All it took was a single moment for Anson Miller’s life to fall apart. His only hope of finding solid ground again is to uproot everything he knows and start over. New house, new job, new life. But will working on death row as a corrections officer in the country’s hardest and most acclaimed supermax prison be the right move? Or is he exchanging one hardship for something way worse?Twenty years … years ago, Bishop Ndiaye was a victim of wrong place, wrong time. The consequences landed him on death row. As hard as he fought to expose the truth behind his alleged crime, no one would hear him. No one would listen. He’s succumbed to his fate, hardened himself to prison life, and no longer hopes for a better tomorrow. For Bishop, there is no tomorrow. Death waits around the corner, and someday soon, he will be no more.Anson’s appearance in Bishop’s life changes everything.Anson lends Bishop more than an ear; he offers him friendship, compassion, and understanding. No one has ever gifted Bishop with more.The more they talk, the more they share.The more they share, the more their bond grows.But when their hearts open up to one another, the barrier in their way is far more than a steel door of a cell. It is life and death.
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What an amazing book. I haven’t read a Nicky James book I didn’t like, and she hits it out of the park again with this one. It’s the wonderful, emotional, heartbreaking story of a prison guard who falls in love with a death row inmate. I’m not gonna spoil too much, but read it. You won’t regret it. (Note: this is the first book in a duology, so it ends on a happy for now. Read Outside for the rest of the story)
Nicky James has brought to life, a story which will stay with me forever. She quickly had me falling in love with the two characters, experiencing all their heartache and pain as if it were my own, while making me believe that when it comes to love, nothing is truly impossible.
Nicky always delivers a heart punch and Inside is no different. The sweetness and longing between Bishop and Anson is delightful and so poignant. The slow burn is perfectly paced and the storyline is brilliantly constructed. Highly recommended.
INSIDE is Vol 1 of 2 from Nicky James’s Death Row Chronicles.
I won’t go into the storyline as the blurb does an excellent job of that. What I will say is what a fantastic read INSIDE is. As with all of Mrs. James’s books, the research she puts into her work amazes me. Her meticulous attention to detail about life on Death Row made this book so very real for me!
By no means is INSIDE an easy read, but it is incredibly different and will grab you from the very first chapter. The fact that Mrs. James could imagine and execute a relationship for a prisoner who has little to no human contact, astounds me. The bond that develops between Bishop and Anson is beautiful and genuine and I can’t wait to read more about them.
Congratulations on another beautifully written book Mrs. James.
I finished reading this book and had to take a few days to sit down and write my review. I struggled with how to accurately capture everything this book made me think and feel. First off it was flawlessly written, which is no surprise because Nicky James is an amazing author. Secondly I have not read a book in a long time that made me feel so much: heartache, sympathy, nervousness, love, acceptance, understanding…this book made me feel the gambit of emotions. It was clear a ton of research went into the writing of this book. The details on the inner workings of the Texas death row penal system were amazing. I felt like I was seeing it through Anson’s eyes and it was heartbreaking. Forget that these were death row inmates, Ms. James made me feel for them; how they were treated, how they lived day to day, how little they had left in the world. I went into this book knowing what it was about and thinking “how the heck is a prison guard going to form a relationship with a death row inmate”? I should never have doubted Nicky James’ ability to make this happen. The relationship between Anson and Bishop was breathtaking. It was formed through looks and the barest of touches and late night conversations through barriers…and it was spectacular! Again, I knew a second book was coming, I knew how this was going to end and yet…my heart was in my throat and tears were in my eyes as the plot moved forward. I cried and I yelled and I cheered out loud along the way. This book was epic storytelling at its best, the ending was a magical movie moment for me and I cannot believe I have to wait for book 2 because I want it now. Everyone should read this book, it was just so amazing!
We have all read books that make us feel. Whether that be in the form of tears, anger, angst or any other range of emotion but Inside book one in the Death Row Chronicles duet set me up with a whole other set of emotions that I never knew a book could make me feel. That is saying a lot for someone who reads several books a week. Anson and Bishop were two forces literally fighting for the life that Bishop was about to lose for a crime he didn’t commit.
“Somehow, I’d been dragged under by a beautiful, dark angel on death row”.
Anson Miller has faced some seriously dark moments working as a Correctional Officer, but the worst moment was when he got shanked by a few inmates and nearly lost his life. Now, with all of that behind him Anson is looking forward to starting a new life several states away in Texas working on Death Row and one of the worst prisons in the United States. While he has been in this job for about a decade working on Death Row comes with its own set of rules. His first day on the job seems to be going well until he comes face to face with Bishop. An inmate on Death Row for murdering his ex-girlfriend and her son. Anson has never let an inmate get to him before and he isn’t going to let Bishop get to him now, no matter the things he is feeling. After a few brief chats and long gazes lead to longer chats Anson can’t help but think that Bishop might not be as guilty as everyone thinks he is. Crossing every line that he knows he shouldn’t cross Anson becomes set on a mission to get Bishop free from Death Row but that is an almost impossible feat.
As days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months Anson can’t let this gentle giant go no matter what. He knows that he is the only person that can make things right for Bishop and he will stop at nothing to get his name cleared. Lines are crossed and emotions are heightened resulting in one heart stopping story told from Anson’s point of view that will leave you breathless turning every page just to find the answers you are looking for.
This is my second Nicky James novel and I have to say WHERE THE HELL HAVE I BEEN? Both books that I have read by her gave me so many emotions in a vastly different sense. This book is the first book I have ever read where I was so invested in the story and I knew what was about to come that I literally had one of those gut-wrenching sobs come from my throat. That is so mind boggling to me that an author made me feel that way about two characters in a book. I am obsessed now! I want a book that is going to make me feel things like that no matter how much it might hurt my heart.
I have not read this book, only the blurb and now I’m stuck with the rating. (Why did I open this email)
This is the first in a series and ends in a HFN. The others are not yet released. I wouldn’t have read it if I knew that because I like everything to be all wrapped up. However it was very well written and the relationship was solid between the main characters. I’m not big on angst and the premise of the story (wrongly accused man on death row) would seem to be high angst but it was heart wrenching and enjoyable at the same time
t’s been about a week since I finished this book and I still don’t think I can write this review well enough to express how good this book is. If you’ve read the blurb, then you know that Bishop is behind bars on death row. Anson needed a fresh start and the place he does that is in Texas at the facility where Bishop is being held at. This story is amazingly unique. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but I was no mean disappointed in any way whatsoever. The connection between Bishop and Anson while intense had a slow burn feel to it to that I enjoyed. Anson and Bishop’s dedication to each other is amazing. The angst in this one wasn’t too bad, but I have a feeling that Nicky James is saving the best of that for book 2, “Outside.” This was a fantastic read, and I loved it a lot. If you’re waiting for book 2 before you read book 1, you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to read book 2.
I am speachless! But that’s not a new feeling if it comes to Nicky James. I had lucky though, because I saw a bit spoiler before started the book, so I wasn’t afraid of the ending of the book- because hey, it’s not a standalone 😉
I’ve read prison themed books before, and I hated those books. So I really had high hopes for this one, and it didn’t dissapointed at all. I knew that Nicky can do it. She makes me love everything she writes, she has some magic I swear!
Anson and Bishop’s story was so unique and awesome. It was really good to see them day to day, how they changed, how their feelings eveloped and how deep they fell into each other. This was such a good romance like nothing ever before. A romance between a man who is in death row and a man who works in said death row. I couldn’t imagine this romance, and I couldn’t wait to find out their story and to know their background.
I loved Anson. And loved how he handled everything and everyone. How friendly, easy and cute he was with everyone but especially with Bishop. And oh my, Bishop! I was afraid to love him, but as I read more and more pages, I felt more and more for him. And as we got to know his story! Oh god! Poor Bishop, awww I just wanted to cuddle that big man.
This love story was everything I needed at this moment. The book was perfect in every way possible. And I just need more of them. More Bishop and Anson. I literally dying to know how they story will continue! They deserve so much, and the best of everything.
I never thought in a million years that it comes a time when I say to a prison themed book that I totally LOVED it, and I HIGHLY recommend it! Best secret romance ever. I’ll totally re-read it, and I need it in paperback too!
*Blows out breath slowly* That was an amazing read. I immediately got sucked into Bishop and Anson’s story and I was hooked. A death row inmate and his prison guard seem unlikely to form a bond, but the bond they form is so deep. Their story evoked so many emotions in me as I read it. Nicky James did an amazing job pulling me in and providing me with everything I needed to feel part of the story. The attention to detail about prison life on Death Row in Texas really brought Bishop and Anson to life for me. Their story was so amazingly different, making it such a thought provoking read, I loved it. I found myself running on all the emotions and having myself a good cry at one point. Or two. I can’t wait to see where we go with Volume 2, I just hope we don’t have to wait too long! This is a must read, and I highly recommend it. Don’t forget the tissues!
Wow, this book really had my emotions on edge and my heart in my throat.
I knew since I’ve read a lot of this authors books that the probability of me crying while reading this one would be high and I was right.
Bishop and Ansons story is just as emotional as you would imagine since it is centred around one of the guards and one of the inmates on death row.
Nicky is an expert on bringing the characters on paper to life and Bishop really captured my heart in his gentle giant personality. She even made me feel sympathetic towards some of the other inmates despite what they had done.
Bishop really deserved having someone like Anson fighting for him and I can’t wait for the next book.
What an amazing story this is Nicky James has done it again. Can you imagine you are in love with someone on Death Row knowing that there can never be any physical contact at all and you can only see them sometimes well then you need to read this book and find out how Anson and Bishop manage it.
I highly recommend this book 100%. 5*
Nicky does such a great job of bringing a lot of emotions to her books. This had it all: suspense, anger, sadness, happiness, love…Bishop’s story is heartbreaking. He is a gentle giant who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a victim of circumstance. Anson is an all around good guy. Working in a prison is hard and Anson loves his job. He interacts with the prisoner’s and show’s them respect.
I wasn’t sure how Nicky would be able to create a romance when one person is behind bars and there is essentially no touching, and people are watching all the time. But she did! Anson’s and Bishop’s romance is based on connection and emotion. They get to know each other over time.
I really enjoyed this story, though I didn’t need tissues like with most of Nicky’s books. Don’t be deterred by that, though. This book is packed with emotions. I don’t want to wait for the second book! I’m really looking forward to more Anson and Bishop.
This book reminded me a little of the movie Green Mile just because Bishop was a rather tall man that hardy ever spoke and intimated most of the guards. Then along comes Anson the new guard on death row and the instance those two meet there was a flicker between them. Slowly Bishop opened up to Anson. Bishop’s nickname “Boss” for Anson also reminded me of the Greenmile but please understand this story is nothing like the movie. It was only those two things that stood out so much for me.
Their story is unlike any other story that I have read before. I felt myself crying for one of the death row inmates whose sentence was carried out. Through the words of this fantastic author you get somewhat of view of what happens after the sentence is given.
For some nothing will ever help these men that have committed such horrid crimes but there are those that just need a friend someone to hear their stories, not to pass judgement or give forgiveness just to be their shoulder or ear to the end.
Or if you are lucky or “unlucky” depending on who Anson asks, you just might find the love of your life, right there, but stuck in a cell with a legal system that may have failed him. With time counting down and stolen touches, Anson will do anything to be able to finally be with Bishop.
I love this story and cant wait for their story to continue!
4.5 huge freaking stars for this book!
Nicky James is the queen of angst! No one does it better.
So my review is going to go like this…
Anson is so…..
And Bishop is even more so….
And oh my God! That one guy is completely off his rocker!
And Ezra was a total a$$.
Also, Nicky James being the author that she is,
I knew it was going to happen, but I still cried because Nicky is just that good!
The only thing more I would want from this book is for Ezra to get punched, just once really good, right in the face.
Well, maybe it’ll happen in the next book, which I can’t wait for!
Thank you Nicky for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.
I have no words
This book is truly one of Nicky’s finest.
She really draws you in to the tale of death row and a man that’s about to lose his life for something he didn’t do.
Until new hope comes in the shape of Anson and his belief that Bishop did not commit the crimes he’s about to be executed for.
The emotions will not leave you and you will be glued to every word as they fight for not only his life but a chance for them and their happiness.
Wow seriously such an amazing read! I am still not over it!
This fantastic, raw, gritty, gripping, intense, powerful, emotionally charged, heartbreaking, amazing, enthralling, beautiful, poignant, marvelous, no holds barred, and awesome story grabbed my heart, shattered it into a million pieces, ran them through a grinder, spit them out the other side, and then put them back together in a totally different way. Anson and Bishop’s story had me hooked from the very first page. I ended up with a massive book hangover because I just could NOT put it down. In my opinion, this marvelous masterpiece is now at the top of my “re-read over and over again” list. I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on Book Two.
5 Glowing Stars!!!
What an amazing, interesting & heartbreaking story. It didn’t take long for me to start shedding tears nonstop. Anson was a terrific & amazing person & Correctional Officer. I loved him straight away. Bishop… Poor Bishop, my tears were mostly for him all throughout the story. OMG… It made me so mad the way he was treated in prison & in life before prison. My heart ached for him. I’m so happy Bishop gets a second chance of life, thanks to Anson & the lawyer of course. I so can’t wait for book two to see how Bishop is out in the world again & to see how his relationship with Anson works out. Bring it on!