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The Merry Dredgers

4/24/2023

THE MERRY DREDGERS by Jeremy C. Shipp
RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2023
GENRE: Dark Fantasy / Horror
BOOK PAGE: https://meerkatpress.com/books/the-merry-dredgers/
SUMMARY:
Seraphina Ramon will stop at nothing to find out the truth about why her sister Eff is in a coma after a very suspicious "accident." Even if it means infiltrating the last place Seraphina knows Eff was alive: a once-abandoned amusement park now populated by a community of cultists.
Follow Seraphina through the mouth of the Goblin: To the right, a wolf-themed roller coaster rests on the blackened earth, curled up like a dead snake. To the left, an animatronic Humpty Dumpty falls off a concrete castle and shatters on the ground, only to reform itself moments later. Up ahead, cultists giggle as they meditate in a hall of mirrors. This is the last place in the world Seraphina wants to be, but the best way to investigate this bizarre cult, is to join them.

BUY LINKS: Meerkat Press | Amazon | Bookshop.org

Review:
Seraphina spends her days as a party princess, pretending to be someone she is not. Seraphina receives a concerning set of letters from her free-spirited sister, Eff. Eff has joined a group of like minded people, who she swears are not part of a cult. When Seraphina receives word that Eff is in a coma after an accident at the retreat, she decides to go to the last place that Eff was and go undercover into the group. Seraphina becomes a Merry Dredgers and explores her spiritual energy at a broken down goblin amusement park while trying to get to the bottom of her sister's accident.

The Merry Dredgers is a wild mystery thriller with enchanting and diabolical characters. I was quickly taken with Seraphina's character and her ability to act as a Princess all day and then retreat into the opposite persona when being herself. This was a great skill for Seraphina as she became Corrina in order to infiltrate the Merry Dredgers. I was amazed as she was able to keep the personas separate, never crack as Corrina and remember that she was potentially in a very dangerous situation. The Merry Dredgers themselves are an eclectic group. Their base of operation, the half functional goblin theme park, was a trippy ride that I wasn't quite sure where it was heading. The whole time Seraphina is with the Dredgers it seems like they really might be a harmless group of people intent on living an alternative lifestyle. The writing was able to convey that things just don't seem quite right within the community however, as Seraphina desperately searches for cracks within their facade and clues to who might have hurt her sister.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jeremy C. Shipp is the Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of The Atrocities, Bedfellow, and Cursed. Their shorter tales have appeared in over 60 publications, including Cemetery Dance, Dark Moon Digest and Apex Magazine. Jeremy lives in Southern California in a moderately haunted Farmhouse. Their twitter handle is @JeremyCShipp.

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Monster

4/20/2023

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the MONSTER by Brynn Chapman Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: MONSTER: A Tale of Murder, Madness and Plastic Surgery (MONSTER Plastic Surgery Mystery Series 1)

Author: Brynn Chapman

Pub. Date: April 14, 2023

Publisher: Twenty Seven Dresses

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 270

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/MONSTERCHAPMAN

MONSTER. The word evokes images of fairy tales and horror. But once, in 1850 Philadelphia, it was actually the term commonly used in physicianâ€™s case notes for the victims of fire.

Conflagrations were common in this periodâ€”clothing, especially womenâ€™s lace, was highly flammable. Once the flesh was destroyed, there was no cure. These unfortunate souls lived out their lives as MONSTERS, secluded away by family. Once burned flesh gives way to contractures, disfigurements to rival even Bram Stokerâ€™s imagination were born. And the hearts of the people inside the shell perished.

Lorelei is one such MONSTER. Born to a wealthy family, disfigured by fire, she fakeâ€™s her own death, leaving the world she knows behindâ€”because in her mindâ€¦freedom, even if it is a workhouse, is preferable than the life of a shut-in, a burden on her family's name.

1850â€™s Philadelphia is an epi-center of medicine. Rival medical schools search in desperation for bodiesâ€”cadavers to teach the art and science of anatomy to their medical students. Corpses become so rare, a new profession evolves. Resurrection Men, or body snatchers, dig up the graves of the newly decreased for high pay.

Rory Henry is one of the Resurrection Men. A Scots-Irish Immigrant, he has fought his way off the streets, and into medical school by whatever means necessary. He is not above digging up corpsesâ€”he cuts them by day, and searches them out by night.

These two lives intersect in an explosion of personality-Rory is designated as Loreleiâ€™s surgeon. Entrusted with performing the new operation called, The Mutter Flap. Once he sees her face, will the unrequited love die, or ignite?

People are disappearing. Someone has discovered that murder is far more lucrative than grave robbing. And many of the bodies are from Loreleiâ€™s workhouse. Will she be next?

PRAISE FOR BRYNN CHAPMANS BOOKS:

Dark twists and turns abound in this fast-paced and riveting gothic thriller. I consumed it in one sitting!â€--Lea Nolan, USA Today Bestselling Author

"Exquisitely written! Requiem Red is a haunting tale of monsters, music, insanity, and the power of love where one least expects to find it.Brava, Ms. Chapman! This book will remain forever in my heart!" -- Darynda Jones NYTimes/USAToday Bestselling Author The Charley Davidson Series

"A rollicking ride of a story, with a tender heart -- A Circle of Crows is a thrilling adventure where the impossible comes to happen; where past meets present; and where a reader can't help but realize that some bonds can't be broken by time or distance."-- Jodi Picoult, author of The Tenth Circle, Vanishing Acts, and My Sister's Keeper.

"Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!"-- Grace Burrowes NY Times Best Selling Author

"The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored." --Best Books Ever Blog

"The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!"-- Christy's Cozy Corners Blog

REVIEW:

Lorelai escaped a dangerous situation in Ireland, one that left her scarred after a fire. Lorelai landed in Philadelphia and found an orphanage to take her in while she works in a matchstick factory. An orphan that Lorelai cares for, Molly is suffering from Phossy Jaw and Lorelai takes it upon herself to find help. Help comes in the form of Rory Henry, a student under Dr. Mutter. Rory can help Molly and recognizes a kindred spirit in Lorelai. Lorelai and Rory quickly become enamored with one another. However, Rory's means to pull in extra money as a resurrection man along with the sway that the orphanage Reverend has over Lorelai and a murderer on the loose, their way out of 1850's Philadelphia is not an easy task.

Monster is an exciting historical romance with plenty of suspense, Irish folklore, medical drama, and the realities of the immigrant experience. From the beginning, I was engaged in Lorelai's story of escape. The writing expertly pulled together all the different strands into an exciting story that firmly grasped the setting and characters. Lorelai and Molly's story is endearing as they band together to survive the orphanage and the terrible working conditions at the match factory. Rory's story enlightens early medical care and teaching practices with how students learned anatomy. I also learned about Dr. Mutter, the father of plastic surgery, and his ingenious way of helping those who were labelled monsters by society. I enjoyed the added folklore of the Cailleach and what she meant to Rory and Lorelai. The romance, although quick, was heartfelt and genuine. With a promise to be continued, I can't wait to see what Lorelai and Rory will face in the next book.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

About Brynn Chapman:

Brynn Chapman has dissected cadavers, toured asylums and has a love of all things wierd. A celtic folklore enthusiast (she blames her ancestry), her titles combine history, frights and complicated love stories. Shes won RWA awards, and made it to the top of her Amazon- category-lists. Shes 'Small-town-scary," and she fervently hopes her novels force you to leave the light on.

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.

Ends April 30th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/10/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
4/11/2023	Cara North	Excerpt/IG Post
4/12/2023	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
4/13/2023	@shangread_la	IG Review
4/14/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
4/15/2023	Living in a Fictional Reality	Review/TikTok Post

Week Two:

4/16/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/17/2023	Inked Book Reviews	Review/IG Post
4/18/2023	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review
4/19/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
4/20/2023	100 Pages A Day	Review
4/21/2023	Book Briefs	Review/IG Post
4/22/2023	Breysreviews	IG Review

Week Three:

4/23/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
4/24/2023	@lexijava	Review/IG Post

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Underneath the Fireflies

4/17/2023

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Book Details:

Book Title:  Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 496 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Crowe Creations
Release date:  January 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 - Colloquial expressions in dialogue.

Book Description:

No matter where Grace Walker goes, her extra sensory power goes with her. She's an empath and she sees things -- terrible things. After a tragic accident at the place where she works, she decides to take a mental-health break on a remote West Coast island. But she no sooner gets to Galliano Island when a vision of the murder of an Indigenous woman draws her into a disturbing and threatening dilemma.

Review:

Grace Walker has always had visions, as an empath she is able to pick up on the emotional residue left in an area. After her visions put her under attack at her work for uncovering a nefarious plot by her boss, Grace is taking a relaxing break at her parent's home on the remote Galiano Island. Before Grace even reaches the island, she begins to see visions of a murder. A passenger sitting next to Grace on the airplane, Rubin, helps Grace through what he believes is a panic attack. However, Rubin is also heading to Galiano Island on a mission of his own that may connect to Grace. When Grace finally arrives, she can't shake the vision and when family friend, Rebecca tells of her missing daughter, Tamara, Grace knows that she must help the family. Now, Grace must follow her vision and try to bring law enforcement to believe what she knows is true.

Underneath the Fireflies is a contemporary murder mystery incorporating paranormal aspects and Indigenous traditions. I was immediately interested in Grace's capabilities and what she had uncovered at her work. It almost seemed like I had missed a significant event or a prior book with the extraordinary conspiracy that Grace uncovered at her employer and the outcome of that event. I was entranced by Galiano island, the way of life there and the people. I liked that the mystery included the disappearance of an Indigenous woman whose disappearances are often overlooked by authorities. I would have loved it if even more of the Indigenous traditions and stories of the island were in the book. The writing jumped between the points of view of Grace, Rubin, Island inhabitants and Grace's guide, Scout. From many points of view there was a lot of information coming from different directions and many small clues into Tamara's disappearance. I really appreciated Scout's point of view in trying to guide Grace to put the clues of Tamara's murder together.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
add to goodreads

Also Available for Your Reading Pleasure!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 224 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Crowe Creations
Release date:  October 2022
Content Rating: PG-13 - mild profanity as in street dialogue

Book Description:

He's a Cold War spy hiding from one of his own. His real identity is tied to a treacherous past associated with American intelligence operations closed down after the end of the Cold War, and his enemy is relentless. All he has to do is change his name. Right? Wrong. Very wrong. Felix has eyes and ears everywhere.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Marianne Scott is the Canadian author of four mystery thrillers and is currently working on her fifth novel, a sci-fi/thriller. She has a BA and a Diploma in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. She studied creative writing through Conestoga College and Humber College. She enjoys writing workshops such as those offered by Brian Henry, publisher of blog, Quick Brown Fox and One Lit Place, a writers’ hub by creator/editor Jenna Kalinsky. She has an author’s website and blog. She is a full-time writer who lives in the historic small Canadian village of Hespeler Ontario (now amalgamated with the city of Cambridge).

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:

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When We Had Summer

4/8/2023

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the WHEN WE HAD SUMMER by Jennifer Castle Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: WHEN WE HAD SUMMER

Author: Jennifer Castle

Pub. Date: April 25, 2023

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/WHEN-WE-HAD-SUMMER

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets 13 Little Blue Envelopes in this new young adult novel about a tight-knit, daring, and eclectic group of friends who dedicate every summer to completing their #SummerSistersBucketList together â€“ that is until one of their own passes away.

Best friends Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny â€“ aka the self-proclaimed #SummerSisters â€“ have been coming to the New Jersey shore town of Ocean Park Heights ever since they could remember. And every year, the girls make a bucket list and dedicate their entire summer to completing every item on it, documenting their wacky escapades on FotoSlam for everyone to see. Itâ€™s their tradition, and as long as the Summer Sisters had each other, the rocky jetty on the shore, and their bucket list, that would never change. Right?

But then, tragedy strikes after Carly â€“ the mastermind behind the bucket listâ€“ unexpectedly passes away. As the remaining Summer Sisters try to wrap their heads around their best friendâ€™s death, life seems determined to throw more curveballs at the girls, threatening to split the Summer Sisters up for good. Daniella is accepted to a prestigious music academy in New York City, Lainie finds out her family is moving to Florida and leaving Ocean Park Heights for good, and Penny struggles to find her footing as she feels ready to leave childhood behind more quickly than either of her friends. What will hold them together with Carly gone and the Summer Sisters seemingly over?

Then, Daniella finds Carlyâ€™s final bucket list. And just like that, the Summer Sisters are back! But of course, things donâ€™t always go as planned, and the girls try their hardest to navigate grief, loss, and coming-of-age woes while keeping the Summer Sisters â€“ and Carlyâ€™s memory â€“ alive.

REVIEW

Carly, Daniella, Lainie, and Penny are best friends that spend their summers together in the seaside town of Ocean Park Heights on the Jersey Shore. They are the #SummerSisters and have a tradition of completing a bucket list every summer, usually created by Carly. However, this summer, the summer of 9th grade, everything changes for the summer sisters. Daniella is going to a special music academy in NYC, Lainie finds out her family is moving, Penny finds that she might be moving at a faster pace than her friends and Carlie passes suddenly before the summer. Separated and struggling, Daniella, Lainie and Penny try to complete this summer's bucket list that Carly left behind.

When We Had Summer is a heartfelt coming of age young adult story. Focused on change, loss and growing up, each of the girls face a different challenge this summer while trying to carry on the bucket list tradition and honor Carly's memory. It was interesting seeing how the girls faced their different challenges and how they coped. Even as an adult it was easy to relate to the challenges the girls were facing and the impacts on their lives, breaking down everything they thought they were and having to rebuild. It was also nice to see the girls get the help they needed from their peers and adults around them. I loved when the summer sisters were able to come together along with the others who had helped them to memorialize Carly in a meaningful way.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

About Jennifer Castle:

Jennifer Castle is the author of twelve books for children and teens, including the novels for BLAIRE WILSON, American Girl's Girl of the Year 2019. Her YA novels published by HarperCollins include THE BEGINNING OF AFTER, which was an American Library Association Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, YOU LOOK DIFFERENT IN REAL LIFE, WHAT HAPPENS NOW, and TOGETHER AT MIDNIGHT. Her four-book middle grade fantasy series from Bloomsbury USA is BUTTERFLY WISHES. Sheâ€™s also the co-author of two non-fiction books, FAMOUS FRIENDS: BEST BUDS, ROCKY RELATIONSHIPS, AND AWESOMELY ODD COUPLES FROM PAST TO PRESENT and FRIENDS AND FRENEMIES: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE AWKWARD. Jennifer lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, two daughters, and two cats/writing assistants on the edge of deep woods that are most definitely filled with magic...she just hasn't found it yet. You can visit her online at www.jennifercastle.com.

Subscribe to Jenniferâ€™s newsletter!

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of WHEN WE HAD SUMMER, US Only.

Ends May 6th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/1/2023

Reads by Radus

Excerpt/IG Post/TikTok Post

Week Two:

4/2/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
4/3/2023	Mallory Books	Review/IG Post
4/4/2023	Breysreviews	IG Review
4/5/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
4/6/2023	Lifestyle of Me	Review
4/7/2023	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review
4/8/2023	@gsreadingspree	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

4/9/2023	Tracey Reads and Rambles	Review/IG Post
4/10/2023	100 Pages A Day	Review
4/11/2023	Kayl's Krazy Obsession	Review
4/12/2023	@thrillersandhistoricalfiction	IG Review
4/13/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
4/14/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
4/15/2023	Two Points of Interest	Review

Week Four:

4/16/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/17/2023	NeverKnotReading	IG Post
4/18/2023	@inspired.j.reads	IG Review
4/19/2023	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
4/20/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
4/21/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
4/22/2023	@bookishlifeofkels	IG Post

Week Five:

4/23/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	Review/IG Post
4/24/2023	Author Z. Knightâ€™s Guild	Review/IG Post
4/25/2023	Mindyourshelf	IG Review
4/26/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
4/27/2023	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
4/28/2023	@drew_ambitious_reading	Review/IG Post
4/29/2023	Midnightbooklover	IG Review

Week Six:

4/30/2023

The Book View

Review/IG Post

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The Lioness of Leiden

4/4/2023

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About the Book:
How do you fight the Nazis right under their noses? With cunning and courage. When the Germans invade the Netherlands, Leiden University student Hetty’s boyfriend goes missing. But she has little time to grieve when she volunteers as a courier for the Dutch resistance, joined by her roommate, the beautiful Mimi, and seventeen-year-old Maria, the daughter of a slain resistance fighter. At great personal risk, the three women carry documents, secret messages, and cash to protect Jews, downed pilots, and others hiding from the Nazis. During five years of war, Hetty is challenged by a gauntlet of spies and betrayal. She heroically fights back as she and her friends accept increasingly dangerous assignments. All the while, Hetty worries about her family. She tries to forbid her younger brother from volunteering for combat in the resistance and argues with her father about becoming too cozy with the Nazis. As the Gestapo closes in, can Hetty and her family and friends make it through the war, free to live and love again? Inspired by true events, Robert Loewen’s debut novel pays tribute to the heroism of his mother-in-law, who served as a courier in the Dutch resistance during World War II.

Review:
When the Nazi's invade Holland, Hetty's boyfriend volunteers to fend off the Nazi's. When he goes missing, Hetty knows that she must join the resistance. She and her roommate, Mimi, are quickly recruited by Kees to form a small resistance cell in Leiden, along with Maria, an orphan whose parents were killed for resisting. They begin by transporting ration cards, but are quickly escalated for more dangerous missions, transporting pilots, people and weapons. As the danger heightens, Hetty's cell is directly targeted and Hetty can't seem to keep the danger away from those she loves.

Based on the life of his mother-in-law, Loewen presents an amazing story of the unknown heroes of Leiden during World War II. The writing is realistic and gritty and doesn't gloss over any of the dangers that these young women put themselves in. Hetty's character was emotional, heartfelt, determined and down to earth. Her decision making was for the greater good and I was in awe at her ability to always carry on in the face of danger. As well as Hetty's courageous acts, Mimi and Maria were astonishing heroines in their acts for the resistance. I didn't know much about the Resistance in Holland and was glad to learn about these incredible, brave, real-life women who were willing to risk everything to fight the Nazis.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

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So Close

4/3/2023

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crossfire® saga comes the beginning of a twisty tale of obsession and rage, as a trinity of women protect what they covet at any cost.

You can’t believe all of them, but can you trust any of them?

Widower Kane Black is still ruinously married to his late wife, Lily. Grief has hollowed him… until he sees a woman with his wife’s inimitable beauty on the streets of Manhattan. He whisks her up to his towering penthouse, protectively under guard, nestling her in dark opulence where Lily’s memory is a possessive beguiling force.

Aliyah, Kane’s mother, deals in science. There are too many questions, too few answers, and too much at stake. “Lily” has dangerous control over Kane and there can be only one queen on the throne.

Amy, Kane’s sister-in-law, has been bloodied by deceit and betrayal, and she’s devolving into murderous rage. She’s paid too high a price and now intends to claim what she’s owed.

Three women, linked by buried secrets, circle the man who unquestioningly accepts the return of his beloved long-dead wife. Kane is happier than he’s ever been, and he’ll do anything to stay that way.

Propulsive and sly, So Close is a lushly gothic novel of domestic suspense with the emotional intensity, scorching sensuality, and complex exploration of female trauma that are the hallmarks of multimillion-copy international bestseller Sylvia Day.

Review:
Kane Black is a successful businessman, dark, mysterious and handsome. Women tend to fall for him instantly; however, Kane is still grieving his wife, Lily, who passed six years ago. Or, at least that's what everyone thought until one day Kane spots Lily in the streets of Manhattan. It seems Lily has been living a different life for the past six years, but none of that matters to Kane as he immediately incorporates her into his daily life. Those closest to Kane have different reactions to Lily's mysterious reappearance. Kane's butler, Witte is suspicious of Lily's background and the character she seems to be playing, but enjoys seeing Kane happy and fulfilled when she is around. Kane's mother, Aliyah is worried about the business she and Kane built and what part Lily wants in it. Kane's sister-in-law, Amy is jealous of Lily's reappearance, but can't help feeling pulled into Lily's overwhelming enchanting nature. Meanwhile, Lily is trying to finish the mission she set out to complete six years ago while trying to balance Kane and his family.

So Close is an intense, domestic mystery with a good dash as erotic romance. From the very beginning I was intrigued by Kane's grief for his wife and the pull she had over him, even in death. When Lily resurfaced, the mystery only got deeper. With alternating points of view of Lily, Amy, Aliyah, and Witte the mystery is heightened as each person brings a different point of view about Lily and Kane while Lily is careful not to reveal anything too deep. It was interesting that Kane's point of view was left out as all of the other characters are operating around him. Lily's mystery is very carefully crafted and I had no idea of her motives or identity until the very end. All of the intimate scenes were incredibly hot and descriptive and sometimes with surprising couples. None of these scenes detract from the plot, however, and often add to the suspense and treachery. With a surprising ending, leading to yet another mystery, I can't wait to see what the next book in the Blacklist series has to offer.

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