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Jackson Stiles: Road to Redemption, Cookie Cutter & Cursed to be Wicked
By: Jo Richardson
Releasing
September 21, 2016
Self-Published
Self-Published
In Jackson Stiles, Road to Redemption (Road to Redemption #1) by Jo Richardson, ever since reporter Emma Green wrote a piece about him, Jackson Stiles has begun questioning himself in his job as a private detective. Especially when a skip; a young man he caught for skipping his court date is murdered. Not knowing who to trust, Jackson has no choice but to team up with Emma. Can they figure out together who killed the victim before it's too late?
At the beginning of this story, I wasn't certain whether I was going to like it, because Jackson is a self-centered hero only looking out after himself. But once the murder occurs, and the hero realizes that the blame could possibly be placed on him, I really started to enjoy this story. However, it was the growing relationship between Emma and Jackson that had me hooked, because she's the one person that might be able to help him uncover the truth.
The dialogue was intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero. He doesn't have the best relationship with his family, and his father is a real piece of work, so I couldn't help but empathize with his need to stay away. How could the man continue to blame Jackson for a death that was nothing more than a tragic accident? It wasn't fair, and I could understand why he was so driven to find the person responsible for murdering his skip. The guilt of not being able to save someone he could have possibly saved rode him hard.
I really liked both Emma and Jackson. Emma misjudged Jackson when she wrote her article on him, but she realizes while she's helping him how much of a mistake she made. Really, Emma is strong, brave, persistent and I liked how determined she is to help Jackson, even though she's in an impossible situation due to her own back story. She has some tough decisions to make, and is torn between being blackmailed by someone while finally coming to trust Jackson, so I was glad she made the right choices when it came to their lives being in jeopardy.
While Jackson, he likes to do things alone, and it isn't easy for him to work with Emma. Yet, the heroine is good for him. She gets him to open up about his past, and helps him to work through it. Moreover, the surprise Jackson's brother had for him during a family dinner had me laughing, as Jackson was so not expecting it. Then again, he and Emma were in a relationship -- fake or not. However, what I liked most about Jackson is that he was persistent to do the right thing by the victim. That he wasn't about to let the bad guys win, especially when the bad guys were supposed to be the good guys.
Overall, Ms. Richardson has penned a very good novel to start off this series, of which the growing relationship between Emma and Jackson was intense. Neither know whether they can trust the other, but they're going to have to, if they're to succeed in finding the truth. The way this story ended definitely sets things up for the next book in the series. Will Jackson return to the police force, or will he continue being a PI? Will Jackson continue to work with Emma to solve his cases since she's just as determined to see justice served as he is? I would recommend Jackson Stiles: Road to Redemption, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the fake relationship trope or a story with an intense storyline and characters willing to do the right thing to see justice served.
OVERALL RATING:
At the beginning of this story, I wasn't certain whether I was going to like it, because Jackson is a self-centered hero only looking out after himself. But once the murder occurs, and the hero realizes that the blame could possibly be placed on him, I really started to enjoy this story. However, it was the growing relationship between Emma and Jackson that had me hooked, because she's the one person that might be able to help him uncover the truth.
The dialogue was intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero. He doesn't have the best relationship with his family, and his father is a real piece of work, so I couldn't help but empathize with his need to stay away. How could the man continue to blame Jackson for a death that was nothing more than a tragic accident? It wasn't fair, and I could understand why he was so driven to find the person responsible for murdering his skip. The guilt of not being able to save someone he could have possibly saved rode him hard.
I really liked both Emma and Jackson. Emma misjudged Jackson when she wrote her article on him, but she realizes while she's helping him how much of a mistake she made. Really, Emma is strong, brave, persistent and I liked how determined she is to help Jackson, even though she's in an impossible situation due to her own back story. She has some tough decisions to make, and is torn between being blackmailed by someone while finally coming to trust Jackson, so I was glad she made the right choices when it came to their lives being in jeopardy.
While Jackson, he likes to do things alone, and it isn't easy for him to work with Emma. Yet, the heroine is good for him. She gets him to open up about his past, and helps him to work through it. Moreover, the surprise Jackson's brother had for him during a family dinner had me laughing, as Jackson was so not expecting it. Then again, he and Emma were in a relationship -- fake or not. However, what I liked most about Jackson is that he was persistent to do the right thing by the victim. That he wasn't about to let the bad guys win, especially when the bad guys were supposed to be the good guys.
Overall, Ms. Richardson has penned a very good novel to start off this series, of which the growing relationship between Emma and Jackson was intense. Neither know whether they can trust the other, but they're going to have to, if they're to succeed in finding the truth. The way this story ended definitely sets things up for the next book in the series. Will Jackson return to the police force, or will he continue being a PI? Will Jackson continue to work with Emma to solve his cases since she's just as determined to see justice served as he is? I would recommend Jackson Stiles: Road to Redemption, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the fake relationship trope or a story with an intense storyline and characters willing to do the right thing to see justice served.
OVERALL RATING:
BLURB:
Jackson Stiles is used to having bad days, but they’ve been especially bad since a certain tabloid reporter seems to have it out for him.
Jackson Stiles is used to having bad days, but they’ve been especially bad since a certain tabloid reporter seems to have it out for him.
Emma Green doesn’t mean any harm.
She simply sees it as her duty to report the misdeeds of certain Private
Detectives who charge too much in a society where people need more superheroes
and less villains; something even Jackson has convinced himself he deserves to
be called, deep in his gut.
When the two of them realize they’re
investigating the same suspicious circumstances, Emma makes Jackson an offer he
only wishes he could refuse. But can the man who trusts no one allow the one
woman he can’t stand help him get to the bottom of a murder he feels
responsible for?
Exposed and unsure, these two
unexpected allies come together to unmask the mysteries cloaked in plain sight
while uncovering secrets within each other. A lost soul and a seeker of truth
travel down the road to redemption and discover more than they bargained for.
Buy Links: Amazon
“Morning,
Stiles.” The five-and-a-half-foot brunette that likes to make my life miserable
is easily five-eight, maybe even five-nine, in the heels she’s got on today.
Combined with the dark blue power suit she’s wearing, she comes off as all
business despite the fact that she doesn’t make eye contact with me. She’s too
busy scrolling through a bunch of bullshit on her smartphone.
I growl a
response so it comes out as more of a warning than a greeting. Is it a bit much
for this time of day? Maybe. Considering our history, I’m not exactly worried
about her impression of me, though.
Emma Green
is the latest and greatest “crime” reporter for our friendly neighborhood
tabloid. And I use the term “reporter” loosely, by the way. Very loosely.
Doesn’t
care about getting the story right in certain cases, if ya know what I mean,
loosely.
Her name’s
been on nearly every article the Redemption Chronicle has put out since
she arrived from somewhere down in Florida. She shows up at most crime scenes,
from burglaries to homicides, and has very much become a royal pain in my...
“You’re
late, by the way. They were just talking about you.” She mutters and points,
blindly, down the hall as she steps into the elevator. Which is my cue to get
the fuck out.
My one and
only cigarette calls to me from the front pocket of my button down. Thank
God I remembered it. But quite frankly, I don’t have the energy to pull it
out. Not that I wouldn’t get arrested if I did, but . . .
“And you
look like hell.” She’s full of compliments today, I see.
“Fuck you
very much, Green.” Not that I’m complaining. It makes it easy to respond to her
in like fashion. And bonus: I’m feeling pretty good about getting the last word
in on this battle of the banter, as the doors close but then they open again.
“Maybe you
shouldn’t stay up so late playing around with your buddies over at the police
department.” I look back to see her foot blocking the sensors that would
normally allow the doors to close. She still can’t be bothered to look up.
She’s too busy burying her nose into the iPhone.
Let’s be
real here. Flirting is not her forte.
“I
appreciate that enlightening bit of useless advice, Green.” Despite my attempt
to be nice sarcasm spills out of every word. It’s only when she pulls her foot
all the way in and the doors are halfway shut that I ask myself─ how did she
know I was downtown last night?
Emerald
eyes peer up at me as the question enters my mind. And I swear, she’s fucking
smirking.
Between the
pleasant smile and the way her expression lights up like she’s about to pounce,
I’m not sure what the hell to think. I haven’t seen her smile like that since
the day I briefly met her on the scene of a break-in I was hired to
investigate. First thing I noticed was her smile. She seemed...new.
The next
thing I noticed was her eyes.
Deep green.
The grab-a-hold-of-you-and-don’t-let-go kind that make you wanna know
everything that’s going on behind them.
And don’t
even get me started on her ass. It begs for mercy because she, no doubt, runs
it every day, then follows up with a pint of fat free yogurt and a jug of
water.
Not that I’ve thought about it.
Not that I’ve thought about it.
But I
digress.
She was
polite enough. Or so I thought. Asked me if I had any insider’s information on
what had gone down that day. It’s not like I was rude or anything. All I did
was tell her I wasn’t doing her fucking job for her.
I paid the
price for that comment in the article she ran the next day. The headline read,
“Local P.I. steals more from family than burglar.” I won’t bother you with the
details, but let’s just say, the article was less about the break-in and more
about what an asshole I am.
I mean,
what the fuck?
I can
assure anyone who has the balls to ask, I charge less than ninety percent of
the dicks working the tri-state area. Just ask the bill collectors.
The asshole
thing is still up for debate...in most circles.
Lesson
learned here? Never trust a woman with eyes that stunning or an ass that tight.
Basically,
I fucking hate her.
A movie fanatic, a writer of stories, a lover of life.
I grew up
in Maryland with four siblings, three parents and an endless number of cousins
within the vicinity – but it was too cold up North for this thin blooded girl.
So today, I live in Florida with my two girls and a husband that shares my same
sense of humor and basic take on life as we know it.
Life is
too short to put dreams on the back burner.
I write
both contemporary and paranormal stories that include mystery, suspense, humor,
action, romance, and anything else I can think up.
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