Chasing Darkness by Danielle Girard Book Review

Ms. Girard has knocked this one out of the park! There are so many smaller stories intertwined in this tale that all culminate into the bigger story in the end.

Sam Chase, the female heroine, so to speak. Nick who is trying to get Sam to trust him, but due to Sam's past she finds it difficult to open up and let Nick behind her walls. Derek and Rob, the twin sons of Sam's sister who died and left them under her care. Gary Williams, the cop who is jealous of Sam. Andy who is Sam's assistant and is wheelchair bound. Gerry who is a pedophile just released from prison and thinking it might be better to go back (he actually plays a crucial role in this story). Then, of course, there are the dead women, Sandi and Eva, along with Eva's daughter, Becky. All of these characters' stories are intertwined in such a way that you will never guess who the "bad guy" of this story is.

I can do nothing less than give Ms. Girard a 5-star review on a book so well written.

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald Book Review

For those of you who enjoy psychological reads, be sure to give "Behind Every Lie" a read.

You will be introduced to Eva who discovers some long-buried secrets kept by her mother. As she goes on a quest to find out the truth, she discovers that she is not who she thinks she is, she discovers a horrifying truth about her fiance. There is also a hint of Eva rekindling an old love.

Ms. McDonald does an excellent job of weaving in some unexpected twists and turns around almost every corner that you will not be expecting. Ms. McDonald is sure to shine in her chosen writing genre! I look forward to her next book which is due out in 2021.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas Book Review

I have to admit that this was a hard book for me to read, not in my usual genre. However, for a debut novel, the concept behind it is intriguing and even somewhat "scary."

Ines enrolled in Catherine House at the advice of Mr. Gonzalez, someone who she thought believed in her. Catherine House has been shrouded in mystery and even a bit of controversy as they are very adept at keeping their secrets hidden away from the public. They advertised themselves, so to speak, to be only for the elitest of students. Ines found herself going to Catherine House to escape an incident ... one that is never truly revealed in the writing of this book. By the end of the book, Ines has discovered the hidden secret of Catherine House. Through a friend of hers she made at Catherine House, she was able to escape in the end.

The "scary" part of this book is that even though it is a work of fiction, the way science and technology are evolving it could happen!

This is a book I "won" off of Goodreads.

Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle Book Review

I had the opportunity to download this book from Net Galley as an early reader/reviewer. This is the first book of Ms. Belle's that I have read and I will be looking for more from her!

Paul, Micah, and Jax have all been friends since high school. Paul ended up wealthy, Micah an underwater investigator, and Jax homeless. Charlie (who changed her name to Charlotte) was a few years behind them and ended up married to Paul, four years after the death of his first wife, Katherine.

Enter a dead body found under the Kellers' deck (Paul and Charlotte).

Enter an unsolved case from 20 years ago ... tied together with the most recent death by a necklace.

Mix two unsolved murders in with a whole bunch of lies that are hard to keep straight.

Just when you think you have figured out who the bad guy is ... the whodunnit ... Ms. Belle throws in a twist for an ending you aren't expecting. Well done, Ms. Belle, well done!

The Black Pill by L.J. Sellers Book Review

 I had the opportunity to beta read "The Black Pill" for Ms. Sellers. This is the first time I have read any of her work.

In "The Black Pill," you will find a murder and a missing persons case, along with some hints of romance. The ending is a twist you will not see coming! Ms. Sellers did a fantastic job of bringing two characters from her previous novels, Detective Jackson and Agent Dallas, into "The Black Pill." It was an interesting read in seeing how all the details came together to solve two cases all at the same time.

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from Ms. Sellers.

White Out by Danielle Girard Book Review

Never have I given a book a 5-star review, but "White Out" is well deserving. This book is attention-getting right from the start and does not stop.

In "White Out," we are introduced to Detective Kylie Milliard, a detective working in the small town of Hagen, North Dakota, seeking a job in the bigger city of Fargo. She is thrust into a case of a dead woman, seemingly working with a group of men who are hiding details of the case with her. Ms. Girard has done an excellent job of weaving in some unexpected twists and turns in this novel that you will not expect. As soon as you think you have figured out who the bad guy is, you'll find out that you are wrong. There is even a hint of romance! This is sure to be a top-selling series for Ms. Girard.

Readers will not be disappointed. Thank you for letting me be one of your early readers, Ms. Girard. I am very much looking forward to the rest of this series. Well done!

Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown Book Review

This is one of those types of books that you can sit down and read in a day or two if you have the time. I have been eyeballing this one for quite a while and was fortunate enough to find it at a library book sale.

Britt Shelley and Raley Gannon make an unlikely duo as they work together to uncover the real reason behind the police station fire. This book addresses a subject that is, sadly, still "uncomfortable" in today's world, and involves a father trying to protect his son's reputation ... but more his.

Judge and Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross Book Review

Andie DeGrasse no more wanted to be on the jury than she wanted to dress the part. She changed her mind when she found out who was on trial. During the trial, she met FBI Agent Nick Pellisante. Together, Andie and Agent Pellisante were able to unravel the case of Dominic Cavello, which took them on many adventures.

A book written by two literary masters.

Set to Simmer by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

I "devoured" this book in two days - it was that good.

Dakota has wanted to be a chef for as long as she can remember, yet she finds herself a bartender at a resort, no one willing to give her a chance at being a chef. She decides, on a whim, to answer a personal ad seeking a live-in home cook. She lands the job - no one the wiser of her lack of experience - until ...

Mrs. Neves has done a fantastic job of weaving the main story in with several smaller ones.

Read the book!

Evidence of Murder by Lisa Black Book Review

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Black. I found it quite enjoyable with relatable characters.

Theresa MacLean, a forensic scientist, was called to the case of Jillian Perry who was an apparent suicide. Theresa was also involved in two other cases that were seemingly related to Mrs. Perry. As it turns out, Theresa starts questioning if Mrs. Perry really killed herself. The truth is very well concealed due to the writing talent of Ms. Black.

If I ever catch up with my TBR list, I will definitely read more from Ms. Black.

Tainted Waters by Maggie Thom (Glenna Mageau) Book Revew

SPOILERS!

Samantha (Sam) has tried many different jobs, her latest being a reporter for the Tennison Post. Again, she is fired, yet none of her articles were published, especially the one involving a potential fraud case. While Sam is trying to figure out the whys (and really what she wants to do with her life), she meets Keegan, a published author. As it turns out, Keegan is working on trying to find answers of his own, also involving the Tennison Post.

Join Sam and Keegan as they join forces to find the answers they're both looking for. Who knows ... maybe there is a bit of romance thrown in along the way coupled with a few other stories.

Due for reprint soon.

I had the opportunity to proof this for Ms. Thom before she reprints.

Christmas with Granny McPherson by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

If you enjoy clean romance - this is a book for you!

SPOILERS!

Evan Skruggs is the persona of Granny McPherson, but no one knows this until the "real" Granny McPherson has an episode. Andrew, Evan's manager, comes up with a plan to re-make Evan's image. Enter Brooke, trying to save the inn she inherited from her grandparents. This is an entertaining read as Evan and Brooke dance around their attraction to one another.

Another book proving Mrs. Neves' ability to write across multiple genres.

You may also enjoy her books "Set to Simmer" and "Pre-Approved Identity Theft" which are also clean romance reads.

A Bitter Dying by L.J. Sellers Book Review

Wow! This is the second novel I have read by Ms. Sellers. Finished this one in a day! I am impressed at how Ms. Sellers is able to tie together two or three cases in the final outcome. She certainly knows how to throw in a twist or two! Give her a read if you dare.

This is book 12 in this particular series.

I Said Yes by Kiersten Modglin Book Review

I have been wanting to read Ms. Modglin's work for sometime now. When she offered the chance to read "I Said Yes" as an early reader, I jumped at the chance.

Ms. Modglin does a masterful job of intertwining both past and present stories of Hannah and Mark, with some unexpected twists and turns along the way. The ending is not what you will be expecting.

Don't miss this one!

I look forward to more literary delights from Ms. Modglin.

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer Book Review

Through Mr. Palmer's Facebook group, those of us who signed up received an ARC copy. Thank you!

This book is due out in April 2020.

A psychological mind twister that will keep you guessing. Glen has suddenly disappeared. Nina, his wife, was informed that his boat was found with only Daisy, the family dog, on board. Glen's body was never found. Enter Simon. For two years, Simon tried to convince Nina to marry him. One day, Nina "woke up" to his manipulations.

There are quite a few side stories going on in this tale. It will definitely keep you reading!

A Criminal Justice by William Myers, Jr. Book Review

Due out in March 2020.

Mick is on trial for the murder of Edwin Hanson.

If you have read this series, then you know Detective Tredesco and Mick are not exactly buddies. Imagine Detective Tredesco's glee, if you will, at the opportunity to arrest Mick for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Question is ... did Mick kill Edwin? Join Susan and her crack team as they begin to unravel this case.

I had the opportunity to proof/edit this book for Mr. Myers.

Bottom of the World by Mike Donohue Book Review

Max is always looking over his shoulder. That's the life he lives ... being on the run. He returns "home" when his brother calls for help. Mr. Smith hired Kate to find Max - can she?

Mr. Donohue has filled this novel with some fantastic imagery and has a great tie-in to "Shaking the Tree," the first book in this series. Give it a read. I think this is his best Max Strong yet!

The Jersey by James Rosenberg Book Review

This story centers around Charley and his soccer team. Charley's dad, Dan, gets wrangled into coaching the soccer team, all the while continuing to practice law, working on a case where his friend, Arthur, is accused of stealing money from his own company.  The "twist" I was expecting was Arthur admitting he stole the money when the case settled. Boy, was I ever wrong! The twist is something entirely different.

Read the book to find out! It's a good second novel from Mr. Rosenberg. I look forward to more books from him.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim Book Review

I "won" this book through Goodreads. I found it a great debut novel for Ms. Kim. The Yoos moved to the US, looking for a better life. Dr. Yoo began his own HBOT center ... a "miracle" submarine. There are some "dry" parts to this story along with some twists and turns with a surprise ending.

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline Book Review

Angela, being single and hearing her internal clock ticking, joins an online dating site. Ding, ding, ding ... she gets some hits on the site, to her surprise. One hit intrigues her, so she responds. Little did she expect to move away from all she knew in NYC. Angela finds that a simpler life is "the way life should be." A fast read, a light read.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan Book Review

Mudbound is the name of the farm the McAllan family purchased. Reluctantly, Laura had to move her children to the farm because Henry, her husband, bought it. This story is set back in the World War II era ... in Mississippi where prejudice ran rampant. It certain is an eye opener of how folks were treated back then.

If you are sensitive to the "N" word, this book is not for you. It is certainly a historical look with some twists and turns. Ms. Jordan does a fantastic job of writing this book in the voices of Laura, Henry, Jamie, Hap, Florence, and Ronsel.

The Shotgun Lawyer by Victor Methos Book Review

A shotgun lawyer takes any and all cases, especially those he knows he can win ... looking for a quick payout. Such is the case of Pete Game AKA Peter James. Pete was taking the easy cases that came his way ... until he met Melissa - the case of a lifetime.

It took a few chapters for me to get into this book, but when I did it was hard to put down. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Methos.

An Equal Justice by Chad Zunker Book Review

David is offered a position at Hunter and Kellerman, a prestigious law firm in Austin. He quickly becomes a young superstar associate at Hunter and Kellerman - billing the most hours. Then, he meets Benny, a street person. Something about Benny resonates with David, he is just not sure what. David soon discovers that Benny is working on something concerning Hunter and Kellerman. Join David as he uncovers what Benny found out about Hunter and Kellerman and "watch" as he discovers there is more to lawyering than just money.

A good read!

At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen Book Review

Sara Gruen is a master at writing historical fiction and making it interesting.

"At The Water's Edge" is a great example of her talent. She writes about Maddie and her husband, Ellis, and his friend, Hank, as they travel from their home in the States to the Scottish Highlands during World War II - all due to an argument Ellis had with his father. Maddie discovers some secrets that she was previously unaware of and discovers some truths about herself.

If you like historical fiction, give this novel a read.

Savage Art by Danielle Girard Book Review

This is a stand-alone novel.

FBI Agent Casey McKinley left her position as an FBI profiler after an undercover operation went sour. She moved to San Francisco to heal, to get away from the reminders of what happened. Her attacker, Leonardo, surfaces yet again. To what lengths will Leonardo go to bring her out of hiding?

You'll have to read the book to find out the answer.

Never Reply All by Dan Friedman Book Review

As a member of Mr. Friedman’s ARC Team, I had the opportunity to beta read “Never Reply All.” 

The trouble all started when Emily received a Reply All email from an unknown source. She also discovered some accounting discrepancies within the company she works for, but when she took her concerns to her boss, Jessica, the email had disappeared, and the accounting discrepancies were fixed. Jessica brushed it all off as a glitch in the system. Emily also met the man of her dreams through her workplace, Mike, so much so that Jessica knowingly sent them on a business trip together. After taking her concerns to Jessica, one morning, when Emily woke up, there was a dead rat in her bed. That’s when she decided to take her concerns to her FBI agent neighbor, Bob, who was having some personal problems of his own. You’ll have to read this entertaining novella to find out what happens!

True To Me by Kay Bratt Book Review

Quinn and Ethan have been together for ten years. When Quinn's mother passes, Quinn leaves for Maui to fulfill her mother's final wishes. Along the way, Quinn discovers much about herself - including an inner strength she didn't know she had.

Ms. Bratt does an excellent job of making the characters in this book relatable, especially to those of us who have had less than perfect relationships.

I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

The Best Friend by Shalani Boland Book Review

Louisa, Jared, and their son, Joe, move to a new neighborhood, making Louisa feel a bit lonely.

Enter Darcy who befriends Louisa.

Enter Darcy's husband, Mike, who has a lot of connections in the business world and offers to help Jared set up his own business. An offer too good to be true, with free office space for a year.

Louisa is wary. Jared doesn't see the problem.

Join Louisa in this very well-written tale as she starts to piece together all the oddities that have happened in their lives since meeting Darcy and Mike, even if her own husband, Jared, thinks she's off her cracker.

There are many unexpected twists and turns in this tale. Hats off to you, Shalini Boland!

The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald Book Review

Imagine being a single mom doing the best you can to raise your daughter, yet keep her father a secret. That's exactly what Abi was doing. Olivia, her daughter, found out the truth … at long last, but not through Abi. Anthony, an advocate through the police department, was trying to help Abi find out the truth, but due to her past Abi was beginning to have her doubts if he was being truthful with her. One of the police detectives working her case had to go "underground" in order to work on Olivia's case as there were forces bigger than her at play. Abi began to trust Anthony and together they found out the truth of Olivia's fall.

Ms. McDonald has done an excellent job in the writing of this tale, bringing everything together in the end. I have to admit, near the end of this story I had a few tears in my eyes - a first!

Hollow City by Michael Donohue Book Review

Publication coming soon! Scheduled for September 6, 2019.

Mr. Donohue has a way of writing such that you actually can "feel" some scenes. For instance, the scene in this book where the guy gets his hand smashed - I literally said "ouch" out loud. I recommend you give this standalone book a read.

I had the opportunity to beta/proofread this for Mr. Donohue in June 2019.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate Book Review

Set back in the memories of the 1930s and present day. Grandma Judy - is it her dementia or are her memories real? May Weathers has a picture on her nightstand, but why is Grandma Judy in it? Avery Stafford, of the prominent Stafford family, discovers the picture on May's nightstand and begins to question things. Is there scandal? Will the buried secrets "soil" the Stafford name? Ms. Wingate does a remarkable job tying all the loose ends together in this fascinating tale. A work of fiction yet based on truth.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend you give this a read.

Legal Reserves by James Rosenberg Book Review

Three friends who helped each other through law school, Jack, Mike, and Jeri.

Jack wants to make partner in a law firm.
Mike decides to work for his Uncle Stan.
Jeri wins a judge appointment.

This book takes us through Mike and Jack's first case against each other as lawyers and in front of their friend, Jeri, as the judge. Who knew a piece of candy could be so costly ... in more ways than one.

Watch for more from Mr. Rosenberg!

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell Book Review

I found this book on Amazon ... rather, they helped me find it based on my previous purchases. This is a total psychological page turner that I could have easily read in a day or two.

Join Laurel as she seeks out the truth in what happened to Ellie, her daughter. Twists and turns the whole way.

Enjoy!

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson Book Review

Have you ever played Truth or Dare as a kid? This book will take you on a twisty journey with Amy and her new neighbor, Roux. Roux engages Amy in a dangerous game of Never Have I Ever. Question is, whose secrets stay buried and whose are exposed. Ms. Johnson ties everything together in the end, but will keep you guessing!

I was fortunate enough to have won this via a Facebook give-away hosted by Ms. Johnson.

Expire by Danielle Girard Book Review

Sadly, this is the fourth and final book of Ms. Girard's Schwartzman series. I highly recommend you read the series in order: Exhume, Excise, Expose, Expire, in order to understand the sequence of events. Ms. Girard's characters never waiver in their "personalities." Book four takes off right where book three left us ... Dr. Schwartzman's abduction. Join her (Dr. Schwartzman) as she tries to escape her captors. Does Hal make it in time?

An Engineered Injustice by William L. Myers, Jr. Book Review

A train wreck.

Eddy, a man trying to get his life in order after some bad choices ... and succeeding with a good job, a wife, and a baby on the way. Who is to blame? Eddy being distracted? A set up? Join Eddy's cousin, Vaughn, through the twists and turns of unraveling the details to discover who caused the train wreck that killed and injured many.

Mr. Myers, an attorney in Philadelphia, is an excellent author. I am humbled by the opportunity to be able to work with him proofreading his next novel, releasing in 2020.

The Last Chance Lawyer by William Bernhardt Book Review

Dan Pike, lawyer extraordinaire, or so he thought until the law firm he was working for booted him out. Not long after, he was approached by Maria in a bar regarding a new job opportunity. Hesitantly, he accepted a position with Mr. K at The Last Chance Law Firm. Join Dan and his associates as they pursue a simple adoption case ... or is it as simple as they first thought?

Excellent read!

The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter Book Review

Fans of Will Trent will be taken in by this story. Join Sara, Will's girlfriend, as she tries to escape her captors - from what? What was Michelle Spivey taken for? What was Dash trying to accomplish? The outcome … you'll have to read the book to find out!

Poison, death, kidnapping, FBI, GBI … this book has it all.

I was fortunate enough to win an ARC copy through Goodreads.

Sold On A Monday by Kristina McMorris Book Review

A novel set back in the 1930s. A time when folks thought 60 dollars a week was good money. A time when unwed mothers had noses turned up at them. A time when an apparently sickly mother would do what she needed to do to tend her children … even, perhaps, sell them. Join Ellis and Lily as they attempt to undo a mistake.

This is not my typical genre to read, but I enjoyed this book very much.

The Survivors Club by Lisa Gardner Book Review

I now remember why I enjoy Lisa Gardner's writing. This book could potentially be a trigger for some rape victims, yet it can also be a story of hope … hope that the police assigned to cases are relentless in their pursuit of catching the bad guy. There are many twists and turns worked into this tale that will keep you guessing!

Green Fees by Manning Wolfe Book Review

I personally feel this is the best out of this 3-book series. From the very first sentence in the prologue, this book just keeps giving.

Join Merit and her team as her business grows. She has a budding romance (or does she?), and she escapes the clutches of a couple of shady characters. There are a couple of other side stories thrown in along with twists and turns.

I'm sure you'll enjoy this one!

Music Notes by Manning Wolfe Book Review

Book 1 in this series, Dollar Signs, introduced us to the characters to include Merit Bridges (lawyer) and her office staff (Betty, Val, Mai) along with her PI, Ag Malone.

Book 2, Music Notes, takes us on the adventure of Merit being cyberbullied … to the point of her losing clients and having to give up working with a charity she believes in. Does she figure out who is behind her torment?

Dollar Signs by Manning Wolfe Book Review

I have to admit, I had many things on my mind and a TV blaring in the background when I started this book. Once I settled my mind, with quiet and no TV, I delved in for this read.

This is a great introduction to Ms. Wolfe's characters, filled with a lot of legalese. You'll find yourself learning a lot about property issues (in the State of Texas), while you enjoy some of the twists and turns to the final outcome. There may even be a bit of a brewing romance.

Sparrows and Sacrifice by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

This is the most intense book of Mrs. Neves' Lindy Johnson PI series. I found myself "pulled" into the story during the camping scene with Lindy and Ryder. Eden's Haven is a rough place. Did Lindy survive? Did Lindy and Ryder make it out of Eden's Haven?

This is a series that definitely needs to be read in order, not only to "meet" the characters but to understand the story line.

Well done, Mrs. Neves!

Proofed/beta read for Mrs. Neves.

Lost and Found by Amy Shojai Book Review

Join September as she goes on a quest to locate her missing sister, April, and her son, Steven, along with his service dog, Shadow. This book begins to "heat up" when April is found in an ice machine at a hotel. How did she get there and were Steven and Shadow found? Read the book to find out!

Shaking the Tree by Mike Dononhue Book Review

If you like a book that is full of imagery - this is the book for you!

Bad guys.
Bad cops.
Good guys.
Good cops.
Drugs.
Murder.
Money.
A steel briefcase.

This book has it all.

Give it a read!

Proofed for Mr. Donohue, July 2019.

Once a Liar by A.F. Brady Book Review

This is a book that was recommended to me by my sister-in-law. I am glad she did!

If you like psychological thrillers as much as I do, you are sure to enjoy this tale. How the character, Peter, kept up with all his lies throughout his life I will never know ... this is truly a tale of deceit, a tale of trying to escape a past only to find that years later it will catch up with you. There are quite a few twists and turns in this book that Mrs. Brady ties up rather neatly in the end. I have to say ... I was shocked at the guilty party in this book. Turned out to be someone I sure wasn't expecting!

Well done, Mrs. Brady, well done!

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff Book Review

The title of this novel, I think, is misleading. It would lead one to believe it is about some of the horrificness of World War II. It's not! While this is not my typical genre to read, I enjoyed reading about Noa and Astrid and their circus adventures during World War II. It makes you realize the hardships that had to be dealt with during that time period.

Give it a read!

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center Book Review

An ARC I received through one give away or another; I can't remember which. It's always good to take a chance on give aways … you may just get a book!

Though the title is a bit misleading, this is a very well-written tale … it is what I would call a "clean" romance as well as a book of hope and forgiveness, second chances. A very light read that you are sure to enjoy … one full of humor. I enjoyed this book!

#thingsyousavebook #tysiaf

Ellie and the Harpmaker by Hazel Prior Book Review

"Ellie and the Harpmaker" is Hazel Prior's debut novel.

I received an ARC of this novel via Goodreads.

This tale is set in Exmoor. I'm sure you will enjoy this tale of Ellie (The Exmoor Housewife) who learned to appreciate harps when, through an unsuspecting friendship, she met Dan (The Exmoor Harpmaker).  A very light read with some unexpected outcomes!

Give it a read!