An intense, page-turning, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller. What happens when a hero, a victim & a psychopath’s lives collide? Grab your copy of Twist of Fate to find out.“From the opening pages this story had me on the edge of my seat! The premise of this story could have been torn from a dozen different headlines yet the author found new spins at every corner.” ~ Nerdy Dirty and … author found new spins at every corner.” ~ Nerdy Dirty and Flirty
“Twist of Fate is an intriguing mix of love story, action heroes, and whacked out freaks high on Girl Scout cookies – exactly my kind of book and highly recommended!” ~ Author Elise Noble
Description:
Melissa is closing a chapter of her life, one cloaked in horror and guilt, and wants to move on.
All CJ wants is to see the man who butchered his baby sister put down for good.
As Melissa and CJ rebuild the pieces of their lives, a man with the blackest of hearts and an endless capacity to inflict pain changes everything. Prince Charming seeks to expand his collection of princesses by adding his most treasured Queen. Prince Charming? Pierce is so crazy, he thinks he’s perfectly normal, and he might just convince you of it too.
As tornados tear through town, three lives will be uprooted, twisted, and tangled beyond what any of them can foresee. Melissa and CJ will struggle to come together as horrific events rip them apart, while Prince Charming claims Melissa as his Queen.
What reviewers are saying:
“Embodying the worst, and the best, of the human spirit, this author used a steady hand to produce a story that was, in the end, a testament to love and enduring strength. This was a ‘stay up until 4 in the morning read’ that was worth every minute of lost sleep…” ~ Nerdy Dirty and Flirty reviews.
”From the first page to the last I was totally captivated. This fast-paced romantic suspense would not let me put it down. I had to know what would happen next.” ~ Tamye from Books, Coffee and Crafts News
“Who doesn’t love a good fairy tale? Especially when it involves a serial killer whose victims are named after fairy tale princesses?? This book is an awesome romantic psychological thriller… There is action, lots of suspense, romance, and of course, not one but TWO psychopathic obsessive villains. If you are in the mood for a Cinderella meets Silence of the Lambs tale, this is your book!!!” ~ Amazon Reviewer
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What a thriller! Melissa is the x-wife of a serial killer and CJ is coming to see him get executed. Reading the trailer, it’s really that messy, a psychopath, a tornado, a hero and a victim and it rolls on from there. What an intense story, definitely had me turning every page as fast as I could. This is a book that will keep you up into the middle of the night reading. I Loved it.
This book had me feeling all kinds of emotions. Horror for the things done to the women. Disgust for the person who caused it. Deep sighs for the tender care and assistance. Man I was just floored. I haven’t read much from this author but every book I have read has been different from the last and stretched my imagination sometimes good other times not so much. I hadn’t read a book of hers that had these type of details and actions but the suspense was masterfully done with twist and surprises in the plot. The surprises and spins make this a well written book that will keep you on your toes to the very end. And yup there’s romance in there and it kinda helps to take some of the bite off but it isn’t the story.
Girl Scouts and thin mints will never be the same. I wish she had used another cookie in her story either way this author has firmly planted a memory with them in my head that I will not soon forget. Awesome read and the bonus chapters just cement the depravity of these characters. Still shaking my head long after the last page. Suspense, intrigue, humans, hell more like monsters on two legs, and yea a little romance to soften the punch.
Melissa and CJ will meet in an unexpected way. She is finally free from the terror that is her husband. A killer who is in prison on death row. CJ is home on leave to witness this execution because he killed his baby sister. There could be triggers for some in this book. There’s fear, danger and a will to live. HEA.
So much suspense. Highly recommend
This book was simply amazing! Ellie has a writing style that pulls you into her stories and it will have you hooked until you’ve read the last word. Melissa finally receives her divorce papers and her evil ex husband is behind bars. Melissa is out running in terrible weather when she’s hurt and CJ helps her out. I loved Melissa and CJ and they had great chemistry. Pierce and Scott were just creepy horrible people. A truly page turning read and one I highly recommend.
I enjoyed the story. Parts kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t give it five stars because some parts were too unrealistic and took away some of my enjoyment.
CJ & Melissa’s Romance Takes Bloom Amidst The Aftermath Of A Storm As CJ Investigates The Disappearance Of A Widowed Mother Of Two! A Serial Killer & A Kidnapper Take Their Story Into Some Very Dark Places, And Danger Chases Them Just As Much As CJ Chases Danger. A Dark And Dangerous Story Filled With Dense Details.
Trigger warning: includes violence and issues of non-consent. This is the darkest book I have yet read by this author. It not only involves abduction, non-consent, and punishment, but it centers around a serial killer.
This is book one of the Guardian Hostage Rescue series. It was previously titled Twist of Fate. This is CJ Rowan’s story. He works for Sam, the boss, who is well-connected in the government and recruits only the best. The company assists the FBI on a contract basis with off-the-books hostage extractions. Most clients are wealthy.
In this story, CJ, Mac, and Jenny are given a case. CJ has worked with Mac for five years. Jenny is from Brazil and was a victim herself. She is less experienced on the job. Mac and Jenny have an interesting dynamic. Later they are joined by another team, all of whom seem a bit on the cozy side. Jon Knutt and Brett Parmley have been on the job, but Charlie Moudin – every man’s wet dream – is new.
Pierce Channing is fascinated by blood, though he is not a killer. Not by choice, anyway. His mentor had it all wrong, and that is why he was caught in the end. His mentor’s lack of control was a weakness. Pierce has a system in place to ensure he doesn’t lose his precious control again. He loves his princesses. He taught them well and punishes them when they deserve it. There is no need for killing. Belle is his favorite. She has been with him longest and knows best how to please him. She has been joined by Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Gretel, and Goldilocks. There are two cages in his dungeon yet to be filled, however. When he sees the beautiful mother of two, he knows she will be perfect for his plans. Henrietta Jones, the widow of a veteran and a mother, is older than his princesses but innocent enough to suit him. He sees her as the perfect Fairy Godmother to his six princesses, a figure that will watch over them once she is properly trained. All that remains is for him to claim the Queen that he was promised.
Melissa Evans signs her divorce papers, marking the end of her ten year marriage to Scott. It was supposed to have been until death do us part, and she knew he would be furious with her for that act of defiance. She had done her best to blend into the background after his trial brought so much attention to her. The animosity of the press toward her had been brutal. She had been accused of being an accomplice to the murder of her husband’s victims, young blonde college coeds, but the discovery of those bodies came as a surprise to her. She had been too focused on pleasing Scott and avoiding beatings to pay attention to the signs that with hindsight might have clued her into his maniacal and psychopathic plans. Scott had come from a wealthy family and had a successful law career, and she had fallen for his charm and the strength of his personality, never suspecting he had a hidden dark side.
Scott Patterson’s execution is imminent as a brutal storm blows over town one Sunday in the small town of Fort Walton. After one year of trial and two years awaiting his death sentence to be carried out, many await justice. The families of the eighteen victims that lost their lives to the Fairytale Killer’s hand hope for some peace of mind. And his wife – or ex-wife – hopes to finally be free of him. But as the devastation of the storm rocks the area, the execution is put off by the state.
Charles James Rowan, Jr. – or CJ – is trying to find closure after losing his younger sister to a serial killer. He took a week off work to witness justice on her behalf. An Army veteran, he was a trained paramedic. He was a Green Beret for four years followed by a tour with the Delta Force. Now he works in hostage rescue. He knows something about being a victim and taking a stand. Having witnessed his mother’s life taken by his father, he finds great satisfaction when his rescue attempts save lives. He isn’t afraid to spill blood in the defense of the defenseless.
CJ rolls into town as a killer storm hits, happening upon an injured woman in the storm’s path. While he tries to maintain his professionalism, he cannot help but feel a strong connection to the beauty as he rescues her from harm’s way. When Scott Patterson’s execution is delayed, Sam assigns him to a new job that just popped up in the area. A missing mother of two, widow of the town hero. Foul play is suspected but there are no clues. The local police chief reached out to Sam for a personal favor because the local authorities became overwhelmed with their response to the storm and because time is of the essence in kidnappings. Scott works with Mac and Jenny on the case but never forgets about Melissa, the woman he rescued, and hopes to connect with her before she leaves the hospital. But before she checks out, CJ finds it isn’t only his attraction to her that has him coming to collect her. She needs protection, and with the locals still overburdened he steps in until her detail arrives. CJ straddles two precarious cases as he awaits backup amidst the chaos.
CJ and Melissa have sizzling chemistry, yet their story is surprising tender despite the chaos and danger that surround them. It is quite a feat to have pulled that off given the gruesome backdrop to this suspense. CJ, along with Mac and Jenny, unravels the mystery surrounding two cases while his blooming romance with Melissa unfolds. There is tension when they discover their connection via Scott, as both harbor deep-seated grief over the loss of life and guilt for not being able to prevent it. But those feelings mix with fear as circumstances continue to snowball out of control.
The dense details in this plot-driven story pull the reader into this dark and dangerous story. Told from three points of view, one is of the kidnapper himself. The story gets into his demented mind, which is rather unsettling. There are some surprises along the way. Despite the incredible detail, there a few items that are overlooked but that would in reality have been dead giveaways as to the identity of the kidnapper. *Spoilers* There is a handwritten note given by the man which could later serve as a clue. There are also two victims that come to his door, presumably leaving cars nearby and perhaps having informed others as to their exact or general whereabouts.
CJ and Melissa’s romance takes bloom amidst the aftermath of a storm as CJ investigates the disappearance of a widowed mother of two. A serial killer and a kidnapper take their story into some very dark places, and danger chases them just as much as CJ chases danger. The story is nicely written with a complex plot. It is told in third person. The POV alternates between CJ, Melissa, and Pierce. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
I loved this story. Melissa’s story sucked me right in and would not let me sleep until it was done! Lots of suspense and intrigue. Melissa and CJ meet by chance during a tornado. Little do either of them know initially, they have a connection. I loved how differences between them did not drag out and were resolved through immediate communication. I can’t recommend this book enough!
Melissa and CJ will meet in an unexpected way. She is finally free from the terror that is her husband. A killer who is in prison on death row. CJ is home on leave to witness this execution because he killed his baby sister. There could be triggers for some in this book. There’s fear, danger and a will to live. HEA.
This book kept me gripped from the beginning. I loved how the psychological suspenseful serial killer elements tied in with the romantic side of the story. It was a thrilling and cleverly constructed plot.
CJ is one of the hostage rescue specialists know as the Guardian’s. I have to say he was the perfect Alpha hero, his authoritative, strong confident personality was very alluring. I absolutely loved his character.
Melissa had a terrifying life at the hands of her husband. Now she wants to start over and move on. A twist of fate throws her into the path of CJ and changes both their lives forever. I loved how these two met, definitely kismet.
I loved CJ and Melissa’s story it kept me on the edge of my seat. It was intense, powerful and romantic. They’re perfect for each other.
I’m really excited for more from the Guardian’s series as there were some fantastic characters in this story that I have to know more about.
4 stars
Melissa is the ex wife of the Fairytale Killer and she’s trying to restart her life. A tornado hits town and Melissa is severely injured. CJ is a Guardian and they are hostage rescue specialists. He is in town to see the execution of the Fairytale Killer who killed his baby sister. He almost hits Melissa and runs from the tornado with her. While in town, a case of a missing person comes up but CJ has other plans. The storm damaged the prison the the killer escaped. Pierce is a very disturbed man and has been kidnapping women and calls them his princesses but needs his Queen to complete his royal court. CJ will do whatever it takes to protect Melissa.
First time reading this author and I enjoyed it except for the villains view was told in the first person. I am not a fan of first person point of views. Both the hero and heroine were strong and very likable. Explicit sexual material plus some material that may be sensitive to others. Fast paced action that will have you hanging to the edge of your seat.
Wow I mean WOW I’m lost for words to describe this book !! It’s brimming over with action, intrigue, suspense and in true Ellie style hot and I mean smoking hot men. A brilliant story in which you get totally immersed and I promise you will not put it down until you finish, then you will cry because it has finished and you need more. Ellie takes you right into Melissa’s heart, you can feel all the emotions that she is going through. Then there’s CJ, our hero just how that man controlled himself as much as he did is beyond me (no spoilers here but one word shower !!). Finally, the villian (at least one of them) again, sooo much emotion and control I just wanted to shout at him. I’m left with an absolute tangle of thoughts running around my head, that just make me need more of this series – NOW !!
I did not want to put this story down once I started. This book would make a great movie. It’s like yelling at the person on the screen to not do that or look behind them or look out, because you know what’s gonna play out. The suspense and the evilness had me practically on the edge of my seat. I instantly loved CJ! I questioned the trust that Melissa, Henrietta, Angela and Anna placed at times. Loved hearing Forest’s name mentioned! Great story!
Ellie Masters grabs your attention real quick by dumping you right in the middle of a tornado. It was exciting and heart pounding! What a way to introduce CJ and Melissa. Now add in a serial killer who escaped death row and his protege whose perversions are mind boggling and you get a dark compelling read. Extraordinary!
I closed my kindle on this one and am still thinking…. what the heck did I just read?
Melissa is out for a jog, trying to clear her head when the storm of all storms kicks up. Thunder, lightning and then a tornado. That eerie train coming sound… Her life has been full of twist and turns, now she is living through the storm.
CJ has taken a leave of absence from his job to attend a very important event. One that will finally bring closure to the horrible event that happened. Who would have thought a storm in the town he finally was going to get that closure would send his life into a twister?
Pierce has dreamed of this day…planned for this day…trained for this day…corresponded with his great mentor for this day… The prince had all his princesses, even the fairy godmother…. Who was he missing? Why the queen, of course.
There is one thing that none of them counted on… An Act of God…
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