Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts

Thursday, October 1, 2020

#bookadayaz

 Okay. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I'm still figuring out the best way to do this. I think it'll be a week at a time. So here's catching up for the last week and this one.



We love the Old Lady books here. I tried to find this one on Amazon and it's not there yet, but it IS in the Scholastic Book Clubs. Great, fun way to learn, teach, and reinforce sequencing. 


I really enjoyed this book. It gives an insight into the current President that the media has not allowed. It was very enlightening to see his ideas in 2000 and what he has done in his presidency. Whether you agree with everything or not, it is a very informative read that I would recommend.
 

The America We Deserve is the essential book for anyone who wants to understand the core of Donald Trump's political thinking. In this book, written as he first considered running for president in 2000, Trump offers no-nonsense, populist, provocative, and dramatic solutions to issues that continue to resonate with voters today.

In this book, Trump lays out a vision for America that is strong, optimistic, and founded on core Republican principles of self-reliance, limited governance, economic growth, and equitable taxation. Striking for its similarities to President Trump's current initiatives--but also fascinating in its differences--The America We Deserve reveals a man who is fully engaged with the nation and cares deeply about its future. Readers and voters will discover Trump's ideas on:

*Foreign policy and relations with China, Russia, North Korea, and Israel
*How to fix our broken and underperfoming education system
*Reducing regulations on business to help create jobs and economic growth
*A dramatic one-time tax on the super-wealthy to close the national debt and fuel tax cuts for the middle class
*Immigration, crime, terrorism, and more

The America We Deserve is essential reading for Trump-watchers, voters, Republicans, Democrats, and anyone interested in how Trump the businessman became Trump the president.



I love Clair Poulson books. This one was not my favorite. There were so many different elements to the mystery and so many different people involved that it felt like too much. I love a good red herring, but this had several that all twisted together. Of course, it could be that I feel like my live at the moment is twisting in so many different directions that reading a plot this involved was too much for me at the moment.


Lauralyn LaPlant and her sister, Bridgette, could not be closer. Their shared passion for adventure draws them to scale a sheer cliff one fateful day, but despite their experienced precautions, Bridgette suffers a terrible accident and plummets to an untimely death. Shattered by grief, Lauralyn soon makes a sobering discovery: this was no accident—her sister's climbing rope was cut. But who wanted Bridgette dead, and why? It's up to Lauralyn and her grieving brother-in-law, Dade, to uncover the truth, even if it means putting themselves in the path of a ruthless killer. As their search for clues leads them deep into the heart of Gold Country, they discover that in the world of prospecting, greed knows no limits.


I look forward to reading this one. These types of books always take me longer to get through as I find I can't speed read through it. I have to take my time, and time is not something I always have.


We often talk about our Savior Jesus Christ and God the Father, but how much do we really know about the Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead? On the other hand, can we imagine doing anything in the Church without the guidance or influence of the Holy Ghost? The Holy Spirit is intimately involved in every aspect and facet of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is, for example, a revelator, teacher, testifier, comforter, agent of the new birth, sanctifier, and sealer, to mention only a few of His roles. Unlike more inspirational explorations of the Holy Ghost, Robert L. Millet’s The Holy Spirit focuses on the person of the Holy Ghost and examines His varied assignments in a way that is both spiritually strengthening and intellectually enlarging. Nothing has been written for decades about the Holy Spirit with so much breadth and depth.

In The Holy Spirit, you’ll find:

               *Sound doctrine about the Holy Ghost that is in harmony with scripture and latter-day prophets.

               *Personal experiences and inspiring stories from our history to help us both understand and draw upon the Holy Ghost in our lives.

               *A helpful reference of prophetic teachings about the Spirit and His role in our lives.



This was a cute read that I had forgotten I'd already read. It's a sweet romance that has life getting in the way of two people. I did enjoy the cute ending and it's a great read for anyone who loves a sweet romance.


Six months out of law school, Rachel Pearce is completely disillusioned by her job hunt. Despite pounding the pavement with her Ivy League degree in hand, her job prospects are no brighter than the day she graduated. Then in a chance meeting with a former acquaintance, eccentric young millionaire Henry Walker, Rachel finds an unexpected opportunity: Henry is looking for a personal secretary. Swallowing her pride, Rachel sets aside her law firm aspirations for what she envisions as secretarial work—mountains of paperwork and filing. But when she finds her most demanding duty to be daily cookie runs for her new boss, she’s baffled by her unconventional job responsibilities.

As she’s pulled into Henry’s delightful whims, caught in a whirlwind of private jets and fancy dinners, Rachel finds herself inexplicably drawn to this handsome and charismatic man. But reality always has a way of intruding, and logic tells her that this adventure can’t last. When real life inevitably comes calling, Rachel must decide if she’s willing to trade in her dream of success in the courtroom for a chance at love.



Good, fast paced read, but it felt under-developed. I would have liked more from one of the plot lines. Halfway through the book I said to myself, "It's finally hitting it's stride." The plot lines merged and then fizzled out. I'd love to see another to round out the story.


Jamie Madero's summer internship turns out to be anything but ordinary when he discovers the truth about The Freemen Foundation. Now outnumbered and outgunned, Jamie and his fellow Insiders must stay one step ahead of their enemies to survive in this high-stakes novel of intrigue and deception. This perfect adrenaline rush of a book is suspenseful, surprising, and packed with action. You won't be able to put it down.


Fantastic beginning. I loved the characters but to me it was an odd read. I would have liked Poe to grow enough to let someone else in sooner than she did. There was some back story, but to me, it felt like there needed to be a little bit more to understand both sides more clearly.


Who do you become when you have nothing left to lose?

There is something Poe Blythe, the seventeen-year-old captain of the Outpost’s last mining ship, wants far more than the gold they tear from the Serpentine River.
 
Revenge.
 
Poe has vowed to annihilate the river raiders who robbed her of everything two years ago. But as she navigates the treacherous waters of the Serpentine and realizes there might be a traitor among her crew, she must also reckon with who she has become, who she wants to be, and the ways love can change and shape you. Even—and especially—when you think all is lost.



Fascinating read. I loved how she wrote the book through lunches with her friends and taught the reader, along with her friends, the principles of investing. It is an empowering book that will leave you wanting to take control of your financial freedom. Highly recommend it.


Written by Kim Kiyosaki - -the wife of bestselling author Robert Kiyosaki - RICH WOMAN is for women who insist on being financially independent – without depending on a man, family, company, or government to take care of them. In her book, Kiyosaki applies the same moneymaking strategies that have made RICH DAD POOR DAD one of the great publishing success stories of all time – but in a voice that is aimed directly at women. No matter what your financial background is or your current job situation, RICH WOMAN provides the essential road map for any woman who aspires to be financially free.


My 4th grader asked me to read this book with him. I had started it before and never finished it, so he gave me the motivation to move through them with him. I found the war scenes with the dragons a bit on the gruesome side. Throughout the first half or so of the book I wondered what kids saw in the story. As it progressed, I saw and understood though. I've read through the first story arc (books 1-5) and have to say the last two are my favorite. I do love the characters, and I know my son loves them. You can't ask for more than that.

 
Clay and his friends have grown up under a mountain, secretly raised by the Talons of Peace to fulfill a mysterious prophecy. The five young dragons are destined to end the war that's been raging between the tribes of Pyrrhia -- but how they'll do this, none of them knows.

But not every dragonet wants a destiny. When one of their own is threatened, Clay and his friends decide to escape. Maybe they can break free and end the war at the same time -- or maybe they'll risk everything ...


I love Jennifer's books. Every one is amazing and this is no exception. I can't believe what people did to keep books around and the risks they took. It would be good for us to remember the true sacrifices people made in order to preserve words on a page. Highly recommend this one.


Danger is never far from Audra's family farm in Lithuania. She always avoids the occupying Russian Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous.

In June 1893, when Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate.

As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?


Thursday, October 10, 2019

THE CANDY CANE CAPER by Josi S Kilpack

THE CANDY CANE CAPER by Josi S Kilpack. I am a Sadie Hoffmiller fan. I have loved all her mysteries. This was not my favorite one of hers. I did love the recipes (can't wait to try them) and the ending was perfect. I guess I was expecting a little more action since her last ones had so much in them. It was a wonderful cozy mystery that did lead me through her decetive skills so well. It really is a great addition to the Sadie Hoffmiller stories. I would recommend it to anyone.

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The theft of a friend’s priceless, family-legacy Christmas ornaments brings amateur detective and culinary expert, Sadie Hoffmiller, back on the case in a new standalone cozy mystery.
In the latest chapter to the Culinary Mystery series, amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller continues combining her sleuthing with her cooking and baking to connect with people and gain information she might otherwise not have access to. Moreover, now that Sadie is married to Detective Pete Cunningham, she has a street-savvy husband to test out her crime-solving theories.
With Christmas approaching, Sadie is preparing for a large blended-family gathering—including many new grandchildren—in their home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Even with the festive chaos, Sadie drops everything when word gets out that her friend, Mary, is the victim of a holiday robbery. 
At ninety-four years old, and nearly blind, Mary knows this is may be her last Christmas and the last year to enjoy her family heirloom Christmas tree ornaments. She wants just one more holiday to display her ornaments and following Christmas Eve Mass, she’ll pass them on to her great-granddaughter, Joy. Though priceless to the family, the collection has been valued at $40,000, and the Christmas tree in the care facility has never looked so good. But before the ornaments can be retrieved by Mary, eleven of the most expensive ornaments are stolen. 
A holiday Christmas caper might be new to Sadie, but she’s ready to mix in her seasoned crime-solving skills with a pinch of new holiday recipes.



Monday, May 13, 2019

FINDING ANNE DE BOURGH by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

FINDING ANNE DE BOURGH by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen. This book left me feeling a bit unsettled. I'm used to the author writing mystery/suspense novels, yet this one has a strong romantic element to it that overshadowed the mystery side of it. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery, although I was able to figure out what was going on halfway through the story. I wasn't sure how Anne and Owen were going to get together. It ended well and by the end of the story I felt a little more settled in the story. I haven't figured out if I wanted more mystery to be there or if the romantic element was too strong for my expectations of the story. I'm not sure. I would recommend it to anyone who does love a good romance with mystery elements in it. 


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As heiress of Rosings Park, Anne de Bourgh's heath is utmost importance to her mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Thus, following the shock of a recent fire at Rosings Park, the young woman is spirited away to Brighton to take the cure. While her domineering mother is bent on healing her daughter's sickly constitution to secure her a suitable match, Anne herself is far more concerned with sketching the flora and fauna of the lovely sea town. It is in pursuit of artistic inspiration among the flowers that Anne becomes acquainted with Mr. Owen Talbot, a charming man with whom Anne feels an immediate connection, notwithstanding their differing stations.
But despite their growing esteem for one another, the couple faces an insurmountable problem: Lady Catherine has set her sights on a rich, well-connected man for her daughter, and Mr. Talbot is simply too common. With their love in jeopardy, the couple soon faces far graver problems. There has been a murder in Brighton, and Anne is innocently drawn into an amateur investigation that ultimately traces its roots to her own family. With a frightening foreshadowing regarding the de Bourghs, Anne begins to question whom she can truly trust.

Friday, May 3, 2019

UNDERCOVER HONEYMOON by Kari Iroz

UNDERCOVER HONEYMOON by Kari Iroz. I have really enjoyed Jack's journey through A DATE WITH DANGER and MORMON GIRL: INCOGNITO. This new installment is so much fun. Jack just has a habit of stumbling into things she probably shouldn't and how she is able to help makes it even better. There were some character twists in this one I didn't expect. It would be interesting to read all three back to back and see if I missed some of the foreshadowing of those twists. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with a good dose of mystery and suspense. I look forward to any other stories about Jack and Damon.

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Wedding bells are finally ringing for Jacklyn "Jack" Wyatt and her FBI-agent fiancé, Damon Wade. After their adventurous beginning, the happy couple finds the relative calm leading up to their big day, a huge relief. Unfortunately, it seems that the peace and quiet were too good to last. As they embark on their honeymoon, a weeklong cruise, Jack can't shake the feeling that something is off with her new husband. When she stumbles upon a secret plot—one in which her husband is a key player—she realizes this getaway will be anything but smooth sailing. When she delves into the shady happenings aboard the ship, she realizes Damon's involvement is just the tip of the iceberg—she has become an unwitting player in a deadly conspiracy, and in such close quarters, there is no escape. Now, Jack has no choice but to work with her spouse to unravel the truth before their happily ever after—and their lives—are ended all too soon.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

PLAGUE by Gregg Luke

PLAGUE by Gregg Luke. Wow. What a fantastic, fascinating, incredible read. I was enthralled from the first chapter to the end. The pages kept turning themselves. About a quarter to midway through the book I realized that the story covered an incredible amount of scientific information that I wouldn't normally read about. Yet, I was hooked in this book. It was so well presented that I didn't feel like I was being lectured. I discovered it the same and some of the characters, and it was done in a way that was entertaining. I've had thought about everything covered in this book and the probability of something similar happening for days. I LOVE books that make me think on a whole different level. And the cover is amazing. My kids loved it, especially because some of it was raised and they could feel it. They have been asking me about it since they laid their eyes on it. (Although I have very young children and the whole novel would be way over their heads. They will appreciate the words someday.) I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. For me, this is one of my favorite books this year. 


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Centuries ago, the Black Death shadowed the world, claiming the lives of tens of millions. Now the world is on the brink of another scourge—and this time, it will be an extinction-level event. . . .
Professor Mitch Pine knows all too well the history of epidemics, so the startling new information he's discovered has him racing to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Mitch has uncovered a startling pattern: dramatic environmental changes always occurred prior to devastating outbreaks, and current climate change may be such a catalyst. But before his plane lands, Mitch's journey takes a terrifying turn. He is intercepted by a woman who represents a dangerous faction whose interest in Mitch's research opposes his mission to save lives. To secure Mitch's cooperation, his research assistant is being held hostage. With so many lives on the line, Mitch embarks on a turbulent trip around the world, uncovering pieces of the puzzle until he ultimately holds the key to prevent—or precipitate—global devastation. Unless he can find a way to stop the lunatics behind his abduction, a plaque the likes of which the world has never known will be unleashed.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

CATHERINE'S INTRIGUE by Paige Edwards

CATHERINE'S INTRIGUE by Paige Edwards. This book started out with a bang. It sucks you in very quickly. I immediately loved Catherine, Jack and Nick. They are easy to relate to on some level. The quest Catherine was on was also fascinating. I enjoyed seeing how it played out. I had a problem with the dialogue written so true to English terminology that I had a hard time placing what it meant. I had to think to much about what some words were referring to. I understand keeping things true to the country where the story it written, and many times the author defined those words well, but there were times when the definition and the word used were spaced far enough apart that I had forgotten the meaning. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to just about anyone.

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To fulfill her mother's last request, twenty-four-year-old historic design specialist Catherine Pressley-Coombes travels to England in order to investigate an elusive family line. Armed with an illegible diary, she is determined to discover the identity of her mysterious ancestress. Distracted by an Elizabethan manor and unused to British country roads, Catherine runs her car into a ditch. Luckily, Nick Davidson, a handsome, hard-working local rides in on his tractor to save the day. As the down-to-earth manager of his family's estate, Nick also happens to be one of England's most eligible aristocrats.
Nick is certainly not the kind of man Catherine would fall for, a man dogged by media and rumor. So why does she find the English lord so irresistible? Even though she can't overlook their differing values and beliefs, as she and Nick spend time together, their attraction deepens. While she battles through romantic turmoil, Catherine is beleaguered with far more sinister concerns: a series of unexplainable misfortunes that are not mere accidents. With her heart on the line, Catherine discovers her life is in jeopardy, and she has no idea who the perpetrator is but she has a growing suspicion that the danger might be connected to whatever secrets lie hidden in her ancestor's diary.



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Wednesday, March 13, 2019

SANCTUARY by Traci Hunter Abramson

SANCTUARY by Traci Hunter Abramson. Books by Traci are ones that I will pre-order before I even read the back cover. I have loved everyone of her books and this was no exception. The first page sucks you in and you can't put it down. There are unexpected twists, beautiful scenery, a bit of romance and tension at every turn. It's amazing to think that there could be situations similar to this happening around us and we'd never know. It's interesting to imagine. I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone, especially those who love a fantastic suspense novel.

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Kristi Hartinger has come to terms with her life as a single, thirty-something woman. She was in love . . . once. But following her boyfriend's tragic death, no one else could capture her heart. And nothing else could fill that void, though the serenity of the ocean came close. Two years ago, Kristi left the craziness of her Wall Street career behind and embraced a simpler life on her family's private island off the coast of Main. As a resident of the small beach community, she anticipates a quiet future—until she comes face-to-face with her past.
Ace Samson is dead, or so the world believes. As a member of a secret organization known as the guardians, he was forced to fake his death years ago, leaving everything behind when he became an agent. So when he is selected to offer a potential new recruit a job with the organization, Ace braces himself: for the first time in more than a decade, he must face the woman he loved—and left.
Kristi's world is rocked by Ace's sudden reappearance, and she's soon drawn into his world of danger and cover-up. But when Kristi herself becomes a target, Ace will do whatever it takes to protect the only woman he has ever loved.


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Monday, October 9, 2017

SAFE HOUSE by Traci Hunter Abramson

SAFE HOUSE by Traci Hunter Abramson. I am really excited to read this novel. Be sure to check it out. Stay tuned for my review to be posted soon.


The guardians, the shadowy heroes of the top-secret program designed to protect members of the most elite government organizations, are being hunted down one by one. There is a single explanation: a traitor must be embedded somewhere in their midst. But if they themselves are the target, who will protect them?
CIA operative Renee Niezen has heard tales of the guardians, though she's never really believed in their existence—until she is approached by Charlotte, an old friend who desperately needs her help to stop the systematic destruction of the guardian program. Renee accepts the plea for assistance, but not everyone is thrilled to have her on the team. Kade—one of the last guardians standing—is unimpressed with Renee's qualifications and turns instead to the legendary Saint Squad for help. But when Renee is caught in the crosshairs, Kade must set aside his antagonism for the woman in order to protect her. Their grudging alliance soon develops into much more—but before the pair can examine their feelings, their investigation takes a dramatic twist. With lives on the line, Renee and Kade must use their spy training at every turn as they draw dangerously close to the shocking truth.



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Friday, August 25, 2017

DOUBLE EAGLE DOUBLE CROSS by M R Durbin

DOUBLE EAGLE DOUBLE CROSS by M. R. Durbin. I loved the prologue to this book. I was really excited to get into the story based on that but it took another 100 pages to recapture my attention. To me, it felt like the main characters were apart for too long (Charley in Oregon and Mac in Utah). I understand why it was done the way it was, and a lot of the set up with the mystery happened, but for me, I wish it had moved faster. Once the two were working together, it flowed and kept me turning the pages. It really is a fascinating story that I enjoyed reading. It's a fantastic suspense novel that would hold the interest of most people.

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After an unexpectedly thrilling summer with his grandfather, Oregon State student Charley Sawyer is ready to catch his breath at his late parents' Oregon beach home. Hoping for some rest and relaxation, Charley is met instead by devastation: the house has been ransacked. In his inventory of the damage, Charley stumbles across the item the trespasser must have been after, the only things that seems out of place: a mysterious key. And when he learns what it unlocks, Charley is drawn into yet another adventure with a ragtag group more than willing to help.
Mac Bowman, the brainy and beautiful anthropology student who joined Charley in his summer escapade, is thrilled when she is presented with the opportunity to conduct research in Oregon. Maybe a little time together will allow the pair to explore their feelings for one another. But when she arrives, she is disturbed by what she finds: Charley has disappeared without a trace.
As Charley and Mac each work to unravel their mysteries, their searches collide dramatically. Only one thing is clear: the moment he found the key, Charley unwittingly opened the door to a long-held secret—one that could cost him his life.


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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

ONE FELL DOWN by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

ONE FELL DOWN by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen. There are many books that I end up skimming through a lot of the story. This was not one of them. I found that I was reading every word. The story enthralled me and I truly couldn't put it down. The mystery to solve was well done and had me guessing as to who the murderer was, and most of the time I didn't have it correct. I loved being in New Zealand with a different culture that I wasn't familiar with. The characters were well developed and easy to relate with for the most part. It was a fantastic read that anyone who loved a good mystery/suspense novel, with a bit of romance, will love. 

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When Mikaela York opens an anonymous blue sympathy card with the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill" written inside, she doesn't know what to make of it. But soon after, Mikaela and her fiance are in a tragic car accident, resulting in her husband-to-be's death. Then when Mikaela's grandmother loses her life in a hiking accident one year later, an old man gives Mikaela another mysterious blue card at the funeral.
After the service, Mikaela's grandfather asks that she oversee the renovations on his bed & breakfast in New Zealand. When she arrives, Mikaela meets Tui Davies—the inn's manager—and Brentin Williams, the man Tui expects her daughter to marry. Tui helps Mikaela retrieve a doll from the cellar vault, but the doll turns out to be an evil omen that Mikaela is told she must get rid of before someone is murdered.
Meanwhile, the old man from the funeral is bent on revenge and is plotting against everyone who has ever wronged him, and Mikaela is next in line. But until she discovers the killer's contact in New Zealand, who can she trust? And while Brentin attempts to help Mikaela overcome her grief, she must decide—is she ready to love again?

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Tuesday, June 28, 2016

A DATE WITH DANGER by Kari Iroz — #amreading #books #bookreview

A DATE WITH DANGER by Kari Iroz. I had mixed feelings about this book. The first chapter was hilarious. I was laughing and smiling and couldn't wait for the next chapter. From there I felt like Jack almost had a split personality for a little while. She jumped through emotions and thought processes in a way I couldn't follow. However, by the middle of the book I was sucked in and loved the rest of it. Once Jack settled into one personality things fell into place and I enjoyed her story. I loved the banter between Jack and Damon. There were good clues scattered throughout the book in a way that you didn't realize it was a clue until the end. It is a good read once you get past the first little bit. It's a clean read that I can recommend to anyone who loves suspense, mystery novels with a dash of romance.

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She just wanted to shake up her love life. Jacklyn (Jack) Wyatt is the typical twenty-five-year-old living the typical Provo single life with the typical bad luck— at least until the FBI recruits her for a completely different type of dating.
A young woman has gone missing, and all signs point to her online dating profile as the kidnapper’s operating ground. But when suspects who crossed paths with the missing girl begin contacting Jack, the FBI sees its opportunity for an inside man—er, woman.
Now Jack will have to play the field, dating each of the men in an attempt to weed out the kidnapper. But with such an unusual array of characters vying for her attention, pinpointing the culprit may prove even harder than finding Mr. Right. And as more young women disappear, will Jack stay professional and objective, even with the handsome Special Agent Damon Wade just a whisper in her hidden microphone away?
*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

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