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Red Nights
Could I have saved him?
When my life changed in that smoky second, confusion rained down around me like sparks from a fire. But yet, I found myself falling for a sexy stranger I met in a dark park, and blatant lies I didn't know existed culminated into unfortunate truths.
At 25, I thought I had life, men, and my future figured out. It turns out, I didn't.
In Shari J. Ryan's latest romantic suspense, Red Nights, you wonder how dark your world can get before all you see is red.
When my life changed in that smoky second, confusion rained down around me like sparks from a fire. But yet, I found myself falling for a sexy stranger I met in a dark park, and blatant lies I didn't know existed culminated into unfortunate truths.
At 25, I thought I had life, men, and my future figured out. It turns out, I didn't.
In Shari J. Ryan's latest romantic suspense, Red Nights, you wonder how dark your world can get before all you see is red.
Audible Audio
First published May 31, 2016
13 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Shari J. Ryan
65 books2,016 followersShari J. Ryan is a USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over 40 novels, with more than 700,000 copies sold and translations in 13 languages. She writes emotionally evocative WWII fiction inspired by true stories that have resonated with readers around the globe. Her work has earned Top 100, Top 10, and #1 chart rankings, as well as two Rone Awards.
As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.
For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.
Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.
For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.
Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 2, 2015
He did it…no…She did it…no…He did it????
I’m going to start this review of Red Nights with a little bit of honesty, I don’t like suspense. I know, I know I gave it 4 Stars but that was because, plain and simple it was good. I just hate surprises and I hate not knowing who the killer is. I really, really just want to go to the last page and take a little lookee to find out who did it. Miracle of miracles I actually did the right thing and read it from front to back. It…was…hard. You know that feeling where you think you know and then something happens and you start to doubt yourself, well this book had me jumping from one person to the next on who I thought did it.
I’m not going to give a lot of info because this story will be enjoyed more if I keep it a little vague. I’ll give you this though…the heroine’s name is Felicity and the person murdered was her twin brother Blake.
Ok, toddle off along and go buy this book. It has mystery, suspense and some HOT sexy times…just what this girl needed.
Thank you to the author for this gifted copy of Red Nights to read and review.
This review and more can be found at http://edgyreviews.com/
I’m going to start this review of Red Nights with a little bit of honesty, I don’t like suspense. I know, I know I gave it 4 Stars but that was because, plain and simple it was good. I just hate surprises and I hate not knowing who the killer is. I really, really just want to go to the last page and take a little lookee to find out who did it. Miracle of miracles I actually did the right thing and read it from front to back. It…was…hard. You know that feeling where you think you know and then something happens and you start to doubt yourself, well this book had me jumping from one person to the next on who I thought did it.
I’m not going to give a lot of info because this story will be enjoyed more if I keep it a little vague. I’ll give you this though…the heroine’s name is Felicity and the person murdered was her twin brother Blake.
Ok, toddle off along and go buy this book. It has mystery, suspense and some HOT sexy times…just what this girl needed.
Thank you to the author for this gifted copy of Red Nights to read and review.
This review and more can be found at http://edgyreviews.com/
June 4, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Booktrope and NetGalley.)
“Our heartbeats were both discovered at the same time. Now only one will remain.”
This was an adult romantic suspense story, about a suspected arsonist.
I felt quite sorry for Felicity in this story, it was awful the way she lost both her home and her brother in a fire, and it was easy to see why she found it difficult to trust anybody after finding out it was arson.
“The pain will never go away, but you’ll become so used to it that you learn how to live with it.”
The storyline in this was about finding out who had burned down Felicity’s home, and why. There seemed to be a few different suspects, and although I guessed a couple of the twists, there were also a couple that I didn’t guess.
“Last night, I was trying to tell you who I caught her with in the freezer. I was hoping when you fired her, she would come clean. However, considering that you’re still defending her, I guess she didn’t.”
There was some romance, and a few sex scenes, and I was glad that Felicity had someone to lean on.
“He makes me forget.
Everything.”
The ending to this was good, and I liked that Felicity was reasonably happy, we were left with the threat that things weren’t really over though, so I wonder if there will be a follow-up book coming after this one at some point.
6.5 out of 10
“Our heartbeats were both discovered at the same time. Now only one will remain.”
This was an adult romantic suspense story, about a suspected arsonist.
I felt quite sorry for Felicity in this story, it was awful the way she lost both her home and her brother in a fire, and it was easy to see why she found it difficult to trust anybody after finding out it was arson.
“The pain will never go away, but you’ll become so used to it that you learn how to live with it.”
The storyline in this was about finding out who had burned down Felicity’s home, and why. There seemed to be a few different suspects, and although I guessed a couple of the twists, there were also a couple that I didn’t guess.
“Last night, I was trying to tell you who I caught her with in the freezer. I was hoping when you fired her, she would come clean. However, considering that you’re still defending her, I guess she didn’t.”
There was some romance, and a few sex scenes, and I was glad that Felicity had someone to lean on.
“He makes me forget.
Everything.”
The ending to this was good, and I liked that Felicity was reasonably happy, we were left with the threat that things weren’t really over though, so I wonder if there will be a follow-up book coming after this one at some point.
6.5 out of 10
August 16, 2015
*2.5 stars*
Felicity lost her brother and almost her own life in a house fire. Ryan introduces several interesting characters and weaves a solid whodunit. I was kept on my toes trying to figure out who the arsonist/murderer was.
But...this story was not without problems. Felicity had quite a few TSTL moments, she just wanted to bury her head in the sand. Aspen confounded me, I didn't know which way was up with her. Every few chapters Ryan would reveal a new piece to the puzzle but I was usually just left more confused. There were some technical inaccuracies regarding the law. I just kept shaking my head, "Nope, that wouldn't happen." The ending was lackluster. I was left thinking, "Oh, is that it?" I kept waiting for some kind of twist to pop up.
I liked Hayes's grand gesture, I thought it was romantic.
I know it sounds like I had a lot of issues but I didn't hate it. Overall, Red Nights was an okay story but it's not one I would reread or think to recommend.
Felicity lost her brother and almost her own life in a house fire. Ryan introduces several interesting characters and weaves a solid whodunit. I was kept on my toes trying to figure out who the arsonist/murderer was.
But...this story was not without problems. Felicity had quite a few TSTL moments, she just wanted to bury her head in the sand. Aspen confounded me, I didn't know which way was up with her. Every few chapters Ryan would reveal a new piece to the puzzle but I was usually just left more confused. There were some technical inaccuracies regarding the law. I just kept shaking my head, "Nope, that wouldn't happen." The ending was lackluster. I was left thinking, "Oh, is that it?" I kept waiting for some kind of twist to pop up.
I liked Hayes's grand gesture, I thought it was romantic.
I know it sounds like I had a lot of issues but I didn't hate it. Overall, Red Nights was an okay story but it's not one I would reread or think to recommend.
July 13, 2015
“I see firemen emerge through the cloud of smoke billowing from the front door carrying a body.”
Felicity Stone’s entire world changed in the blink of an eye. The 25-year-old chef lost her home, her twin brother, Blake, and nearly her life in a devastating fire. With very vague recollections of that night, while still in the hospital, Felicity gives her statement to the police. That statement would later be turned against her as the real story of what happened that night begins to emerge.
“Gran always told me, the sky is a two-way mirror; us on one side, and our loved ones that have passed on the other. They’re in the stars, and they’re able to look down and watch over us.”,
In the aftermath of her grief, with nowhere to really go, Felicity stays with her best friend and sous chef, Aspen. Overwhelmed with grief, confused, sad and anxious, Felicity finds it difficult to sleep. She begins taking a walks late at night in a nearby park, where she lays in the grass, staring at the stars, hoping to connect on some level with her brother. There she meets a handsome, charming man and his adorable dog, Lady.
“He makes me forget.”
Hayes Peyton, a former detective and current private investigator, knows all to well the pain of losing someone you love. While walking his dog in the park late one night, he stumbles upon a woman. He’s drawn to her, recognizing the pain he himself feels in her. An undeniable attraction builds between Hayes and Felicity. They each find relief from their pain in each other and forget their losses, if only briefly, while they’re together.
“I’m terrified…that you may have come into my life for bad reasons…and yet, I don’t want to be away from you.”
As the investigation heats up, one thing is clear – all the evidence points towards directly at Felicity. In her attempt to clear herself, she enlists the help and support of Aspen as well as Tanner Holt, Blake’s lifelong best friend, someone she’s grown up with and who is an honorary member of her family, as well as her ex-boyfriend. Tanner shares some interesting information about the former police detective, Hayes, that he learned from his father, a fellow officer from the same precinct. Questions begin swirling around everyone in Felicity and Blake’s lives – Aspen, Tanner and Hayes – and she doesn’t know whom she can trust or whom to believe. All the while, the evidence against her is mounting.
“Our pain is like the earth, slowly moving, never really changing, and always seeking the light of another day.”
Will Felicity follow her heart and take the she is help offered? Is it possible that the one person in the world she never would have believed could harm a fly actually perpetrated this horrible crime? Will all the secrets that are slowly unraveling ruin every relationship that she holds dear?
“Let me show you 365 reasons why you’ll want to be with me forever.”
This book had me on the edge of my seat! I could honestly see it going so many different directions. When the author finally focused her attention on one person, the secrets and lies that were uncovered were chilling. Shari Ryan did a fantastic job mixing a griping romantic suspense story with a steamy love affair. It was well written, with a page-turner of plot and a sexy, sweet romance. Red Nights gets a solid 4.5 smooches from me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
Felicity Stone’s entire world changed in the blink of an eye. The 25-year-old chef lost her home, her twin brother, Blake, and nearly her life in a devastating fire. With very vague recollections of that night, while still in the hospital, Felicity gives her statement to the police. That statement would later be turned against her as the real story of what happened that night begins to emerge.
“Gran always told me, the sky is a two-way mirror; us on one side, and our loved ones that have passed on the other. They’re in the stars, and they’re able to look down and watch over us.”,
In the aftermath of her grief, with nowhere to really go, Felicity stays with her best friend and sous chef, Aspen. Overwhelmed with grief, confused, sad and anxious, Felicity finds it difficult to sleep. She begins taking a walks late at night in a nearby park, where she lays in the grass, staring at the stars, hoping to connect on some level with her brother. There she meets a handsome, charming man and his adorable dog, Lady.
“He makes me forget.”
Hayes Peyton, a former detective and current private investigator, knows all to well the pain of losing someone you love. While walking his dog in the park late one night, he stumbles upon a woman. He’s drawn to her, recognizing the pain he himself feels in her. An undeniable attraction builds between Hayes and Felicity. They each find relief from their pain in each other and forget their losses, if only briefly, while they’re together.
“I’m terrified…that you may have come into my life for bad reasons…and yet, I don’t want to be away from you.”
As the investigation heats up, one thing is clear – all the evidence points towards directly at Felicity. In her attempt to clear herself, she enlists the help and support of Aspen as well as Tanner Holt, Blake’s lifelong best friend, someone she’s grown up with and who is an honorary member of her family, as well as her ex-boyfriend. Tanner shares some interesting information about the former police detective, Hayes, that he learned from his father, a fellow officer from the same precinct. Questions begin swirling around everyone in Felicity and Blake’s lives – Aspen, Tanner and Hayes – and she doesn’t know whom she can trust or whom to believe. All the while, the evidence against her is mounting.
“Our pain is like the earth, slowly moving, never really changing, and always seeking the light of another day.”
Will Felicity follow her heart and take the she is help offered? Is it possible that the one person in the world she never would have believed could harm a fly actually perpetrated this horrible crime? Will all the secrets that are slowly unraveling ruin every relationship that she holds dear?
“Let me show you 365 reasons why you’ll want to be with me forever.”
This book had me on the edge of my seat! I could honestly see it going so many different directions. When the author finally focused her attention on one person, the secrets and lies that were uncovered were chilling. Shari Ryan did a fantastic job mixing a griping romantic suspense story with a steamy love affair. It was well written, with a page-turner of plot and a sexy, sweet romance. Red Nights gets a solid 4.5 smooches from me!
~ Danielle Palumbo
Want to read
July 19, 2015Wow, check out this this beautiful cover and the super intriguing blurb and trailer!! RED NIGHTS is a new upcoming romantic suspense novel releasing on 18 June and the story sounds AMAZING, I can't wait!! :D
WATCH TRAILER
Purchase: Amazon US * Amazon UK
Blurb:
I'm Felicity Stone, a twenty-five-year-old with my whole life ahead of me. Well, until recently.
I didn't do it. Why would they think I did? Why would I want my twin brother dead? Why is everyone looking at me like I'm a criminal?
Well, everyone except him... Hayes Peyton, the charmingly beautiful stranger I met in the park at midnight; a totally legitimate place to meet the man of my dreams. Plus, he knows I'm innocent.
Believing him is easy. So very easy. Maybe too easy?
But when you hear things like: 'All good is laced with some bad, and everything you think is the truth, is nothing more than a blatant lie,' it makes you question reality.
In Shari J. Ryan's latest Romantic Suspense, Red Nights, you wonder how dark your world can get before all you see is red.
WATCH TRAILER
Purchase: Amazon US * Amazon UK
Blurb:
I'm Felicity Stone, a twenty-five-year-old with my whole life ahead of me. Well, until recently.
I didn't do it. Why would they think I did? Why would I want my twin brother dead? Why is everyone looking at me like I'm a criminal?
Well, everyone except him... Hayes Peyton, the charmingly beautiful stranger I met in the park at midnight; a totally legitimate place to meet the man of my dreams. Plus, he knows I'm innocent.
Believing him is easy. So very easy. Maybe too easy?
But when you hear things like: 'All good is laced with some bad, and everything you think is the truth, is nothing more than a blatant lie,' it makes you question reality.
In Shari J. Ryan's latest Romantic Suspense, Red Nights, you wonder how dark your world can get before all you see is red.
June 4, 2015
Oh how I love a book with dramatic starts. It pulls you in straight away. I think wonder if it will fall flat, but this didn't happen it kept its pace all the way through.
I am so happy I agreed to read this for a blog tour or I would have missed out. I don't always have the time to fit in any books lately, but this one screamed at me.
As the author was describing the scene, with Felicity in her house among a fire that was pilfering smoke, heavy smoke her way. She was trapped, she thought it was the end.
Then when actually being rescued she remembered that her husband was still in there, in her haze she couldn't at first thing straight, is he in there? no he went out...no HES IN THERE!!
This author had me holding my breath from beginning to end.
When its discovered it was an arsonist who set fire to their home, OMG how do you overcome that? Can you overcome this? Move on? or scared it will happen again? or someone is after you?
Really good, fantastic story telling here.
Loved how it made me feel and my reactions to it so it deserves my 4 stars.
June 23, 2017
All. The. Feels. Seriously! There is a reason why I binge on Shari Ryan books. This had me feeling grief, suspense, attraction, and more. This is a book that you need a reading vacation after so you can readjust to the world.
Want to read
June 9, 2015
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for exchange of an honest review***
May 9, 2015
Oh, Shari J Ryan how I do love thee, let me count the ways...
1) You give me characters such as Felicity and, specifically, Hayes, who keep my on my toes. Is there a slight possibility he's not what we think he is? Is he more? Is he less? When will we know for sure? And Felicity who seemed to have a pretty good life with a good head on her shoulders, all of a sudden getting the wind knocked out of her sails and floundering not knowing who to trust, let alone what to think or do to make things right.
2) The story itself is intriguing and pulled me in. Red Nights started out intense, brought in some interesting decisions and possible love interest, changed pace to being filled with suspense and very stressful and then....well, the end came and I'm not going to spoil it.
3) Ms Ryan's dialogue and character actions are nearly always up my alley, because it feels real. I believe that her characters would say and do what she has them do. Quite often, authors write dialogue or actions of their characters that is not even remotely in character with their creation. It irritates me, even more than poor grammar or improper spelling.
To say that I honestly and truly loved Red Nights is an understatement. I adored it! I loved that I got annoyed with characters when they did something "stupid". I was thrilled when I would catch my breath because of a twist of events and I, absolutely, am in love with the epilogue...although I did send Ms Ryan a message with a special request.
Therefore, yes, you need to go and grab Red Nights by Shari J Ryan, now, because it's a wonderful story of loss, love and the struggle to find the truth of both.
1) You give me characters such as Felicity and, specifically, Hayes, who keep my on my toes. Is there a slight possibility he's not what we think he is? Is he more? Is he less? When will we know for sure? And Felicity who seemed to have a pretty good life with a good head on her shoulders, all of a sudden getting the wind knocked out of her sails and floundering not knowing who to trust, let alone what to think or do to make things right.
2) The story itself is intriguing and pulled me in. Red Nights started out intense, brought in some interesting decisions and possible love interest, changed pace to being filled with suspense and very stressful and then....well, the end came and I'm not going to spoil it.
3) Ms Ryan's dialogue and character actions are nearly always up my alley, because it feels real. I believe that her characters would say and do what she has them do. Quite often, authors write dialogue or actions of their characters that is not even remotely in character with their creation. It irritates me, even more than poor grammar or improper spelling.
To say that I honestly and truly loved Red Nights is an understatement. I adored it! I loved that I got annoyed with characters when they did something "stupid". I was thrilled when I would catch my breath because of a twist of events and I, absolutely, am in love with the epilogue...although I did send Ms Ryan a message with a special request.
Therefore, yes, you need to go and grab Red Nights by Shari J Ryan, now, because it's a wonderful story of loss, love and the struggle to find the truth of both.
August 16, 2015
2.5 stars
Red Nights started off strong. Felicity has just survived her house being set on fire and losing her brother. I read this book as a group read and for several days the fun in guessing who started the fire kept us entertained. So for this part the author did well because we kept guessing and that kept me interested.
Felicity was hard to connect with, I didn’t understand her actions versus what she was thinking. Her inner dialogue and jumping to conclusions was annoying. I liked Hayes right away but his secret keeping was frustrating regarding his past. I found myself saying “spit it out man” regarding his loss I think this reveal came too late in the book. If it would have happened earlier it would have helped his connecting to Felicity. Aspen was a hard one to figure out she seemed slutty and flaky so when you discover what is really going on with her it didn’t seem to add up. I felt at times all the characters were a bit robotic.
I did like the significance of red nights and I did like the letter at the end. So obviously I liked and disliked several parts of the story, unfortunately there was still a lot of plot holes and things that didn’t make sense. If the author had fleshed some of this out better my rating would have been higher.
Red Nights started off strong. Felicity has just survived her house being set on fire and losing her brother. I read this book as a group read and for several days the fun in guessing who started the fire kept us entertained. So for this part the author did well because we kept guessing and that kept me interested.
Felicity was hard to connect with, I didn’t understand her actions versus what she was thinking. Her inner dialogue and jumping to conclusions was annoying. I liked Hayes right away but his secret keeping was frustrating regarding his past. I found myself saying “spit it out man” regarding his loss I think this reveal came too late in the book. If it would have happened earlier it would have helped his connecting to Felicity. Aspen was a hard one to figure out she seemed slutty and flaky so when you discover what is really going on with her it didn’t seem to add up. I felt at times all the characters were a bit robotic.
I did like the significance of red nights and I did like the letter at the end. So obviously I liked and disliked several parts of the story, unfortunately there was still a lot of plot holes and things that didn’t make sense. If the author had fleshed some of this out better my rating would have been higher.
August 16, 2015
3 STARS
What I liked-
This book grabbed me immediately at the first chapter. The suspense was there at the beginning and I wanted to know how the fire started and who was to blame.
The Lady jokes. They were cute.
What I didn't-
-Felicity! I couldn't connect with her. She was so back and forth, accusing everyone.
-As soon as I figured out everything, everything else was just slow. I finished reading hoping for something new, an extra twist.
I did like Tanner's letter. Receiving the threat at the end wasn't quite the twist I was wanting, but I liked it.
Overall it was an okay read.
What I liked-
This book grabbed me immediately at the first chapter. The suspense was there at the beginning and I wanted to know how the fire started and who was to blame.
The Lady jokes. They were cute.
What I didn't-
-Felicity! I couldn't connect with her. She was so back and forth, accusing everyone.
-As soon as I figured out everything, everything else was just slow. I finished reading hoping for something new, an extra twist.
I did like Tanner's letter. Receiving the threat at the end wasn't quite the twist I was wanting, but I liked it.
Overall it was an okay read.
May 10, 2015
I loved this book! Tragedy, love, sex and a psychopath!! It has everything
August 16, 2015
Just hated everything about this book including the ending I just didn't "get" it at all...
May 28, 2015
I normally don’t read novels in this genre but I have come across a few novels which I have enjoyed in the past. I was a bit sceptic but as soon as I read the first few pages I knew I’d made the right choice!
I loved that Shari Ryan delved straight into the action again a great beginning I must say! Definitely a beginning which urges the reader or compels them to read on as it’s all such a blur and you want to find out what happens next.
I liked that this was not typical novel with good endings and ‘happily ever afters’ but there was grief and it was real. Felicity was a great protagonist to tell the story from, after having the perfect controlled life and being such a ‘Miss Perfect’ (Reminding me of myself!) all of a sudden she was thrown into the tides of unhappiness, shock and loss that she had to cope with.
Hayes Peyton! What a beautifully handsome name!! Very fitting to the character. What I loved about Hayes the most was that he was a mostly outspoken person and although I do love mysterious guys, now I’m not too sure! He had a bit of both come to think of it and I loved his lame and not so lame jokes…I was laughing out loud...honest! I liked how he always had a way to make Felecity feel better and that line with the ‘Red Nights’…that was such a heart-warming and beautiful thing to do! Although seeming like one of those guys who has it altogether I did enjoy his story and how it was developed through the novel with secrets being revealed as the story progressed. I liked how Shari gave insight into his story but made it another journey that we have to travel through to find out rather than giving it to you all on a silver platter.
The other characters were brilliant also, to me Shari included a variety of characters and made them real, made you trust them and then surprised you constantly which kept me reading further and further!
I loved the suspense, I loved how Felicity was independent and she didn’t go out trusting the ‘knight on shining armour’ who came to her rescue but rather she was cautious and found looked out for herself and searched for the truth in others herself.
I have to say the storyline was capturing, having to deal with your twin’s loss but also having to make sense and move past the guilt and shock was one hell of a journey! To top it off, the case, her being possibly guilty of her own brother’s murder - it was all a mystery and I loved the detective feel to the story as well as Mr Detective Hayes ;) To say I was surprised would be an understatement, Shari Ryan had me guessing until the very end and even when I thought I knew, I didn’t! I love when an author catches you by surprise and that what Shari did, again and again! My first Shari Ryan novel and I loved it. I’ll definitely be giving her other novels a read…especially the upcoming ‘Ravel’ which I read a sneak chapter of at the end of this novel, which was a nice surprise to finish it off!
Truly a beautifully written novel full of every emotion you can imagine! This is one hell of a rollercoaster of a book so be ready before you pick it up!
Note: I received a review copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved that Shari Ryan delved straight into the action again a great beginning I must say! Definitely a beginning which urges the reader or compels them to read on as it’s all such a blur and you want to find out what happens next.
I liked that this was not typical novel with good endings and ‘happily ever afters’ but there was grief and it was real. Felicity was a great protagonist to tell the story from, after having the perfect controlled life and being such a ‘Miss Perfect’ (Reminding me of myself!) all of a sudden she was thrown into the tides of unhappiness, shock and loss that she had to cope with.
Hayes Peyton! What a beautifully handsome name!! Very fitting to the character. What I loved about Hayes the most was that he was a mostly outspoken person and although I do love mysterious guys, now I’m not too sure! He had a bit of both come to think of it and I loved his lame and not so lame jokes…I was laughing out loud...honest! I liked how he always had a way to make Felecity feel better and that line with the ‘Red Nights’…that was such a heart-warming and beautiful thing to do! Although seeming like one of those guys who has it altogether I did enjoy his story and how it was developed through the novel with secrets being revealed as the story progressed. I liked how Shari gave insight into his story but made it another journey that we have to travel through to find out rather than giving it to you all on a silver platter.
The other characters were brilliant also, to me Shari included a variety of characters and made them real, made you trust them and then surprised you constantly which kept me reading further and further!
I loved the suspense, I loved how Felicity was independent and she didn’t go out trusting the ‘knight on shining armour’ who came to her rescue but rather she was cautious and found looked out for herself and searched for the truth in others herself.
I have to say the storyline was capturing, having to deal with your twin’s loss but also having to make sense and move past the guilt and shock was one hell of a journey! To top it off, the case, her being possibly guilty of her own brother’s murder - it was all a mystery and I loved the detective feel to the story as well as Mr Detective Hayes ;) To say I was surprised would be an understatement, Shari Ryan had me guessing until the very end and even when I thought I knew, I didn’t! I love when an author catches you by surprise and that what Shari did, again and again! My first Shari Ryan novel and I loved it. I’ll definitely be giving her other novels a read…especially the upcoming ‘Ravel’ which I read a sneak chapter of at the end of this novel, which was a nice surprise to finish it off!
Truly a beautifully written novel full of every emotion you can imagine! This is one hell of a rollercoaster of a book so be ready before you pick it up!
Note: I received a review copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2015
4.5 / 5 stars
Received a review copy of title from author in exchange for an honest review; originally posted at:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
I wanted to give this a 5 star... but I couldn't.... Reasoning? I still have questions, and I don't know that they'll ever be answered (and part of me wonders if I missed something, because I haven't seen other reviewers with the same questions).
But...
The first 99% of the book? Absolutely enjoyed every moment of it. I mean, how can you not when it starts the way it does?
Felicity Stone wakes up to smoke and flames. She calls for her twin brother, but remembers that he was supposed to be out with friends --
-- only to learn later that he was still in the house.
Felicity goes through all the stages of grief in this book. Watching her struggle through it all is heartbreaking, to say the least. When it gets to be too much, she ends up at a park in the dark -- and this quiet, dark place ends up being the meeting place between her and Hayes for the coming days.
Hayes becomes Felicity's safe place. When her world is crumbling, both at home and with her friendships, he's the one that keeps her grounded. What I loved most about Hayes was his ability to tell it like it was -- he didn't have a filter and wasn't afraid to say something off kilter or something that could be taken as goofy. He's also the face of reason -- he won't rush things when it comes to Felicity, always putting time frames on things where she's concerned.
Hayes has his own things he feels guilty about, things that he wishes he could have done differently. He knows firsthand the emotions that Felicity is going through and while she's struggling to stay happy all the time without feeling guilty, he puts on a pretty brave face day in and out.
This book certainly put my emotions through the ringer. I cried ugly tears a good chunk of it, not going to lie. But through it all, I loved Hayes and Felicity's relationship. Mostly, I loved that he wanted to give her good red skies -- not the ones of fire and sorrow, but ones that would give her happy memories.
Side extra note: Felicity reads TAG. As in Shari's TAG.
Received a review copy of title from author in exchange for an honest review; originally posted at:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
I wanted to give this a 5 star... but I couldn't.... Reasoning? I still have questions, and I don't know that they'll ever be answered (and part of me wonders if I missed something, because I haven't seen other reviewers with the same questions).
But...
The first 99% of the book? Absolutely enjoyed every moment of it. I mean, how can you not when it starts the way it does?
Felicity Stone wakes up to smoke and flames. She calls for her twin brother, but remembers that he was supposed to be out with friends --
-- only to learn later that he was still in the house.
Felicity goes through all the stages of grief in this book. Watching her struggle through it all is heartbreaking, to say the least. When it gets to be too much, she ends up at a park in the dark -- and this quiet, dark place ends up being the meeting place between her and Hayes for the coming days.
Hayes becomes Felicity's safe place. When her world is crumbling, both at home and with her friendships, he's the one that keeps her grounded. What I loved most about Hayes was his ability to tell it like it was -- he didn't have a filter and wasn't afraid to say something off kilter or something that could be taken as goofy. He's also the face of reason -- he won't rush things when it comes to Felicity, always putting time frames on things where she's concerned.
Hayes has his own things he feels guilty about, things that he wishes he could have done differently. He knows firsthand the emotions that Felicity is going through and while she's struggling to stay happy all the time without feeling guilty, he puts on a pretty brave face day in and out.
This book certainly put my emotions through the ringer. I cried ugly tears a good chunk of it, not going to lie. But through it all, I loved Hayes and Felicity's relationship. Mostly, I loved that he wanted to give her good red skies -- not the ones of fire and sorrow, but ones that would give her happy memories.
Side extra note: Felicity reads TAG. As in Shari's TAG.
August 10, 2015
Keeping on with my reading of thrillers and suspense type books, Red Nights has sat on my pile a few weeks and I was excited to get to know this book. The book draws you in from the get go, its literally action straight away with very few answers. You can tell this is all leading somewhere, but it wasn't really until 40+% in that this book really got going - I will say, try and keep going with this book as I did start to wonder where it was all leading.
There are 4 characters really in this book (Taking aside Felicity's boss as he didn't really do a lot). I do struggle with doom and gloom and at times Felicity's constant downward spiral was a bit bleh. I'm sorry, I know if I was in her position I'd be the same, but it just bought me down I guess. Hayes and Lady as I feel she does need a special mention were great characters. The connection between Felicity and Hayes was really great although I did feel with certain parts of the story we were left with things unanswered or that needed further explanation especially where Hayes was concerned.
You also have a great 'who is it' with the characters wondering who really did set the fire. I have to add, I did work it out way before I probably should and was disappointed there wasn't a final twist really - that's just me I guess. I get pissed off with HEA sometimes and want something a little darker.
Still, Red Nights was a good read which after a slowish middle part does evolve into something good. It keeps you interested, will keep some guessing and has some great 'are you really that stupid' moments with the characters. Definitely worth a read - 3.5 stars from me.
There are 4 characters really in this book (Taking aside Felicity's boss as he didn't really do a lot). I do struggle with doom and gloom and at times Felicity's constant downward spiral was a bit bleh. I'm sorry, I know if I was in her position I'd be the same, but it just bought me down I guess. Hayes and Lady as I feel she does need a special mention were great characters. The connection between Felicity and Hayes was really great although I did feel with certain parts of the story we were left with things unanswered or that needed further explanation especially where Hayes was concerned.
You also have a great 'who is it' with the characters wondering who really did set the fire. I have to add, I did work it out way before I probably should and was disappointed there wasn't a final twist really - that's just me I guess. I get pissed off with HEA sometimes and want something a little darker.
Still, Red Nights was a good read which after a slowish middle part does evolve into something good. It keeps you interested, will keep some guessing and has some great 'are you really that stupid' moments with the characters. Definitely worth a read - 3.5 stars from me.
July 4, 2015
Shari J Ryan has written a story chock full of terror, hope, despair, suspense, humor and romance. On the night her world burned Felicity Stone lost the most important person in her life, her twin brother. She blames herself. The author writes emotion so artfully that I cried throughout the first part of this book every dang page. WoW.. Talk about a tear jerker. I had to put it down several times so I could wipe my eyes and clear my head. I love the mystery.. I love the "who do I trust, need, want" aspect of Liss trying to figure out which man to trust. She has history with Tanner, but is very much drawn to Hayes from their first meeting. Tanner was her brother's best friend, hers too. They had a short relationship which her brother was very unhappy about. She broke up with Tanner because of it. Hayes, is a man she meets shortly after the loss of her brother. Friend and coworker, Aspen drove me nuts with her over protectiveness and judgements. Tho I do not believe that one cig a day is gonna kill ya, I also do not believe that can be considered an addiction. Trust me, I smoked for close to 30 years.. Bu the end of the story she was redeemed. That's the only spoiler ya get from me. ;)
To sum it up, I absolutely loved this book. I loved every minute of the tears I shed, the humor of Lis and Hayes bantering, and the mystery in the background. The ending leaves the door open a tiny bit for more, but I am happy with it as it ended.
"I received a copy of this book via Net Galley in return for an honest review"
To sum it up, I absolutely loved this book. I loved every minute of the tears I shed, the humor of Lis and Hayes bantering, and the mystery in the background. The ending leaves the door open a tiny bit for more, but I am happy with it as it ended.
"I received a copy of this book via Net Galley in return for an honest review"
August 17, 2015
This book was a hot mess. It had promise but that quickly fell away and ended up being a mess of confusion. There wasn't a single character that I actually liked or cared about. The h was immature and naive in a way that was just too unreal. The best friend was not at all likeable. The boyfriend came across as stalkerish and not the good kind of stalker either. The story was jumbled and hard to follow and then there were significant time jumps that aren't ever explained or mentioned so you are sitting there wondering how the hell this just happened and then you realize oh, there was a 2 month time jump that just wasn't mentioned. The only reason I finished this book was because it was a group read with our book club. The book could have been good with a better editor and better betas. But the execution of the idea was just poorly done and hard to even push through.
July 17, 2015
4.5 SMOOCHES!!
I read and reviewed this book on behalf of RED CHEEKS READS.
Review: http://redcheeksreads.com/red-nights-...
Red Cheeks Reads blog: www.redcheeksreads.com
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I read and reviewed this book on behalf of RED CHEEKS READS.
Review: http://redcheeksreads.com/red-nights-...
Red Cheeks Reads blog: www.redcheeksreads.com
Follow Red Cheeks Reads on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redcheeksreads
Twitter: https://twitter.com/redcheeksreads
August 16, 2015
This book started out decently and had me intrigued. Unfortunately, the rest of the book didn't deliver. Felicity was wishy-washy, Tanner was creepy and Aspen was a horrible friend. I liked Hayes, but I didn't like that he kept Felicity in the dark so long, especially when he expected to her to tell him everything. The epilogue was almost too much. Not a book I would recommend.
November 26, 2017
I give this book 3.75 stars........
Shari J. Ryan is a fairly new author to me. I have read a couple of her most recent published books and loved them. I enjoyed this book. The beginning was good then it slowed a little for me then towards the end it picked up again and I couldn't put it down. It was filled with twists and turns. Even though I kind of figured things out early on I wasn't expecting all that happened at the end. It was a good read. I have definitely seen growth in the author from this book to her current releases. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Shari J. Ryan is a fairly new author to me. I have read a couple of her most recent published books and loved them. I enjoyed this book. The beginning was good then it slowed a little for me then towards the end it picked up again and I couldn't put it down. It was filled with twists and turns. Even though I kind of figured things out early on I wasn't expecting all that happened at the end. It was a good read. I have definitely seen growth in the author from this book to her current releases. I look forward to reading more by this author.
August 14, 2015
That was fantastic. I've just discovered a new must have author!
full review
This book was fantastic - I didn’t figure out who the bad guy was until the author smacked me in the face with it! Also, I have to compliment the beautiful cover. We’ve all been told not to judge books by them, but hey, they can’t hurt.
This book starts off with a bang - or maybe a whoosh would be more appropriate - it starts with a fire. Felicity is fighting for air and her life from the first page. She wakes up in the middle of the night to find out that her house is on fire. She is rescued, but is distraught when she learns that her twin brother Blake was also inside. She didn’t know he was home, as he was supposed to have been out of town. Blake is burned badly and does not live. Felicity does her best impersonation of a zombie, barely making it through the funeral. She feels extremely guilty, like she should have somehow known that Blake was home. As it was, she came home late from her job as a chef, fixed something to eat, smoked her nightly secret cigarette on the back porch and went to bed, completely wiped out.
She stresses herself out about that cigarette, trying to remember exactly what she did with it when she put it out. She moves in temporarily with Aspen, her friend and co-worker. One night while depressed and unable to sleep, she sneaks out to have a toke in the little park down the street. She’s laying on the grass, contemplating the sky, when she meets Hayes Peyton, who is out walking his dog Lady. Luckily, Hayes isn’t a killer, and tells her, hey, you know, you really shouldn’t be out here in the dark in the middle of the night ya know, it’s not a good idea…. you know, like a smart person would. They hit it off - the chemistry between them is immediate, despite Felicity’s mental state. They meet several more times like this, and eventually start “dating”. I put it in quotes because while it was obvious they were attracted to each other, the real star in the beginning of this book was Felicity’s crippling guilt.
The cops call her in to question her about what she did that night. When they found out she had a smoke on the back porch they act like AHA, that must be it, you dirty smoker you. She was already feeling guilty about it, and the way they reacted only confirmed it in her mind that the fire was all her fault. Right about then I was like, dude, really? There is NO WAY that a modern cigarette can burn down a house. They barely stay lit on their own! I could see it if she was smoking, say, in bed, but she was on the back porch, and by her account, tossed it in the same place she always did - a tin can filled with sand. The most it should have done was maybe set the rest of the butts in the can on fire; which would have smelled like death, but sure wouldn’t have caused a fire of that magnitude. It looks even worse for her when the cops tell her that it looked like the fire originated from her back porch.
Felicity is portrayed as a loner, and a very driven chef. She’s not the social butterfly party girl type. Aspen and Tanner (Blake’s best friend, and Felicity’s former boyfriend) are doing their best to look after Felicity, although she feels smothered by their constant hovering. She tries throwing herself back into her work at the restaurant, but on her first day back her boss tells her that she has to fire Aspen. This was apparently in the works before the fire; and was a direct result of something Aspen had done. When the reason comes out it open a whole other can of worms. Tanner acts as though he wants to get back together with Felicity, but his sniffing around only makes her nervous that he will endanger her growing relationship with Hayes, who is revealed to be a former cop, and now a private investigator. Jealous, Tanner does everything he can to plant doubt in Felicity’s head about Hayes.
I liked Hayes a lot - he’s very smooth, and has a warped sense of humor that jives just right with Felicity’s. He also has connections in the police, and soon turns his efforts towards figuring out just what happened in the fire. Felicity is strung so tightly that she nearly sabotages their relationship, but in all of this madness, even though it seems wrong to her to feel happiness, Hayes is the only thing in the world that seems to be right. She said more than once that Hayes made her forget - forget her pain, her fear, and sometimes her own name. He’s got his own secrets though, his own pain he is running from. He’s just as broken as she is, he’s just been doing it longer.
Felicity’s mental state is on a pretty obvious downward spiral. She’s paranoid and torturing herself with the fire, still convinced that she caused it all. But Hayes has other ideas, and after he starts becoming active in her case things really start moving and shaking. I did not see the bad guy coming in this book and the reveal came with a bang as well. Shari kept the killer so well camouflaged. The by-word of this book seems to be “Trust no one”, because people that Felicity thought she knew - thought she knew VERY well-, turned out to all have secrets, some deadly.
full review
This book was fantastic - I didn’t figure out who the bad guy was until the author smacked me in the face with it! Also, I have to compliment the beautiful cover. We’ve all been told not to judge books by them, but hey, they can’t hurt.
This book starts off with a bang - or maybe a whoosh would be more appropriate - it starts with a fire. Felicity is fighting for air and her life from the first page. She wakes up in the middle of the night to find out that her house is on fire. She is rescued, but is distraught when she learns that her twin brother Blake was also inside. She didn’t know he was home, as he was supposed to have been out of town. Blake is burned badly and does not live. Felicity does her best impersonation of a zombie, barely making it through the funeral. She feels extremely guilty, like she should have somehow known that Blake was home. As it was, she came home late from her job as a chef, fixed something to eat, smoked her nightly secret cigarette on the back porch and went to bed, completely wiped out.
She stresses herself out about that cigarette, trying to remember exactly what she did with it when she put it out. She moves in temporarily with Aspen, her friend and co-worker. One night while depressed and unable to sleep, she sneaks out to have a toke in the little park down the street. She’s laying on the grass, contemplating the sky, when she meets Hayes Peyton, who is out walking his dog Lady. Luckily, Hayes isn’t a killer, and tells her, hey, you know, you really shouldn’t be out here in the dark in the middle of the night ya know, it’s not a good idea…. you know, like a smart person would. They hit it off - the chemistry between them is immediate, despite Felicity’s mental state. They meet several more times like this, and eventually start “dating”. I put it in quotes because while it was obvious they were attracted to each other, the real star in the beginning of this book was Felicity’s crippling guilt.
The cops call her in to question her about what she did that night. When they found out she had a smoke on the back porch they act like AHA, that must be it, you dirty smoker you. She was already feeling guilty about it, and the way they reacted only confirmed it in her mind that the fire was all her fault. Right about then I was like, dude, really? There is NO WAY that a modern cigarette can burn down a house. They barely stay lit on their own! I could see it if she was smoking, say, in bed, but she was on the back porch, and by her account, tossed it in the same place she always did - a tin can filled with sand. The most it should have done was maybe set the rest of the butts in the can on fire; which would have smelled like death, but sure wouldn’t have caused a fire of that magnitude. It looks even worse for her when the cops tell her that it looked like the fire originated from her back porch.
Felicity is portrayed as a loner, and a very driven chef. She’s not the social butterfly party girl type. Aspen and Tanner (Blake’s best friend, and Felicity’s former boyfriend) are doing their best to look after Felicity, although she feels smothered by their constant hovering. She tries throwing herself back into her work at the restaurant, but on her first day back her boss tells her that she has to fire Aspen. This was apparently in the works before the fire; and was a direct result of something Aspen had done. When the reason comes out it open a whole other can of worms. Tanner acts as though he wants to get back together with Felicity, but his sniffing around only makes her nervous that he will endanger her growing relationship with Hayes, who is revealed to be a former cop, and now a private investigator. Jealous, Tanner does everything he can to plant doubt in Felicity’s head about Hayes.
I liked Hayes a lot - he’s very smooth, and has a warped sense of humor that jives just right with Felicity’s. He also has connections in the police, and soon turns his efforts towards figuring out just what happened in the fire. Felicity is strung so tightly that she nearly sabotages their relationship, but in all of this madness, even though it seems wrong to her to feel happiness, Hayes is the only thing in the world that seems to be right. She said more than once that Hayes made her forget - forget her pain, her fear, and sometimes her own name. He’s got his own secrets though, his own pain he is running from. He’s just as broken as she is, he’s just been doing it longer.
Felicity’s mental state is on a pretty obvious downward spiral. She’s paranoid and torturing herself with the fire, still convinced that she caused it all. But Hayes has other ideas, and after he starts becoming active in her case things really start moving and shaking. I did not see the bad guy coming in this book and the reveal came with a bang as well. Shari kept the killer so well camouflaged. The by-word of this book seems to be “Trust no one”, because people that Felicity thought she knew - thought she knew VERY well-, turned out to all have secrets, some deadly.
August 8, 2015
First off, thank you Shari Ryan and Booktrope for providing me with a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. Second… just hell. Love it!! Like completely, missing sleep to read kind of love. (laughs) But that is normal for one of Shari’s books. I loved this story. Page one draws you in. By the end of chapter one you will be like O.O and after that its GAME ON! I swear I fell asleep a few nights in a row reading and woke up with my kindle on my face. LOL. I could not put it down. I am usually better at figuring out the ‘Who did it?’ and the ‘Why?’ but this one… It’s like the game Clue. every page you turned you got more hints, more thoughts of ‘Oh yeah it was so and so…” only to turn back around and gain and be like, “Well damn. I thought it was so and so… guess not now.”
As I said, the first page grabbed my attention. I was seriously like, “what the hell?” In a good way of course. Felicity, chef, daughter, friend and sister is having a bad night. Waking up surrounded by smoke and flames… it’s not what any of us want to wake up to but for her it gets worse. Her twin brother Blake was in the house. He wasn’t supposed to be home but was. This sets off a trail of mood changing events for Felicity. Her brother, her best friend is gone, her home is destroyed and she is lost in a black cloud of guilt. She blames herself for not saving Blake. But in the dark cloud of despair there is a moment or two of light in the form of Hayes Payton.
There are moments in life that you just know that person you meet is special, that they were sent to you by.. whatever force there is to send you a person that can complete you. Call it cupid, kismet, whatever, it is a real thing. I believe that and I think that Hayes and our sweet little Felicity are the benefactors of such a thing. The relationship between them grows into a safe haven even if the fear and underlying weariness is there. But no coupling is idiot proof. So it only takes a bit of doubt to turn Felicities entire world upside down, turn it inside out and then have someone stomp on it with a heel until it falls apart. But ya know, everything that is broken can be fixed. It may need some tape, a little glue and if all else fails, duct tape. And Felicity needs a lot of it and some patience. The poor girl is strung tighter than a yarn ball. Not that anyone could blame her. its hell not knowing who around you can be trusted. Who is out to get you. Kill you even.
Finally with a little extra help things start to fall into place for Felicity. And once again she is in a place of wonder. Does she believe what is happening or does she wait for the iron to strike her again? Its a choice that only she can make. You have to be one with your choices. When your life literally hangs in the balance.. either from a psychopathic killer or the prospect of life in jail…. what do you do? You listen to that inner voice that when it's not being an ass leads to you water (so to speak). Justice does prevail. Its that whole battle of good versus evil but that in and of itself is the ultimate battle. What is good, what is evil and how do you recoup from one to overcome the other? Is there a healing time that we get or do you just march forward, head held high and ignore it all? See it’s a never ending cycle. Its why you take each day as the last and live, laugh and love while you still can.
I think I am now in a book hangover… maybe I know I am and I really, really could see more of this story. (clears my throat) I shall go stalk.. I mean talk to Shari about that because I am having withdrawals. lol Gotta love a kick-ass story that makes your brain over think every page you just read.. but in a totally epic way. Just LOVED it!
As I said, the first page grabbed my attention. I was seriously like, “what the hell?” In a good way of course. Felicity, chef, daughter, friend and sister is having a bad night. Waking up surrounded by smoke and flames… it’s not what any of us want to wake up to but for her it gets worse. Her twin brother Blake was in the house. He wasn’t supposed to be home but was. This sets off a trail of mood changing events for Felicity. Her brother, her best friend is gone, her home is destroyed and she is lost in a black cloud of guilt. She blames herself for not saving Blake. But in the dark cloud of despair there is a moment or two of light in the form of Hayes Payton.
There are moments in life that you just know that person you meet is special, that they were sent to you by.. whatever force there is to send you a person that can complete you. Call it cupid, kismet, whatever, it is a real thing. I believe that and I think that Hayes and our sweet little Felicity are the benefactors of such a thing. The relationship between them grows into a safe haven even if the fear and underlying weariness is there. But no coupling is idiot proof. So it only takes a bit of doubt to turn Felicities entire world upside down, turn it inside out and then have someone stomp on it with a heel until it falls apart. But ya know, everything that is broken can be fixed. It may need some tape, a little glue and if all else fails, duct tape. And Felicity needs a lot of it and some patience. The poor girl is strung tighter than a yarn ball. Not that anyone could blame her. its hell not knowing who around you can be trusted. Who is out to get you. Kill you even.
Finally with a little extra help things start to fall into place for Felicity. And once again she is in a place of wonder. Does she believe what is happening or does she wait for the iron to strike her again? Its a choice that only she can make. You have to be one with your choices. When your life literally hangs in the balance.. either from a psychopathic killer or the prospect of life in jail…. what do you do? You listen to that inner voice that when it's not being an ass leads to you water (so to speak). Justice does prevail. Its that whole battle of good versus evil but that in and of itself is the ultimate battle. What is good, what is evil and how do you recoup from one to overcome the other? Is there a healing time that we get or do you just march forward, head held high and ignore it all? See it’s a never ending cycle. Its why you take each day as the last and live, laugh and love while you still can.
I think I am now in a book hangover… maybe I know I am and I really, really could see more of this story. (clears my throat) I shall go stalk.. I mean talk to Shari about that because I am having withdrawals. lol Gotta love a kick-ass story that makes your brain over think every page you just read.. but in a totally epic way. Just LOVED it!
June 10, 2015
Reviewed on behalf of Ladies Living in Bookland:
The undeniably sad story of Felicity captures you into her world at the time it's turned upside down. A house fire, that would leave her own twin brother dead...
---------
Excerpt:
"It's evident now. Our heartbeats were both discovered at the same time.
Now only one will remain."
----------
But as the story unfolds and we learn more about the characters, we hear of her true love and support for her twin. But during this awful time, filled with remorse, anger and guilt, Felicity meets Hayes...
----------
Excerpt:
"Hayes is a total stranger, yet somehow he's becoming my safe place.
Safe person."
------------
But with everything she is going through and however broken she feels at losing the one true man in her heart, her twin brother, could she really contemplate letting him in? When she was already hurting?
----------
Excerpt:
"You make the pain go away. You're the first person to make me feel something else....It's like you're giving me air to breathe after being suffocated for so long."
----------
As the pair grow together and through the adversity they face together, we learn of Hayes past and his damage. The man is a pure Saint who has been through hell and back but just like Felicity. They would both help heal one another through this awful period in their lives...
----------
Excerpt:
"I mourned alone. I'm still mourning alone. And it hurts like hell. Maybe, just maybe, I didn't want to watch someone as innocent as you go through something like this alone."
----------
But I have to say I was intrigued by this beautiful cover and title and boy did it all make beautiful sense in this story.
The story that Felicity suffers so much from, not only her material aspect of her life, but her own brother, makes her seek him out in the skies above. The red skies that she connects with the fire she feels she left him in. The sky she looks to in order to find him again, wherever he may be.
---------
Excerpt:
"It's like the fire has been burnt into my mind. Red nights; that's what I'm left with now."
Excerpt #2
"...I think the reason I still see red is because part of me is afraid to let it go. I feel like I'll be moving on and away, leaving Blake behind in the fire."
-------------
But between the truth of her ordeal finally coming out and discovering that someone so incredibly close to her had maliciously done this to her, just breaks her heart. Seeing her true strength, courage and determination to live her life as best she can with the new man in her life by her side is awe inspiring.
-----------
Final and favourite excerpt from the book....
"Time does not always heal, but it eases. Our pain is like the earth, slowly moving, never really changing, and always seeking the light of another day."
------------
An incredible read that did take me a few days to digest and complete due to the difficult and emotional content, made for a fantastic read. With different friendships, loves and trust all building throughout this was a brilliant read but admit I did struggle a little in the middle. But was well worth persevering with to get the answers and insight into the truth.
The undeniably sad story of Felicity captures you into her world at the time it's turned upside down. A house fire, that would leave her own twin brother dead...
---------
Excerpt:
"It's evident now. Our heartbeats were both discovered at the same time.
Now only one will remain."
----------
But as the story unfolds and we learn more about the characters, we hear of her true love and support for her twin. But during this awful time, filled with remorse, anger and guilt, Felicity meets Hayes...
----------
Excerpt:
"Hayes is a total stranger, yet somehow he's becoming my safe place.
Safe person."
------------
But with everything she is going through and however broken she feels at losing the one true man in her heart, her twin brother, could she really contemplate letting him in? When she was already hurting?
----------
Excerpt:
"You make the pain go away. You're the first person to make me feel something else....It's like you're giving me air to breathe after being suffocated for so long."
----------
As the pair grow together and through the adversity they face together, we learn of Hayes past and his damage. The man is a pure Saint who has been through hell and back but just like Felicity. They would both help heal one another through this awful period in their lives...
----------
Excerpt:
"I mourned alone. I'm still mourning alone. And it hurts like hell. Maybe, just maybe, I didn't want to watch someone as innocent as you go through something like this alone."
----------
But I have to say I was intrigued by this beautiful cover and title and boy did it all make beautiful sense in this story.
The story that Felicity suffers so much from, not only her material aspect of her life, but her own brother, makes her seek him out in the skies above. The red skies that she connects with the fire she feels she left him in. The sky she looks to in order to find him again, wherever he may be.
---------
Excerpt:
"It's like the fire has been burnt into my mind. Red nights; that's what I'm left with now."
Excerpt #2
"...I think the reason I still see red is because part of me is afraid to let it go. I feel like I'll be moving on and away, leaving Blake behind in the fire."
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But between the truth of her ordeal finally coming out and discovering that someone so incredibly close to her had maliciously done this to her, just breaks her heart. Seeing her true strength, courage and determination to live her life as best she can with the new man in her life by her side is awe inspiring.
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Final and favourite excerpt from the book....
"Time does not always heal, but it eases. Our pain is like the earth, slowly moving, never really changing, and always seeking the light of another day."
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An incredible read that did take me a few days to digest and complete due to the difficult and emotional content, made for a fantastic read. With different friendships, loves and trust all building throughout this was a brilliant read but admit I did struggle a little in the middle. But was well worth persevering with to get the answers and insight into the truth.
June 24, 2015
Red Nights by Shari Ryan is a fiery romantic suspense thriller. The story begins with 25 year old Felicity Stone awakened to a fire that is engulfing her, her home and quickly burning away everything that she knows and holds dear in her life. As she struggles to save herself from the flames and smoke that are more than likely going to take her life, she is thankful that her twin brother Blake had decided to go out with friends for the night. At least if there is going to be one tragedy its going to be her not him. Just when she gives herself up to the chaos around her she is miraculously saved, but as she is carried away on a stretcher she hears someone say there is a male in the house with severe burns and unconscious. It has to be Blake. And her world slips out of control and spirals down to rock bottom.
After losing her twin she wonders how she will continue on. How can she live in this world without him? Her friend Aspen and her ex-boyfriend Tanner are right by her side to comfort her in her time of sorrow. But all she really wants to do is run away and leave all her problems behind her. One night she finds herself at the local park, lying in the grass, staring up at the night sky that looks amazingly red to her. It’s late and she knows she shouldn’t be out alone all by herself. And that is exactly when a stranger walks into her life. One that will change the course of her life and quite possibly change her. Not long after meeting Hayes Peyton ex police detective, her world slides even further into oblivion when the prime suspect in the fire that took her brothers life is herself. She knows she didn’t set that fire, but could something she did inadvertently cause it? Hayes vows to help her figure out who the arsonist is and why someone would want to hurt her or her brother.
I absolutely loved the character of Felicity Stone. She is a 25 year old chef, she is loyal to her family and friends. And she has the sense of humor needed to deal with everything that is going on in her life – well most of the time. When she accidentally meets Hayes Peyton at the park in the middle of the night, he chastises her for being out all alone by herself so late at night. He is a protector right from the start. And the fact that he is tall, dark and handsome doesn’t hurt matters. Hayes draws you in from the first moment you meet him. He is mysterious and he has secrets and a past that seems to haunt him on the deepest of levels. The meshing of what now haunts Felicity and what has been haunting Hayes makes the chemistry between the two almost addicting. You want to know what secrets Hayes has and why he won’t share them with this woman that he professes to care so much about. And will he truly be able to help and protect Felicity? I truly enjoyed the suspense of not knowing who the arsonist was. There were definitely a lot of signs pointing in different directions and you never truly knew who you could trust.
In true Shari Ryan fashion she weaves a story of suspense coupled with a hot and steamy romance that makes this book a page turner from page one!!!
After losing her twin she wonders how she will continue on. How can she live in this world without him? Her friend Aspen and her ex-boyfriend Tanner are right by her side to comfort her in her time of sorrow. But all she really wants to do is run away and leave all her problems behind her. One night she finds herself at the local park, lying in the grass, staring up at the night sky that looks amazingly red to her. It’s late and she knows she shouldn’t be out alone all by herself. And that is exactly when a stranger walks into her life. One that will change the course of her life and quite possibly change her. Not long after meeting Hayes Peyton ex police detective, her world slides even further into oblivion when the prime suspect in the fire that took her brothers life is herself. She knows she didn’t set that fire, but could something she did inadvertently cause it? Hayes vows to help her figure out who the arsonist is and why someone would want to hurt her or her brother.
I absolutely loved the character of Felicity Stone. She is a 25 year old chef, she is loyal to her family and friends. And she has the sense of humor needed to deal with everything that is going on in her life – well most of the time. When she accidentally meets Hayes Peyton at the park in the middle of the night, he chastises her for being out all alone by herself so late at night. He is a protector right from the start. And the fact that he is tall, dark and handsome doesn’t hurt matters. Hayes draws you in from the first moment you meet him. He is mysterious and he has secrets and a past that seems to haunt him on the deepest of levels. The meshing of what now haunts Felicity and what has been haunting Hayes makes the chemistry between the two almost addicting. You want to know what secrets Hayes has and why he won’t share them with this woman that he professes to care so much about. And will he truly be able to help and protect Felicity? I truly enjoyed the suspense of not knowing who the arsonist was. There were definitely a lot of signs pointing in different directions and you never truly knew who you could trust.
In true Shari Ryan fashion she weaves a story of suspense coupled with a hot and steamy romance that makes this book a page turner from page one!!!
July 9, 2015
PEPPER'S REVIEW
Oh Kay. Guess I'll just say it now - LOVED IT!!
I'm also going to say that I can't really delve into anything, because - "suspense romance" - AKA - spoilers and holy shits at every turn.
What I will say is HAYES. Basically he was like this:
and we (meaning me and Felicity) were like this:
BUT, I think we were also a little like this:
Lots of things going on with my love/lust for Hayes. Because this is Shari J Ryan, I was basically a little leery of Hayes the whole time. Because ShariJ just does that. She keeps you guessing who everyone "really" is is until the very end - which I will get into in a minute.
First we need to talk Felicity...
OMG. This girl. ShariJ nailed it with EVERY emotion someone could be going through with the tragedy that befalls poor Felicity. The first 40% I was just depressed for her.
But I love that Felicity stayed smart AND kept her defenses up, because there was some shady shit surrounding said tragedy. Felicity was definitely a kick ass heroine.
I was also equally obsessed with the supporting cast. The writing is so good that you get into EVERYONES head. I love when an author can do that - make sure EVERY person in the book has depth. And also have the reader be questioning everyone's motives at the same time. It's pretty brill.
So, the ending. I was fine with it. Some people seem to be having a hard time that it wasn't your run of the mill "tied up in a pretty bow" finale. But honestly, I've come to expect this from ShariJ. And I think I like it. She leaves just enough mystery to keep you thinking after you're done.
Will there be another book? Who knows. But I felt that everything ended quite perfectly. However, you should know by now that I am a huge fan of cliffhangers and so this kind of thing just does it for me.
All in all, I'm becoming a huge fan of ShariJ. I was pretty obsessed with her after TAG, but with RED NIGHTS, I have a whole new respect for her. I can't stress enough how you've got to get on the Shari J. Ryan train. Romantic suspense is where it's at! Pick this up today!!
June 16, 2015
Red Nights by Shari J. Ryan
4.5* review by Nicole McCurdy @ Nic's Novel Idea
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Red Nights, I went into the whole thing without so much as reading the blurb or knowing any character names, it was like the best blind date a girl could go on. Felicity is the main female protagonist of the story, a career focused straight laced girl with no time for a social life or romantic entanglements but it isn’t until tragedy strikes in the most profound and agonising way that she may come to realise her life isn’t as ‘together’ as she would have everyone believe. In the midst of so much turmoil and uncertainty a beautiful dark stranger happens upon Felicity in the park one evening, a man who is carrying his own burdens and tragic memories but it’s with a deeper understanding of each others pain that these two together form a beautiful connection that brings about friendship and the stirrings of something much more complex.
‘“You are doing something to me. Something I can’t explain. I’d been stuck in a rut for so long. I hadn’t found an honest reason to smile since that kid’s death a couple of months ago, and then I stumbled upon you. I know you get it, and I think watching you pick up your pieces is helping me pick up mine. I also think some of our pieces might be getting mixed up. In a good way.” He’s making more sense out of all this than I am. We need each other. It’s so simple. He’s independent of the life I have to leave behind, and I’m separate from his. It’s perfect. “I like being mixed up with you,” I say.
“This could get messy,” he replies, his voice low, raspy and oozing sex. His hands drop to my hips, pulling me with him until he’s leaning up against a tree.’
Red Nights has a strong starting point full of danger and action and intrigue, there is a slight lag in the middle but nothing that will keep you from finding out the truth and going on their love story journey until it reaches it’s stunning finale. Felicity is a character in a spin, her emotions are all over the place but the one constant that keeps her level and grounded is Hayes presence in her life. She’s a strong girl who goes through some incredible upheaval in such a short period of time. Hayes is terrific. Kind, sincere and sexy as all get out. Although he has his dark moments his character finds Felicity’s love and troubles give him focus. It has a great plot and some interesting and eccentric side characters. The sex scenes between overprotective Hayes and frazzled Felicity are pretty hot too but tasteful rather than your run of the mill explicit over-described romps. So there you have it, action, sex, romance, danger and a stalker on the loose, when you mix all that together you end up with a highly entertaining book, well written with good interaction between the characters.
4.5* review by Nicole McCurdy @ Nic's Novel Idea
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Red Nights, I went into the whole thing without so much as reading the blurb or knowing any character names, it was like the best blind date a girl could go on. Felicity is the main female protagonist of the story, a career focused straight laced girl with no time for a social life or romantic entanglements but it isn’t until tragedy strikes in the most profound and agonising way that she may come to realise her life isn’t as ‘together’ as she would have everyone believe. In the midst of so much turmoil and uncertainty a beautiful dark stranger happens upon Felicity in the park one evening, a man who is carrying his own burdens and tragic memories but it’s with a deeper understanding of each others pain that these two together form a beautiful connection that brings about friendship and the stirrings of something much more complex.
‘“You are doing something to me. Something I can’t explain. I’d been stuck in a rut for so long. I hadn’t found an honest reason to smile since that kid’s death a couple of months ago, and then I stumbled upon you. I know you get it, and I think watching you pick up your pieces is helping me pick up mine. I also think some of our pieces might be getting mixed up. In a good way.” He’s making more sense out of all this than I am. We need each other. It’s so simple. He’s independent of the life I have to leave behind, and I’m separate from his. It’s perfect. “I like being mixed up with you,” I say.
“This could get messy,” he replies, his voice low, raspy and oozing sex. His hands drop to my hips, pulling me with him until he’s leaning up against a tree.’
Red Nights has a strong starting point full of danger and action and intrigue, there is a slight lag in the middle but nothing that will keep you from finding out the truth and going on their love story journey until it reaches it’s stunning finale. Felicity is a character in a spin, her emotions are all over the place but the one constant that keeps her level and grounded is Hayes presence in her life. She’s a strong girl who goes through some incredible upheaval in such a short period of time. Hayes is terrific. Kind, sincere and sexy as all get out. Although he has his dark moments his character finds Felicity’s love and troubles give him focus. It has a great plot and some interesting and eccentric side characters. The sex scenes between overprotective Hayes and frazzled Felicity are pretty hot too but tasteful rather than your run of the mill explicit over-described romps. So there you have it, action, sex, romance, danger and a stalker on the loose, when you mix all that together you end up with a highly entertaining book, well written with good interaction between the characters.
May 3, 2015
5 outstanding stars for Red Nights by Shari Ryan! This book was not what I expected;it was so much more.
Felicity Stone is a 25 year old woman whose life up to this point has been nothing short of perfect. She has a great job, and a twin brother that she loves more than life. As we all know, life can change in an instant, and this is exactly what happens to Felicity. She came home from work one day thinking that she had the house to herself. After eating a quick dinner, she went to bed. Sometime later, she starts to feel very warm and begins to smell smoke. She realizes that her house is on fire, and she begins searching for a way out. She is about to give up when a door swings open, and she is carried out of the raging fire. She then sees her brother's body being carried out of the house. When she gets to the hospital, no one will tell her anything about Blake's condition, so she freaks out. It is at this poing that the doctors realize that they need to sedate her. When she wakes up, her parents tell her that Blake is in a coma, and there is nothing the doctors can do for him. After Blake passes away, Felicity moves in with her friend Aspen on a temporary basis. After becoming upset one night, she sneaks out of the apartment and goes to a park nearby. It is here that she meets Hayes and his dog "Lady". It doesn't take long for them to build a friendship. Aspen and Felicity's ex boyfriend, Tanner, are worried about her. At the time of their break up, Felicity broke up with Tanner because Blake did not want her to become another notch on his belt. The two remained friends, so it wasn't strange for him to be hanging around trying to make sure she was okay. Things progress between Felicity and Hayes. They are two broken people who feel like they were meant to save each other.
As the arson investigation continues, it seems like every person close to her is a suspect including her. Information is revealed and things get crazy! Can everything that Felicity discovers be true? And if it is, how can she accept the truth and move on?
I can not begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book! The story line progresses at the perfect pace and is filled with many twists and turns! Felicity and Hayes are two broken people who just might end up being each other's savings grace. Shari Ryan is an excellent writer, and I am certain that she will be considered one of the best authors around before long. I have read many books this year, but this one has made it to the top of my favorites! Kudos to Shari for hitting it out of the park with this one! You need to read this one ASAP!!
Felicity Stone is a 25 year old woman whose life up to this point has been nothing short of perfect. She has a great job, and a twin brother that she loves more than life. As we all know, life can change in an instant, and this is exactly what happens to Felicity. She came home from work one day thinking that she had the house to herself. After eating a quick dinner, she went to bed. Sometime later, she starts to feel very warm and begins to smell smoke. She realizes that her house is on fire, and she begins searching for a way out. She is about to give up when a door swings open, and she is carried out of the raging fire. She then sees her brother's body being carried out of the house. When she gets to the hospital, no one will tell her anything about Blake's condition, so she freaks out. It is at this poing that the doctors realize that they need to sedate her. When she wakes up, her parents tell her that Blake is in a coma, and there is nothing the doctors can do for him. After Blake passes away, Felicity moves in with her friend Aspen on a temporary basis. After becoming upset one night, she sneaks out of the apartment and goes to a park nearby. It is here that she meets Hayes and his dog "Lady". It doesn't take long for them to build a friendship. Aspen and Felicity's ex boyfriend, Tanner, are worried about her. At the time of their break up, Felicity broke up with Tanner because Blake did not want her to become another notch on his belt. The two remained friends, so it wasn't strange for him to be hanging around trying to make sure she was okay. Things progress between Felicity and Hayes. They are two broken people who feel like they were meant to save each other.
As the arson investigation continues, it seems like every person close to her is a suspect including her. Information is revealed and things get crazy! Can everything that Felicity discovers be true? And if it is, how can she accept the truth and move on?
I can not begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book! The story line progresses at the perfect pace and is filled with many twists and turns! Felicity and Hayes are two broken people who just might end up being each other's savings grace. Shari Ryan is an excellent writer, and I am certain that she will be considered one of the best authors around before long. I have read many books this year, but this one has made it to the top of my favorites! Kudos to Shari for hitting it out of the park with this one! You need to read this one ASAP!!
June 11, 2015
I received an ARC of Red Nights in exchange for an honest review.
In this book we encounter the amazing heroine, Felicity and her sidekick and male counterpart Hayes.
Felicity is an amazing chef, a loving daughter and a grieving sister who loses her twin brother and best friend Blake.
Hayes, a detective who takes a break because of an investigation gone wrong, has an affinity for bad jokes, a wonderful Lady, who is his dog and picks up beautiful women at night in parks.
After losing her brother and everything she owns, apart from a broken phone, in a house fire, Felicity goes through grieve, but learns that life still has a lot to give to her with the help of old friends, new friends, family and an amazing boss.
The police suspects her of being an arsonist, but with the help of Hayes, whom she learns to love and to be loved by, whose secrets are as terrible as her own conflicts, she slowly uncovers the true arsonist and murderer, who purposely tried to kill her and her brother with the help of cat litter.
But running against time takes its toll on her mind as she begins to distrust everyone in her inner circle and pushes them away.
Being sneaky, as her secret smoking habit proves, helps her to find the murderer and help other victims to get back a piece of mind.
Red Nights included an amazing love story, self blame, grieve at its worst, betrayals, tragedies and a whole lot of suspense.
While reading this book I suspected about everyone in between the lines, but was proved that my initial hunch was right.
Miss Ryan, should I start a new career in law enforcement?
-Felicity has no idea how near she came to the last sentence being true.
With this last statement the book finished on a rather dark note and added the suspense the book had throughout the book.
I loved this book, as my five stars indicated, and was fascinated with every aspect of it.
The only thing I missed was the recipe for Felicity's Lobster Mac and Cheese.
In this book we encounter the amazing heroine, Felicity and her sidekick and male counterpart Hayes.
Felicity is an amazing chef, a loving daughter and a grieving sister who loses her twin brother and best friend Blake.
Hayes, a detective who takes a break because of an investigation gone wrong, has an affinity for bad jokes, a wonderful Lady, who is his dog and picks up beautiful women at night in parks.
After losing her brother and everything she owns, apart from a broken phone, in a house fire, Felicity goes through grieve, but learns that life still has a lot to give to her with the help of old friends, new friends, family and an amazing boss.
The police suspects her of being an arsonist, but with the help of Hayes, whom she learns to love and to be loved by, whose secrets are as terrible as her own conflicts, she slowly uncovers the true arsonist and murderer, who purposely tried to kill her and her brother with the help of cat litter.
But running against time takes its toll on her mind as she begins to distrust everyone in her inner circle and pushes them away.
Being sneaky, as her secret smoking habit proves, helps her to find the murderer and help other victims to get back a piece of mind.
Red Nights included an amazing love story, self blame, grieve at its worst, betrayals, tragedies and a whole lot of suspense.
While reading this book I suspected about everyone in between the lines, but was proved that my initial hunch was right.
Miss Ryan, should I start a new career in law enforcement?
-Felicity has no idea how near she came to the last sentence being true.
With this last statement the book finished on a rather dark note and added the suspense the book had throughout the book.
I loved this book, as my five stars indicated, and was fascinated with every aspect of it.
The only thing I missed was the recipe for Felicity's Lobster Mac and Cheese.
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