JC GatlinCritiques

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I enjoyed any read that is a suspense, so when Darkness Hides came up for review, I had to read it because it just sounded like a very good read and I was not disappointed! This is one of those books that takes a few chapters to get into the story but then you just can’t put it down and it was a sleepless night for me reading this one.

Kate’s five year old nephew was killed in an accident and she is trying to be there for her sister. But in the meantime there is a Category 4 hurricane brewing. People are dying before their eyes and more and more Kate is wondering if it had anything to do with her nephews accident. Kate is determined to find out what is going on in this Florida town.

J.C. Gatlin creates a cast of characters that play their parts so well as the story unfolds. The story was intense since the 5 year old may have been involved. Kate does her best to keep up with the strict details of the story so she could really find out who was murdering these people and why. And why were people watching her so closely. You will find this out and so much more in this intriguing, interesting suspense that will stay with you for quite some time. This one is a Five Stars for me.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I read this book in one day. I was invested in both the characters and storyline. Although, I had a pretty good idea early on where the story was going and therefore there was not really any surprises for me. Yet, I still did like this book and would read another one by this author.

For me the person that made this story what it was is main protagonist, Kate. She really had the tenacity like a bulldog. Once she was on the case, she would not let up until she solved it. Even a Category 4 hurricane could not stop her.

The pacing of the story moved at a fairly quick pace without being too fast. It kept my interest the whole time form beginning until the end. I would suggest this book to other readers.

This fast-paced suspense thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat, and up all night, turning pages. There is plenty of action, drama, mysteries, and a huge whodunnit to make this book very worth reading. The author develops the characters well. Elise in particular stands out as a mother who has lost her child. The heartbreaking look at her depression, coping mechanisms, and inabilities to function as a normal person, are presented with clarity, sympathy and believability. The mystery has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I usually can suss out the culprit early on, but here I wasn't able to, always the mark for me of a well-written mystery.

One thing I did not like was the drawn-out climax, in which the protagonists/good guys seem to move around a lot, from the house/inn, to town, to the house, to the beach, to the lighthouse, etc, with more discoveries and people showing up on their doorsteps, and being chased by bad guys, than one climax should have. Otherwise, a great read.

I had to let the story take me where it wanted me to go…down the path of twisted fantasy…because I didn’t like most of the characters and I didn’t think she would play the game, but who knows what peer pressure would lead us to do as she plays to solve the mystery of the surprise guest and face the danger that awaits her, all while the suspense throughout kept me reading…knowing it was coming…making me wonder, when…

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

Packed with suspense and so utterly gripping. This book grabbed me and would not let me go. It tantalizes with possible suspects, but never gives the game away. I was completely caught unawares by the ending.

But I have to admit that there were things that grated. I'm not going to compile a laundry list of all the errors and irritations. Suffice to say the book needed a good editing and a bit of polishing with regards to the characters.

I cannot wait to read other books by this author!

Hang on to your boot straps! This is one intense, suspense filled read.

Rayanne knows her marriage is in trouble, so she talks her husband, Owens, into changing his plans and going fishing with her. They need to work on things.

She’s none too happy when Owens fishing buddy Daryl shows up, but sucks it up and goes along with them. What first appears to be some punk kids messing with them on the lake quickly turns into a fight for their lives.

From the water, to the woods, to an old cabin, they are relentlessly pursued by maniacal teens and a ferocious Rottweiler.

It makes you think twice about going off road. You go on a trip into the wilderness, or even just a bit away from the populace, never thinking anything bad will happen. Is that ignorance? Or is it denial? Bad things happen all the time. People disappear and are never found.

What do the teens want? How did it get so out of control?

I can’t wait for you to read this book and find out. It’s something so inconsequential.

And the relentless suspense will keep you reading to the end.

The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin was a wild ride through the cypress swamps of Florida. I love the location. The pacing was superb. J C had me racing through the forest, bobbing and weaving, chased by evil of the human kind. Just when I thought I could take a breath, J C Gatlin had me up and running again.

I knew from the beginning Owen was going to do something stupid, but I didn’t see it coming back to bite him like it did. Watch out for Karma, curses, whatever, because it can be a bitch.

Owen and Rayanne’s vacation turned into a nightmare. He’s not very happy and he hides his anger behind the dark sunglasses he wears. She tiptoes around him, trying not to set him off. The tragedy that they dance around is destroying them.

Why is Darryl, Owen’s best friend, there?

If you are a Supernatural TV show fan, you know about the rabbit’s foot.

Beatings, running, truck crashing, abduction, escape but nowhere to go, hurt can’t run. Rayanne doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up. She is determined to save her husband.

Terror mounts, as each time Rayanne hides, she is found again, through her own fault, making noise and giving herself away, on the run again. That was my only complaint. But it did keep the suspense and fear for her survival racing through the pages, just like she was racing through the cypress forest.

Rayanne is running through the swamp, dodging coyotes, gators, snakes, the wicked teens, Luger and, could we say, bad luck?

The suspense built during Raynne’s heart pounding run for her life, like the Energizer bunny, kept going and going. Every time I thought I could take a breath, she was discovered and on the run again.

I gave The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin a four rating, because I was frustrated at her inability to get away and her lack of procuring a weapon, when she had more than one opportunity. But, I tell myself, it had to be that way to come up with the great ending and I do love the ending. I wasn’t sure what would happen and kudos to J C Gaitlin for pulling that off.

Maybe I was just having an off day. If you are a suspense lover like me, this is one you will want to read.

I received The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin in return for an honest and unbiased review.

To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com

Owen and Darryl are lifelong friends. Grover is their good friend also, but he leaves the story early and violently. Rayanne, Owen’s wife, watches a lot of television and seems to reference whatever is going on in her present life to TV events. Rayanne and Owen have marital problems (its all about Connor—read the story) and decide to get away from it all while fishing or possibly camping. After finding a deserted, private place to fish, complete with alligators and possibly bears, they discover there are stalkers with the Deliverance like names Of Scut, Rude Roddy, and Dru, not to mention Luger (a dog). The stalkers are pursuing them for a reason that is dark and hidden into the distant past. Owen isn’t sure of the reason, Rayanne is clueless, Darryl knows but won’t tell, and most of the stalkers don’t seem to know what they are looking for.

And the violence is on. Luger, a Rottweiler, is the only one following his nature. Scut, a psychopath, might be following his nature, and everyone else improvises, either initiating or reacting to violence. Mayhem comes from a rifle, a pistol, a tire iron, barbed wire, a baseball bat, and arrows.

This is a fast read and a good distraction on a plane. I read the book from start to finish on a Surabaya (Indonesia)-Singapore-Bangkok trip. There are clever clues as to what is coming, understated humor and, for those who demand it, a logical and final ending. Except for the sheriff? What happened to the sheriff?

Note: I used to be a sheriff’s deputy, so these things interest me.

Further note: I received a copy of this book gratis and want to thank the author with a review.

The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin was a wild ride through the cypress swamps of Florida. I love the location. The pacing was superb. J C had me racing through the forest, bobbing and weaving, chased by evil of the human kind. Just when I thought I could take a breath, J C Gatlin had me up and running again.

I knew from the beginning Owen was going to do something stupid, but I didn’t see it coming back to bite him like it did. Watch out for Karma, curses, whatever, because it can be a bitch.

Owen and Rayanne’s vacation turned into a nightmare. He’s not very happy and he hides his anger behind the dark sunglasses he wears. She tiptoes around him, trying not to set him off. The tragedy that they dance around is destroying them.

Why is Darryl, Owen’s best friend, there?

If you are a Supernatural TV show fan, you know about the rabbit’s foot.

Beatings, running, truck crashing, abduction, escape but nowhere to go, hurt can’t run. Rayanne doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up. She is determined to save her husband.

Terror mounts, as each time Rayanne hides, she is found again, through her own fault, making noise and giving herself away, on the run again. That was my only complaint. But it did keep the suspense and fear for her survival racing through the pages, just like she was racing through the cypress forest.

Rayanne is running through the swamp, dodging coyotes, gators, snakes, the wicked teens, Luger and, could we say, bad luck?

The suspense built during Raynne’s heart pounding run for her life, like the Energizer bunny, kept going and going. Every time I thought I could take a breath, she was discovered and on the run again.

I gave The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin a four rating, because I was frustrated at her inability to get away and her lack of procuring a weapon, when she had more than one opportunity. But, I tell myself, it had to be that way to come up with the great ending and I do love the ending. I wasn’t sure what would happen and kudos to J C Gaitlin for pulling that off.

Maybe I was just having an off day. If you are a suspense lover like me, this is one you will want to read.

I received The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin in return for an honest and unbiased review.

To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com

The prologue showed a young Owen, just graduated from high school goading his best friend to take a plunge off the cliff into the water some thirty feet below. Grover was afraid, but trying not to show it. Instead, he kept touching his rabbit’s foot for luck. Finally, tired of waiting, Owen yanks his arm, and Grover goes flying over the side … and plunging to his death.

Fifteen years later, Owen is still an a-hole. Married to Rayanne, who is trying all by herself to make their marriage work, Owen would rather be with his buddy Darryl at the Bass Tournament. Instead, he has taken Rayanne camping. It seems she can’t do anything right. He is constantly irritated at her. Unbeknownst to her, he called Darryl and the twosome would soon become two with a third wheel … and Rayanne would be the one to feel like the third wheel. However, with twenty-something-year-old kids heckling and afflicting them, maybe it would be good to have the extra person. What do these darn kids want anyway? What is Owen not telling Rayanne?

This started out very interesting. Owen was a very unlikable character from the get-go and manages to pull strong emotions from the reader. At the same time, the reader feels sorry for Rayanne, because she is simply trying too hard. When they’re in real trouble, the story goes stereotypical into the idea that you don’t appreciate the people you have in your life until there’s a danger of losing them. It was a psychological thriller in that the kids could become so vicious with so little provocation. Logistically, there were a couple of scenes that just couldn’t have played out the way it was described. Rating: 3 out of 5.

As I've been going through some medical procedures, I've been searching for a book to get my mind off health issues and burying myself (figuratively) in a good book.

In this well written gripping story, a wife and her husband are having a difficult time with their marriage. He is about to go on a fishing trip and she persuades him to allow her to accompany her.What she had been unaware of is that he had already asked to bring one of his buddies, so there is a threesome.

The story moves right along and something about the husband's past catches up with him. The party is crashed by a group of murderous teenagers who claim that Owen, the husband, has something that belongs to them and they demand getting it back.

There is no help to be found and things get dicey fast.

Not to give away segments of the plot but just try to imagine a deserted Florida waterway where where an innocent group of fisherman are stalked with no one to ask for help.

The characters are well described and are sympathetic. They find themselves in a dire predicament where the reader could see themselves with a little imagination. The reader becomes engrossed and will find it difficult to put the book down.

Recommended.

In the Prologue of this scary novel we are witness to an accidental death and a horrific murder that gives me the creeps just to remember it. Obviously the murderer in this story is obsessed with something and not real attached to reality.

The tale continues more than 20 years later with another killing that seems totally unrelated except for the way it's done. A young man is the victim, killed while using a pay phone to talk to the girlfriend he regrets breaking up with. He of course doesn't show up to see her but she refuses to believe he has run off. Her best friend, a beautiful neighbor who cares more about sexy clothes and expensive gifts than her friend's missing boyfriend, tries to talk her into dating a shrink but he keeps standing her up. She isn't interested anyway.

Throughout the book I was relieved that the main character has a Doberman named Zeus who is of course protective of her. Most of the time she doesn't believe she's in danger and I kept talking to her (out loud) about her lack of brains. She's a college student and yet she acts too bubble-headed to be real to me.

There are several candidates for the title of creepy bad guy here and actually I dismissed him as fairly harmless but the big clue was staring me right in the face. Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to call someone else bubble-headed, eh?

I have a hard time coming to a decision about Prey of Desire. I suppose the modus operandi here is clever for a mystery writer but I struggled with it, still do actually. I've already mentioned my difficulty with the main character too but on the other hand if she hadn't acted as she did, there wouldn't be much of a story to tell.

Recommended with caveat about method of murders
Source: Partners in Crime Book Tours

In Prey of Desire, author JC Gatlin weaves a riveting psychological thriller that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seat while turning the pages in anticipation of what would happen next. This intriguing page turner of a story transports the reader back twenty-five years to an unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance and murder of two high school students, then fast forwards to the present questioning could this old mystery have a connection to a series of murders that are happening now?

This action packed story has fascinating characters, enough mystery interspersed with clues, and suspenseful twists and turns that easily draws the reader in, keeps them guessing, and holds them captive until the surprising conclusion. You can't help but get immersed in the mystery, it challenges the reader to try to figure out the motive and who the murderer is, while providing an intense and tension building storyline that is full of drama, dark humor, thrills and chills that will make it hard to put the book down. If you are a fan of exhilarating mystery / suspense / thrillers that makes you hold your breath, then this is definitely the book for you!

Prey of Desire is one hell of a gripping whodunit that is guaranteed to keep the reader on their toes.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/prey-of-desire-by-jc-gatlin-au...

Kim Bradford‘s boyfriend, Ross, broke up with her. Or did she break up with him? But it wasn’t the first time they’d broken up over some silly lover’s quarrel, so after three weeks, four days and 16 hours (but who’s counting), she was thinking that Ross would contact her any moment. Until then, she was going to live her life and go out with whoever she wanted. She went with her friend Mallory and her boyfriend, Addison, to meet a blind date December 31, 1999 at a fabulous New Year’s Eve party. Then murders begin and she receives things – a poetry book, strange notes and yet stranger calls. She keeps thinking they are from Ross trying to contact her — trying to apologize. She has no idea that something from twenty-five years ago has resurfaced and she is right in the center of it.

This was a really good mystery. I was actually pretty thrown by who the ‘bad guy’ was. In many ways, this felt like a cozy, but it is more graphic than most cozies. A couple of pieces didn’t entirely mesh for me. For example, while at the New Year’s Eve celebration, Addison had disappeared for a time. When Kim saw him later at the party, he appeared ‘frantic and upset.’ It never came to anything, so it felt like a loose end. I rated Prey of Desire at 3 out of 5.

http://www.fictionzeal.com/virtual-book-tour-prey-desire-j-c-gatlin/

"Prey of Desire" is a thriller that is exciting from the start. A few pages into the novel we observe a gruesome murder. Our curiosity is aroused. Why was this person killed in such a gruesome manner? What happened to the killer afterwards?

Twenty-five years later we follow the action of college co-ed Kimberly. She had just broken up with her fiance and her friend Malory is attempting to set her up with someone and to go on with her life.

Reluctantly, Kim agrees to a date but is stood up. Later, she is persuaded to attend a New Year's Eve party where something major happens.

Not to give away the plot, I was entertained by this suspenseful, fast moving novel. There are a number of surprises and it is easy for the reader to empathise with Kimberly.

I received a copy of this book in return for honest review.½

I was given a copy of “Prey of Desire” by author J. C. Gatlin to review in exchange for an honest review. Also, I’m participating in a virtual book tour hosted by My Addiction is Reading. I was excited about reading this book simply for the fact it’s classified as a horror novel. I had been reading a lot of romance books lately and this was just what I needed.

*****

In “Prey of Desire” we are transported to May 24, 1974, in Black Moon Forest. Brian Williams, a popular senior and son of the wealthy state governor, is out for a late night swim with his girlfriend Bonnie. Somehow she accidentally drowns and in a state of panic, Brian carries her lifeless body to her father’s home. Her father and Brian carry her into the kitchen and place her on the table. Instead of calling the police, her father takes a spike awl and stabs Brian in the eye, killing him.

Then the final thing we hear being said by her father is, “Oh, Bonnie. If you forget me, there’s something I want you to know…”

Next thing we have advanced 25 years later. It’s December 31, 1999. Ross McGuire and his girlfriend Kimberly Bradford have had an argument and he’s dumped her off on the side of the road. Their engagement is now off. He had decided that it’s time to get on with his life. Only problem is, that he is still in love with her. They have broken up multiple times over stupid stuff and this was just another one.

Pulling into the Flying J, he parks his Camero and heads to the phone booth. With the engagement ring in hand, he debates even calling Kim and apologizing and making up. It’s when he calls and she answers the phone that all hell breaks loose. A hand has grabbed him around the throat, then a sharp pain hits him the eye and pierces his brain, killing him instantly.

The man who just murdered him picks up the receiver and listens to Kim on the other end. Having also picked up the engagement ring, he whispers into the receiver, “Oh, Kimberley. If you forget me, there’s something I want you to know…”

Kim knows that this is Ross calling to make up. It had been three weeks, four days and sixteen hours since they broke off their engagement. She has tried to move on with her life, but all she can think of is Ross. Even her best friend Mallory has tried to get her mind off him. They are supposed to be headed to a New Year’s Eve party at the Congressman’s estate.

Her dress is ruined by an exploding garbage disposal. She is hoping that her friend Mallory, by the way is also her neighbor, has something dashing to wear. Trying to get herself out of going, she isn’t able to convince Mallory that she’s just going to stay home. Addison, Mallory’s much older boyfriend, has set her up on a blind date with a doctor.

Arriving at the part late, Kim, meets the Congressman. His estate is the Black Moon Manor. His older brother had been murdered on this property 25 years ago. So people already feel the creepiness that encompasses the estate. Entering the mansion, Kim is blown away with how spectacular it all is. It’s when Addison informs her that her date won’t be attending due to a medical emergency, Kim decides to make the best of the situation and wander the house. It’s when she bumps into the dashing host, Congressman William Dietz, that Kim is smitten.

It’s when a letter is mysteriously handed to her that she starts to sense someone is watching her. Opening the letter it states, “If you forget me, there’s something I want you to know.” Believing its Ross, Kim is just beside herself with the thought of the two reconciling. Only problem is, she can’t spot Ross at the party. The waiter can’t describe the man who handed off the letter.

Time starts to progress and Kim starts seeing more and more mysterious events taking place in her life. The Congressman has been brutally murdered. He was stabbed in the eye and his body found inside his refrigerator. She has a kid in her English class following her. A book of poems has been found in her college books with the name Bonnie on the inside. Mysterious phone calls are occurring more and more frequently to her house. Plus, she always feels that someone is watching her.

It’s when the body of Ross is discovered that everything starts to escalate and Kim is trying to sort out what is actually going on in her life. Is someone stalking her? Why are people that she knows starting to show up murdered? Who is calling her house? Will she ever be able to get peace and find happiness?

*****

As I previously stated, I did enjoy this book. With it being outside the genre that I had been stuck in for a couple of months, it was nice to read something gory. I found that the book captured my attention from the start. The story moved fast, but was very easy to keep up with all that was going on.

I only had issues with how the book ended. I found that the ending was rushed. It was as if the murderer was exposed, then BAM, just over. I would had really liked to have learned more of how it all became focused around Kim. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions.

Other than this part, I did enjoy this twisted and sick story.