Continuing with the theme of 'murder murder murder' I picked up It Takes One by Kate Locke which is a psychological thriller taking place in a small rural town. (Looking at the descriptions of some of Locke's other books it seems like 'small town murder mystery' might be a specialty of hers.) Audrey Harte is a criminal psychologist who is frequently asked to lend her opinion on true crime shows where a professional analysis is required. Unbeknownst to her colleagues, she has a dark past that she's been trying to leave behind for years. You see Audrey murdered her best friend's father when they were kids and spent several years at a juvenile facility for violent girls. O_O So when she goes home for the first time in several years and a body turns up...you can imagine where the fingers start pointing. Now Audrey has to find the killer before either she's found guilty or dead. I will say that when you find out whodunit it is a SHOCK to say the least.

This is the first in a series featuring Audrey Harte as the main character but I think I've probably had my fill after reading this one. (She's not particularly likable if you want my opinion and the explicit sex scenes are not my cup of tea.) A surprising ending doesn't override the fact that I've read better psychological thrillers. 5/10

What I'm Currently Reading: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

This one was very enjoyable. The plot is continuing to develop in the series, this one has two surprises in it that I wasn’t expecting, one of which had me tearing up at the end. The characters were interesting and well developed and I liked their story while we continued to deal with the followers of Kronos and then her ex-boyfriend, which added more depth to the conflict. I liked it. The passion was a bit more tamely described than I like, but it was there and good. I look forward to more in the series, especially Mikolas’ story. Can’t wait for that one!

John Smyth has survived mutinous pirate crews, wars, and the passage of centuries by keeping his life as he did his ships, organized and well stocked. But when his crew is tasked with stealing Pandora's Box for the government, it opens a door to destruction, and her name is Harmony Andrews. A risk-taking investment broker by day, and a thief by night, Harmony is a member of the underground Digi Robins crew. Stealing relics to sell on the dark web, they donate the money to people without insurance who need life-saving medical treatments. What she doesn't realize is the box she just stole is the very one her boss is looking for––the boss who just happens to be an immortal pirate. And as their adventure heads into the danger zone, she doesn't know what's more dangerous: the risk to her life or the risk to her heart.

I have read many of this author’s books. She’s definitely one of my favorites. That said, this book wasn’t. It wasn’t bad and kept the same feel as the others, but I had a hard time liking Harmony.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

He has survived mutinous pirate crews, wars and he passage of centuries, but the door to destruction is been opened when John Smyth and his crew have been tasked with finding Pandora’s Box. Harmony Andrews is a member of a crew of modern day Robin Hoods by night and a risk-taking investment broker by day, but her latest theft has her risking her heart and her life when she discovers that the very box she stole is the one her boss is looking for.

The newest Sentinels of Savannah is a page turning read that makes readers swoon and long for a daring adventure to fall into their lap as long as it involves some seriously sexy immortal pirates, that is. John and Harmony are two strong, dynamite characters that has oodles and oodles of sizzling chemistry that explodes from the pages. Their stirring romance has sparks flying and lightning lighting up the skies all though it has a few obstacles to overcome which makes it easy for the readers to connect and this relationship makes reader feel as alive as it does the hero and heroine.

Chilling evil whispers abound throughout this fast paced, thrilling plot full excitement dangerous temptations and impossible choices as a thrill seeking pirate and a risk-taking heroine take on bad guys and pure evil. Vivid imagery that really sparks readers’ imaginations and has them experiencing all the thrills and emotions of a turbulent storm and life altering decisions. This swashbuckling romance ensures that readers keep turning the pages with lots of twists and the energetic energy of a high seas adventure.

A short, entertaining story that was a bit rushed but still good.  I haven't read any in this series yet, but the concept does sound interesting with classic vampire story traits plus other mythology story traits thrown in, too.  I enjoyed the characters and the plot.  The conflict wasn’t too complicated and wasn’t over done.  This was a novella, so it does have some of those rushed traits, but overall a quick and enjoyable story.