#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.)