Illusion of Truth 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. The second book is River of Lies. I am really enjoying this series.

In Illusion of Truth, Emily and Javier are faced with someone who is up to no good, but on the other hand is trying to get Emily’s attention.

Book three maintains the police procedural genre but also pulls in some unexpected actions by the apparent bad guy. Emily finds herself going down one road, only to be met with resistance from forces she wasn’t expecting. She wanted to find out the why behind the roadblocks she faced.

If you’ve read any of this series, you know that Emily does not give up. This is something I like about her character. I also like the fact that she faces everyday issues just like the rest of us – a mom with dementia; a relationship she wants to take to the next level but isn’t sure how or if it would be a mistake; a cat that appears at her door seemingly uninvited. I also like the banter that has continued between Emily and Javier, makes me chuckle at their interactions, even in the most serious of situations.

This is one of the better police procedural series I’ve had the opportunity to read. I like the real-life feeling the author is able to incorporate into his stories, the humanness that is captured with all that Emily (and even Javier with his own relationship issues) deals with on a day-to-day basis. These tidbits make the characters more relatable, at least to me. I look forward to more of this series.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Truth-Detective-Hunter-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0F638PQ4P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QTNU53T83YD4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ipknntuTnmnlMUKZyS5npQ.GsBVGVsW_CtFgAgaA4TBC8RAVjEVjLGGkJeoDiUPvyY&dib_tag=se&keywords=illusion+of+truth+james+l+etoile&qid=1765726608&sprefix=illusion+of+truth%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/illusion-of-truth-james-letoile/1147329201?ean=9781608096497

 

 

Find Mr. 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/X: https://twitter.com/JamesLEtoile#deaaddrop

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

 

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January 2026 Reads

THE DROWNING WOMAN - I actually picked this one up at Bouchercon in San Diego a couple years ago and finally got around to reading it. The women portrayed were actually drowning in more than one thing, most importantly that of life. I thought it was a good read and really enjoyed it.

THE SUNDAY POTLUCK CLUB - I've had this one sitting on my shelf for a while ... wasn't quite what I was expecting. A potluck club of women who met during chemo treatment for their loved ones. To me, this one focused too much on grief, but also shines a light on what it is like to be a caregiver who loses a loved one. 

ANXIOUS PEOPLE - This one has also been on my shelf for a while. I literally had no idea what to expect and don't even really know what it's about. I can say that I chuckled along the way and really enjoyed Mr. Backman's writing style.

COLD WATERS - I bought this one along with Scorched Grounds quite a while ago. I don't know what took me so long to read either one of them. I tore through this book in a couple of days. Ms. Herbert is definitely going on my auto buy author list.

SCORCHED GROUNDS - I liked this one as well. I like the fact that it is told in different POVs. I'll definitely be reading more books by Ms. Herbert.

SHE DIDN'T SEE IT COMING - A fast read for sure. Puts me in the mind of Ms. McFadden's writing style. Not too twisty, but still a good read.

WE LIVE HERE NOW - Set in London. Gave me a haunted house vibe. I liked that aspect. Do Emily and her husband have secrets, or is it just the house with secrets?

THE GIRL IN 6E - To be honest I almost did not finish this one. It's an older book by A.R. Torre, so not the usual writing style by her in more recent times. I'm glad I stuck with it as it 'took off' about midway. The main character has quite an odd job. 

The Trafficker by Scott Douglas Gerber Book Review

 If you are a sensitive reader, I am putting some trigger warnings on this one. I normally don’t, but what “Jane Doe” went through as a child (though not explained in great detail) may upset some readers.

Essentially, a 12-year-old went missing and was found two years later. Obviously, after everything she saw and was forced to do, she was a traumatized little girl who didn’t know how to trust, nor did she know whom she could trust. Even the Warrens couldn’t reach her, unfortunately.

I can only imagine what children in Jane Doe’s situation go through, the trauma they experience. I think this is a good book to bring light to this extreme tragedy, told in such a nonjudgmental, straightforward way (something I appreciated), with caring people who wanted to help. Unfortunately, these children don’t know who to trust or where to turn. In the end, Jane Doe made the only decision she knew how to make, based on what she had been through.

The thing about these kinds of stories is sometimes they get bogged down in facts and statistics. For me, those sorts of things are a bit over the top and make some stories rather dull in places. This one was not like that. It was told in a straightforward way to bring light to this terrifying subject.

Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa Blog Tour and Book Review

This is book three in the Misty Pines Mystery series. I highly recommend you read books one and two to meet Jax and Abby.

Misty Pines is a small town in Oregon where big-city crimes happen. Continuing in this vein, Abby had this idea that she and Jax needed to get away, to reconnect, to see if they would work. They find themselves in a closed ranger station with essentially no contact with the outside world. Abby’s hope was that they could both turn off their police brains for a minute.

Meanwhile, back in town, Rachel has been left in charge. If you’ve read this series, you know who Rachel is and her many insecurities. She is faced with a couple of crimes that she is hoping to solve in order to prove herself, in order to gain the respect and trust of her other officers. She is also still dealing with her own mess of feelings about Janelle.

Back to Abby and Jax, Hannah enters the picture. The question is – why is this lone woman on a trail that has been closed?

I tore through this book in two days. I was that entangled with Abby and Jax, Hannah, Rachel and her fine mess of problems. I enjoy this series because the characters are consistent and the author hands them everyday problems to deal with on top of their jobs, making them more relatable, at least to me. I like Rachel in that she has to come to terms with her own inner turmoil and face some decisions that she was once sure about but, when faced with ‘life,’ questions them.

I also enjoy learning about all the backstories of the characters I’ve met through these pages in this series. I enjoy reading about small towns with big-city crimes. I especially enjoy the fact that the Misty Pines series is set in Oregon, where I am originally from, so mentions of certain parts of Oregon bring back some of my childhood memories.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Tracks-Misty-Pines-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FMN5H8JV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DSYR6L6OOPN7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WYnem7G9Uc9bfFlWf-s8e16pNnLJDx91YYguRm9bdP3UbzjZJ1VqIAC2EuYAfbNH.S8aOcHwy0zpAUAjDLLc963YpeNzT0CBT5XcFpC1aOCo&dib_tag=se&keywords=killer+tracks+mary+keliikoa&qid=1757859528&sprefix=killer+trac%2Caps%2C301&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/killer-tracks-mary-keliikoa/1148438902?ean=9798898200336

 

Find Ms. Keliikoa:

Website: https://marykeliikoa.com/#hp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mary.Keliikoa.Author

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-keliikoa#hp

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20038534.Mary_Keliikoa#hp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mary_keliikoa#HP

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary.keliikoa.author/

 

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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

 

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/

 

 

 

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

 

Interested in your own book tour?

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

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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.