Sangrita by Kathryn Dodson Blog Tour and Book Review

I enjoyed reading about Jessica and Angus. Jessica is an investigator who finds herself walking down a path that ultimately gets her in trouble. I’ve never ‘met’ Jessica before, but this seems to be a pattern for her. Angus, her husband, whom she has known since childhood, quietly sits in the background, hoping that this time Jessica won’t do anything that she will regret later.

Angus has his own set of deeper worries about Jessica. He also made a decision that I am hopeful, and I suspect Jessica is as well, he will change his mind about.

Enter Tomas and his wife, Claudia. There is Letty and Tres Garcia (the heritage behind the naming of the children in the Garcia family was interesting to me).

I enjoyed reading about Jessica’s perseverance, her doggedness as she was chasing a bone even though she didn’t want to get involved. I also enjoyed reading Linda’s character, though sometimes I think she was a bit too lenient on Jessica, given Jessica’s propensity to get herself in trouble with seemingly no way out. Jessica’s character could be very persuasive.

I like strong female characters that won’t back down from anyone or anything, even to their own detriment, and I found that with Jessica. Although when it came to her relationship with Angus, I think she has some serious reconsiderations to make. (Yes, I know they are fictional characters but the sorts of issues this couple encountered made them more realistic, at least to me.)

There are quite a few intertwining relationships and stories between these pages, which, to me, made for a more interesting read. If you enjoy reading a series, you may want to pick this one up and ‘meet’ Jessica and follow her adventures.

 

Find Ms. Dodson:

Website: https://www.kathryndodson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathy.dodson.31

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynbdodson/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathryn-dodson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36094489.Kathryn_Dodson

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sangrita-Southwest-Suspense-Thrillers-Detective-ebook/dp/B0FD9BWZJJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32PVAFJSU0ERO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xnaEKszC9IdrvhbgljVOAg.ZdMvp_QbhGD38U7UmSu-s7xB5o0CDOyKjcDbI3L0TyI&dib_tag=se&keywords=sangrita+kathryn+dodson&qid=1763222912&sprefix=sangrita+kathryn+dodso%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sangrita-kathryn-dodson/1148636065?ean=9798990357778

 

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The Cyber Sanction by Nicholas Gretener Book Review

 

I was first introduced to this author with his book Bending The Arc, where I ‘met’ the LawForce team. As their name would suggest, they are involved with the law – lawyers who go above and beyond to right the wrongs of the world.

In Cyber Sanction, LawForce once again is called to action when Bobbi Sullivan finds herself faced with a force far greater than she could handle alone. Someone wanted to destroy the bank she diligently worked to build and protect.

This tale takes the reader from Massachusetts to Washington, DC, to Switzerland where most of this tale transpires and where LawForce set up their shop for the duration of this trial.

While this is quite a long read at 487 or so pages, I think it had to be to tie up all the loose ends. The reader finds out what happens to Bobbi and her bank and all the ‘bad guys’ involved. The other thing I like about this author’s writing is that he takes a deep dive, so to speak, into cyber crime with all the ins and outs and backstories of those involved in LawForce. With a few other crimes thrown in.

It is also interesting to me how LawForce actually picks the cases they choose to work on. They like to fight for the underdogs of the world, to be the heroes, to win their cases. It will be interesting to see what case they pick next because I am certain there will be a next case that needs their attention.

It is also interesting to me how Hendrix, the leader of LawForce, runs interference for his team even from miles away.

I like reading about the power plays that sometimes happen between the good of LawForce and the ‘bad guys’ that are involved in these tales. If you like cyber crime stories, give this series a try.

The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Emily Grace what have you gotten yourself into? This is the question Emily persistently asks herself as she endeavors to finish the work that Katrina started. This house, though …

Out on Monk’s Rock in a very remote part of Salish. And, we are talking remote – so much so that when it rains the bridge connecting the two all but disappears.

We get to meet Emily Grace (of course); Cameron, Emily’s now boss; his estranged daughter Chloe, and all the mystifying things that surround her; Juniper, we all need a Juniper; Gina, the local coffee shop owner who makes amazing coffee and sweet treats; swoon-worthy Adrian.

And, of course, the house – aptly named The End of the World.

Question is – why do all the strange things keep happening? Is this particular house haunted, or is someone trying to chase Emily away from finishing what Katrina started?

What I liked about Emily is that she was struggling with her own emotions, mostly centered around her grief. I liked the fact that she found an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed until she had to. She was also struggling with a bit of self-confidence – could she finish what Katrina started to the previous standards, or was she going to washout in her chosen career? Emily Grace is a very talented finish carpenter, presented with an opportunity to rebuild herself.

Juniper … as I said above, we all need a Juniper. And who could resist Gina’s coffee shop?

The small town of Salish presented challenges for Emily Grace, but it also provided a sense of comfort and welcome. Especially Adrian. He was not at all what Emily was expecting.

This tale has some ghostliness to it which I enjoyed, and I enjoyed reading about Emily coming into that inner strength I mentioned earlier.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Emily-Grace-Elena-Taylor/dp/1448317371/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GZAI23RRWUZG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LIKbc5M0MR48oUEXy-mc3g.-zVHT2VrC8rJunl5UYI2bxUIyCCR8ba9o7gA-5ezM-Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+haunting+of+emily+grace+by+elena+taylor&qid=1757688129&sprefix=the+haunting+of+emily+%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-haunting-of-emily-grace-elena-taylor/1147404491?ean=9781448317387

 

Find Ms. Taylor:

Website: https://www.elenataylorauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElenaTaylorAuthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elena-taylor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19494739.Elena_Taylor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Elena_TaylorAut

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenataylorauthor/

 

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On The Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Have you read any of the Logan Point series? I hadn’t either until I got my hands on this one. This falls into the category of romantic suspense and is the kind I like to read that falls into that genre.

I met Tori Mitchell (Victoria) who is a podcaster and is taken back to her hometown where trouble was brewing, mostly centered around her nephew, Drew. She only went back to her hometown to tie up some loose ends and to further investigate some of the very cold cases she was looking into only to run into Scott Sinclair.

Scott was recovering from a wound he suffered in a previous case, and he also harbored a secret about the kind of profession he was in. He sure wasn’t expecting Tori and how dogged she could be in her pursuit of the truth.

I enjoyed reading all the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the trails that led down one path only to veer off in another direction entirely. I liked the ‘heat’ that formed between Tori and Scott … it was just enough to know that there was passion there, a mutual attraction but not so much as to be off putting (at least for my preference in the romance genre). I also liked the fact that Scott was steadfast in his belief in God and that Tori was struggling in hers, making these two characters more relatable.

And let’s not forget about the family dynamics that were thrown in. Tori was coming to grips with some emotional things in her personal life, looking for a resolution and not sure if she’d find them. Again, to me, this made Tori a very relatable character.

If you like romantic suspense in the Christian genre, that also happens to be a series, you may just want to pick this one up.

 

Find Ms. Bradley:

Website: https://ptbradley.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/PTBradley1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbradley1/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/patricia-bradley

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Edge-Trust-Christian-Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/B0F2PD4Y73/ref=books_amazonstores_desktop_mfs_aufs_ap_sc_dsk_0?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=9pn1p&content-id=amzn1.sym.972d6c57-0594-496b-b448-b6992d610f1c&pf_rd_p=972d6c57-0594-496b-b448-b6992d610f1c&pf_rd_r=146-1887392-7400748&pd_rd_wg=dK8Us&pd_rd_r=3a7e83cc-2da8-46a8-a97e-3abbaf593df3

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-edge-of-trust-patricia-bradley/1147013444?ean=9780800747008

 

 

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The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Since I started reading this author’s work, I have been trying to read every book she has ever written. She never disappoints and this one is no different.

Back In 1890, the custom was to lay out the deceased in the front parlor of a house. Such was the case with Waverly’s Uncle Leopold and Aunt Cornelia – all this in the town of Newton Creek. A town that was shrouded in the mystery of Leopold Traeger and what he apparently did for the community, even in death. There is an interesting story of how Waverly came to live with her aunt and uncle. She was left to deal with the mess that was left behind that led her to meet the undertaker, Titus Fitzgerald, and a sundry of other characters. And Foo (cat) … if you follow this author on social media, you know who Foo is.

Fast forward to the present day when Jennie Phillips is left with Traeger Hall after having lost her mother, and her father in years past. Jennie was left to unravel why her father’s will was written the way it was. Along the way she stumbles across Zane and his family. And Milo … what a great kid he turned out to be. And Allison … she has a tale of her own to tell.

The thing I enjoy about this author’s writing is how she is able to combine the past with the present, how she is able to have intersecting character traits, how she paints of a picture of what it was like to follow societal norms in the time periods she writes in. I enjoy how she intermixes a hidden message, or two, in the telling of each one of her books, how she is able to insert character flaws into her characters, and how she is able to subtly suggest attractions between characters – past and present.

I started reading about Traeger Hall at lunch one day and that was a bad idea because all I wanted to do was immerse myself in the telling of this tale. I tore through Traeger Hall’s story in two days or less, I was that intrigued. I encourage you to read her stories if you enjoy dual timelines, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Tolls-Traeger-Hall-Thrilling/dp/0764243802/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12LLGMIHWKSRH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mBR3olhpcBZpimtFeVdbv6YwWHvz1xa3dkfaq1d3cYpREpg_2ohO__m5_T2vVJYN9TWeDBNJf6ZOLpxxJkU81g.hf682nbrDD8HIC-PG7YdFR-tk3iQle6iG0oCvJNuWas&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+bell+tolls+at+traeger+hall+jaime+jo+wright&qid=1757340328&sprefix=bells+of+traeger%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bell-tolls-at-traeger-hall-jaime-jo-wright/1147013281?ean=9780764243806

 

Find Ms. Wright:

Website: https://www.jaimewrightbooks.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@madlitmusings

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jaime-jo-wright

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimejowright/

 

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It's time to get your 2026 proofs scheduled

 

Crime Writer by Vinnie Hansen Blog Tour and Book Review

 

I tore through this book … I was that invested. It’s an easy read, I thought, but Zoey … man, Zoey. What has she gotten herself into? You can see from the blurb where she lives, and that particular farm is owned by a fellow named Harvey. The why of Harvey letting Zoey live on his farm becomes clear when Rachelle is mentioned. There’s a story there.

Harvey also has a history with Ray. That’s an interesting twist to this tale.

Camille – Zoey’s mother. A not-so-great relationship, but when something happens to Camille, Zoey had to reevaluate their relationship. Being close to my own mom, I can’t imagine being at odds with her.

Anywho, Zoey finds herself in the middle of some big trouble and through this big trouble she meets Jimmy. She has some reservations about Jimmy, which I appreciated, as Zoey has some trust issues that run deep. To me, this made Zoey a very relatable, very realistic character.

One of the things I enjoyed about this tale is the realism that the author was able to paint through description. Zoey finding herself being chased by the bad guys and how she handled that, wending her way through Harvey’s fields, hiding behind trees or down a steep incline. I enjoyed reading about Zoey’s mistrust of Jimmy but ultimately deciding … I also enjoyed the backstory of Harvey, Ray, and Rachelle; I’m sure there’s more to their story. Harvey seemed like a gruff old man, but really deep down … plus, he had a dog, Rambo. I even enjoyed the animosity between Zoey and her mom until Zoey made her final realization about Camille.

I’m quite certain if there is a book two, Zoey will find herself chasing another story as she is a writer after all and it’ll be interesting to see how she gets herself out of another mess. And Harvey’s scheming? You’ll have to read that for yourself.

 

Find Ms. Hansen:

Website: https://vinniehansen.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vinnie-hansen

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/769812.Vinnie_Hansen

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crime-Writer-Vinnie-Hansen-ebook/dp/B0FMGNWM2D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YMRG10O1TRME&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tPjVnMVTZJ1PInZRNY0cUg.HbuPzZJoapKMq1GAwxn7GWaq4x7nQZAdqI71oi0hUOQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=crime+writer+by+vinnie+hansen&qid=1755781779&sprefix=crime+writer+vi%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crime-writer-vinnie-hansen/1148360241?ean=9798898200275

 

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Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills Blog Tour and Book Review

Therese and Blane find themselves immersed in a case where they are looking for a little girl, Alina. This case is also complicated by the fact that no one seemed to want to tell them the truth about what was really going on, most especially Alina’s father, Rurik.

They also found themselves attracted to each other, something that hadn’t died even though Therese had shut Blane down before.

What I really enjoy about this author’s writing is her style, the story she weaves coupled with the characters in their doubts and their beliefs. I like the fact that certain characters call upon their faith at the most unexpected times, in the good times, and most especially when they are faced with dangerous situations. The author is able to paint a picture that is so true to life when it comes to faith and how we call upon our own in times of trouble.

In this particular tale, I enjoyed reading about the father’s apparent deception, Alina’s bravery for such a small girl, and the ultimate outcome. This is truly a story of good versus bad, with the underlying question of who would win. I sort of figured out who was behind it all, but it took most of these pages to lead me there.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496485157/?bestFormat=true&k=canyon%20of%20deceit&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k1_1_12_de&crid=3H7BNXTYOI125&sprefix=canyon%20of%20de

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/canyon-of-deceit-diann-mills/1147073373?ean=9781496485151

 

Find Ms. Mills:

Website: https://diannmills.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann-mills#concrete

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81639.DiAnn_Mills#concrete

Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills#concrete

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsauthor/

 

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The Girl in the Maze by R.K. Jackson Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Martha Covington finds herself in a predicament she did not expect. What I especially liked about Martha is her persistence, even in the face of her mental illness. Vince, her therapist, thought he was doing right by Martha by releasing her from therapy, so long as she stayed on her medications. The thing I appreciated about this side of Martha is that the author did not focus on her schizophrenia, but rather put her through some situations that she was able to handle on her own. And she did so with an internal strength that she didn’t know she possessed.

Now all she had to do was get someone to listen to her and take her seriously.

She finds herself given the opportunity to do some research for Lydia who was running the Historical Society of Amberleen, Georgia. She wasn’t sure she could handle this, even on a short-term basis, but here she was … doing it anyway. Lydia was so impressed with Martha and her thoroughness that she gave her another opportunity.

This opportunity led Martha to learn about the Geechees. She learned about a place called Shell Heap. She met Jarrell and his mother, Astrid. She also met a very colorful character in Lady Albertha who held the tale of Shell Heap and how it came to be. Lady Albertha also was able to reveal some truths that Martha hadn’t yet uncovered in her research.

Near the end of Martha’s journey, she was caught in a storm. What I really appreciated about this was the author was able to describe the viciousness of said storm with words alone. I could almost feel myself being trapped in the rising water right along with Martha, holding on to whatever she could grab, and still having enough wherewithal to try something that I wasn’t expecting her to try. No matter what happened to her and how badly people treated her, there was still a goodness within Martha.

There was also a scene that involved Jarrell and, again, the author was able to convey the severity of that incident with words alone, painting a picture of Jarrell’s injuries and just how badly he was injured. It was very easy to get a visual in my own mind of this particular instance, and that is something that I appreciated from this author.

It will be interesting to see what Martha finds herself mixed up in book two, Kiss of the Sun.

  

Find Mr. Jackson:

Website: https://randaljackson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkjacksonAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randal.jackson1/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-k-jackson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14104433.R_K_Jackson

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Maze-Thriller-Martha-Covington-ebook/dp/B00R04OX3E/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UTFFZ6XK3HW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7EOuviCscpLR_zhTuLCI9uHO4p4JUgEN429E6zF-1no.mNc2rvkMtbfCxImZqT71V7EgpBYVCftayVoxBwzo6J0&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+girl+in+the+maze+by+r.+k.+jackson&qid=1752757009&sprefix=the+girl+in+the+maze%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girl-in-the-maze-rk-jackson/1121903971?ean=9781101886410

 

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Deadly Sanctuary by Shannon Hollinger New Release (September 8, 2025)

 

Help me congratulate Shannon on her newest release! Here’s the blurb:

She’s no stranger to trouble…

Deep in the heart of the untamed Florida Everglades lies a web of secrets, danger, and deceit. For FBI Agent Cassidy Knox, it’s the only home she’s ever known—one she vowed never to set foot in again. But after a harrowing confrontation with a serial killer, Cassidy finds herself with no choice but to return to the animal sanctuary of her youth. Grieving the recent death of her beloved grandfather, Butch, on top of her own trauma, she hopes for a brief respite to heal her wounds.

Only the swamp, where the past lurks just beneath the surface, has other plans. When a neighbor is found murdered, the suspicion surrounding her grandfather’s death intensifies, drawing Cassidy into a chilling investigation that threatens everything she holds dear. With old friendships rekindling and new betrayals surfacing, the lines between ally and enemy blur.

As Cassidy races against time to uncover the truth, she clashes against her inner demons—and the boy who once stole her heart. With danger lurking around every corner the only thing she knows for sure is that she can’t trust anyone. Because the killer’s taking aim… and they have her in their sights.

Get ready to dive into a heart-pounding mystery where trust is a luxury and survival is a game of wits. A gripping, heart-racing thriller that will leave you breathless.

Whatever It Takes by Alan Brenham Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Kit has found herself in an unpredictable situation. As an undercover agent, she found herself deeply entrenched in a situation she’d never been involved with before. She was only supposed to be an exotic dancer, but she was able to infiltrate other parts of this world … more quickly than anyone had anticipated.

I was quite taken by Kit’s character. She was able to infiltrate into this organization, but she always maintained a sense of calm on the outside … even when she wasn’t feeling it on the inside. She was always able to maintain her sense of self and the job that she needed to accomplish, even if she put herself right smack dab in the middle of dangerous situations. The worst thing that could happen was to be discovered by the men she was involved with … some really bad guys.

I liked the sense of danger that revealed itself throughout these pages. I’d like to know more of Kit’s story, what makes her tick.

I enjoy reading tales such as this one … full of bad guys, good guys, in-between guys, some random characters. I like how the author was able to make some of the characters come alive, so to speak, with their different personalities, especially some of the dancers Kit found herself involved with and what they got up to. There were a couple of different ladies who didn’t particularly care for Kit, which added, at least for me, another layer of danger that Kit could possibly be facing. If this is a continuing series, it will be interesting to see what Kit finds herself involved in next.

 

Find Mr. Brenham:

Website: https://alanbrenham.com/

Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/alanbe75

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlanBrenham/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanbe75

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alan-brenham

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6509203.Alan_Brenham

 

 Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Whatever-Takes-Hanover-Alan-Brenham/dp/B0F8H4K69J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QVA4TRRXG7K6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4imNIDay2eCwwSx9cHkoAnbr5Xu2n8vEx0u4zxBvbX8.GDDlhITs_CS6aoIn1dQ-Qhj8fwAfieJcTCCdltQmHrw&dib_tag=se&keywords=whatever+it+takes+alan+brenham&qid=1753729358&sprefix=whatever+it+takes+alan+brenham%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whatever-it-takes-alan-brenham/1147413575?ean=9798317669768

 

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The Perfect Roommate by Minka Kent Book Review

 

Revised edition: This edition of The Perfect Roommate includes editorial revisions.

I had an opportunity to re-read this one. It reminded me what I enjoy this author’s writing style.

Meadow needed a place to stay, and Lauren’s empty room seemed like the ‘perfect’ solution.

Enter Lauren’s friends who then suddenly became Meadow’s friends. Elisabeth, one of Meadow’s clients through the cleaning service she worked for, befriended Meadow – or did she?

It was interesting to read about Meadow’s transformation from a wallflower into a full-fledged rose, so to speak. The transformation was not so subtle. And all the well-kept secrets between these seemingly close friends. The seeds that were dropped to make them turn against one another.

And that ending? I have to wonder if Meadow started doing the same things over again in her new place with her new roommate, and who exactly turned out to be the ‘perfect’ roommate. It leaves me to wonder.

The Third Grave by Lisa Jackson Book Review

 

Another book I’ve had sitting on my Kindle for quite a while.

The premise is a couple of bodies found in a basement of the Beaumont estate. A fellow everyone called Bronco found them, and that was the least of what he was expecting. The thing is … there was a depression next to these two bodies that seemingly was for a third victim, but what happened? Why were these bodies in the basement? Who, what, when, where, why, how? All of these questions come into play.

I like these kinds of stories … ones that I would consider police procedurals.

There was also an incident involving a husband and wife – Nikki, a reporter, and Reed Pierce, her detective husband. Enter Pierce’s partner, Morrisette, and what happened to her, and you have some marital strife.

Nikki always seemed to get herself in trouble chasing a story. This only makes Reed worry about her and what he is going to have to get her out of next.

Enter Pierce’s new partner, a rookie that he wondered about – Delacroix. There’s an additional story to Ms. Delacroix.

I have to admit, I sort of figured this one out, just not the why of it all. Overall, I enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the mix of the good guys versus bad guys, the discontent between Nikki and Reed because of what happened, Delacroix and her backstory, and the ultimate conclusion.

Circle of Strangers by Minka Kent New Release and Book Review

 

Help me congratulate Minka on her newest release! Here’s the blurb:

The lengths neighbors will go to protect their secrets become downright frightening in a gripping novel of suspense by Minka Kent, the Edgar-nominated author of Unmissing.

Camille and Will Prescott have relocated from San Diego to Phoenix for a fresh start in a quiet gated community. After the traumas Camille’s marriage survived, it’s just the sanctuary she needs. As for her new neighbors, there’s Sozi, seemingly well intentioned if not for her invasive meddling and her desperate overtures to make a friend. And Mara and Oscar, an unstable couple around whom troubling rumors swirl.

Patiently listening to Sozi’s gossip and watching Mara and Oscar ever so closely has become something of a hobby for Camille. But while she obsesses about the cracks in everyone else’s lives, she begins to see the cracks in her own. And when a monster from her past reaches out to reconnect, it’s all Camille can do not to snap. Then one day she finds a dead body in her garage lying in a pool of blood.

Camille is about to discover what’s really going on behind the closed doors of this cozy cul-de-sac. And the worst is yet to come.

 

REVIEW:

This book kept my neck on a swivel.

Camille and Will – the newcomers to their gated community. Camille thought it was perfect, plenty of security, plenty of fences, and plenty of secrets. Georgie and Jackson, their children.

Mara and Oscar – the trouble married couple.

I was intrigued by the lengths that Camille felt she had to go to in order to protect her family. Little did she know there was someone who was better at the ‘game’ than she was. It was also interesting to find out that Camille and Will and pretty much the same upbringing by two moms who had difficulties of their own. This just adds another layer to their story.

Oscar and Mara – could there be a more not-so-perfect couple, each of them showing what they wanted folks to see but inside trouble was always brewing, sometimes at a simmer but always there.

Sozi – A very troubled woman to say the least. It was interesting that she always talked about her husband and her son, but every time Camille suggested a playdate, Ezra (son) always seemed to be suffering from one ailment or another, and why did no one ever see Austin (husband) except that one time?

The interesting thing about these neighbors is they all harbored secrets, each one of them had something to hide, each of them had more to their personalities than they dared show to outsiders. I thought I had this one figured out but when it came to that plot twist … I was highly impressed at the turn of events in this tale of who can outdo whom. I don’t know if there will be a book three in this series, but I certainly hope so because I’d like to see what happened to Camille, what consequences she took on when she did what she did, and if there was still someone better at the ‘game’ than she thought she was.

 

Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth Blog Tour and Book Review

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, book 7 in the Sheriff Hank Worth series. It seems these can also be read as standalones, but the characters’ personalities are well developed so I suspect reading this series in order might not be a bad idea.

Sheriff Hank Worth – he’s not just dealing with the crime at hand, he’s dealing with a couple of home situations that are totally relatable. They involve his wife (Maggie), his children, and his father-in-law. There’s a deeper story there, which makes me think book 6 would be a good one to pick up for a better understanding.

Maggie, Hank’s wife – she works in the ER so every time a case comes through the ER doors, she has to admonish Hank.

Sam – Hank calls him his young pup. He’ll be a good investigator one day. And his girlfriend Brenna.

And my favorite character … Sheila. She works with Hank, she’s supposed to be his partner but it seems she outranks him, at least that was my take. There’s more to Sheila’s story as she walks around with a limp and sometimes a bad attitude, but her sense of humor … that is something I appreciated throughout this tale. She just drops these comments that are so spot on, she gave me a chuckle or two.

There is some history in the telling of this tale that involves Alf Bolin and what happened at what is called Murder Rocks. These rocks are now located on the Fackrells’ land, their family having been there for quite a long time. There’s a podcast. There are treasure hunters. There are crimes involved which is where Hank, Sheila, and Sam come in. There are innocent folks, guilty folks, and just a lot of things happening throughout the solving of the crimes. There are some backstories that include the Worth family, Sheila’s limp, and of course the podcast owner.

I liked all these tidbits of individual stories laced together, coupled with Sheila’s sense of humor, to get to the end result. I kind of figured out the whodunnit but I wasn’t sure of the why or the how. I’d be interested in reading more of Hank and Sheila’s adventures.

 

Find Ms. Booth:

Website: https://clairebooth.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/clairebooth10

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claireboothauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claire.booth10

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/claire-booth

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875842.Claire_Booth

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Throwing-Shadows-Sheriff-Worth-Mystery/dp/1448313880/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1E3Q0PYAOLAHN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qVCxSPAHfb5QQtqmicXiug.MyhLVQipwvfyBDvkmcUd3iVLK9JNi0IsNknmatz5mAE&dib_tag=se&keywords=throwing+shadows+claire+booth&qid=1751635116&sprefix=throwing+shadows%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/throwing-shadows-claire-booth/1146986151?ean=9781448313914

 

 

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The Girl Who Survived by Lisa Jackson Book Review

 

This is another book I’ve had on my Kindle for quite some time. I shouldn’t have taken so long to read it.

This book has everything I like in this genre. It started out right away with what happened twenty years ago. A very brutal, very gruesome crime against a family.

Fast forward twenty years … we are taken through Kara’s turmoil, how she meets Wesley Tate, and a couple of detectives who are assigned to reopen this very old, very cold case. We are also introduced to one of Kara’s stepbrothers, Jonas.

The other thing I liked about this one is that it takes place in my home state, Oregon, so mentions of various cities throughout Oregon took me back to my childhood for a moment.

I also liked the pacing of this one … it seemed to move rather quickly in some spots, petered out when a clue would be a dead end, and then picked up again when Detective Thomas caught an idea and had to follow it. There were quite a few turns in this one which kept me guessing. I honestly thought I had it figured out … no, I was wrong, turned out the whodunnit was someone totally different than the one I picked out. That’s another thing I liked about this one, the surprise of the whodunnit. I also liked the relationships that developed between the characters through these pages, Tate and Kara, Detective Thomas and Detective Johnson, Jonas and Kara, Jonas and Mia, to name a few.

I will warn more sensitive readers that some of the descriptions are quite vivid, not as vivid as some I’ve read, but still … there is one scene near the end that is quite ugly to say the least. If you have a squeamish stomach or have nightmares easily, just be prepared.

Red Flags by Lisa Black Book Review

 

Dr. Ellie Carr … how can she possibly have an unbiased opinion when the parents of Mason are her relatives? And, what happened to Mason? He was just a baby and couldn’t have done anything wrong. She expected the unthinkable.

Taylor – a very intelligent 11-year-old. She kept calling Mason the ‘dragon baby.’ Why?

Becca and Hunter – Taylor and Mason’s parents. Becca is also Ellie’s cousin, though they have been out of touch for quite a long time.

Rachael Davies – she works for the Locard Institute. Hunter hired the Locard to help in assisting to find Mason.

Ellie and Rachael also had their own opinions about each other. I liked those internal thoughts that were scattered throughout the telling of this tale.

There was also another crime involved that I wasn’t expecting, and the why of it made sense as I was finishing this book. As it finally did to Ellie when everything clicked into place.

I liked the fact that Becca and Hunter thought they had to be in control of everything and everyone in order to accomplish what they needed to do. I liked the fact that Hunter and Becca came face-to-face with each other when they were confronted with their wrongdoings, but yet continued to maintain a united front. Odd really, considering the depths of one of their crimes, but made for an interesting read.

And when it finally clicked for Ellie? I liked how it was all tied up and explained in the end. It all made sense when the ending came together, at least it did for me.

 

Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli Book Review

 

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. I’ve had it sitting on my Kindle for a while. Since one of my goals is to finish some of my eBooks, I gave this one a read.

It’s a ghost story! It’s a story with a crime or two or three involved. It’s a story that has a message behind it.

I was actually entertained with the antics of Meghan, Brecia, and Skye. As we learn from the blurb of this tale, they all had one thing in common. Since all three of these ladies were in the afterlife their way of getting around was so much easier. They haunted the guy who did them wrong.

And he thought he was oh-so smart, trying to stay three steps ahead of whatever organization was after him.

I’ve never read a book that was based on the opinions or point of view of ghostly beings. I also found myself appreciating the larger message that is in this tale. It may not always go by the name of Andrea, but read those signs … follow your instincts … ask for help if you need it.

Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black Book Review

Leave it to me to read book 6 of 6 in this series. I found myself really enjoying the characters of Maggie and Jack.

Having never ‘met’ Maggie and Jack before, I was taken by their relationship, one based on something that happened to Maggie … something Jack did that neither one could forget or talk about. Enter Maggie’s ex-husband Rick who wanted nothing more than to figure out Jack’s real motives. There are a couple of other police folks in the mix since this is what I would consider a police procedural.

There are crimes involving the worst of the worst and some telephone scams that Shanaya had a hand in.

What I especially enjoyed about this author’s writing is the sense of humor that came through, even in the worst of times. I also enjoyed Maggie’s inner dialogue which seemed to be spot in, not to mention her thoughts surrounding Jack, especially near the end of this tale. I also enjoyed that there was essentially more than one story spread throughout these pages, keeping my interest.

Having not read the other 5 books in this series, I have to wonder if there will be more to Maggie and Jack’s story. Certainly this can’t be the end when they are seemingly just now figuring things out between the two of them.

They Came At Night by Westley Smith Blog Tour and Book Review

 

I don’t even know where to start with this one. I could’ve easily devoured this in one sitting had I had the time. I imagine this would be a really good audio book, especially if it included different character voices and the ghoulish vibe that this book possesses.

Essentially, Sandra is reconnecting with her family after being absent for five years. She suffered a horrific trauma at the hands of another and needed to get herself back together, learn to deal with her trauma, and in the process of healing she also learned to defend herself so no one would ever hurt her again – physically or emotionally.

In her absence, her niece, Emalyn, did not understand why her Aunt Sonnie had disappeared. She was only a 9-year-old girl when Aunt Sonnie left their family. Now, five years later, at the age of 14, she wasn’t quite sure what to make of Sandra. Was Aunt Sonnie really under the tough exterior?

Sandra’s sister, Carrie, and Carrie’s husband, William, thought this family get-together was a good idea. And a surprise guest was Sandra and Carrie’s mother, Janis.

Janis – the mother Sandra had come to dislike, and seemingly Janis disliked Sandra. Wait until you find out why. Wait until you find out about the incident that dissolved their hard feelings toward one another.

Helga – what a character Helga turned out to be. You’ll find her and her boss, Richter, later in the book. This tale had to have a couple of bad guys, and Helga … she was a master bad guy.

I have to warn more sensitive readers that some of the scenes depicted throughout these pages are quite graphic. I am not a squeamish reader, but some of the scenes described made me cringe just a little bit. This is a talent that I have come to appreciate with this author’s writing style – the way he can describe something so terrible with just words alone – he paints a pretty grisly picture, beyond ugly in some cases. I liked the ghoulish vibe that I got while reading these pages, oddly enough.

There is definitely a bad vibe that hangs over this small town called Little Hope, which really is a masterful name for this small town. And the big corporation who came in to take over? Rest and Relax (R&R for short) … that just adds to the feeling that this small town would be peaceful, but it is anything but. If you like a very dark read and aren’t afraid to read past your bedtime with the lights off, I highly recommend you pick this one up.

 

Find Mr. Smith:

Website: https://westleysmithbooks.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CRF6PN74/about?ccs_id=d5f4fe0a-2dd4-4e6c-9576-640fd0577f95

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westleysmith100

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6848676.Westley_Smith

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/westley-smith

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wsmithbooks/?next=%2Fwsmithbooks%2F

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/They-Came-Night-Westley-Smith/dp/196554617X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UADR9ZJTFX61&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6oQ5OpKhHvmekvFsYQvM6g.AFUUXRKGlqiG8vnPH4WCijFQEbAITiO0VDz7EDFcK_0&dib_tag=se&keywords=they+came+at+night+westley+smith&qid=1748788806&sprefix=they+came+at+night%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/they-came-at-night-westley-smith/1147486224?ean=9781965546178

 

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Shadowed Witness by Angela Carlisle

 

Allye what have you gotten yourself into?

Allye apparently saw something that she wasn’t supposed to when she left her studio one evening. This did not bode well for her as strange things began happening. To top it off, Allye was also dealing with some health issues that she was keeping a secret … even from her own family.

Eric … this is the kind of man you want around. Not only does he work with the police, he is also a protector. He didn’t realize that he had feelings for Allye until he was trying to piece together what was happening to her … or was anything happening to her? He also picked up on the fact that Allye just wasn’t Allye – looking tired, worn down, not her usual perky self, not the Allye he had known.

There are also some intertwining smaller stories throughout these pages – Corina and Bryce, Dion and Lucky, Chief McHenry and whether he could be trusted, Allye’s mom and Mayor Jennings, Hailey and Wesly, Allye getting ready for the annual arts festival (this endeared Allye to me as I could relate to what that entails).

Allye also had an interesting habit. Whenever she was feeling stressed, tired, or just needed to work something out, she would pick up her knitting needles. She was so talented at it and knew her patterns so well, she could knit with her eyes closed. That is a feat in and of itself and made her a relatable character, I thought.

I liked how this story progressed and that there were many other smaller stories intermixed that all blended together. There were some happy endings and some not-so-happy endings when all was said and done. And the whodunnit in this tale? Totally unexpected. It will be interesting to see what Eric and Allye get up to the next time we read about them.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shadowed-Witness-Secrets-Kincaid-Carlisle/dp/0764242512/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4I886NB39MMS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.elYMEAk-TM605CFP2rck4CM6UOICCVzGnLftgkiK_dR2FMKuMfDJzpMiJIgdl9wouB8t5hlrhCHS3MWKHiWXtvXOP7LEeXsDVjSwEuC1facCQfCZXfY01iVDcV65ReLgoOTiR6DzUt4CS6G16AwNqBlon6pOt3PJsYOUiE8JkDNWRTdCI25ilcsTnJMxfoX2.QSPM3sXdgEl2ISfvC3lcaZtodcOkBRsChBPssXUGq70&dib_tag=se&keywords=shadowed+witness&qid=1751634589&s=digital-text&sprefix=shadowed+witness%2Cdigital-text%2C792&sr=1-1-catcorr

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadowed-witness-angela-carlisle/1146440692?ean=9780764242519

 

Find Ms. Carlisle:

Website: https://angelacarlisle.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaCarlisle.Writer/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/secondary-target-the-secrets-of-kincaid-by-angela-carlisle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/43655940.Angela_Carlisle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelacarlislewriter/

 

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