Queen of Shadow Bay

by Stephanie M. Freeman

Not all monsters are born, some are made. Killing Carpathia was the first mistake. Informing her niece made it worse. Durabia meant a fresh start for Raye Bennett. One phone call destroyed all of that. Returning to American soil could send her back to prison for the rest of her life. Attending the funeral of a family member may be deadlier. Heaven and Hell change places in this romantic thriller where the poison is sweeter than the wine.
ABOUT THE QUEENS OF THE CASTLE SERIES Each Queen book is a standalone, NO cliffhangers USA TODAY , and National Bestselling Authors have created a world where women can-and will have it all-love, family, career, and leave a legacy while overcoming generational challenges. These powerful women, brought together for a higher purpose, change lives by providing safety for those who cannot protect themselves; care for those from tragic backgrounds, and make an impact on their families, communities, and the world at large. The Kings laid the foundation; the Knights created a bridge of hope between continents; but the Queens will change the world.
Book 1-Queen of Lahaina Book 2-Queen of Shadow Bay Book 3-Queen of North Shore Book 4-Queen of Belize Book 5-Queen of Kingston Book 6-Queen of Cambridge Book 7-Queen of Wilmette Book 8-Queen of Curaçao Book 9- Queen of Bahia

158 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2022

Reviews

[J.L. Campbell]

Queen of Shadow Bay provides a journey into the dark side of human nature, but Freeman balances that with a love story crafted to satisfy the romantic at heart.

When her aunt dies, Raye is called home, but immediately knows there’s more afoot than what’s on the surface. She stands to lose much in her quest for the truth, but the love of a lifetime also lurks in her future.

This book will satisfy readers with a taste for psychological thrillers, as well as those who love romance.

J.L. Campbell, National Best-Selling Author

[Pat G'Orge-Walker]

Stephanie M. Freeman is a voice not easily forgotten. She has a skillful lock on the Murder, Mayhem, and Mystery genre evidenced by the literary craft poured onto the pages.

With a no holds barred approach, Ray didn't return to Durabia to play nice-she came to slay any obstacle in her path without wounding herself. Old debts need settling.

Sometimes poison doesn't kill, it just pisses one-off.

Stephanie M. Freeman has done what she always does...made the murder necessary --the Mayhem fun and the Mystery leaving one breathless. and wanting more.

#QueenOfShadowBay#
#QueensOfTheCastle#
#StephanieMFreeman#

[Cassandra Haywood]

Raye Bennett gets a call that her Aunt Carrie has died. So now she has to leave the comfort and safety of Durabia to return to the United States of America because she suspects her Aunts husband Gerald of killing her. Now it is up to her to prove that Gerald killed his wife with the help of a childhood friend that she loves but never acted on it because of the dysfunctionalism in her life.
There is a lot of family secrets that come to light that puts some of the characters on an emotional rollercoaster.
This is the second book of the Queens of the Castle which can be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading about the other Queens storylines.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book on Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

[Elizabeth]

Another win for these authors who come up with an amazing stories to tell, each book better then the last .And this one even throw it felt a bit slow I enjoyed it because we saw more of the main character Raye Bennett.We saw her character grow more ,and found out more about her life ,as well as family secrets that was kept. And the emotional ride you go though with this one also what makes the story come to live. It's a story that you can just set back and read. And makes you root for the good characters and want the bad ones to get what's coming to them.

[Vondetta Carter]

The truth is often slow to be seen

In this second book of the Queens we see a woman who after escaping from her pain in the US must return. She returns because her aunt has died.
At the airport the love of her life picks her up. For Dominic it was a day he dreamed of.
This is a complicated story that reunited family and uncovers more links to an insidious group of human trafficking. Good read..

[Ellowyn]

This book started out good and then it got very slow for me. The more I read it the better it got. I love the suspense and twists in this book. I am looking forward to reading more book in this series.

[Martha Ruff]

This book really grabbed my attention from the cover of the book to the title of the book to the model for the cover of the book. I knew that this was one of the books that I really wanted to read in the series and I can honestly say that I wasn't disappointed in the least once I started reading the story. I was instantly pulled in from the very first chapter and held captive until the final word on the last chapter of the book!!!
I really connected with Raye's character; for some reason she really spoke to my spirit and I wanted to know more about her and her journey to end up with the life that she did. Raye doesn't have any intention of ever returning to Shadow Bay, the place where her life changed forever, however with the death of her Aunt Carrie, she is forced to return to the place where her life changed forever and deal with ghosts she rather keep buried.
I was intrigued by the relationship between Raye and Dimitri because it was obvious that they had a connection between them stemming from childhood until adulthood but for whatever reason they never had the chance to explore it. I was instantly pulled into the mystery surrounding the death of Raye's Aunt Carrie and mystery of what really happened to her.
This book had a little bit of everything, from mystery of an unexpected death, to family drama and actioned packed. It also deals with subject matter where it could be a little bit of a trigger for some readers, however the author did a magnificent job of getting her point across without coming across as preachy or something like that.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series soon!!!

[Joyce M. H.]

The is the 2nd book in the “Queens Of The Castle” and it is definitely a winner. Naleighna Kai and her tribe didn’t come to play in this new series. These Queens are not playing. It starts off slow and dull but it most definitely gets better so, don’t stop reading “Queen Of Shadow Bay”. It is a page turner full of mystery, mayhem, murder, turns and twist, suspenseful, dysfunctional family drama, emotional, secrets, tear jerker and it will keep you turning the pages.

Ray is in Durabia getting her life back on track after doing a jail sentence for killing her husband. We see some old faces, Khalil, Sheikha Ellena, Chaz Maharaj, Amanda McCoy, Dro the fixer and Shaz. Ray has just received some rather disturbing about the death of her aunt Carrie. Ray takes it upon herself to pack her bags and head back to states. When Ray arrives in the states her friend Dimitri Carrington who is a detective is waiting for her at the airport. Dimitri and Ray share history. Ray believes that her aunt was murdered and she has to prove it with the help of Dimitri. When the will is read Ray learns that her aunt Carrie has left her everything and her aunts husband Gerald is furious.

You will not want to miss this 2nd book in the series and you will enjoy it; place your order today.

I received an ARC via Nalieghna Kai via NetGalley and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

[April]

This story starts out dark and seriously twisted. Who plots the murder of his wife, thinking about all the life insurance money he will get while putting on his fake façade by attending church and helping out at church events, makes for a really twisted marriage and a good start to this story. Once we see Raye step into the book, this story gets so twisted. She is trying to make sense of the demise of her Aunt Carrie, and how does she navigate the handsome Dimitri, who she has some history and maybe a future with. As the story progresses and we see all this darkness in the character's world it's hard not to feel consumed by the evil that lives in these characters and their pasts. However, there is a light, and it is much appreciated. You see some glimmers of the good, that would be Reagan. This little boy and all his innocence give this story the light and hope that you need to feel. The way that Reagan and Raye connect is positively the best in this story. Overall, a good read in this series, family dynamics that are original and so messed up it feels like it could be real life, but at the same time you really hope it isn't.

[Mestaw7]

Raye Bennett did not back down easily from anyone. After spending a stint in jail, she moved to Durbia. Her treacherous uncle killed her aunt thinking he would be entitled to her estate. Little did he know that he wasn’t getting the estate. Raye set out to prove that her uncle was responsible for her aunt’s death among other things. I loved reading this book because it was full of surprises that involved abuse, cover ups and most of all survival. It was so unpredictable that it had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Highly recommended.

[Shannan Harper]

This was such an intriguing story. I did not want this story to end. Raye Bennett returns to America after she is tasked to settle her aunt's estate after her death. But secrets are revealed which makes her realize there is more than meets the eye.

Mystery, Mayhem and so much more can be found in this story. There were twists and turns and I was shook by the time I got to the end of the story. Very good job with this story.

I received a copy of the book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts

[Geri Evans]

I See You, Queen of Shadow!! 🔥🔥🔥

Well, now! Ms. Freeman told the story and you best believe, it was amazing!! Although I am a little behind on this series, I am so glad I am reading it now! The Kings and Knights were awesome, but these Queen’s…what can I say!! 🔥🔥

Raye Bennett is unique, takes care of business and is protective of her loved ones!! I was riveted from the first page until the last! It was definitely a well-traveled journey!! I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it!! Kudos, Stephanie!! 💜

[Naleighna Kai]

Queen of North Shore. Once again, author Sierra Kay has brought her brand of a unique take on Grimm’s Fairy Tales with this offering that’s a perfect blend of Cinderella and tech savviness. The drama out of the gate and the humanitarian aspects are exquisite. This is an amazing, exciting and suspenseful addition to the series where brains and beauty work hand in hand with a little romance thrown in.
--Naleighna Kai, USA TODAY Bestselling Author

[Shakir Rashaan]

Drama. Secrets. Deception. Wrap all of that up inside of a suspenseful story arc, and you can't go wrong in picking this book up! I enjoyed myself throughout the entire book. Seeing some of the Kings and Knights were fun to see, too. All in all, another wonderful peek inside the mind of Sierra Kay!

Shakir Rashaan, author of Love, Lust & Beautiful Liars

[Darryl Benally]

Beautifully Written!

Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Stephanie's Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem style kept me turning the pages. This book is on point and won't disappoint!

[U.M. Hiram]

Stephanie M. Freeman has a flair for weaving words together in a delicious, mind-boggling manner and keeps the readers engaged. The mystery and psychological elements added to Raye's story are suspenseful and page-turning. Queen of Shadow Bay is a MUST READ!

[Marie McKenzie]

After her husband died, Solange Porter , discovered that he had betrayed her. The secret he kept hidden from her came to light and placed her in harm’s way.

Romance and death came calling simultaneously. One look into the eyes of a stranger stirred her soul and weakened her knees. When she delved into the secrets and mysterious attempts on her life, she discovered that her family did not have her best interest at heart.

Her new love joined forces with the Castle to sort out the mess so she could be crowned Queen of North Shore.

Get your copy to find out if they untangled the web. You won’t be disappointed.


Marie McKenzie, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Things That Keep Me Up At Night.

#QueenofNorthShore #NetGalley #QueensoftheCastle #SierraKay