Tracey Devlyn

End Game by Tracey Devlyn
Steele Ridge – Blackwells #5

Three authors who work together seamlessly have created a world in which the reader can become immersed and return to when a new book appears. This, the final book in this offshoot of the series is a winner. Having followed this from book one and only missing a few books along the way, I will say that each and ever book I’ve read has been a great read.

What I liked:
* Asher “Ash” Cameron Blackwell: FBI special agent that left his legacy to pursue his own interests, hot for Kayla Krowne but trying to avoid it, dedicated, misses family connection, conflicted, dedicated, savvy, and capable, a good guy but sometimes clueless.
* Kayla Crowne: bright, dedicated, wealthy by birth and through work, good friend, savvy, quirky but grounded, sometimes a bit abrupt, wise, balanced, and a bit of a gameplayer
* Getting to see others from the past books in the series and how the matriarchs are doing
* The shock of the person first murdered and the impact it had
* The twists and turns along with the red herrings that lead to an eventual conclusive ending for the series
* That the friction between the brothers and their choices was resolved
* Wondering what is next
* AND…I am hoping that sexy sounding Mason Ward will get a book of his own.

What I didn’t like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The idea that what we trust and value, the people we love and value…might not be as willing to protect us as we are to protect them.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author and her friends for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Addendum: Not three authors…two Tracey Devlyn and Adrienne Giordanano… (mere)

End Game by Tracey Devlyn
Steele Ridge: The Blackwells series #5 and conclusion. Spin off of prior Steele Ridge series. Romantic suspense. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Lobbyist Kayla Krowne knows how to play the political games. After witnessing the assassination of a public official, she turns to Special Agent Asher Cameron Blackwell for help. She’s always been impressed and a little infatuated with Ash, but she needs his protection now to figure out the maze of lies under the cover of politics.
Ash was ordered to investigate Kayla, but finding her the possible target, rather than witness to a murder has Ash confronting his own issues.

Political manipulation and game playing.
Very subtle game play I will never understand, nor master.
“He infused warmth into his features”, “rearranged his features”, “he’d moved the congenitally needle too far”, “a master at reading body language “.
These people are masters of the game. If this were real life, it would all go straight over my head.
Reading about the manipulations is fascinating and mystifying.
Intriguing and intellectually scary. At the same time the romance is hot and dashing.
Fantastic romance suspense.… (mere)

Cross Roads by Tracey Devlyn
Steele Ridge: The Blackwells #3

Exciting, multifaceted, intriguing, intense story filled with more than one mystery that needed to be solved. Great way to spend the day.

What I liked:
* Rohan: Blackwell brother, computer-tech genius, suspicious, puts family first, loves his family, falls hard for Lena
* Lena: artist, copyist, difficult backstory, orphaned young, trust issues, lost many she cared about over the years, opens up to Rohan…eventually
* Watching Rohan and Lena fall for one another while learning their backstories
* The way the Blackwell family works seamlessly together and has one another’s backs
* Getting to see the rest of the Blackwell family and finding out how they are doing
* The writing, pacing, plot, interwoven facts of the story, and the conclusion
* The women that befriended Lena
* How various mysteries were solved and that the story was completed with all questions answered and a happy ending for Lena and Rohan

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about and wondering how some people can be so evil, have so little regard for others, and be willing to take a life so easily

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mere)

Flash Point by Tracey Devlyn

Who knew one hot tub encounter would end up more than a steamy night – in more ways than one! Thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship as it developed between Zeke and Olivia. The setup for future books has me invested in the series!

What I liked:
* Zeke Blackwell: brother, son, in charge of the family recovery business, believes in shades of gray, has control issues, strong, capable, and a great book boyfriend
* Olivia “Liv” Westcott: widow, single mother, FBI Agent working in art recovery, works with abused women, not to be underestimated, ready to move into a committed relationship
* The Blackwell brothers: each different and equally interesting – can’t wait to read their stories
* The matriarchs of the Blackwell family – would love to hear their stories, too, should the authors be willing to write them
* The writing, plot, pacing, and story
* The twists and turns that kept me guessing
* Being able to thoroughly dislike those doing wrong
* That those doing wrong were dealt with
* The way Zeke was there for Liv and for her family and his own
* The insights the main characters gained as the story progressed
* Knowing that I will see the characters again in future books in this series
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that evil written about in this book happens more often than it should

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mere)