, supernatural creatures who, after the veil between worlds closed back up, have been left stranded and struggling to be accepted by the rest of the world. Thanks to powerful wards, every guest at the hotel is guaranteed to be safe during their stay, at least thats the overall plan but when Adam finds a dead body in one of their rooms on opening day, and when members of the hotel staff start disappearing, Adam must find out what's happening and put a stop to it before the press catches wind of it and his hotel dreams are shattered.

Well, this was a breath of fresh air and an absolutely unabashedly good time. All the characters that were introduced were eclectic, multilayered, and intriguing, I loved the humour/banter/quips and snark throughout. Adam is such a kind and sweet character, but clearly, there is more to him than meets the eye. Zodiac aka Zee is a lust deamon that needs attention to survive, he is sassy and quirky and unapologetically himself and I loved that and Lord Reynard the first official guest at the hotel is a billionaire Vampire who doesn't need to be staying in a shoddy hotel but is showing a keen interest in Adam and who's full motives are as of yet unclear. The dynamics between all of them are interesting and funny & there is definitely chemistry.

This is book one in a short story/novella series and my first book by Ariana Nash who is writing under the pen name Adam Vex, I'm interested to see where this story is going to end up and I will definitely read more of the authors other works too. This was a cracking introduction to their work, and I had such a fun time reading it. 🌶🌶


"The hotel had survived its first day with only one murder, had narrowly avoided the suspicions of a journalist who might be working for a real estate developer, and now housed a vampire of questionable motives. 

It could have been worse."


"Now, if you'll excuse me, I intend to get cleaned up, visit the bar, then perhaps stalk the streets and ambush an unsuspecting Twilight fan. They're such easy prey." 

Just not connecting with the characters, the writing is clunky/choppy and not flowing well for me.

Plot holes everywhere, poorly developed characters with very little to no depth to them or their relationships. The beginning felt quite info dumpy with a lot of characters being introduced and no time to get to know them or understand their dynamics or role within the story which initially made keeping track of who was who difficult. The middle dragged as it became more about the romance than the actual mystery/crime elements, and tbh the romance lacked in the way of a genuine connection and felt very insta-lusty/lovey to me anyway. The ending of this is ridiculous. You're telling me FBI agents, an asassin and a Senator would have a conversation where they confess their involvement in a clandestine operation that had the MMC taking out serial killers etc knowing if it came out publicly they would cause a scandal that would bring down a branch of a federal agency and end up in prison or dead in front of a killer that they have just caught? Because absolutely not. The premise for the story and the blurb sounded good, but the execution seriously lacked. 

This was my first book by this author and I usually read at least two books from a new to me author to see if I like their writing style etc but I'm genuinely unsure if I will bother in this case. This just didn't work for me. It felt very formulaic, surface level, and a bit like a crappy daytime tv cop show if you know what i mean? This had the potential to be a gritty story, and it gave nothing to that effect. 🤷‍♀️