Fear by John W. Mefford - #review #giveaway

NEW RELEASE....

Her death has haunted him for over thirty years. 

And he's hell-bent on making someone pay. 

A father goes missing. Not just any father. But a person once worshipped for his world-class talent.

Enter the most unconventional team around: Willow Ball and Cooper Chain.

As a nurse at the community clinic, Willow has seen the painful effects of heroin addiction. But now she's compelled to help a grieving wife and mother.

Dodging the mob at every turn, Cooper has a plan to bring them down while getting traction on his upstart career. Is he marching into a trap?

With their relationship bordering the "friends with benefits" stage, Willow and Cooper team up to find the missing person. But it's not that simple. Nothing with them is ever simple.

The hunt corkscrews into an impossible maze of events -- their lives threatened by a swarm of twisted deviants and social misfits.

Emotions run rampant, stoking one savage response after another. A spark ignites the hate, but what is the real fuel for this wave of brutal crimes?

Ultimately, can Willow and Cooper save a family from the torment before it's too late?

Only if they can overcome their own…fear.

Get FEAR now! 

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," you'll be enthralled by this gut-busting Ball & Chain thriller.

*Warning: The Ball & Chain Thrillers are full of white-knuckle suspense and sarcastic sass. Proceed with caution.

Available to buy from....
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Paperback

Don't miss MERCY (The Ball & Chain Thrillers Book 1)

The torment builds and builds and builds…. 

He can't deny it. 

But in what form will the pressure erupt? 

Cooper Chain isn't just down on his luck -- he's almost down for the count. The mob wants a piece of him, and he sees no way out.

It's a special week for Willow Ball, a woman who's survived her own tribulations to reach this milestone in her life.

Through fate -- or a temporary misalignment of the stars -- Willow and Cooper cross paths for the first time since college. Will an unexpected spark re-ignite the flame?

A shattering discovery changes everything for Willow and Cooper. The murder is unlike any other. But what will the cops do about it?

Attacks ensure, chaos ruptures a family . . . Through it all, how can Willow and Cooper find the killer?

But it's not over. As the bodies pile up, a pattern develops and it rocks Willow and Cooper to the core.

And then someone emerges after a three-decade disappearance. Could he be connected to this string of murders?

The past might provide the breadcrumbs to end this nightmare. But Willow and Cooper may not live long enough to see it through.

Will mercy save a life or end many?

Get MERCY now! 

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," then you'll be sucked into this first, page-turning Ball & Chain thriller.

Available to buy from....
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Paperback

You can find my review of Mercy here.

~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW OF FEAR

After such a stunningly good introduction to Willow Ball and Cooper chain (hence Ball & Chain  Mysteries),  in Mercy, Mr. Mefford was going to have to work overtime to have the sequel, Fear, measure up.  I am so glad to report that the hard work paid off!

Of course, Coop still hasn't resolved his 'debt' with the mob.  Nor have Willow and Cooper figured out exactly what kind of relationship they have (be in all business or very personal).  But I like that.  - and the fact they don't immediately fall into bed gives us the great 'Moonlighting' type of energy.

Fear reads well enough as a standalone, but I always advocate for reading an entire series  (in order if possible) because there is some inevitable carry-over that will give readers 'the big picture'.  

What starts as a 'simple' missing person case quickly stirs up to a spicy gumbo of crime that could burn anyone who gets involved.  

If you enjoyed Mercy, you'll like Fear as well.  If you like a little thriller in your mystery, or a little mystery in your thriller, the twists, turns, and switchbacks of Fear will keep you reading for hours!

About the Author

Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

When he’s not writing, he chases his youth on bike or a basketball court, all while making mental
notes of people and societies across the land.

Find the author on the following sites...
 Website   Facebook   Twitter   Google+   Goodreads   Bookbub   Amazon Author Page

Follow the tour

I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Win FEAR by John W Mefford ebook
3 Winners!!
Ending on Sunday 7th April at 11.59pm CST

Open Worldwide

Enter HERE

Good Luck !!

Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - Apply Here x

Current book tours open for sign ups HERE

Mercy by John W. Mefford - #review #giveaway

NEW RELEASE....

The torment builds and builds and builds…. 

He can't deny it. 

But in what form will the pressure erupt? 

Cooper Chain isn't just down on his luck -- he's almost down for the count. The mob wants a piece of him, and he sees no way out.

It's a special week for Willow Ball, a woman who's survived her own tribulations to reach this milestone in her life.

Through fate -- or a temporary misalignment of the stars -- Willow and Cooper cross paths for the first time since college. Will an unexpected spark re-ignite the flame?

A shattering discovery changes everything for Willow and Cooper. The murder is unlike any other. But what will the cops do about it?

Attacks ensure, chaos ruptures a family . . . Through it all, how can Willow and Cooper find the killer?

But it's not over. As the bodies pile up, a pattern develops and it rocks Willow and Cooper to the core.

And then someone emerges after a three-decade disappearance. Could he be connected to this string of murders?

The past might provide the breadcrumbs to end this nightmare. But Willow and Cooper may not live long enough to see it through.

Will mercy save a life or end many?

Get MERCY now! 

If you're a fan of Michael Connelly's Ballard and Bosch, David Baldacci's King and Maxwell, Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles, and the TV show "Castle," then you'll be sucked into this first, page-turning Ball & Chain thriller.

Available to buy from....
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Paperback

~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

     I usually read mystery novels.  I don't think I could pick a better book than Mercy  by John W. Mefford by to foray once more into the thriller genre.  This is definitely a walk on the wild side of life!

What first drew me in, before I knew anything about the book, were the surnames of the main characters:  Ball, and Chain.  I love punny titles and appreciate writers who play wildly with words while writing.  I then jumped into the deep end of the story, which opens up with a serial killer on the prowl.  Shorly afterwards we are introduced to the main characters.  

Cooper Chain is a writer whose life has gone severely downhill since his college days.  He's currently on the run from some loan shark muscle.  Coop also works for minimum wage in a local bookstore / bar joint.  He's got one week to magically come up with $50,000.

Willow Ball has had her own difficulties since she and Cooper were an item in college.  But things seem to be getting better for her.  She's engaged to Harvey and her wedding is fast approaching.  Harvey gave her a Mercedes as a present.

Mercy is told from several points of view: Cooper's, Willow's and one criminally insane serial killer who could give Hannibal Lecter a run for his money.  Our heroes kind of 'run into' the killer while checking on Willow's cousin, who is also one of her bridesmaids.  Unfortunately for the cousin, she won't be able to complete her wedding duties.  Coop and Will don't find that out for a short while, because they are busy fighting for their lives, literally, with a killer who does not like being interrupted.

The jumps in points of view seem almost a little disjointed at first, until I recognized the pattern from the movie Pulp Fiction.  The switching back and forth, I think, adds to the uncertainty that fuels a great thriller.

This was my first experience with a book by Mefford.  It will not be the last.  I just hope my bookshelves will hold up under the weight of all the new TBR-list books!

~~~oOo~~~

Readers are saying… 
"MERCY is full of suspense and sass. An exciting, mind-blowing adventure." 

 "Willow Ball and Cooper Chain are flawed and funny, yet so very real in how they deal with the heart-pounding curve balls." 

 "You'll be enthralled by the gripping story, and you'll laugh out loud from the snarky interactions between Willow and Cooper. I hope this is the first of many killer Ball & Chain adventures." 

 "The most original new thriller series out there!"

About the Author

Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

When he’s not writing, he chases his youth on bike or a basketball court, all while making mental
notes of people and societies across the land.

Find the author on the following sites...
 Website   Facebook   Twitter   Google+   Goodreads   Bookbub   Amazon Author Page

Follow the tour


I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Win MERCY by John W Mefford ebook
3 Winners!!
Ending on Sunday 10th February at 11.59pm CST

Open Worldwide

Enter HERE

Good Luck !!

Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - Apply Here x

Current book tours open for sign ups HERE

Spring Fling Kitty by Rachelle Ayala - #review

Heartbreaker Connor Hart, one of the youngest fire chiefs in the country, is planning on marrying Dr. Elaine Woo, a woman who pretended to cheat on him with his best friend many years ago. She bought him a Dalmatian puppy, he gave her a ring—and the women of San Francisco are about to lose their most eligible bachelor.

Artist and poet Nadine Woo is down on her luck. The cast-off half-sister of Dr. Elaine Woo, she doesn’t measure up, according to her strict and distant father. When Nadine and her mother are about to be evicted from their apartment, she gets an interesting offer from her sister. Seems she’s in need of a little help concerning her relationship with Fire Chief Connor Hart.

As soon as Nadine meets Connor, she knows she’s in for a rough ride. Connor is the fireman who rescued her and her little gray kitten, and she’s never forgotten how safe she felt in his arms.

When Nadine takes her sister’s place at a spring fling weekend with Connor, love ignites, and there’s no going back.

Can a spunky little kitty show Connor and Nadine that doing the wrong thing is sometimes right, especially when it comes to love?

Spring Fling Kitty is Book #3 of the Have A Hart Romance Series. It can be read standalone, although characters from the previous books appear here in supporting roles.

Have a Hart Romance Series 

Christmas Lovebirds, Book #1 

Valentine Hound Dog, Book #2 

Spring Fling Kitty, Book #3

Available to buy from...

Amazon   Barnes and Noble   Google Play

"Beautiful romance with a touch of suspense, great combination!” - Amazon review

"A beautiful, heartfelt story. Love saw. Love came. Love conquered. I truly recommended everyone to read this book."  - Amazon review

About heroine Nadine Woo - "A free spirit is a gift in my eyes. It's what makes her beautiful. It's what makes Connor love her. It's what brings life to this story." - Corissa Palfrey

~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

If each person has a story, there are billions of stories in the world today.  Rachelle Ayala gives us a doozy of a story about the relationship between Connor Hart and Nadine Woo.  At the beginning Nadine and her kitten are quite literally 'up a tree'.  Fire Chief Connor rescues the two of them.  As the two 'wonder about the other', they come to find out that Connor is engaged to Nadine's half-sister, Elaine.

There is also a lot about values in Spring Fling Kitty.  Not as in 'family values', but as in professions that have more 'value' than others, wealth, ethnicities and so many more.  Nadine's mother has been mistress to Nadine's father for more years than Nadine has been alive.  You see, that Dr. Woo has always been married to Elaine's mother the entire time.  Being from the 'legitimate' (and isn't that a term loaded with judgment) has provided Elaine and her brother status and opportunities not available to Nadine.

And can we all agree that Elaine will be on that year's Top Bridezilla shows?  As irritating as she could be to be around, I feel sorry for her.  Her micro-management gives her an illusion of control.  She doesn't want to go to a weekend getaway that Connor has planned for just the two of them because she doesn't want to.  Then she has the great idea to send Nadine in her place to give credence to her planned story that Nadine and Connor 'cheated' and Nadine got pregnant.  All the while, she was planning to pay Nadine to carry a baby made from hers and Connor's biological bits.  But that would have not been viewed as 'proper'.

But then, they weren't doing that to be proper, they had hatched this plan to create crisis in the family so the senior Dr. Woo would not divorce his wife to get married to a younger lady doctor.  They figured with a crisis, the father would stay the course.

So yes, Nadine, artist, bastard half-sister, keeps Elaine's date (and Connor had no idea that she would be the one showing up).  And that's where the real fun begins.

There are definite soap opera-ish elements to Spring Fling Kitty, but I mean that in a best way.  Soaps develop die-hard fans and usually have stories that are involved, easy to follow, and characters that people care about.

And Connor?  He's just a sweetheart, trying to do the right thing.  Which sister will he wind up with?  I don't do spoilers so you'll just have to read the book.  He's It's worth it. ;)

~~~oOo~~~

About the author

Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her foremost goal is to take readers on a shared emotional journey with her characters as they grow and become more true to themselves. Rachelle believes in the power of love to overcome obstacles and feels that everyone should find love as often as possible, especially if it's within the pages of a book. Her book, Knowing Vera, won the 2015 Angie Ovation Award, and A Father for Christmas garnered a 2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Award.

Sign up for her NEWSLETTER to get a FREE surprise book and her latest book news HERE!

Visit her Reader's Guide HERE

Find the author on the following sites...

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Google+   Goodreads   Amazon Author Page

Follow the tour

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Win $25 Gift Card or Autographed Paperback of Spring Fling Kitty
(winners choice)
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Ending on Saturday 13th August at 11.59pm EST

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Once and Future Wife by David Burnett - #review #giveaway