Random Review: A Few Good Fish by Amy Lane #Review #Giveaway

Author: Amy Lane
Book: A Few Good Fish
Series: Fish Out Of Water #3
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication Date: August 28, 2018
Length: 290 pages

Reviewed by Erin


Synopsis

A tomcat, a psychopath, and a psychic walk into the desert to rescue the men they love…. Can everybody make it out with their skin intact?

PI Jackson Rivers and Defense Attorney Ellery Cramer have barely recovered from last November, when stopping a serial killer nearly destroyed Jackson in both body and spirit.

But their previous investigation poked a new danger with a stick, forcing Jackson and Ellery to leave town so they can meet the snake in its den.

Jackson Rivers grew up with the mean streets as a classroom and he learned a long time ago not to give a damn about his own life. But he gets a whole new education when the enemy takes Ellery. The man who pulled his shattered pieces from darkness and stitched them back together again is in trouble, and Jackson’s only chance to save him rests in the hands of fragile allies he barely knows.

It’s going to take a little bit of luck to get these Few Good Fish out alive!

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

As a die-hard, tried and true Amy Lane fangirl, anytime she releases a new book it's a time to celebrate. I have been counting down the days for a year for the release of A Few Good Fish, I'm not even joking. Ellery Cramer and Jackson Rivers stole my heart in the first book, Fish Out of Water and I have loved them a ridiculous amount since then. These two deeply flawed, imperfect, snarky men have established themselves as one of my all-time favorite Amy couples, and that's saying something my friends considering their competition. (*ahem Xander Karcek and Christian Edwards and Trav Ford and Macky Sanders anyone?!) But for any true Amy fan, this series is truly everything we've come to love and expect from such a talented writer, and then some. I'll be honest, while I really enjoyed the first book (and even more so on my re-read to get ready for the new book), each book in the series just gets better and better. Romantic suspense might be a new foray for Amy, but I sure hope that she continues to explore this sub-genre because holy hell can she ever tell a story! 

I will say that A Few Good Fish is NOT a stand alone. This is definitely a continuation of the first two books in the series and a read or re-read of Amy's Chasing the Sun wouldn't hurt either because Ace and Sonny (along with Alba, Jai, and Burton) all make an appearance and play pretty big roles so their backstory is needed for context for sure. I can't really say too much about the story itself without giving anything away and I really don't want to do that, but there are a few things I can mention. The first and most important one is just how fabulous Ellery and Jackson are. They have both grown SO much since their introduction in the first book. Jackson still swaggers and makes Ellery's knees go weak just by looking at him, but Jackson has really changed a lot. His snark is still there, his fearlessness and complete devotion to his family and friends, but from the very first scene in the book where Jackson meets the rabbi when he attends Temple with Ellery, there is this wounded vulnerability that is harder and harder for the fierce, strong Jackson to hide from those that love him. And there are many, more than Jackson is comfortable with or even realizes. 

As for Ellery, well, the many comparisons of him to a shark are well-founded, but god, I love him. He's bitchy and sassy and really takes absolutely no bullshit from Jackson. And the way he loves and cares for Jackson is this wonderful mix of no nonsense and tender beyond belief. These two laugh and love hard, fight hard, and well, from the very beginning of the first book manage to get themselves smack dab in the middle of chaos and it's no different in A Few Good Fish. There is so much action, so much suspense that you'll be on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The addition of Ace and Sonny is fabulous and it's beyond brilliant how Amy has woven these two stories together. 

The plot, the characters--both main and secondary, the banter, the sex, the ups and downs, all of it makes this series not to be missed. Jackson has been through some shit, y'all. Horrific, terrible stuff that no one but Amy could make her character suffer, but it's made him one my most favorite characters of hers. I love how this series continues to get better and better. I loved the introduction of Burton and Ernie and I can't wait to read their story. Jai needs his own book, as I've told Amy rather forcefully. I want more of Jackson and Ellery's mom, Lucy Satan. I love how snarky and prissy Ellery can be but the way he loves Jackson with his whole heart and soul just melts me. We all know Amy is known for her angst and then of course the sweet and fluffy but she's gotten this romantic suspense thing down like no one's business. I can't wait for the next book ... and the next and the next and the next. *hint hint* Be sure you've checked out this series, because if not, you are sure missing out on one hell of a roller coaster ride!

Giveaway

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Release Day Review: Red Fish, Dead Fish by Amy Lane #Review #Giveaway

Author: Amy Lane
Book: Red Fish, Dead Fish
Series: Fish Out Of Water #2
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication date: August 4, 2017
Length: 330 pages


Reviewed by Erin


Synopsis

They must work together to stop a psychopath—and save each other.

Two months ago Jackson Rivers got shot while trying to save Ellery Cramer’s life. Not only is Jackson still suffering from his wounds, the triggerman remains at large—and the body count is mounting.

Jackson and Ellery have been trying to track down Tim Owens since Jackson got out of the hospital, but Owens’s time as a member of the department makes the DA reluctant to turn over any stones. When Owens starts going after people Jackson knows, Ellery’s instincts hit red alert. Hurt in a scuffle with drug-dealing squatters and trying damned hard not to grieve for a childhood spent in hell, Jackson is weak and vulnerable when Owens strikes.

Jackson gets away, but the fallout from the encounter might kill him. It’s not doing Ellery any favors either. When a police detective is abducted—and Jackson and Ellery hold the key to finding her—Ellery finds out exactly what he’s made of. He’s not the corporate shark who believes in winning at all costs; he’s the frightened lover trying to keep the man he cares for from self-destructing in his own valor.

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

Review

I know before the release of Fish Out of Water Amy Lane stated she was nervous, wondering if she'd be able to pull off romantic suspense. After reading the second book in the Fish Out of Water series, Red Fish, Dead Fish, I can unequivocally say that she has absolutely NOTHING to worry about! I'm here to tell you that she can write the HELL out of it, no lie. Red Fish, Dead Fish is action packed, suspenseful, a little gruesome, a lot swoony (though maybe in a little bit different way) and totally fantastic. You can't read Red Fish, Dead Fish without reading Fish Out of Water first. It's a continuation of the investigation of serial killer, Tim Owens, and Jackson and Ellery are still reeling from injuries and trauma from the things that happened in Fish Out of Water. 

Be prepared. Red Fish, Dead Fish is a much grittier, a much more emotionally charged book than book one. The relationship between Jackson and Ellery is still fragile, but both are all in and fully committed to making things work. I have to say, as emotionally scarred as Jackson is, as damaged and guarded and prickly as he can be, Ellery is the one that really gets me in the heart. His faith, his unconditional love, his fierceness when it comes to protecting Jackson—whether it's from bad guys, his past, or himself—is some pretty spectacular stuff. Jackson for all his sarcasm and bite really can't resist Ellery's earnestness and honesty. Nor should he. Jackson really gets put through the ringer in Red Fish. Amy doesn't spare him anything. He gets bloody and bruised, he has to face his horrific past in regards to his mother and mostly horrible father figure, he's being stalked by a psychotic serial killer, and on top of all of that, his walls regarding Ellery are crumbling faster than he can build them back up. He struggles, a lot, and it'll break your heart. 

The suspense part of Red Fish is done brilliantly. It's bloody, it's pretty chilling, and it’s dangerous. You feel it all and are on the edge of your seat. Sure, you know Jackson and Ellery are going to be okay in the end (after all, there IS a book 3!) but that doesn't mean you don't have moments of "oh, shit, that was CLOSE!" This just makes for more heart stopping moments and really adds to the overall feeling of danger just around every corner. At the end, where Jackson is in the hospital, again, you realize just how much Jackson has been through. 

"I'm okay," Jackson said, because God forbid he not.

"I'm not," Ellery admitted—one of them had to say it. "Jade said she watched you die once. That's twice now, Jackson. How many lives do you think you have?"

"One where you and me get a little peace," Jackson said, closing his eyes. "That would be nice."

If there are ever two people who need a little peace, it's Jackson and Ellery! But, with there being a book 3, I don't think that peace is coming any time soon. There's still one more bad guy to track down, and boy is this one going to be fun! For fans of Ace and Sonny from Racing for the Sun, get ready to squee because those boys are going to be back in a big way, I think. We've already gotten a surprise connection in Red Fish, Dead Fish, one which Amy Lane does with her usual brilliance, and I can NOT wait to see how things all play out. There's also another new character introduced, AJ, and I'm hoping beyond hope he's in the next one. Jade, Mike, Ellery's mom, Taylor, Kryzynski, and of course Bob the Cat all make appearances and it was so great to see them all again. I do wish we would have gotten some Kaden and Jackson time, but maybe in the next one, Amy? 

There are promises made between Ellery and Jackson, and some incredibly vulnerable, painful, and achingly tender moments between them. I sighed, a lot, and my heart both hurt and warmed at these two loving one another. The "I love yous" are especially poignant and I'll admit to having my doubts about these two in the first book, but not anymore. They're the real deal and each other's biggest strengths. Ellery really, this guy. I adore him. You might think he's the weaker of the two of them since he's the lawyer (shark though he is) not the ex-cop and big, burly PI guy, but man, Ellery is made of steel. I suppose you'd have to be to put up with the things Jackson makes him go through, but still. And Jackson opening up, showing his fears, will completely melt your heart. 

Red Fish, Dead Fish was a roller coaster of a ride and I can't wait to see what the next one brings! 

Giveaway

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Contest ends August 31st!

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