The Tattoo Artist by Lori Lacefield Book Review

 

I was gifted an early copy of this book in return for a review.

I don’t know what it is about this book, but I was totally sucked in by it from the get-go … before I knew it, I was halfway through!

Zoe owns her own tattoo shop in Nevada. So, of course, this means that random people walk in looking for some new ink or maybe even their first tattoo. Such is what happened when she met a very heavily tattooed man. She was taking stock of his other body art when she noticed one particular tattoo that triggered a memory. So much so that she wanted to take a picture of which he would not allow. Little did he know, Zoe would launch her own “investigation” into what his tattoos meant. Through her research, she crossed paths with the detective she had previously encountered and some other not-so-friendly characters. Because of the slippery slope she was going down, she had to be careful who she talked to and what she told them. Did she find the answers she was looking for?

This is the third book in Ms. Lacefield’s Women of Redemption Series. As this is the first one I have read, I suspect they can all be read as standalones. It will be interesting to see what other characters come to light in this series. To me, this was a pretty intense read.

Too Much - Never Enough by Mary Trump Book Review

To be perfectly honest, I was not going to even post and/or review this book. Then I thought, wait a minute, that's not fair to Ms. Trump. She is deserving of a review just as much as any other author. I did not read this book because I am political ... I am the most non-political person you will ever meet. I read this book simply out of curiosity. I did not even know this book existed until I heard Ms. Trump talking about it on something my husband was listening to. And, she is a PhD, which gives her a deeper understanding of the psychology of people.

I found this to be an interesting read. Normally, when folks write these sorts of books they are done in a rather boring, dry narrative form. While Ms. Trump wrote this in a narrative form, she wrote it such that it is not just spewing facts and figures at the reader, rather it is a story that captures the reader's attention, at least it did mine, so much so that I read it in one sitting. It is written such that one almost begins to feel "sorry" for Donald Trump ... I said almost.

While it can probably be said that our upbringing defines the person we become, I don't think that is always true. I truly believe that if we know what we are doing is wrong, we can change those things. Unfortunately, for Donald Trump, no one ever took the time to correct his bad behavior, his parents seemed to be absent (though present) in his life, he apparently never learned the difference between good behavior and bad behavior. No, this does not excuse anything he has done as an adult; it does, however, tend to explain quite a bit. How can a 4-year-old know right from wrong if he is never taught by anyone?

Again, I read this book because of the psychology involved and my own personal interest, not because of any sort of political interest. 

You Can Trust Me by Emma Rowley Book Review

 

Not my picture. 

I was able to download an early copy to read via Net Galley. 

The first half of this story is told in the voice of Nicky Wilson, a ghostwriter. She finally received the email she had been waiting for and off she went to spend a week with Olivia, an online lifestyle influencer. Olivia, her book’s subject, did not seem to be very forthcoming so Nicky went in search of the answers she was looking for. 

The second half of this book is told in the voice of Olivia Hayes. Olivia was not very forthcoming about her life for Nicky which led Nicky to seek out answers on her own. Olivia knew she was going to be “found out” at some point and she didn’t want that to happen. The question is – what did she do about it? 

What I liked about this book: I like the fact that Ms. Rowley took a seemingly “boring” subject, that of a ghostwriter, and turned it into something more. This is definitely a book that you cannot judge by its cover. There is a twist in the second half that is totally unexpected. 

Who this book would appeal to: Anyone who likes a good page turner. I definitely would have finished this book sooner if I didn’t have to work. 

What I didn’t like about this book: Nothing.

Little Deadly Secrets by Pamela Crane Book Review

 

Not my picture. 

Lily was married to Tony; no children.

Mackenzie is married to Owen; their daughter, Aria.

Robin is married to Grant; their children, Ryan, Willow, Lucas, Collette. 

Lily, Mackenzie, and Robin met in college and promised to keep their friendship going throughout life. These three ladies maintained their friendships so closely that their children grew up together. There are so many secrets going on throughout this book … all tying together in one way or another. Mackenzie kept Owen’s secret which ultimately changed him. Mackenzie kept Robin’s secret of what happened so long ago. Lily had her own issues dealing with Tony leaving and her drug addiction (that she tried to hide and failed at). 

This is the kind of book I enjoy reading, the kind that is filled with deep-seated friendships that nothing can rip apart no matter what (that is true friendship); deceit and lies, so much so that sometimes you don’t know what the truth is. This book is written such that at the end of each chapter or two there is just a hint that another twist is coming, it makes you want to keep turning the pages to find out exactly what “bombshell” is going to be revealed. 

I am putting trigger warnings on this to include alcohol/drug addiction, physical/sexual/emotional abuse, rape, infidelity.

Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch Book Review

I had the opportunity to read an early review copy of Whisper Island via Net Galley. (Not my picture.) 

This story is told in the voices of Mia, Scarlett, Riley, and Sammy, four young women who met in college, seemingly drawn together through their art. There are a couple of added voices, those of Rob and Opal, as well. What better way to escape the secrets of your past than to take an opportunity to go to Whisper Island? Who would think that such an amazing sounding trip would end up in such tragedy?

What I liked about this book: Ms. Lynch’s uncanny ability to lace clues all throughout each chapter, leading the reader to keep turning pages. 

Who this book would appeal to: Anyone who likes a tale shrouded in mystery and is enjoying reading as Ms. Lynch continues to entertain us with her writing ability, each book seemingly better than the last. (My favorite still holds at She Lied She Died, newly released December 2020).

What I didn’t like about this book: Nothing, other than the fact I couldn’t read it in one sitting as I do have to sleep at some point!

I look forward to Ms. Lynch’s next book! I truly am impressed at her ability to hone her skill in storytelling. Another good read! Publishing February 2021.

Just My Luck by Adele Parks Book Review

Not my picture.

I have to admit that I was beginning to think that this was going to be a ho-hum tale of what it's like to win the lottery and then bam! A twist entered the picture and I kept reading to find out what happened. There is a whole lot of family deceit going on, on both sides involving the husband and his lies and the wife and her lies, on top of dealing with their kids and the kids' relationships. The bad guy in this story ... now that was a kind of a shocker. I found this to be an entertaining read.

The Advocate's Labyrinth by Teresa Burrell Book Review

 

(Not my picture.) 

As a member of Ms. Burrell’s review team, I had the opportunity for an early read of Ms. Burrell’s upcoming novel, The Advocate’s Labyrinth.

Sabre Brown is an attorney. Her Aunt Goldie, not really her aunt but who was married to Sabre’s mother’s brother, passed away unexpectedly, leaving Sabre as her trustee. Goldie was not the person Sabre always thought she was. She was so much more. This is an entertaining tale of how Goldie lived as a hoarder but had more buried secrets. There are some interesting characters in this book, to include Goldie’s five children (Micki and Rocki (twin girls), Travis and Langston (twin boys), and Chase. I hope you will enjoy the uncovering of Goldie’s secrets as Sabre and her significant other, JP, work to unravel the labyrinth that Goldie created.

There is also an underlying story of a court case that Sabre finds herself involved in, one that involves another family entirely. Read how she helps them find out the truth of what happened to Perry.

Thin Ice by Paige Shelton Book Review

 

I was fortunate enough to have won this book through a Facebook giveaway.

Beth Rivers is an author who writes under the pen name Elizabeth Fairchild. She finds herself on a plane to a very remote spot in Alaska, that of Benedict, after suffering an ordeal at the hands of the “bad guy” in this story. While on her way to Benedict, one of the local residents, Linda Rafferty, ends up dead. The people of Benedict learn to trust folks because it is a matter of survival in some cases. Beth booked her room at the Benedict House, what she thought was a hotel, but turned out to be a halfway house for parolees flown in from Anchorage. Of course, staying at the “House,” Beth is automatically assumed to be another parolee. Only one person in Benedict knows her true identity and keeps it to himself. Beth finds herself taking over the local paper, Petition, and finds that her author curiosity lends her to helping with Linda’s death which is not as it seems. There are more stories wrapped up in this tale while Beth wrestles with her own memories of what really happened to her and no one seems to be who they say they are.

This is an entertaining read and realistic, to the point where one might find themselves thinking that Benedict, Alaska, may just be the place to “escape” to … it is remote and no one really knows one another, but the residents do know who they can trust. I believe this is going to be a series, but certainly can be read as a standalone, though it may leave one with questions as it ends with the assuredness that there will be more adventures for Beth.

The Remora Shadow by Drew Stone Book Review

 Mr. Stone reached out to me for a read and review. I was happy to do so as he writes in a genre I enjoy – that of legal thrillers.

Bryce Seagraves, an attorney, was hired by Richard Kostas who never showed up for his appointment. Marisa Dupree, who worked with Mr. Kostas, presented herself to Bryce’s office, as she was also named in the lawsuit filed by Benton Dynamics. Benton Dynamics, a company who holds proprietary data, is claiming that Mr. Kostas and Ms. Dupree stole some of their information and they want it back. All this has to do with the Remora Shadow, an underwater drone. The question is where did their information go?

If you like legal thrillers mixed with a bit of intrigue, you are sure to enjoy this book. I look forward to more courtroom drama involving Mr. Seagraves.

Thank you, Mr. Stone, for the opportunity to read and review “The Remora Shadow.”

Cold Conviction by Daryl Wood Garber Book Review

 

Published October 27, 2020.

I was selected by Ms. Garber for a "read and review" through a Facebook giveaway. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Garber and the third in her series of Aspen Adams.

Aspen is a former therapist turned private detective. She gets a call out of the blue one day from her drug-addicted sister, Rosie, who, for whatever reason, is thinking about their parents' murders 14 years ago. This call sends Aspen from Lake Tahoe to the Bay Area where the crime happened. This is a tale of Aspen's adventures and misadventures while in the Bay Area trying to solve this 14-year-old crime. The question is - does she solve a crime that has been cold for so long? There are also some underlying stories intermixed that all come together in the end. Just the kind of book I enjoy reading.

While reading this book, I thought I had figured out "who dunnit," so to speak. Nope. The "bad guy" turned out to be the person you would least expect. This is what made this a good read to me, thinking it was one person and finding out it was someone else. While this is the third book in this series, it is tied up in the end, making it a book you can read as a standalone. 

The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer Book Review

 

Releasing April 2021 (not my picture). 

As a member of Mr. Palmer’s Facebook group, I was able to download an early copy from Net Galley. Publishing in April 2021.

 Penny suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID) (previously known as multiple personality disorder). Her alters include Eve (the protector), Chloe (the artist), Ruby (the British accent). Through a tragic set of events, Penny ended up in Edgewater, a prison “mental” hospital, where she met Dr. Mitch McHugh. Through Grace’s persistence (Penny’s adoptive mother), Dr. Mitch McHugh, and a few other characters, they were able to work their way through all the “clues” Penny (and her alters) were able to relate to Dr. McHugh to get to the truth. The “bad guy” in this story … you won’t believe who it turns out to be. A good psychological read for sure! 

As a medical transcriptionist, I am very much interested in medical/psychological reads. I have to hand it to Mr. Palmer for taking the time to research this topic. I think he did an incredible job in the telling of this story, making it very real with very relatable characters. If you are like me and enjoy this sort of read, I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy of “The Perfect Daughter.”

The Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry Book Review

 I was fortunate enough to have won this book through a Facebook giveaway. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Berry and I am sure I will read more.

Lindsey is married to Andrew (their children Jacob, Wyatt, and Sutton).

Dani is married to Bryan (their children Luna and Caleb).

Kendra is married to Paul (their children Sawyer and Reese). 

This story is told in three voices, those being Lindsey, Dani, and Kendra. There was a party that Sawyer, Caleb, and Jacob went to. There was alcohol. There were drugs. There was a gun. There was an accident resulting in Sawyer’s death, Jacob’s vegetative state, and Caleb pretty much going catatonic. There are marital conflicts intertwined. There is domestic abuse of the emotional sort (which may be a trigger for some folks). There are so many layers to this story being told as the three mothers just want to get to the bottom of things … the why of what happened. The interesting thing is that these three ladies all went to school together and thought nothing could break up their friendships. Is this the final straw for them or will the truth ultimately bring them back together? Will the truth destroy these families? 

If you like twisty psychological reads, I highly recommend you get yourself a copy. This book will keep you turning the pages as more than one truth unfolds.

She Lied She Died by Carissa Lynch Book Review

 

(Not my picture.)

I downloaded an early copy of this from Net Galley.

Julie Juliott was murdered when Natalie was nine years old. She watched the commotion from her brother’s bedroom window after Julie’s body was found on her family’s farm. Natalie moved away from home when she was old enough but ended up coming back home to take care of the family farm, or at least what was left of it. Chrissy, the woman accused of Julie’s murder, was released from prison (having confessed to the crime) and Natalie reached out to her. It had always been Natalie’s dream to write a book some day and to her this seemed like the perfect opportunity, a chance to tell Chrissy’s side of things. As the story unfolds, Natalie is led down a path that leads her to the truth … a truth that she was not expecting. 

Ms. Lynch just keeps getting better and better. She has totally knocked this one out of the park. Releasing December 2020. Don’t miss this one!

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Steena Holmes Book Review

Not my picture.

As a member of Ms. Holmes’ reader/influencer team, I had the opportunity to read her latest release early.

Paige and Jessica are twins. How ironic is it that Paige ends up working for CHILD, an organization who helps search for missing girls, when her own sister went missing so long ago? Paige serves as a liaison to families who are in the same situation as she finds herself, sometimes feeling guilty at the “jealousy” she feels when families are successfully reunited. In this story you will meet some intriguing characters from Paige herself to the people she works with at CHILD and those in her personal life including Detective Lindsay, Jamie (Paige’s significant other), Paige and Jessica’s mom (Sarah), Monique (another CHILD worker), Anita (CHILD receptionist), Father Jeremy, Detective Meri Amber, to name a few. Together they are all working tirelessly to reunite families … or at least find the missing girls.

This is a captivating story about the finding of a sex trafficking ring in their own neighborhood. Join the above-listed characters as they go about finding out who the bad guys are and helping reunite the families with the two Jane Does they were able to locate. Sadly, this happens in our world today … probably more than we hear about. Kudos to Ms. Holmes for writing a story she felt needed to be told.

What's Not Said by Valerie Taylor Book Review

 

I have had my eye on this book since I started seeing posts on Facebook about it. I am also fortunate enough to be connected to Ms. Taylor through one of the many groups on Facebook. I reached out to her to see if she was selling signed copies of her book – turns out she was!

This is a gorgeous book with an entertaining tale inside its pages. Kassie is married to Mike, and their marriage is full of deceit and lies on both sides. Kassie finds out that Mike is sick, something he had been hiding, and is suddenly torn – does she continue with her plan to leave or does she stay to take care of him?

This tale is full of all the elements I personally enjoy and has a lot of realism mixed in. Readers will find themselves connected to and rooting for Kassie, some may even find themselves connected to Mike and rooting for him. There is always a best friend (at least one can hope and be so lucky) … in this case, Annie. There are the secrets that are revealed … even some from Kassie’s mom who has been gone for a year before her attorney gave Kassie her final letter. And another deep-seated secret that comes to the surface.

All in all, I found this a great debut novel (read in one sitting) and look forward to the next one. Well done, Ms. Taylor, well done!

Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon Book Review

  

I was fortunate enough to have won this book through a Book Trib giveaway. I have to admit that I was hooked from the very first page ... a welcome break from my online course.

Eleanor, a self-employed web designer who has some inner demons, finds out the man who raised her was not her biological father. The road she goes down leads her to Lewis who couldn't possibly be interested in her, or could he? Follow Eleanor as she scores a couple of new clients that lead her down a path that she was not expecting.

This is a twisty read filled with dysfunctional family relationships, a bit of a love story, and an ending that you will not see coming. Get your copy!

Shattered Justice by Susan Furlong Book Review

As a member of Ms. Furlong's review team, I had the opportunity to read and review Shattered Justice.

Brynn continues to struggle with her personal battle of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Remember, Brynn is a Pavee crossing over into the "settled" world, living in Bone Gap. The Pavees have their own system of justice, but Brynn works for the local police department. She is involved in a case where they are only finding certain body parts and they need to find the person responsible, a connection. Brynn also finds herself battling her own emotions over a previous love interest and potentially a current love interest. It's a good read that ties this series together, to its conclusion.

I find Brynn to be a relatable character ... especially the connection she has to Wilco, her dog, both being war veterans. I think anyone who has gone through what Brynn goes through, even though she is a fictional character, will find some hope, some connection. I normally don't find myself emotionally invested in the books I read, but this one ... this one has a ring of truth to it which makes it more enjoyable, at least to me.

Little Girls Tell Tales by Rachel Bennett Book Review

Not my picture.

Published May 2020.

This is a book I downloaded from NetGalley.

As a young girl, Rosalie was wandering through the curraghs and stumbled upon some bones ... what she thought was a body. Because she had been away from home too long, her mom panicked and had a lot of folks out looking for her. When Rosalie was found, no one believed her story ... but no one apparently forgot either. In her early twenties, after not seeing her brother (Dillon) for five or six years, he returned home with a new friend, Cora ... someone he met through an online forum ... the same forum where he published Rosalie's story (unbeknownst to her). Cora was looking for her missing sister, Sabine, long since missing with no clues as to her whereabouts. Did Rosalie find Sabine all those many years ago? Some odd things occurred while Cora and Dillon were camping near the curraghs. Was someone trying to cover something up and scare them off from their search?

While Ms. Bennett's writing style is different for me, she weaves an interesting tale with some underlying family conflict, Rosalie learning to be okay without her wife (Beth), and perhaps a hint of romance between Rosalie and Cora.

 

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell Book Review

 

Not my picture.

Published July 28, 2020.

This is a book I downloaded off of NetGalley. This book does not disappoint! Ms. Campbell will be added to my go-to author list.

Tabitha (Tabby) and Connor met when she was 17 and he was 18. They had a summertime romance. Connor moved away, but Tabby never forgot him. Fast forward several years when who should walk into the diner where Tabby was working? Connor. She didn't believe it was him until she came face-to-face with him and took his order. Connor was married, but apparently not happily. Through an unfortunate circumstance, Tabby and Connor were able to finally become the couple they always thought they would. Through many twists and turns, Tabby began to unravel some long-lost secrets in the rich world she found herself now living in.

I cannot say more as there would be too many spoilers. Definitely a good read if you like twists and turns, a murder plot, forbidden romance, and seemingly minor characters having a bigger role than you might expect.

Mistaken Identity by Michael Sherer Book Review

 

Not my picture.

Expected to publish September 30, 2020.

I received a gifted copy from Mr. Sherer via NetGalley for a read and review.

Imagine being mistaken for someone else, simply because you are dressed the same way ... the only difference being a few extra pounds. Dana and Jenny each found themselves in this exact situation, Dana because she discovered a bit of embezzlement at her place of employment and Jenny (an FBI agent) because she was on her way home after being suspended from her job.

Mr. Sherer does an excellent job of combining Dana and Jenny's lives, mixed in with the bad guys chasing these two women, sprinkling in just a bit of romance ... rekindling a relationship between Jenny and Nate (who have a backstory of their own).

A Wish in Irish Falls by Jen Gilroy Book Review

Not my picture.

Publishing September 16, 2020.

I received a gifted copy from Ms. Gilroy for a read and review.

The story of Tara and Walker was a welcome change from my usual reads. Tara and Walker both suffered the loss of their partners; Tara losing her husband Adam; Walker losing Fae. Tara and Walker met each other in the small town of Irish Falls, developing an attraction for one another yet feeling guilty for having feelings for someone new.

Irish Falls has some intriguing characters: The Quinn family who own Quinn's Bakery. Kathleen, an older lady, who apparently has a gift for "seeing" (or at least hoping) future evens to the exclusion of her own romance. Finn, the stray dog Tara found. A wishing tree in the middle of the town. Jack who is a minor character in the book but has a love story of his own with Kathleen. There are some other minor characters mixed in as well who help complete this story.

If you like clean romance that takes place in a small town, give Ms. Gilroy a read.

#Hashtag by Timia J. Williams Book Review

One of the most exciting things about the book world is finding new authors. Such is the case of finding Ms. Williams. I happened upon her scrolling through Instagram. I sent her a note asking to see if she sold signed books. She does! The one she happened to have on hand was #Hashtag - a story to appropriate to today's world.

#Hashtag is about Sage ... a young black teen who was in the right place at the wrong time, a good kid. I say right place because all he did was go to the store to get his mom what she needed for dinner. This story is told in the voices of Sage; Mr. Singh, the store owner; Tanya Johnston, Sage's mom; Leslie Todd, the person who recorded the event; Officer Boyd, the bad copy; Officer Whitby, the good cop; the aftermath which brings this story to its conclusion.

I look forward to reading more from Ms. Williams.  In #Hashtag, she stays true to her voice, bringing to light a terrible tragedy that can happen to anyone, anywhere, sadly a sign of the world we occupy. There is a "kicker" to this story that will make you pause. 

The Lakehouse by Joe Clifford

This is the first book I have read by Mr. Clifford. When he posted on Facebook for reviewers, I jumped at the chance as I enjoy meeting and reading for new authors. I was not disappointed!

This book is full of dysfunctional family relationships, missing persons, a murder or two, a couple of accused men, a little bit of romance, a police chief trying to find answers, and a bad guy you don't expect ... all this in the small, sleepy town of Shallow Lake where a lake house is being constructed by Greg Norman. Tina, the soon-to-be-divorced character, meets Greg Norman and steps up as the only one in his corner, not believing that he committed the crime he is accused of. Why Greg wanted to come back to Shallow Lake has everything to do with his now deceased wife. The question is - who killed her? 

Mr. Clifford does an exceptional job of connecting the reader to Tina and writing a page turner you don't want to miss!

EDITED TO ADD: In the final version of The Lakehouse, Greg Norman's name has been changed to Todd Norman.

Publishing in September 2020. 

Blurred Lines by Victoria Ellis Book Review

Publishing July 10, 2020. (Not my picture.)

As a member of Ms. Ellis' ARC review team, I was gifted an early copy of "Blurred Lines." I am putting a language warning on this book for those who may be sensitive.

Ava Keyes grew up with parents who loved music - especially the classics. How appropriate for her to meet River Jacobs in a music store. River left Ava a note with the clerk of the record store on his way out that first day. Ava's dad convinced her to call River. She did. They had a summertime romance until River left for California to pursue his music dream. Fast forward five years. A chance meeting ... a romance rekindled but put on hold ... again. One year later ... do they dare try again? Are Ava and River really meant to be together? Will they stop getting in their own way and give them a shot at happily ever after?

It is interesting to note that Ms. Ellis titles her chapters with a song, including the artist, that represents the chapter. She is also able to hone in on how Ava and River's relationship transpires in a very realistic way. I am quite certain that there are many folks out in the "real" world who have been down the same sort of road and will be able to relate to Ava and River's relationship.

Trouble Will Find Me by Mike Donohue Book Review

I had the opportunity to proof Mr. Donohue's upcoming release, "Trouble Will Find Me," the fourth in his Max series.

If you have read the first three books, then you know Max is a wanderer and seems to always be fighting the bad guys, trying to stay low on everyone's radar. Book four finds Max in Canada, PEI to be exact, where there is a very large Amish presence. Max's quiet fishing boat job is interrupted when he finds himself being temporarily deputized by the police chief. His boat boss is also a member of the police force, called upon only when he is needed. The police chief needed some help solving some seemingly random murders ... or were they related? Max ultimately finds himself teamed up with RCMP Inspector Imogene Koenig which leads to perhaps a bit of romance. The two of them, Max and Imogene, make a formidable team in helping solve these murders.

Mr. Donohue is a master at writing great imagery as well as tying in his previous books to the current one, never letting out any hints as to who the murderer might be, and the ending ... well, you won't see that coming!

Watch for this one to be published in August 2020! (Not my picture.)

The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan Book Review

Releasing September 2020 (not my picture).As a Super Reader, I was gifted a NetGalley copy of "The First To Lie." This is also the first book of Ms. Ryan's I have had the opportunity to read.The premise of this book is that a large pharmaceutical company, Pharminex, is marketing a drug that has more side effects than they are willing to admit. There are quite a few people who were hurt by this drug, either physically or emotionally. So many characters in this book were pretending to be someone else entirely in order to uncover the cover-up about this drug.If you like a read that has characters that are sometimes hard to keep up with as to which identity they are at certain times coupled with some deep-seated family secrets and perhaps a bit of romance along the way, I highly recommend you add this to your to be read stack!

After All I've Done by Mina Hardy Book Review

Not my picture. Publishing November 2020.

This is a book I downloaded off of NetGalley.

Diana and Val were best friends growing up. Diana ended up marrying Jonathan and having a "rich" life. Val had moved away, only to move back home when her dad got sick and she needed to take care of him. At some point, Diana and Val made an agreement because Diana wanted to leave Jonathan, but according to the prenup she had to have proof of his infidelity ... enter Val's part in the scheme. Diana then had a bad car accident ... one so bad that she suffered anesthesia-related amnesia and could not recall at least two months of her life, what happened, who was involved, what she did or did not do, nothing. Her memories were just gone. During her accident, she had broken both of her collarbones so in swoops her mother-in-law, Harriett, who incidentally lived above Diana and Jonathan's garage in an apartment. Harriett cooked for Diana, drove her to her appointments, basically was the "mom" Diana never had, Diana having been adopted by a drug-addicted woman.

This story takes an interesting turn near the end of the book. I kept flipping pages to find out what was going to happen, if Diana was going to recover her memory. I was starting to piece things together while reading, but really was quite surprised at who the bad guy turned out to be.

The Safe Place by Anna Downes Book Review

This is a book I "won" from Minotaur through a GoodReads giveaway. Releasing July 14, 2020.

Emily has lost another temporary job and according to the temp service they are few and far between. As well, as an aspiring actress, she has also lost her agent who has decided to marry and move to the states. Feeling rather down on her luck, she is almost hit by a bus when her "knight in shining armor," Scott, who also happened to own the company she was just fired from, saves her from certain death. They go have a coffee. Scott offers Emily a once-in-a-lifetime job ... all she has to do is say yes. After some smooth talking from Scott, Emily says yes and without hesitation signs the confidentiality agreement. Off to a French estate she goes! Everything is seemingly normal but yet not normal, but Emily soon finds herself settling in and actually starts to enjoy all the hard work she and Nina have been doing to create what one might refer to as a sort of Neverland. Aurelia, Scott and Nina's daughter, does not seem as sick as Nina makes her out to be, troubled yes, sick no. After escaping for a day to a nearby city and catching up with some Google searches, Emily discovers a surprising secret about Nina and Scott ... a secret that is so tightly woven into the pages of this story it will leave you wondering how you didn't see it coming, a shocking turn of events at the end for sure.

There is some great character building in this book, I think. Emily, not so sure of herself, ends up finding she is a worthwhile individual. Scott who is a successful businessman is in actuality a rather weak man, Nina and Aurelia ... well, they are just some exceptional characters of their own.

Find Her Alive by Lisa Regan Book Review

This is a book I downloaded off of NetGalley (not my picture). This is the first book I have read by Ms. Regan, this being the eighth in her Detective Josie Quinn series.

Josie and her team (comprised of Noah, who is also Josie's significant other, Gretchen, and Mettner, to name a few) are working on The Bone Artist case. In this book, Ms. Regan does an amazing job of telling two stories at once, to provide much needed background to get to the end. While the reader is able to start piecing together who The Bone Artist turns out to be, just exactly how it all relates in the final outcome keeps one reading. There are some intertwining relationships involved: Josie and her twin sister Trinity; Josie and Noah; Josie and her grandmother; and let's not forget Josie and Trinity's parents (Trinity, Josie, and their biological parents are a story in themselves!). 

I think this would be a good series to read in order, to get a sense of the characters. If the other seven are anything like this one, they can all be read as stand-alone books. 

What She Didn't See by Heather Wynter Book Review

Not my picture.

As a member of Ms. Wynter's review/early reader team, I was gifted a copy of "What She Didn't See." Thank you!

What was supposed to be a trip for two best friends, Gracie and Lena, with this story taking place in Rome, turned out to be something much more deadly Gracie and Lena were on their way to meet Gabe and Luke for coffee at a cafe, when their simple walk down the street erupted in chaos. Through the devastation of this act, Gracie learned some things about herself and developed some feelings for Luke (at the time she met him she did not know what he did for a living).

Short stories are just that ... short. They have to encompass a lot of action in a short amount of time. Ms. Wynter has been able to do that in this novella. She has a budding romance, a bad guy, a good guy (or two), and the underlying theme of Gracie finding an inner strength. It will be interesting to see what "adventures" Gracie gets up to in the second installment.

Forget Her Name by Jane Holland Book Review

This is a book I purchased off of Amazon a while back. I believe it was one of those that popped up in the "you may be interested" category.

This is a story that is composed of a deep-seated family secret. One that I certainly was not expecting. If you are into psychological reads, I highly recommend you give this book a read.

Catherine (called Cat by some) apparently had a sister. When Catherine was 12, making Rachel right around 13 years old, Rachel suddenly disappears. To me, this story is so well written that when the "twist" happens you will find yourself thinking, "I didn't see that coming ... at all." As the caption on the book cover says, "The secrets of the past can't stay buried forever," especially with the uncovering of the diary that Catherine finds. And, the bad guy - you won't believe that either! Well done, Ms. Holland!

Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner Book Review

This is a book I "won" through an Instagram giveaway hosted by Ms. Brenner a month or so ago. I have a hard time categorizing books into any particular genre; this apparently is what you would call a "beach read."

This story takes place in Sag Harbor, New York, a sleepy little town rich in the city's history. Henry Wyatt, an artist, became a resident of Sag Harbor much to the disappointment of his long-time friend and self-appointed agent, if you will, Bea Winstead. Through their association, Bea became known in the art circle while Henry wanted a quieter life, out of the limelight, away from art. He wanted more from life. Bea could not understand this desire. While in Sag Harbor, Henry befriended a young girl, Penny, and taught her some drawing skills. Upon Henry's passing, his will became a point of contention between Bea and Penny's family.

You'll have to read the book to find out how this all turned out. Ms. Brenner does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into this story. I could just picture someone of Bea's standing swooping into this lazy little town of Sag Harbor thinking she would just rule the roost (so to speak), only to find her plans changed ... drastically. It's a refreshing read for sure!

For The Best by Vanessa Lillie Book Review

This is a book I downloaded from NetGalley. I now have another favorite psychological/thriller author in Vanessa Lillie. This is the first book of hers I have read. (Not my picture.)

Juliet has a drinking problem (this may be a trigger for some folks), but she doesn't seem to see alcohol as an issue. This story starts out with Juliet waking up the next morning from the Genius Grant launch ... only to find out that the main person involved, Terrence, is dead. She learns this when the police knock on her door and have her wallet in an evidence bag. This is a tale that has some deep-seated family strife ... some long-held secrets that are only revealed at the end of the book, with some complicated family relationships thrown in. How far would you go to protect your daughter, and would it be worth it in the end, even if it means destroying your family? An interesting read in which Juliet teams up with a long-lost love of hers, Phillip Hale, to find out the truth and to clear her family's name.

I am now looking forward to reading "Little Voices" by Ms. Lillie. It should be here soon! She will certainly become one of my go-to authors.

The Apartment by K.L. Slater Book Review

This is a book I downloaded from NetGalley (not my picture).

Give this book a chance. I have to admit that at first I was not "taken" by this book ... at all. Nearing the end, this story finally started to come together.

Freya, a young mother, had just lost everything she knew in her life ... her marriage, her home ... everything. She was now alone with her daughter, Skye, when an opportunity for a place to live magically seemed to appear. Of course she jumped at the opportunity, only wanting to do what was best for Skye. Strange things started to happen at their new apartment. Were they real? Was she imagining things or was she just overly stressed because of all the newness in her life? The "bad guy" in this story is someone you will not expect ... at all. Talk about a mind bender.

My Sister Is Missing by Carissa Ann Lynch Book Review

Ms. Lynch is fast becoming one of my favorite psychological/mystery authors. After reading her book, "The One Night Stand," I was wanting more so I picked "My Sister Is Missing." While it was slow, for me, in the beginning this story finally started coming together. The ending sure was not what I was expecting.

Emily came home to Bare Border at the insistence of her sister, Madeline, and Emily also met her niece and nephew, Shelley and Ben, for the first time. Her first night back Emily found herself struggling with the concept was was actually back home ... meaning she would have to face her demons. Madeline (Madi) told her she had something to tell her but would not tell her the first night. When Emily woke up the next morning, Madi was nowhere to be found. In Emily's search, she finds out that her old flame is now on the police force. Would he believe that something sinister happened to Madi and help Emily? Was Madi really missing or did she just take a time-out?

If you are looking for a fast read and one that has many underlying stories to include teenage relationships and failures, complex family relationships, the rekindling of old relationships, to name a few, give "My Sister Is Missing" a try. It is of great interest to me that at the very end of this tale Ms. Lynch brings up a very troublesome topic that affects us, especially our children, today.

Babysitters and Bodyguards by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

This book brings us to the end of Lindy and Ryder’s journey in this 5-book series. Lindy and Ryder are tasked with protecting three young girls, Julia, Ember, and Brooklyn, while their parents, Magdalene and Alexi, are apparently off doing whatever it is they do for work. Lindy’s sister, Jackie (going by the name of Josie as she is still not convinced Lindy is her biological sister), is the one who hired Lindy. Little did Lindy and Ryder know what they were signing up for with this job. Was someone really out to harm the girls or was there something else going on? Was Jackie/Josie involved? Will this be the case that breaks Lindy and Ryder apart for good or do they finally accept the fact that they are meant to be together and stay this time? Will Jackie finally admit the truth of her biological family?

Mrs. Neves has proven herself to be capable of writing across a few different genres. Her Lindy Johnson series is one of my personal favorites. I highly recommend you read this series in order, in order to familiarize yourself with the characters that are consistent throughout. As well, be sure to check out Mrs. Neves’ other works, to include her clean romance novels.

I had the extreme please of proofreading this book for Mrs. Neves. (Not my picture.)

This Is Not How It Ends by Rochelle B. Weinstein Book Review

This is a book I was fortunate enough to win through a Facebook giveaway via Suzy Approved Book Tours. While this is not my typical genre, I have to say this book needs more attention.

This story takes us through Charlotte's (called Charley by some) life trials of love, loss, rekindling of a relationship, learning that it is okay to follow your heart when it comes to love. While I do not usually find myself being pulled in and feeling "all the feels" while reading a book, there is a scene near the end that almost (I said almost!) made me shed a tear or two. Not because it was a sad moment, but because it was a happy moment. I cannot really say enough about this book. It is so well written and a story so well told. I highly encourage you to read this book ... especially if you are a reader who likes to feel "all the feels." While you, like myself, may figure out what is going to happen halfway through I sincerely hope you are not disappointed.

Thank you, Ms. Weinstein, for writing such a "beautiful" story.

The Perfect Secret by Steena Holmes Book Review

Releasing May 19, 2020!

Starla Bishop has had her fair share of hard knocks, including a few trips to prison. She had been adopted by her mom when she was a teenager and her mom has been by her side, supporting her in all that she does, ever since. Well, except maybe Starla’s relationship with Donald Dixon. See, when Starla got out of prison this last time, while of course things would be different this time, Donald is the one who offered her a chance at becoming something more than an ex-con. Her mom even encouraged her to take the job opportunity he was offering Starla, that being to work with his ex-wife, Alexius, at their landscaping business. Little did Starla realize she would be roped into doing odd jobs for the Donald’s used car business as well. She fell in love with him and she thought that he loved her. To what lengths would Starla go to protect him when she was picked up by the police yet again … or would she turn on him? Surprise ending!

Ms. Holmes is a new author to me and in this book you can “hear” the humor she has running through some of the scenes. She has made her characters relatable, so much so that you can almost see yourself in the same situations … doing, more than likely, the exact same things, especially when it comes to “love.” Quite an entertaining read!

Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia

This is a book I won through a giveaway hosted by Ms. Mejia via Facebook. I am glad I did!

According to the "letter" Ms. Mejia included with her book, she wanted to develop a story around forensic accounting but make it interesting. She was up for the challenge. She definitely excelled in her self-challenge. In this tale, we find Nora Trier (the forensic accountant) who is hired by a company called Strike which is an elite, if you will, workout program that has the attention of many, many people, Nora being one of them. They are planning a huge event to introduce their new program, vStrike. In amongst all the planning, it is discovered that funds are missing and they hire Nora and her crack team to find out just where the missing money is. That's not all ... there are some twisty turns in this accounting venture. The bad guy is someone who is well hidden in this tale.

Give this book a read. I guarantee it is not bogged down with all the intricacies of forensic accounting ... it is a solid, well-written tale that will keep you turning pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and hope to read more by Ms. Mejia in the future.

Cold Wicked Lies by Toni Anderson Cover Reveal

A young woman is found murdered on a remote mountainside, and top FBI Negotiator Charlotte Blood must go head-to-head with her stubborn, sexy, Hostage Rescue Team counterpart to unravel the mystery. When blame falls on a secretive survivalist group, the stakes turn deadly…and Charlotte discovers that she’s the one tangled in COLD WICKED LIES.

The newest riveting thriller by New York Times bestselling author Toni Anderson. 

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Toni Anderson writes award-winning, bestselling, FBI Romantic Thrillers. She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, RITA® finalist, science nerd, professional tourist, dog lover, gardener, mom. Anderson's books have won the Readers' Choice Award, Aspen Gold, National Excellence in Romance Fiction, Book Buyers' Best.  

Originally from a small town in Shropshire, England, Toni studied Marine Biology at University of Liverpool (B.Sc.) and University of St. Andrews (Ph.D.) with the intention she'd never be far from the ocean. Well, that plan backfired and she ended up in the Canadian prairies with her biology professor husband, two kids, a rescue dog, and a laid-back leopard gecko. 

Toni started writing while pregnant with her first child and never stopped. Her greatest achievements are mastering the Tokyo subway, climbing Ben Lomond, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and surviving fifteen Winnipeg winters (fingers crossed). She loves to travel for research purposes and was lucky enough to visit the Strategic Information and Operations Center inside FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2016. She also got to shove another (police) car off the road during pursuit training at the Writer’s Police Academy. Basically she has way too much fun!

For more information about Toni and her books, please visit her website: https://www.toniandersonauthor.com

Back Home at Firefly Lake by Jen Gilroy Book Review

This is a book I won through a giveaway hosted by Ms. Gilroy through Facebook.

While I am not one to read hot-and-heavy romance-type stories, Ms. Gilroy writes the kind of romance I enjoy reading ... that being "clean" romance. This is a story that takes us through Cat's trials as a young adult, making a mistake that led to the one great joy in her life, her daughter Amy. She returned back home to Firefly Lake to get herself together, to give Amy a chance at a better life and maybe a better education. Along the way back at Firefly Lake, she runs into an old school friend, Luc. Luc always was a protector of Cat when she would get picked on in grade school. Of course, now being adults, there is an underlying attraction between the two that each is afraid to act upon.

If you are looking for a clean, sweet romance, give this book a read!

The Darkest Secrets by Heather Wynter Book Review

I received an email from Ms. Wynter and in that e-mail she was looking for beta readers for which I was accepted. Ms. Wynter is a new author to me and I appreciate the opportunity to beta read “The Darkest Secrets.”

This is an entertaining tail of Amelia who lost her job at the FBI and joined the police department where her friends Trent and Brenda also worked. Amelia had a traumatic experience as a young child along with another young lady and was dealing with her past traumas, along with trying to be a better person herself. One of her major flaws is being late to work on an almost daily basis much to Trent’s disapproval as he was one who helped her get her job and took the slack for her. They were working on a case that involved the murder of a young lady and the FBI was called in, in the form of Gabe. Gabe happened to be the FBI agent who took Amelia’s old job so there was resentment there. This tale intertwines the lives of Amelia and Trent, Emma and her dysfunctional family, Anna one of the murder victims, Isabella another murder victim, as well as past traumas suffered by Amelia and Emma. Another story intertwined in this tale are some issues Amelia had to work out concerning her mother. While Amelia and Trent were working to solve the Anna’s murder, Amelia uncovered some secrets about her mother she knew nothing about.

Ms. Wynter does a fascinating job intertwining all these twists and turns, all culminating together in the end for a well-told tale. There is just the right amount of murder, police investigation, some soul searching on the part of Amelia, and maybe even just a hint of romance. If you have never read Ms. Wynter’s book(s), give her a try. I am sure you won’t be disappointed!

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris Book Review

This is a book I was fortunate enough to win through a Goodreads giveaway. While this book started off a bit slow, for my taste, I gave it a chance and it turned out to be a pretty good read.

This story is about Olivia (Livia) and her husband, Adam. Ever since they were married, Livia wanted to have a fortieth birthday party as she didn't have the wedding of her dreams. Adam made sure that dream of hers came true. For the past twenty years, Livia had been planning her big party. They had two children, Josh and Marnie. There was a falling out with Livia's parents because Josh was born out of wedlock and they disapproved. They had Marnie after they were married, but neither of their children ever met Livia's parents. Though Livia tried to forge a relationship with her parents, it was to no avail. The day of her big party arrived and both Livia and Adam were keeping secrets from each other. Neither one of them knew that their world would come crashing down around their ears, so to speak. When Adam finally built up enough courage to tell Livia some devastating news, she made the assumption that Adam was going to tell her what she wanted to tell him. In Adam trying to tell Livia his secret, Livia blurted out that she already knew and a whole lot of confusion ensued. When Livia finally calmed down enough, Adam told her the news that would shake their family to its core. Adam held off on telling Livia the news because he wanted her to have her last few hours of happiness.

Give this book a chance ... it is a light read with some family secrets, the mending of a relationship between a father and a son mixed in with some good friendships.

The Unwilling by John Hart Book Review

This is the first book I "won" via BookishFirst. This is a book that I had my eye on and when I started to read the excerpt, I didn't even have to finish it to know it would be a good read. I was not disappointed.

This story takes place during the Vietnam war era and revolves around the French family, parents Bill and Gabrielle, twin sons Robert and Jason, and youngest son Gibson (Gibby for short). Like his father, Robert joined the service and went to Vietnam. He did not return. Jason, his twin, decided to join and serve in Vietnam as well. The only difference ... Jason came home a broken man. Bill is also a member of the police force, so when Tyra is murdered all suspicions point toward Jason as he knew Tyra; as well, some suspicions were pointed toward Gibby because he also had a brief encounter with Tyra. Then, Sara, Tyra's roommate, goes missing. Also, suspicions were pointed heavily toward Gibby because he was seen with Sara. Enter Becky Collins, a girl who has had a crush on Gibby since sophomore year in high school. There is also Chance who is Gibby's best friend. There are also a couple of really nasty dudes, one simply referred to as X who is basically in charge of Lanesworth Prison where Jason ends up. Then, there is Reece who is apparently X's lawyer, but really is just a pawn in X's endgame as are the warden of the prison and a few of the guards.

At the heart of the story is a family who has been hurt by the war, a father who only wants to love and understand his son (Jason) and wants to also protect his younger son (Gibson). Gabrielle, the mother, always favored Robert and wanted only to protect her baby boy, Gibson, and wanted nothing to do with Jason nor did she want Gibby to have anything to do with Jason. Of course, Gibby has some conflicting emotions himself, to include anger at his father and his mother for shunning, so to speak, Jason, and he wanted to be involved in his brother's life.

This is a well-thought out and written story of what a family goes through in trying to understand each other through a time in our history that was not an easy one.

Due out June 23, 2020
St. Martin's Press

She Who Lies by Alex Kane Book Review

I had the opportunity to download a copy of this book from Net Galley.

List of Characters:

Brenda Shaw - the matriarch of the family, Gavin and Eva's mother, who did what a "mother had to do" to protect her young son, Gavin.

Gavin Shaw - a young entrepreneur who started his own landscaping business when he was a teenager.

Eva Shaw-Laird - ignored by her mother for the most part throughout her childhood, or so she thought, married to Stevie Laird.

Stevie Laird - partnered up with Gavin in his landscaping business when he was a teen, married to Eva Shaw for the wrong reasons.

Carla Laird - Eva and Stevie's daughter, who became an advocate for  mental health issues.

Kate - Eva's long-time friend from teenage hood who suffered at the hands of another "friend." No one, including Eva, believed her.

Dawn - a bartender who stood up for Kate.

Anika - young lady who worked with Carla.

Rebecca - Anika's twin sister.

Jo - the reporter with the "inside scoop" on the Shaw/Laird family. Turns out she wasn't who she was thought to be.

Maureen - a background character, but one who also turned out to be someone else.

A mother's job is to protect her children. A family's job is to stick by each other ... usually, no matter what. But to what lengths would a mother/family actually go to even if the crime committed was unspeakable? Find out when you read this intertwining tale to see the answers and how just one lie, carried around for years, can destroy an extremely profitable company, but more importantly how two families were demolished when the truth finally surfaces. Some very intriguing twists are contained in the telling of this story.

The One Night Stand by Carissa Ann Lynch

I had the opportunity to download this book from Net Galley. It is also the first book I have ever read by Ms. Lynch and let me tell you what ... she nailed it! If you like psychological thrillers with major twists then I highly recommend you give this book a read.

What would you do if you woke up with two dead people in your bedroom, one in your bed and one under your bed? This is exactly the situation Ivy found herself in. She had to hide these two bodies from her daughter, Delaney, so Ivy was grateful that Delaney was spending so much time with her father, Michael, his wife Samantha, and their two twin boys. Finally, Ivy had to include her best friend, Pam, in on the secret of what was going on ... Pam and Ivy have history that goes way back. Ivy had also accidentally backed into her neighbor, Fran, who ended up with a broken arm. In her attempts to apologize to Fran, they became friends in a strange sort of way, Ivy seeking a mother figure as her mom passed when she was a child and Fran was a lonely widow.

Ms. Lynch has this book so well written, going from "Now" to "Before" to childhood memories of Ivy. There are so many twisty turns involved ... oh, goodness! Just read the book!