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Held #3
22918
Lester Wine is a serial killer. Having brutally murdered dozens of women, he serves out his final days on death row. As his execution date nears, he recounts his story to a young journalist and budding author, telling every gory detail of his life and of the crimes he committed, all while fantasizing about the chance to do them one more time.
*For mature audiences only.
*For mature audiences only.
ebook
First published October 30, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 27, 2014
*** 4.22918 STARS ***
Not quite Held but . . .
. . . I enjoyed it immensely. Yeah, I'm fucked up like that .
Do you want to get in the mind of a horny serial killer? Say yes &one-click this bad boy. And if you haven't read any of Kimberly A. Bettes other books, one-click those as well. She's FANTASTIC !
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Not quite Held but . . .
. . . I enjoyed it immensely. Yeah, I'm fucked up like that .
Do you want to get in the mind of a horny serial killer? Say yes &one-click this bad boy. And if you haven't read any of Kimberly A. Bettes other books, one-click those as well. She's FANTASTIC !
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
December 31, 2016
Disturbingly mesmerizing
I'm usually more of a dark romance kinda gal and thought that's what I'd be reading... this is more horror with a lot of sex thrown in and some gratuitous violence towards prostitutes. There's not a romantic bone in this guy's body so if you're looking for that obsessive Alpha dark love, look elsewhere. Still, the story was riveting. We get the whole story as he tells the journalist about his life from childhood on and he doesn't leave a single, sordid detail out. Though I missed the love I find in my usual reads as well as the HEA, this was too well written to give it anything less than five stars. Well done.
I'm usually more of a dark romance kinda gal and thought that's what I'd be reading... this is more horror with a lot of sex thrown in and some gratuitous violence towards prostitutes. There's not a romantic bone in this guy's body so if you're looking for that obsessive Alpha dark love, look elsewhere. Still, the story was riveting. We get the whole story as he tells the journalist about his life from childhood on and he doesn't leave a single, sordid detail out. Though I missed the love I find in my usual reads as well as the HEA, this was too well written to give it anything less than five stars. Well done.
October 28, 2015
**** 4 Love Control Stars ****
"Once you get into my mind or the mind of anyone like me, there's no going back."
And I love every minute of reading about a dark mind and the thought process of their everyday life.
Lester Wine is a killer plain and simple. He makes no excused for what he is and is not about to hide what he has done to all the "whores" he has taken the lives of. These whore's are prostitutes they never cause Lester any harm until they make bad choices while with Lester.
This is his story, told by Lester in a prison interview.
There is no lovey dovey heart-wrenching moments in this story. It is a raw tale of a boy then teenager then adult searching for a love that he never really felt from anyone.
His story is raw and gritty and honest. It will suck you in and you will begin to feel empathy for Lester and his darkness.
"Having control over women felt good. Damn Good."
As the conclusion gets closer, you see Lester's mindset change. I know you are thinking he is a murder...he is already crazy....but you never really feel that way about him. He is almost a sane murderer.
What brought Lester down ultimately, was he started feeling something for one of his "whores" one that he truly believed was his girlfriend after one night with her.
In the end, you watch Lester at his breaking point with this mother. That is one of the saddest confrontations I have read. Lester was just a boy who wanted the love of his mother that he never thought he really had.
This was a great read with a different style that I really enjoyed. Thank you Miss Bettes!!
"Once you get into my mind or the mind of anyone like me, there's no going back."
And I love every minute of reading about a dark mind and the thought process of their everyday life.
Lester Wine is a killer plain and simple. He makes no excused for what he is and is not about to hide what he has done to all the "whores" he has taken the lives of. These whore's are prostitutes they never cause Lester any harm until they make bad choices while with Lester.
This is his story, told by Lester in a prison interview.
There is no lovey dovey heart-wrenching moments in this story. It is a raw tale of a boy then teenager then adult searching for a love that he never really felt from anyone.
His story is raw and gritty and honest. It will suck you in and you will begin to feel empathy for Lester and his darkness.
"Having control over women felt good. Damn Good."
As the conclusion gets closer, you see Lester's mindset change. I know you are thinking he is a murder...he is already crazy....but you never really feel that way about him. He is almost a sane murderer.
What brought Lester down ultimately, was he started feeling something for one of his "whores" one that he truly believed was his girlfriend after one night with her.
In the end, you watch Lester at his breaking point with this mother. That is one of the saddest confrontations I have read. Lester was just a boy who wanted the love of his mother that he never thought he really had.
This was a great read with a different style that I really enjoyed. Thank you Miss Bettes!!
September 13, 2019
Review by PussnBooks.net
PussnBooks.net Reviewing the darkest, most erotic, and taboo books we can find.
So this is the final book in the HELD series and after about five pages I figured out what was going on, lol. And I loved it.
I was unsure if it was going to pick up with Nicole or Ron after the end of PUSHED and wasn’t sure how that would play out but, I needn’t have worried because this one takes place before the two ever met.
It was very cleverly written and gave you an insight into what got Ron going in the first place. If you paid attention to all of Ron’s talk about his earlier life, and his pen name, then this would fall into place very quickly.
Although Ron is in this book it’s mostly about Lester and his unquenchable thirst for prostitutes and murder.
LESTER - So this is back in the 1990s and Lester is being interviewed by a very curious young reporter for the local paper as he’s soon to be executed for multiple murders.
He sees something in this young man that reminds him of himself and so decides to tell his story in full and gory detail.
Lester is in his 50’s (I think) and has been killing for a long time.
He describes in detail how it all began and his first brush with death.
I’ll be honest, this story didn’t make me feel as ill or anxious as the first two. Instead, it absolutely fascinated me!
It’s something I’ve always wanted to study (criminal psychology) and I wonder just how close to reality this interview would be. Pretty close, I would imagine.
It was gory and sick in places, yes, but also pulled at my heartstrings a little too.
Some of the situations described in the book are real for so many women and that saddens me but also it made me realise just how dangerous that lifestyle is.
But for Lester too, he was missing that connection with another human soul.
FINAL THOUGHTS on 22918 by Kimberly A Bettes
I feel that although this was a dark and sometimes freaky story, it was also more thought-provoking than the first two books. It gave you a glimpse inside the head of the “bad guy” and you could almost see how these things escalate.
This series will stay with me for a long time. It was excellent!
5 Stars
PussnBooks.net Reviewing the darkest, most erotic, and taboo books we can find.
So this is the final book in the HELD series and after about five pages I figured out what was going on, lol. And I loved it.
I was unsure if it was going to pick up with Nicole or Ron after the end of PUSHED and wasn’t sure how that would play out but, I needn’t have worried because this one takes place before the two ever met.
It was very cleverly written and gave you an insight into what got Ron going in the first place. If you paid attention to all of Ron’s talk about his earlier life, and his pen name, then this would fall into place very quickly.
Although Ron is in this book it’s mostly about Lester and his unquenchable thirst for prostitutes and murder.
LESTER - So this is back in the 1990s and Lester is being interviewed by a very curious young reporter for the local paper as he’s soon to be executed for multiple murders.
He sees something in this young man that reminds him of himself and so decides to tell his story in full and gory detail.
Lester is in his 50’s (I think) and has been killing for a long time.
He describes in detail how it all began and his first brush with death.
I’ll be honest, this story didn’t make me feel as ill or anxious as the first two. Instead, it absolutely fascinated me!
It’s something I’ve always wanted to study (criminal psychology) and I wonder just how close to reality this interview would be. Pretty close, I would imagine.
It was gory and sick in places, yes, but also pulled at my heartstrings a little too.
Some of the situations described in the book are real for so many women and that saddens me but also it made me realise just how dangerous that lifestyle is.
But for Lester too, he was missing that connection with another human soul.
FINAL THOUGHTS on 22918 by Kimberly A Bettes
I feel that although this was a dark and sometimes freaky story, it was also more thought-provoking than the first two books. It gave you a glimpse inside the head of the “bad guy” and you could almost see how these things escalate.
This series will stay with me for a long time. It was excellent!
5 Stars
April 7, 2016
Another amazing book by an amazing author. I read the entire book in one sitting. It was too good to put down. I especially loved that it was written from the serial killer's POV.
February 24, 2016
Unlike books one and two, both of which were very good, this one was a huge disappointment. I don't think a third one was needed, but that's me.
October 26, 2017
Omg! I Frickin Knew It! High-5 Jessica! ;)
My Reaction After Reading This Book!! Awesome Frickin Bloody Awesome! Dark, Disturbing And That Twist! Lol. This could be read as a standalone but it goes amazing with the other two. Bravo Mrs. Bettes!!
* I went into this book blindly and I'm so glad I did. Because a few of the other reviews, spoiled the big twist. And that is a big pet peeve for me (you want to spoil, put up spoil tags) Which is totally unfair for others. So, if you been following the "Held Series" I say go in blindly (to get full affect!)
April 13, 2024
3rd book of the Held series! Let me tell you, these are some of the most gruesome, gory graphic books I have ever read!! Not for the faint of heart... but amazing for those who love to explore the dark and depraved minds of humanity!
The first book, just wow! The character growth is wonderful and so unbelievably realistic.
2nd book is full of beautiful revenge!!
Highly recommend for those with no TWs!!
The first book, just wow! The character growth is wonderful and so unbelievably realistic.
2nd book is full of beautiful revenge!!
Highly recommend for those with no TWs!!
April 28, 2016
This is the 3rd book in the Held Series. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading this after the first two book. The first book is Held, the second book is Pushed.
To read my reviews on either.
Held → https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pushed → https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The first two book I loved! I mean those are really good books, and I am always recommending them to people who want something really dark.
This book you start off with a young journalist wanting to write an article about Lester Wine, he is a serial killer, got caught and is telling the young journalist about all of his sick twisted stories, on how he killed hookers.
At first going into this book I wasn't sure what to expect. The main character Ron in the first two books is no where to be found. I had no idea where he was or if he was perhaps Lester, I had no clue. I just continued to read this book and felt disappointed. Like I said, I was not sure what I was getting but I wanted more. It was not as slasher as the other two books and gory. It felt kind of held back a little. I did not see the point in this book once I finished it.
Honestly this book left me with more questions than answers.
To read my reviews on either.
Held → https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pushed → https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The first two book I loved! I mean those are really good books, and I am always recommending them to people who want something really dark.
This book you start off with a young journalist wanting to write an article about Lester Wine, he is a serial killer, got caught and is telling the young journalist about all of his sick twisted stories, on how he killed hookers.
At first going into this book I wasn't sure what to expect. The main character Ron in the first two books is no where to be found. I had no idea where he was or if he was perhaps Lester, I had no clue. I just continued to read this book and felt disappointed. Like I said, I was not sure what I was getting but I wanted more. It was not as slasher as the other two books and gory. It felt kind of held back a little. I did not see the point in this book once I finished it.
Honestly this book left me with more questions than answers.
November 29, 2014
I'm so glad I found this gem. I love the way the author wrote it. I thought the story was believable and entertaining. I saw the book on Facebook and started stalking... er following Kimberly A. Bettes. I read the excerpt on Amazon and was hooked. I had a really hard time putting this book down.
The book is written in the form of an interview, but it's more like the killer talks about all of his victims, starting with the very first one when he was a young boy. There's not a lot of dialogue. There's not a lot of anything about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It wasn't overly gruesome and gory, because that's not how Lester liked to kill his victims.
Of course I tend to have a morbid curiosity about this sort of thing. I love watching shows about serial killers. Having it be told about someone in Missouri makes it more interesting for me somehow. Especially when I know someone who actually works at Potosi!
Well done! I look forward to reading more by this author.
The book is written in the form of an interview, but it's more like the killer talks about all of his victims, starting with the very first one when he was a young boy. There's not a lot of dialogue. There's not a lot of anything about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It wasn't overly gruesome and gory, because that's not how Lester liked to kill his victims.
Of course I tend to have a morbid curiosity about this sort of thing. I love watching shows about serial killers. Having it be told about someone in Missouri makes it more interesting for me somehow. Especially when I know someone who actually works at Potosi!
Well done! I look forward to reading more by this author.
March 26, 2015
Into the mind of a killer.
What a refreshing take on serial killers. It is not very often you get the point of view of the killer, but in this novel you do.
You always wonder what gives the serial killer their drive or what they are thinking. In this novel you know exactly what is going on in the killer's mind as he tells his story. It was truly scary to read in a real, this could happen sort of way.
What a refreshing take on serial killers. It is not very often you get the point of view of the killer, but in this novel you do.
You always wonder what gives the serial killer their drive or what they are thinking. In this novel you know exactly what is going on in the killer's mind as he tells his story. It was truly scary to read in a real, this could happen sort of way.
December 27, 2014
This is a very good read! I read it in 2 sittings, same day. I just couldn't put it down. It's a serial killer book with the story being told by the killer himself. If you like books about serial killers, read this book!
December 28, 2014
Easy read
Keeps you engaged and wanting to know more until the last page. Another great book by Kim Bettes! Always look forward to a story by her!
Keeps you engaged and wanting to know more until the last page. Another great book by Kim Bettes! Always look forward to a story by her!
March 3, 2015
This book was ok for me. It didn't keep me on the edge of my set like I was hoping for. I wish it was a little darker maybe and more scary.
July 15, 2015
Great story!This girl can write with the best of them.Plenty of action and gore to keep the pages turning quickly and have you looking forward to the next read from this author.
March 12, 2015
Another great book by this amazing author!
February 1, 2018
The story continues from from book one, Held and book two, Pushed. Lester is a serial killer behind bars who is finally behind bars for his crimes.
He wants to make sure his story gets out and agrees to talk to a journalist. While telling her all the horrible details of his crimes, he is enjoying reliving all the details and just wants to kill again. With his days being numbered while on death row, he would give anything to kill just one more time. Will he get that chance?
He wants to make sure his story gets out and agrees to talk to a journalist. While telling her all the horrible details of his crimes, he is enjoying reliving all the details and just wants to kill again. With his days being numbered while on death row, he would give anything to kill just one more time. Will he get that chance?
April 23, 2019
This was an interesting book. I don't feel that it should be compiled with the first two Held books. It just doesn't fit in that I could find. The book is told by the killer to a reporter, as the reporter is wanting to write a book about the killer. The story does not go back and forth between killing and talking to each other. Once the killer starts talking the book doesn't end till the killer has told the whole story.
February 22, 2018
Solo novel
This should’ve been book one if at at all. Every page I read I couldn’t help wondering when we’d get to the point of how this all tied into bk 1&2. All that time and not one mention following up on ending of book 2.
This should’ve been book one if at at all. Every page I read I couldn’t help wondering when we’d get to the point of how this all tied into bk 1&2. All that time and not one mention following up on ending of book 2.
January 26, 2023
another awesome read!
Loved the whole setting of this book and coming from the inmate perspective made it so much better. Kimberly was right on the money with this one, if your thinking about reading it just do it you won’t be disappointed.
Loved the whole setting of this book and coming from the inmate perspective made it so much better. Kimberly was right on the money with this one, if your thinking about reading it just do it you won’t be disappointed.
November 12, 2017
DNF ..series of murders that I couldn't finish
January 28, 2018
Not as good as the first 2. Had me a little confused as to who was who in this story.
April 23, 2019
Excellent fast read
A reporter, comes to interview a serial killer before he is executed. Lester, tells his story. How many killed and how he killed them.
A reporter, comes to interview a serial killer before he is executed. Lester, tells his story. How many killed and how he killed them.
August 9, 2020
Redwine
This is a story in a story. This is the beginning of Ron Redwine. How it all started. How he became R. D. Redwine.
This is a story in a story. This is the beginning of Ron Redwine. How it all started. How he became R. D. Redwine.
April 11, 2016
A young journalist visits the Potosi Correctional Center where serial killer, Lester Wine, is on death row awaiting his execution. The journalist is eager, anxious--even nervous--to hear what this infamous killer has to say. He has come to get the entire story in hopes that it will further his career. The young journalist will not be disappointed. He will get far more than he bargained for....
When I realized that this book was part of the Held series, I just had to read it right away. I'm a fan of Kimberly Bettes and knew that I wouldn't be disappointed. I definitely wasn't!
Though, I must say, this book lacks some of the suspense and mounting dread that was present within the first two books. It is not quite as gory, though it certainly contains plenty of gruesome scenes of violence. I think the fact that it's an account of several killings as opposed to the focus being on a single captive struggling to survive diminishes the emotional attachment. There weren't any characters with whom I bonded or felt compelled to care for/worry about.
Despite this contrast to the first two books, I thought this story was deeply engrossing. It was intriguing to hear the killer discuss his childhood and the events which led to his immoral choices. There were even a few moments where I felt some pity for him. The story is believable--I could see how such circumstances could give rise to someone so cold-hearted and violent. Bettes did a superb job creating a detailed history for Lester and offering her readers an fascinating journey into the mind of a killer.
The ending was great, too!
When I realized that this book was part of the Held series, I just had to read it right away. I'm a fan of Kimberly Bettes and knew that I wouldn't be disappointed. I definitely wasn't!
Though, I must say, this book lacks some of the suspense and mounting dread that was present within the first two books. It is not quite as gory, though it certainly contains plenty of gruesome scenes of violence. I think the fact that it's an account of several killings as opposed to the focus being on a single captive struggling to survive diminishes the emotional attachment. There weren't any characters with whom I bonded or felt compelled to care for/worry about.
Despite this contrast to the first two books, I thought this story was deeply engrossing. It was intriguing to hear the killer discuss his childhood and the events which led to his immoral choices. There were even a few moments where I felt some pity for him. The story is believable--I could see how such circumstances could give rise to someone so cold-hearted and violent. Bettes did a superb job creating a detailed history for Lester and offering her readers an fascinating journey into the mind of a killer.
The ending was great, too!
November 6, 2015
In this book Ron is first exposed to a serial killer while interviewing him. It explains how Ron chose his name and where he began planning his future murders. It is after he has written his first book that failed due to his lack of understanding of how murders were committed. This book was just okay for me. It tells the stories of Lesters criminal activity but not with enough variation that the situational felt new. Nothing about Lester's victims made you empathize with them, not because they are hooker but more because you know nothing about their personalities or lives. You learn how Lester has shaped himself into a serial killer and that he would have never quit because it is what makes him feel good.
What I still wonder is Ron's story. I can't imagine that after interviewing Lester he just decided to start killing women without a sliver of empathy. He was also very secretive about his life and made lied about his life while with Nicole in the previous books. So what really made him a murderer? Was he displaying sign as a child? Were the tendencies just lying in wait for a catalyst the whole time? Still so many question ...but it was still a good book to spend the evening reading.
What I still wonder is Ron's story. I can't imagine that after interviewing Lester he just decided to start killing women without a sliver of empathy. He was also very secretive about his life and made lied about his life while with Nicole in the previous books. So what really made him a murderer? Was he displaying sign as a child? Were the tendencies just lying in wait for a catalyst the whole time? Still so many question ...but it was still a good book to spend the evening reading.
August 26, 2016
Umm... YES!!! Meaning this book is NOT for anyone with a weak stomach. It is raw, thrilling, horrifying, disturbing.. At least the author put the disclaimer, ***For mature audiences only*** because you definitely would not want your kids getting a hold of this! What I loved the most was that this story is told through the perspective of a serial killer... You get to experience antisocial, true psychotic behavior. The best part is that Lester Wine could very well exist right now- he could be your neighbor, your co-worker, the guy behind you checking out at your local grocery store or Target. Hence why I LOVE the statistic- "The average person walks past a murder 36 times in their life"- "It's a fun fact because they didn't kill you" This author is AMAZING and her novels are INTENSE!!!!!! Enjoy fellow readers! Do NOT pass this author up!
April 18, 2016
I thought this book was a pretty good one, even though it was quite disgusting in some scenes and ultimately creepy - which was supposed to be the point - Nailed it!! Don't necessarily think that it needed to be part of the Held series as it could have been a novel that stood on its own. Kimberly Bettes once again "knocked the ball out of the park" with her excellent writing style. Loved the creepy short story that was included at the end of the book entitled "His Ashes" - as weird as it was. Overall, 4 stars for this book!
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November 24, 2014Thoroughly Enjoyable
I'm so glad I found this gem. I love the way the author wrote it. I thought the story was believable and entertaining.
Of course I tend to have a morbid curiosity about this sort of thing. Having it be told about someone in Missouri makes it more interesting for me somehow.
well done!
I'm so glad I found this gem. I love the way the author wrote it. I thought the story was believable and entertaining.
Of course I tend to have a morbid curiosity about this sort of thing. Having it be told about someone in Missouri makes it more interesting for me somehow.
well done!
December 19, 2014
I didn't finish this book - I didn't care about the main character and didn't like how he told his story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews