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Little Town #1
Blood Ties
Beautiful, arrogant and lawless, the Bycrafts have menaced the tiny isolated mountain settlement of ‘Little Town’ for generations in a one-family crime wave. The Bycraft women are uncontrollable, the men violently obsessive and their kids feral. And nobody in town has suffered at their hands as much as the Fuller family.
Surviving a traumatic childhood and the continued focus of sustained aggression from the Bycrafts, Tess Fuller has grown up scarred and wary, highly skilled in self-defence and armed at all times. Although glad to escape to the city at the first opportunity, her dying father brings Tess back to her home town. To support him she abandons her promising city cop career to take up duties as the town’s junior officer. But with a lazy, retiring sergeant as her only colleague and working the state’s worst resourced station, Tess has become increasingly lawless herself trying to police the hostile Bycrafts.
Out on parole, predatory Red Bycraft is a constant threatening presence, and Tess’ life is further complicated by her widely condemned relationship with his brother, Jake.
Tess’ new sergeant, Finn Maguire, is unimpressed with her approach to the job. He’s from the city – obstinate, taciturn and by-the-books. She’s grown used to working solo and struggles to be subordinate again, especially when he proves patronising and unwilling to respect her abilities or local knowledge. But they must work together to solve the intersecting mysteries of possible land fraud, an abandoned suitcase of money and a peeping tom with a preference for older women. All the while, Tess is the target of a revengeful week of escalating violence that ends in a dangerous confrontation with a gang of Bycraft men. Can Tess and the Sarge put aside their differences, team up to save her life and finally bring some order to Little Town?
Surviving a traumatic childhood and the continued focus of sustained aggression from the Bycrafts, Tess Fuller has grown up scarred and wary, highly skilled in self-defence and armed at all times. Although glad to escape to the city at the first opportunity, her dying father brings Tess back to her home town. To support him she abandons her promising city cop career to take up duties as the town’s junior officer. But with a lazy, retiring sergeant as her only colleague and working the state’s worst resourced station, Tess has become increasingly lawless herself trying to police the hostile Bycrafts.
Out on parole, predatory Red Bycraft is a constant threatening presence, and Tess’ life is further complicated by her widely condemned relationship with his brother, Jake.
Tess’ new sergeant, Finn Maguire, is unimpressed with her approach to the job. He’s from the city – obstinate, taciturn and by-the-books. She’s grown used to working solo and struggles to be subordinate again, especially when he proves patronising and unwilling to respect her abilities or local knowledge. But they must work together to solve the intersecting mysteries of possible land fraud, an abandoned suitcase of money and a peeping tom with a preference for older women. All the while, Tess is the target of a revengeful week of escalating violence that ends in a dangerous confrontation with a gang of Bycraft men. Can Tess and the Sarge put aside their differences, team up to save her life and finally bring some order to Little Town?
387 pages, Nook
First published July 7, 2011
107 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Nixon
10 books938 followersI am an indie Australian author with seven ebooks published through Smashwords: Heller, Blood Ties, Heller's Revenge, Blood Sport, Heller's Girlfriend, Heller's Punishment and Blood Feud. I'm currently working on the fifth in the Heller series, titled Heller's Decision.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
November 10, 2014
4 STARS!!!!
What can I say, I'm still hooked on J D Nixon. I just LOVE her incredibly endearing characters and her fabulously witty and gritty humor all tied together with a gripping storyline, an off-limits alluring alpha and a trouble-magnet heroine that never fails to capture not only my heart but everyone else's as well.
This one takes place in an incredibly small mountain town in Australia, where Tess Fuller just happens to be one of the two police officers presiding in a two-cop town. And let me tell you...two cops is not nearly enough manpower to maintain order in this family-feuding back-country town. And Tess Fuller, unfortunately is at the center of that family being one of the only two Fullers' left amongst an entire tribe of Bycrafts.'
The Fullers have been victimized relentlessly over the past century by the infamous, deviant and unfortunately beautiful clan of Bycrafts, who have been procreating with wicked abandon to an ungodly number of repugnant souls over the past few years. And they are gunning for Tess in vicious way.
Fortunately, Tess just got a new partner/boss, Sergeant Finn Maguire, who is replacing her over-the-hill, lazy, drunken former boss Des. Finn is young, good looking, and appalled at the current conditions she has been forced into working under. But he is also stern, and often bad-tempered, and Tess finds that working with him might just me more trouble than its worth.
But Sergeant Maguire soon finds that things are much more out of control here in Mount Big Town than he could have ever imagined. And he is also finding out that his biggest job yet will be keeping his new partner alive.
And it is more than apparent that there just might be a good bit more to his partner than he thought. The sexual tension is definitely building between Tess and Finn ... and I suspect a soon to comeHeller-like relationship ahead. Regardless of Tess's current boyfriend...none other than Jake BYCRAFT, (yep a Bycraft, who'd a thought?) and Finn's mysteriously absent long-term fiancé, Melissa.
I can't wait to see where this story goes. Poor Tess is in constant danger from the Bycraft family, especially from the oldest and meanest of the bunch, Red Bycraft, who also happens to be her boyfriend's older brother, and who also happens to be obsessed with raping and killing her (no joke). How Jake could let that go, I just don't get.
So the adventures continue, Tess and Finn struggle to keep their town in order, and keep the Bycrafts at bay. They fight to establish a new stronger police presence in the town, and struggle to find a way to work together as a team and grow closer and closer to each other without even knowing it.
Nixon has such a way with these stories. I find they read like an on-going TV show at times. They have a wonderful way of blending the hilarity of real life with suspenseful and often violent situations that can practically bring you to tears. Her heroines are so incredibly likable, and tough, and sensitive. I find myself addicted to the stories. So here I am moving on again...to the next book, when I wasn't even planning on starting this series yet. I only started the first book by accident, picking it up and skimming to see if I would like it, and the next thing I knew, I was halfway through.
I'm giving this one 4 STARS!!!!
My pics...
Senior Constable Teresa "Tess" Fuller
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Sergeant Finn Maguire
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Jake "Honeyboy" Bycraft
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What can I say, I'm still hooked on J D Nixon. I just LOVE her incredibly endearing characters and her fabulously witty and gritty humor all tied together with a gripping storyline, an off-limits alluring alpha and a trouble-magnet heroine that never fails to capture not only my heart but everyone else's as well.
This one takes place in an incredibly small mountain town in Australia, where Tess Fuller just happens to be one of the two police officers presiding in a two-cop town. And let me tell you...two cops is not nearly enough manpower to maintain order in this family-feuding back-country town. And Tess Fuller, unfortunately is at the center of that family being one of the only two Fullers' left amongst an entire tribe of Bycrafts.'
The Fullers have been victimized relentlessly over the past century by the infamous, deviant and unfortunately beautiful clan of Bycrafts, who have been procreating with wicked abandon to an ungodly number of repugnant souls over the past few years. And they are gunning for Tess in vicious way.
Fortunately, Tess just got a new partner/boss, Sergeant Finn Maguire, who is replacing her over-the-hill, lazy, drunken former boss Des. Finn is young, good looking, and appalled at the current conditions she has been forced into working under. But he is also stern, and often bad-tempered, and Tess finds that working with him might just me more trouble than its worth.
But Sergeant Maguire soon finds that things are much more out of control here in Mount Big Town than he could have ever imagined. And he is also finding out that his biggest job yet will be keeping his new partner alive.
And it is more than apparent that there just might be a good bit more to his partner than he thought. The sexual tension is definitely building between Tess and Finn ... and I suspect a soon to comeHeller-like relationship ahead. Regardless of Tess's current boyfriend...none other than Jake BYCRAFT, (yep a Bycraft, who'd a thought?) and Finn's mysteriously absent long-term fiancé, Melissa.
I can't wait to see where this story goes. Poor Tess is in constant danger from the Bycraft family, especially from the oldest and meanest of the bunch, Red Bycraft, who also happens to be her boyfriend's older brother, and who also happens to be obsessed with raping and killing her (no joke). How Jake could let that go, I just don't get.
So the adventures continue, Tess and Finn struggle to keep their town in order, and keep the Bycrafts at bay. They fight to establish a new stronger police presence in the town, and struggle to find a way to work together as a team and grow closer and closer to each other without even knowing it.
Nixon has such a way with these stories. I find they read like an on-going TV show at times. They have a wonderful way of blending the hilarity of real life with suspenseful and often violent situations that can practically bring you to tears. Her heroines are so incredibly likable, and tough, and sensitive. I find myself addicted to the stories. So here I am moving on again...to the next book, when I wasn't even planning on starting this series yet. I only started the first book by accident, picking it up and skimming to see if I would like it, and the next thing I knew, I was halfway through.
I'm giving this one 4 STARS!!!!
My pics...
Senior Constable Teresa "Tess" Fuller
Sergeant Finn Maguire
Jake "Honeyboy" Bycraft
May 10, 2016
Tess Fuller had been the local cop at Little Town for the past two years since returning from the city to care for her father. Not wanting to return to the town of her birth, and the place where she’d suffered a terrible trauma at the hands of the local Bycraft family, nevertheless the wishes of her father came first. The Bycrafts had been traumatising the people of the area for decades, especially the Fuller family, and had no thought for the law with their violence and malevolence legendary.
But Tess was tough – she was determined not to let the Bycrafts beat her and Red, the eldest son, was the worst of the bunch. He was currently out on bail and determined to make life hard for Tess. Des, the Sergeant and Tess’ boss was leaving Little Town on his retirement, and a new cop would join Tess. She had no illusions about change though – she’d been working as the only cop with no help from Des – why would a cop from the city make any difference?
While Tess’ boyfriend was also one of the Bycrafts, Jake was the only one who was different – kind, caring and with a full time job as an officer in the local jail, he was also highly respected. Though Tess knew nothing would come of their relationship – there was no way she was marrying into the Bycraft family – she was enjoying Jake’s attentions. But it also created many problems…
When Sergeant Finn Maguire arrived in town she wondered what had struck her! But within a short period of time she had more to worry about than the taciturn and decidedly grumpy Sarge. With a peeping tom, fraud and abandoned money to cope with alongside the Bycrafts, Tess wondered whether she’d make it out alive…
Blood Ties by Aussie author J.D. Nixon is the first in the Little Town series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some great laugh out loud moments, with gripping tension and a fast paced plot, this novel was pure entertainment. I will admit to picking it up because it was a freebie, and then reading it as I needed an “X” for a challenge; but I’m so pleased I’ve finally read it and will definitely be reading more from this author. Highly recommended.
But Tess was tough – she was determined not to let the Bycrafts beat her and Red, the eldest son, was the worst of the bunch. He was currently out on bail and determined to make life hard for Tess. Des, the Sergeant and Tess’ boss was leaving Little Town on his retirement, and a new cop would join Tess. She had no illusions about change though – she’d been working as the only cop with no help from Des – why would a cop from the city make any difference?
While Tess’ boyfriend was also one of the Bycrafts, Jake was the only one who was different – kind, caring and with a full time job as an officer in the local jail, he was also highly respected. Though Tess knew nothing would come of their relationship – there was no way she was marrying into the Bycraft family – she was enjoying Jake’s attentions. But it also created many problems…
When Sergeant Finn Maguire arrived in town she wondered what had struck her! But within a short period of time she had more to worry about than the taciturn and decidedly grumpy Sarge. With a peeping tom, fraud and abandoned money to cope with alongside the Bycrafts, Tess wondered whether she’d make it out alive…
Blood Ties by Aussie author J.D. Nixon is the first in the Little Town series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some great laugh out loud moments, with gripping tension and a fast paced plot, this novel was pure entertainment. I will admit to picking it up because it was a freebie, and then reading it as I needed an “X” for a challenge; but I’m so pleased I’ve finally read it and will definitely be reading more from this author. Highly recommended.
November 28, 2015
I'm in a bit of a reviewing funk at the moment so this is all I have for you.
A first time read of this author and I have to say I enjoyed her writing. Her characters are creative and there was an easy flow to the plot.
I loved Tess, Sergeant Maguire (Finn) and the sexy Jake Bycraft. And then you have crazy Detective Fiona Midden. The stuff she would say had me laughing and cringing at the same time! Loved her.
And Lets not forget about the rest of the Bycraft family. I'm not sure what else to say but...
On to book #2.
A first time read of this author and I have to say I enjoyed her writing. Her characters are creative and there was an easy flow to the plot.
I loved Tess, Sergeant Maguire (Finn) and the sexy Jake Bycraft. And then you have crazy Detective Fiona Midden. The stuff she would say had me laughing and cringing at the same time! Loved her.
And Lets not forget about the rest of the Bycraft family. I'm not sure what else to say but...
On to book #2.
February 20, 2015
4.5 stars!! Looks like I found another great series! I'm a huge Heller series fan so I should have known that the Little Town series would be great, too. On to book 2!
March 23, 2014
3 StArS
Although the start was a little slow, this story was full of action. Nixon has a wonderful knack for creating quirky characters that keep you entertained, and slow burning romantic love interests keep you wondering if anything will happen.
The Fullers and the Bycrafts have been at odds with each other for centuries.
Tess Fuller is a police officer in Little Town where the Bycrafts pretty much do as they want, and have menaced the small town for far too long!!
In steps the new sergeant Finn Maguire straight from the city.....he's obstinate, taciturn and by-the-book and also extremely good looking. He is pretty much unimpressed with Tess and the old sergeant's approach to the towns policing.
Tess finds the new sarge patronising and unwilling to respect her abilities or local knowledge of the towns folk and town. This makes life in Little Town quite eventful!!
For me it was a bit drawn out, but saying that as always Nixon has me thinking shall I continue on with this story....for now I've yet to make up my mind.
Although the start was a little slow, this story was full of action. Nixon has a wonderful knack for creating quirky characters that keep you entertained, and slow burning romantic love interests keep you wondering if anything will happen.
The Fullers and the Bycrafts have been at odds with each other for centuries.
Tess Fuller is a police officer in Little Town where the Bycrafts pretty much do as they want, and have menaced the small town for far too long!!
In steps the new sergeant Finn Maguire straight from the city.....he's obstinate, taciturn and by-the-book and also extremely good looking. He is pretty much unimpressed with Tess and the old sergeant's approach to the towns policing.
Tess finds the new sarge patronising and unwilling to respect her abilities or local knowledge of the towns folk and town. This makes life in Little Town quite eventful!!
For me it was a bit drawn out, but saying that as always Nixon has me thinking shall I continue on with this story....for now I've yet to make up my mind.
October 1, 2013
I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about reading this book because I have read her Heller book series and have a love/hate relationship with it. I enjoy the story and the secondary characters but HATE Heller and Tilly's ridiculous relationship. I figured this first book was a free download so I might as well give it a try and I enjoyed this story a lot more but this author seems to enjoy writing her characters in a very similar way and that is probably the thing I disliked most about this story.
Ms. Nixon very much enjoys having her female lead character getting beat up while the male lead almost never gets so much as a scratch. I mean seriously these women are OFTEN beat within an inch of her life and it's usually because the male did something stupid that put her in a situation that led to the beating. Ms. Nixon also seems to enjoy writing males that run hot & cold - They are always back & forth on how they feel about the female and how they treat her. The men in Ms. Nixon's books tend to love double standards and often talk down to the female and the females usually just take the abuse or give very little complaint about it. The men also love to throw blame at the females when bad things happen even when the events were not in their control. At one point in this book the female stayed up all night with a prisoner while the male slept in a nice cozy bed and then he expected her to work a full day and got angry at her when she had had enough after some crazy situations and wanted to go home. These things are what make us the reader hate the men in these books.
That said, and while these things did happen in Blood Ties, they weren't nearly as frequently as they were in Heller. Finn, the male lead in Blood Ties, is much more tolerable than Heller. Heller is just a dick to Tilly and is only interested in himself but Finn really seems to care for Tess and her well being... he just gets caught up in his own bad moods sometimes and makes bad calls. But for the most part he is a likeable character. I like this story too, the Bycrafts are really terrible people and I feel just as frustrated as Tess when they are around. The story is mostly about police work, or lack thereof, in this yokel little town. The relationship aspect is secondary. The writing is good, the characters are developed well, the story is interesting. I was pulled in. I look forward to starting book two.
November 12, 2017
Overall rating: 5 stars
Writing style: 5 stars
Story: 4 stars
Flow of the story: 4 stars
Character development: 5 stars
Hero: 3 stars
Heroine: 5 stars
Secondary characters: 5 stars
Tone of the book: 5 stars
Emotion evoking: 4 stars
Originality: 5 stars
Enjoyment: 5 stars
Effect on me: 4 stars
Writing style: 5 stars
Story: 4 stars
Flow of the story: 4 stars
Character development: 5 stars
Hero: 3 stars
Heroine: 5 stars
Secondary characters: 5 stars
Tone of the book: 5 stars
Emotion evoking: 4 stars
Originality: 5 stars
Enjoyment: 5 stars
Effect on me: 4 stars
November 11, 2013
Gahh I love this author and everything she writes.I was in the mood for something that would totally blow me away that was amazeballs so
I decided to read another JD nixon book (the author of heller). I started her little town series and finished book 1. I loved it! lt was fantastic. Hilarious & engaging. Such a great story. Unlike anything I have ever read before. I shall move onto book 2 tonight. Her books are fantastic.
The good
1) Unique story line fantastic characters engaging plot
2) Amazing writing, simple straightforward, uncomplicated or busy
3) Hilarious characters who are vulnerable yet strong, multifaceted and complex with dynamic backgrounds and experiences
4) Nobody writes an ending like JD Nixon. I love the way she wraps up a book that gives you closure but hints at more fun adventures.
5) I will read anything by this author because I know it will be top notch.
I decided to read another JD nixon book (the author of heller). I started her little town series and finished book 1. I loved it! lt was fantastic. Hilarious & engaging. Such a great story. Unlike anything I have ever read before. I shall move onto book 2 tonight. Her books are fantastic.
The good
1) Unique story line fantastic characters engaging plot
2) Amazing writing, simple straightforward, uncomplicated or busy
3) Hilarious characters who are vulnerable yet strong, multifaceted and complex with dynamic backgrounds and experiences
4) Nobody writes an ending like JD Nixon. I love the way she wraps up a book that gives you closure but hints at more fun adventures.
5) I will read anything by this author because I know it will be top notch.
November 15, 2025
Uhhhhhh….my brain can’t form a review because the rambling in this book killed any thoughts I had.
August 22, 2015
This rather quirky novel portrays the struggles of Tess Fuller, a one woman police force in a small fictional town. Tess is often on the receiving end of sexual harassment and other forms of bullying by a group of redneck ruffians named the Bycrafts. Her own mother had been raped and killed by older generation Bycrafts and Tess as a little girl had witnessed this horrific event. Thus there is a lot of bad blood between her and the Bycraft clan, except for Jake Bycraft, the one good guy in a rotten bunch who counts Tess as his girlfriend.
Enter Sarge Maguire, a former big city Cop who has been assigned to serve as Tess's backup. Together set out to restore order to a town that is hostage to the extremely criminal Bycraft bunch.
I think the story is an excellent tale that mirrors what life in a small rural community can be like - where a long established clan of lowlifes can sometimes have people consumed by fear. Having once lived in a small rural town in Pennsylvania where one big shot once told me "You're not one of us and never will be" I could identify with the plight of Tess. I found myself rooting for Tess and Sarge all along the story and think it has an ending that will satisfy anyone with a good heart.
Enter Sarge Maguire, a former big city Cop who has been assigned to serve as Tess's backup. Together set out to restore order to a town that is hostage to the extremely criminal Bycraft bunch.
I think the story is an excellent tale that mirrors what life in a small rural community can be like - where a long established clan of lowlifes can sometimes have people consumed by fear. Having once lived in a small rural town in Pennsylvania where one big shot once told me "You're not one of us and never will be" I could identify with the plight of Tess. I found myself rooting for Tess and Sarge all along the story and think it has an ending that will satisfy anyone with a good heart.
July 30, 2023
This is my first time reading J. D. Nixon and I wasn't sure what to expect. I've heard some people refer to her books as chick lit, some as mystery, some as romance, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
After reading it, I understand the confusion. The book isn't easy to shoe-horn into any one genre, having elements of multiple genres.
The mystery part of the story wasn't bad at all. I quite enjoyed it and didn't figure it out too quickly. The writing style was easy and smooth. I could easily picture the environment and people. Parts of the book were very funny.
The characters annoyed the crap out of me. Contradictory behavior, causing their own problems, making stupid choices, being in relationships that made zero sense, being strong physically but weak emotionally. I grew more and more frustrated with every one of them the further I read. At the end I found myself relieved to have finished the book and not having to put up with them anymore. It was quitting a job that you might not have minded had you not hated your coworkers so much.
#havesineselfrespect #stopcausingyourownproblems #shesanidiot
After reading it, I understand the confusion. The book isn't easy to shoe-horn into any one genre, having elements of multiple genres.
The mystery part of the story wasn't bad at all. I quite enjoyed it and didn't figure it out too quickly. The writing style was easy and smooth. I could easily picture the environment and people. Parts of the book were very funny.
The characters annoyed the crap out of me. Contradictory behavior, causing their own problems, making stupid choices, being in relationships that made zero sense, being strong physically but weak emotionally. I grew more and more frustrated with every one of them the further I read. At the end I found myself relieved to have finished the book and not having to put up with them anymore. It was quitting a job that you might not have minded had you not hated your coworkers so much.
#havesineselfrespect #stopcausingyourownproblems #shesanidiot
August 31, 2012
This was a thoroughly engrossing book I picked up for free for my NOOK. I tend to be wary of free books, quality varies greatly. However, I finished this book and immediately picked up the next.
The main character Tess Fuller is a police officer in a very small town. Her arch enemies the Bycraft clan make her life miserable. The bad blood between the Bycrafts and the Fullers goes back a very long ways. The MC gets the hell beat out of her a number of times. She has a new boss who doesn't think much of her or the town. Her devoted boyfriend is a Bycraft. Her father is dying and they have very little money to fix up their house.
I'm not sure what genre this e-book fits. I filed it under 'women's fiction' It's not a traditional mystery with a dead body in the first chapter. It's good, solid entertainment, engrossing with well-developed characters. Some of the language isn't for the easily offended, but it is appropriate for the characters.
I don't usually give 5 stars - but this is a 5 star book.
The main character Tess Fuller is a police officer in a very small town. Her arch enemies the Bycraft clan make her life miserable. The bad blood between the Bycrafts and the Fullers goes back a very long ways. The MC gets the hell beat out of her a number of times. She has a new boss who doesn't think much of her or the town. Her devoted boyfriend is a Bycraft. Her father is dying and they have very little money to fix up their house.
I'm not sure what genre this e-book fits. I filed it under 'women's fiction' It's not a traditional mystery with a dead body in the first chapter. It's good, solid entertainment, engrossing with well-developed characters. Some of the language isn't for the easily offended, but it is appropriate for the characters.
I don't usually give 5 stars - but this is a 5 star book.
June 10, 2017
First time read of this author and I LOVE her style! Really gritty, it grabs you by the throat, (quite literally in Tess' case) and gives you a good shake before it lets you go. You run the full gamut of emotions and even through the tension amped thrills you get more than a few good chuckles in.
Fiona was a scream that made you laugh and cringe at the same time and dare I admit it, we have a family or two similar to the Bycrafts in my small country town. It will be interesting to see what the story arc will be for this series although at a guess I'd say it would definitely include the inbred evil miscreant Red. I sincerely hope Tess manages to hang his balls like furry dice off the rear view mirror.
I have also downloaded the first book in the author's "Heller" series so it will be interesting to compare the two. Highly, highly recommended - although a stiff spine will be needed for some due to the profanity.
Fiona was a scream that made you laugh and cringe at the same time and dare I admit it, we have a family or two similar to the Bycrafts in my small country town. It will be interesting to see what the story arc will be for this series although at a guess I'd say it would definitely include the inbred evil miscreant Red. I sincerely hope Tess manages to hang his balls like furry dice off the rear view mirror.
I have also downloaded the first book in the author's "Heller" series so it will be interesting to compare the two. Highly, highly recommended - although a stiff spine will be needed for some due to the profanity.
October 29, 2012
I found this book annoying and unsatisfying. Tess, the small town cop, is simply not believable. On the one hand, she sleeps with a knife because she feels that she's in constant danger, but on the other hand, when her enemies are around, she acts foolishly and gets into trouble. Her profanity, overreacting, and lack of a feel for appropriate behaviour when she's speaking to her boyfriend in the presence of others, make her a difficult character to sympathize with. Her relationship with her boyfriend is unrealistic, and she bounces around so much with her feelings for her new partner that it's sometimes hard to follow. And then, because the story does seem to be leading somewhere, I waded through all of that and found the ending a total anticlimax, completely unsatisfying. Wish I hadn't read it, I much preferred Heller.
September 19, 2012
Apparently there are tons of books titled "Blood Ties." This one is written by an Australian author, J.D. Nixon and she uses a lot of slang, which is one thing I had to get used to. The main character, Tess Fuller, is a deputy sheriff in a small town (called "Little Town), and her family has a long history of feuding with the Bycraft family (like the Hatfields and McCoys). She continually confronts the Bycrafts and gets beat up all the time. It doesn't occur to her to maybe get into a different line of work-I found this implausible. Also, Nixon didn't wrap up loose ends at the book's conclusion. It is also long-500+ pages. I give it a 'meh.'
November 14, 2011
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was a free friday selection via my nook. It started out slow, but really picked up. Some of the story line was a bit unbelievable, but if you look past some of the exaggerations then you will get a pretty good read. I really thought that the two cops would get together by the end of the book, but actually that would likely be a bit far-fetched. It's a fairly large book, with roughly 800 pages, but it held my interest.
Good read!
Good read!
April 4, 2016
At times brutally graphic violence while at other times filled with scenes of overwhelming heat this story combines the best and the worst humanity has to offer. As if that were not intense enough the ongoing mystery element keeps one guessing until the final twist is exposed.
Not for those easily shocked or unable to stomach the realism of the seedier side of life the author exposes to the fullest in this story.
Not for those easily shocked or unable to stomach the realism of the seedier side of life the author exposes to the fullest in this story.
August 9, 2011
A great read, full of interesting and kooky good characters and a bunch of evil ones. There are twist and turns galore and conflict at the end of each page. I'll read more of J.D. Nixon's books
January 27, 2012
So much language! That’s the only reason I gave it 3 instead of 4 stars. Tess was a strong, resilient police officer full of girl power and it was awesome!
February 5, 2012
I got this book as a free Nook Book. COULD NOT put it down! The writing was so captivating at times my stomach was in knots hoping Tessa was going to be OK.
Can't wait to find the next one.
Can't wait to find the next one.
November 21, 2012
Appalling. This book contained so much violence against women, and almost normalized this, it turned my stomach.
January 3, 2015
Review pending.
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
November 14, 2019
This is an excellently written book with fantastic well fleshed out characters and poignant emotive dialogue. The only downfall of Blood Ties is the often excruciating violence against Tess Fuller by the Bycraft family in general and how it seems to be continually brushed aside by herself also.
Many of the male characters including her boyfriend Jake Bycraft (a member of the very family that’s abusing her and trying to murder her daily) and her boss Sergeant Finn Maguire often don’t listen to her. Her boss ‘Sarge’ forces her to work on days after she’s been brutally assaulted, parading around the town for the local folk to take in her many cuts and contusions, all for the sake of good police work - this would have been acceptable perhaps if Tess herself had not been completely overworked and had had at least one day off that past month, but she didn’t.
Tess’ relationship with Jake Bycraft is one I can’t fathom. I didn’t understand his appeal in any way apart from her slobbering all over him because of his good looks and bedroom prowess. If anything, why would someone get romantically involved with a member of a family actively setting out to murder you? She does love him, but the horrifying daily verbal and physical attacks against her are uncomfortably dismissed far too often by Jake because of his reluctance to speak out against his family. If he is as good as Tess praises him to be shouldn’t he be good enough to defend her rather than stand idly by? He’s just as bad if not worse because of his inability to get involved.
Red, Karl, Al, and Grae (Jake’s brothers and cousins) break in to the police station while Tess is alone and attack her, beat her, and threaten to rape and murder her like their relatives did her mother. The Bycrafts did this because the ‘Sarge’ Finn Maguire put the matron of the family, Lola Bycraft in the lock up for spitting at him. The fact that Jake was not outrageously disgusted with his family - was vile. How any self respecting woman can let herself be entangled in a relationship with a man who doesn’t support her fully when it comes to her life, is beyond me. He has witnessed her numerous times having to walk bloodied and bruised into his workplace (the local prison) for medical treatment by the prison doctor because there is no town GP most of the time due to his family’s violent abasement of her. Yes Jake for all of this never seems to focus on her injuries or how he can aid her, but just kisses her forehead and offers to make it better with sex.
Nixon’s writing is moving. I admired Tess’ devotion to her father and her strength of will but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to yell at her to leave the town and break up with her useless boyfriend ‘Jakey’.🤮 This book really made me empathise with Tess’ situation and her determination and pride. I just wish she would find a way out for not only the sake of her physical and mental health, but her life. 4 stars.
Many of the male characters including her boyfriend Jake Bycraft (a member of the very family that’s abusing her and trying to murder her daily) and her boss Sergeant Finn Maguire often don’t listen to her. Her boss ‘Sarge’ forces her to work on days after she’s been brutally assaulted, parading around the town for the local folk to take in her many cuts and contusions, all for the sake of good police work - this would have been acceptable perhaps if Tess herself had not been completely overworked and had had at least one day off that past month, but she didn’t.
Tess’ relationship with Jake Bycraft is one I can’t fathom. I didn’t understand his appeal in any way apart from her slobbering all over him because of his good looks and bedroom prowess. If anything, why would someone get romantically involved with a member of a family actively setting out to murder you? She does love him, but the horrifying daily verbal and physical attacks against her are uncomfortably dismissed far too often by Jake because of his reluctance to speak out against his family. If he is as good as Tess praises him to be shouldn’t he be good enough to defend her rather than stand idly by? He’s just as bad if not worse because of his inability to get involved.
Red, Karl, Al, and Grae (Jake’s brothers and cousins) break in to the police station while Tess is alone and attack her, beat her, and threaten to rape and murder her like their relatives did her mother. The Bycrafts did this because the ‘Sarge’ Finn Maguire put the matron of the family, Lola Bycraft in the lock up for spitting at him. The fact that Jake was not outrageously disgusted with his family - was vile. How any self respecting woman can let herself be entangled in a relationship with a man who doesn’t support her fully when it comes to her life, is beyond me. He has witnessed her numerous times having to walk bloodied and bruised into his workplace (the local prison) for medical treatment by the prison doctor because there is no town GP most of the time due to his family’s violent abasement of her. Yes Jake for all of this never seems to focus on her injuries or how he can aid her, but just kisses her forehead and offers to make it better with sex.
Nixon’s writing is moving. I admired Tess’ devotion to her father and her strength of will but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to yell at her to leave the town and break up with her useless boyfriend ‘Jakey’.🤮 This book really made me empathise with Tess’ situation and her determination and pride. I just wish she would find a way out for not only the sake of her physical and mental health, but her life. 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
I’ve read this book 3 (maybe even 4?) times now. Every single time I feel like I’m right there in Little Town. And for whatever reason it makes me want to go there. Massive credit to the writing because who in their right mind would want to visit a town overrun with those Bycrafts? I also just love Tess. She’s tough as nails but also very human. She experiences pain, hurt, and frustration but never lets it slow her down. She carries it all under the vest and just shows up to do what needs to be done. She’s so strong. I love her. And the Sarge is another I adore. Mostly I just want my very own Sarge. For as much as I love this book, some part of me struggles giving it 5 stars. It just goes a wee bit over the top at times. But I don’t have any other books that have served as page turners on re-reads for me quite like this one. So, it’s earned its 5-star rating even though it has 3-star moments.
July 10, 2018
I loved this. I couldn't put it down and finished it within two days. It's one of those books that you can't wait to see what happens next, and when you find out, it was nothing like you could have predicted.
Loved the quirky characters, reminded me of my own experience growing up in a small rural Aussie town. I especially enjoyed that even minor characters had depth and were well thought out. While often I find myself skimming "filler" sections in books, I couldn't skip a single sentence in this one.
Can't wait to read the rest in the series!
Loved the quirky characters, reminded me of my own experience growing up in a small rural Aussie town. I especially enjoyed that even minor characters had depth and were well thought out. While often I find myself skimming "filler" sections in books, I couldn't skip a single sentence in this one.
Can't wait to read the rest in the series!
June 11, 2020
Blood Ties by JD Nixon
Tess Fuller, a small town cop, tries to keep the peace and takes on the local trouble makers who all happen to be from one family. Enter Sarge, her new boss and ride along as they deal with corruption, abuse, some heart in your mouth moments and your typical small town problems. There were quite a few moments where I was physically laughing out loud and I enjoyed the glimpse into small town mentality. I highly recommend it and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Tess Fuller, a small town cop, tries to keep the peace and takes on the local trouble makers who all happen to be from one family. Enter Sarge, her new boss and ride along as they deal with corruption, abuse, some heart in your mouth moments and your typical small town problems. There were quite a few moments where I was physically laughing out loud and I enjoyed the glimpse into small town mentality. I highly recommend it and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
June 13, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me interested on what was going to happen although the end didn't seem to be "the end". Poor Tess went through a lot in this "one horse town" and I don't know if anyone could have survived some of the things she went through with the Bycraft family, but I didn't seem to get a full understanding of the relationship she had with Jake or the new Sarge, (or how even his romantic story ends) (Thinking maybe she'd end up with the Sarge or even "X".) As stated, it was enjoyable to read about her exploits, but lacked a complete understanding of ending.
August 13, 2017
Past and present
The crossover from past to present was really good. The on going feud from the two families is enthralling if a little weird. Last murders leading to a gruesome way of life. Tess needs to be a bit crazy to put up with it. The fact she is a police officer who gets no in town back up is scary. But well worth the read. Looking forward to the next instalment and of seeing where the relationships to from this.
The crossover from past to present was really good. The on going feud from the two families is enthralling if a little weird. Last murders leading to a gruesome way of life. Tess needs to be a bit crazy to put up with it. The fact she is a police officer who gets no in town back up is scary. But well worth the read. Looking forward to the next instalment and of seeing where the relationships to from this.
December 29, 2020
Author is very talented. Her stories are hilarious, highly entertaining, and full of endearing characters. However, I've noticed some recurring elements in her books that annoy me to no end. Namely: unchecked sexism, casual slut-shaming, unhealthy af relationships, and a heroine who can't be bothered to be bothered when her boundaries are overstepped again and again. Have to be in the right mood to get through her books without becoming overly frustrated.
extra tw in this book for police brutality and intergenerational trauma.
extra tw in this book for police brutality and intergenerational trauma.
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