The Executioner

The Family Creed, Book 1

By: Shauna Allen

Narrated by: D. C. Cole

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Five brothers, one family tragedy, untold heartache

A stray bullet ended my Army career, forcing me to follow in my father's prison guard footsteps. My sister's disappearance 10 years ago annihilated my family, forcing each of us to find a way to cope. But I've survived. Adapted. At least, until Genevieve Stone showed up, digging into the truth in the name of journalism and finding her way deep under my skin. I'm determined to do whatever it takes to find my sister, but when the case is blown wide open by the sexy reporter, I'm left with the ultimate question...can I trust her?

I'm a soldier, heart and soul. I don't do love. War and death and pain are my church. My name is Asher Creed. I am the Executioner.

Listener note: This is the first of a six-part emotional family saga series. The first five novels are 100 percent male first-person point-of-view. Each of the first five full-length novels are guaranteed to have a complete HEA romance, but please note that their family mystery remains unsolved until the end of the series.

Due to profanity, mild violence, and very strong sexual content, this book is not intended for listeners under the age of 18. Also, please note the title. The hero is, in fact, an executioner on death row. While there is no intent to make any social or political statements, please do not listen to this if this will be offensive to you.

©2017 Shauna Allen (P)2018 Shauna Allen

The Executioner

The executioner, the name can be a bit misleading on this one, yes he is an executioner. But that is his job not who Asher Creed is, because he is so much more. Asher is the oldest son and ex-military, he is also the big brother to 4 younger brothers and his missing sister. It has been 10 years since that day, and his mother decides its time to open up the old wound and look for more answers. Amazingly things actually start to happen for the family. I cant wait for the rest of this series to get more answers of what happened to her and how it has affected each brother. You get a small glimpse into each of their lives in this book. DC Cole does an wonderful job on the narration. He has an amazing ability of drawing you into the story.

Family Love

This is not a typical listen for me which excited me to step out of my comfort zone. This was a great start to a series! Asher was so closed off and cold until he met Gen, she broke down the walls he built over the years and opened his heart to a love he’d never thought was in his cards. Asher and Gen were both broken souls who were made whole with their love for each other and his family. I love the family bond in this story and cant wait to hear the rest of the Creed brothers stories! I am happy we got an HEA in this story and bummed we didn’t solve the mystery of Claire’s disappearance but it also adds to the suspense! This was my first book by DC Cole and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he did and portrayed a woman.
I received this free copy audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.

A fascinating family that you'll want to know ♥♥♥♥

D. C. Cole does a masterful job giving voice to the story of Asher Creed and his family. Trying to move past a tragedy from his family's past Asher's life takes a turn when he meets Genevieve Stone who has her own tragic past to overcome. The attraction is incendiary. Can't wait to listen to the story of the rest of the Family Creed.

Moving on after a loved one disappears

Asher Creed, ex-army ranger, now prison guard, has the job of performing the execution of death row inmates. Not something that Asher is proud of, but since his soul is dead, and someone has to do it...well, you know. You see, 10 years ago, when Asher was serving in the military, his then-15 yr old sister (and only sister), Clare, was abducted and has never been seen again. This event has reshaped the lives of the Creed family from the boisterous, loving family to a brooding bunch. When a true-crimes reporter, Genevieve, approaches him to discuss a recent execution, Asher has misgivings...after all, wouldn't a reporter dig into his past? However, after getting to know Gen, he cannot deny the growing mutual attraction and the pair begin dating. When Gen learns of Asher's sister's disappearance, she does some investigating and learns than there were numerous abductions within 50 miles of where Clare vanished that same summer. The Creed family asks her to write an article asking for the public's help. Will this really help or open up a can of worms, as well as reopen wounds caused by Clare's disappearance...especially for her twin, Silas. This book captured me from the beginning of chapter 1. The Creed family has suffered much and for the past 10 years, they have all been functioning as zombies. They attend family dinners and kid around somewhat, but Clare's brothers have all internalized her disappearance and have been walking around with a cloud. They have been strong for their parents but at what price. Asher and Gen get their HEA in this book, but the mystery surrounding Clare is not solved. Can't wait for the 'rest of the story', which, I've heard will unfold during the remaining brothers' books! Fanfreakintastic narration keeps you engaged and wanting more.
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Executioner

Nice! I really didn't know what to expect with this book. Yes, one of the characters is an executioner, but that's not what this is all about. This is so much more. These characters overcome so much, yet it's not a heavy depressing story either. The story took me in from the beginning. And, my apprehension turned to needing to know what was going to happen next. This is my first book by Shauna Allen and I really enjoyed it.

I'm a huge D.C. Cole fan and will listen to pretty much whatever he does. And, because of that, I've found some really interesting authors to listen to. As usual, D.C. Cole pulls you into the story becoming each character and keeps you locked to your earbuds from start to finish.

The executioner is just the beginning....

The Executioner is just the beginning of a brilliantly written series of books. Asher Creed works in the death row wing of a prison and Genevieve is a reporter that would like an exclusive about the latest execution. Their meeting not only is the start of a beautiful romance but also the beginning of a series of event that help solve a 10 year old mystery. The Creed family has suffered for many years and Asher as the oldest has to try and keep the pieces together. The narrator of the book did an excellent job. All the emotions the characters feel are shown during his narration. It was like listening to a new book.

Love showed them the way

Two wounded souls find there way together, in this story of soul searching and healing love. He is a wounded ex military now a prison guard, she is a free lance reporter looking for a story on a prisoner just recently executed. They find they have more in common than just an attraction to each other, her father is a prisoner in the prison he works at, and he has a missing sister that she can maybe help by revitalizing the case with an article.
Together they build a strong love, with her devotion and his family showing him the way when a person only looking for sensationalism gets in the way.
Thank you Marla Joseph, and Audiobook Addiction for gifting me this book.

Blew me away

I finished this book just before bed and this was a good thing as it allowed me to process what I had just listened to. This has an incredible intense subplot - the disappearance of a loved one 10 years prior. It is a romance but everything is overshadowed by the sister's disappearance. The writing is excellent and as the story progresses it explores the varied emotions that arise from such an experience. Well written with characters you can feel for as well, it is a page turner. D. C. Cole does amazing job bringing the story to life with his narration, doing both male and female voices and creating obvious differences to distinguish each.
As stated in the synopsis, this is a 6 part story that must be read in order and the subplot doesn't conclude till the last book. That said, I look forward to reading or listening to the entire series

What a book! Overcoming Tragedy

Shauna Allen is a new author to me, who wrote a book that pulled me in from the very beginning! I was amazed with the depth of characters in this story, and how several stories are woven together. This book is part heartbreak (Claire disappeared over 10 years ago; part romance (Asher Creed and Genevieve Stone love story) and part family background. I love how the author connected these things and wrote the twists. The narration by DC Cole was outstanding. I love how he can perform so many different character voices in a book. I could hear exactly who was taking. Although not all questions are answered regarding the Creed family in this book, enough were to make this an awesome standalone listen. I cannot wait to listen to the next book in the series!

Loyalisa30

Shauna Allen has outdone herself with this creative twist of Ash and Genevieve’s love story! I never expected the final outcome of this storyline but it definitely leaves you wanting more! The intrigue and angst between the characters allow you to visualize what having a large family is all about as well as not having a family at all. Awesome read!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾