The Bystander and The Pawn by John David Blog Tour and Book Reviews

 

THE BYSTANDER

Series: The Lemaster Files

I have learned that this is the author’s debut novel and boy howdy! I am liking this author’s writing style and his character Pete Lemaster.

Pete is a journalist and just happened to be at the ‘right place, right time,’ or maybe he wasn’t? This ‘right place’ involved a shooting where Pete was filming another snippet for a college football game. Pete just happened to have enough sense to film this unexpected story.

Pete’s internal thoughts throughout all that followed his moment of fame, not only are they sort of funny but I suspect they are spot-on for an up-and-coming news reporter, or at least one that wants to be up-and-coming.

The further I read into this story about Pete and what was happening to him in his moment of fame, the more I discovered that there was so much more to this story. Right down to how veterans who fought for our country and our freedoms were hurting themselves due to a lack of medical care. This is a tough subject to read about and to know about. This story is also told from the first person POV and it comes across just like Pete is talking to you, the reader.

I commend the author for tackling this subject (and many others), but telling it with compassion and a bit of humor which makes Pete all that more relatable. I am looking forward to book two in this series, The Pawn.

I enjoy finding new authors and if this is any indication of this author’s capability, I hope to read more from him in the future. I can only hope that Pete Lemaster has more journalistic adventures in his future.

 

THE PAWN 

Mr. Peter Lemaster knows no bounds. This time, he finds himself receiving a phone call from his buddy, Cole, who needs help getting Uncle Scotty out of jail … in Singapore! Did Pete go to Singapore to cover the story? Yes. Did Rebecca go with him? Again, yes. WJAX, where Pete works, was delighted to be covering such a big story … but never fear, the more Pete looked into the mystery of how the gummies got into Scott’s bag, the deeper he went into finding answers.

And, Cole. Oh my goodness, Cole. Why did you do what you did in the end?

Scott was rich, good-looking, never seemed to not have a lady friend by his side, and he threw some parties!

Oh, and Pete keeps his sense of humor throughout and his internal thoughts. I really enjoy this series because of Pete’s personality, his sense of humor, and his persistence in seeking the truth and not stopping until he finds the answer; no matter what that truth is, friend or foe, family or not, with his persistence, he gets the answers. I also enjoy the different working relationships Pete has with his coworkers at WJAX – they are very relatable characters.

And what is Pete going to do about the amazing offer he received? I guess we will have to wait for book three in this series to find out. I’m sure Pete and Rebecca have some more adventures in their future.

 

Find Mr. David:

Website: https://byjohndavid.substack.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/johnpdavid

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

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/john-david-1ed01361-3aeb-4416-a4ef-b74d6394016a

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15274651

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pawn-Lemaster-Files-John-David/dp/197084051X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ONBEGW83JNBT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a0dcTEswtLEQ1nY_QriF8jwkPb6lUZ1hX8I0N6U_luHvAQbmzDUg7wGVSJ_AACc5xZ4G5pki69qD1vXj2ocaK8S9bAYdubZmM6dFQuYsOIeS8DgwemcJomEpAC-9xjp9TThUDznuxt4KUvsKcwLYjKYNN1zO4it9gWKtNp9S1rHniyBHlxfur5u_mNTHvALTAq13RvjCoODXajkIuqz1OAABhrR05gzc5zISB2-Q3HY.4UOFmMeqg_gz8R1NJQjCepbwgHftxLlydL9VNwzul88&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+pawn+john+david&qid=1776359405&sprefix=the+pawn+john+david%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pawn-john-david/1148626388?ean=9781970840513

 

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Woman Missing by A.B. Whelan Book Review

 

Wow! Nothing I like more than a good twisted tale – and this one pretty much hit the mark, at least for me.

Susan and Melissa – two wives who don’t know each other. Mark is Susan’s husband, and Ethan is Melissa’s husband. Both of these marriages had their own set of troubles. Both Susan and Melissa wanted something different. They both had two children. The only difference between these two is that Melissa chose to stay and Susan chose to take a girls’ weekend away to try and figure things out.

Mark – a defense attorney. Busy with work. Too busy.

Ethan – seemingly a good provider to his wife and children. Melissa knew something was ‘off’ but couldn’t quite define it.

I was beginning to wonder how these four lives intersected and then they did. Poor Daniel though, a fellow who was in Avalon at the time Susan and her girlfriends were.

Something happens to Susan. Mark has some realizations about her, some truths he didn’t see before the girls’ weekend.

Needless to say, Ethan’s troubles caught up with him.

Mark got the answers he had been waiting for, for a year. Mark’s decision in the end caught me off guard.

I liked the twistedness of this tale, how these four lives finally intersected, how everything was tied up in the end. It’s an interesting look into human nature and how one wrong decision can make everything go sideways. How dark thoughts can pop up when they are least expected. It’s interesting how people deal with the same problem in different ways, some healthy, some not so much.  

The Last Fatal Hour by Jan Matthews Book Tour and Book Review

 

Leona Gladney is an interesting character. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but back in Leona’s day women were to be seen and not heard. Leona didn’t subscribe to that notion. She wanted to be an author, but in order to do so she penned as a man, the only way she could have published works. No one knew, not even her husband.

Her husband, Gil, was also an interesting character. He seemed to always be mad at Leona for one reason or another, so much so that he basically ordered her to stay home instead of pursuing her friend’s untimely death and the reasons behind it.

Leona also got herself involved in the Frosts’ lives, they were what you would call spiritualists. The antics this woman pulled just to find out the truth she was seeking … unheard of in her day.

We also are introduced to Leona’s grandfather, Mr. Earl. He seemed to be a stately gentleman and only wanted the best for Leona.

And the McCarthy family, only an older couple. Mrs. McCarthy was Leona and Gil’s house maid, for lack of a better term. Near the end of this tale, she wanted to help Leona in any way she could.

Detective Day. He was in hot pursuit of Leona thinking she committed some bad deeds. Was he ever surprised when the truth was revealed and the way it was revealed.

For me, a historical tale has to have substance, has to be more than just full of facts and statistics. This one did that, it told a story in vivid detail. I could almost see Leona in her disguises going up to the spiritualists’ houses and inserting herself into their meetings just to find out what happened to Daphne. Also, back in Leona’s time, it was unheard of to have a colored friend; she had one in the person of Ruth. Ruth wasn’t a strong character in this tale and I wish she would’ve been; she was a good friend to Leona.

I enjoyed reading about Leona’s adventures in her search for the truth. She came up with some pretty good ideas.

 

Find Ms. Matthews:

Website: https://coffeeandinkbooks.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandink197/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandink197/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-matthews

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/67724380.Jan_Matthews

 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Fatal-Hour-Jan-Matthews/dp/B0GFVMSBCP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SXV8SXVGD7Y8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TqgI36sZNHhM8q1xl9UoQHFQG06z1EXUWc9rwqQeKTy9TfDINiUy-kgzphrdKiu7McZbYatyQbatUp5nnBlpbEwOP9EWgpg1PVPbuHVMnDC7aU_cWlQespB8prM-zxnovvgV4yiP4_1t5ag0vt98fTIcdLzWloUvmzb138yCAPpBG905yCH9QxzFEDw_o75VTB9KeHzpETVqh0vmpBt1TBeydUcBiXXTz9XFBzOqPro.u6bXxvceTtzwdCI3M90Bd7e1oS4yroHbtwwzTkA6sZk&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+fatal+hour&qid=1775779008&sprefix=the+last+fatal+hour%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-fatal-hour-jan-matthews/1149152811?ean=9798232470982

 

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Beneath A Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling New Release and Book Review

 

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

From USA Today bestselling author Joshua Moehling comes a tense, atmospheric thriller about one detective's search for a mysterious killer in the chaos following a deadly storm…

It's a hot, miserable summer in the small town of Sandy Lake. Detective Ben Packard has settled into his life here just in time for a tornado to sweep through the county, causing irreparable damage. Trees are felled, homes destroyed, and people are desperate. Worse, the winds have blown in a group of storm chasers with something to hide.

When a mother unpopular among locals for raising hell on behalf of her bullied gay son is killed in her home, there's almost too many suspects to count. For Ben Packard, the case is personal. And when someone from his past shows up on his doorstep out of the blue, he realizes he'll have to confront the reality of navigating life as a gay man in a small town bent on tradition, no matter the cost.

The heat suffocates. The violence simmers. Before the summer is out, someone else will die.

 

REVIEW

This is book four in the Ben Packard series. While you can read these as standalones, I highly recommend reading them in order to get to know Ben Packard and his story, to include his insecurities.

In this one, we find Ben dealing with a couple of victims, the main only being Ashley Taylor and finding out what happened to her and why.

A tornado twirled into Sandy Lake and caused damage as tornados do, which brought to the area some fly-by-night-we’ll-fix-your-damaged-houses kind of folks.

I was wondering how this was going to tie into Ashley’s story when it did the moment Ben drove by the motel.

Not to mention how Symphony was going to play a part in Ben’s story.

What I am really enjoying about this series is how Ben’s story is evolving and more especially how this author’s writing is evolving, showing and sharing more and more of his voice. Wait until you read how he describes Thielen being a mom and her baby; I found it quite funny and probably more than realistic. I also enjoy the banter between Thielen and Ben, it makes them realistic. This series has definitely become one of my go-to reads. I’m sure there are more adventures for Ben awaiting him in the future.

Lethal Betrayal by Kimberly Van Meter Book Review

 

I tore through this book in two days flat, I was that intrigued and invested in the story. And, Lethal Betrayal seemed an appropriate name.

This is the kind of romantic suspense I enjoy. Just enough tension between the two who are attracted to each other, in this case Noah and Sophia, a BIA agent and an FBI agent (in that order). The complicating factor? Noah and Sophia’s stubbornness.

This story revolves around human trafficking of young indigenous girls. The most recent victim having the name of a young boy written on her skin. Travis Longshadow. Travis’s case is the one that has haunted Noah Thunderhawk for the past 15 years. Why is Travis now coming to light again?

In Noah’s quest through the BIA, the FBI is called in and that’s when he meets Sophia Bennett. Sophia turned out to be more than Noah was expecting.

Amber was a journalist and was chasing her next big story. But, she also was around at the time Travis died and was able to provide a lot of insight and had some amazing research capabilities.

Favorite quote: … like the web of relationships in Stone River. One pull of the wrong thread could unravel everything.

This perfectly describes this tale.

Enter all the ins and outs, ups and downs, trials and tribulations of solving this case, and may other interconnecting cases, but how? Who was at fault? You’ll have to read the book to find out how all these things intertwined and came together in the end.

I enjoyed reading about Noah and Sophia dancing around their mutual attraction. I enjoyed the storyline and this author’s writing style and come to find out, this is part of a series that can be read as standalones – Big Sky Justice. I also liked the pacing of this tale, just enough momentum to keep my interest and then a roadblock that Noah and Sophia had to work around to get their answers. Noah may not have found the answers he was hoping for, but he is the kind of agent who keeps going no matter who’s involved to get to the truth.

I enjoyed the characters that the author created and how she tied their stories together in the end. I thought there were a couple of points where this book could have ended, but the final few chapters really wrapped things up. Will Noah and Sophia have more adventures in crime solving? I don’t know, but they sure did make a good crime-solving couple in this one.

Everyone is Perfect Here by Jane Haseldine Blog Tour and Book Review

 

This is the kind of book I like to read, one that has me wondering what is around the next bend.

Julien and Victor, brothers, and their father Christopher suffered a loss of Julien and Victor’s mother. Along comes Emily and Carly – Emily their stepmother, Carly their stepsister. Seemingly a content blended family, until they weren’t. For whatever reason, no one believed that Carly was sick and even all these years later, fifteen to be exact, Carly was still suffering the remnants of her childhood, not to mention the grief surrounding the loss of her mother. Carly had been estranged from her stepbrothers when suddenly they reappeared, but why?

Carly made a good friend in boarding school in the person of Ava Patel. It was interesting to me how they met in school, but I think all good friendships get off to a start they weren’t expecting. And, all these years later, they were still friends. Ava definitely had Carly’s back, no matter what. I appreciated the friendship between these two.

Rebecca. Poor Rebecca … she was what I would describe as an ugly duckling, and she certainly had a mean girl streak within her. I think it more stemmed from jealousy and having a low opinion of herself than anything else. Poor Ed as well; he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I enjoyed reading about this dysfunctional family and ‘hearing’ different sides of the story – the voices of Julien, Ava, Carly, and even Rebecca. It was interesting to me to read how each one of these characters ticked, but that final twist? Those final chapters that brought everything together … the truth of what was really going on and who was behind it, I wasn’t expecting that one, though I suppose I should have been. I got part of the whodunnit it right, but that final piece? Again, I wasn’t expecting that one.

 

Find Ms. Haseldine:

Website: https://www.janehaseldine.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/janeeyre77

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

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jane-haseldine

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14542853.Jane_Haseldine

 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Perfect-Here-Jane-Haseldine/dp/1448320119/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IG2SE6VZ3H6L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wThAnz5UtkqoY5_qldlGDw.8SP9QZnx1ZxSyrXJ1eIOgoVk2Kmsh2fxvmUoprDFh_U&dib_tag=se&keywords=everyone+is+perfect+here+by+jane+haseldine&qid=1775338852&sprefix=everyone+is+perfec%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everyone-is-perfect-here-jane-haseldine/1148497245?ean=9781448320134

 

 

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The Girl Upstairs by Jessica Patch New Release and Book Review

 

Help me congratulate Jessica on her new book! Here’s the blurb:

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

 

REVIEW:

All Gwen and Steven wanted to do was start over in a new town and escape from all the ‘bad’ that happened in Baltimore. What was the bad, though? I liked how this author kept dropping hints but never really revealing what happened in Baltimore. It made me want to keep reading to find out what happened, the how, the why, the when, where, and who all was involved. I also liked Gwen’s internal monologue – that was spot on given the situations she found herself in. I think Gwen was the kind of character who covered up her grief with humor, a lot of us do, so it makes her very relatable.

Cady, the owner of a coffee shop, wanted to start a podcast about true crime, so, of course, Gwen being a former police detective was right there to help her, but the more they discovered, the more grisly things became.

The house in Cold Harbor didn’t give up its secrets easily.

I liked the ghost story contained within the house in Cold Harbor. And the hints (as I mentioned before) dabbled throughout until the twists started almost had my head turning in a 360-degree direction.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Maybe things really do go bump in the night. Maybe there really are apparitions that get stuck earthside before they can exit.

And Adrian Rivera, the retired doctor, who lived across the lake - I developed a soft spot for his character.

I have to say I was beginning to figure out the whodunnit in this tale, but I wasn’t sure all the ins and outs and how it would all piece together.

Overall, I enjoyed this read for its ghostliness and how the whodunnits were exposed. Many, many secrets are contained within these pages.

Smother by Day Winters Book Review

 

Margaret, Ethan, Hannah – the three main characters.

Margaret – an overbearing, manipulative mother.

Ethan – Margaret’s son.

Hannah – the love of Ethan’s life.

I am not an overly sensitive reader, so I was not triggered by any of the scenarios portrayed in this tale. However, I do appreciate the author making note of them at the beginning of this tale.

I enjoyed the mentally psychological aspect of this gruesome tale, as it always interests me how people behave and why.

Margaret always wanted a son. I never really understood why she had an aversion to girls, but she got her boy in Ethan. She was so overbearing that her first and second husbands disappeared, but no one really knew how or why.

Ethan was stuck between how he was brought up by his mother and his love for Hannah, who only wanted Ethan to see the truth and set some boundaries. This is not always easy when you have been manipulated all your life, most especially by a parent whom you are supposed to trust and not question.

Hannah was stuck between Margaret’s overbearing nature and Ethan not being able to see the truth.

I was taken by part two of this tale which was told in three voices – those of Margaret, Ethan, and Hannah. That gave me more insight into how each of these characters ticked, so to speak. And that final decision that Ethan made? And what about Hannah and how her personality changed?

This is definitely not a book for the more sensitive readers, but if you like a pretty dark, twisted tale and aren’t afraid of creepy dolls and a long-buried journal, give it a try.

Life or Death by Andrea Kane Blog Tour and Book Review

 

As you may or may not know, Forensic Instincts is an organization that delves into criminal investigations. To regroup, the characters are Casey and Hutch (Casey is the owner of FI, and Hutch is FBI), Ryan, Patrick, Claire, Marc, Emma, and Yoda. And the newest member of FI, Angela, who provides legal counsel as FI skirts the law in some instances. To reiterate, each of these folks have different talents that they use throughout their investigations. Yoda is FI’s version of AI. This is book 11 in this series.

In this particular case, FI is investigating the death of a relative of one of their own, Ryan – his cousin Shane and Shane’s family are the center of their investigation which includes their daughter, Kennedy, who is a very bright, inquisitive little girl.

What I particularly enjoy about this series, though I have only read two, are the dynamics between the team players. What I find even more intriguing is the relationship between Casey and Hutch, being a married couple who find themselves investigating the exact same crime yet being able to maintain their marriage. It puts me in mind of the show The Closer, with the same sort of dynamics with a married couple in different law enforcement agencies. I can only imagine what a relationship like that would entail, how a couple can separate their professions from their marriage.

I also enjoy the fact that Ryan and Claire, as a couple, balance each other out, both providing strength to each other when needed.

Another thing I enjoy about this series is the fact that the author puts the ‘crime’ out front and then the reader is taken through the ins and outs of the investigation – the good, the bad, the ugly, but that final twist in the end when things were wrapping up? Didn’t expect that.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSY8Y4BX/?bestFormat=true&k=life%20or%20death%20andrea%20kane&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_24_de&crid=3O4KCX2CYD556&sprefix=life%20or%20death%20andrea%20kan

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/life-or-death-andrea-kane/1147617544?ean=9781682320686

 

Find Ms. Kane:

Website: https://www.andreakane.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/andrea-kane

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/62844

Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrea_kane

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

 

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Who's Out There by Westley Smith Blog Tour and Book Review

 

A snowstorm with total whiteout conditions.

A state park, Marburg State Park to be exact, that needs to be evacuated.

The abandoned Southwoods Park that has a dark history attached to it.

Childhood memories – some good, some bad.

Coworker relationship dynamics – can you really trust them?

The characters – Colt and Joey, Flint, Dusty, Porter, Amos, Tripp, Wyatt, Rumor (yes, Rumor that’s his name) and his father Darryl, Douglas Lee Carver, Maynard Barrett.

I never do this, but I kind of felt myself savoring this tale because while I wanted to know the who, what, when, where, and why, I also didn’t want it to end … it’s a pretty dark read, in my opinion, but I think that is what makes this author’s work worth waiting for. I have to wonder how he can pull these images out of his imagination. I liked all the ‘red herrings’ that were planted, leading the reader down one path, but then the path veered to the left and then the right. The ‘big’ reveal brought it all together.

There is so much more to this tale than just whiteout conditions, a park needing to be evacuated with seemingly no way to escape, the deep-seated history associated with said park, and the dude who shows up in a skeleton mask. Also involved are coworker relationships involving many trust issues, especially considering the truths that are slowly revealed. If you are a reader who likes to classify genres, I think I would put this one in the psychological horror category … I mean can you imagine trying to escape a park and running into roadblocks at every turn … and I’m not just talking about fallen trees.

I do want to warn more sensitive readers that some of the scenes depicted throughout these pages are disturbing. I’ve said this before about this author, but he is a master at describing scenes that will make you keep the lights on at night, and maybe avoid state parks … in a snowstorm. One example in this tale – The blood on her face is like frozen syrup stuck to her skin, stiff and tacky. Can you even imagine?

 

 

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/Whos-Out-There-Westley-Smith-ebook/dp/B0GFXHDF9J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12EILY5HS291A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Va5Ss2DCrMgLHBkDh_y5Kw.kjokkkBawTGvI4dyyEqkZHSKBRvEohFauXIyQSxoSSQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=who%27s+out+there+westley+smith&qid=1771069113&sprefix=who%27s+out+there+westley+smith%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whos-out-there-westley-smith/1149276424?ean=9781958370315

 

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Amish Country Homicide by Susan Furlong New Release and Book Review

 

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

Investigating family secrets may cost them their lives.

Returning home after years away, Alena Walsh is devastated to find her grandfather shot by a disguised gunman—and now someone wants her silenced next. Sheriff Caleb Mast, her former Amish childhood friend, is tasked with keeping her safe. Soon Alena and Caleb uncover key evidence that reveals a link between her grandfather’s cryptic final words, her mother’s decades-old murder and the recent death of a young woman in town. With family secrets unraveling and attacks against Alena escalating, they’ll need to expose the killer’s deadly scheme…or risk getting caught in the crosshairs.

 

REVIEW

AMISH COUNTRY HOMICIDE by SUSAN FURLONG

All Alena did was return home to be with her family. She got so much more than that. Her granddad was the victim of a terrible crime, leaving her gran alone. She was reunited with Caleb who himself had some things going on his life, and she definitely got more than she was bargaining for from this relationship. They have a sweet love story, to be honest.

There is a lot of family history brought forth through these pages, but also reconciliation and forgiveness for past wrongs (in some people’s eyes) and present circumstances.

I also appreciated the fact that in more serious signs of trouble, the situations Alena and Caleb found themselves in, no matter what they held fast to their faith. They also never gave up on their families, most especially Caleb who had more to overcome than even he imagined. I also appreciated the fact that there was a bit of insight into the Amish culture, an interesting aspect to this tale.

Diversion 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 diversion, an appropriate title for this book. Pretty much what I said for the last book I read in this series, Early Termination.

Casey still hasn’t figured out her life … that being who to choose – Betz or Marcus. They both have qualities that Casey likes. Enter a test … enter the results of said test. Enter Casey needing some money so she goes off on a wilderness adventure in support of her cousin, Hope, and some troubled teens. She gets more than she bargained for on this trip. Enter a forest fire. Enter a flash flood. Enter Betz and Marcus, two opposing forces, looking for Casey. Enter some bad guys … because a good story needs bad guys and a money trail. And Felony, Casey’s dog, who completes this series.

What I like about this series – the relationships between Casey and Betz and Marcus. And let’s throw in Betz’s sister who apparently doesn’t appreciate Betz’s feelings for Casey. She doesn’t understand why Betz can’t move on. Anywho … Casey’s decision-making skills are called into check and she still can’t decide, but she can help a troubled teen out of a tough spot … or so she thinks.

I also like the fact that this series is told in Casey’s voice as well as the voice of Betz and a chapter in Marcus’s voice. I enjoy Casey’s sense of humor, her internal thoughts that are so spot-on, even in the roughest of circumstances. And let’s not forget that test result! Not something she was expecting but it changed her perspective on a few things. Poor Betz, though. I kind of feel sorry for him and his heartache where Casey is concerned. I enjoy this series and all that entails. I look forward to more Casey adventures.

 

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Diversion-Probation-Case-Files-Mystery/dp/B0GQBWQK81/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BH00ZKWFV46X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PENFM_8hYFC06Hz5d7Bn58NKPqCyEJBdQtoe4r-pm34.iwoUKXC9Z7uYoN6meDGPvmM5hWCkLtEATM3KgUgSLZ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=diversion+cindy+goyette&qid=1772486752&sprefix=diversion+cindy+goyett%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/diversion-cindy-goyette/1149564989?ean=9798898201777

 

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/

 

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The Belle Rive Ledger by C.L. Carmichael Book Review

 

I’m in trouble. I believe I have discovered another author to add to my go-to list. While I don’t usually read blurbs, I was intrigued by the blurb I read for this particular tale.

Camille is an attorney who finds herself taking on cases that she probably shouldn’t. The outcome of these cases? Not to give too much away, but she wins. However, something happens to the folks she defended. This calls into question, for Camille, her judgment in taking these particular cases. Should she have?

An invitation suddenly appears and it doesn’t sound like she has much of a choice but to go to Belle Rive.

The paranormal part of this tale is related to the happenings at Belle Rive. It’s an old house. There is something called ‘the circle,’ which is sort of like where one would go to confess to any wrongdoings. There is also a ‘current’ that Camille, and others like Camille, feel throughout their nervous system when they are making right or wrong decisions. Quite a fascinating element to this story.

It is almost as if Belle Rive has some sort of control over the folks who visit, as if Belle Rive stands in judgment of anyone’s decisions, whether right or wrong.

Isabelle. She is part of the LeBlanc family, but she makes a decision that changes the entire destiny of her family.

Camille, in the end, has made some decisions of her own that change her future.

I polished this book off in three days flat, and I could’ve probably finished it in a day had I had the time. I really enjoyed the story elements, the writing style which contained more dialogue than description (something I don’t see often), the storyline, the characters.

I believe this is the first book in this series. Needless to say, I am looking forward to book number two. I am hopeful that book two will be just as good (to me, anyway) as book one.

Voi3es in Blood by G.B. Reese Book Review

 

Voices in Blood is book one of this series and Voices 2 Blood is book two. I would recommend reading this series in order as there is a particular sequence to this tale.

In book three, all the loose ends are tied up to include what happens to Julien, JP and Rosa, Cap and Bria, and Sophie (Julien and JP’s mother).

Personally, I think book three is the best book in this series. I feel the author finally found their stride at the end of book two and that kept on all during book three. All loose ends are tied up, but there still remain questions regarding how multiple children raised by the same parents can turn out so differently.

There is also a twist that I didn’t see coming. While some of those scenes are pretty farfetched, I think that is the beauty of writing. The author can let the imagination run wild and put those thoughts in between pages.

It is still interesting to me how people think, how they are raised and turn out the way they do, and what leads them to making either good or bad decisions.

If you are interested in mental illness, I would not discount this series.

Bait the Devil by Winter Austin Blog Tour and Book Review

 

I had the opportunity to ‘meet’ Dorothy (Dot) and T.J. for the first time. Dot and T.J. have more than just a bounty hunter partnership, but this particular case puts them at odds with each other as T.J. has not been totally honest about the characters involved.

Dot … she’s a character that I enjoyed. She has a ‘look’ that she gives T.J. and when he gets that look from her, he just knows he needs to back off and give Dot space and time. This makes her a very relatable, very likable character to me. She also takes no guff off of anyone. She seeks the truth and goes after it like a dog with a bone. She also has an incredibly different habit that you’ll have to read about. It’s a different kind of habit for a female.

T.J. … I kind of had to feel sorry for him when he received a couple of scathing looks from Dot. He just knew he had messed up so far as Dot was concerned. T.J. also seems to want to seek out justice for those involved, especially this time since a military fellow was involved, T.J. having been in the military himself. Well, Dot had as well (another interesting career choice for a female in the military, I thought), but T.J. was not 100 percent honest with Dot (as noted above).

There are so many different relationships throughout these pages with quite a few ins and outs that kept the pages turning. Dot and T.J. uncovered something more than what they were bargaining for and certainly not what I was expecting. I suspect that Dot and T.J. have some more adventures in their future.

 

Find Ms. Austin:

Website: https://authorwinteraustin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.winteraustin

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/winter-austin

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6880807.Winter_Austin

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bait-Devil-Bounty-Shadows-Book-ebook/dp/B0FXBL2GYG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E8CV4GJVSAOY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lxmaMQJiVTNrQVkEGddT5w.eWTDzUyV4wJxLkAtlNdqJDOQd_C1SenS7IUPXAKpB9g&dib_tag=se&keywords=bait+the+devil+winter+austin&qid=1766183654&sprefix=bait+the+devil+winter+austi%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bait-the-devil-winter-austin/1148562953?ean=9781969218668

 

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Voices 2 Blood by G.B. Reese Book Review

 

Voices in Blood is book one of this series; I would recommend reading that one first as this series goes in sequence and it won’t make sense without book one.

In book two, the reader learns more about Julien, more about JP and his growing relationship with Rosa, Cap and Brian which was totally unexpected, and more about Sophie, Julien and JP’s mother.

Here’s the thing, book one had me turning pages and it wasn’t because of some great writing style, but rather the story itself. What makes people tick. Book two, the continuation of this family’s story, also had me turning pages and nearing the end of the book I felt that the author finally was finding a clear voice, the writing became much more (at least to me) from the heart. Book three started out the same way, at least for me, as if through the writing of these three books, the author’s voice is finally being found. I do not mean that in any sort of negative way, rather learning through the writing of this tale.

I suspect that the subject of mental illness is near and dear to this author, which makes the writing that much more personal. That is something I appreciate.

It has always been interesting to me what makes people act the way they do – is it upbringing or is it their own personality or is it those they surround themselves with, or is it a combination of many other factors?

If you pick up this series, don’t discount them if they come across as ho-hum … give them a chance, especially if you are interested in what makes people act they way they do – whether it be good or bad. And how is it that children from the same parents growing up in the same household can turn out so differently?

Haunted By A Broken Oath by Dee Armstrong

 

I would like to give you a little backstory about JD. She lost her mom at a young age due to circumstances beyond her control, ended up in an orphanage of sorts, was taken in by a family, and now as an adult still struggles with her past. This makes her very likable and very relatable, at least to me. JD also maintains her sense of humor, even in the bleakest of moments. She has these inner thoughts that I found to be quite spot-on.

JD is also followed around by a ghost of sorts, a ghost she calls ‘the Woman.’ She even has conversations with the Woman. You’ll have to read the book to understand their relationship.

JD finds herself handed her very first case as a PI that the Geezers (you have to read the book to understand) handed her. While she is investigating this particular case, overlapping with something else that she discovered, she finds herself making all the right moves but all the wrong turns. Then she meets a small boy, Milo. On and on the turmoil for JD goes. She has to confront some things from her past, some truths she wasn’t expecting.

One of the things I appreciated about this book is that it drew my attention from the very first chapter and I kept turning pages. I liked the pacing, the intersecting backstories to get a better sense of the characters, JD’s uncertainty about herself and her abilities as a PI, her relationships with her adopted family. Oh, and let’s not forget Grace’s cooking, apparently that’s not such a good thing. I also appreciated the fact that the author’s personality and sense of humor came through very vividly throughout these pages. I believe this is the first book where JD has some adventures; if this is a series, I will definitely be one of the first in line to read more about JD’s adventures.

 

Find Ms. Armstrong:

Website: https://deearmstrong.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/deearmstrongbks

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

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dee-armstrong

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18802419.Dee_Armstrong

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Broken-Oath-Investigation-HAUNTED/dp/B0FXLBGR9M/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.efl4M3Fwjk2JyBQezE-M1Q.DlYpi1dV2H1st8Hgd5ol3_j0Jx_VcbuoIND2SUVN218&qid=1767545812&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/haunted-by-a-broken-oath-dee-armstrong/1148793205?ean=9798999682994

 

 

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When Justice Comes by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker New Release and Book Review

 

Help me congratulate Colleen and Rick on their newest release! Here’s the blurb:

USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble and Rick Acker deliver the final book in their beloved Tupelo Grove series: Hez and Savannah Webster have survived storms that would bury others without a love as strong as theirs--but can they withstand the final battle in the deadly Legare-Willard feud that threatens to sweep away everything they've fought for?

Hezekiah "Hez" Webster and his fiancée, Savannah, stand on the brink of a new life, but their dreams are haunted by specters of the past. Just as they're getting ready to adopt her nephew, two other petitioners also file for custody--both of whom only want Simon for their own gains.

Between the financial company that Hez outmaneuvered to save the university from ruin and the bad blood from the head of the Willard family, it's hard to say who wants them out of the way more. Hez and Savannah's quest for justice leads them through a labyrinth of family law, where loyalties are tested and trust is a dangerous luxury when every decision could be their last.

With the clock ticking, Hez and Savannah must confront the ghosts of their past and their deepest fears to secure a future for Simon. But with every secret revealed, the stakes grow higher. Can they build the family they've always dreamed of, or will their enemies succeed in tearing them apart forever?

The Tupelo Grove series reaches its breathtaking conclusion as an enemy's agenda for revenge runs darker than swamp water and justice remains as precarious as quicksand in this heart-pounding narrative that underscores the power of redemption and forgiveness.

 

REVIEW

This is book three in the Tupelo Grove, a trilogy, where readers meet Savannah and Hez. In this one, there are so many underlying stories going on, something I quite enjoyed and didn’t find difficult to keep up with. It’d probably make sense to read these in order to understand some of the whys and get a better sense of the characters, but still I found it easy to follow.

Savannah and Hez are rekindling their relationship. They are both dealing with some pretty heavy grief and rely on their faith to get them through.

Pierre and Michael are not good fathers, even to their adult children. They both have ulterior motives.

Simon. The little boy caught in the middle. There is one scene in this book that made me want to tear up just a bit. That doesn’t happen often, so kudos to the authors.

Helen, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother. There’s more to Helen than one might think.

I tore through this book in three days, I was that intrigued. The family dynamics in these two families played well against each other. For a duo author team, they did an amazing job in blending their two writing styles to make it sound like one consistent voice. That is something I appreciate in author duos.

I enjoyed the fact that Hez started what is called the Justice Chamber, giving college students a chance to find out how the law works.

Overall, I thought this was a good story and, again, I enjoyed all the smaller stories mixed in with the big picture. If you’re interested in short book series and like a lot of family dynamics and second-chance romances, give this one a shot. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

 

Pinky Swear by Danielle Girard New Release and Book Review

 

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

Lexi thought she knew everything about Mara Vannatta. Best friends since middle school, they drifted apart after a tragedy derailed their senior year. But when Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep sixteen years later fleeing an abusive husband, Lexi takes her in without question. Lexi’s own marriage has been strained by her desire to have a baby, and when Mara offers to become her surrogate, their friendship feels stronger than ever.

But four days before the due date, Mara disappears.

Lexi is shocked but certain there must be something wrong—Mara would never willingly leave with her unborn child. Or would she? As she embarks on a perilous cross-country hunt for the truth, Lexi is forced to reconsider a friendship she thought she knew—and what really happened that terrible night their senior year. How many secrets lie in their shared past, waiting to be uncovered? And just how far will Lexi go to bring her child safely home?

 

REVIEW

Wow. I don’t know where to begin. There is so much more to this story than Mara being Lexi’s surrogate. This may be triggering for some readers who have experienced losses and gone through IVF only to be let down. But what greater gift can another woman give to someone than to carry a baby? I cannot even fathom doing that. That is a huge sacrifice.

The essence of this story is that Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep after seventeen years. However it came about, Mara is now Lexi’s surrogate and Henry (Lexi’s husband) is not overly pleased. So, there is some marital strife, Henry not wanting another baby as he figures Nolan and Kyle (his grown sons) are enough and they were for Lexi as well, until they weren’t.

Mara suddenly goes missing, which takes Lexi on a treacherous path to find her. Lexi, though, turns out to be tougher than anyone thought. Along this path, she meets some of Mara’s past, namely Damon and Terrence … and Gladys Knight. She also encounters some pretty bad characters and finds herself fighting for her life … literally.

I don’t want to say a lot for fear of giving too much away.

I will say that right near the end as things were wrapping up, this one got me in the feels. Kudos to the author for that because that doesn’t happen often.

This is a story of deep-seated friendship spanning time and distance, a broken marriage (but is it really?), newfound friendships, a woman finding a strength she didn’t know she had to fight for her unborn baby, to understand the friend she hadn’t seen in so long, and finally the truth of what happened to Cate all those many years ago. As I said above, there is so much more to this tale than meets the eye. And it is so different than this author’s other books that I have been fortunate enough to read.

High marks for this one as it hits on what it potentially could be like to suffer from infertility, to have someone else carry your baby, to deal with marriage stuff, and to fight for what is rightfully yours and to understand some truths that were buried for such a long time.

Winter's Season by R.J. Koreto Blog Tour and Book Review

 

Back in 1817 there was a Society who hosted Seasons. Society is what you would call the higher-class folks back in the 1800s, and a Season is when all these folks got together to host parties, dinners, and the like in order for men to meet eligible women to be their wives (interesting concept). Of course, the lower-class women hoped to hide their inadequacies in order to be chosen as a wife, and some families (it seemed to me) prearranged for their relatives to be wed. Some marriages were (obviously) for convenience and social standing – not always happily.

Edmund (Eddy) Winter was a serviceman back in his day and is now what is termed a ‘gentleman,’ who is an investigator of sorts, which is the basis of this tale – his investigative efforts to discover how Cornelia Silverton came to suffer a terrible tragedy. Not to mention Beryl, a housemaid, being thrown into the mix. In his pursuit of the truth, he encounters all sorts of different characters – both good and bad – some he knew, some were new acquaintances during this particular Season.

The lady I was most intrigued with was Barbara Lightwood. She is a woman who had to earn, if you will, her position in Society. She also had an interesting relationship with Winter.

You have to remember that back in the 1800s there were certain protocols that folks had to follow. Some things were said without actually being said, rather folks talked in a bit of a coded language that Winter had to decipher.

It was interesting to me how Winter was able to keep up with all the tidbits he uncovered throughout his quest of the truth. You also have to remember that back in his time there was no internet, no cell phones, no computers, no cars (transportation being horse and buggy). It was just good old-fashioned detective work that led Winter to the end of the case he was working on, including Bert (the man he employed to run errands for him).

I especially enjoyed the scenarios where Winter was with certain women and he almost always said something that could be construed in a way that he did not mean. He seemed the sort of man who wanted to let women down gently and wasn’t one to want to settle down or be chosen to do so during this particular Season.

I was having a hard time keeping up with all the ‘clues’ that Winter was uncovering and was quite surprised at the final whodunnit. I hadn’t figured it out and didn’t even venture a guess. This tale is heavy with historical tidbits which made it a rather ‘heavy’ read (at least for me), but overall, I got a chuckle out of some of the situations Winter found himself in, especially with the women who found him a good catch.

 

 

Find Mr. Koreto:

Website: https://rjkoreto.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-j-koreto

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14243243.R_J_Koreto

Twitter: https://x.com/RJKoreto

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

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Winters-Season-Regency-R-J-Koreto/dp/1592116892/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3P8M8QZKB36MK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WoFXGLML41R9GfAb7p3sgFtohN_MBN6pgJgqZw8P1IJyDkGeEfurQztLqBmh7f0Vl4gYyFcMlENTPQewLOiCLgWhQc3CbXPsy0r6nzv06ZeXrEWOIktI0eKl4sU70BF5IlMdvp0buKXOtqXc0MC250xv6FEZF3OCcj1xr2gmp_n_kNge18UI212R8wBSkUn0Gv6FJPC1PYdFERwHPP-Em7iafQaAs9laimbFI5ILn8Y.LhKk8GoJREpxVeHyI3gbDjVw4S0Xv5e79lyK2QwUF4w&dib_tag=se&keywords=winter%27s+season+koreto&qid=1768835382&sprefix=winter%27s+season%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winters-season-rj-koreto/1147243724?ean=9781592116898

 

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