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Mirror #2
Rule of Thirds
Jacoby Razwell has been a grifter, a vic and an FBI agent in WITSEC…
He's also the brother of a serial killer.
Jacoby Razwell comes from a family of gypsies, tramps and thieves…but when he discovers that his sister, Jessica, is a killer, he immediately tries to extricate himself from her. In retaliation, his sister leaves him badly scarred, words of warning carved into his body. He immediately runs to Special Agent Ward Thayer, the man in charge of the unsolved murders that Jacoby knows his sister is behind.
Ward takes him in and puts him under the FBI's protection. But Jacoby wants more, and, after a year of cooperating with the FBI, he insists on entrance to the Academy. Jacoby completes the training at Quantico with flying colors, and soon he's hunting Jessica—and other serial killers—next to Ward. They've become partners at work and partners at home…until Jessica finds a way to tear them apart.
Now, charged with protecting a witness who has his own dangerous secrets to hide, Jacoby and Ward must attempt to bring Jessica to justice at last, all the while knowing that this time they'll have to run toward danger and put their lives—and their relationship—on the line.
He's also the brother of a serial killer.
Jacoby Razwell comes from a family of gypsies, tramps and thieves…but when he discovers that his sister, Jessica, is a killer, he immediately tries to extricate himself from her. In retaliation, his sister leaves him badly scarred, words of warning carved into his body. He immediately runs to Special Agent Ward Thayer, the man in charge of the unsolved murders that Jacoby knows his sister is behind.
Ward takes him in and puts him under the FBI's protection. But Jacoby wants more, and, after a year of cooperating with the FBI, he insists on entrance to the Academy. Jacoby completes the training at Quantico with flying colors, and soon he's hunting Jessica—and other serial killers—next to Ward. They've become partners at work and partners at home…until Jessica finds a way to tear them apart.
Now, charged with protecting a witness who has his own dangerous secrets to hide, Jacoby and Ward must attempt to bring Jessica to justice at last, all the while knowing that this time they'll have to run toward danger and put their lives—and their relationship—on the line.
Unknown Binding
First published October 30, 2015
26 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Tyler
80 books1,280 followersNew York Times Bestselling author Stephanie Tyler writes what she loves to read - romantic suspense novels starring military heroes and paranormal romance novels novels starring warrior heroes, all complete with happy endings. She also writes as SE Jakes.
And because she's not busy enough, she also co-writes as Sydney Croft. She lives in New York with her husband, her kids and her crazy Weimaraner, Gus.
For more information on Stephanie, please visit www.stephanietyler.com or email her at stephanie@stephanietyler.com.
For more information on SE Jakes, please visit SEJakes.com.
For more information on Sydney, please visit www.sydneycroft.com or email Sydney at sydney@sydneycroft.com
And because she's not busy enough, she also co-writes as Sydney Croft. She lives in New York with her husband, her kids and her crazy Weimaraner, Gus.
For more information on Stephanie, please visit www.stephanietyler.com or email her at stephanie@stephanietyler.com.
For more information on SE Jakes, please visit SEJakes.com.
For more information on Sydney, please visit www.sydneycroft.com or email Sydney at sydney@sydneycroft.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 21, 2015
Full reviewage on Prism Book Alliance®
The set-up is complicated and it got my mind working, ready to settle into this story. Many questions began brewing and I hoped they’d be answered or, at least, replaced with more interesting questions. I did feel some early confusion in trying to keep everything straight from the beginning, as we’re dumped right into the story. For this approach to work, the players and their goals need to be clearly defined, providing a place for the reader to plant their flag while things play out and details revealed. Be ready to hit the ground running with this one!
It was also clear early on that the warm-and-fuzzies would be few and far between in this story. These characters, Jacoby Razwell and Ward Thayer, are mature and have seen their fair share of life. It kind of just hit me that the story wasn’t quite at the same level of the characters in that maturity. I had been trying to put my finger on it and I think I just did: these guys, along with Bren and Jessica and the rest, are well-crafted characters, all with their own sets of emotions and motivations, but the story carrying them is a little meandering and drawn out, which then cuts into the intensity that tries to build throughout.
On that same train, these characters speak and react like adults, both in action and language used. I appreciate that muchly. Each of these people has a clear path in this story, even if it takes them awhile to traverse it.
From the first, he’d known Ward was both capable of taking care of him and handling him – two very similar things with a very distinct difference.
This is the moment I started feeling solidly connected with these characters. It took a while to happen but it definitely did.
Some of the dialogue goes on for a few pages and it was easy to lose track of who was saying what. Most of the time, they added to the forward progress of the story but, in having to backtrack, some of that momentum was thwarted. And I did have to backtrack because important stuff was happening and I didn’t want to miss something, as so much was going on all at once.
This is not an easy read. Some difficult subjects and experiences are parts of the lives of these characters and all of them are being dealt with. This fact and the characters are the two brightest highlights for me in this story. I rarely give warnings inside the body of my reviews but heed the tags for this book.
On the other side of this coin are some of the actions characters take during and after some of the discussions about these life-changing events. I want to be careful here. I’ve never been tortured or abused. Still, I found it difficult to accept, for example, Jacoby and Ward falling into bed as they’re graphically discussing some of the worst of it all. Again, I do not assume to know how every single person would behave in this situation but it rang unrealistic to me, too far into the “hurt-comfort” type of story, lessening the impact of it all.
This is a densely packed story in terms of moving parts, character histories, past connections between them, current events, and the number of conflicts that need resolution. I did sometimes wonder if I would get to those resolutions. I did, however, find myself thinking about the story between readings, wanting to know what was going to happen next.
This is a unique story in plot and its twists. I’ve not read one with this particular set of circumstances and questions that needed answering. In the end, I did find myself pulling for Jacoby and Ward, despite the sometimes choppy portrayal of their relationship and its many facets, which itself themselves are definitely positive aspects of the book.
The writing is confident and is mostly successful in conveying and evoking emotion. There were periods where the connection between me and the characters was weakened by the weight of the story itself. This one missed the mark in some ways but succeeded in others for me. On paper, this story has it all with the fully formed characters, clever if drawn out plotting, and strong writing. Despite these things, it missed the mark for me in some ways while succeeding in others. I’m guessing, though, that this is one of those books that will have reactions across the board, including those will love every minute. I have not read book one and I think you’d be able to read this as a standalone.
If you love your FBI agents, murder-centered plots, troubled history between your main characters, and some dirty talkin’ for most excellent measure, you’re likely to find a lot of enjoyment in this book.
The set-up is complicated and it got my mind working, ready to settle into this story. Many questions began brewing and I hoped they’d be answered or, at least, replaced with more interesting questions. I did feel some early confusion in trying to keep everything straight from the beginning, as we’re dumped right into the story. For this approach to work, the players and their goals need to be clearly defined, providing a place for the reader to plant their flag while things play out and details revealed. Be ready to hit the ground running with this one!
It was also clear early on that the warm-and-fuzzies would be few and far between in this story. These characters, Jacoby Razwell and Ward Thayer, are mature and have seen their fair share of life. It kind of just hit me that the story wasn’t quite at the same level of the characters in that maturity. I had been trying to put my finger on it and I think I just did: these guys, along with Bren and Jessica and the rest, are well-crafted characters, all with their own sets of emotions and motivations, but the story carrying them is a little meandering and drawn out, which then cuts into the intensity that tries to build throughout.
On that same train, these characters speak and react like adults, both in action and language used. I appreciate that muchly. Each of these people has a clear path in this story, even if it takes them awhile to traverse it.
From the first, he’d known Ward was both capable of taking care of him and handling him – two very similar things with a very distinct difference.
This is the moment I started feeling solidly connected with these characters. It took a while to happen but it definitely did.
Some of the dialogue goes on for a few pages and it was easy to lose track of who was saying what. Most of the time, they added to the forward progress of the story but, in having to backtrack, some of that momentum was thwarted. And I did have to backtrack because important stuff was happening and I didn’t want to miss something, as so much was going on all at once.
This is not an easy read. Some difficult subjects and experiences are parts of the lives of these characters and all of them are being dealt with. This fact and the characters are the two brightest highlights for me in this story. I rarely give warnings inside the body of my reviews but heed the tags for this book.
On the other side of this coin are some of the actions characters take during and after some of the discussions about these life-changing events. I want to be careful here. I’ve never been tortured or abused. Still, I found it difficult to accept, for example, Jacoby and Ward falling into bed as they’re graphically discussing some of the worst of it all. Again, I do not assume to know how every single person would behave in this situation but it rang unrealistic to me, too far into the “hurt-comfort” type of story, lessening the impact of it all.
This is a densely packed story in terms of moving parts, character histories, past connections between them, current events, and the number of conflicts that need resolution. I did sometimes wonder if I would get to those resolutions. I did, however, find myself thinking about the story between readings, wanting to know what was going to happen next.
This is a unique story in plot and its twists. I’ve not read one with this particular set of circumstances and questions that needed answering. In the end, I did find myself pulling for Jacoby and Ward, despite the sometimes choppy portrayal of their relationship and its many facets, which itself themselves are definitely positive aspects of the book.
The writing is confident and is mostly successful in conveying and evoking emotion. There were periods where the connection between me and the characters was weakened by the weight of the story itself. This one missed the mark in some ways but succeeded in others for me. On paper, this story has it all with the fully formed characters, clever if drawn out plotting, and strong writing. Despite these things, it missed the mark for me in some ways while succeeding in others. I’m guessing, though, that this is one of those books that will have reactions across the board, including those will love every minute. I have not read book one and I think you’d be able to read this as a standalone.
If you love your FBI agents, murder-centered plots, troubled history between your main characters, and some dirty talkin’ for most excellent measure, you’re likely to find a lot of enjoyment in this book.
March 25, 2020
3.5 Stars
November 21, 2015
I can't believe I'm saything this about this author's book but...
38% DNF
Too much flash back
Too much story about the sister
Bored and put me to sleep
Didn't care about the MC because there wasn't much about them
Story pulled things out too slowly
Blah blah... Basically I just didn't like it. Sorry.
38% DNF
Too much flash back
Too much story about the sister
Bored and put me to sleep
Didn't care about the MC because there wasn't much about them
Story pulled things out too slowly
Blah blah... Basically I just didn't like it. Sorry.
March 31, 2017
Not for the faint of heart
This was brutal and pretty graphic. It's a twisted story with a female rapist and serial killer. Both children of a con-woman, she tortured her own brother, Jasper/Jacoby, who turned to the FBI for help and eventually became an agent. He was partner and lover of Ward, the agent who was investigating Jessica, the killer, and who helped Jacoby. Ward was captured and tortured by her as well and they've been apart for two years at the start of this story.
It was somewhat confusing to follow at times. I don't know if there were additional details in book 1, which I haven't and won't be reading. The details of the MC's past did unfold throughout the book and it all made sense in the end. It was a very clever and convoluted plot. IMHO, Ms. Tyler's writing was brilliant, weaving the troubled relationship between Jacoby and Ward in with the complex storyline. There was nothing that was easily guessed in advance. I'm very happy to see Ms. Tyler/SE Jakes writing again after so much she's been through in the past year or so. Can't wait till she's able to add to her other SE Jakes series, too.
This was brutal and pretty graphic. It's a twisted story with a female rapist and serial killer. Both children of a con-woman, she tortured her own brother, Jasper/Jacoby, who turned to the FBI for help and eventually became an agent. He was partner and lover of Ward, the agent who was investigating Jessica, the killer, and who helped Jacoby. Ward was captured and tortured by her as well and they've been apart for two years at the start of this story.
It was somewhat confusing to follow at times. I don't know if there were additional details in book 1, which I haven't and won't be reading. The details of the MC's past did unfold throughout the book and it all made sense in the end. It was a very clever and convoluted plot. IMHO, Ms. Tyler's writing was brilliant, weaving the troubled relationship between Jacoby and Ward in with the complex storyline. There was nothing that was easily guessed in advance. I'm very happy to see Ms. Tyler/SE Jakes writing again after so much she's been through in the past year or so. Can't wait till she's able to add to her other SE Jakes series, too.
June 11, 2016
Wow intense and action filled
I really enjoyed this a lot! It was intense with emotion, action and suspense. I love SE Jakes and can't wait for her next book.
I really enjoyed this a lot! It was intense with emotion, action and suspense. I love SE Jakes and can't wait for her next book.
October 11, 2016
Holy crap this is some series, cannot put the book down. Looking forward to book 3
February 14, 2023
At the beginning of the book I was a little confused. It starts off super fast pace and then you get the details later on and it all makes since. I enjoyed Ward and Jacoby’s story, their connection and tragedies. Made for a Very different read. This was more on the suspense side the romance side and I’m all here for it!
January 26, 2016
Rule of Thirds (Mirror #2)
There're people out there with unbelievably hard, complicated lives. Crazy families, violence, forced to grow-up way too fast … and then there's Jacoby's life.
Holy fck this guy! His life is what Criminal Minds episodes are made of (ノωヽ) All of them.
And the only time he’s been happy; the only thing that ever made him happy, just him, for him, was taken away way too soon and with no hope of ever getting it back.
Getting him back. Ward.
You can see they care for each, desperately so. Trying to keep each other safe even if that means being apart or hurting one another. Cause what else could you do for the person you love the most when they are in danger?
And she is dangerous.
She is barely human. Only one thing on her mind and everything else, everyone else is fcking expendable. Nothing else matter to her. One-track mind; a horrifying, intensely disturbed, fcked-up, twisted, sick mind.
The beginning dragged a little, too heavy on details that didn’t seem important and it felt a little out of depth, both the story and because of that, the MCs as well. I’ll admit it took me a while to get to that point. The point where I couldn’t let go, couldn’t stop reading. But I got to it and I had to keep going. I was suddenly captivated. It took me by surprise but before I knew it it was all just unraveling before me, all pieces falling into place and it was deliciously twisted. And I wanted to know more o(≧▽≦)o
But it was somehow too late. I liked the story, loved Jacoby and Ward but never enough to really feel their pain not enjoy their love or their happy ending.
It almost didn’t feel like a SE Jakes book, even part of one. I mean there's always something familiar about her writing, it makes me feel safe every time cause I know I'm gonna love it cause I always do. She’s golden (≧◡≦) ♡
This felt different. I wasn't sure and I’m still not.
__φ(．．)
There're people out there with unbelievably hard, complicated lives. Crazy families, violence, forced to grow-up way too fast … and then there's Jacoby's life.
Holy fck this guy! His life is what Criminal Minds episodes are made of (ノωヽ) All of them.
And the only time he’s been happy; the only thing that ever made him happy, just him, for him, was taken away way too soon and with no hope of ever getting it back.
Getting him back. Ward.
You can see they care for each, desperately so. Trying to keep each other safe even if that means being apart or hurting one another. Cause what else could you do for the person you love the most when they are in danger?
And she is dangerous.
She is barely human. Only one thing on her mind and everything else, everyone else is fcking expendable. Nothing else matter to her. One-track mind; a horrifying, intensely disturbed, fcked-up, twisted, sick mind.
The beginning dragged a little, too heavy on details that didn’t seem important and it felt a little out of depth, both the story and because of that, the MCs as well. I’ll admit it took me a while to get to that point. The point where I couldn’t let go, couldn’t stop reading. But I got to it and I had to keep going. I was suddenly captivated. It took me by surprise but before I knew it it was all just unraveling before me, all pieces falling into place and it was deliciously twisted. And I wanted to know more o(≧▽≦)o
But it was somehow too late. I liked the story, loved Jacoby and Ward but never enough to really feel their pain not enjoy their love or their happy ending.
It almost didn’t feel like a SE Jakes book, even part of one. I mean there's always something familiar about her writing, it makes me feel safe every time cause I know I'm gonna love it cause I always do. She’s golden (≧◡≦) ♡
This felt different. I wasn't sure and I’m still not.
__φ(．．)
September 28, 2016
This is the second book in a dark thriller series by Stephanie. You first meet Jacoby Razwell in Mirror Mirror and you immediately know there is more to this guy than meets the eye. You find out all about him Rule of Thirds.
This novel is very much a physiological thriller with very intriguing characters. The chemistry between Agent Ward Thayer and Jacoby sizzles right off the pages.
Rule of Thirds is the story of Jacoby Razwell FBI and in WITSEC due to his serial killing sister, and Special Agent Ward Thayer. We first meet Jacoby in Mirror Me and I knew there was more to him then meets the eye. You are not going to believe this guys history.
Again, this story is very much a psychological thriller and things get a bit messy and graphic. There is a lot of history between these two men that finally comes full circle and you can feel the love down deep in your soul with every word Stephanie writes. Jacoby is on the hunt to find his sister and stop her but who exactly is the one being hunted. This book is a true roller-coaster ride that keep me whispering, “oh no” several times.
If you love a good thriller with some amazing male love thrown in, then you definitely want to pick up this book. You can absolutely read this as a stand alone.
See my full review here: https://bookreviewsjanisf.com/?s=step...
This novel is very much a physiological thriller with very intriguing characters. The chemistry between Agent Ward Thayer and Jacoby sizzles right off the pages.
Rule of Thirds is the story of Jacoby Razwell FBI and in WITSEC due to his serial killing sister, and Special Agent Ward Thayer. We first meet Jacoby in Mirror Me and I knew there was more to him then meets the eye. You are not going to believe this guys history.
Again, this story is very much a psychological thriller and things get a bit messy and graphic. There is a lot of history between these two men that finally comes full circle and you can feel the love down deep in your soul with every word Stephanie writes. Jacoby is on the hunt to find his sister and stop her but who exactly is the one being hunted. This book is a true roller-coaster ride that keep me whispering, “oh no” several times.
If you love a good thriller with some amazing male love thrown in, then you definitely want to pick up this book. You can absolutely read this as a stand alone.
See my full review here: https://bookreviewsjanisf.com/?s=step...
November 20, 2015
I was confused by the summary, and that theme seemed to continue on for the rest of the book. I was hooked in from the beginning, especially with Wade calling himself a 'sin eater', but that was completely ignored until the end, which was sad. I honestly couldn't follow a lot of their interactions. One second they'd be fighting, and the next they're married - WUT?? It just felt like the author couldn't be bothered giving any depth to it past the superficial fight-then-fuck trope, which was like every chapter. I thought the middle part was super drawn out and dull, but I think that's my own bias because I don't like crime books in general. The ending was really good though! I loved Jacoby's past life and like how it wasn't over exposed, and parts of it were left in the dark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2016
Rule of Thirds is the second book by Stephanie Tyler in the Mirror series. This book could definitely be read as a standalone book although we were introduced to one of the main characters, Jacoby, in the first book. The romance is between Jacoby and Ward who both are dealing with a brutal past and struggling to deal with it. I would definitely consider this more of a thriller and a little on the graphic side for some readers. I really liked their stories and getting to know both men. If you enjoy a good thriller, then this book is for you.
November 5, 2015
I love this genre and I love SE Jakes, but I didn't love this book. The editing felt choppy, and for all the love Jacoby & Ward shared, their relationship felt forced to me. The ultimate Jessica resolution seemed too easy. I /really/ wanted to love this one, but no.
October 7, 2016
This is the second book in the Mirror series and it's a dark, suspenseful, action packed thriller. Mystery, secrets, twists and turns makes this a page turner. Jacoby and Wade have absolutely sizzling chemistry and I love these two. You will love this series!
November 8, 2016
I couldn't get caught up in the story and felt like it didn't always flow smoothly. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, though, so maybe that was part of it? Either way, it's not my favorite from this author. YMMV
April 3, 2016
Mindful
This book gets you thinking and wondering what's next. It flows all the way to the end. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
This book gets you thinking and wondering what's next. It flows all the way to the end. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews