Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills Blog Tour and Book Review

 

I had the opportunity to grab a copy of this book to read and I am so glad I did! If I had the time, I’m sure I would have devoured these pages in one sitting.

I enjoyed ‘meeting’ Carrington (a trained negotiator) and Levi (an investigative journalist). In the beginning, they were both called to a scene and weren’t surprised the other was there, considering they’d worked together before. They each held a silent respect for each other and their individual jobs. Case closed. They thought they’d go their separate ways when another situation required their attention … a bigger situation. This situation involved a couple of prominent families in Victoria, Texas, and it threw Carrington and Levi together once again.

There are quite a few backstories throughout these pages as well. There is the story of Will (husband), Felicia (wife), and their two children (Jace and Emma). Not to mention the parents of both Will and Felicia. There are the police personnel who are involved, Sheriff Macmire especially. Boyd and Lyndie and the problems Lyndie’s own mother caused. Skip, who was assigned his first big case, but he never gave up.

I enjoyed the intersecting yet conflicting emotions the author was able to portray with words alone. Carrington carries some emotional baggage which led her to give up on her faith, if she even had any. Levi, on the other hand, maintains his faith but has his own baggage that he carries around but prays continually for a resolution. I like the attraction that these two obviously felt for one another – one too scared to give in, and the other hoping a relationship would blossom.

I also enjoyed all the smaller tidbits – well-off but dysfunctional families, grown children who are trying to be better than those who raised them, troubled wives, troubled teens, a couple of relationships that shouldn’t have lasted but did, a budding romance, and Arthur (Carrington’s dog, her faithful companion). I really enjoy this author’s writing style; I like the fact that she is able to interlace all these messy stories yet portray a feeling of hope and forgiveness. Lethal Standoff is listed as a standalone read, but I suspect Carrington and Levi may find themselves faced with another dangerous situation in the future; at least, I hope so as I’d like to read about it.

  

Find Ms. Mills:

Website: https://diannmills.com/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann-mills

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81639.DiAnn_Mills

Twitter: https://x.com/diannmills

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

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lethal-Standoff-DiAnn-Mills/dp/1496485106/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EP921P9KM08R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VjAlzvy91MgUxrlFqZwJIikj1TT31EMNtLZ79x28x4Sw4zDzbD3d7bhjeFM9WX_7chBJYFyWOUKZ0iHT6IJJiMR7_JhTyTxsEcSQULbI3xU.YIbDv4MhsO339ZOlF3LWQBbda2wL4Vmc25MLBuNzHmc&dib_tag=se&keywords=lethal+standoff+diann+mills&qid=1722714398&sprefix=lethal+standoff%2Caps%2C254&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lethal-standoff-diann-mills/1145003280?ean=9781496485106

 

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Insensible Loss by Linda L. Richards Blog Tour and Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy.

I have to say this was definitely a different read, especially with the main character having no name, not even a hint of a name. It is told in a narrative form for the most part, encompassing this nameless character’s search for what … she wasn’t exactly sure. At least that’s the sense I got from her story.

Seemingly, this character (whom I am going to call Arizona as that is where most of the story unfolds) has a brutal job of sorts. It’s not a nice job, but it’s one she accepts. Arizona also has a dog … and like Arizona, the dog has no name, but the dog is her constant companion. The way their relationship was described also intrigued me. Arizona suffered some tragedies in life, so unbeknownst to her the dog became important to her.

She finds herself at Ocotillo Ranch where she encounters Imogen O’Brien. Imogen is quite a character, she’s colorful, she’s straightforward, she’s more than blunt, and she’s moody. I really enjoyed the banter that happened between Imogen and Arizona. It was like they knew each other, yet they didn’t. Imogen had cooked up a scheme and Arizona found herself going right along with it, even knowing somewhere deep inside it would never work. Just the mechanics of how these two women’s minds worked fascinated me, and could they pull it off?

I think what intrigued me most was Arizona’s search; she was taking a hard look at herself which is not easy to do. Ultimately, I do think she found what she was looking for, but she took the long, hard road to get there. Of course, I especially liked what Imogen did at the end, that was totally unexpected. I’m not sure what it was about this read, but I finished it in three days flat as I kept turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. If you are looking for something different, a tale that involves some soul-searching, maybe you’re doing some of your own searching, give this one a try. It’s different. Again, it’s told in a mostly narrative form. And the main character has no name. Intriguing.

 

Find Ms. Richards:

Website: https://lindalrichards.com/wp/#dw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindalrichardsauthor#dw

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-l-richards#dw

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4747651.Linda_L_Richards#dw

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindalrichards#dw

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

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Insensible-Loss-Endings-Linda-Richards/dp/1608095142/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NSB67G06OVNF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bD2Kx7XdDxuQqxbhTQ7eFVU-6oS-ayRljROdBrt-gaA.rszWd0VrTySL9nFpsElQ0cYhQycbzixZwa4do1JXsrI&dib_tag=se&keywords=insensible+loss+richards&qid=1722714113&sprefix=insensible+loss+%2Caps%2C278&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/insensible-loss-linda-l-richards/1144401467?ean=9781608095148

 

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The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager Book Review

 

This was certainly different. I like the way this book is divided into “Before” and “Now” sections, reminding the reader of the past and the present. I think those are essential elements in understanding Casey’s story.

Casey, undoubtedly, has a drinking issue. There’s no question about that. She also has a sense of curiosity and a pair of binoculars. There is also, obviously, a house that sits directly across from her own lake house. So, guess what she does when she has had entirely too much to drink and a lot of time on her hands during the evening hours?

Tom and Katherine – the couple who live in that house across the lake.

Her neighbor is an attractive fellow, but she wants to keep her distance. The other across-the-lake neighbor helps Casey by watching out for her and making store runs. Casey, as you may have guessed, is also a bit of a loner.

What really intrigued me about this one was the farfetchedness of what happens in the lake that separates the properties. There is a bit of a paranormal aspect to it. Kind of a situation that makes one shake their head and ask, “Really?” I liked it! I also like the added twist at the end that tied some loose ends together and certainly one I wasn’t expecting.

On The Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright Book Review

 

I am a huge fan of this author and am slowly making my way through all of her books. I’m not a big historical reader by any means, but this author has a way of pulling me into her stories. This one was no different.

Adria from 1885 directly correlates with Kailey in the present. I really enjoyed this tale of Foxglove Manor and how the past bashed into the present. The ghosts from 1885 come forward to the present day. Foxglove Manor, of today, has actually been turned into a long-term care facility, for lack of a better term, which is why Kailey is there – they hired her to be company for the residents, but Kailey has her own personal reasons for being there, along with her brother, Jude, which was an agreement to her employment. There’s a whole lot more to Kailey and Jude’s story, but you’ll have to read it for yourself.

If you like historical fiction reads, with a bit of faith thrown in for good measure, and maybe even a bit of romantic attraction, give this one a read. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak Book Review

 

Well, all right then. I have seen differing opinions on this book. I had to read it for myself … I waited until all the hype died down a bit. I liked it!

I liked seeing how the pictures evolved from a child’s drawings to an adult’s drawings. I liked the creepiness of this tale and how it evolved. To be fair, I wasn’t quite sure how I would feel about having drawings in a book, but I think they lent more to the creepiness, probably the intention.

I also liked the fact that Mallory learned things about herself. Being one who likes strong female characters, Mallory fits that description, at least for me. I liked the fact that even given her problems she was given a second chance to make better decisions, a better life, even if it didn’t turn out perfectly.

It is definitely on the creepy side of things, maybe even a bit farfetched, but I am looking forward to this author’s next book.

 

The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff Book Review

 

I’ve had this particular book sitting on my shelf for quite a while. As I’ve been in a historical read frame of mind, I decided to give it a read.

During the time period of 1945, a time of war, it was unheard of for a woman to speak her mind, let alone hold a position that had any kind of power. Marta found herself in a camp, and not a nice camp. Paul found her in the most deplorable of conditions. Let’s just say they connected on a level neither one of them expected. Time passed, they hadn’t seen each other after that rescue … until they did.

Fast forward to an airplane crash … the news of which devastated Marta. Enter Rachel, an unexpected surprise. Enter Simon … at the time, Marta did the only thing she could do being an unwed mother during the time.

Fast forward some more and some unexpected circumstances brought Marta full circle.

What I really liked about this book is Marta’s character. As I previously stated, back in 1945 women were meant to be quiet and when she spoke up … in front of Simon no less(!) … it really added to her inner strength, even if she was putting herself in danger. She did what she believed in, what she thought was right for her country … even at the risk of losing everything again, including her daughter, Rachel.

I also like the fact that there is a bit of a love story scattered throughout these pages, giving one a sense of hope that even if everything is seemingly lost, it may not be.