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!

Fractured Truth by Susan Furlong Book Review

As a member of Ms. Furlong's review team, I had the opportunity to read "Fractured Truth."

Brynn, an ex-Marine, along with her dog, Wilco, find themselves back home in Bone Gap, Tennessee. Brynn is a member of a "clan" called the Pavees, or Travellers, but her own people tend to distrust her because she is working on the police force who they refer to as "settled folk." This causes her some turmoil, but she is only trying to do her job, that of solving the murders of two young girls, Maura and Addy, Maura being a Pavee girl. The Pavee people believe that justice is better served "clan style" and not by the police force. While looking for the second victim, an old car and some old remains are discovered. Brynn knows immediately who they belong to and is hoping that none of her past comes back to haunt her.

This book has just the right amount of intertwining stories to include two new murders, an old murder, hints of romance (old and new), teenage jealously issues, and the main character, Brynn, is forced to deal with some of her own demons. While this book is part of a series, one can certainly read it as a standalone. It is a fast read and will hook the reader from the very beginning, easily to be read within a day or two if one has the time.

Her Perfect Life by Rebecca Taylor Book Review

I was fortunate enough to have been able to download an early copy of "Her Perfect Life" from Net Galley.

Clare was born a Kaczanowski, but knowing that wouldn't sell books, even if she could sell books she authored, she changed her last name to Collins. Collins being the last name of her high school sweetheart. Clare was the first of four roommates to be published in a major newspaper to the shock of one of her roommates, Donna. Donna later went on to make a name for herself in the writing world. Through thirty-six books, Clare was a favorite of her reader base until her thirty-seventh book, which her readers did not particularly care for. Suffice it to say, she finally was brave enough to write her own truth. A truth that neither her husband nor her sister, Eileen, even knew about. Through this tale, Eileen was dealing with some truths of her own which are tightly woven into this story as well. Simon, Clare's husband, also was forced to deal with some truths that he knew existed but didn't really want to face. You'll have to read the book to see how all these tales come together as I don't want to give too much away.

I have to say that for a debut women's fiction novel/psychological thriller ... whatever genre you want to put this tale in ... Ms. Taylor has knocked it out of the park. She obviously has some raw talent for this kind of writing. This is the first book I have read of hers and, if she continues in this genre, she will, without a doubt, be able to hone her skills. After a good proof/edit, this book is one to be enjoyed if you like this genre.

Keep at it, Ms. Taylor. You will be a shining star, I think, in the psychological/thriller genre. Well done!

The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter by L.A. Detwiler Book Review

This story is dark ... darker than anything I have ever read. Be warned.

According to the blurbs Ms. Detwiler has put out on Facebook, she wanted to explore the dynamics involved in being related to a serial killer. And, man-oh-man, did she accomplish that in spades. This book is written in diary form from the perspective of a daughter, beginning when she was a young girl on through when she was a teenager. Ruby, the young girl in the story, discovered her father went out in the middle of the night and she wondered why. She discovered a peephole in the garage ... the garage her father warned her to stay away from because it was dangerous. She always took "Daddy" at his word, staying away from the garage until she couldn't. She used the peephole to spy on "Daddy." What she discovered surprised her and mystified her all at the same time. In the end, she wanted to protect herself, wanted to understand "Daddy's" proclivities, wanted to protect him at all costs fearing she would lose him. This tale takes you on a journey you are not soon to forget. I am still "digesting" the story and how close to the truth it may really be.

Be warned, again, though ... it is a very, very dark tale.

Chasing Darkness by Danielle Girard Book Review

Ms. Girard has knocked this one out of the park! There are so many smaller stories intertwined in this tale that all culminate into the bigger story in the end.

Sam Chase, the female heroine, so to speak. Nick who is trying to get Sam to trust him, but due to Sam's past she finds it difficult to open up and let Nick behind her walls. Derek and Rob, the twin sons of Sam's sister who died and left them under her care. Gary Williams, the cop who is jealous of Sam. Andy who is Sam's assistant and is wheelchair bound. Gerry who is a pedophile just released from prison and thinking it might be better to go back (he actually plays a crucial role in this story). Then, of course, there are the dead women, Sandi and Eva, along with Eva's daughter, Becky. All of these characters' stories are intertwined in such a way that you will never guess who the "bad guy" of this story is.

I can do nothing less than give Ms. Girard a 5-star review on a book so well written.

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald Book Review

For those of you who enjoy psychological reads, be sure to give "Behind Every Lie" a read.

You will be introduced to Eva who discovers some long-buried secrets kept by her mother. As she goes on a quest to find out the truth, she discovers that she is not who she thinks she is, she discovers a horrifying truth about her fiance. There is also a hint of Eva rekindling an old love.

Ms. McDonald does an excellent job of weaving in some unexpected twists and turns around almost every corner that you will not be expecting. Ms. McDonald is sure to shine in her chosen writing genre! I look forward to her next book which is due out in 2021.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas Book Review

I have to admit that this was a hard book for me to read, not in my usual genre. However, for a debut novel, the concept behind it is intriguing and even somewhat "scary."

Ines enrolled in Catherine House at the advice of Mr. Gonzalez, someone who she thought believed in her. Catherine House has been shrouded in mystery and even a bit of controversy as they are very adept at keeping their secrets hidden away from the public. They advertised themselves, so to speak, to be only for the elitest of students. Ines found herself going to Catherine House to escape an incident ... one that is never truly revealed in the writing of this book. By the end of the book, Ines has discovered the hidden secret of Catherine House. Through a friend of hers she made at Catherine House, she was able to escape in the end.

The "scary" part of this book is that even though it is a work of fiction, the way science and technology are evolving it could happen!

This is a book I "won" off of Goodreads.

Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle Book Review

I had the opportunity to download this book from Net Galley as an early reader/reviewer. This is the first book of Ms. Belle's that I have read and I will be looking for more from her!

Paul, Micah, and Jax have all been friends since high school. Paul ended up wealthy, Micah an underwater investigator, and Jax homeless. Charlie (who changed her name to Charlotte) was a few years behind them and ended up married to Paul, four years after the death of his first wife, Katherine.

Enter a dead body found under the Kellers' deck (Paul and Charlotte).

Enter an unsolved case from 20 years ago ... tied together with the most recent death by a necklace.

Mix two unsolved murders in with a whole bunch of lies that are hard to keep straight.

Just when you think you have figured out who the bad guy is ... the whodunnit ... Ms. Belle throws in a twist for an ending you aren't expecting. Well done, Ms. Belle, well done!

The Black Pill by L.J. Sellers Book Review

 I had the opportunity to beta read "The Black Pill" for Ms. Sellers. This is the first time I have read any of her work.

In "The Black Pill," you will find a murder and a missing persons case, along with some hints of romance. The ending is a twist you will not see coming! Ms. Sellers did a fantastic job of bringing two characters from her previous novels, Detective Jackson and Agent Dallas, into "The Black Pill." It was an interesting read in seeing how all the details came together to solve two cases all at the same time.

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from Ms. Sellers.

White Out by Danielle Girard Book Review

Never have I given a book a 5-star review, but "White Out" is well deserving. This book is attention-getting right from the start and does not stop.

In "White Out," we are introduced to Detective Kylie Milliard, a detective working in the small town of Hagen, North Dakota, seeking a job in the bigger city of Fargo. She is thrust into a case of a dead woman, seemingly working with a group of men who are hiding details of the case with her. Ms. Girard has done an excellent job of weaving in some unexpected twists and turns in this novel that you will not expect. As soon as you think you have figured out who the bad guy is, you'll find out that you are wrong. There is even a hint of romance! This is sure to be a top-selling series for Ms. Girard.

Readers will not be disappointed. Thank you for letting me be one of your early readers, Ms. Girard. I am very much looking forward to the rest of this series. Well done!

Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown Book Review

This is one of those types of books that you can sit down and read in a day or two if you have the time. I have been eyeballing this one for quite a while and was fortunate enough to find it at a library book sale.

Britt Shelley and Raley Gannon make an unlikely duo as they work together to uncover the real reason behind the police station fire. This book addresses a subject that is, sadly, still "uncomfortable" in today's world, and involves a father trying to protect his son's reputation ... but more his.

Judge and Jury by James Patterson and Andrew Gross Book Review

Andie DeGrasse no more wanted to be on the jury than she wanted to dress the part. She changed her mind when she found out who was on trial. During the trial, she met FBI Agent Nick Pellisante. Together, Andie and Agent Pellisante were able to unravel the case of Dominic Cavello, which took them on many adventures.

A book written by two literary masters.

Set to Simmer by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

I "devoured" this book in two days - it was that good.

Dakota has wanted to be a chef for as long as she can remember, yet she finds herself a bartender at a resort, no one willing to give her a chance at being a chef. She decides, on a whim, to answer a personal ad seeking a live-in home cook. She lands the job - no one the wiser of her lack of experience - until ...

Mrs. Neves has done a fantastic job of weaving the main story in with several smaller ones.

Read the book!

Evidence of Murder by Lisa Black Book Review

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Black. I found it quite enjoyable with relatable characters.

Theresa MacLean, a forensic scientist, was called to the case of Jillian Perry who was an apparent suicide. Theresa was also involved in two other cases that were seemingly related to Mrs. Perry. As it turns out, Theresa starts questioning if Mrs. Perry really killed herself. The truth is very well concealed due to the writing talent of Ms. Black.

If I ever catch up with my TBR list, I will definitely read more from Ms. Black.

Tainted Waters by Maggie Thom (Glenna Mageau) Book Revew

SPOILERS!

Samantha (Sam) has tried many different jobs, her latest being a reporter for the Tennison Post. Again, she is fired, yet none of her articles were published, especially the one involving a potential fraud case. While Sam is trying to figure out the whys (and really what she wants to do with her life), she meets Keegan, a published author. As it turns out, Keegan is working on trying to find answers of his own, also involving the Tennison Post.

Join Sam and Keegan as they join forces to find the answers they're both looking for. Who knows ... maybe there is a bit of romance thrown in along the way coupled with a few other stories.

Due for reprint soon.

I had the opportunity to proof this for Ms. Thom before she reprints.

Christmas with Granny McPherson by Nellie K. Neves Book Review

If you enjoy clean romance - this is a book for you!

SPOILERS!

Evan Skruggs is the persona of Granny McPherson, but no one knows this until the "real" Granny McPherson has an episode. Andrew, Evan's manager, comes up with a plan to re-make Evan's image. Enter Brooke, trying to save the inn she inherited from her grandparents. This is an entertaining read as Evan and Brooke dance around their attraction to one another.

Another book proving Mrs. Neves' ability to write across multiple genres.

You may also enjoy her books "Set to Simmer" and "Pre-Approved Identity Theft" which are also clean romance reads.

A Bitter Dying by L.J. Sellers Book Review

Wow! This is the second novel I have read by Ms. Sellers. Finished this one in a day! I am impressed at how Ms. Sellers is able to tie together two or three cases in the final outcome. She certainly knows how to throw in a twist or two! Give her a read if you dare.

This is book 12 in this particular series.

I Said Yes by Kiersten Modglin Book Review

I have been wanting to read Ms. Modglin's work for sometime now. When she offered the chance to read "I Said Yes" as an early reader, I jumped at the chance.

Ms. Modglin does a masterful job of intertwining both past and present stories of Hannah and Mark, with some unexpected twists and turns along the way. The ending is not what you will be expecting.

Don't miss this one!

I look forward to more literary delights from Ms. Modglin.

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer Book Review

Through Mr. Palmer's Facebook group, those of us who signed up received an ARC copy. Thank you!

This book is due out in April 2020.

A psychological mind twister that will keep you guessing. Glen has suddenly disappeared. Nina, his wife, was informed that his boat was found with only Daisy, the family dog, on board. Glen's body was never found. Enter Simon. For two years, Simon tried to convince Nina to marry him. One day, Nina "woke up" to his manipulations.

There are quite a few side stories going on in this tale. It will definitely keep you reading!

A Criminal Justice by William Myers, Jr. Book Review

Due out in March 2020.

Mick is on trial for the murder of Edwin Hanson.

If you have read this series, then you know Detective Tredesco and Mick are not exactly buddies. Imagine Detective Tredesco's glee, if you will, at the opportunity to arrest Mick for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Question is ... did Mick kill Edwin? Join Susan and her crack team as they begin to unravel this case.

I had the opportunity to proof/edit this book for Mr. Myers.

Bottom of the World by Mike Donohue Book Review

Max is always looking over his shoulder. That's the life he lives ... being on the run. He returns "home" when his brother calls for help. Mr. Smith hired Kate to find Max - can she?

Mr. Donohue has filled this novel with some fantastic imagery and has a great tie-in to "Shaking the Tree," the first book in this series. Give it a read. I think this is his best Max Strong yet!

The Jersey by James Rosenberg Book Review

This story centers around Charley and his soccer team. Charley's dad, Dan, gets wrangled into coaching the soccer team, all the while continuing to practice law, working on a case where his friend, Arthur, is accused of stealing money from his own company.  The "twist" I was expecting was Arthur admitting he stole the money when the case settled. Boy, was I ever wrong! The twist is something entirely different.

Read the book to find out! It's a good second novel from Mr. Rosenberg. I look forward to more books from him.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim Book Review

I "won" this book through Goodreads. I found it a great debut novel for Ms. Kim. The Yoos moved to the US, looking for a better life. Dr. Yoo began his own HBOT center ... a "miracle" submarine. There are some "dry" parts to this story along with some twists and turns with a surprise ending.

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline Book Review

Angela, being single and hearing her internal clock ticking, joins an online dating site. Ding, ding, ding ... she gets some hits on the site, to her surprise. One hit intrigues her, so she responds. Little did she expect to move away from all she knew in NYC. Angela finds that a simpler life is "the way life should be." A fast read, a light read.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan Book Review

Mudbound is the name of the farm the McAllan family purchased. Reluctantly, Laura had to move her children to the farm because Henry, her husband, bought it. This story is set back in the World War II era ... in Mississippi where prejudice ran rampant. It certain is an eye opener of how folks were treated back then.

If you are sensitive to the "N" word, this book is not for you. It is certainly a historical look with some twists and turns. Ms. Jordan does a fantastic job of writing this book in the voices of Laura, Henry, Jamie, Hap, Florence, and Ronsel.

The Shotgun Lawyer by Victor Methos Book Review

A shotgun lawyer takes any and all cases, especially those he knows he can win ... looking for a quick payout. Such is the case of Pete Game AKA Peter James. Pete was taking the easy cases that came his way ... until he met Melissa - the case of a lifetime.

It took a few chapters for me to get into this book, but when I did it was hard to put down. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Methos.

An Equal Justice by Chad Zunker Book Review

David is offered a position at Hunter and Kellerman, a prestigious law firm in Austin. He quickly becomes a young superstar associate at Hunter and Kellerman - billing the most hours. Then, he meets Benny, a street person. Something about Benny resonates with David, he is just not sure what. David soon discovers that Benny is working on something concerning Hunter and Kellerman. Join David as he uncovers what Benny found out about Hunter and Kellerman and "watch" as he discovers there is more to lawyering than just money.

A good read!

At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen Book Review

Sara Gruen is a master at writing historical fiction and making it interesting.

"At The Water's Edge" is a great example of her talent. She writes about Maddie and her husband, Ellis, and his friend, Hank, as they travel from their home in the States to the Scottish Highlands during World War II - all due to an argument Ellis had with his father. Maddie discovers some secrets that she was previously unaware of and discovers some truths about herself.

If you like historical fiction, give this novel a read.

Savage Art by Danielle Girard Book Review

This is a stand-alone novel.

FBI Agent Casey McKinley left her position as an FBI profiler after an undercover operation went sour. She moved to San Francisco to heal, to get away from the reminders of what happened. Her attacker, Leonardo, surfaces yet again. To what lengths will Leonardo go to bring her out of hiding?

You'll have to read the book to find out the answer.

Never Reply All by Dan Friedman Book Review

As a member of Mr. Friedman’s ARC Team, I had the opportunity to beta read “Never Reply All.” 

The trouble all started when Emily received a Reply All email from an unknown source. She also discovered some accounting discrepancies within the company she works for, but when she took her concerns to her boss, Jessica, the email had disappeared, and the accounting discrepancies were fixed. Jessica brushed it all off as a glitch in the system. Emily also met the man of her dreams through her workplace, Mike, so much so that Jessica knowingly sent them on a business trip together. After taking her concerns to Jessica, one morning, when Emily woke up, there was a dead rat in her bed. That’s when she decided to take her concerns to her FBI agent neighbor, Bob, who was having some personal problems of his own. You’ll have to read this entertaining novella to find out what happens!

True To Me by Kay Bratt Book Review

Quinn and Ethan have been together for ten years. When Quinn's mother passes, Quinn leaves for Maui to fulfill her mother's final wishes. Along the way, Quinn discovers much about herself - including an inner strength she didn't know she had.

Ms. Bratt does an excellent job of making the characters in this book relatable, especially to those of us who have had less than perfect relationships.

I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.