Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray Blurb and Book Review (Re-Post)

 

BLURB:

She took on titans, battled generals, and changed the world as we know it…

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating and dramatic new novel about an American heroine Frances Perkins.

Raised on tales of her revolutionary ancestors, Frances Perkins arrives in New York City at the turn of the century, armed with her trusty parasol and an unyielding determination to make a difference.

When she’s not working with children in the crowded tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, Frances throws herself into the social scene in Greenwich Village, befriending an eclectic group of politicians, artists, and activists, including the millionaire socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, the flirtatious budding author Sinclair Lewis, and the brilliant but troubled reformer Paul Wilson, with whom she falls deeply in love.

But when Frances meets a young lawyer named Franklin Delano Roosevelt at a tea dance, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. She thinks he’s a rich, arrogant dilettante who gets by on a handsome face and a famous name. He thinks she’s a priggish bluestocking and insufferable do-gooder. Neither knows it yet, but over the next twenty years, they will form a historic partnership that will carry them both to the White House.

Frances is destined to rise in a political world dominated by men, facing down the Great Depression as FDR’s most trusted lieutenant—even as she struggles to balance the demands of a public career with marriage and motherhood. And when vicious political attacks mount and personal tragedies threaten to derail her ambitions, she must decide what she’s willing to do—and what she’s willing to sacrifice—to save a nation.

 

MY REVIEW:

I am not a history buff by any means. And, I usually do not like reading in the historical genre. To me, a historical read needs to be interesting to hold my attention. I don’t like books that are filled with so many facts and figures that my mind spins.

I found myself to be quite invested in the tale of Miss Frances Perkins whom I have never heard of until now. This book documents her personal life as well as her life in the political world, which was quite unheard of back in the early 1900s. This book really sets a tone for the time period and brings to life Miss Perkins and her struggles.

To say I really enjoyed the reading of this tale would be an understatement. I was able to get a ‘real feel’ of Miss Perkins and her personality, her struggles with the political world and her home life. I liked the fact that her husband’s illness was handled delicately and with discretion as was appropriate to the time. I even enjoyed reading about her reactions when she would be offered a job because, again, it was unheard of for a woman to be in the political realm in the time period.

We have Miss Perkins to thank for a lot of things that women are entitled to in this day and age. Read it … you won’t be disappointed.

Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks Book Review

It would appear I now have another go-to author on my growing list of favorite authors. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m sure it won’t be my last. I devoured most of this one in one sitting. I was that intrigued and invested in the story of Harriet and Charlotte.

Charlotte is the best friend of Harriet, in fact the only friend of Harriet. Harriet moved to Dorset at her husband Brian’s insistence. It all started when Charlotte was tasked with taking Alice, Harriet and Brian’s daughter, to a school fair. How wrong that went! Charlotte herself had some issues that she also kept buried.

Harriet asked Charlotte to take Alice to the fair because she was enrolled in a bookkeeping class. These two things, leaving Alice with someone else and the class, were different for Harriet being somewhat of a recluse. Why did Harriet ask Charlotte to watch Alice when she had never left Alice with anyone before? Harriet also found out a truth that she was least expecting.

Brian … the husband. He certainly gives off some vibes that are none too pleasant.

Angela … the police liaison. I think she was picking up more going on in Brian and Harriet’s relationship than she actually admitted to.

Detective Rawlings … she sure had some eyerolling moments trying to get to the truth.

This tale is told in the voice of Charlotte and the voice of Harriet, and I was impressed with the differences in the two voices but the same storyline as to what happened. This is the kind of book I like to read – one that keeps you guessing until the end. I thought I had this one figured out, wrong. Then, I thought I had it figured out again, wrong.

I will add that this tale of master manipulation may be triggering to some readers who have ‘been there, done that.’ I found myself relating to Harriet regarding being manipulated by Brian with words alone, not many books have affected me on that level. Please know if you have experienced anything like that you are seen, you are heard, you are valued.

What's Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker Book Review

 

Hannah … I had to admire this journalist’s persistence and resilience. She found herself without a job, without a boyfriend, without a steady place to be. Off she goes to Senatobia to take care of her mamaw (grandmother). Along the way, she finds a new job, a few new friends, and a story she cannot let go.

Hannah was ‘banished’ to the basement to put all the old files into a computer system. In the boringness of doing this task, she ran across a letter from a woman named Evelyn. To say it piqued her interest is mild. This was it! This was her chance to redeem herself.

Senatobia is a town in Mississippi, and Evelyn’s story was from the 1930s. Way back then … well, let’s just say some folks haven’t changed their minds in today’s world about certain things, so when Hannah forms a friendship with Guy, the local schoolteacher, some folks didn’t approve. I, personally, was rooting for them! I enjoyed reading about the attraction these two had for each other, yet they didn’t know what to do about it. Their budding relationship was full of ups and downs.

Hannah also was dealing with a lot of self-doubt which would throw her mind into a bunch of chaos.

But, chasing Evelyn’s story gave her purpose, gave her something to cling to, gave her someone she could relate to (granted Evelyn was long-since gone).

I had no idea that this story was actually based on a true story from the author’s own family tree until I read the Acknowledgements. That made it, to me at least, more interesting. What happened to Evelyn way back then, or to anyone, should not have happened. I was actually shocked when the big reveal of what happened to her was revealed.

In this story, you’ll find politics, broken relationships, healing relationships, major family dynamics, an attraction between two people who didn’t know what to do with that attraction, healing for Hannah, personal growth for Hannah, the closing of the newspaper the Record which was kind of healing in a sense, and a perseverance to find a truth that no one wanted exposed.

Murder in the Appalachians by Susan Furlong New Release and Book Review

 

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

On the run in the mountains…

with a killer on their trail.

After unearthing secrets from her late brother’s police notebook, journalist Emma Hayes discovers his death was no accident—he was murdered. Only someone doesn’t want Emma to find out the connection to the cold case her brother was investigating…and they’ll kill to keep it that way. Now Emma must rely on local ER doctor Logan Greer to help her stay alive and follow a trail of elusive evidence. But as they unravel a conspiracy, they realize that the killer could be anyone hiding in the mountains…

 

My Review:

This book started out like I like mysteries to start … with Emma getting right into the heart of matters. Her twin brother, Daniel, has left her some clues in a notebook in one of their childhood hiding spots and someone decided they wanted the information contained within said notebook.

Following her brother’s clues, Emma finds herself in all kinds of trouble and meets the handsome Logan Greer, the local ER doctor, but Logan has his own set of issues and wasn’t expecting to meet anyone as captivating to him as Emma.

I enjoyed reading about how Emma and Logan went in search of clues, how Sheriff Pruitt was getting exasperated with these two amateur detectives, how some of the local characters were involved, and finally who the whodunnit turned out to be. I liked all the intertwining backstories and how each of these characters battled with their faith, coming full circle to an ending that was satisfying to me as a reader. Emma and Logan have just the right amount of attraction for my particular reading taste, the right amount of inner struggles with their faith. I also liked the pacing of this tale and all the ‘smaller’ characters that helped bring color to the telling of this tale.

Tempest of Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright New Release

 

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

Where the lighthouse no longer illuminates, ghostly lore and legends emerge . . .

1874
A battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior's southern shore. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the lake's unforgiving waves years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, more is at stake than reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel's as well.

Present Day
Author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic Michigan mining town to seek clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse's landlord, Shea contends with the legend of Annabel's vengeful ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the truth about a current murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel's lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight between torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love.

. . . demanding vengeance for secrets that should have drowned a century before.

No Rest for the Wicked by Wes Blalock New Release

 

Help me congratulate Wes on his new release! Here are the details:

National Parks are thought of as places of safety, right before people disappear into the woods, run off the edge of a cliff, or find themselves impaled on the wrong end of an elk. But while tourists may view parks as nothing more than playgrounds or theme parks with more mosquitoes, the wilderness offers ample shadows where motives can be hidden, evidence can be lost, and dangerous people can conduct their nefarious affairs. Accompany Cary Valley National Park Law Enforcement Park Ranger Huittsuu “Birdie” McLaren as she protects visitors to California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains and:

• Rescues CalFire Firefighters cut off—accidentally or by design—by a raging wildfire.
• Hangs off the side of a mountain after the rescue of a climber goes horribly wrong.
• Recovers the body of a woman who died in a suspicious fall.
• Finds footprints in the snow that lead to a deeper, darker secret.
• Tracks a mysterious, deadly animal loose in the park, its presence already responsible for one visitor death.
• Moonlights as a dishwasher following a traumatic event, only to discover a newer, uglier truth.
• Finds a special young woman searching for answers to a century old mystery.
• Leads a posse of deputies into the burning wilderness to capture a group of runaway prisoners.
• Is snatched by sadistic killers and must fight to find a way out.
• Learns the depths of love and loss while investigating the death of a family in the park.
• Assists in tracking a kidnapper and his victim in a desperate race to save a young girl.

Plus, join some of Birdie’s allies, acquaintances, and friends as they feature in their own stories included in this collection.

Beyond The Cemetery Gate by Valerie Biel

 

This book apparently falls into the young adult genre category, but I think it would appeal to just about anyone who likes an amateur sleuth tale.

Young Chloe hears voices one night that wake her up. Outside the young lady goes, only to find something she was not expecting – her dad. Unfortunately, Chloe has had to learn to lie … perhaps stretch the truth and/or make some pretty big omissions in order to be the amateur sleuth she thinks she is. She also discovers a friendship in Jarvis that she wasn’t expecting. More on that in the book – young teenage romance is an underlying story here. All Chloe really wants is the truth and she believes the police aren’t doing their job, much to the chagrin of the police chief.

I was quite entertained by Chloe and her antics, all the running around she did just to avoid being caught, so to speak, with her sleuthing. She gets herself into a few predicaments along the way, but also discovers who her true friends are and who she can trust. Chloe also seems to be quite a resourceful and smart young lady, and wait until you read about the police chief’s estimation of her abilities. And the truths Chloe uncovers along the way…

Molly is the colorful character in this tale with her fascination with bright red, a poodle skirt, and her own diner. Maggie is another character that I’d like to know more about and perhaps I will get that opportunity through this series. I will be interested to see what Maggie and Chloe get up to next as they delve into the new relationship they’ve had to develop.

 

Find Ms. Biel:

Website: https://valeriebiel.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/ValerieBiel

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

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-biel

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8601221.Valerie_Biel

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Cemetery-Gate-Daughter-Mysteries/dp/0998173649/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2TXX0FP3MR6UD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4c6d5hh_o8Q9LtShR75FYQ.cr-vZXPnYa0j8ey57RVSIMgjuGG241UejdHU6zO2ayg&dib_tag=se&keywords=beyond+the+cemetery+gate+valerie+biel&qid=1738162306&sprefix=beyond+the+cem%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beyond-the-cemetery-gate-valerie-biel/1146282432?ean=9780998173641

 

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Burn It All Down by W.A. Pepper New Book Release

 

I am told this is the last one in this 4-book series.

Help me congratulate W.A. Pepper on his newest release! Here’s the blurb:

A sinister corporate giant. A cruel government agency. Can an escaped hackvict and his crew survive the final showdown?

Tanto carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Determined to take down his enemies once and for all, he sets up a hack to expose their prison machine as a ruthless enslavement of humans. But when the operation goes horribly wrong, the nonviolent Bushido follower suffers another tragic loss.

Targeted as Public Enemy Number One, Tanto and his cyber team go on the run searching for allies. But as he races toward an inevitable confrontation, he encounters one last devastating betrayal.

Can Tanto destroy the evil alliance without paying a deadly price?

Burn It All Down is the compelling final book in the Tanto thriller series. If you like clever characters, unpredictable twists, and raw emotional suspense, then you’ll love W.A. Pepper’s gripping page turner.

Read Burn It All Down today to see how it all ends!

Someone Had to Lie by Jack Luellen New Book Release

 

I am late posting this, published March 11, 2025.

Help me congratulate Jack on his newest release! Here’s the blurb:

Some cases never let you go.

Reeling from the sudden death of a close friend, James Butler and Erica Walsh are pulled back into the shadow world of Mexican cartels and the CIA. Seeking to avenge the murder of their friend with only his haphazard notes to guide them, they puzzle through the possible connections searching for anything concrete. As they investigate his murder, and his notes, they find unsettling links between drug trafficking, American gangs, the CIA, and the opioid epidemic.

Determined to find the truth hidden among cases they thought were long closed, Butler and Walsh call on friends and colleagues to help them survive the crosshairs that got their friend killed. With the threat spreading across more of their contacts, they must uncover the truth before they are buried in lies.

The James Butler mysteries from Jack Luellen seamlessly weave fact with fiction, introducing nonfiction material in the midst of fast-paced murder mysteries.

 

Twist of Time by Gy Waldron Blog Tour and Book Review

 

I had no idea what to expect with this read, but I really like the cover. Yes, I’m one of those who picks a book based on the cover and I like to discover new authors.

In short, this book involves the uncovering of a diary that has been around for at least 700 years. Brychan, a Knight Templar, was charged with keeping this diary safe and he was also tasked with keeping a treasure chest safe as well. This was centuries ago.

Fast forward to the current time when Detective Sgt. Kate Flynn was tasked with solving some crimes and, in doing so, she met Brother Thomas. Their search for answers and the solving of these crimes led them to Scotland. Enter some really bad folks who solely wanted the diary for other purposes, but more importantly they wanted the treasure chest.

There is also this character Fallon. I’m not exactly sure what he was trying to do in getting his hands on the diary and the treasure chest, but he was also up to no good of his own.

There is quite a correlation between Brychan and Sara (a Gypsy he encountered in his ventures) and Kate and Thomas. I found the Knights Templar history a bit much for my personal taste, BUT I was intrigued with the overlapping of the past to the present. It was also interesting to me, near the end of this tale, who Kate partnered with to catch the bad guy and the motivations of the one she partnered with. I was also intrigued with how Kate started out with one frame of mind and then ended up with another, on many different levels. Definitely quite interesting to read about the Knights Templar and how they served their own form of justice, swiftly, back in those days.

 

Find Mr. Waldrom:

Website: https://www.gy-waldron.com/

Amazon Profile: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gy-Waldron/author/B00JHCQNX0?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6508559.Gy_Waldron

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Twist-Time-Gy-Waldron/dp/B0D9PLJHDZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15NE8Q7N09D11&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LKIzasImP4EPW-0f_sFrNA.A-DZumrB9fP7Q_jBX7z576BdCY-OKfkjQOXa_oAqSnE&dib_tag=se&keywords=twist+of+time+by+gy+waldron&qid=1737929437&sprefix=twist+of+time%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twist-of-time-gy-waldron/1112641027?ean=9798869378163

 

Interested in your own book tour?

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The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright Book Review

 

This book is written by one of my favorite authors. Who likes a good ghost story? Misty Wayfair is your girl if you do.

I like the way the past collides into the present and the many correlations between the two.

In this tale, the past takes place in 1908 where Thea finds herself taken in by the Mendelsohns. Mr. Mendelsohn teaches her the art of photography, but not just any photography – they go around taking pictures of those family members who have passed on. Fast forward and Thea finds herself on her own and meeting Mr. Amos in her many travels. She puts herself in a position to be of help to Mr. Amos and along the way she meets Simeon Coyle through a client of hers. There is an instant attraction … or perhaps it’s just curiosity on Thea’s part. The more she gets to know Simeon, the more she discovers some truths … some she wasn’t ready for.

Moving to the present we are introduced to Heidi who finds herself in almost the same situation, traveling back home at the request of her mother … but does her mother remember anything? Or was the letter she received simply the meanderings of an old woman? She meets and takes a liking to Connie and her family – Emma (daughter), Rhett (the good-looking son) who play an integral part in this tale.

I liked the fact that Thea and Heidi both discovered their inner strength, making them strong women in my estimation. I liked that both of them had this never-give-up attitude about them, even though they wanted to, and that they each found a comfort in the men they encountered – not that they needed the men, just that they were able to draw strength from them. And Emma? I liked her straightforwardness. I liked the fact that both of these women were able to become parts of the families, in a sense, that they were drawn to. Even Heidi and her sister Vicki’s not getting along added to this story. And Misty Wayfair – the question is: Did she really exist?

Unstable by Alexandra Ivy Book Review

 

For the last couple years, I’ve been telling myself I want to get some of the older books on my Kindle list read. So far, so good, though it is a slow process.

I don’t know why I waited so long to read this particular book. It falls in the romantic suspense genre and I liked it! I liked the attraction between Zac and Rachel (Mac’s ex-wife) who had come back to town to try and find answers to one of the cold cases she was working on. They had been divorced for years, but they still carried a torch for each other. This is the kind of ‘romance’ I like to read. The tension between the two of these characters due to their attraction was just enough, stepping over that line was just enough for my particular reading preference.

I liked that there was not just one crime these two were trying to solve, the many ups and downs leading them down a path only to veer off in another direction entirely. I thought I had this one figured out, especially with one particular scene but I was totally wrong and the whodunit – totally was not expecting that. In fact, when the whodunit was revealed, I thought to myself, “Who?”

This is book three in the Pike, Wisconsin, series. I had no idea this was a series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. I liked these characters, so at some point I’m probably going to read the rest of the series. If you like romantic suspense and a series, give this one a go.

The Author by Jeff Scott New Book Release

 

Help me congratulate Jeff on his newest release! Here’s the blurb:

In the quaint, coastal towns of Southern Maine, where the sea whispers secrets to those who dare to listen, Ian Walker is on the brink of becoming a renowned novelist. With every new book, his star rises higher. But Ian holds a secret obsession—an insatiable compulsion to read every review of his work on Amazon and peruse every critique in online literary circles.

The words of his critics linger in his mind, fueling dark fantasies. But when those who disparage his work begin to meet untimely deaths, Ian is confronted with a chilling question: Could his thoughts be manifesting into sinister reality? Each murder forces Ian to question his own sanity and morality. He doesn’t remember committing these crimes, yet a shadow of doubt haunts him.

Detectives John Harris and Lia Morgan are on a relentless pursuit for the truth. As they trace the threads leading back to Ian, the line between guilt and innocence blurs. In a world of deception and psychological warfare, can Ian uncover the truth before he becomes the ultimate culprit?

The Author is a gripping thriller filled with twists and turns, where every review could be a death sentence and every thought a potential crime.

 

Missing in Flight by Audrey J. Cole New Book Release

 

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

Rushing back to her seat, Makayla Rossi is relieved that all’s still quiet. But when she checks on her sleeping baby, relief morphs into fear. The bassinet is empty.

Liam is gone.

It was a long flight from Anchorage to New York, and with every flight attendant busy, Makayla reluctantly ran to the restroom, asking a seat neighbor to watch her son. She stepped away for just a few minutes. Yet at thirty thousand feet, he still vanished.

Passengers and crew scour the plane to no avail, and since no one recalls seeing her with a baby, suspicions begin to mount about Makayla’s mental state. She’s certain this is nothing like her mother’s on-air memory meltdown. If only Jack, her husband, were there. He would believe her. A high-profile banker featured in Forbes, maybe he could even help.

But Makayla is squarely on her own. And she’ll have to think fast in order to find her son―before it’s too late.

 

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason Blog Tour and Book Review

This is book 3 in the Lake City Heroes series, but I believe (at least for myself) it can be read as a standalone; however, I’d be interested in reading the rest of the series and finding out more about the main characters – Jesslyn and Nathan. They have a sizzle that exists, but neither one knows what to do about it. Nathan because he wants to respect Jesslyn’s boundaries and Jesslyn because she’s facing a past she can’t let go of.

Jesslyn is a fire marshal, in fact the new fire marshal, and is sent out to investigate some crimes that seemingly are personal. Nathan is part of the FBI team assigned to give her a helping hand. Not to mention the rest of their team. What I like about this team that has formed is they have known each other for years and have become a family, ever protective when one of their own is in trouble. They come running to the rescue, to help, to provide support.

I also liked the backstory of Jesslyn’s past and the reason behind why she became a fire marshal. There is also a backstory that involves Nathan and his past, and the relationship between Nathan and his brother, Eli. Some truths were revealed in the telling of their tale, one that Nathan was not expecting. Jesslyn also found out some truths from her Aunt Carol that she was shocked to learn.

There is also an underlying theme of holding fast to one’s faith, which is something Nathan and Jesslyn struggled with in the hard times, but they still held fast and true.

I am interested to see how Jesslyn and Nathan’s relationship develops, what happens to Eli. I also liked the author’s writing style and how she was able to capture the description of the fires she was describing, making the reader feel like they were really there experiencing it. Check out her website – it looks like there are a ton more books to read!

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Serial-Burn-Lake-City-Heroes-ebook/dp/B0DH5LWZ4D/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ExEwc&content-id=amzn1.sym.bc3ba8d1-5076-4ab7-9ba8-a5c6211e002d&pf_rd_p=bc3ba8d1-5076-4ab7-9ba8-a5c6211e002d&pf_rd_r=137-4040560-8682302&pd_rd_wg=gqWzv&pd_rd_r=02b3d660-bfb3-4db6-8566-696d7d02b320&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serial-burn-lynette-eason/1145837691?ean=9780800741211

 

Find Ms. Eason:

Website: https://lynetteeason.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynette.eason

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynette-eason

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1091207

Twitter: https://x.com/lynetteeason

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

 

Interested in your own book tour?

Partners in Crime: https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/

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The Therens: Secrets Beneath Scar by Cyndi Brec New Release

Help me congratulate Cyndi on her new release! Here's the blurb and an excerpt:

HOPE CARRIES A CRUEL PRICE AND DEMANDS PAYMENT.

Sixteen-year-old Callie Tresham is haunted by her parents’ brutal murder—an assassination she foresaw. As she struggles to conceal the curse of her supernatural powers, she faces a new trial, surviving public school.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS AN ACCIDENT.

When a menacing photo ignites a quest for truth, the origin of Callie’s powers exposes the threat of a sinister conspiracy. She’ll have to use every skill in her arsenal to outsmart a relentless adversary who wants her dead.

SHE MAKES A DANGEROUS BARGAIN.

Yet, the deal grows deadlier. The threats increase, the romance grows cold, and the death toll rises. Everyone has a price or secret to exploit. Worse, she finds legends are codes revealing history’s dangerous truths.

She has two choices: conquer or die.

 

EXCERPT:

I’ve always thought memories shaped my future, which is not so much different than how music can affect my mood, especially when I moved my fingers across the guitar’s neck, strumming a softer note. The minor chords set a deep tone and sometimes cut through the pain, but lately, the melody echoed as strongly as the danger of my faulty visions.

Death didn’t always announce itself, but I should’ve felt or seen it coming. Yet, deciphering images of danger were as deceptive as piecing together sections of my broken past. Clarity was a skill polished by someone with experienced judgment, not a freaky seer with vision malfunctions.

If I’ve learned anything, the discrepancies between the past, present, and future are a never-ending circle. I’m stuck between who I am, who I want to be, and who I should be.

 

Her First Mistake by Kaira Lockwood Book Review

 

Where are my series readers? Where are my readers who like small towns with big city problems? You’ll find those in The Harpring Saga series, this being book one.

That’s where Gwen finds herself after she gets a promotion at work – Harpring, the town where she grew up and was all too eager to leave. Never did she think she’d go back. The problem – her husband, Max.

So far, what I like about this series:

Gwen – finding her backbone to stand up to Max.

Sherry – Gwen’s coworker and best friend. Sometimes Gwen’s voice of reason.

Max – the ex-husband. I like his ‘bad’ attitude and am interested to see what he gets up to next.

Kal – Gwen’s long-time ago sweetheart. There is a bit of sizzle when Gwen returns.

Hattie – the investigative reporter.

Jocelyn – the owner of the company Gwen, Sherry, and Hattie work for. I think there’s more to Jocelyn than what has been revealed.

The fact that Harpring is a small town with big problems appeals to me. I am looking forward to seeing what these folks get up to next.

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker New Release

 

Help me congratulate Chad on his newest release! Here’s the blurb:

Propelled on a cross-country chase, devoted parents become desperate fugitives in a heart-racing novel of suspense by the author of Family Money and All He Has Left.

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. Overnight everything was turned upside down, when the child’s mother bled to death on their front doorstep. Her last words: He’s coming here…for her! Save her. Afraid, bewildered, and with a baby in their arms, they fled. The longer they hid, the guiltier they looked.

Now in a small Colorado town under assumed identities, they’ve been seemingly safe. But when a tip exposes them and Cole is framed for another murder, they take it on the run again, barreling across the western US―this time with a confused and resistant teenage girl awakening to a terrifying new reality. In the rearview is the relentless FBI agent who has never given up the hunt. And he’s not the only one.

Every frightening mile brings a family closer to the truth about that fateful night thirteen years ago. And to a killer who’s determined to finish what he started.

 

No Child of Mine by Nichelle Giraldes Book Review

 

Where are my ghostly readers, those who like a good ghost story that has been handed down from generation to generation? This one is for you!

Essie (present day) and her husband Sanjay have moved into a house, though they had no idea what this house had in store for them.

Ana and Isabel (from the past) are quite interesting ladies. Back in their day, their relationship was forbidden; thus, their families married them off to men as, I believe, they figured their relationship would slowly dwindle. And, through each of their marriages, Ana and Isabel each had an inner strength that came through loud and clear.

Not to mention the family curse that had been handed down through the generations because of a deal that was made a very long time ago. Essie, while she believed in the curse, while scared to face her fears of the slinky darkness, refused to let Sanjay be taken.

This read definitely has a dark vibe and pulls the past into the present. The way the author described the darkness and the smell Essie smelled made me feel like I could almost smell the same thing, almost feel the darkness closing in. I liked the dark vibe of this one, the way Essie faced her fears in many ways, the way she found the truth that wrapped around her own parents and this inherited, if you will, family curse. I’d be interested in reading more by this author just for the visualizations she portrays through the use of words. If anyone is a holiday-themed reader, this would be good around Halloween.

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling New Release and Book Review

 

Help me congratulate Josh on his newest release! Here’s the blurb:

It's time to put the past to rest…

Ben Packard was just a boy when his older brother disappeared. Ben watched him walk out the back door of their grandparents' house and into the cold night.

His brother was never seen again.

Decades later, Deputy Packard finds himself with too much time on his hands. A shooting has him on leave and under investigation, and all he can do is dwell on the past. For the first time in years, new information about his brother has surfaced that may lead them to the location of a body.

The midwinter ground is frozen solid. Worse, Packard is cut off from department resources. As he strikes out to finally uncover the truth behind his brother's disappearance, he stumbles on a separate, suspicious death. A tenuous connection exists between the two cases, and as Packard starts to dig, he meets fierce resistance from friends and foes alike who want him to stand down.

The winter is long and cold. By the end of it, Packard will risk everything to catch a killer and reveal the shocking truth about his brother.

 

My Review:

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early copy of this one which is book 3 in this author’s series which includes the main character, Ben Packard. Book one, And There He Kept Her, and book two, Where the Dead Sleep. I practically devoured A Long Time Gone in a couple of days, but another book got in the way.

Book two found Ben on admin leave and here in book three he is back on duty, just not at his regular job, which really irked Ben, especially since … well, you have to read book two to know that part. In book three, Ben finds himself involved in a situation at the courthouse that leads him down a road he wasn’t expecting to follow, but it woke up the detective part of his personality so down the road he went. This road led him down some meandering paths, which led him back to the main road.

The thing about Ben is he asks questions, and he keeps asking questions until he gets the answers he knows exist. Some of his questions irk other folks, even those who are purportedly his superiors. They just don’t like him looking too hard at things.

Ben still maintains his friendship with Thielen … they have such a dry banter sort of relationship as partners. It’s quite entertaining to read them bantering back and forth.

While I still think book one is the best in this series, book three is a close runner-up. I found myself chuckling at some of the scenes, some of the dialog the author used throughout this one. I am enjoying the fact that the author is starting to show his personality, his humor, his voice in this series. Oh, and Ben’s mom? You need to ‘meet’ her! She’s one of those moms who doesn’t hold back and tells Ben like it is, even when it comes to relationships. In this one, Ben also finds himself discovering some truths, some that he was not expecting. I can only imagine what Ben will get involved with next. Be sure to watch for books four, five, six, and seven!

Darke Deeds by Lisa Sell New Release

 

Help me congratulate Lisa on her newest release. Here’s the blurb:

Careful what you wish for. You might get it and regret it.

True-crime podcasters and relatives, Angie and Violet Darke, are bored. Instead of covering small crimes, they want a huge case to solve.

It lands, literally, on their doorstep.

During renovation, a grave is discovered in Angie’s pub garden. When the identity of the body is revealed it means only one thing: murder.

As the investigation unfolds, loved ones can no longer be trusted. Devastating truths are uncovered. The Darke Deeds duo’s lives are at risk.

The present is bleak. The future seems uncertain. The past is never dead and buried.

With tension and twists throughout, this first book in the Darke Deeds series is a must-read for mystery thriller lovers.

 

Early Termination by Cindy Goyette Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Casey, a probation officer.

Betz, her ex-husband.

Marcus, an ex-probation officer.

These three characters are the main ones in this tale of early termination, an appropriate title for this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale. I enjoyed the emotional roller coaster Casey found herself on when dealing with her feelings for both Betz and Marcus, Betz because he was comfortable, and Marcus because he was so good-looking. Not to mention the tension between these two men when they came face to face.

I also enjoyed reading about the proverbial pickles Casey found herself mixed up in. The author’s sense of humor shines throughout these pages, which is something I appreciated.

There is a whole cast of other characters that bring this tale to life, some on the good side, some on the bad side. I liked the short chapters and the quick pace of the story that kept me turning the pages.

I was really rooting for Casey to make a decision between these two men; the choice she made in the end was not one I was expecting, but one I can relate to, one that was extremely important. I also like the fact that there was a dog involved and the choice she had to make when it came to said dog.

I found this to be a highly entertaining read, and I am curious to find out what Casey gets herself mixed up with next. I’m sure it’ll be a hilarious adventure, dog included.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Early-Termination-Probation-Files-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DRZ6DQWS?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/early-termination-cindy-goyette/1146798822?ean=9781685128548

 

Find Ms. Goyette:

Website: https://ccgoyette.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cindy-Goyette-Author/100077005287995/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cindy-goyette

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47341778.Cindy_Goyette

Twitter: https://x.com/cindy_ccgoyette

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy.goyette/

 

Interested in your own book tour?

Partners in Crime: https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/

Need a proofreader? I’ve got you covered - https://www.melissaproofs.com/

 

Her Hiding Place by Shannon Hollinger New Release

 

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

“Okay sweetheart,” I whisper, giving my little girl Alice a final kiss. “Now remember, after I’ve locked the door, be quiet like a mouse. I’ll come back later, I promise.” Her little face crumples as I turn to leave and my heart breaks. But I have no choice. I have to work, and I have to keep her hidden.

It’s just ten days until the new hotel opens. As I push my cleaning cart into the chandeliered honeymoon suite, I wonder how it would feel to stay here as a guest. To watch the sun rise over the ocean, to fall asleep with no fear. I’ll never know, of course. Instead, I work twelve-hour days as a maid, constantly frightened of discovery.

Alice is just three, and she’s already seen more than any child should. Hiding on this isolated island resort, where she can only come out at night, is so hard for her. But the other staff can’t know she’s here, let alone the guests when they arrive. And no one can know my secret—or what we’re really running from.

But when a massive storm cuts the island off from the mainland, my darkest fears become real. A body is found and in the shocking aftermath, someone finds out about Alice… With no means of escape, I know we are stuck on the island with a killer.

Someone has been hiding in plain sight, waiting for an opportunity to make their move. Then my worst nightmare comes true and Alice disappears. I know I can trust no one. How far will I have to go to find her? And what will happen when they find out who Alice really is…?

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, John Marrs and Daniel Hurst, Her Hiding Place is a totally gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the very first page until the final jaw-dropping, heart-racing twist.

River of Lies by James L'Etoile Blog Tour and Book Review

 

The first book in this series is Face of Greed where we are introduced to Emily Hunter and Javier Medina, her partner. I am really enjoying this series.

In this book, River of Lies, Emily and Javier have more banter which is something I enjoy. Brian is also still around. Emily and Brian’s relationship has progressed. I like this aspect of this series as well. Keeping it light but serious.

Connie – Emily’s mom. If you read Face of Greed, you know that Connie has Alzheimer’s. The author describes Connie’s actions so spot on. This disease really hits home for me. In Connie’s lucid moments, she says some things to Emily that shock her because she is, again, so spot on. Those lucid moments also give Emily hope and then Connie is lost again.

Lucinda – Javier’s mom. She is a bundle of laughs, especially when she gets under Javier’s skin about his dating … or lack thereof. She is a matchmaker for her son at heart.

Book two maintains the police procedural genre but also pulls in some politics as well, good versus bad, one man having a change of heart, or so it appears. This book also takes on a rather serious subject here in California – that of the unhoused population. I cannot even begin to imagine what that lifestyle is like, but in this tale bad things continually happen at the camps and the folks continually have to move until someone decides to stand up for them, to find out what the bad guys were doing and why.

That ending though … there are a couple of shockers I was not expecting.

I am enjoying reading about these characters and how their relationships evolve, what they find themselves involved in, and all the backstories that go with them. I look forward to more of this series.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/River-Detective-Emily-Hunter-Mystery/dp/1608095894/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FERKV7MSFGFS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fNG6C8gsybrfhkrs4ycXlJSm2kEkHonFhDow5yoALEc.yOFwXOv6f-gD7N6pnHYw4XTDZ3_rAXxyMuU5mNe0-C8&dib_tag=se&keywords=river+of+lies+by+james+l%27etoile&qid=1735138048&sprefix=river+of+lies%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/river-of-lies-james-letoile/1145295871?ean=9781608095896

 

 

Find James L’Etoile:

Website: https://jamesletoile.com/#deaddrop

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamesLetoile/#deaddrop

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/james-l-etoile#deaddrop

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7076886.James_L_Etoile#deaddrop

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesLEtoile#deaaddrop

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

 

Interested in your own book tour?

Partners in Crime: https://www.partnersincrimetours.net/

 

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Lethal Wilderness Trap by Susan Furlong New Release and Book Review

 

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

Trust means everything…

when danger hits too close to home.

Hunting a never-caught killer, Special Agent Nolan Shea learns of a new victim. But the body on Ava Burke’s land puts her and her young daughter, Rose, in someone’s lethal sights. With a trail of shocking clues pointing to her family’s involvement, Ava starts to question everything she holds dear and is soon desperate to uncover the truth with Nolan. Step after step, they confront their fears. But will finally cornering a murderer out in the wilderness become a trap they can’t escape?

 

My Review:

I was fortunate enough to read an early copy of this book.

We are introduced to Ava and her daughter, Rose. What I like about Ava is her inner strength. She was dealing with losing her husband, raising her daughter on her own, and moving into her father-in-law Mac’s home. Rose was having her own difficulties with these changes as well, so much so that she was almost mute. Ava just wanted the best for Rose and wasn’t quite sure how to help her.

Mac – He’s one of those characters that is the strong, fairly silent types, yet with a fierceness inside to protect his family. Through all of their difficulties, both Ava and Mac held fast to their faith.

Enter Special Agent Nolan Shea, and his dog Creed, to investigate something that happened on Mac’s farm. To say the attraction between Nolan and Ava was instantaneous is an understatement. I like the fact that this attraction existed, yet both of them were uncertain what to do about it. I like romance written like this … knowing it exists but it stays subtle.

And let’s not forget the secrets that were long-buried in the attic.

There are some other characters throughout – Jane, Yvette, Kevin (Ava’s late husband), Hannah, Lindsey, Cam, Penn, Moore. All these characters’ lives tie together in one way or another and I liked reading about their backstories. I liked the fact that the author was able to lead me down one path only to veer off in another direction. I thought I had this one figured out; I did not. I was quite surprised at who the whodunit turned out to be.

 

The Ghostwriter by Kaira Lockwood Book Review

I’ve read a couple of books by this author and felt that she was one to watch for future reads, so when I had the opportunity to snag this book, I took it. This is book one in the Vinson Family Saga and can definitely be read as a standalone, but you’ll want more.

I found this to be written the way a novella should be – short chapters and a quick read. I find myself wanting to know more about the Vinson family. This one left me wondering what exactly happened to Zetta and why she made the choices she did – I just want more of her backstory.

In brief, Isabel, a journalist, was hired to research and write Zetta’s story. This meant she had to move into Zetta’s home, was invited to totally immerse herself in Zetta’s world – to include her clothes, her makeup, her perfume, her hometown. What an experience for Isabel to have … this could potentially skyrocket her career. She also met Weston.

And …

Then …

Boom!

The biggest surprise of all happened.

Yes, I definitely want more of this story. I want the details … the backstories of all these characters, especially Zetta.

If you’re looking for a quick read – you’ve found it. If you’re looking for a story that leaves you wanting more (at least it did for me) – you’ve found it.

Between Two Strangers by Kate White Book Review

 

As with all books I’ve read by this author, this one grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn’t let go. I could’ve probably read it in one sitting, but you know … life stuff.

Skyler is going about her business getting ready for an art gallery showing of her collages, which came as a surprise to this struggling artist. She never imagined she’d have a showing. Then boom! Her life is about to change but she doesn’t know why.

There is also the backstory of Chloe, one of Skyler’s sisters.

Unfortunately, Skyler’s parents (mom and stepdad) don’t always seem very supportive of Skyler’s art as they still blame her. Nicky, Skyler’s sister, seems to be the go-between.

Tuna – the cat. Who can resist a cat named Tuna?

I enjoyed reading about Skyler and her adventures in finding out the why behind the potential windfall she was about to receive. I liked the animosity that was played out between Skyler and Chris Whaley’s family – it made for a good read, at least to me. I was also engaged in how Chloe’s story from the past came full circle forward to explain the why behind Skyler’s inheritance, so to speak. I liked how this tale is written in “Now” and “Then,” which ultimately brings the reader full circle. I thought I had figured out the whodunit, at least I had my suspicions, and I was so off with that guess. I also liked the fact that even though this inheritance could potentially change Skyler’s life, in all the ways, she didn’t seem to change much in the end. She just wanted to find out why and bring some resolution, some healing to herself and her family in finally finding out the truth about what happened to Chloe. Skyler also finally found herself standing up for herself against all the naysayers.