Twist of Fate by Ellie Masters

Jan 29, 2021 Angela Schmangela rated it liked it · review of another edition

Needed a time lapse

I would have given this book a strong 4 stars. It was well written with pretty decent characterizations and an engaging plot. But please, if your heroine has internal injuries and abdominal surgery, don’t have her going at it hard and heavy with a guy who is “mindless of her injuries” when he grabs her around her broken ribs. If wakes up in so much pain she can’t even twist her torso, she’s not going to be riding her guy a couple of hours later. I’ve had laparoscopic surgery f ...more

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Feb 08, 2017 Maria Angie Mendoza rated it it was amazing

Extraordinary story!!!
This was an intense, suspenseful, crime thriller and romance all rolled into a brilliantly written story.
I thought about explaining the perfectly executed characters of Pierce, Scott, CJ, Melissa, even Henrietta and Belle and the twisted web they weaved as their story unfolded. How unforeseen circumstances had them all interconnected.
I even contemplated explaining the emotional roller coaster and the journey these characters took me on, where I was on the edge of my seat wo ...more

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Jul 24, 2017 J.L. Leslie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, favorite-alphas, steamiest, violence-fighting-beating-abuse, fav-heroines

Wow! Twist of Fate was a helluva roller coaster ride and I loved every second of it! This book is told in 3 POVs, the lead female, the lead male, and then there's Pierce. For me, the 3 POVs weren't confusing at all. I actually really enjoyed hearing from Pierce in first person. It made you connect with him on a deeper level and allowed you to get into his disturbed mind. Melissa is a strong female lead. She's been through a lot and she doesn't want to let it destroy it. Then you have CJ. Their p ...more

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Feb 11, 2017 Elise Noble rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romantic-suspense, fab-books

Wow... Where do I start? I loved this book!

I wasn't sure what to expect from the blurb, but Twist of Fate turned out to be well-balanced mix of love story mixed up with a fantastic kidnapping plot starring not one but two whacked out freaks. Seriously, the bad guys made this book - one serial killer, one kidnapper, each with their own warped fantasies that twist together in the sickest of ways. The Prince was written in first person (the rest of the book is in third) which lets readers get righ ...more

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Feb 13, 2017 Cindy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-books-of-2017

Holy Smokes! WOW!

Twist of Fate is a story of old love lost, and new love starting. It's full of suspence, kidnappings, sick,twisted, perverted men. Yet, I LOVED IT!!!

PIERCE (Prince) He is one evil, sick, twisted, sadistic monster. He's spent years gathering his princess's. And even has a fairy God mother now. All he needs is his Queen. Pierce was mentored by Melissa's ex husband, Scott. Is Pierce smarter then his mentor? Or will he be caught also?

Melissa who was out jogging, trying to clear h ...more

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May 14, 2017 Bre Hood rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: whips-and-chains, strong-heroine, psycopathic-obsession, alpha-male, thriller, love-how-you-twist-me, hea, not-as-dark-as-you-think, cat-and-mouse

Who doesn't love a good fairy tale? Especially when it involves a serial killer who's victims are names after fairy tale princesses?? This book is an awesome romantic psychological thriller about a couple who meet by chance, when they get caught in a tornado together, only to have their fates become more twisted together as the story progresses. This book had me breathless with anticipation from the first chapter. There is action, lots of suspense, romance, and of course, not one but TWO psychop ...more

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Feb 19, 2017 Gwen Shafer rated it it was amazing

Wow this book is freaking amazing. This is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Ellie and Oh My God I have fallen in love with her not only her writing style but the types of books that she writes. This one I knew nothing about going in.I did not read up on this book before digging into it. I was blown away by the time I was done reading it. This book is a very intense psychological thriller from beginning to end. It will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what Wow this book is freaking amazing. This is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Ellie and Oh My God I have fallen in love with her not only her writing style but the types of books that she writes. This one I knew nothing about going in.I did not read up on this book before digging into it. I was blown away by the time I was done reading it. This book is a very intense psychological thriller from beginning to end. It will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens at the next turn. You will be reading this book from beginning to end to see what happens to the characters and where the storyline leads you. Hold on to your seats because you will be wanting to stop reading to take a breath but this book will not let you. The storyline is gripping, holding you hostage, messing with your emotions,sending you on a rollercoaster of fear yet at the same time hope.
Melissa Patterson the main character in this book starts off going on a simple run trying to get away from what is happening around her. Little does she know that that simple run is going to turn her life so far upside down she may never come back from it. First on the list she almost gets hit by a car which is where she gets taken care of by CJ her hero. They end up hiding in a parking garage from a tornado. He takes her to the hospital after wards and leaves her due to the fact he needs to get to the local prison for an execution of the man that killed his little sister. Little does CJ know that that person is going to have ties to the woman that he is starting to have feelings for Melissa.
Due to the storm the execution does not happen at the time it is suppose to and events unfold which turn Melissa's world upside even more and leaves CJ wanting to be the hero once again. Things throw these two together more than fate could even think about doing. But that is what makes this story so intriguing.
Then you throw in Prince(Pierce) is was mentored by Scott the person that was suppose to be executed. He is out to find his Queen. Little does anyone know that his Queen is Melissa. His character is the added suspense in this book because at first you only know him to be the one that has a collection of princesses but you dont understand why or how he is involved. This character keeps you reading to understand what he has to do with any of this. But when you figure out what is going on with him hold on because that is when things get really interesting.
This is not a fairy tale by any means. This is not your save the girl happy ending type of book. This is a book full of suspense, kidnappings, sick twisted perverted men and a hero who will stop at nothing to save the day. An amazingly well written book with amazing character chemistry not only between Melissa and CJ but also with the other FBI agents that are involved in this story. Ms. Masters has a very versatile way of writing and you can see it throughout this book. Being the first I read by this author and not knowing what to expect I was so glad that I choose to read this book. It will be on my list of books from 2017 that I will want to read again. I highly recommend digging in and enjoying this book you will be surprised that at the end it was something that you actually enjoyed reading. ...more

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Aug 26, 2017 Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

I Voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

My first ever book by this author and I must say that this was HECTIC... Almost like Bella Jewel's suspense crime thriller books she just did.
So how to describe this book is very difficult. It's one of those books that you can't say much about as it will give away the whole book.

So for me this was a book about 3 people. The strong female lead, Melissa who is seeking redemption for things she didn't do.
The strong male character CJ who is also in a battle ...more

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Feb 26, 2017 Jennifer Guffey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: beta, 2017

Twist of Fate
By: Ellie Masters
5/5 stars

This book starts action packed and never lets up throughout the entire book.

Melissa is a survivor and not just from domestic violence. She is a life survivor, who is determined to take her life back and become the person she was destined to be, whoever that may be. She was stifled throughout her plagued marriage to a controlling man. But for now, she is free.

CJ is a bonafide hero, struggling with a past, that he is looking to put solidly behind him. He has ...more

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Feb 01, 2017 Johanne Poirier rated it it was amazing

Twist of Faith

This is another great book from Ellie Masters.

This one tells you the story of CJ, Melissa, Scott and Pierce. Melissa was married to Scott for a number of years and she wasn’t really happy in her marriage. After a while she discovers that Scott has a parallel life and the outcome of it is kind of terrifying.

Melissa lives in a small town where her parents are burried and for the dawn of her doesn’t want to live it, even if Scott has destroyed her life. She decide to go for a run on a ...more

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Feb 09, 2017 Laura Lee rated it really liked it

Twist of Fate

Ellie Masters

4 Stars

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 ...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Melissa Basnight rated it it was amazing

Melissa just received her divorce papers from her husband that was put in jail for torturing, raping and killing women. She knew nothing about his extracurricular activities, but she was also abused by her husband. She goes for a jog and gets caught in a rainstorm that also produces a tornado and because of the damage to the jail that is housing her ex-husband caused by the tornado he escapes from prison. She meets this great guy named CJ that shows her what real love and relationships are like, ...more

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Sep 10, 2018 Susan W rated it liked it

Shelves: free, ku, z2018

THis was a romance and psychological thriller, more of the latter though. I don’t read psychological thrillers, so this was new to me. Not my cup of tea. The writing was good though.

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Mar 05, 2017 Nerdy Dirty & Flirty rated it it was amazing

Heart in your throat romantic thriller…
Wow! 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.
Melissa was finally going to close a chapter in her life that was cloaked in horror and guilt – if she could survive the latest challenges in her life…
CJ was a man who kept moving forward despite the pain in his own life, with every step an opportunity to do right ...more

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Feb 13, 2017 Mary Brannian rated it it was amazing

A Twist of Fate

Melissa finally receives the signed divorce degree. The man she married 10 years ago, that she had loved with all her heart, is no more. Scott Patterson, her ex-husband, is an evil, hideous monster, soon to meet his Maker and to answer for his sins. The divorce decree's arrival should have freed her from her overwhelming burden of guilt.... but it didn't.

CJ came to town, to see justice done. He lost his baby sister to murder, and he wanted closure. But he didn't get it....

Scott Pa ...more

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Feb 24, 2017 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

One word....Brilliant! Holy cow this story blew my mind!!

This is a well written romantic suspense, with the emphasis on suspense! There are many characters in the story that are front and center, Melissa and CJ, but the dark characters are woven together in such a perverse way, it will give you chills.

CJ is trying to redeem himself for something that happened in the past and is in town to witness the execution of a man who killed his sister. His trip takes a whole different turn when he rescues ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 The Smutbrarians rated it it was amazing

Storyline: 5
Angst: 3
Tissue: 0
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 4
Over All Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin

Melissa is just trying to move forward with her life while her psycho ex-husband is up for execution when a twist of fate has CJ rescuing her while jogging during bad weather. Somehow she becomes the focus of a stranger named Pierce’s obsession and things start getting intense in this suspenseful romance. Adding to the crazy abductions happening in the area, CJ and Meliss Storyline: 5
Angst: 3
Tissue: 0
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 4
Over All Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin

Melissa is just trying to move forward with her life while her psycho ex-husband is up for execution when a twist of fate has CJ rescuing her while jogging during bad weather. Somehow she becomes the focus of a stranger named Pierce’s obsession and things start getting intense in this suspenseful romance. Adding to the crazy abductions happening in the area, CJ and Melissa have a connection that’s not just involving pheromones. Can they figure out how to keep Melissa safe and who is behind the kidnappings?

“She said it had been a year since GI Dickhead’s death. It might be fun to take her in my bed before bringing her to join my princesses. She would live with the knowledge she’d given herself freely for the rest of her life.

In my head, I’d already f*cked her in every way imaginable. My pants were so tight, my c*ck ached to be free. Time to wrap this up.”

This was a great suspenseful romance. We have four different lives all mingled together...a couple sociopaths, a couple victims...all too soon their lives collide with a twist of fate. Dark books that give the whacko’s POV are some of my favorites. I really loved Pierce sometimes...his thought process, sense of entitlement and superiority complex. He made me laugh which made my husband side eye me. I couldn’t even discuss this book with him because he would get so worked up as to why I am reading it. It’s not like I’m going to start keeping people in our basement…I promise! CJ was a sweet, all-American hero. He is exactly what Melissa needed after having a disgusting sociopath as a husband for so many years. I loved how the story kept me guessing as to how Pierce would proceed next and what could CJ and his team needed to do to figure out what was happening. At the end, all of the clues came together and I wasn’t left wondering what about….

If you like dark and twisted stories, this one is definitely a good one to throw on your TBR pile. It kept me interested the entire way and switched POV so we got a look into the situation from all sorts of angles. I really enjoyed it.
...more

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Feb 28, 2017 Paula D rated it it was amazing

Melissa out running in horrible weather gets hurt laying on the ground. CJ sees her helps up before a tornado comes thru. Is it fate they met like this or is there a connection to both of them? Pierce collects princess for his cages and wants a queen. Who will Pierce choose for his queen? Wow so intense and crazy and sick right from the beginning your asking yourself who are these crazy people? Very different read but has you turning the pages to wonder what's happening next. It's best to read t ...more

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Feb 15, 2017 Michele McMullen rated it it was amazing

Ms. Masters has once again delivered an amazing mix of suspense, thriller and romance all rolled into one fabulous book!
We have the lives of several different characters brought together by fate.
Pierce is a sociopath that has lived in the shadows of his mentor Scott for years. Perfecting his revolting, barbaric rituals on his captives . Scott is a serial killer that has been on death row and will finally be brought to justice for the horrible crimes that he committed against young women. Meliss ...more

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Feb 14, 2017 Shea rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow, Ms. Masters just amazes me with how versatile and brilliant she is as a writer. She clearly has a dark twisty side which I absolutely love. And if Disney and Silence of the Lambs were to have a baby, Twist of Fate would be it... Clearly Ms. Masters is not a cookie-cutter author.

I'm not really into psychological thrillers, but this sucked me right in. I loved the pacing, and the twist and turns throughout the story and how it kept me on the edge of my seat in suspense about what was going t ...more

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Jan 17, 2021 B. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 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. ...more

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Jan 17, 2021 B. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 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. ...more

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Feb 11, 2017 Robin Powers rated it it was amazing

Great suspense romance. We have four different lives all mingled together...a couple sociopaths, a couple victims...all too soon their lives collide with a twist of fate. I really loved Pierce's POV sometimes...his thought process and sense of entitlement and superiority complex. He made me laugh which made my husband side eye me. Full review coming on The Smut-Brarians. ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Christie Marsh rated it it was amazing

Another fantastic read by this author. Always changing things up and giving her readers the best words, forming a story that sucks you in and engrosses you in the adventure she has set out for. Meeting Melissa and CJ was amazing and their story unfolds in this awesome suspense, erotic thriller. A must read, Bravo! Loved it

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Dec 29, 2016 Katie Sadan rated it it was amazing

Twist of Fate

Get ready for a twisted ride!!

My favorite book of 2017!!! If you're looking for something different you need to one-click this book. Twist of Fate is a deliciously twisted book, if you're looking for something dark and suspenseful with a sweet love story mixed in then this book is for you. Make sure you clear your schedule before you start because I can guarantee you won't want to put it down once you start. Congratulations Ellie Masters on another 5 star book ...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Lori Hammons rated it it was amazing

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! ...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Cindy Murray rated it it was amazing

Anyone who enjoys a mystery, romance, with a bit of erotic, this is your book. As I began reading, I was completely swept up into what was going to happen next and with whom. The mixture of characters add a different type of flare and definitely kept your attention. This a MUST READ. Kudos Ellie, once again you knocked it out of the park!

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Feb 02, 2017 Paula Genereau rated it it was amazing

This book was amazing. It was very suspenseful and it kept me wanting more

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Aug 13, 2017 Carol Delmornay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

OMG…this book had me hook, line and sinker right from the start. Melissa was married to a Monster, with a capital M, aka Scott,…aka the Fairy-tale Serial Killer---named because of the “princesses” he kidnapped, tortured, raped and murdered - unbeknownst to Melissa. Melissa’s signature on the divorce papers is still wet when she goes for a 10k run on the day of the scheduled execution of her now ex-husband. A tornado hits, and a lightning strike throws Melissa in front of a stranger driving a bla ...more

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Jul 12, 2018 Teri rated it it was amazing

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 i ...more

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