Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Silence in the Dark

Silence in the Dark
Logan's Point Book 4
Patricia Bradley
 25826001
  Bailey left Logan Point after she told Danny she couldn't marry him. Two years later finds her in Mexico and ready for a short trip home. She is supposed to accompany a little girl home for a visit to her grandparents. But someone is out to get either Bailey or maria, the little girl. Bailey has to decide quickly who she can trust with their lives as they flee back home to Logan Point.

This was an incredibly fun book. The action and suspense were fast paced and kept me on my toes. The characters were well fleshed out and added to the plot. The story was, while part of a series, could be read alone. The book mentions characters from previous books, but there is enough descriptions that a new reader wouldn't be left out. I liked how the author brought in faith, but wove it into the story instead of presenting it in a preaching form. It was subtle, but impacting. There was a little bit of romance between a couple of the characters, but it wasn't the main part of the story. Overall, this was a great book if you enjoy suspense with a touch of romance. I look forward to the next book by this author.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Justified

Justified
Mended Hearts Book 2
Varina Denman
23168525
Faith grew up in a home where her father ruled with an iron fist in the name of God and her mom submitted, even when she didn't agree. Faith made a mistake and is now pregnant and kicked out of her home. Everyone that she thought would support her is on her dad's side. And the very unlikeliest people are now some of her best friends and help in trouble. If Faith can regain her trust in God and get rid of the troubling bent towards the past she can create a wonderful future for her and her new baby.

The writing style is amazing. I began this book shortly after finishing the first one in the series and this one didn't disappoint. While this is the 2nd book in the series, I do think it could be read as a stand-alone. But I would highly recommend reading the other one first. The author did a great job of creating some drama and tension for the young mother, while also infusing faith, love, and forgiveness. I appreciated the fresh look at religion and how much faith plays a part in making it real. Overall, this is a great new author that has just come on to the Christian fiction scene and I highly recommend her books.

I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.

The Di Sione Secret Baby

The Di Sione Secret Baby
The Billionaire's Legacy Book 2
Maya Blake
 28507423
Allegra's grandfather, the man who ultimately raised her, is dying. His dying wish is to have a jewel box that he sold in a moment of weakness. But the man who purchased it, bought it for his late wife as a gift and refuses to sell the box. Now the man is dead and Allegra has been tasked with retrieving the box from the son. But when confusion about her non-profit results in some arguments with Rahim, the son, Allegra resorts to stealing the box. What happens next is not quite what either of them expected.
 
I had a hard time with this book. It felt like I'd jumped into the middle of the plot and missed some things. The premise of the book was good, it just could have had more information and more depth so that the story felt more like a stand-alone than a sequel to something I'd missed. There were so many places that more detail or more development could have been added to make it a richer story. I realize that the Presents books aren't always a deep story, but this could have been so much more. Overall, it was a nice story, but I feel like I missed something when reading it. I'm just not sure if the author caught my interest enough for me to read the other books that are a part of this story.
 
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Author and Book Promotion



"A wonderfully unpredictable plotline!"

"All that Glitters was a beautifully written story that speaks of redemption and forgiveness."

"The author draws you in and keeps you engaged to the last page."




About the book:
The world has gone plum crazy over gold. Men and women alikewould do almost anything to make their fortune. Leaving behind her family and adying father, Ginny Connor follows the cunning Logan Harris up North to strikeit rich. Twenty-year old Vivian Connor embarks on a cross-country chase torescue her sister Ginny and they are both led into the chaos of the KlondikeGold Rush.

Meanwhile, Ben McCormack leaves his farm to retrieve hisintended bride from a rowdy, tent town on the Alaskan coastline. Ben’s pathinadvertently entwines with Vivian’s and he finds his heart tugging him in adifferent direction.

Danger and disappointment plague all their journeys to thefar North. Will Vivian find her sister in time to return home to see theirfather? Can Ginny forgive herself for the decisions she's made? Will Benfind the lifelong love he searches for? When the world listens only to the callof gold, redemption and love become scarce treasures.

PURCHASE


Chat with the author:

How do you connect with God best?
I lovelistening to the Lord speak into my heart during worship.

Which Christian author has influenced you the most?
I havebeen a fan of Allison Pittman’s work for years. Even more amazing, TheChristian Communicator assigned my novel AllThat Glitters to her for editorial. Her encouragement and insight helped medevelop as a writer and take the leap toward publication.

Are your books only for Christians or would otherpeople also enjoy them?
My booksdefinitely embrace a Christian worldview; however, the settings and charactersare memorable enough for anyone who enjoys a good read.


About the author:
Lisa Flickinger lives in the shadow of the Rockies with her husband Matthew and their dog Zeke. When not writing or reading, you will find her combing antique shops, walking in the woods, or sipping a latte with friends. All That Glitters fulfills the lifelong dream of sharing the characters in her head with you, dear reader. Enjoy!










Friday, May 27, 2016

Jaded

Jaded
Mended Hearts Book 1
Varina Denman
22309417
Ruthie was only a little girl when their church rejected her family. Now she and her mother do not attend church and hate all Christians. Not a good recipe when Ruthie finds herself falling in love with the new guy in town, Dodd. Because Dodd is the new minister. Ruthie, Dodd, and the rest of the community will all learn about secrets, forgiveness, and Christian love as they navigate the uncharted waters of small town gossip and fear.

This book was a wonderful shock to me. It was written in a style I don't normally go for, had the feel of a YA novel, and could have bent towards depressing. And yet somehow this author blew me away. The writing style was captivating, the characters were raw, authentic, and engaging. The secondary characters were just as gripping as the main ones. The story was emotion and character driven, yet there was some drama woven in as well. The author did a great job of describing the scenes so that I felt pulled into the story. Some of the more negative emotions that could have made the story dark were handled well and left me feeling thankful or thoughtful instead of depressed. I sped through this book and promptly reached for the 2nd one because it was such an enjoyable read. It wasn't fast because it was fluff, it was fast because I become immersed and read it all at once. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction, small town romance, thought provoking stories.

I received this book free of charge from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Jesus Calling

Jesus Calling
Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Sarah Young
18848211
I received this book this book in the mail the other day with a note that it was a gift. But it didn't say who the gift was from. Still trying to figure that out. But I wanted to review it since I've been enjoying it so much.

The beautiful turquoise leather cover is etched with the title and a floral design. It has a ribbon book marker. The book begins with an introduction from the author and then moves into the devotionals for the month of January. Each month has a scripture verse that the devotionals seem to follow. Each day has a short thought and then two or three verses to look up. 

I've only read a few of the devotionals since I just received the book. But each of them are thought provoking and inspiring. I think the first word that comes to mind when thinking of this book is comforting. I adore the cover and would have probably liked the book based on that alone, but the devotionals are right on target and fit well with my crazy, busy life. This would make an excellent gift, but I highly recommend getting one for yourself as well. So a huge thank you to the person who gave me this wonderful book.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Scandal at the Midsummer Ball

Scandal at the Midsummer Ball
Marguerite Kaye and Bronwyn Scott
28188405 
 The Midsummer Ball is well known among the ton as the place to go for a match. The hosts have carefully chosen their guests for the intent of matching them up with another guest. But sometimes plans don't go as they should. And the hosts and guests will learn that sometimes the heart will change a course of action no matter what anyone tells it.

These two stories were fun, romantic, and well written. The two authors worked well together to create two stories that fit seamlessly together. Each author told a story about two guests at the ball. So while the stories were happening at the same time, the reader got a glimpse into the main events from different perspectives. I enjoyed the plots and the setting of a week long ball. Both stories were romantic and fit well in the regency genre that I enjoy.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Pony Express Hero

Pony Express Hero
Saddle and Spurs Book 2
Rhonda Gibson
28367597
Jacob is on his way to his new job when he hears cattle stampeding. At that moment he sees a little girl directly in their path. After he rescues her, he learns that she is his little half sister. Jacob vows to protect Daisy at all costs. As he learns the ropes of his job for the Pony Express he also learns more about his late mother, his little sister and her family. But Jacob's distrust of women might be a stumbling block in his journey towards independence.

This was a sweet story with a little bit of drama thrown in. It was a continuation of the previous book, but would work well as a stand-alone. The author does a great job of creating tension with some of the characters and sparks between the couple. The imagery transports the reader into the past and out west. There were a couple of different lead ins that I could see becoming the next book in the series. Overall, this was a fun little book that I enjoyed and I look forward to reading the next book by this author.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn
18419
Little Chester Racoon is afraid to go to school. He wants to stay home with his mom and play with his toys. His mother explains that school will be fun and have new toys. But Chester is still apprehensive. So his mother gives him a special kiss so he'll have a kissing hand to take to school and use if he gets scared or lonely.

The illustrations are a very large part of the story. They are very well done and incorporate well with the text. The words flow smoothly and really paint a beautiful word picture of a mother's love. I think I enjoyed this as much as my daughter did. When we finished I asked for her thoughts. She said she loved it and to make sure I gave it 5 stars. I reviewed this on my iPad, but am going to purchase a paper copy so that my daughter can look at it whenever she wants. Overall, this was a precious book that I highly recommend every parent getting for their children.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Sins of the Past

 Sins of the Past
Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason
27066717
 Three well known authors have written suspense novellas to make this wonderful book. Each story is tied together solely by the title. Each author brings her own authentic writing style and creates a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, infuse you with faith, and give you a small taste of their excellent writing skills. Intrigue, suspense, drama, faith, and a touch of romance are all combined to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Two of these authors were already favorites, so I was excited to read this book. But now I've added another favorite to my list. They were all outstanding. I loved how they incorporated faith into a difficult or dangerous situation. Each story had a touch of romance, but the main theme was suspense. The characters were well fleshed out, the plots were perfectly suspenseful, and the faith was not overwhelming. Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
 
I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Valiant Hearts

The Valiant Hearts Romance Collection
MaryLu Tyndall, Kathleen Y'Barbo, Kristin Billerbeck, Darlene Franklin, Pamela Griffin, JoAnn Grote, Coleen Reece, Janet Spaeth, Jennifer Spinola
27214119
 Nine different ladies with different vocations and locations all have to face adversity or trails to get to the love that God has intended for them. Set during different times in history, each woman overcomes with a valiant heart to find the man of her dreams.

Each of these stories were tied together with the themes of faith, romance, and valiant hearts. I enjoyed some more than others, but each one was a pleasure to read. The short novella style stories made it easy to read quickly and be able to read the story in intervals while waiting for appointments or when I only had a few moments to share. Each story showcased the writer's talent and introduced some new authors to me. Overall, it was a great collection of novellas that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys short Christian romance stories.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

The Midwife's Dilemma

The Midwife's Dilemma
At Home in Trinity Book 3
Delia Parr
25821977
 Martha is a midwife in a small town called Trinity. She's being pulled into so many directions. Her daughter is getting older and has no interest in taking over her midwifery practice, so Martha must find someone who can take over for her. Because Martha wants to marry Thomas. He's proposed, but Martha doesn't feel comfortable leaving her mothers without anyone to take her place. A woman hating horse, a wild little boy, an unexpected romance, and new friends are just a few of the things Martha encounters as she tries to transition through the changes.

I hadn't previously read anything by this author. So it was nice to get a chance to try out one of her books. Even though this is book 3 I felt like it worked well as a stand-alone. There were a few things that hinted there might be more to the story, but it didn't detract from the current book. It just made me want to go back and read the first two. The characters were fun and distinguishable. The plot was character driven, but the author did a great job of creating a little drama that helped tell the story. The messages of faith, patience, and love were woven expertly throughout the story, giving it depth and richness. The author did a great job of dealing with the emotions of the characters and making them authentic and relevant. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read more by this author.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Every Bride Has Her Day

Every Bride Has Her Day
Brides with Style Novel
Janice Thompson
27066857
 Katie has finally gotten that long hoped for proposal. Now she's ready to plan her wedding. Actually she's had it planned for years, except she always pictured a different groom. But no worries, she's ready to tackle this wedding thing and move towards the wonderful day when she can call Brady her husband. And then the well meaning friends and family descend with every suggestion in the book on when, where, and how her wedding needs to go. Katie would completely take Brady up on his suggestion to elope if she didn't know she'd be murdered by her family for even thinking about it. So she must learn to lean on God and find a way to make this crazy thing called a wedding work.

Thompson writes romantic comedy with a splash of faith. The characters are sweet and endearing, but also a little quirky. This is the third book in the series and I really don't think it would work as a stand-alone. You really need the background story on everyone to be able to understand the wheres and whys of the plot. But if you enjoy amusing stories, romantic men, and small-town gossip, it will be worth the time to read the first two books. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean romance, great characters, and humor.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Murder Comes by Mail

Murder Comes by Mail
Hidden Springs Mystery Book 2
A. H. Gabhart
 27066864
 Deputy Michael is driving the bus for a bunch of elderly ladies when he spots a man about to jump off a bridge. When he saves the man, the man whisper to Michael that he'll be sorry that he saved him. Bodies begin to pile up and all evidence points to either the jumper or Michael. Michael is then in a rush to clear his name. 

This book is the second in the series, but I believe would work as a stand-alone. Although I would highly recommend getting to know the characters in book one first. The author does an outstanding job of pulling the small town feel into the story and bringing it alive. The characters are authentic and entertaining. There are several secondary characters that I would love to get to know in real life. The clues are not easily solved, which was a plus for me. The story has a element of faith, lots of fun loving characters, and a nice cozy murder mystery which combined made for a very pleasurable experience. I would recommend this book if you love Christian fiction, murder mysteries, or small town novels.
 
I received this book free of charge from The Suspense Zone in exchange for my honest review.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Giveaway

https://promosimple.com/ps/9939
Click on the image to take you to the giveaway or see the post below to read my review.

Someone Like You

Someone Like You
Victoria Bylin
27066706
 Julia made some serious mistakes in her past. But one of those resulted in her son Max, whom she's blessed to have.  Zeke and Julia dated years ago when Zeke was a Christian and Julia was not. Their differences broke them up. Now Julia is at the resort that Zeke is trying to save and both of them are learning how the past few years have changed them. They can still work well together to solve problems and they find their personal relationship is good as well. 

This was such a sweet story. The characters really stood out for me. While there was some plot involved with the potential closing of the resort and the various people, it felt mainly character driven. The author did a great job of making them fun, lovable, or narcissistic as needed. The added element of a certain animal (I won't spoil the fun) was hilarious. The subject of faith was very prominent, but was incredibly tasteful and fit perfectly with the plot. The romance was sweet, but not syrupy. It had realistic elements that made it authentic. This is the type of book that you finish and wish there were more chapters or another book. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean romances with a hint of drama.

I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Illistration

ILLIstration
Improvisational Lists and Drawing Assists to Spark Creativity
Jaime Zollars
25862274
Writers and Illustrators often get stuck. The ideas aren't flowing and they can't seem to get things started again. The author has taken a concept that works well for him and created a book with it. The book begins with a brief description of how and why the author wrote the book. It then moves on the the instructions and ideas for how to make the lists work. Next are several sample lists that the author did both the writing and the illustrations to give the viewer/reader a better idea of what the lists can do. Then are several blank lists the reader can use to spark creativity. The end of the book has a second designed to get the writer/illustrator moving into the next steps after they've written their lists.

I loved the concept behind this. The lists are creative and inventive. I've used several of them and enjoyed the process. The illustrations are fun and often whimsical depending on the idea the author was tossing around. The colors, while slightly muted, are colorful and fun. I would highly recommend this to anyone who works or dabbles in illustration and writing. This book would definitely spark some new ideas.

I received this book free of charge from Quarto Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

The Seven Laws of Love

The Seven Laws of Love
Essential Principles for Building Stronger Relationships
Dave Willis
26371040
Ultimately relationships need Godly love to survive. If we put these seven laws or principles into practice we will notice a difference in our relationships with others. Dave, the author, has shared personal experiences and antidotes to show how these principles, when put into practice can make us better people and better at relationships.

The book was well written, had many humorous antidotes, was right on target for the concept being presented, and was an easy read. I enjoyed reading the book and identified with several things that I have used in my relationships. The stories were amusing, the discussion questions at the end were great, and I liked the overall concept of the book. However, I didn't really connect or feel like I learned anything new. I think this would be a great book for someone that is struggling in the relationships area, newly married, etc. But it just didn't do anything for me. But don't let that deter you. It really is a well written, great book. It just didn't resonate with me.

I received this book free of charge from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Web of Secrets

Web of Secrets
Agents Under Fire Book 3
Susan Sleeman
30045146
FBI agent Becca is buried in a credit card investigation when she hears a name that sends chills down her spine. She's been hunting and investigating a man who goes by the name of van Gogh for years. It's been strictly off the books, during her free time. But now that he's killing again, she's being pulled in as a resource due to her intimate knowledge. What Conner, the lead Detective, doesn't realize is that Becca has a personal connection. Now van Gogh is after Becca and Conner must race to discover his identity before he adds another victim to his list.

As usual, this was a fast paced, high suspense drama that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book. I loved how the author was able to throw in the sweetness of romance and the calmness of faith during such an intense plot of murder and stalking. She really brings the characters to life and makes them lovable, entertaining, or creepy as the need arises. While this book is in a series, I think it could be read as a stand-alone. I would highly recommend reading the other books first though. They are well worth it. Overall, this is a wonderfully dramatic story that will leave you wanting more.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Author Interview with Susan Sleeman

Let me introduce you to a favorite author of mine - Susan Sleeman

Susan is the bestselling author of Christian/inspirational and clean reads romantic suspense and mysteries. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, Susan channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com.

If you’re like me you love to read books that are part of a series. So it stands to reason that I love writing books that are grouped in a series. In fact, I’ve never written a book without thinking about how it could be part of a series. Not a series where the same main character is the lead in all books, but a series that brings a team of characters together to fight odds greater than themselves. I love how the characters band together. The camaraderie of the team. The different personalities clashing, then working to resolve their differences. The support and bond they form. The sense of family they develop.

Web of Secrets is part of such a series called Agents Under Fire and it releases on May 13th. This series features three FBI agents who are part of an elite Cyber Action Team called in to solve the most difficult cyber intrusions. You know, intrusions like you’ve heard about on the news with companies like Target and Home Depot. But these stories go beyond simple credit card theft. In each book, the intrusions are very high-stakes that involve national security and serial murders. And, each intrusion takes a crazy turn and the agent suddenly finds herself in a run for her life.

Web of Secrets features FBI agent Becca Lange. At fifteen, she was abducted by a serial killer but managed to escape and the man was never caught. So she was given a new home, a new name . . . and the determination to save other foster kids from suffering similar horrors. Now Agent Becca Lange, she is the middle of a credit card fraud investigation when she’s faced with her worst nightmare: the serial killer, van Gogh–given the name because he removed his victims’ ears—has resurfaced. Back in the nineties, van Gogh tortured, then killed several young foster girls. Becca was almost one of them.
Over the years, she’s been keeping her own investigation going. So when the police come to her for help, she’s more than ready to do what it takes to put van Gogh behind bars–even if it means working with Connor Warren, the easy-going cop whose attentions she’s been avoiding. Connor is too charming, too good-looking, too . . . tempting. He makes Becca want things she can never have. And might never have . . .
Because van Gogh isn’t finished with Becca yet. He’s been searching for her all these years. And now that he’s found her, he’s got a plan to keep her . . . forever.

I hope you’ll check out this series on my website and here’s a sneak peek from the pages of Web of Secrets.

Chapter One
She was going to die today.
He’d all but promised that. Now it was time, and he was coming for her, moving quickly above. His heavy footsteps headed for the cellar door, the solid footfalls confident, but uneven.
He’d developed a limp. Funny. She hadn’t noticed that until now.
Death, just over the horizon, sharpened her senses, she supposed.
Or was it the dark, the complete pitch black of the windowless space? Her mind was shrouded in pain and despair, her senses hyper-alert, the smells and sounds crisp and vivid. The musty scent of the basement. An old oil furnace in the corner emitting a metallic smell. His footsteps in the distance, growing closer as he headed for the cellar door.
For her.
Painful desperation swallowed everything around her.
Please, please, please don’t let him do this.
She heard each groan of the house. Each creak of the floor. Heard him reach the cellar door.
Her heart kicked hard, sounding a loud echo in her chest.
A key slipped into the deadbolt at the top of the stairs with a firm snick. She could picture the shiny new lock he’d dragged her past the first night. Remembered her hands clutching at anything to stay aboveground, her nails breaking as they scratched to take purchase. Raw and ragged now.
Then the descent. Down the rickety wooden steps. Kicking. Fighting. The fist to her jaw. Seeing stars before her vision cleared. The light burning bright, revealing metal castings stacked on old rotting shelves. The shackles she now bore around her wrists lying limp on the scarred linoleum floor, waiting for her.
The jars. No, stop. She didn’t want to think about them.
She’d thought of little else since she escaped from this madman who, in the late nineties, had pretended online to be Adam Smith, a man in his early twenties who’d developed a crush on her though she was only fifteen. She should have known better than to believe him, even when he’d given her a photo that showed how handsome he was. But as a foster kid, she’d craved love desperately, and he seemed to want to give it.
So she’d gone to meet him, but it turned out the picture he’d sent her had been retouched. His face was grotesquely scarred, and he soon had her handcuffed. Her foster sister, Lauren, had figured he was bad news so she’d followed, and he’d abducted the two of them. But they’d both eventually escaped.
The rusty hinges on the door groaned open like those on an old coffin. Only a stairway separated them.
Bile rose up her parched throat, gagging her. She swallowed hard and strained against the coarse rope digging into the oozing sores circling her wrists. Days of struggling had left them open. Maybe festering. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was the door groaning open. The air around her stirring, dragging a putrid current into the vortex. She retched at the smell of her own body. The stench of her own fear nearly overpowered everything. She hadn’t showered in four days or had access to a bathroom for as long.
She was disgusting.
She’d die like this. Be found like this. Would her family have to see her this way? Identify her?
God, please, no, she begged. Spare them.
A shadow of light filtered through the open doorway. His foot hit the top tread with a thud. Then the next, each step an earthshaking roll of thunder in her ears. His flashlight bobbed on the stairs. Quick circles of light moved down like a slinky before jerking back up. She saw his foot now in an arc of light. A big work boot. Size twelve or larger. Heavy lug soles, worn and scarred. His jeaned leg came next. Then a flannel work shirt. Red she thought, but the light suddenly danced ahead.
He reached the bottom. His boot struck the linoleum with a solid thump. Not a word came from his mouth, but his flashlight spoke for him. Sliding across the space. Searching.
She recoiled. Dug her heels into the floor. Scooted back and tried to cover her nakedness by drawing her knees into her chest.
Nowhere to go.
She needn’t worry about her family seeing her. No one would find her here. He’d chosen the perfect location, an abandoned metal fabrication plant with rows and rows of buildings. Some were in use, others had fallen into decay like this one.
He snapped the dangling string overhead. Light from a bare bulb flooded the area.
“Hello, Molly,” he said, as if they were meeting at a social event. But this wasn’t social—he was coming to kill her.
Her eyes ached from the sudden brightness. She blinked. Thought to keep her eyes closed and avoid seeing her killer’s face one more time.
Hadn’t she seen him enough in her dreams since she’d escaped his capture two decades ago? In nightmares replaying the torture of long ago. Now she was his captive once again, facing him for the last four days, his torment a blur of pain.
Yet, she couldn’t look away. She didn’t have the nerve to ignore her own death. She had to see him. To see the end of her life in his eyes.
She blinked hard until she could focus. His face was a mirror of the one in her dreams, except the passing years had etched wrinkles like a road map across his skin. The dark, dead eyes hadn’t changed. Hadn’t dulled. His chin was angular and covered in graying whiskers. Scars puckered his cheeks, and his nose was nothing more than a red knob, as if an afterthought.
Memories of their first meeting sixteen years ago came flooding back. The same revulsion curdled her stomach. It wasn’t the scars, the stub of a nose. She could handle the deformities from severe burns. It was the sneer of his lips and vile hatred in his gaze. The steady stare that never wavered.
Like now. His gaze sought her out, a hunter looking for prey. He smiled. Wide, toothy, a hint of contempt keeping his lips tight. “I hope you’ve had enough time to think and give me what I want.”
She couldn’t abide his stare, and dragged her gaze away. It landed on the shelf. Nine mason jars were lined up, a set of human ears in all but two of them, preserved in clear liquid. The jars were labeled with the numbers one through nine. Detectives had dubbed this madman Van Gogh for his penchant for removing his victims’ ears. There had been only five jars the last time he’d captured her. Now there were four more. The jars marked four and five were empty. Waiting. She wasn’t surprised to see those jars. Not when she and Lauren had both escaped. She’d figured he’d come after them again, even though they’d both done their best to disappear.
“Well, Molly. Where is Lauren?” he asked, his tone insistent and threatening.
Lauren. Shortly after Molly had overpowered him to escape, she’d seen a news report indicating that Lauren had died in a car crash. But Molly didn’t buy the story. At first, it seemed real, but the police slipped up on one little detail that only Molly would know, proving the detectives had faked Lauren’s death and given her a new identity.
Rebecca Lange. The regal name fit the current-day Lauren, a woman who had become a defender of foster children and a top-notch FBI agent. It was the name she’d always dreamt of having.
“Where’s Lauren?” Van Gogh asked again, this time removing Molly’s gag.
She gathered what little moisture she had in her mouth and spit at him.
He lurched back, anger darkening eyes she didn’t think could get any blacker. He looked up at the ceiling. Took a few breaths. “Don’t worry, Mother. I know she’s gone off the deep end. She will be cleansed today. Her funeral will draw Lauren out. I can cleanse both of them, and my collection will finally be complete.”
He often talked to his mother who was never present, so this wasn’t new. But Molly had never been successful in getting him to explain the cleansing ritual.
“Mother says it’s time to get you dressed.” He opened a box sitting on the shelf and lifted out a virginal white nightgown. “You remember this, don’t you my pet? You will be cleansed and free. Too bad you won’t help me find Lauren so she can know the joy of cleansing sooner.”
He leaned close, an ugly smile parting his lips. The whisper of his breath, the acrid smell of his unwashed body, made her stomach roil. She couldn’t speak. And she wouldn’t, even if she did know where Lauren lived. She’d never betray the trust of her foster sister.
Never.
If she did, he’d go after Lauren and kill her. Molly wouldn’t let that happen.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He went to the corner and ran a bucket of water, then put it on a table near the sink. He shoved a knife with sharp teeth lining the edge into a sheath on his belt. The knife that had once carved into her body, leaving the number four andinto other girls, including Lauren, who bore the number five.
Humming, he crossed the room to stare at Molly while snapping on a pair of latex gloves. “You really are a mess, aren’t you?”
She thought to try to cover herself, to maintain her dignity. But after the last few days, what dignity did she have left?
He unlocked the shackles, moved her out of her filth and toward the table. She fought, kicked, but after five days without food and little water, she was too weak to make a difference. He bathed her, each touch of the cloth making her want to vomit. Once in the demure nightgown, she lay back, defeated, on the table—his altar stained with blood—where he bound her to cold shackles mounted on the corners.
“It’s time, Molly. Tell me or . . .” His evil smile took his words and buried them in the recesses of the room. He lifted his knife. High. Advanced. His eyes burned with the intensity of fire. He slid his fingers over her ear—gently, almost tenderly, then suddenly backed away.
Was he going to let her live another day? Hope fluttered in her chest.
He crossed the room. Lifted jar number four, the liquid sloshing as he returned to her. He blew the dust from the rusted lid. Fine particles lingered in the beam of light before dissipating in the stale air. He held the knife between his teeth, his eyes gleaming.
He started unscrewing the lid, slowly, each twist feeling like a nail in Molly’s coffin. He set the open jar on the floor, a pungent odor smelling like pickles floated up to her nose. Fear coursed through her body.
Lauren. Remember Lauren.
He slipped his hand into his pocket and two pearl earrings emerged. She fixed her gaze on the burn scars crawling over his hands, not on the earring. He inserted the first one into her left ear. The piercing stud ripped her skin, making her feel as if she were being nailed to a cross. To her death.
This was it, for sure. The end.
She held her breath. He placed the second earring and stood back, his eyes now vacant and his mind somewhere else. Somewhere his earring ritual had taken him.
His breathing grew rapid and shallow, his chest barely moving. Eyes glazed over, he raised the knife. His smile, teeth rotted and yellowing, was the last thing she saw as he bent closer.
“Tell me or not, my pet, it doesn’t matter. The news coverage of my return will be legendary, and your death will bring Lauren to me. She won’t miss your funeral.”
The knife pricked her skin. Her heart seized and refused to beat. She ignored it. Ignored everything, her resolve still in place.
She’d die before letting this butcher near someone she loved.
And, as he’d promised . . . it would be today.

 

 Web of Deceit:
24622826

Web of Shadows:
28163797
Web of Secrets:
30045146
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