Reviews

A Stop in Time by R.C. Boldt

ladycivic's review against another edition

5.0

Mac and Daniel…whew. This was an intense book. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop until I read the very last page. I was kept on my toes until the end. What a mystery! And the chemistry between Mac and Danny…wowza!! Highly, highly recommend this book!

trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review against another edition

5.0

After reading and loving Beyond My Darkness, I wondered how RC Boldt would follow up that uniquely suspenseful story. A Stop in Time more that answered the question. You don't need to read Beyond My Darkness to enjoy A Stop in Time thoroughly, but if you want to read it, you can thank me later for getting two great book recommendations for the price of one with this review.

Mac Reid lives in a small Florida town (think country, not Miami); she runs a salvage yard, knows about cars and parts, is strong and fierce, and is plagued by gaps in her memory. She is also scarred on her left side, making her an object of pity or ridicule by most of the redneck men in her town. She's tough, handles them with her sharp, dry sarcasm, and moves on. Enter Daniel Mandrano, the second in command of one of the most feared gangs in Florida, the Scorpions. He's tracking down information on who might have had a hand in the death of his sister. His clues eventually lead to the small town where Mac lives and works. Their meeting is electrifying and leads deeper into the story.

This book is a mystery because, along with Mac, you're trying to figure out these gaps in her memory. It's suspenseful because you know something terrible is coming, and you're wondering how Mac and Daniel will be able to battle it. Once again, the mysterious stranger from Beyond My Darkness shows up, offering cryptic clues. Daniel is struggling with his growing attraction to Mac and her pushing him away, along with a mystery surrounding his sister's death far more significant than anything he anticipated. Oh, and did I mention that Mac can stop time? Yeah, that adds another level of both suspense and humor to the story.

The pacing is set, so you don't get bogged down, and the story keeps moving, keeping your emotions and interest high. Mac and Daniels story is not easy; there is much hurt, guilt, anger, and self-forgiveness both characters must work through to reach their HEA. I appreciate the author made the characters do the healing work and the struggles they faced. Then there is the steam; holy smokes, the smexy times are hot.

I was torn between a four and five-star rating for this story, but its uniqueness added to the emotional weight of both characters' backstories balanced with on-point banter, and steam pushed it to five stars. A definite must read.

marypetrushko's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Child abuse and Car accident

nadenetotallyaddictedtoreading's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

sipsoffiction's review

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

A Stop In Time by RC Boldt 

 

READ THIS IF YOU LIKE: paranormal | suspense | multiple povs | short chapters | found family | crime gang | revenge | small town | superpowers 

 

A perfect mix of paranormal and romantic suspense, this book will have you to sucked in from page one. 

 

We have Mac who is the outcast of this small town and keeps to herself because no one wants anything with the girl who has scars. Then we have Daniel who is the second in command of a notorious gang, who is looking for the murderer of his sister. Which leads Daniel to Mac. 

 

I love the sass that Mac gives everyone and the banter between her and Daniel, had me laughing so hard. The story keeps you on your toes, wanting to know who is who and what is going on until the very end. The two main character were perfect individually and together, I mean we do love a good dirty talking hero (don’t we *wink wink*). 

 

Now I didn’t read Beyond My Darkness, while I don’t feel like I missed anything, I do wonder that if I did I would have gotten a bigger picture of the storylines if I did. 

 

*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review* 

booklovinmamas's review

funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A Stop in Time is the first book I’ve read from R.C. Boldt, and it definitely won’t be my last. I was intrigued by the synopsis of A Stop in Time when I came across it, and thanks to Valentine PR for the opportunity of reading an early copy of it. R.C. Boldt had me hooked from the first page. I love when authors can grab me immediately when I want nothing to do with reality because the book the author has written has sucked me inside it, and I don’t want to return to the real world. I know I have to eventually, but for now, I will enjoy this fictional world that R.C. Boldt has created. 

Storyline/My Thoughts: One thing I enjoyed most about A Stop in Time is that it is not only a Romantic Suspense, but it has paranormal elements. PNR has always been one of my favorite Romance subgenres, but when an author adds another one of my favorite subgenres into the mix, I’m instantly falling hard for the book and author. 

This book not only has a strong and fierce FMC with supernatural powers that I absolutely adored, but it also has an MMC that is dreamy and badass that is second in command of a gang called Scorpions. These two MCs are from the opposite side of the track that would have never met if it wasn’t for a tragedy that struck the male character’s world. Daniel’s sister was murdered, and he has been trying to track a person named Mac that supposedly can help him find the person that murdered her or at least give him a lead into his sister’s murder. He ends up in a small town at a bar where people keep to themselves, and he meets the FMC, the local salvage yard owner/Mechanic named Mac Ford. She knows nothing about his sister’s murder, but both are immediately drawn to each other. An instant attraction happens, and I loved these two when they were together. Mac, with her constantly calling Daniel, Danny, who is always correcting her, but she doesn’t care. Daniel, with his constant protective instincts with Mac when he just met her. He’s unlike the other guys who want to use and make fun of her. He doesn’t see Mac’s scars at first; he sees her and finds her fascinating and gorgeous. He wants to know her backstory, and I loved how he was determined to find out the real Mac Ford. 

Mac has a story to tell, and readers will discover why Mac keeps to herself. I loved learning about her and discovering how she came to have supernatural powers. No spoilers here from me. You’ll have to read the book. I also loved that she was a mechanic and knew cars. She is a badass FMC with powers, but she also knows and loves cars. Yes, ma’am. She is heavily tattooed, too. Mac Ford is an instant favorite. Just know that Mac knows nothing about her past and has no clue she’s in danger. She suffers from blackouts and has no clue what is happening to her. She knows how to handle herself, though, which is why I respected and adored her character. It will take Daniel, someone who knows nothing about Mac, to help her discover the truth. It will also help him find out the truth about his sister.

The MMC also has a story to tell. Daniel is the second in command of a gang everyone from Jacksonville knows. He is determined to find out the truth about his sister. He’s about to find out things are not what they seem in Mac’s world and small town. I loved Daniel’s character because he treated Mac with respect and because the gang he was a part of wasn’t that horrible. They helped their community and looked out for others. They didn’t really harm unless that person or group had ill intentions. This guy, that tended to wear all black and looked like someone from the movie Men in Black, was out of his element in Mac’s town, but he learned to fit in, especially when it came to her. He is a dirty talker, too, and knows he’s way in the bedroom if that doesn’t sell you on his character. I friggin’ loved him when it came to being with Mac Ford. 

The mixture of paranormal elements in this romantic suspense with two lovable and kick-butt characters is why I’m giving this story five stars, and it’s an instant favorite for 2023. Why didn’t I read R.C. Boldt’s books before until this book? I’m fixing that now, checking out her backlist, and adding them to my TBR. She’s an instant buy author now for me. 

Standalone or Part of Series: Standalone.

Steam/Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶   

Genre(s)/Trope(s)/Element(s): Paranormal Romantic Suspense. Enemies to Lovers. Small Town. Supernatural Powers. Alpha MMC. Strong FMC. Tattooed FMC. Tattooed MMC. Multicultural. Close Proximity. Orphan FMC. FMC in Danger. Found Family. Mechanic and Business Owner FMC. Gangster and Second in Command MMC. Kickbutt FMC. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you are like me and love Romantic Suspense with paranormal elements in the mix, you’ll enjoy this book. I know I did, and now I’m obsessed with this fictional world and characters that R.C. Boldt masterminded and wrote for her readers. I need more stories from this fictional world.

Favorite Quote(s): “A guy like you? C’mon now.”… “What’s that supposed to mean?”… “You know.” I wave a hand, encompassing him from head to toe. “Handsome. More than a touch intimidating. A criminal. The accent. You’ve got the ‘bad boy’ vibe on all fronts.” With a small shrug, I plant my palms against the hood. “It’s like catnip for most women.”

“Never been so damn urgent to get my hands on a woman before that I shoved her on the hood of my car and forgot about watchin’ my back.” … “Well, I’ve never felt an urgency to be shoved on the hood of someone’s car before, if that makes you feel any better.”

“You gonna come on my tongue like a good girl?” “Don’t know. You gonna be good enough to make me?” I hold her eyes for a beat while a smirk tugs at my lips. “Why don’t we find out? Then I fuck her pussy with my tongue like my goddamn life depends on it.

Sometimes, you have to find the courage to slay the monsters that won’t let you sleep at night. And, in some cases, you have to become a unique brand of monster to do it.

gabookaholics's review

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

RC Boldt has done it again! If you’re looking for a book with suspense, mystery, a little bit of angst and some irresistible passion, this is the book for you! Boldt takes us on a journey through this book where we are trying to figure out the problem right alongside the main characters. I loved that both we got to read from both Mac and Daniel’s POV as they both have very different ones, but are ultimately looking for the same answers. Mac is a strong willed spitfire who made me laugh out loud so many times. Looks can be deceiving and she is very good at keeping people at a distance (and has her reasons for it), but once you get to see glimpses of the real Mac, she’s just so likable it’s easy to see why those who do know her love her! Daniel is rough around the edges and has a career one wouldn’t be super thrilled about, but honestly with his childhood and all the things he’s endured, it’s pretty understandable. I think it’s pretty amazing his character is so strong through all of the trials he’s gone through and by the end, all I really wanted to see was a happy ending for him. I loved getting to see little snapshots of Danny’s BFF and Georgia, if you’ve read Beyond My Darkness, you’ll love these snippets too. I loved that this story had its own version of Angela (hello sweet Mammy) too!  There’s so many things I loved about this book, especially the main characters and the struggles they went through to get to where they ultimately did in the end are at the top of the list. I also love that this book just kept me guessing. It kept me turning the pages and having to read the next chapter because I needed to know what the next clue was going to be, I needed to know who was behind everything, I needed to know how it was happening, I just needed to know! I loved the characters, the suspense, the great world building and the fire. Overall, I just really enjoyed this book and I hope you’ll take the time and read it too! 

valentinepr's review

Valentine PR & Literary Management is thrilled to be working with RC Boldt on the release of A Stop in Time. If you are a reviewer or influencer, sign up here to be a part of its release here: https://valentinepr.net/astopintime/