The Wedding Day from Hell
Kaitlyn and Logan are preparing for their dream wedding. The venue is a gorgeous bed and breakfast on the South Carolina Coast with sweeping views of the ocean and a rustic charm. But on the morning of their big day, they receive a call from the local police. An entire family at a neighboring property has been wiped out by a serial killer who is still at large. If that was not bad enough, there is also a tropical system brewing off the coast threatening to make their outdoor nuptials a very soggy one. When two members of the wedding party go missing after a morning surfing session, a small group sets out to find them and bring them home leaving Kaitlyn and her cousin back at the Inn. As the day continues, and the weather deteriorates all members of the wedding party find themselves trapped and battling for their lives. For those out in the elements it is flooding, looters and other dangers as Hurricane Kai is now bearing down on the coast. For Kaitlyn and her cousin, they find themselves trapped with the last person the ever wanted to encounter.
Kiss of Death is the newest in the Shadows of Love series by author duo Tim McBain and LT Vargus. While billed as part of a series, each book appears to be stand alone. With that being said the action begins in South Carolina where officer Stinson has relocated after the events of Love Her Darkly. Thinking that life would be simpler and less violent in a small town, Stinson is proven wrong as a serial killer is walking among the residents. The story mainly centers around soon to be newlyweds Kaitlyn and Logan along with their friends and companions who have traveled to the coast for the duo’s long anticipated wedding. Even among the friends there are tensions including warring exes, an uninvited current flame, and a budding crush. Watching the group of friends navigate each new threat provides several tense chaotic moments. At times, it felt as if there was absolutely too much going on but considering the backdrop of a hurricane making landfall the chaos was realistic and warranted. McBain and Vargus were able to describe the very real dangers of storm surge and subsequent flooding that would lead me to believe that if they have not been through a hurricane or two in their time, they definitely did their research to bring this deadly condition to life within the pages of their story. When all was said and done, I felt as if I were along for the ride as each new threat and terror unfolded.
I read a book earlier this year centering around residents of a condo trapped in a hurricane and was underwhelmed at the lackadaisical storytelling and unrealistic events that took place. With Kiss of Death, McBain and Vargus have overwhelmed me in the best way, delivering an edge of your seat, fear inducing trip into the eye of the storm as the group face down nature’s fury as well as a killer’s wrath.
If you are already a fan of this author duo, Kiss of Death is sure to become a favorite. If you are new to this team, and like suspenseful stories of impossible situations, near death situations and vivid storytelling that will linger long after you have finished reading this will be a good title to dive in to.
Full disclosure – I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the authors but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.
Jennly Reads 