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Pen Pals and Serial Killers #2
Provocation
Doctor Victoria Ward has been killing men for over thirty years. Her victims all have one thing in common: they’re abusive. Righteousness is a close companion—it helps her sleep at night—and she holds the virtue closely as she defends the innocent, upholding the law when it won’t rise to protect those who need it most. When she meets a young girl named Kelly, and follows her down a twisted path of deception, Doc Ward finds herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past. Never before has she wavered in her resolve—but can she defend another against someone she loves?
***NOTE: This is a stand-alone novel in a series with crossover characters and may be read independently of the other books.
***NOTE: This is a stand-alone novel in a series with crossover characters and may be read independently of the other books.
294 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2018
33 people want to read
About the author
Jo Michaels
90 books273 followersJo Michaels loves writing novels that make readers gasp in horror, surprise, and disbelief. While her browser search history has probably landed her on a list somewhere, she still dives into every plot with gusto, hoping "the man" will realize she's a writer and not a psychopath about to go on a rampage. Her favorite pastimes are reading, watching Investigation Discovery, and helping other authors realize their true potential through mentoring. She's penned the award-winning Pen Pals and Serial Killers series and the best-selling educational book for children, Writing Prompts for Kids, which has rocketed the kids that use it into several awards of their own.
Most of Jo's books feature the places she's lived: Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia. That's given her a special amount of insight to what makes those locations tick. Her works are immersive and twisty, and she wouldn't want it any other way.
Most of Jo's books feature the places she's lived: Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia. That's given her a special amount of insight to what makes those locations tick. Her works are immersive and twisty, and she wouldn't want it any other way.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 16, 2019
Provocation by Jo Michaels is Story Two in the series: Pen Pals and Serial Killers. The novel is a vigilante story. We do not usually encounter a lot of vigilantes who are highly educated to the point they are psychiatrists. If the shrinks are going crazy, what hope is there for the rest of us? This review will look only at Story Two of the five-story plus a few chapters boxed set I downloaded from Amazon. Like Story One, this is a five-star Amazon read as Jo Michaels continues to amaze me with twisted outcomes.
Victoria had a reason for her actions of taking the law into her own hands. As a psychiatrist (she could write prescriptions), Victoria was more qualified than most to realize childhood experiences influence adult actions. Victoria would never qualify for an insanity defense because of the very deliberative actions she took in preparation before kills. She had a select client list, one that no one would compete to be on. All one must do to qualify is to commit violence against women. Victoria specialized in treating victims of domestic and child abuse. From victims, Vicky was able to identify perpetrators, always men. Anyone can go for simple revenge, but Vicky added an extraordinary refinement. Using medical records and victim confessions made to her, Victoria inflicted the same torture on the abuser as the errant husband/father had inflicted on her patients.
Dr. Victoria had not trained to be a torturer; her methods developed as a result of experience. Her father had abused her mother physically and horribly in from of Vicky and her brother. Vicky never suffered abuse from her father. She was daddy’s favorite. Perhaps she had seen hints of what might have been in store for her in the future, but nothing had happened by the time father taught her to hunt. He taught her to shoot and took her deer hunting. Readers should be able to anticipate what happened. I don’t consider it much of a spoiler, but I will leave it unsaid anyway. Victoria was on her way.
Logically, Victoria’s early experiences took place when she was young when she was not yet skilled in finding burial sites, building explosive warning devices, or selecting great disposal sites complete with alligators. All that would come with experience. As a young, inexperienced problem solver, she would run into problems with the law. She would get caught; it was inevitable. Reflecting a true anomaly in some elements of the American judicial system, a judge, without a jury, gave her a choice between incarceration in a juvenile facility or military service.
Suspension of disbelief time. The choice of a military option is realistic. The idea that Victoria was able to join the US Air Force (it is very selective) and learn how to make explosives (requires background investigations) is unrealistic. After leaving the Air Force, she takes a few courses to become a psychiatrist (the qualification takes a long time and involves several psych evaluations along the way) is also unrealistic. There is a reason this story is classified as fiction. These annoying observations can be ignored. Sit back and enjoy the story.
If a reader agrees with me and thinks the items above require a suspension of disbelief, get ready to throw away all expectations of reality with the ending. I don’t care; I liked it. The odds that such well-constructed plots and schemes on the part of Victoria and a few other characters could ever happen are like lottery odds, finding identical snowflakes, or finding people with similar earprints (used when fingerprints may not be available).
The writing is good. If Story Three is of similar quality, I will go to my highly recommended rating. Try not to read this too close to bedtime. You will be turning pages until dawn.
Victoria had a reason for her actions of taking the law into her own hands. As a psychiatrist (she could write prescriptions), Victoria was more qualified than most to realize childhood experiences influence adult actions. Victoria would never qualify for an insanity defense because of the very deliberative actions she took in preparation before kills. She had a select client list, one that no one would compete to be on. All one must do to qualify is to commit violence against women. Victoria specialized in treating victims of domestic and child abuse. From victims, Vicky was able to identify perpetrators, always men. Anyone can go for simple revenge, but Vicky added an extraordinary refinement. Using medical records and victim confessions made to her, Victoria inflicted the same torture on the abuser as the errant husband/father had inflicted on her patients.
Dr. Victoria had not trained to be a torturer; her methods developed as a result of experience. Her father had abused her mother physically and horribly in from of Vicky and her brother. Vicky never suffered abuse from her father. She was daddy’s favorite. Perhaps she had seen hints of what might have been in store for her in the future, but nothing had happened by the time father taught her to hunt. He taught her to shoot and took her deer hunting. Readers should be able to anticipate what happened. I don’t consider it much of a spoiler, but I will leave it unsaid anyway. Victoria was on her way.
Logically, Victoria’s early experiences took place when she was young when she was not yet skilled in finding burial sites, building explosive warning devices, or selecting great disposal sites complete with alligators. All that would come with experience. As a young, inexperienced problem solver, she would run into problems with the law. She would get caught; it was inevitable. Reflecting a true anomaly in some elements of the American judicial system, a judge, without a jury, gave her a choice between incarceration in a juvenile facility or military service.
Suspension of disbelief time. The choice of a military option is realistic. The idea that Victoria was able to join the US Air Force (it is very selective) and learn how to make explosives (requires background investigations) is unrealistic. After leaving the Air Force, she takes a few courses to become a psychiatrist (the qualification takes a long time and involves several psych evaluations along the way) is also unrealistic. There is a reason this story is classified as fiction. These annoying observations can be ignored. Sit back and enjoy the story.
If a reader agrees with me and thinks the items above require a suspension of disbelief, get ready to throw away all expectations of reality with the ending. I don’t care; I liked it. The odds that such well-constructed plots and schemes on the part of Victoria and a few other characters could ever happen are like lottery odds, finding identical snowflakes, or finding people with similar earprints (used when fingerprints may not be available).
The writing is good. If Story Three is of similar quality, I will go to my highly recommended rating. Try not to read this too close to bedtime. You will be turning pages until dawn.
December 5, 2019
Provocation
Pen Pals and Serial Killers, Book 2
By: Jo Michaels
Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez, Marni Penning
Just when you think you know what is going to happen, a total plot twist occurs! This is my first Jo Michaels book, and I love her twisted sense of righteousness. Victoria is a victim and as a result she is making it her mission to protect those that cannot protect themselves. As a psychiatrist, she has patients that are in need of her help, not only in the office. Now taking the life of an abuser isn't really a crime, is it? Well, things are not always as they seem, and Vicki is about to find that out! This book had me on the edge of my seat. Each chapter was suspenseful, intricately woven with the past and the present until it comes to a surprising culmination. Michaels has reached inside the mind of a serial killer, from Vicki's point of view, feeling the rage and arrogance. It's not for the faint of heart, the scenes are graphic and make you cringe, but that is what makes the story so thrilling. I love delving into their twisted minds and this was so good. I also loved that it was a woman! What a change from the typical male serial killer. Keep them coming on audio! I will be listening!
The narration of this book is key. It has to have a little bit of crazy included in the inflections, and Stacy Gonzalez and Marni Penning deliver it. I love the switch from past to present, and the inclusion of every emotion. It's quite a ride, and these two took us on it and brought us back with a shocking end! Loved it!
Pen Pals and Serial Killers, Book 2
By: Jo Michaels
Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez, Marni Penning
Just when you think you know what is going to happen, a total plot twist occurs! This is my first Jo Michaels book, and I love her twisted sense of righteousness. Victoria is a victim and as a result she is making it her mission to protect those that cannot protect themselves. As a psychiatrist, she has patients that are in need of her help, not only in the office. Now taking the life of an abuser isn't really a crime, is it? Well, things are not always as they seem, and Vicki is about to find that out! This book had me on the edge of my seat. Each chapter was suspenseful, intricately woven with the past and the present until it comes to a surprising culmination. Michaels has reached inside the mind of a serial killer, from Vicki's point of view, feeling the rage and arrogance. It's not for the faint of heart, the scenes are graphic and make you cringe, but that is what makes the story so thrilling. I love delving into their twisted minds and this was so good. I also loved that it was a woman! What a change from the typical male serial killer. Keep them coming on audio! I will be listening!
The narration of this book is key. It has to have a little bit of crazy included in the inflections, and Stacy Gonzalez and Marni Penning deliver it. I love the switch from past to present, and the inclusion of every emotion. It's quite a ride, and these two took us on it and brought us back with a shocking end! Loved it!
December 6, 2019
This was my first Jo Michaels's book. This is the second book in the Pen Pals and Serial Killers Series, a standalone novel with crossover characters. The story is well written, and suspenseful. It reminded me of Dexter Series. However, in this story, a woman is the serial killer, which isn't usual. Some scenes are really graphic (definitively not for faint of heart!). The motives and the thoughts of the serial killer are well built, and well describe. The back and forth, past to present, helps to better understand Victoria's motives, and the breathtaking ending. The story is fast-paced, and the suspense unfolds with some surprising twists and turns, and the ending is completely unpredictable. Stacy Gonzalez and Marni Penning did an amazing job to bring to life this thriller.
December 7, 2019
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
This book was definitely a wild ride and not what I expected. It was far more gritty and dark than I expected, so keep in mind that this includes murder, torture, abuse and assault of all kinds. I enjoyed the switching back and forth between the past and present as it really explained Victoria's psyche and motivation for her actions.
Though the content is darker and there are a lot of heavy subjects, it could be an important discussion regarding domestic abuse in some ways, but the actions portrayed probably shouldn't be used as the model of behavior. I did feel that the ending was very abrupt and wished it had been drawn out just a little bit more, a deeper look into the motivations of others besides Victoria.
3.5 stars
This book was definitely a wild ride and not what I expected. It was far more gritty and dark than I expected, so keep in mind that this includes murder, torture, abuse and assault of all kinds. I enjoyed the switching back and forth between the past and present as it really explained Victoria's psyche and motivation for her actions.
Though the content is darker and there are a lot of heavy subjects, it could be an important discussion regarding domestic abuse in some ways, but the actions portrayed probably shouldn't be used as the model of behavior. I did feel that the ending was very abrupt and wished it had been drawn out just a little bit more, a deeper look into the motivations of others besides Victoria.
May 9, 2018
Wow what a story!
It’s hard to fully express my feelings for this story without some major spoilers. I questioned my own morality because I was fully on board with Victoria’s actions for most of it. The ending was very poignant and reinforced why I should have seen her as the villain she truly was. I devoured the pages with trepidation that Victoria would be discovered yet knowing that it really couldn’t end any other way. Or so I thought. This story is deep and deals with an all too real abusive world in a realistic way while retaining the fictional elements to set my mind at ease a bit. Well, I hope that the real world doesn’t have a Victoria in it anyway.
It’s hard to fully express my feelings for this story without some major spoilers. I questioned my own morality because I was fully on board with Victoria’s actions for most of it. The ending was very poignant and reinforced why I should have seen her as the villain she truly was. I devoured the pages with trepidation that Victoria would be discovered yet knowing that it really couldn’t end any other way. Or so I thought. This story is deep and deals with an all too real abusive world in a realistic way while retaining the fictional elements to set my mind at ease a bit. Well, I hope that the real world doesn’t have a Victoria in it anyway.
April 20, 2020
NOTE: This book is a vigilante story, with domestic violence and abuse so if those are triggers for you, this is not the book for you.
This was a fast paced story that sucked me in quickly, even with the time skip of going back and forth between the two main characters. I have not read/listened to Jo Michaels work before so I didn't know what to suspect, but the plot twist at the end was just right. Is Victoria a victim getting her revenge or a serial killer who is justifying her actions? Give this a listen to if you want to find out....
This was a fast paced story that sucked me in quickly, even with the time skip of going back and forth between the two main characters. I have not read/listened to Jo Michaels work before so I didn't know what to suspect, but the plot twist at the end was just right. Is Victoria a victim getting her revenge or a serial killer who is justifying her actions? Give this a listen to if you want to find out....
March 29, 2018
Wow!!!
Loved this book! Couldn't seem to put it down. Didn't expect that ending!!! This book is a must read!!! Suspenseful!!!
Loved this book! Couldn't seem to put it down. Didn't expect that ending!!! This book is a must read!!! Suspenseful!!!
December 18, 2019
The author did an amazing job writing this book. I haven’t read the first book but this is the second installment in the series and it can be read/listened to as a stand-alone.
The story follows Victoria, the main character. The story weaves in and out from the past to present and it was great because it gave us a background as to how a Victoria came to be.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart. There are gruesome parts in the story. The story is amazing and the authors did an amazing job showing us the thought process of Victoria and following in her footsteps. The story is a thriller along with some unforeseen plot twists and the breathless ending. Whoa. I didn’t see that coming!!
The story follows Victoria, the main character. The story weaves in and out from the past to present and it was great because it gave us a background as to how a Victoria came to be.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart. There are gruesome parts in the story. The story is amazing and the authors did an amazing job showing us the thought process of Victoria and following in her footsteps. The story is a thriller along with some unforeseen plot twists and the breathless ending. Whoa. I didn’t see that coming!!
March 11, 2019
Ms. “Peeping Tom” LeBrague (narrator, voyeur) liked looking at PPL through her binoculars.
Mr. Business Hotpants had been murdered. 911
Detective Thomas Oprus arrived at the crime scene.
Some bimbo as she was getting screwed was screaming Tom.
Detective Tom was struggling but soon he was dead also.
Kyle (ex-husband) came over to watch their 5 kids.
Detective Raines was doing the interrogation.
Things didn’t go as planned & Ms. LeBrague was arrested for the murders of Stephen James, Kenneth Hawkins, & Detective Oprus.
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. I liked it so I will rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free INDIE Books Gone Wild; Smashwords; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)
Mr. Business Hotpants had been murdered. 911
Detective Thomas Oprus arrived at the crime scene.
Some bimbo as she was getting screwed was screaming Tom.
Detective Tom was struggling but soon he was dead also.
Kyle (ex-husband) came over to watch their 5 kids.
Detective Raines was doing the interrogation.
Things didn’t go as planned & Ms. LeBrague was arrested for the murders of Stephen James, Kenneth Hawkins, & Detective Oprus.
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. I liked it so I will rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free INDIE Books Gone Wild; Smashwords; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews