A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood
After more than a decade, when sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek hear the word mom, it claws like an eagle’s talons, triggering memories that have been their secret since childhood. Until now.
For years, behind the closed doors of their farmhouse in Raymond, Washington, their sadistic mother, Shelly, subjected her girls to unimaginable abuse, degradation, torture, and psychic terrors. Through it all, Nikki, Sami, and Tori developed a defiant bond that made them far less vulnerable than Shelly imagined. Even as others were drawn into their mother’s dark and perverse web, the sisters found the strength and courage to escape an escalating nightmare that culminated in multiple murders.
This book …WOOOF…that is really all I can say. It is A LOT. I mean a lot a lot. There were days when I just couldn’t listen anymore because the story was just so much. Then I would shut it off and almost feel guilty. I could walk away from this horror but Nikki, Sami, and Tori couldn’t. What they girls lived through is unimaginable.
As a reader of true crime, when I saw this book I was very interested. I did a few google searches to see what I was going to be listening to. They did not prepare me for what horrors these kids and the adults around Shelly endured.
I just have to say listening to “The Wallowing” or when Karen was sliding down the icy hill and the after math the kids described I was completely undone. How these girls survive and endured is amazing.
I just want people to know they really need to be ready for this story. I just wish there was more about the investigation but maybe due to who told there want much. The fact that Shelly is out of jail right now is scary as heck!!
Throughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
Get a date for the big gala in four weeks when I thought I could go solo? Challenge, accepted.
Now to find a hot, interesting guy who will dress up for a gala. Last minute. Who doesn’t already have plans on the busiest date night of the year.
But, so far the best part of the search for a great date has been the cute café I found and the geeky-hot owner who keeps rescuing me from these crazy eLove.com dates.
This should be easy-peasy. The internet is the home of all your hopes and needs, right?
Spoiler Alert: it isn’t.
Between the bromance date and the crazed single dad who needs to hire a nanny and housekeeper, not get a date, I’m running out of options.
If only a certain cutey didn’t have a phone call with “sweetheart” every day.
The weirder things get, the more I think just going solo is very I Am Woman, blah blah blah. Forget about the fact that my heart keeps bringing me back to a certain café even when I don’t need to be there…I mean, my heart doesn’t always get what it wants, does it?
I have read a few really heavy and dark books lately. I needed something fun and light hearted. I needed something sweet and fun. I also needed something to spend my audio credit on….hence this book.
Guys, this book was everything I needed. It most definitely took me out of the dark stuff I have been reading into a fun and adorable happy story.
Sarah is in need of a date. Sarah is pushed into online dating due to a “friend” who makes she feel less then because she doesn’t have a boyfriend. The dates are an absolutely horror show to say in the least. She is meeting her dates at a coffee shop when she befriends the shop owner. Slowly they build a friendship when Sarah realizes, Holy crap I love John!
The story was adorable and sweet and I will be grabbing the 2nd one asap. The story was just sweet and funny and everything you need at times.
Bria Quinlan is an award-nominated bestselling author of eight Romantic Comedies and YA Issue Books (that she swears are funny…really. They are.) Her books make you snort Diet Coke out your nose or tear up and curse her name.
Rockstar Elijah Wilder is famous.
Married.
And a father.
Ready to turn his back on the one thing he’s good at, the talent that made him a household name.
I’m a poor nobody.
Struggling to stay in school.
Failing miserably.
Believing I’m wearing the emperor’s new clothing and not fooling anybody.
Elijah and I don’t belong together. We shouldn’t have even met. But when his wife enters rehab, he needs a nanny.
I can’t bring myself to say no.
Familiarity breeds lust, and, when his wife becomes his ex, Elijah and I wind up together. But we’re a bad combination. I’m too young for him and I don’t know what I want. And the longer I stay in the rockstar life…
I’m pretty sure that’s not it.
But Elijah and I try anyway, even with all the odds against us.
1. Dream 2. Play some music 3. Write 4. Blow readers away 5. Repeat
Jade C. Jamison is a steamy romance author, heavy metal fangirl, wife and mom, coffee connoisseur, cat lover, and vegan foodie–not necessarily in that order. She loves life and believes we learn our wisest lessons when reading, especially fiction. Her heroines are fierce, her heroes all but broken, both seeking redemption together. Whether those books are set in a small Colorado town or big city, she strives to take her readers’ breath away…one story at a time.
Drowning in debt, the owner of Stone’s Wolf Sanctuary, Gemma Stone, is as exhausted as she is determined. Not only does she have to win over frightened, injured wolves daily, but she’s tired of those threatening to close her sanctuary down.
It’s not until Eric Jackson walked into her life that she sees a light at the end of the lonely tunnel she’s been traveling. To the surprise of both, they have more in common than either could have ever imagined.
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
O Teresa….you get me…you totally get what I like to read. #ShifterGirl #ParanormalGroupie
If you are a fan of Teresa’s, you will obviously need to buy this one because it’s a new possible series….Teresa???? Thoughts??? Begging??? Ok Pleading!! If you haven’t read her, uhm why? But then this will get you a quick look at her writing and awesomeness. Yes, that is a real word so leave me be.
Ok Gemma is a wear your heart on the sleeve kinda girl. She is going to protect her wolf sanctuary even if the townies and sheriff want her to pack it up and leave. She is following with her passion and protecting her grandfather’s legacy.
Eric is the alpha shifter of a near by pack of wolves. He is looking for a rogue shifter but also looking to see if the legend of a safe place for shifters is true.
When he meets her is stunned that this feisty and sassy human is his mate but also stunned that she cares for these wolves without thinking of her own safety. When Eric joins in the help her during a trying time the sparks fly and the couple end up opening up to what they know and who they are.
I loved the quick book and can’t want for more. I mean Eric’s brothers need a book plus we need to know about the bad guy Eric is tracking!!
Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ‘Protectors Series’. When not writing about sexy alpha vampires and the women who drive them crazy she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole/Kindle, at a MMA event or spending a fun evening with family.
Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time she would love to hear from you!
The mermaid is known for her siren song, luring bedroom-eyed sailors to their demise. However, beneath these misguided myths are tales of escapism and healing, which Lovelace weaves throughout this empowering collection of poetry, taking you on a journey from the sea to the stars. They tried to silence her once and for all, but the mermaid’s voice returns in this one.
From New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan comes the twisted story of one detective’s pursuit of a serial killer who’s taunting her…and the familiar connection between them that’s haunting her.
When Sienna Walker is nearly fired from the NYPD, the last thing she expects is a second chance in the one place she vowed never to return to. But she can’t afford to turn down the job offer, even if a painful familial past and a broken engagement hardly make Reno, Nevada, home sweet home.
It’s made even less sweet by Sienna’s first case—a serial killer with a curious fixation on her. Along with his victims, the killer leaves perplexing clues and chilling journal entries addressed to Sienna detailing the murders he claims his mother committed. The case continues to get personal when her ex-fiancé is called out by the killer as well. Whoever’s behind the diabolical murders, Sienna can only be sure of one thing…it’s someone close to home.
As the twisted truth forces Sienna to face her complicated feelings, she learns that no matter how far you run from your past, it always catches up to you in the end.
Well done, Mia. I was guessing and coming up empty for most of the book until about 75% in and my “what if” was correct. After I picked my jaw up from the floor, I was able to complete this pulse- pounding, thrill ride. I finished over a week ago and it’s still replaying in my head. I love when a book is so well written, with such a unique plot– that you find yourself replaying the details long after THE END.
Sienna is a homicide detective who left Reno behind a long time ago, along with the shattered pieces of her heart. She’s not exactly thrilled when her job transfers to the city she ran from as a teen. A city that still includes the boy, who is now very much a man, who stole her heart all those years ago.
Gavin has it all. Well all that money can buy that is, but there has always been something missing. Her. When a psychopathic serial killer drags them into a sick and twisted game of murder and mayhem. The pair must work together to figure out the identity of sicko before anyone else loses their life. And where the clues led them still has me reeling…
This was an excellent Romantic Suspense. I give it 5 stars!
Mia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven. Mia can be found online at www.miasheridan.com or www.facebook.com/miasheridanauthor.
Try – verb: to make an attempt or effort to do something or in this case…someone.
Sex. Logan Mitchell loves it, and ever since he realized his raw sexual appeal at a young age, he has had no problem using it to his advantage. Men and women alike fall into his bed—after all, Logan is not one to discriminate. He lives by one motto—if something interests you, why not just take a chance and try?
And he wants to try Tate Morrison.
Just coming out of a four-year marriage with an ex-wife from hell, a relationship is the last thing on Tate’s mind. He’s starting fresh and trying to get back on his feet with a new job at an upscale bar in downtown Chicago.
The only problem is, Tate has caught the unwavering and unwelcome attention of Mr. Logan Mitchell – a regular at the bar and a man who always gets what he wants.
Night after night Tate fends off the persistent advances of the undeniably charismatic man, but after an explosive moment in the bar, all bets are off as he finds his body stirring with a different desire than his mind.
As arrogance, stubbornness and sexual tension sizzles between the two, it threatens to change the very course of their lives.
Logan doesn’t do relationships. Tate doesn’t do men. But what would happen if they both just gave in and…tried?
I first read Try back in 2014. It is the book/series that started my love for MM romance. I recommend it to anyone who reads the genre. The other day I decided to pick it up again. I needed a bit of a reset and thought maybe revisiting an old favorite would help with that.
Boy did it ever!
Meet Logan- Sexy as sin, egotistical, self proclaimed playboy. Don’t even get me started on his dirty mouth. Yummy!
Meet Tate- Also sexy as sin, complete opposite of Logan, straight bartender.
I loved these 2 men. One is confident in everything he does. Gives zero Fs about what anyone thinks of him. And he ALWAYS gets what he wants. While the other is unsure. Worried about what everyone thinks of him. Who now has NO idea what he wants.
Logan is persistent in his pursuit of Tate, no matter how many times Tate tells him that he does not DO men. Logan is up for the challenge of proving Tate wrong. However, I’m not sure either man is prepared for what happens when they give in and Try…
Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take,Trust, Tease, Tate, and True, and is the co-author of the fan-favorite PresLocke Series. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.
Cameron Fletcher and Lucas Hensley are advertising executives who have Sixty Five Hours to pull together the campaign of their careers. Sixty Five Hours to get along. Sixty Five Hours to not kill each other. Sixty Five Hours to fall in love.
First edition published in 2012. New Cover in 2019 – No additional content has been added.
An ad agency has 65 hours to put together a campaign that will wow the client. The best 2 ad executives are put on the job. In order to get the job done, they are basically stuck together for the next few days. One begins to wonder is it even possible for them to complete this job in the time allotted? As the clock counts down to the final hour, a new– dare I say– romance begins to form. And what these 2 men discover about themselves and each other as the chapter numbers climbed was incredible. But will any of what they experienced even matter when Monday arrives and reality comes crashing through their bubble?
Oh my gosh! I already want to reread this book. I loved these 2 men, their chemistry, banter, and the entire storyline. Coming out is not easy, it should be but sometimes fear over what others think or how others may react, make coming out for some a bit more difficult, sadly sometimes impossible. I felt Cameron’s pain and struggle but I also was pleased with response from those he loved most. I was rooting for a HEA and I just cannot say enough great things. 65 Hours is going to be one of my annual Pride Month rereads. I give this cute, enemies to lovers, super steamy, coming out story– 5 rainbow stars!
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.
She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since.
i was given this book by the author for an honest review
Waylynn just witnessed her mom telling the guys about her past before she was ever able to. and she is just so shocked and embarrassed to say the least. but once her mom leaves, she lets the guys ask questions and tries to explain the voices and her past the best she can, and the biggest bomb shell that the voices she’s always heard belonged to her guys. things finally settle down and they get back into a flow of life with, Bates introduces Waylynn to his mom and her husband, and they plan to have a big thanksgiving dinner with Bates’ mom and her husband and Waylynn’s parents of course Oz and Memphis. but Waylynn’s mom always has some shit up her sleeve because she has nothing better to do, but Thanksgiving with a surprise guest and a whole lot of crazy hits the fan and a whole new round of I’m not surprised but are you kidding me happens. Will Waylynn stand up to herself with her mom, can Bates, Memphis and Oz really protect her from her past. this is an amazing story with so much heart and love and emotions that get you wrapped up and makes you feel it to your core. I’m so sad this is the last book but what an amazing ride.
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#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries Liberate Us (TNG 8) by J.M. Walker
-Amber- He was mean. Domineering. Possessive. Sammy Butcher had an outer layer he showed to the world. But I got the side of him I had been craving since I first met him. After the first man I had ever loved was taken from me, I didn’t know how to open up and trust again. But Sammy made it his mission to let me see him. The real him. Kind and gentle, two things I never thought I would get from him. He also showed me that as long as it was with the right person, I could embrace my deepest and darkest fantasies. I wanted to be his pet but more than that, I wanted to be his. In every sense of the word. For good.
-Sammy- She was beautiful. Seductive. And a brat. Amber Bishop could very well bring me to my knees just from saying my name alone. With her vibrant red hair and pale skin, I wanted to leave my touch on every inch of her. She had a hard time trusting. Couldn’t say I blamed her. I wasn’t known to be a nice guy. I wasn’t the hero in a romance book. I said and did whatever I wanted, whatever the outcome. But I wanted to be better. For her. For us. No matter how long it took, I would show her she could trust me, and I would take care of her. I would fight for her. Even if it destroyed us.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review
Sammy is the big grump of the group and had to recently share his brother as Cyrus had finally found his other half and was completely changed. Now that Sammy had gotten use to sharing his brother he wanted his own pet and happily ever after or his version of it, and he had his eyes set on Amber aka red. Amber has been through a lot of past trauma with her new dead husband who was a part of the same biker club as Sammy just a different chapter, Amber has a lot of trust issues but she loves being a brat and Sammy loves a challenge, these two are absolutely perfect together, he pushed her to find herself more and she test his patience more than he ever thought someone could, but they make it work. But will her past come in between them faster than Amber thought it would and will Sammy really be able to save her from not only herself but from her past club that isn’t fully done with her, or can they overcome everything and be happily in and out of the bedroom. OMG this book was on fire so freaking hot, I love Sammy and Red’s chemistry and the banter between them is the best. Red is so sassy and I’m all for it.
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#wotr #attendingauthor #seriesstarter The Sweetest Things (Starlight Harbor 1) by Bria Quinlan
Starlight Harbor’s Sweetheart has had enough…
Lyra Grigor is the easy going, sweet, smile-at-everyone owner of The Sweetest Things. When an annoying travel site puts Starlight Harbor on their Top Ten Tacky Tiny Towns list for the fourth year running, she knows it’s time to give the writer a bit of spicy tart instead of a teaspoon of sugar.
An outsider who just wants out…
Spence Côte has no idea what hit his site. Nearly a thousand replies on some little baker’s comment and everything has blown up. Since the site is up for sale, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Now he has to drive up to the middle of nowhere coast of Maine and get this resolved. ASAP.
Two worlds collide…
Between the puppies dressed as pirates, the older women masquerading as tavern wenches, and the sweetest little baker he’s ever seen, Spence knows Starlight Harbor might not just be freakishly adorable….it might be what he’d been looking for.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review
All it took was one comment on a blog site to set Lyra off, she didnt know what she was getting herself into but noone was going to tarnish her business or small town as long as she was around. After the comment on his site Spence thought he should drive all night to Starlight Habor and apologize to the older lady who owns the bakery there and threated to sue him if he didnt fix it. well little did he knew he was walking into the shop of a 5 foot 4 spitfire that wasnt backing down until her little town was righted. Once Spence say Lyra it was game over he was love struck and had really opened his eyes and fell in love with the small town and even more with the bakery owner. but will this riff bring them together or with Lyra listening in on a phone call Spence was having ruin them. Fall in love with this small town the spat between Lyra and Spence and even Captain Jack (you will need to read to find out) but this was such a sweet story and a fast read.
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#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries #standalone Novelty (Dollhouse 3) by Albany Walker
A Standalone Novel created in the Dollhouse World.
Retribution has been my only friend. The desire to make those that hurt me pay, my only solace but one act of humanity and I’m taken with my would be rescuer.
Thoughts of him fill my head until I’m as obsessed with him as I am with getting rid of those that tried to break me. Too bad for him being in my crosshairs only brings death, proving no good deed goes unpunished.
She thinks I don’t know she’s there, waiting, watching, but I see her. I don’t know what she wants, but I’m willing to let her play her game until I decide to end it.
Novelty is a MF contemporary standalone novel created in the Dollhouse World. It is intended for mature audiences and contains adult content.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review
A dead lawyer in the area of the Dollhouse has Winger wondering if it was meant to be a hit or a warning to his guys, either way he was on guard. Maxine was someone he never thought was a killer and when she followed him home one night, he was all about wanting to know who sent her and was he her next target. After Maxine got stabbed Winger took her to a safe apartment and got her on the road to getting better. But neither of them had any idea just how dangerous the other is or could be. and being in the same place 24/7 will they start to catch feelings for each other, or will Winger really land his name on Maxine’s hit list when or if he ever lets her leave. ugh once again Albany hits it out of the park and the bantering between these two is just hilarious, I love the dollhouse world and can’t wait for more.
#wotr #attendingauthor #seriestarter #audio Reckless (Room for Love 1) by Kate Hawthorne narrated by Evan Carolina
Pursuing your best friend’s dad is never a good idea, but Cameron Motel is feeling reckless. His life is about to change, and Luke is older, attractive…and he represents something Cameron has never had before.
Stability.
Luke didn’t mean to get involved with his son’s best friend, but Cameron needed a strong hand and Luke was willing to deliver on his promises.
This thing between them is supposed to be a secret, but something as big as love can’t stay hidden for long. Then a single phone call sends Cameron further away from home than he’d ever planned to go, and Luke’s subconscious keeps him grounded in the past unable to move on.
Cameron is gone, and to get him back, Luke needs to do something big, something bold, something…reckless.
I was given this audiobook from the author for an honest review
Luke was getting over dealing with a brake up with his partner, now it was just him and his son Eddie and his friend Cameron was over most of the time. Well, when Cameron had to listen to Eddie wack one out one of the nights he was staying over while Eddie was in the shower, Cameron thought he might as well jerk one out too while he was alone. Cameron didn’t time his ending very well and next thing he knew not only was Eddie back in the room, but Eddie’s dad was now looking at him and well it made him feel things he didn’t know if he wanted to feel. Luke and Cameron started hooking up behind Eddie’s back and oh did the steamy fling happen. Both were happy until Cameron’s dad died, and he was forced to move to help his brother’s run the family hotel. Will distance slip these two up, will the huge age gap be the issue, or will they make it work and be happy for the rest of their life. OMG this audio was amazing, and this story was just as great the brattiness from Cameron with Luke and the steamy chemistry between them was just woah steamy.
When we’re children, we never believe bad stuff can happen to us. I’m here to say that it does, that it did to me, but I came out on top. I won when everyone said I couldn’t.
I’ve learned over the years to live my life one day at a time. You never know what tomorrow will bring, how it can change you, or if it might be your last.
Take the chances you’ve been afraid to take.
Do the things you’ve always wanted to do.
And live life with no regrets.
I found love when I thought I wouldn’t. I’ve found faith when I thought I couldn’t, and now I’m fighting a battle I’m not sure I can win.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review.
This story…It packs a punch, and the hit comes when you are least expecting it.
Bailey has grown up long before her actual age. She has dealt with many things that many kids her age don’t have to deal with. This trauma she endured made her cut off from others. She is so afraid of getting hurt and hurting others she comes across “cold” or even “aloof”. She has her bestie and that is al that matters…until Dex.
Dex sees Bailey he is going to do all he can to get her to notice him. He pushes her and confronts her on her crap. He also gets her to dare and dream of a future. I mean Bailey does a full 360 with her personality. When the shoe drops and the story ends, we are left a mess. We are left hoping and hurting. We are left destroyed.
I gotta admit I am so hoping I know what happens in the 2nd part of this duet. I need to know my people will be ok.
Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the dance studio, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’.
