Hooker Avenue by Jode Millman Book Review/Blog Tour

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. 

In this 360-page book, you will find some interesting characters. I am not sure how to “label” this one as there are elements of at least three different genres: Police procedural, legal thriller, and a bit of a political thriller as well. All three of these “labels” are contained within these pages.

Let me introduce you to the main characters:

Jessie Martin – Reading The Midnight Call, the first book in this series, will help in understanding part of Jessie’s backstory. This will explain the references to Terrence, her former mentor, and the trouble he creates in Jessie’s life. Jessie is an attorney who almost lost her license, her life, and her daughter, Lily. She is a strong female character who holds it together and finds a new beginning.

Hal Samuels III – District attorney who was previously involved with Jessie, married Erin which didn’t work, and ended up back with Jessie. He also decided to pull together a task force to help in assisting the police to find the person or persons responsible for the disappearances of nine different women, feeling he failed them as well as his city. Cindie, his assistant, reminds him of the upcoming election. Lauren, his predecessor, is nothing more than a thorn in Hal’s side, thinking she wants her old job back.

Ebony Jones – Detective with the Poughkeepsie police department. She and Jessie also went through their years of high school together. At one time, they enjoyed a close friendship, but as with life, they went their separate ways. In this tale, they are drawn back together but their friendship has taken a different trek as adults.

Zander – Ebony’s partner. He always has her back. He doesn’t always agree with her choices, but he supports her.

Lily – Jessie and Kyle’s daughter. Kyle isn’t mentioned much, but he’s mentioned enough to know that he and Jessie have a less than amicable relationship.

As soon as I started reading this tale, I was pulled in by Ms. Millman’s writing style. Being a lawyer herself, Ms. Millman’s writing relatable. Her characters seem to come alive through her descriptiveness, putting both lawyer and police folks in realistic situations. When Ebony and Zander are searching one particular home, the descriptions of what they see and what they smell … you can really use your imagination to “see” and “smell” what you are reading. If you like reading police procedurals and legal thrillers with just a hint of politics, I’m sure this will fit the bill.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hooker-Avenue-Queen-Crimes-Novel-ebook/dp/B09X1ZDMRM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1650227262&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hooker-avenue-jod-millman/1141350432?ean=9781685120825

 

Find Jode Millman:

Website: https://www.jodemillman.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jode-millman?list=about

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/64152.Jode_Susan_Millman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/worldseats

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

 

Interested in your own book tour?

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

 

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Toxic Soup by RR Rowley Book Review/Blog Tour

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

Charley – the victim.

Casey – Charley’s sister who has decided to go after the people responsible for what happened to Charley. Casey also faces some conflicting feelings – those involving Lolly (her girlfriend); Sam her sometimes bed mate; her two roommates, Jett and Frank, each bringing to her what she needs at the time. Casey works as a bartender at a local saloon, but in the mornings she finds herself spending time at the river, that is until what happened to Charley.

Lolly – Casey’s girlfriend and best friend. (Be prepared, Lolly is a dancer, and the descriptions of her job are quite risqué.)

Jett and Frank – Casey’s two roommates, both of whom have feelings for Casey (who seems immune to their feelings). Frank is also what you would describe as a rich boy, with nothing to do but play on the water. Frank is also the kind of guy who cares, but doesn’t always say the right thing. Jett has some deep feelings for Casey but doesn’t let them show because … Lolly and Sam. He also has a pot business in the basement.

Uncle Tony – Frank’s uncle. He offers Frank and Jett an opportunity.

Sam – Casey’s sometimes bed partner. Sam is an ex-con. Sam also has feelings for Casey. They use each other in the moment.

Bear – Big dude. He believes in Casey’s mission, introduces Casey to his grandmother.

Bill and Richard – Two of the men who work at Hanford.

This story revolves around the Hanford plant that is tasked with the mission of getting rid of the “toxic soup” that is being stored at their facility, but the stuff is so toxic that it eats through containers. Check out the first paragraph in Chapter 14 – excellent description, giving the reader a visual of the muck. There is also the intertwining story of Jett’s pot business. There is such a mishmash of characters in this story, with the two main intersecting stories, that it just works. The characters play off of each other, drawing whatever it is they need from one another. I think these are characters that we all can relate to.

Even before I finished reading this book, I was appreciating the writing style of Mr. Rowley, that being it comes from his heart. As well, I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so reading this book took me back to my childhood.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Soup-Rr-Rowley/dp/1509241167/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TCCWUQ8X15ZZ&keywords=toxic+soup+rr+rowley&qid=1650226885&sprefix=toxic+soup%2Caps%2C353&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toxic-soup-rr-rowley/1140921387?ean=9781509241163

 

Find RR Rowley:

Website: https://rrrowley.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074038092489

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rr-rowley?list=about

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22176462.R_R_Rowley

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rrrowleywrites#devil

 

Interested in your own book tour?

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

 

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Swarm by Guy Morris Book Blast

 

Find Guy Morris:

Website: https://www.guymorrisbooks.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/guy-morris

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18363786.Guy_Morris

Twitter: https://twitter.com/guymorrisbooks

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

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SWARM-Artificial-Intelligence-Prophecies-Chronicles/dp/1735728608/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IVE0WYCHTNT8&keywords=swarm+guy+morris&qid=1655078778&s=books&sprefix=swarm+guy+%2Cstripbooks%2C188&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/swarm-guy-morris/1139273677?ean=9781735728629

Interested in your own book tour?

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Red Zone by Luke Murphy Book Review

 

Book 3 in the Charlene Taylor series. I highly recommend reading this series in order to get a sense of Charlene and Larry and their partnership as detectives, but it’s not necessary as these books are able to be read as standalones. In this tale, Charlene and Larry are called to the scene of the USC Trojans playing field, the “red zone,” to investigate the death of a college student, Samantha. In this tale, we are also introduced to a new character, Calvin Watters, a PI, and readers know how Charlene feels about PIs, but Calvin is different. Calvin gets under her skin, so to speak, and she is able to work with him to solve this case. It also helps that Calvin has an “in” at USC, but some folks don’t want him poking around. Yes, there’s a backstory there as to the why. Sometimes that “in” is tested. As well, Calvin comes into contact to some of his old acquaintances at USC, some welcoming and some not so much which lends to Calvin’s backstory.

It is going to be interesting to read the Calvin Watters series by Mr. Murphy. He has a writing style that is, I suspect, only going to get better as the years go by. If you like whodunits that have backstories that are interwoven, give Mr. Murphy a try. If his Calvin Watters series holds true like his Charlene Taylor series, I suspect readers are in for some good books and some intriguing characters whose lives will intersect and with some interesting backstories that tie together.

Kiss & Tell and Rock-A-Bye Baby are books 1 and 2.

Such A Perfect Wife by Kate White Book Review

 

This is book 8 in the Bailey Weggins series … only seven more to go! If the other seven are anything like this one, I suspect they can all be read as standalones, though I suspect starting at book 1 would give the reader a more in-depth look of who Ms. Weggins is, other than a PI freelance writing for Crime Beat.  This particular tale takes her to New York where she is learning about the case of a missing wife, Shannon Blaine. After a certain amount of time, as in all missing person cases, folks begin to suspect Shannon is dead but hope otherwise. Maybe Shannon just got tired of “mom life” and took off for a day or two. Maybe she was tired of being so perfect she needed a break. Whatever the reason, she has disappeared from their midst. The more Bailey questions the residents of Lake George, the further down a winding path she goes. As it so happens, Bailey stumbles upon an intersecting case that happened ten years ago with two missing joggers. But, just exactly how do they connect?

There are some other interesting characters in this tale: Shannon’s husband, Cody. Shannon’s sister, Kelly. Alice, the local reporter who befriends Bailey. Riley, Cody’s workplace assistant. Matt, a competing reporter. And Ms. White threw in a couple of affairs just to make this story interesting.

I enjoy the character of Bailey Weggins. She is inquisitive and doesn’t stop until she finds the answers. Now I need to read the seven other stories to see what trouble she finds herself in.

The Girl From Widow Hills by Megan Miranda Book Review

 

Well, all right then. I need more of Ms. Miranda’s writing. No kidding! Arden Maynor is quite the interesting character with quite the interesting tale to tell. Out of the blue she receives a box … a box that contains a part of her past which lends to her having memories of her childhood. The thing is, she doesn’t know if the memories she is having are real or imagined. And wait until you find out the truth behind the whole thing. I mean really … what are the odds of such a young child surviving being swept away during a bad storm, clinging onto a sewer drain hoping against hope someone would find her?

Arden wanted to get out of the public eye, so she moved away and changed her name. But, every anniversary, especially the tenth and twentieth, her story surfaces again and again … over and over … as if people just couldn’t forget “the girl from Widow Hills.”

Read the book. I’m sure you’ll be as intrigued as I was with the premise of this story. If any of Ms. Miranda’s books are like this one, dark and creepy, just like I like ‘em, readers are in for a treat or two!

Strangers We Know by Elle Marr Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture, published May 2022.)

Ivy Hon is adopted, living her life in California with her cat, Onyx, and a somewhat strained relationship with her brother, Carson, their parents having passed on. Ivy has a medical condition that no one seems to have the answers to or for, so she decides to take an online DNA test. Much to her surprise, she gets a hit which leads her to Lottie, her cousin. After reaching out, Lottie is most excited to learn about Ivy and invites her to Washington State to meet some of her family. Ivy’s intention is to learn about her medical history on her biological parents’ side, both her mother and her father, but the more she starts to question the more doors start to close. She finds herself captivated by the tale of the Full Moon Killer. You’ll have to read the book to find out the answers Ivy uncovers.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Marr and I am intrigued by her writing style. It is clear-cut and to the point, with backstories intertwined, messed-up family relationships, and the story of what adoptees go through, especially when it comes to health history. The characters Ms. Marr created in this book are very relatable, if somewhat unsuspecting. Wait until you get to the whodunit! I look forward to more of Ms. Marr’s work.

Little Does She Know by Pamela Crane

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. Publishing June 21, 2022. (Not my picture.)

Ms. Crane has a new series … this is book one. I’m excited for the rest of this series (aptly called the If She Only Knew Series).

Ginger – As Ms. Crane describes Ginger, she is the epitome of the 1980s. And wow! The imagery used when Ginger is telling what happened to her back in the 1980s is spot-on, from CorningWare to the music to the clothes styles. Ginger is her own person, wearing (yes, still) her wardrobe from back then in 2022. Why? Because it was the nicest thing her husband did for her. Ginger carries some deeply hidden secrets about what happened all those many years ago.

Tara – Ginger’s next-door neighbor and best friend. That friendship almost ends because of some of the secrets that are unraveled.

Chris – Tara’s husband. He’s accused of a crime and goes to jail, but he refuses to defend himself.

Nora – Chris and Tara’s daughter.

Jonah – Tara’s brother. Jonah is an interesting character in that he has done a stint with drugs and struggles with depression. Wait until you find out the truth about Jonah. His issues make him a very relatable character.

Eloise – Tara and Jonah’s mother. Eloise has a long-buried secret of her own.

Benson and Cole – Ginger’s sons.

This tale is told in two voices, those of Tara and Ginger. Tara uncovers Ginger’s secrets, tries to get Chris to open up to her, has to reconcile with her brother, and tries to protect Nora all at the same time, all this while running a rescue ranch for horses. The imagery, the hidden messages Ms. Crane interlaces in this tale, the horse rescue … Ms. Crane is at the top of her writing game with this series.

What They Don't Know by Susan Furlong Book Review/Blog Tour

 

I have had my eye on this book since I first saw Ms. Furlong sharing it across social media. I jumped at the chance to read and review it when I saw it was being offered by Partners in Crime Tours. I am so glad I had this opportunity!

I was first introduced to Ms. Furlong’s writing through her Bone Gap series, which are incredible reads. I am glad to see she has taken on the “thriller” genre.

What They Don’t Know starts off with a bang and … does … not … stop. I should not have started this book a couple hours before having to start my workday. This book pulled me in from the beginning and I wanted to continue reading it all day long.

The characters:

Mona … seemingly obsessed with her doll collection, overly so. She also comes across as a “needy” female, but is she or is she harboring deeper secrets? And those posts on Instagram? Are they really meant for Mona, who posted them, and what do they mean?

Ben … Mona’s husband, a child psychiatrist, who is more concerned with his clinic than his family. He is always telling Mona to focus on the positive and prescribing her too many medications to keep track of. Is he the buy guy?

Their son, Gus. His secrets are later revealed.

The victim, Mia. What really happened to her? The truth may shock you!

Mona’s friends, Tara, Selma, and Alice. Tara is a counselor. Selma is a real estate agent. Alice is the divorcee. All of these families live on the same block and these four friends get together for book club. This is where the story all starts to unfold and where Mona begins to unravel.

The cops, Reyes and his partner, Meyers. Two cops who have different ways of investigating crimes. Reyes also has a daughter, Stella.

This book takes the reader on a journey that they will not soon forget. If you are looking for a read that will pull you in and are a reader of the “thriller” genre, be sure to grab this one!

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/What-They-Dont-Susan-Furlong/dp/1645060403/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UIPYQ9SWLGI5&keywords=susan+furlong&qid=1649019475&sprefix=susan+furlong%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-they-dont-know-susan-furlong/1140377103?ean=9781645060406

 

Find Susan Furlong:

Website: http://www.susanfurlong.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-furlong

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592563.Susan_Furlong?from_search=true&from_srp=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Furlong_Sue

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

 

Interested in your own book tour?

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

 

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