Monsters by Donald Wells

Synopsis:  Consisting of a series of six short stories we learn about two killers, Dave and Jack, that schedule a "boy's night out" every couple of weeks where they hunt down and kill women.  Things seem to be going well for the boys until one of the women escape, and Dave ends up killing his boss in a moment of passion.  It is the combination of these two events that ultimately result in their demise.

My review:  I have to say that the cover alone is one of the most disturbing images I have ever seen.  I didn't quite feel the character development in this book as I did in the Taken series but still very well written, I mean I read this entire book in about three hours (one good thing about being sick over the weekend, plenty of reading time).  I will say Donald Wells writes serial killers so well that he actually has me wondering about him.

What I love about the way the author writes these short stories is that each story has its own climax.  They are not written as chapters, it is almost like you can read them independently of each other and still enjoy the story itself.  I will definitely be checking out the next box set when it is written and released.

My rating:  7
Pages:  140
Author website:  http://www.donaldwells.com/

Taken! Mega Box Set - Books 1-24 by Donald Wells

Synopsis:  A series of short stories revolving around a man who has homicidal tendencies only to be leveled out by one of his would be victims.  Jessica, was taken, tied up and about to be murdered when the killer has a change of heart and falls in love with Jessica.  It is though this love, that her now husband has been able to contain his tendencies and together they have become two of the best criminal profilers in the business.

My review:  I previously reviewed just books 1-6.  After reading this book I decided to buy all the remaining available books in one box set, so essentially on this post I am only reviewing books 7-24.  As I was reading the books 1-6 I thought that once you read the first story all other stories could be read independently from each other as individual short stories but as I continued to read I realized that even though these were called books they were really just chapters in a really long book and should definitely be read in order.  The stories, while they each have a beginning, middle and end, they are all very much connected to each other as well.  The author brings back characters from previous stories, entwines them yet again in the ongoing saga that is Dr. Jessica White and her husband's life.  I could not put this book down.  Each of these stories are fantastic.  After book 24 there were three novels written that also follow the same story line chronologically.  My plan is to read these three books before continuing with Taken! 25.  As of now there are also Box Sets 26-31 and 32-37 released in ebook and paperback form.  I am giddy with excitement.  I highly recommend that you read Taken! Box Set books 1-6 as soon as possible, you will not be disappointed.  It is available for free on Amazon or iTunes.

My rating:  9
Pages: 545
Author website: http://www.donaldwells.com/

TAKEN! Box Set - Books 1-6 by Donald Wells

Synopsis:  A series of short stories revolving around a man who has homicidal tendencies only to be leveled out by one of his would be victims.  Jessica, was taken, tied up and about to be murdered when the killer has a change of heart and falls in love with Jessica.  It is though this love, that her now husband has been able to contain his tendencies and together they have become two of the best criminal profilers in the business.

My review:  Each short story is completely independent of the others but is also essentially a continued story as pertaining to the two main characters.  These stories are very Dexteresque.  The main character, his name has not yet been mentioned, is a killer at heart but it is because of the love of his wife that he is able to control these urges and apply them to catching other criminals.  Together this married team runs into all sorts of trouble and each story is absolutely fantastic.  This is just books 1-6 and at this point in time the books already go up to # 25, with more in the works.  I have thoroughly enjoyed each of these books and will continue to read the rest of the books in the entire series.

My rating:  9
Pages:  133
Author website:  http://www.donaldwells.com/