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.