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Shadow Valley
When Heath’s beloved foster mom, Linda, is brutally murdered by Burke, a crooked, small-town police chief, Heath reacts quickly, leaving a bad cop dead and going on the run.
With Rori, the chief’s daughter under his protection, Heath must figure out how to outrun and outsmart Burke and his highly trained bounty hunter, Art Dominguez, who will stop at nothing until both he and Rori are murdered.
The young couple tears away on an action-packed journey from Santa Cruz communes to cartel territory in Baja and are willing to do anything for their forbidden love to survive. All the while Heath carries with him a ring that holds family secrets he’s been searching to uncover his whole life: The identity of his biological parents.
As Heath and Rori’s journey grows ever more perilous, Heath begins to question why he is so surprisingly good at hurting the dangerous people who cross his path.
Until finally, south of the border, all of Heath and Rori’s past and present demons converge, bringing Heath closer than he’ll ever know to the Angel of Death, a brutal mercenary who wears his same ring.
With Rori, the chief’s daughter under his protection, Heath must figure out how to outrun and outsmart Burke and his highly trained bounty hunter, Art Dominguez, who will stop at nothing until both he and Rori are murdered.
The young couple tears away on an action-packed journey from Santa Cruz communes to cartel territory in Baja and are willing to do anything for their forbidden love to survive. All the while Heath carries with him a ring that holds family secrets he’s been searching to uncover his whole life: The identity of his biological parents.
As Heath and Rori’s journey grows ever more perilous, Heath begins to question why he is so surprisingly good at hurting the dangerous people who cross his path.
Until finally, south of the border, all of Heath and Rori’s past and present demons converge, bringing Heath closer than he’ll ever know to the Angel of Death, a brutal mercenary who wears his same ring.
344 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2022
About the author
Nik Xandir Wolf
4 books12 followersNik Xandir Wolf grew up in California's Central Valley. He moved to Monterey years ago and picked up surfing as a form of recovery. He has worked in various fields and has volunteered for many organizations. His most rewarding volunteer position was held at CASA, where he represented abused and neglected children in the juvenile dependency system in court as a Guardian Ad Litem. He spent 12 years with that organization.
Nik is an avid reader, writer, performer, and host of the Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam. He reads poetry while surfing, drinks rum with the lost boys, and sets sail when the seas get far too rough. His favorite place on earth is inside a bookstore.
Nik Xandir Wolf is published in various magazines and journals. He received his MFA from UC Riverside - Palm Desert. He also attended Stanford's OWC program in Novel Writing.
Nik is an avid reader, writer, performer, and host of the Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam. He reads poetry while surfing, drinks rum with the lost boys, and sets sail when the seas get far too rough. His favorite place on earth is inside a bookstore.
Nik Xandir Wolf is published in various magazines and journals. He received his MFA from UC Riverside - Palm Desert. He also attended Stanford's OWC program in Novel Writing.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 10, 2022
Rating: 4
Wow, this book had me from the first chapter! Reading this was like playing a movie in my head. I’ve always been a fan of action movies and to be honest, I don’t read enough action type crime thrillers. The author did a fantastic job with writing descriptions and setting up the scenes. I never once felt confused and could easily follow the action. The reader can tell the author did their research in how the weapons along with other certain aspects were described and explained. This made it easier to picture what was going on and it made the story seem more believable even if it was over the top at points. Honestly, I prefer my crime thrillers to be over the top because it makes for a more enjoyable experience all around.
One thing that can make or break a story for me is the characters. Luckily, I immediately took to Heath’s character. The first chapter with his parents broke my heart and following Heath when he was older continued to break it. I found it interesting that he became a lot like his dad even though his dad didn't raise him. The author did a great job of writing complex characters that were not your typical heroes. Heath obviously has made a lot of mistakes and bad choices in his life but he did what he felt he had to do in order to survive and help those he loves. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It was well written, kept me engaged, and had me on the edge of my seat not knowing what would happen to these characters. Get ready for a twisty read that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thank you so much to @kelp__journal & @nikxandirwolf for the gifted copy and having me on this tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wow, this book had me from the first chapter! Reading this was like playing a movie in my head. I’ve always been a fan of action movies and to be honest, I don’t read enough action type crime thrillers. The author did a fantastic job with writing descriptions and setting up the scenes. I never once felt confused and could easily follow the action. The reader can tell the author did their research in how the weapons along with other certain aspects were described and explained. This made it easier to picture what was going on and it made the story seem more believable even if it was over the top at points. Honestly, I prefer my crime thrillers to be over the top because it makes for a more enjoyable experience all around.
One thing that can make or break a story for me is the characters. Luckily, I immediately took to Heath’s character. The first chapter with his parents broke my heart and following Heath when he was older continued to break it. I found it interesting that he became a lot like his dad even though his dad didn't raise him. The author did a great job of writing complex characters that were not your typical heroes. Heath obviously has made a lot of mistakes and bad choices in his life but he did what he felt he had to do in order to survive and help those he loves. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It was well written, kept me engaged, and had me on the edge of my seat not knowing what would happen to these characters. Get ready for a twisty read that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thank you so much to @kelp__journal & @nikxandirwolf for the gifted copy and having me on this tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 17, 2022
The first chapter of Shadow Valley grabbed me by the throat and the book never let me go. This gives "fast paced" a whole new meaning! The plot is relentlessly twisty and gets much darker than I expected, which I LOVED. The slow reveal of Heath's past was done so well; I was dying for him to have an opportunity to resume his "story" during their journey.
Heath and Rori are utter disasters. A lot of their decisions were extremely infuriating, but knowing their past (and current) circumstances, I couldn't help but root for them. I thought their little forbidden romance was done well, and I was super satisfied with how it all went in the end!!
I am READY for whatever Wolf does next, this book was a rollercoaster to read.
Heath and Rori are utter disasters. A lot of their decisions were extremely infuriating, but knowing their past (and current) circumstances, I couldn't help but root for them. I thought their little forbidden romance was done well, and I was super satisfied with how it all went in the end!!
I am READY for whatever Wolf does next, this book was a rollercoaster to read.
June 12, 2022
Heath Walker had a troubled youth, growing up in foster care and group homes. When he meets Rori Burke at the bar where he works, Heath thinks that he has found someone for him. However, the young couple soon find themselves on the run from her abusive father as well as a drug cartel and a bounty hunter!
This book is a mix of Bonnie and Clyde and Quentin Tarentino. Plenty of action, villains, and heartbreaking descriptions of child abuse, it will keep you reading long after you need to be doing something else. To me, some of the story was fairly predictable, but still entertaining. In fact, at times it felt like I was reading a screenplay. All in all, if you enjoy this type of book, it is pretty good.
This book is a mix of Bonnie and Clyde and Quentin Tarentino. Plenty of action, villains, and heartbreaking descriptions of child abuse, it will keep you reading long after you need to be doing something else. To me, some of the story was fairly predictable, but still entertaining. In fact, at times it felt like I was reading a screenplay. All in all, if you enjoy this type of book, it is pretty good.
January 11, 2023
Shadow Valley was a fast-paced crime thriller. It had me intrigued right from page one.The characters were interesting, the story enjoyable and the writing style beautiful. All the locations were described with a perfect use of imagery and the action scenes were also very well-written that I had no trouble understanding and picturing them in my mind. It had multiple POVs where the main character's pov was in first person perspective and the rest of the characters' povs were in third person perspective. So, whichever pov you prefer to read, it has got you covered!
I didn't see the twists coming at all but they weren't extremely surprising either.
Now moving on to some of the things that I personally didn't like. I would have liked it more if it had lesser descriptions at times because that took the thrill out of the thriller, you know? It also had one smut scene but I was happy that it wasn't too detailed. I personally like thrillers that do not have any sexual content and focus more on the plot. Lastly, I didn't like the excessive cursing and drinking.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, mention of rape, murder, blood, drug usage, alcoholism.
I didn't see the twists coming at all but they weren't extremely surprising either.
Now moving on to some of the things that I personally didn't like. I would have liked it more if it had lesser descriptions at times because that took the thrill out of the thriller, you know? It also had one smut scene but I was happy that it wasn't too detailed. I personally like thrillers that do not have any sexual content and focus more on the plot. Lastly, I didn't like the excessive cursing and drinking.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, mention of rape, murder, blood, drug usage, alcoholism.
December 29, 2022
Shadow Valley is an action-packed, fast-paced, extremely exiting book set in 1988. Heath Walker, who spent most of his life in group homes, bartends and sells weed to try to keep his adoptive parent's farm and to care about his ill mother.
When Heath meets and his long-time crush, beautiful Rori Burke, get into trouble with Iocal gang, it kicks off a series of events that leave both his mother and a cop dead, and Rori’s father—an abusive small-town police chief—on their trail.
Heath and Rori run for their lives with Burke always on their heels. All the while, Heath is trying to find out who his biological parents are and all he has for a clue is one ring.
Finally, south of the border, all of Heath and Rori’s past and present demons converge, bringing Heath closer than he’ll ever know to the Angel of Death who wears his same ring.
I this this is the most cinematic book I’ve ever read! It’s so tense, I was on the edge of my seat gripping to my Kindle and rooting for this morally gray characters, forgiving them for all their mistakes and just hoping for a happy ending.
It’s masterfully written, it has great characters and the pace is wild! If you decide to pick this book up, I suggest you put a lot of snacks and beverages near because you won’t be able to put it down!
When Heath meets and his long-time crush, beautiful Rori Burke, get into trouble with Iocal gang, it kicks off a series of events that leave both his mother and a cop dead, and Rori’s father—an abusive small-town police chief—on their trail.
Heath and Rori run for their lives with Burke always on their heels. All the while, Heath is trying to find out who his biological parents are and all he has for a clue is one ring.
Finally, south of the border, all of Heath and Rori’s past and present demons converge, bringing Heath closer than he’ll ever know to the Angel of Death who wears his same ring.
I this this is the most cinematic book I’ve ever read! It’s so tense, I was on the edge of my seat gripping to my Kindle and rooting for this morally gray characters, forgiving them for all their mistakes and just hoping for a happy ending.
It’s masterfully written, it has great characters and the pace is wild! If you decide to pick this book up, I suggest you put a lot of snacks and beverages near because you won’t be able to put it down!
January 21, 2023
An amazing book with great twists, fast paced plot ( WHAT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!), overall interesting characters and mystery.
Definitely recommend!
Definitely recommend!
August 24, 2022
WOW! WOW!WOW! What a high octane run. I just finished and my stomach is still tied in knots. Like the best rollercoaster ride, I have ever taken. It starts out third gear, faster.. . . .faster,. . .faster. Plenty of twists and turns just like a really great roller coaster. levels out and picks back up fast and hot takes you to the top then leaves you free falling together just Heath and Rori.They definitely cannot trust anyone else, or can they? In the end, time has past by a couple of years or so. Scared to see who, if anyone is left alive . Book that is going to stay with me for a while.yes I will definitely be recommending this book to anyone who enjoys a true thriller.. Special thanks to #NetGalley,#Kelp Book, #NikXsndirWolf, (what a super talented author/writer, I will be waiting impatiently for his next novel.) #ShadowValley, thanks for letting me review early in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 14, 2022
Shadow Valley is energetic and exciting with a lot going on, both in the present and the past. It’s rough and violent and unpredictable and so fast paced you have to hang on for dear life.
Heath Walker is immature, impulsive and often infuriating. He knows how to take care of himself, but not really. He’s a street kid with a lot of street smarts, but also with a lot of gaps, and he has a lot to learn. While it is easy to see why the hard knocks of life have made him the man he is, it is not always easy to like him or to sympathize with his hard-headedness and violence and narrow view of life and his possibilities for the future.
But none of that detracts from the exhilarating, heart-pounding dangerous ride this novel takes you on, or for wishing that just for once Heath could catch a break that lasts, that lets him be happy without looking over his shoulder or wondering what next bad thing will pop up; that lets him just relax.
There’s a complicated history at work here. Heath’s parents were an ex-mercenary and ex-CIA agent, who tried to get out of “the game” and wanted nothing more than to raise their beautiful baby boy. Not to be. The plan to get that baby out safely and adopted didn’t work out quite as planned, and Heath was dropped into the system: foster home after foster home, trouble after trouble, some acts he can’t get out of his mind. He resents his parents for abandoning him, he suffers at the hands of not-very-nice foster parents, until the Walkers adopt him out of a group home and he finally knows some love and stability.
But not a lot of success. When we first meet Heath he’s working as a bartender without pay so he can deal weed on the side. His father has died and his mother is dying. He needs money fast to forestall eviction and isn’t picky about what he has to do to get it.
Enter Rori Burke. She’s always had a home, but being the daughter of a controlling, violent, corrupt police chief isn’t the making of a happy family. She runs away, gets caught and dragged back, and runs away again. As with Heath, it is easy to see how her experiences have made her into the young woman she is, but her behavior makes it hard to like her very much.
Heath has seen Rori at the bar and there is attraction there, although he at times suspects it’s manipulation on her part. Things suddenly go bad and they are on the run. A cop dies and Heath’s mother dies, but not before she gives him a ring. And from there the action and suspense are non-stop resulting in a dramatic conclusion you don’t see coming.
Thanks to Kelp Journal & Books for providing an advance copy of Shadow Valley via NetGalley for my reading pleasure. I was not required to leave a review; I am voluntarily leaving this honest review and all opinions are my own. Author Nik Xandar Wolf did an excellent job telling a story full or harsh reality and hard truths, and I enjoyed it very much.
Heath Walker is immature, impulsive and often infuriating. He knows how to take care of himself, but not really. He’s a street kid with a lot of street smarts, but also with a lot of gaps, and he has a lot to learn. While it is easy to see why the hard knocks of life have made him the man he is, it is not always easy to like him or to sympathize with his hard-headedness and violence and narrow view of life and his possibilities for the future.
But none of that detracts from the exhilarating, heart-pounding dangerous ride this novel takes you on, or for wishing that just for once Heath could catch a break that lasts, that lets him be happy without looking over his shoulder or wondering what next bad thing will pop up; that lets him just relax.
There’s a complicated history at work here. Heath’s parents were an ex-mercenary and ex-CIA agent, who tried to get out of “the game” and wanted nothing more than to raise their beautiful baby boy. Not to be. The plan to get that baby out safely and adopted didn’t work out quite as planned, and Heath was dropped into the system: foster home after foster home, trouble after trouble, some acts he can’t get out of his mind. He resents his parents for abandoning him, he suffers at the hands of not-very-nice foster parents, until the Walkers adopt him out of a group home and he finally knows some love and stability.
But not a lot of success. When we first meet Heath he’s working as a bartender without pay so he can deal weed on the side. His father has died and his mother is dying. He needs money fast to forestall eviction and isn’t picky about what he has to do to get it.
Enter Rori Burke. She’s always had a home, but being the daughter of a controlling, violent, corrupt police chief isn’t the making of a happy family. She runs away, gets caught and dragged back, and runs away again. As with Heath, it is easy to see how her experiences have made her into the young woman she is, but her behavior makes it hard to like her very much.
Heath has seen Rori at the bar and there is attraction there, although he at times suspects it’s manipulation on her part. Things suddenly go bad and they are on the run. A cop dies and Heath’s mother dies, but not before she gives him a ring. And from there the action and suspense are non-stop resulting in a dramatic conclusion you don’t see coming.
Thanks to Kelp Journal & Books for providing an advance copy of Shadow Valley via NetGalley for my reading pleasure. I was not required to leave a review; I am voluntarily leaving this honest review and all opinions are my own. Author Nik Xandar Wolf did an excellent job telling a story full or harsh reality and hard truths, and I enjoyed it very much.
February 5, 2023
There are some books in which you literally feel like being in the story and feel connected with the characters. This is one such book. It is a blend of adventure, mystery, suspense, love, friendship, killing, and at the end, hope and happy ending.
This is a story of Heath who was an orphan and didn't know his biological parents. He has been to foster homes, group homes, killed 2 people who were doing the wrong, survived, until finally the Walkers adopted him.
Shadow Valley by Nik Xandir Wolf is a story of Heath who met Rori and fell in love with her. Little did he knew, it would take him to a completely different life. Rori was underage, which heath didn't know. She was being tortured by her father Burke, the chief of police, since her childhood.
Rori wanted to run away. She came to heath and fell in love with him. Burke came to take her away again, and there were a series of killings which was a tragedy that they can't forget ever.
Things changed when heath killed someone, yet again, to rescue Rori. His mother got killed too. They had to run away from everything to be safe and not end up in prison. Burke appointed Art Dominguez to catch them, kill heath, and bring his daughter back to her.
The adventures start from here. While Heath and Rori try to run away, they go to Avery, Heath's childhood friend. He suggest them to go to Mexico, where they could work for Jacques, another drug dealer.
The storyline is thrilling and full of suspense. The way Heath tries to save Rori, the love of his life, and himself, one could feel and relate to them. As the plot developed, the story gets more intense when Heath meets his biological father. The plot when the author writes from each character's point of view, Heath, Art, and Tyra (who loves Art), is interesting and keeps the reader engaged in the story.
Interestingly narrated with a gripping storyline, this is one such crime thriller novel that you'll love.
I loved how the author has depicted every scene so effectively and clearly that you could visualise everything in mind and imagine it taking place.
It's a well-detailed book where every character is portrayed so wonderfully that you remember their past and present.
It's an intense, mystery, and thriller story that you'll love. How Art decides to save Heath in the end when he gets to know who he really is. You'll love Art's powerful and fearless personality.
It's a good read with thriller and mystery, that you can count on if you want to read something different and interesting.
This is a story of Heath who was an orphan and didn't know his biological parents. He has been to foster homes, group homes, killed 2 people who were doing the wrong, survived, until finally the Walkers adopted him.
Shadow Valley by Nik Xandir Wolf is a story of Heath who met Rori and fell in love with her. Little did he knew, it would take him to a completely different life. Rori was underage, which heath didn't know. She was being tortured by her father Burke, the chief of police, since her childhood.
Rori wanted to run away. She came to heath and fell in love with him. Burke came to take her away again, and there were a series of killings which was a tragedy that they can't forget ever.
Things changed when heath killed someone, yet again, to rescue Rori. His mother got killed too. They had to run away from everything to be safe and not end up in prison. Burke appointed Art Dominguez to catch them, kill heath, and bring his daughter back to her.
The adventures start from here. While Heath and Rori try to run away, they go to Avery, Heath's childhood friend. He suggest them to go to Mexico, where they could work for Jacques, another drug dealer.
The storyline is thrilling and full of suspense. The way Heath tries to save Rori, the love of his life, and himself, one could feel and relate to them. As the plot developed, the story gets more intense when Heath meets his biological father. The plot when the author writes from each character's point of view, Heath, Art, and Tyra (who loves Art), is interesting and keeps the reader engaged in the story.
Interestingly narrated with a gripping storyline, this is one such crime thriller novel that you'll love.
I loved how the author has depicted every scene so effectively and clearly that you could visualise everything in mind and imagine it taking place.
It's a well-detailed book where every character is portrayed so wonderfully that you remember their past and present.
It's an intense, mystery, and thriller story that you'll love. How Art decides to save Heath in the end when he gets to know who he really is. You'll love Art's powerful and fearless personality.
It's a good read with thriller and mystery, that you can count on if you want to read something different and interesting.
December 12, 2022
It’s 1988 and Heath Walker has just about given up. His adoptive mother is close to death and he’s piss poor, the only bright spot in his life is a customer at his job at a local bar, a stunner named Rori. The two of them very quickly find themselves falling in love and embroiled in a world of trouble, a world that takes them from their hometown in California’s Central Valley all the way to Mexico. On their tail is a bounty hunter, hired by Rori’s psychotic chief of police father, who will do anything to deliver Rori to her father and put Heath in the ground. Along the way, the mysteries of Heath’s past catch up to him, revealing truths that will change the course of his life forever, if he survives.
Shadow Valley is written by Nik Xandir Wolf, a writer who displays immense promise in this, his debut novel. Wolf’s crafted a twisty, satisfying plot populated with characters who readers will love and love to hate. The fictional town of Shadow Valley exists in California’s Central Valley, a location I actually am very familiar with and I was born and raised in the region (a fun surprise for sure). The main characters Heath and Rori have a tenuous relationship with their hometown, it being the place where they both experienced traumatic childhoods, but Wolf has written them to not be victims of their circumstances but rather strong-willed individuals with killer survival instincts. While Heath and Rori aren’t the textbook definition of anti-heros, they definitely both make choices that could be defined as immoral, but based on their pasts, but I couldn’t help but cheer them on.
Shadow Valley changes from a first person narrative in Heath’s chapters, to third person in the chapters where the bounty hunter, Art Dominguez, is center stage. Each chapter is also broken down into shorter sub chapters, an effective way to keep readers on their toes. This narrative structure allows for some clever perspectives on the action; there are numerous sequences that are shown more than once, allowing for numerous characters' motivations and emotions to be brought into focus.
Shadow Valley definitely contains dark moments filled with murder, abuse, and violence, but all of these elements hold the dark in balance with the light. Shadow Valley will keep you on your toes with its action-filled plotline, but is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. Nik Xandir Wolf is a stellar new voice in the thriller genre and Shadow Valley is excellent, I give it 4/5 - recommend!
Shadow Valley is written by Nik Xandir Wolf, a writer who displays immense promise in this, his debut novel. Wolf’s crafted a twisty, satisfying plot populated with characters who readers will love and love to hate. The fictional town of Shadow Valley exists in California’s Central Valley, a location I actually am very familiar with and I was born and raised in the region (a fun surprise for sure). The main characters Heath and Rori have a tenuous relationship with their hometown, it being the place where they both experienced traumatic childhoods, but Wolf has written them to not be victims of their circumstances but rather strong-willed individuals with killer survival instincts. While Heath and Rori aren’t the textbook definition of anti-heros, they definitely both make choices that could be defined as immoral, but based on their pasts, but I couldn’t help but cheer them on.
Shadow Valley changes from a first person narrative in Heath’s chapters, to third person in the chapters where the bounty hunter, Art Dominguez, is center stage. Each chapter is also broken down into shorter sub chapters, an effective way to keep readers on their toes. This narrative structure allows for some clever perspectives on the action; there are numerous sequences that are shown more than once, allowing for numerous characters' motivations and emotions to be brought into focus.
Shadow Valley definitely contains dark moments filled with murder, abuse, and violence, but all of these elements hold the dark in balance with the light. Shadow Valley will keep you on your toes with its action-filled plotline, but is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. Nik Xandir Wolf is a stellar new voice in the thriller genre and Shadow Valley is excellent, I give it 4/5 - recommend!
November 8, 2022
🌛 Shadow Valley 🌜
Hector Montoya and Lindsay Sheldon love their son, Heath, but the life they’ve chosen—Hector as a hired killer, and Lindsay as his former handler who deserted the CIA—forces them to abandon their 1-year-old child. They’d prepared for this possibility and had a plan in place for Heath to be adopted by a couple Lindsay had met. Twenty years later, Heath is in his childhood home in the outskirts of Shadow Valley, California, and his life isn’t going so well. Determined to help his ill adoptive mother stay at their ranch until her end, he deals marijuana at a local bar to make ends meet. Things change when he meets the adventurous Rori, and his focus shifts to her. Later, though, he finds out she’s an underage runaway, and her police-chief father, whom he’d known to be abusive, is on a mission to bring her back home. A violent fight results in a tragedy that puts him and Rori on the run and may put him face to face with his shadowy past.
Woah, this book was such a wild ride! From the moment I started reading it, I was unable to stop! It's a page turner filled with action, villains and heartbreaking descriptions...such a rollercoaster ride! It was impossible to put down. There were twist left and right and all that made me read this book in one sitting. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected, and I expected to like it! But I loved it!! I can not recommend this book enough! Every thriller lover needs to read this book, and I believe everyone else will like this book as well! It's a fast paced book, and you all should hurry to get your copy on November 15th. But be prepared; you're in for a long, action packed night with this book. Enjoy!
Thank you to the author and @bookinfluencers for providing me with a copy of this amazing book!
@nikxandirwolf @kelp_journal #shadowvalley #nikxandirwolf #kelpbooks twitter @kelpbooks
Hector Montoya and Lindsay Sheldon love their son, Heath, but the life they’ve chosen—Hector as a hired killer, and Lindsay as his former handler who deserted the CIA—forces them to abandon their 1-year-old child. They’d prepared for this possibility and had a plan in place for Heath to be adopted by a couple Lindsay had met. Twenty years later, Heath is in his childhood home in the outskirts of Shadow Valley, California, and his life isn’t going so well. Determined to help his ill adoptive mother stay at their ranch until her end, he deals marijuana at a local bar to make ends meet. Things change when he meets the adventurous Rori, and his focus shifts to her. Later, though, he finds out she’s an underage runaway, and her police-chief father, whom he’d known to be abusive, is on a mission to bring her back home. A violent fight results in a tragedy that puts him and Rori on the run and may put him face to face with his shadowy past.
Woah, this book was such a wild ride! From the moment I started reading it, I was unable to stop! It's a page turner filled with action, villains and heartbreaking descriptions...such a rollercoaster ride! It was impossible to put down. There were twist left and right and all that made me read this book in one sitting. I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected, and I expected to like it! But I loved it!! I can not recommend this book enough! Every thriller lover needs to read this book, and I believe everyone else will like this book as well! It's a fast paced book, and you all should hurry to get your copy on November 15th. But be prepared; you're in for a long, action packed night with this book. Enjoy!
Thank you to the author and @bookinfluencers for providing me with a copy of this amazing book!
@nikxandirwolf @kelp_journal #shadowvalley #nikxandirwolf #kelpbooks twitter @kelpbooks
December 5, 2023
Hector Montoya and Lindsay Sheldon love their son, Heath, but the life they’ve chosen - Hector as a hired killer and Lindsay as his former handler who deserted the CIA - forces them to give up their one-year-old child in Panama on March 21, 1968. They’re hopeful Heath will get to The States, where they’ve arranged an adoption plan.
Fast forward twenty years, and Heath, now living on the outskirts of Shadow Valley, California, a “cesspool of crime and poverty with one of the highest murder rates in the world”, never did quite have the childhood his biological parents had in mind.
To say his life isn’t going well would be a massive understatement. He spends his days caring for his ailing adoptive mother and working in local dive bars where he also deals marijuana under the counter to make ends meet, much to the annoyance of a biker gang going by the name of Vamos.
Things go from bad to worse when he meets the charming Rori. Initially, he thinks she just wants out of the Vamos and a safe place to stay - winner winner, she’ll help care for his mom too. But, he quickly finds out she’s an underage runaway, and her police chief abusive father is hellbent on getting her back home, whatever the cost.
After personal tragedy strikes, Heath and Rori go on the run, a la Bonnie and Clyde, where Heath will have to face his shadowy past.
Shadow Valley had the potential to be a gritty crime story, but it was not particularly well written, being very repetitive and stilted at times. This felt like a very early draft, the barebones of an excellent thriller with cracking characters, ready and waiting to be fleshed out.
Reading an uncorrected proof with so many glaring grammatical errors everywhere was hard to look past. 2.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy, as always this is an honest review.
Fast forward twenty years, and Heath, now living on the outskirts of Shadow Valley, California, a “cesspool of crime and poverty with one of the highest murder rates in the world”, never did quite have the childhood his biological parents had in mind.
To say his life isn’t going well would be a massive understatement. He spends his days caring for his ailing adoptive mother and working in local dive bars where he also deals marijuana under the counter to make ends meet, much to the annoyance of a biker gang going by the name of Vamos.
Things go from bad to worse when he meets the charming Rori. Initially, he thinks she just wants out of the Vamos and a safe place to stay - winner winner, she’ll help care for his mom too. But, he quickly finds out she’s an underage runaway, and her police chief abusive father is hellbent on getting her back home, whatever the cost.
After personal tragedy strikes, Heath and Rori go on the run, a la Bonnie and Clyde, where Heath will have to face his shadowy past.
Shadow Valley had the potential to be a gritty crime story, but it was not particularly well written, being very repetitive and stilted at times. This felt like a very early draft, the barebones of an excellent thriller with cracking characters, ready and waiting to be fleshed out.
Reading an uncorrected proof with so many glaring grammatical errors everywhere was hard to look past. 2.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy, as always this is an honest review.
November 14, 2022
Fast-paced and full of unexpected narrative turns, Shadow Valley is a novel you won't soon forget. The author did a superb job of building up the situations and giving details. Even though I found several of the stories to be somewhat predictable, they were still enjoyable. There were occasions when I thought I was reading a script. I read this book in one sitting since there were so many unexpected turns. I loved this book even more than I anticipated, and I thought I would!
The characters are one element that, in my opinion, may make or break a tale. Fortunately, I connected with Heath's persona right away. My heart was broken by the opening chapter featuring his parents, and it kept breaking as I read about Heath as he got older. Even though his father didn't raise him, I thought it was remarkable how much he resembled him. I should caution readers that the main characters may elicit strong emotions in individuals who have experienced comparable circumstances. The characters weren't exactly the most endearing, but in my opinion, that is not what makes a great book.
The speed was just right—not too quick that I lost track of what was happening, but fast enough that I never got bored. The author does a fantastic job of bringing you to a period of fear and persecution while also showing how people are contributing to one another's defense. This narrative is brilliantly written and captivating. It was a dream when the mystery and action components were added to the narrative. The comprehensive descriptions of the settings let me envision what was happening. It helped with how things went on and gave a genuine grasp of what each character was thinking and experiencing.
The characters are one element that, in my opinion, may make or break a tale. Fortunately, I connected with Heath's persona right away. My heart was broken by the opening chapter featuring his parents, and it kept breaking as I read about Heath as he got older. Even though his father didn't raise him, I thought it was remarkable how much he resembled him. I should caution readers that the main characters may elicit strong emotions in individuals who have experienced comparable circumstances. The characters weren't exactly the most endearing, but in my opinion, that is not what makes a great book.
The speed was just right—not too quick that I lost track of what was happening, but fast enough that I never got bored. The author does a fantastic job of bringing you to a period of fear and persecution while also showing how people are contributing to one another's defense. This narrative is brilliantly written and captivating. It was a dream when the mystery and action components were added to the narrative. The comprehensive descriptions of the settings let me envision what was happening. It helped with how things went on and gave a genuine grasp of what each character was thinking and experiencing.
November 12, 2022
I can't help but love an action-packed crime thriller and I definitely think Shadow Valley lives up to just that. From beginning to end, I was hooked on the crazy ride with some really good twists and turns. Shadow Valley was well written, very engaging, and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The author did a fantastic job at his descriptions of characters, places and weapons.
I really liked Heath, I just couldn't help but feel for his character. He went through so much as a child and as an adult. The way the author portrayed him especially as an adult let me see Heath as a complex character. He did what he had to do to survive and while that may not always be considered good, it is realistic. Life isn't just black or white, there is always grey and I feel like Heath made decisions, even if they were bad ones, in order to survive and for the ones he truly loved. I also thought it was interesting to see how much Heath resembled his father even though his father didn't raise him, sometimes we end up like our parents even without knowing them or even meaning to.
I definitely enjoyed Shadow Valley as well as the authors style of writing. I highly recommend this book to crime thrillers. I definitely think this story has a lot grit and you just can't help but enjoy the story.
I really liked Heath, I just couldn't help but feel for his character. He went through so much as a child and as an adult. The way the author portrayed him especially as an adult let me see Heath as a complex character. He did what he had to do to survive and while that may not always be considered good, it is realistic. Life isn't just black or white, there is always grey and I feel like Heath made decisions, even if they were bad ones, in order to survive and for the ones he truly loved. I also thought it was interesting to see how much Heath resembled his father even though his father didn't raise him, sometimes we end up like our parents even without knowing them or even meaning to.
I definitely enjoyed Shadow Valley as well as the authors style of writing. I highly recommend this book to crime thrillers. I definitely think this story has a lot grit and you just can't help but enjoy the story.
December 30, 2022
Heath Walker is a twenty-something who is under a lot of stress due to his adoptive mothers failing health. Worming whatever jobs he can, it seems unlikely that he will gather enough money to not only save the house, but to get his mom the medical help she needs. All this changes when he gets into a violent bar fight against a gang of bikers who were mistreating a woman named Rori; a young woman he has had his sights on. What Heath thought would be the beginning of a relationship is soon soured when not only does he find out that Tori is underaged, but her father is the police chef and psycho. Knowing he’s a dead man if he stays, he and Tori take off on a trip down to Mexico in hopes of losing the hired detective who is hot on their heels. On the way Heath recounts the life he has lived thus far and how bodies lee turning up wherever he goes. Will the two get the freedom they long for, or will Heath ‘s journey end with a bullet?
All I have to say about this book is wow. From start to finish it kept me on my heels wanting to know what was going to become of the two main characters. Heath is such a well written character with a backstory thats just sad and realistic. Then you have Rori and her background with her family, particularly her corrupted police chef father. It was an 80s version of Bonnie and Clyde and I was here for it all the way!
January 14, 2023
Shadow Valley book review
Shadow Valley by Nik Xandia Wolf is a completely different story that I used to read.
In this story we met Heath, that is a man who has a tragic story since he was a little kid. He was an orphan, who was in a lot of different foster houses before he finally found a foster family which really love him.
However, in the present (on the 80's), he lost her parent and her mother is really sick. Also, he is trying to earn some money to not loose their farm. But destiny has another plan to him and he found Rori, a girl who stays on his house while she is taking care of his mother. But when Rori and Heath fell in love, a lot of problems come to them. And they have to escape of the danger.
This story has some trigger warnings: has some violence, maybe excesive using of bad words, murder, drugs, narcotrafic and many more.
In addiction, the story is interesanting because, Heath and Rori has to escape to save their lives, but we also see the obstacles, they will find on the road. Also, we see the Heath's story of life who has a great struggle of trying to figure out so many aspects of his life, and also moralty themes going to be evaluated.
If you enjoyed shows like Breaking Bad this book is for you!
Shadow Valley by Nik Xandia Wolf is a completely different story that I used to read.
In this story we met Heath, that is a man who has a tragic story since he was a little kid. He was an orphan, who was in a lot of different foster houses before he finally found a foster family which really love him.
However, in the present (on the 80's), he lost her parent and her mother is really sick. Also, he is trying to earn some money to not loose their farm. But destiny has another plan to him and he found Rori, a girl who stays on his house while she is taking care of his mother. But when Rori and Heath fell in love, a lot of problems come to them. And they have to escape of the danger.
This story has some trigger warnings: has some violence, maybe excesive using of bad words, murder, drugs, narcotrafic and many more.
In addiction, the story is interesanting because, Heath and Rori has to escape to save their lives, but we also see the obstacles, they will find on the road. Also, we see the Heath's story of life who has a great struggle of trying to figure out so many aspects of his life, and also moralty themes going to be evaluated.
If you enjoyed shows like Breaking Bad this book is for you!
November 11, 2022
Thank you so so much to the author for sharing an ARC copy of this book with me on Bookinfluencers.com !!!
“Easy. Everything in the world is about sex. Except for sex. Sex is about power”
“The bounty hunter was alive, which meant Rori and I would never be safe unless this drug runner could protect us”
A thrilling story of action, mystery, intrigues, love and what it means to be without one’s identity and loosing it all !!!
I felt hooked my Heath’s story from the very first pages. Surely a complicated character with an undefined past and an even more uncertain future in front of him, who finally finds someone he feels like it’s worth fighting for.
A chase, a hunt through United States and Mexico, when the only rule is run or die.
Money are what moves the world after all and power is what blind men seek, without caring about the consequences !!
Heath finds himself in the middle of something greater than what he originally thought it was. But nothing can stop him from freeing the girl he loves from her own sort of cage and abuse.
I’m very glad I had the chance to read this story. I believe it to be a good thriller for every fan of the genre !!!
“This moment forward, … I’ll remember to forget.”
“A trail of bodies … scattered across two countries now. Who the hell was I?”
“Easy. Everything in the world is about sex. Except for sex. Sex is about power”
“The bounty hunter was alive, which meant Rori and I would never be safe unless this drug runner could protect us”
A thrilling story of action, mystery, intrigues, love and what it means to be without one’s identity and loosing it all !!!
I felt hooked my Heath’s story from the very first pages. Surely a complicated character with an undefined past and an even more uncertain future in front of him, who finally finds someone he feels like it’s worth fighting for.
A chase, a hunt through United States and Mexico, when the only rule is run or die.
Money are what moves the world after all and power is what blind men seek, without caring about the consequences !!
Heath finds himself in the middle of something greater than what he originally thought it was. But nothing can stop him from freeing the girl he loves from her own sort of cage and abuse.
I’m very glad I had the chance to read this story. I believe it to be a good thriller for every fan of the genre !!!
“This moment forward, … I’ll remember to forget.”
“A trail of bodies … scattered across two countries now. Who the hell was I?”
December 13, 2022
TW: death, drugs, gore, murder, abuse, sexual assault, statutory rape (unknown)
I don't even know where to start with the blurb for this one. There's so much happening throughout the entire book.
As a baby, Heath is put into the foster system and has a rough go of it. That ends up shaping his life, meaning he does whatever he needs to survive. He does have a knack for avoiding death. Maybe that's a hereditary thing?
Heath is forced to go on the run, but how far can he get? With so many people on the hunt for him, will he be able to survive?
This is packed with action. You will be sucked in and never want to put it down. I was hooked and had a hard time putting it down. It touches on so many tough subjects, while this is fiction, this is written in a way that it could easily be real.
if you are looking for an action-packed suspense crime drama, this is for you.
Another reason I am loving this book is that author is donating all of his proceeds to support abused and neglected children through CASA Voices for Children.
I don't even know where to start with the blurb for this one. There's so much happening throughout the entire book.
As a baby, Heath is put into the foster system and has a rough go of it. That ends up shaping his life, meaning he does whatever he needs to survive. He does have a knack for avoiding death. Maybe that's a hereditary thing?
Heath is forced to go on the run, but how far can he get? With so many people on the hunt for him, will he be able to survive?
This is packed with action. You will be sucked in and never want to put it down. I was hooked and had a hard time putting it down. It touches on so many tough subjects, while this is fiction, this is written in a way that it could easily be real.
if you are looking for an action-packed suspense crime drama, this is for you.
Another reason I am loving this book is that author is donating all of his proceeds to support abused and neglected children through CASA Voices for Children.
December 31, 2022
This book takes place in Central Valley California (where I am from) so it felt close to home which I loved. This was a fun, fast paced, and addictive crime thriller that I could definitely see being turned into a movie!
Heath is our MC who has grown up in foster care. His life has been troubled to say the least. He meets Rori at a local bar and the pair immediately hit it off. Heath finds himself smitten with her. Unfortunately, the pair soon find themselves in some trouble with a local gang. They are soon on the run from Tori’s abusive police chief father. Can the pair escape the danger that seems to be following them?
There are so many twists throughout that left me guessing until the dramatic ending. The author did an amazing job with the character development of these complex characters that I truly found myself 100% invested in them. This book is definitely an action packed thriller and is a quick and easy read.
Do yourself a favor a pick this one up if you want a quick, easy, action pack crime/thriller read!
Heath is our MC who has grown up in foster care. His life has been troubled to say the least. He meets Rori at a local bar and the pair immediately hit it off. Heath finds himself smitten with her. Unfortunately, the pair soon find themselves in some trouble with a local gang. They are soon on the run from Tori’s abusive police chief father. Can the pair escape the danger that seems to be following them?
There are so many twists throughout that left me guessing until the dramatic ending. The author did an amazing job with the character development of these complex characters that I truly found myself 100% invested in them. This book is definitely an action packed thriller and is a quick and easy read.
Do yourself a favor a pick this one up if you want a quick, easy, action pack crime/thriller read!
October 24, 2022
Heath Walker, spent most of his life in a group home he refers to as hotel dog shit. Yes he can be bitter and rightly so. Now he bartends and sells weed to support him and his ailing foster mom. When Heath meets and quickly falls for the beautiful, out of the box Rori Burke at his bar, the two, Bonnie and Clydeish foster events that leave both his mother and a cop dead. Rori's father, a crooked small-town police chief and child abuser is now on the run to get his daughter, and Heath be dammed!
Their fleeing launches them on a journey from Santa Cruz to cartel territory in Baja, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. Heath possesses a ring that may hold the answers to what he's been searching for his whole life: the identity of his real parents.
Yes, there is plenty of action involved, but this reader became weary of the chase and was ready for it to just end.
It finally ended and the happy little dysfunctional family got off a little too easily in my humble opinion.
Their fleeing launches them on a journey from Santa Cruz to cartel territory in Baja, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. Heath possesses a ring that may hold the answers to what he's been searching for his whole life: the identity of his real parents.
Yes, there is plenty of action involved, but this reader became weary of the chase and was ready for it to just end.
It finally ended and the happy little dysfunctional family got off a little too easily in my humble opinion.
November 25, 2022
Heath has lived a hard life going from orphanages to temporary homes, until he winds up with a great family that he loves as though they are his real mom and dad. Now grown, his mother is very sick and they are going to lose the farm. Trying to figure out a way to make some money, his old friend tells him that he can get him a job that he would make a quick 250,000.
While waiting for this friend to call him, he meets Rori and falls instantly in love with her. But, she is running from her father, the police chief. Rori has been staying with Heath and his mother until her father finds her.
Now Heath and Rori are on the run as Rori's father has killed Heath's mother and tried to kill Heath.
They are running for their lives, but Rori's father owns the town and almost everyone in it and he has trained killers out to find them.
This would just keeps you turning pages. I couldn't put it down!!
While waiting for this friend to call him, he meets Rori and falls instantly in love with her. But, she is running from her father, the police chief. Rori has been staying with Heath and his mother until her father finds her.
Now Heath and Rori are on the run as Rori's father has killed Heath's mother and tried to kill Heath.
They are running for their lives, but Rori's father owns the town and almost everyone in it and he has trained killers out to find them.
This would just keeps you turning pages. I couldn't put it down!!
January 8, 2023
shadow valley by Nik Xandir wolf
This story revolves around the protagonist Heath.
The story starts when he is taking care of his sick mother. He is working as a bartender and sells drugs for daily survival and to help his foster mother's health. At his pub, he met a girl named Rori burke and fall in love with her. Then the sequence of events leads to the death of his mother
Then Heath and Rori ran away for their lives from the drug dealing mafia gang and also from Rori's abusive father.
Heath always wanted to find his biological parents. His only connection with his biological parents is his ring.
What happened then? Did they survive? Did he find his biological parents? What he can do with that ring? Read it and find out.
While reading this book I felt like a watching an action-packed movie. That's how it is. It's a truly amazing read. It's fast-paced and you get bored at any point. It's a good book read. Happy reading.
Warning: Drugs, Child abuse.
This story revolves around the protagonist Heath.
The story starts when he is taking care of his sick mother. He is working as a bartender and sells drugs for daily survival and to help his foster mother's health. At his pub, he met a girl named Rori burke and fall in love with her. Then the sequence of events leads to the death of his mother
Then Heath and Rori ran away for their lives from the drug dealing mafia gang and also from Rori's abusive father.
Heath always wanted to find his biological parents. His only connection with his biological parents is his ring.
What happened then? Did they survive? Did he find his biological parents? What he can do with that ring? Read it and find out.
While reading this book I felt like a watching an action-packed movie. That's how it is. It's a truly amazing read. It's fast-paced and you get bored at any point. It's a good book read. Happy reading.
Warning: Drugs, Child abuse.
December 24, 2022
An edge of the seat thriller with likeable characters and an interesting story line . Small town crime stories / cop stories really intrigue me and this was no exception .
The protagonist is Heath Walker and we follow him and his life through different phases and events including the death of his mother. This book was action and adventure packed . It will have you hooked from the very first line and have you turning your pages and biting your nails. I’d like to call it an action book more than a thriller but in a good way . Sometimes I had a feeling that the book could have been a little shorter in length nevertheless the power packed actions and fast pace kept me going . 3.5 stars rounded
The protagonist is Heath Walker and we follow him and his life through different phases and events including the death of his mother. This book was action and adventure packed . It will have you hooked from the very first line and have you turning your pages and biting your nails. I’d like to call it an action book more than a thriller but in a good way . Sometimes I had a feeling that the book could have been a little shorter in length nevertheless the power packed actions and fast pace kept me going . 3.5 stars rounded
May 15, 2023
A Thriller That Lives Up to its Name
With an abundance of villains and a lot less heroes, Shadow Valley is chock full of interesting (and frequently violent) characters who rarely hesitate when it comes to inflicting a world of hurt on others. Thrown into the mix is our hero, Heath, a guy who, through no fault of his own, experienced more than his share of trauma growing up. How he will survive (if he does--no spoilers here), is the question that readers will be constantly asking themselves as he battles a seemingly endless series of death-defying adventures, where even the supposed good guys may not be what they seem.
Shadow Valley is a great read for crime readers on the hunt for a non-stop adventure with more peaks and valleys than... Shadow Valley.
With an abundance of villains and a lot less heroes, Shadow Valley is chock full of interesting (and frequently violent) characters who rarely hesitate when it comes to inflicting a world of hurt on others. Thrown into the mix is our hero, Heath, a guy who, through no fault of his own, experienced more than his share of trauma growing up. How he will survive (if he does--no spoilers here), is the question that readers will be constantly asking themselves as he battles a seemingly endless series of death-defying adventures, where even the supposed good guys may not be what they seem.
Shadow Valley is a great read for crime readers on the hunt for a non-stop adventure with more peaks and valleys than... Shadow Valley.
October 13, 2022
Get ready to hold onto your belt...Shadow Valley is definitely a fast paced story with lots and lots of plot twists that you will NOT see coming! I thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists as they left me wanting to read more. The main characters in the book, Heath and Rori, are definitely not the most pleasant people, and I was often left despising them both. I wanted to like them both, but found myself not in the end. As a warning, I will say that the main characters can trigger some feelings for those who have been in similar situations. Overall, I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by Nik Xandir Wolf!
November 15, 2022
This is a noir crime/action book about a guy named Heath who after surviving a lot of abusive foster care homes helps this girl Rori run away from her abusive father. But her dad has hired this guy named Art to get her back and Art can find anybody. This book was very faced paced but also gives flashbacks to Heath’s backstory and how he is connected to Art. It’s told mostly in two POV’s between Art and Heath. I really liked the ways the characters were connected and how their stories were constructed, the prologue was a great way to start it off and the end ties everyone perfectly together. My heart really broke for Heath’s backstory but I’m happy with how this book ended for him.
November 29, 2022
Have you ever come across a character that you genuinely wanted to throttle? To reach into the pages and shake? Heath Walker is THAT character. He is impulsive and immature, buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut fortunately for him, he is also one of those characters that grows on you.
This was a fast read, with sooooooooo many twists and turns! The writing style had me hooked. The words reached out and dragged me in. There was so much information to take in. Heath's backstory is just woah! And Rory? She was PERFECT for him! I wish I could say more but I'm worried about spoilers
I loved every single second of this ride! I really hope this would be turned into a movie!
This was a fast read, with sooooooooo many twists and turns! The writing style had me hooked. The words reached out and dragged me in. There was so much information to take in. Heath's backstory is just woah! And Rory? She was PERFECT for him! I wish I could say more but I'm worried about spoilers
I loved every single second of this ride! I really hope this would be turned into a movie!
January 20, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Bookinfluencers and Nik for sending me a FREE E-ARC COPY to review for them a few months ago. I meant to get to this sooner but time got away but im glad i finally read it and i have to say being my first Beach Thriller i really enjoyed this one.
The Characters were very interesting and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since all the characters drew my interest.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book with the characters.
Overall a Phenomenal Beach Thriller!! Can't wait to read more by Nik in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to Bookinfluencers and Nik for sending me a FREE E-ARC COPY to review for them a few months ago. I meant to get to this sooner but time got away but im glad i finally read it and i have to say being my first Beach Thriller i really enjoyed this one.
The Characters were very interesting and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since all the characters drew my interest.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book with the characters.
Overall a Phenomenal Beach Thriller!! Can't wait to read more by Nik in the future!!
January 3, 2023
I tried to like it. Not particularly well-written, the novel tried to sustain my interest but just couldn't do it. I realize it was an uncorrected proof, but there were glaring grammatical errors everywhere, and it was tough to look past them. Neither of the main characters were likable, and by the end I didn't much care what happened.
On the plus side, I thought the cover was pretty good.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
On the plus side, I thought the cover was pretty good.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
First time reading this author.
As stated above, 1st time reading. Will not be the last.
Two people in love, have a kid. Were mixed up with the cartel. The parents, gave the son to someone to remove to safety.
The boy, ended up in foster care. A horrible experience . At age 12, he was adopted by a Judge and his wife.
His best friend , was making money running drugs. Invited his Buddy to come down for work.
Things got real interesting and violent after that.
Throw an abused girl in the mix, with her abusive law enforcement parent. Things really got wild after that .
As stated above, 1st time reading. Will not be the last.
Two people in love, have a kid. Were mixed up with the cartel. The parents, gave the son to someone to remove to safety.
The boy, ended up in foster care. A horrible experience . At age 12, he was adopted by a Judge and his wife.
His best friend , was making money running drugs. Invited his Buddy to come down for work.
Things got real interesting and violent after that.
Throw an abused girl in the mix, with her abusive law enforcement parent. Things really got wild after that .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews