Alexandra Ivy

Faceless
3.5 Stars

When Wynter Moore was four, her mother was murdered in a seemingly random crime. But a chance encounter in the Pike cemetery decades later suggests that there is more to it than meets the eye. Soon Wynter and her childhood friend, game warden Noah Heller, are working to expose the darker side of her mother's life, but someone is determined to keep the past buried even if it means burying Wynter with it.

Series note: While this is book #2 in the series, the characters are show more completely new, and most of the book takes place in Larkin, Iowa, not Pike, Wisconsin. As such, the book can be read as a standalone.

The mystery revolving around the death of Wynter's mother is intriguing. The inclusion of the killer's POV adds another layer to the intensity of the suspense and the action. While it is possible to guess the identity of the culprit by process of elimination, the climax and resolution are exciting, and the final twist at the end is quite a surprise.

Wynter and Noah's friends-to-lovers romance is very engaging. They are a likable couple, and it is entertaining to follow along as they realize the feelings they have always had for one another.

The biggest problem with the book is the underlying misogyny toward the various female characters, which is somewhat disconcerting. They are all such stereotypes - the spoiled and adulterous wife, the scorned spouse, the jealous secretary, the lesbian therapist, the flighty artist, the sexy heroine - did Ivy have a checklist?

Overall, the mystery and romance are entertaining enough but there is nothing truly original or unique about the book. A good read for a rainy day. show less

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first in the series. I think it's probably because I rarely find second chance stories to be as enjoyable. I'd rather enjoy the thrill of a new romance than hash over what is often petty grudges over the stupidity of youth. Teenagers make stupid choices, it's how we (hopefully!) learn to make better choices in the future - get over it.
Given that, I found grown up Lucas and Mia to be reasonable people with robust lives and the suspense story was show more interesting without being too over the top. I'll definitely read #3 when it comes out. show less

Three stories linked by one Vicar. Vicar Humbly is about to retire but before he does he decides to revisit three marriages he conducted where he's not sure if they're actually happy so he visits them all and Miss Marple style nudges the couples involved into happier places.
In A Proper Marriage; Adele Morrow is trying to make herself into a perfect wife and it's killing her spirit but her husband can't see it until Humble shines a light into the relationship.

In A Convenient Marriage: show more Beatrice Chaswell finds herself married to a man who she believes only married her for her money and her resentment is getting between the two of them. Humble gets involved and makes them talk to each other.. They also discover some secrets in the house.

A Scandalous Marriage - Victoria Mallory was looking for adventure but adventure found her in the form of a man she didn't expect in her bed in the inn. Marriage followed but she doesn't trust that if she gives her heart to the rake that she will find anything but heartbreak. Once again Humbly breaks down the barriers.

It's an answer to the "why didn't they talk" trope. and it definitely breaks those barriers and goes through the characters finding love in their marriages. I also loved Humbly and how he manipulates people gently.
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*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Sergeant Duncan O’Connor is a Kansa City cop investigating the death of an exotic dancer who is missing her heart. The unusual circumstances of her death mean that a Necromancer is called from Valhalla to help with the investigation. Though Callie Brown prefers to be called a Diviner. If she can get to a body before the spark is gone then she can see the person’s final moments. It’s in those moments that Callie show more may be able to pinpoint a murderer. However, this case is much different. The dancer’s spark disappears before Callie can get a look at her murderer, but an unusual man remains. A dangerous man. And he shouldn’t be there. Duncan and Callie, along with her Sentinel (bodyguard) Fane, go to Valhalla to talk with the Mave. There’s something very wrong brewing on the horizon and they’re pretty sure the dancer’s death is only the beginning.

After reading the short story Out of Control (The Sentinels, #0.5) in the anthology Predatory I’ve wanted to read more about the Sentinels and Valhalla. This story does not disappoint! While I found Duncan to be a bit overbearing, horn doggish and a tad conceited for my tastes, he’s actually a pretty good guy deep down. Callie is a wonderful heroine, strong and yet vulnerable, but best of all, no pushover when it comes to Duncan. Excellent! There are other great characters who make an appearance, but Fane…oh, my, Fane. He is one hot dude and I can’t wait for his story! *fans self*

The world in this book is so interesting! Even the villain and his back story were interesting. There is a lot of information and world-building going on yet it doesn’t bog the story down one bit. I’m hooked. I love this slightly different take on the paranormal and I’m really looking forward to continuing with this series. show less