Model Investigator by Lissa Kasey ~ Audio Review

Lissa Kasey - Model Investigator Audio Cover 73yczTitle: Model Investigator

Series: Haven Investigations 03

Author: Lissa Kasey

Narrator: Brian Hutchinson

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller

Length: 9 hrs, 7 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (14th February 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 4.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: With his lover, Kade, missing, androgynous former-model-turned-private-investigator Ollie Pe-troskovic is ready to kick some ass to bring him home.

Ollie and his ex, rock star Jacob Elias, need to find Kade and free him from the clutches of his manipulative family. But with Ollie suffering from chronic migraines and Jacob unable to bear loud noises, they are hardly the dynamic duo. It takes a lot of sweet talking on the part of Jacob – and patience Ollie doesn’t have – to find Kade. Only Kade’s not whole anymore. The fight for Kade’s heart and mind is far from over.

It’s Ollie’s turn to guide Kade through nightmares, self-doubt, and PTSD. Kade’s memories are scattered, fragmented with possible horrors, and he’s not quite sure what is real. Ollie will have to draw on his investigative skills to clear Kade of the terrible accusations his family has made and help Kade unlock the truth. But in doing so, he ignores his own health, which could have catastrophic consequences for everyone, especially when digging up the past could be lethal for them all.

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Model Investigator is the third book in Lissa Kasey’s Haven Investigations series. The only way to read this series is in order, or else nothing will make sense. Book 2 had finished on a cliff hanger, which is eventually resolved in this book. I have been absolutely loving this series. These audios is the only experience I have with the author and unfortunately have not looked into Kasey’s other work further, not to say that I won’t some day but I just haven’t had the chance.

The audio narration for this book was provided by Brian Hutchinson, who was narrator for book 2, and book 1 had a different narrator altogether. Overall, this was a wonderful performance. There is a lot going on in this series and I was impressed with Hutchinson’s ability to give the characters, for the most part, distinct voices.

As I said before, this a complicated series with a complicated storyline. We pick up with Kade going missing – kidnapped and held against his will by his own family. It is up to Ollie, a model turned private investigator to help his lover, business partner and fellow PI. Helping Ollie is Jacob, a Rockstar and Ollie’s ex who is now his best friend and now partner in crime when it comes to Haven Investigations and helping the couple solve the ongoing mystery of Ollie’s brother’s death.

There is a lot of angst in this book, and as tiring as it might become, it works well to keep the chemistry and sexual going between Ollie and Kade. As soon as he has Kade back, Ollie lets life, mysteries and insecurities take over, which can make the relationship frustrating as things go hot and cold between then the lovers. But finally the two guys talk, because I have to say miscommunication is one of my biggest hates in a book. Yet, I have to admit that Kasey uses it really well to advance the story as well as add depth to both Ollie and Kade.

There is A LOT going on in this story. However, for the most part the focus in on Kade, his past and his family. Kade’s family are nothing but a drama worthy of soap opera status, which is just the bread between the paternity tests, accusations of rape and various health issues.

I am happy to say that this book ended without the cliff hanger we got in book 2, which I am immensely relieved about. However, that is not say that there wasn’t a tiny little cliff hanger there. There is still the mystery of how Ollie’s brother died and now we also need to find out the importance of new connections and information that has come to light during the course of Model Investigator. Personally, I’d love to hear more from Jacob. I am very much looking forward to Model Exposure, the fourth book in the series, which was published about 1.5 years ago, so hopefully the audio will be out soon.

Model Bodyguard by Lissa Kasey ~ Audio Review

Title: Model Bodyguard

Series: Haven Investigations 02

Author: Lissa Kasey

Narrator: Brian Hutchison

Genre: Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery

Length: 9 hrs, 47 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (4th January 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 4 Hearts

Blurb: Things are going well for androgynous model Ollie Petroskovic, ex-Marine Kade Alme, and their business, Haven Investigations, until rock star Jacob Elias shows up in need of their services…and trouble follows.

Jacob is a playboy with a serious penchant for kink, slaves, and sex toys. He’s also Ollie’s ex – and all that implies. With the media exploiting his personal life, a stalker sending blood-soaked “gifts”, a bumbling security team, and a family he can’t trust as far as he could throw them, Jacob is in desperate need of a bodyguard for his latest tour, and Kade can’t refuse.

While Kade deals with new doubts about his partnership with Ollie and struggles with reminders of his war injuries, Jacob’s stalker escalates from blackmail and threats to murder. As Kade and Ollie work to keep Jacob safe and find the culprit behind the attack, a web of family secrets, lies, and abuse slowly emerges, leading up to a final confrontation that they might not walk away from – and that will have lasting repercussions for Kade and his relationship with Ollie.

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Model Bodyguard is the second book in Lissa Kasey’s Haven Investigations series. This book carries on from the first book, so it is vital to have read book 1, and if you can’t remember it, a quick refresher might be a good idea. As a warning this book also has a cliffhanger which continues in book three, the audio for the third book hasn’t been released yet but for those who can’t wait it is available in ebook format.

Life continues for model-turned-PI, Ollie, and his dead brother’s best friend, ex-marine and PI, Kade. In book one Ollie and Kade became a couple but they both have some very complex and deep running issues. Kade has PTSD from his time in the marines as well as baggage from his abusive family, while Ollie suffers from an eating disorder mixed with something of an obsessive personality and anxiety. Needless to say, their baggage alone is the reason for the cliffhanger, although the ending also leads us directly into the next drama where Ollie and Kade need to fight for their lives and their relationship.

This is a complex story with complex characters. The main plot line of this book introduces Ollie’s ex, Jacob, who is a Rockstar with major problems of his own – he has a selfish family and a stalker who has started to up his game, resulting in causalities. Of course, being Ollie’s ex, Ollie and Kade both have to deal with the insecurities of Ollie being near his ex and Kade becoming bodyguard to the flirtatious Rockstar, which brings forth Ollie’s own insecurities relating to his image. Honestly, sometimes it’s hard to see whether or not these guys will make it together but together they are dynamite. The conclusion of this mystery, as I said, leads right into what will no doubt be the next action and drama fueled adventure.

The world that Lissa Kasey has created is amazing, there is so much depth to these characters and it was difficult to explain the plot without giving away any major plot points. Anyone who loves a good mystery will love this series, but it is something that you must start from the beginning. I can’t wait to get to the rest of the series.

Model Exposure by Lissa Kasey

Title: Model Exposure

Series: Haven Investigations 04

Author: Lissa Kasey

Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 2, 2017)

Length: Novel (256 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: After being rescued by Ollie, Kade continues to suffer the aftermath of his ordeal, both physically and psychologically. Not knowing how else to clear his head, he pours his energy into Ollie—the love of his life—and Haven Investigations, but neither Ollie nor Kade can continue to ignore what they learned from their last case: Ollie’s brother, Nathan, might have betrayed Kade.

As they dig into Ollie’s past, secrets are revealed. Was Nathan’s death a suicide? Were Ollie’s parents much more than they seemed? Is someone out to kill Ollie, or is it Kade’s past coming back to haunt them again?

Amidst questions and uncertainties, one thing is clear: after everything they have been through together, Kade and Ollie have never been more in love and they want to get married. But first, they’ll have to deal with the continued threat of Kade’s past, the emotional wounds Kade fears are drowning him, and the possibility that everything Ollie believed about his family was a lie. A beautiful happily ever after awaits them—as long as they can survive long enough to make it to the altar.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-978-9

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/model-exposure-by-lissa-kasey-8900-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: With this particular series, you must start with book one. This is the love story of Oliver and Kade, with their ups and downs, pain and heartache, and the danger both are in.

I came across this author when her first book in this series came out, and I have to tell you that I have fallen in love with this whole group. The dangers these men have gone through and where they are today is just about amazing. The characters are really deep and a bit quirky. There are some pretty freaky twists and turns to it as well.

Kade and Oliver have had such a hard past. Oliver is just coming into information about himself and his brother, he had not known existed. And poor Kade is going through what happened to him by his family, and the after affects is major. He thinks he is so weak so he won’t let Oliver in on his sessions with the Doctor, and Oliver thinks, well I can’t really figure out Ollie’s mind yet. He is a very complex young man, but a nice surprise is Kade wants to get married.

To top it off, after Ollie’s stroke, things are a bit hard around the house. Then someone is out to get them still. Things just don’t seem to calm down around these two men. Lies, deception, and so much more are just swarming them. People from the past are showing up, things are just getting deeper and deeper for them.

Now with this story I loved the characters and what is going on. What I didn’t care so much about is all the excess stuff that was added in. This book felt drawn out and very slow paced for me. It felt like the author just threw things in and wished for the best. The characters are so dependent on each other that it just seems strange. Oh the love is there for you to see, but for them to be in the back pocket of each other just felt weird.

You are focused on Kade’s mental breakdown as well as what is happening around him. He slowly looses it, then the author throws in a new reason, which worked pretty good. However it never was answered on how he got the drug into his system. Now the author does give us a happy ending. However most of the story was full of things one would never believe. Also it looks like Nathan didn’t commit suicide, but then they say he did. It never really gets answered, just suggestions. The drama is a bit too much for me, but hey it works I suppose.

Over all it is a very good story, but to me it was just way to much. It has a lot going on, and if you don’t read the previous books you will definitely get left behind.

Model Investigator by Lissa Kasey

Lissa Kasey - Model Investigations CoverTitle: Model Investigator 

Series: Haven Investigations 03

Author: Lissa Kasey

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (June 26, 2017)

Length: Novel (250pgs)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: With his lover, Kade, missing, androgynous former model turned private investigator Ollie Petroskovic is ready to kick some ass to bring him home. 

Ollie and his ex, rock star Jacob Elias, need to find Kade and free him from the clutches of his manipulative family. But with Ollie suffering from chronic migraines and Jacob unable to bear loud noises, they are hardly the dynamic duo. It takes a lot of sweet talking on the part of Jacob, and patience Ollie doesn’t have, to find Kade. Only Kade’s not whole anymore. The fight for Kade’s heart and mind is far from over. 

It’s Ollie’s turn to guide Kade through nightmares, self-doubt, and PTSD. Kade’s memories are scattered, fragmented with possible horrors, and he’s not quite sure what is real. Ollie will have to draw on his investigative skills to clear Kade of the terrible accusations his family has made and help Kade unlock the truth. But in doing so, he ignores his own health, which could have catastrophic consequences for everyone, especially when digging up the past could be lethal for them all.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-555-2

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/model-investigator-by-lissa-kasey-8611-b

Reviewer:  Lisa

Review:  Each book in the Haven Investigations collection features Kade and Ollie and their story. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. 

As with the previous books, this one ends with a major cliff-hanger, which I will admit drives me nuts, but it also makes you wish the next book was already waiting for you to read.  I wasn’t sure that I liked where it went through, but for these two amazing men it just seemed to work.  Although, I definitely don’t like where Kade ended up, but you will have to read to find out what I am talking about.

Kade and Ollie end up in an accident, but when Ollie awakes he finds out that Kade’s family had taken him from the hospital.  Ollie knew they needed to get him away before he lost Kade forever.  Then things get crazy and out of hand.  There are some pretty amazing twists to this story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and gasping.  

I hate to admit that I had to go back and read the previous books because I couldn’t remember who they were and what their story was.  For me, that is not a good thing, as if the story is awesome it will stick with me for quite some time.  However even with those issues, I had a lot of fun reading this and cannot wait to see what happens to our sexy men. 

This is probably the only series that I do enjoy where the characters are used as main characters in every book.  That has not usually been a favorite series type of mine and I tend to lose interest in the whole thing, however, like I said, that is not the same with this series and story.  My interest was kept throughout the whole book and I can guarantee that it will probably be the same with future books.  

I would definitely recommend this book and the previous stories.

Model Citizen by Lissa Kasey ~ Audiobook

Lissa Kasey - Model Citizen Cover AudioTitle: Model Citizen

Series:  Haven Investigations 01

Author: Lissa Kasey

Narrator: Mark Pohlable

Genre: Contemporary, Crime

Length: 7 hrs, 53 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (26th July 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Oliver “Ollie” Petroskovic’s life as an international supermodel was heading in the right direction. He worked part-time for his brother at his detective agency – Petroskovic Haven Investigations – and had just bought his dream house. But all that changed when he found his brother dead, a victim of PTSD-induced suicide.

Almost a year later, Ollie is trying to keep his brother’s business afloat, but can’t get his PI license. Then his brother’s best friend, Kade Alme, shows up, fresh from the battlefield after a close brush with death. Kade is looking for a new life, in more ways than one, and with PI license in hand, he’s exactly what Ollie needs to keep PHI running.

When one of Ollie’s childhood friends gets in trouble, Ollie feels he has to help. Kade insists on investigating, if only to keep Ollie safe. Neither realizes the danger they’re in as someone tries to tear them apart before they can find solid ground together.

Product Link: Audible US |  Audible UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Model Behaviour by Lissa Kasey is a very engaging book to say the least, both emotionally and mentally. I have to say it also starts with one of the most saddest openings that I’ve heard/read in a long time – it’s not just a sad back story, it’s the knowing what will happen because you read the blurb but don’t want it to happen. This was my first Lissa Kasey book, so I was really quite pleased with discovering a new author.

Speaking of firsts, it was also the first time that I heard of anything from Mark Pohlable and I have to say that was equally as pleasing as finding a well written story. He really lent the main character, Ollie, a wonderful voice as he poured out his hopes and dreams, only to have everything shattered and his life completely changed. He is one of those artists that has a variety of voices stashed away and knows the perfect tone to use at the right time.

Ollie is a model (and made heaps of money the career) who has been raised by his older brother after the untimely death of their parents. The brothers share a beautiful bond but unfortunately love is not enough to combat the PTSD Ollie’s brother suffered after first making a life for himself in the army. Seriously, if you haven’t cried by the end of this first chapter then I don’t know what will!

A year after Ollie’s world collapses he is struggling to keep his and his brother’s dream afloat in the form of the PI business his brother ran and the home that Ollie had brought for the two of them to fix up. Ollie isn’t a PI yet, he’s got the hours but he needs another registered PI to sign off the hours of experience. But Ollie isn’t completely alone in the world. And another ring in has been added in the form of his brother’s old army buddy, Kade Alme. Ollie knew Kade when he was younger but it’s been a while since they have seen each other, mostly because Kade had been injured while on a tour around the time his friend had died and after that, well the time just wasn’t right.

Kade and Ollie do make a wonderful couple. However, I did find Ollie’s reticence to a relationship a little tedious at times when Kade was just there being a lovable and caring and all around wonderful guy. I will warn you, this story does end with a proper cliffhanger and if you can’t wait for the sequel, well you can always read the book.

Model Bodyguard by Lissa Kasey

lissa-kasey-model-bodyguard-coverTitle: Model Bodyguard

Series: Haven Investigations 02

Author: Lissa Kasey

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime 

Length: Novel (270pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 7, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts 

Blurb: Things are going well for androgynous model Ollie Petroskovic, ex-Marine Kade Alme, and their business, Haven Investigations, until rock star Jacob Elias shows up in need of their services… and trouble follows.

Jacob is a playboy with a serious penchant for kink, slaves, and sex toys. He’s also Ollie’s ex—and all that implies. With the media exploiting his personal life, a stalker sending blood-soaked “gifts,” a bumbling security team, and a family he can’t trust as far as he could throw them, Jacob is in desperate need of a bodyguard for his latest tour, and Kade can’t refuse.

While Kade deals with new doubts about his partnership with Ollie and struggles with reminders of his war injuries, Jacob’s stalker escalates from blackmail and threats to murder. As Kade and Ollie work to keep Jacob safe and find the culprit behind the attack, a web of family secrets, lies, and abuse slowly emerges, leading up to a final confrontation that they might not walk away from—and that will have lasting repercussions for Kade and his relationship with Ollie.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-784-1

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/model-bodyguard-by-lissa-kasey-7611-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Wow, and here I thought book one was explosive. This one is told from Kade’s point of view and let’s just say that you had better be sitting down. You learn a little bit about his past and I have to say you might want to keep some tissues handy. I love how these two guys seem to complement each other, but between the two of them I don’t really see any sane people. 

It is a very unique type of mystery that I have not came across in all of the years that I have been reading stories. This story is full of action, angst, pain, tender moments and laughter. The cat definitely has me smiling. There is so much heat between these two that you could probably have a cookout around them. The story is well developed and has a lot of detail. Although it really didn’t need all of the detail that it did, it made it a bit slow in parts of it. 

Ollie is behind the scenes a lot more since Kade is taking on the bodyguard work for their company. That is until Jacob, Ollie’s creepy ex, shows up needing help. However he is a little off and it ends up being his sister who gets them to agree to help him. Jacob is a sadistic jackal in my books, but then again I don’t understand that much about bondage, slaves and whips. However it would seem that even he has a past that will have you feeling for him. So Kade is going to be his bodyguard… however Kade is about to shoot him, if he keeps getting weird.

Now in book one we were left with a surprise about Nathan and how he might not have committed suicide. One would think that the guys would focus on that also, but Kade feels it might just drive Ollie over the edge. So the story is focused on who is out to get our rock singer. Which makes me crazy, why give us a cliff-hanger if you are not going to go into it. It also brought the book down a bit for me. I don’t like cliff hangers that don’t get answered. And this book gives you a major one.

I really liked book one and pretty much most of this story. However the author jumps from one to another without giving answers to the first one and that drives me nuts. Also here you have a new cliff hanger and no clue when the next book comes out. Then I am sitting here trying to figure out how Kade’s family….well I will let you read the book to find out what question I was going to ask. Let’s just say that it is a fascinating story but also frustrating and did the exact opposite of what it should have.

This newest cliff-hanger makes me not want to read the next book. I am also afraid that this series is one of those series that will only get read once. There is just nothing there to spark my interest more than once, and makes me wonder if I will even remember any of it when the next book comes out. I was slightly disappointed in this particular book and for me that is not a good thing. I guess we will have to see what the next book will be like.

Model Citizen by Lissa Kasey

lissa-kasey-model-citizen-coverTitle: Model Citizen

Series: Haven Investigations #1

Author: Lissa Kasey

Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Crime 

Length: Novel (220 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (June 22, 2015)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts 

Blurb: Oliver “Ollie” Petroskovic’s life as an international supermodel was heading in the right direction. He worked part-time for his brother at his detective agency—Petroskovic Haven Investigations—and had just bought his dream house. But all that changed when he found his brother dead, a victim of PTSD-induced suicide. 

Almost a year later, Ollie is trying to keep his brother’s business afloat, but can’t get his PI license. Then his brother’s best friend, Kade Alme, shows up, fresh from the battlefield after a close brush with death. Kade is looking for a new life, in more ways than one, and with PI license in hand, he’s exactly what Ollie needs to keep PHI running. 

When one of Ollie’s childhood friends gets in trouble, Ollie feels he has to help. Kade insists on investigating if only to keep Ollie safe. Neither realizes the danger they’re in as someone tries to tear them apart before they can find solid ground together. 

ISBN: 978-1-63476-131-4

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/model-citizen-by-lissa-kasey-3033-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Earlier on in the day I was getting desperate for not just any romance story, it had to have quite a bit of action, suspense and mystery. So to my surprise when I put in for a long list of books this one hit the bill close to perfection. I had not had a chance to read any stories by this author and let me tell you that I will definitely be checking the rest of her stories out.

Ollie and his brother didn’t grow up on the good side of town. Nathan had joined the military and loved to serve. However when their parents passed on, Nathan gave it all up to come home and raise Ollie to be the best man he could be. He opened up Petroskovic Haven Investigations while Ollie was an international model. Ollie wanted a home for him and his brother. However when him and Mike went to see if Nathan wanted to go eat with them, they found his body instead. It was written down as a suicide.

Now Ollie is a very prickly type of person and very defensive. However he also has this side about him, where he is afraid that he will lose everyone who cares about him. He is also androgynous and gender fluid, although I have to admit that I am not really sure what the last one means. He is now model slash private investigator that is if he can ever get his license. His best friend and her husband decide that he needs help… so in steps Kade.

Kade had been Nathan’s best friend in the service and had fallen for Ollie some time ago. So when he is injured in a bombing, he had to change his career choice. Thank god he had his private investigator’s license. Now Ollie is always dismissing Kade and Kade’s feelings, because he is afraid, which took over most of the story for me. There was a lot of poor little old me flying around from Ollie that got old after a while. Now these two work perfect together both at work and off. It just takes Ollie awhile to find his steps.

I normally hate cliff hangers, but damn this one will lay you flat. Talk about a twist for me. As for this story itself, the mystery was a bit predictable and oddly I knew who was behind it way before they found out. So I do hope that the author does make the next one a bit harder for me to figure out. 

It has only been a few months but I am finding that I actually like a story that has more meat to it then I had expected; one with more substance, danger, murder, creepy friends, sexy men and suspense. However I am also one who is a bit afraid of trying out new authors, who might not be new to others but for me, is new. However this author has not only surprised me but made me rethink some of my thoughts. This story caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. It gave me almost everything I could want in a story.

I enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next book.Â