I love a story with some twists and suspense and this one definitely had that. It was a good and interesting read.

This was such an intriguing story. I did not want this story to end. Raye Bennett returns to America after she is tasked to settle her aunt's estate after her death. But secrets are revealed which makes her realize there is more than meets the eye.

Mystery, Mayhem and so much more can be found in this story. There were twists and turns and I was shook by the time I got to the end of the story. Very good job with this story.

I received a copy of the book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts

Rich and well-told tale! Romance and vengeance takes center stage as the character courageously pursues the truth behind her aunt’s death. Well paced story that engages the reader.

I was waiting for the Queens Of The Castle, and the series is delivering. This queen was introduced in The Knight Of Bronzeville by the same author. Her good deed was rewarded and now she heads back to where she is already from. Raye is probably in her 40s because her child is an adult and she has a grandchild.

Raye chooses to help to solve the mystery of her relative's death and doing so risks her own chances of returning to jail and never being able to return to Durabia. Exciting, action-filled, and romantic. Kept me guessing as it hints to a bigger issue.

My own hope was that at some time during the story that Queen of Shadow Bay would be introduced to Queen of Lahaina.

Note: I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased it.

Stephanie M. Freeman has a flair for weaving words together in a delicious, mind-boggling manner and keeps the readers engaged. The mystery and psychological elements added to Raye's story are suspenseful and page-turning. Queen of Shadow Bay is a MUST READ!

U.M. Hiram, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Persistence: The Power and Breakthrough of Fervent Prayer

This book started out good and then it got very slow for me. The more I read it the better it got. I love the suspense and twists in this book. I am looking forward to reading more book in this series.

This story starts out dark and seriously twisted. Who plots the murder of his wife, thinking about all the life insurance money he will get while putting on his fake façade by attending church and helping out at church events, makes for a really twisted marriage and a good start to this story. Once we see Raye step into the book, this story gets so twisted. She is trying to make sense of the demise of her Aunt Carrie, and how does she navigate the handsome Dimitri, who she has some history and maybe a future with. As the story progresses and we see all this darkness in the character's world it's hard not to feel consumed by the evil that lives in these characters and their pasts. However, there is a light, and it is much appreciated. You see some glimmers of the good, that would be Reagan. This little boy and all his innocence give this story the light and hope that you need to feel. The way that Reagan and Raye connect is positively the best in this story. Overall, a good read in this series, family dynamics that are original and so messed up it feels like it could be real life, but at the same time you really hope it isn't.

Queen Shadow Bay is the second queen to be inducted into the folds of the castle. When we meet this Queen, instead of pampered, think scorpion. She loves hard and is fiercely protective of those she does.​

Ray Bennett is lured back to the states by the death of her aunt. The decision to leave the comforts of her new life in Durabia has everyone on the edge of their seats. Her past precedes her, and everyone knows you don’t want to be on the wrong side of her stinger.​

The secrets and twisted tales we uncover...whew! Grab your copy today!

If you are not yet a fan of the excellent Stephanie M. Freeman (Madame of Murder, Mayhem & Mystery), you are missing a genuine literary treat. Stephanie weaves words in such a way that the reader questions if they ever knew them before reading the pages of her books.

The Queen of Shadow Bay does not disappoint. Each chapter takes the reader on a journey into the life of Raye Bennett, who, after the death of her aunt, Carpathia, she leaves her safe place in Durabia to hunt down the murderer.

If you are ready to take a journey between the pages of where Heaven and Hell change places and the poison is sweeter than the wine, then purchase a copy of The Queen of Shadow Bay.

Florenza Lee, author of The Adventurous Olivia Book series, Brooklyn Beaver ALMOST Builds a Dam, and Mind Your Manners, Mia.

#QueenofShadowBay #NKTribeCalledSuccess #3M #MurderMayham&Mystery

Stephanie Freeman is a word wizard spinning stories that active all of your senses. Queen’s will keep you drawn into reading the entire series.

Durabia is the setting for this story. You will get a glimpse of the life of women in this country. When Raya returns to America to settle some family business, you will not be able to put the book down until she settles the score. Olivia Pope, who?

You got to read it for yourself


My name is Dr. Vanessa Howard, #1 Amazon Best Seller, "From the Projects to a Ph.D." and "60 Days of Pleasure.".

Queen of Shadow Bay is a delicious dive into the dark and challenging world of Ray Bennett. This book is full of twist and turns. It's an amazing read.

Another win for these authors who come up with amazing stories to tell, each book better than the last. And this one, even though it felt a bit slow, I enjoyed it because we saw more of the main character Raye Bennett. We saw her character grow more, and found out more about her life, as well as family secrets that were kept. And the emotional ride you go through with this one also what makes the story come to life. It's a story that you can just sit back and read. And makes you root for the good characters and want the bad ones to get what's coming to them.

Wonderful romantic suspense full of twists and turns the readers do not see coming. Taye’s aunt has been murdered and they both know the killer. Time may or may not be on Raye’s side as she races to put the murder behind bars before he moves on to the next target. I couldn’t put this fast-paced, pager tuner down.

Stephanie M. Freeman (Madame of Murder, Mayhem & Mystery), has a rare gift for spinning murder and mystery tales. She grabs your throat from the first page and holds it until the end. You may be allowed to breath between chapters.

The Queen of Shadow Bay takes the reader on a journey into the life of Raye Bennett, who is on the prowl for whom she believes to be the murderer of her dear aunt, Carpathia. She returns from Durabia to issue out a dish best served cold; revenge.

Purchase a copy of The Queen of Shadow Bay and take a walk on the dark side.

Anita L Roseboro, author of Show Me No Mercy, Summer Breeze, 50 Days of Pleasure, Knight of Grand Crossing..

#3M #MurderMayham&Mystery

Powerful and extremely captivating. Queen of Shadow Bay is an experience (snaps fingers) and well deserved of applause. I highly recommend this book.

I’ve anticipated this book for a while and it didn’t disappoint. It grabbed me from the first page and kept me hooked. Do yourself a favor and read this title by an awesome author.

Raye Bennett gets a call that her Aunt Carrie has died. So now she has to leave the comfort and safety of Durabia to return to the United States of America because she suspects her Aunts husband Gerald of killing her. Now it is up to her to prove that Gerald killed his wife with the help of a childhood friend that she loves but never acted on it because of the dysfunctionalism in her life.
There is a lot of family secrets that come to light that puts some of the characters on an emotional rollercoaster.
This is the second book of the Queens of the Castle which can be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading about the other Queens storylines.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book on Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

The is the 2nd book in the “Queens Of The Castle” and it is definitely a winner. Naleighna Kai and her tribe didn’t come to play in this new series. These Queens are not playing. It starts off slow and dull but it most definitely gets better so, don’t stop reading “Queen Of Shadow Bay”. It is a page turner full of mystery, mayhem, murder, turns and twist, suspenseful, dysfunctional family drama, emotional, secrets, tear jerker and it will keep you turning the pages.

Ray is in Durabia getting her life back on track after doing a jail sentence for killing her husband. We see some old faces, Khalil, Sheikha Ellena, Chaz Maharaj, Amanda McCoy, Dro the fixer and Shaz. Ray has just received some rather disturbing about the death of her aunt Carrie. Ray takes it upon herself to pack her bags and head back to states. When Ray arrives in the states her friend Dimitri Carrington who is a detective is waiting for her at the airport. Dimitri and Ray share history. Ray believes that her aunt was murdered and she has to prove it with the help of Dimitri. When the will is read Ray learns that her aunt Carrie has left her everything and her aunts husband Gerald is furious.

You will not want to miss this 2nd book in the series and you will enjoy it; place your order today.

I received an ARC via Nalieghna Kai via NetGalley and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

I was hooked from the first sentence and the book got better and better as I turned the pages.
Master plotter, Stephanie Freeman, has weaved another tale of Murder, Mayhem and Mystery.

Gerald Newland is evil to the core. He collects and disposes of wives at will. When his latest died, he thought it would be business as usual-bury the body, collect the proceeds and move to the next victim.

Not so fast! Raye blew into town intent on putting a plug in his shenanigans. Duty and love calls, but must wait, while she unearthed Gerald’s skeletons and bring him to justice



Marie McKenzie, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Things That Keep Me Up At Night

Queen of Shadow Bay provides a journey into the dark side of human nature, but Freeman balances that with a love story crafted to satisfy the romantic at heart.

When her aunt dies, Raye returns home because she knows there’s more afoot than what’s on the surface. She stands to lose much in her quest for the truth, but the love of a lifetime also lurks in her future.

This book will satisfy readers with a taste for psychological thrillers, as well as those who love romance.

J.L. Campbell, National Best-Selling Author