Tag: Spartina Company LTD

When Aspens Quake by Robert Reeves

18649236Title: When Aspens Quake
Series: A Cole Mouzon Thriller, book #2
Author: Robert Reeves
Genre: Murder Mystery and Suspense
Length: Novel (273 pages)
Publisher: The Spartina Company (April 7th 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: There is no escape…

Still trying to recover from the bloody events in Charleston, Cole Mouzon has retreated to Denver to attempt to build a new life with his nephew. But, he can’t let go what he learned about his childhood in the Holy City. Frustrated by the FBI’s silence over a suspicious link between recent murders in Georgia and his own experience, Cole moves to undercover the truth. His secret obsession threatens his friends’ lives and his complicated relationship with Cash Calhoun as, unknown to him, his attacker in Charleston succeeded in her true goal: to awaken a killer. Things turn dire as events in Atlanta leave Cole alone with this new threat. Struggling to find his bearings and pull himself together in time to save his family before his hunter finally finishes what he started thirty years earlier, Cole moves against the killer in hopes his sacrifice ends the game once and for all.

Set between the blue-sky vistas of the Rockies and the iconic venues of Atlanta, WHEN ASPENS QUAKE is the thrilling suspense-romance continuation of THE TREES BEYOND THE GRASS. In this second installment, Cole must focus as his attention is pulled between love interests, his young nephew and killers. Let the last man standing win.

Look for the third installment of the series, BLOOD PINES, coming Fall 2014.
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/When-Aspens-Quake-Mouzon-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00JKLEOCK
Review: Cole has retreated back to Denver with his nephew in the wake of his sister’s murder by the calculated killer, Poinsette. Trying to build a safe and happy home for himself and Billy, Cole settles into a routine, but he is still haunted by the same nightmare. And he misses Cash.

After the two discuss a visit several times, and they always fall through, Cash simply buys a ticket and gets on a plane to Denver. Cole is wary of being in another relationship after his last one that was a disaster, but Cash makes him feel safe, and that is exactly what he needs right now. They take their relationship to the next level, but Cole is still anxious and holding back.

Bodies are turning up again as well, eerily similar to the previous murders just months before. The investigators tell Cole there is no link, but he’s not so sure. Cole is determined to find out the truth about his past, why Poinsette targeted him and why more people are being killed even now. His relationship with Cash is turned upside down and the stress put on the two men is compounded by the introduction of a new love interest. Zander is sexy, confident and snarky… and he is pursuing Cole. In a moment of weakness, Cole makes a mistake that just may cost him Cash. Not to mention that pesky killer(s) that want him dead.

This story is full of drama, suspense, love and determination. While I enjoyed the first book, I loved this one! The story flowed strong and steady throughout giving more insight into Cole’s past and the machinations behind ‘The Taker’. Who is he and why is he so set on killing Cole? There is a lot of personal growth for our indecisive and uncertain male lead as well as Cole makes a few more mistakes, but grows from them and ultimately makes the right decision.

The character of Cole Mouzon has quickly become one of my favourite male leads. As I said, he is indecisive and uncertain at times but he has so much courage and inner strength coupled with his awkward attitude that you can’t help but fall in love with him, and root for him. And as much as I liked the introduction of this new snazzy sexy character, Zander, I am team Cash all the way!

I do love a good murder mystery that is choked full of twists, turns and suspense. I was a good two-thirds through before I had a solid idea of exactly who ‘The Taker’ was. If you’re looking for a book that will grab you, suck you in, and not let you go until you reach the sneak peek at book 3… This is perfection, I promise!

** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

The Trees Beyond the Grass by Robert Reeves

18290694Title:  The Trees Beyond the Grass

Series:  Cole Mouzon series

Author:  Robert Reeves

Genre:   Murder Mystery

Length:  Novel (402 pages)

Publisher: Spartina Publishing (early release through B&N September 21st 2013, other retailers September 23rd 2013)

Heat Level:  No heat, this first installment is about the murder and mayhem

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Cole Mouzon exists to the outside world as a successful lawyer, loyal son, and brother – all unaware of his private turmoil and the mental wall that holds him together. But, during a visit back home to Charleston, he receives a call from the FBI that a stranger has been found poisoned and mutilated. What Cole learns next threatens to bring down the wall and expose him to the sharp emotions behind it when he is told that there is more to his childhood nightmares than just dark places. Betrayed by his memory, the clue to his past and his ultimate survival rests in a stranger, Cash Calhoun, a man he has never met but has been tied to his entire life. Together, they embark on a hunt to find the truth held in the dark shadows of Cole’s mind and the marshy landscape of the Holy City before a hunter from Cole’s past destroys their newly discovered bond and their lives.

Steeped in southern drawl and suspense, THE TREES BEYOND THE GRASS, the first in the Cole Mouzon thriller series, is a riveting story about the amazing, but sometimes destructive, power of our minds to protect us from the evils of life, while undermining our ability to discover true happiness.

Look for book two of the Cole Mouzon series, WHEN ASPENS QUAKE, coming Spring 2014.

Product Link:  https://squareup.com/market/the-spartina-company-ltd/the-trees-beyond-the-grass

BN:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-trees-beyond-the-grass-robert-reeves/1116961314?ean=9780989854900&itm=1&usri=9780989854900

Kobo:  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/Title/8sc54MgoyUmbQXJvJjQMPg

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  This story is deeply rooted in the South, with backdrops from Denver, Atlanta, and South Carolina. Mystery, intrigue, and suspense will grab you from the start and hold your attention throughout as you travel with Cole from his home in Denver to where he grew up in Charleston. The bits and pieces of scenery and history in this book all but become a secondary character; they are so detailed and precise.

Cole Mouzon is an accomplished attorney in Denver who is headed back home to visit his family and childhood friend, Ann. He is completely unaware that a serial killer has him in her sights until his sister calls him frantic after a FBI agent contacts her trying to find Cole. This only adds to his recent stress brought on by a resurgence of a recurring nightmare he thought was long since gone. As the story progresses the reader is slowly given more details about Cole’s past that even he wasn’t aware of, and his connection to the killer that stalks him.

Poinsett is sick, twisted, and demented. She will stop at nothing to make the people she believes responsible for ruining her life pay, with theirs. Her murderous rampage spans over several years and state lines with meticulous preparation, always followed with the painful delivery. Her depravity knows no bounds, and Reeves description of what’s going on in this woman’s mind while she’s stalking Cole sent chills down my spine. I’m very much reminded of Charlize Theron in Monster.

This book was emotional and intense. Strong secondary characters like Cole’s sister the cop and the alcoholic FBI agent who is still grieving over the death of his wife round out this suspenseful story. I especially liked Cash Calhoun. The professor that Cole shares a past with that neither of them even realized they shared. A past that will shape and mold the possibility of a future, if they make it out of the marsh alive.

The story leaned toward the over descriptive a couple of times, but it was always gripping, I was always intrigued, so the latter was easily overlooked. I wanted something more to develop in this installment with Cole and Cash, but that budding romance is definitely there, biding its time. I cannot wait until the next book in this series.

No naughty bits this time around. Cole and Cash are positively gay and attracted to one another, but they don’t have any adult time yet. The ending hints toward Reeves exploring their relationship further with the next book, and I’m excited to see where he takes them. Anyone that likes murder mysteries and suspense stories will want to read this book.