The Sixes by Kate White Book Review

Do you like a story that is drenched in mean girlness? Then this is the book for you! Phoebe Hall has been accused of plagiarism, so she moves to the small town of Lyle, Pennsylvania, to get her life back on track and to let the rumors cool down before she goes back to her writing. Her good friend, Glenda, offered her the job at the small college. While there, Glenda also asked Phoebe to quietly look into this supposed college group of girls, they called themselves The Sixes. The thing is, the more questions Phoebe asked the more silent people became, the more odd things kept happening. The more she dug, the more scared she became. She then meets this other teacher, Duncan, should she trust him? She also crosses paths with Hutch, who was the security guard at the time The Sixes began making their presence known.

Of course, what story would be complete without the main character’s past coming up to haunt her … in real life form, in the form of the reporter who wrote the plagiarism story. The ex-boyfriend who surfaces for a minute. And, somehow, Phoebe finds herself adopting a dog (there has to be some good amongst all the bad, right?). The question is – do The Sixes exist or is this some made up group of girls? And, another question is, what is really going on at the college? Is Phoebe really ever going to move on from what happened in the past? A past so secret she thought was hidden, or was it?

This book was originally published back in 2011 in hardcover with the paperback coming out in 2012. If you are a Kate White fan and haven’t read this one, I encourage you to do so. The way Ms. White is able to tell a story in the present and tie it in with Phoebe’s past and who the bad guy is … I was taken by this tale of mystery, a bit of romance, a few murders just to spice things up, and some bullying (as we would call it today) … the rats were a bit creepy. I will be looking into reading more of Ms. White’s older works; she has definitely made it to my go-to author list.

 

 

Big Little Secrets by A.B. Whelan Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. Publishing April 26, 2022. Cover picture provided by Ms. Whelan.

Nelli and Clint’s tale is going to take you on an intense ride, at least it did me. Clint has a very domineering boss, Don, who didn’t understand why Clint felt the need to rush to Hungary to find his wife. In the end, Clint did just that … went to Hungary to find Nelli. He hadn’t heard from her and that was unlike her. He enlisted the help of his brother, Kenneth, affectionately called Barn (a very interesting character). There, they met Nelli’s high school friends, Daniel being one of them who also served as their interpreter as they couldn’t understand Hungarian. All Clint wanted to do was find Nelli and bring her home, but he discovered so much more.

Again, I found this to be an exceptionally intense read. The reader gets the sense of what it was like in Hungary twenty years ago and what it is like today. There are some things that happen in this tale that I was not expecting. There was one loose end that I was thinking wasn’t going to be answered but it was, and that truth was totally unexpected.

I Heard You Scream by Emerald O'Brien Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. Releasing April 21, 2022. Cover picture provided by Ms. O’Brien.

Chelsea (Chels) meets Lennox and John at a Halloween party none of them really wanted to be at, a chance meeting. Lennox says they should all get together again, Chels doesn’t think that’ll happen. She is surprised when she gets a text later telling her where and when to meet again. She goes and she, Lennox, Eliana (Ellie, Lennox’s twin), John, and Morgan (Chelsea’s best friend) form a bond, a group of friends who gather, a place where they can just be themselves without judgment. The unthinkable happens and Chelsea is the one left to deal with the aftereffects.

There are other stories going on in this tale of lies. The relationship between Chelsea and Cam. The relationship between Chelsea and her brother Jordan. The relationship between Chelsea and her now best friend, Kellan. Chelsea is wanting to unburden herself and has made the conscious decision to tell the truth. And let’s not forget the tormented relationship between Morgan and Steven all those many years ago. Five long years Chelsea has held onto her secrets and when she decides to come clean more bad things start to happen.

Ms. O’Brien has created some very interesting characters and a very intriguing backstory. This is a fast-moving tale that is told the past and the present that will almost make your head spin trying to keep up with all that is going on. I was intrigued by the way all these lives blended together in the end. There is definitely an ‘I didn’t see that coming’ factor to this deadly tale.

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon Book Review

 

I had no idea what this book was about when I bought it as I didn’t read the blurb. I just liked the cover. I pulled it off my shelf the other day to give it a read. I will admit that I was not immediately pulled into this story, it took a few pages but when I did finally “get” into the story, I didn’t want to put it down.

Helen and Nate decided to quit their jobs in their quest for a simpler life. They bought a property out in the sticks … the property sitting next to a bog and a whole lot of wildlife. Helen, by profession, was a history teacher, and Nate absolutely loved exploring the outdoors … so much so he would keep journals and draw pictures of the wildlife, take pictures. While they were building their dream home, their temporary residence was a beat-up, leaky roofed, tin trailer. Through the house building venture, they met their closest neighbor, a teen girl named Olive. Little did they know that the property they purchased was haunted by the ghost of Hattie Breckenridge, or at least that was town legend, which Nate really did not buy into … until he did.

This is definitely an interesting tale of strange things happening to a couple who were least expecting the town to be so against them. There is also the intertwining tale of what happened to Olive’s mother … the truth of what happened to her, not the conjecture that the town still talked about all these years later.

I think this tale also might be considered in the paranormal genre. Overall, I enjoyed this tale of Hattie’s ghost coming to life through the eyes of Helen. And the ending … that was an unexpected surprise.

Tell me, do you believe in ghosts?

 

The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle Book Review

 

I am late to the party on this one. I’ve seen rave reviews about this book all across social media … they aren’t kidding. What a good read! I very rarely read blurbs so I went into this book with no expectations and didn’t even know what it was about other than what the title leads one to believe.

Iris and Will have been happily married for seven years. There is a plane crash. Suddenly Iris’s world has come crashing down around her and she is left to pick up the pieces. At Will’s memorial service, she meets a friend of his, Corban, whom she has never heard of. Iris also has a twin brother, Dave. He won’t let her go gallivanting across the country to find answers, not without him. Dave also doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He thinks Iris should deal with her grief as best as any widow can and start putting her life back together. Iris starts to receive mysterious messages on her phone, but who are they from? While she is in Seattle, she starts to uncover pieces of Will’s life … pieces he never shared with her. The question is why? What led him to be so secretive?

This is certainly a carefully crafted tale with intertwining relationships between all of the characters in this story. I believe Ms. Belle has nailed the portrayal of Iris’s grief and disbelief at finding answers to her questions. While this book published in December 2016, I highly recommend it. It may even be one you put on your shelf to re-read at some point. It will certainly have you turning pages to find out what happens in the end. I know I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it!

 

Lying Next To Me by Gregg Olsen Book Review

 

On a recent trip to Oregon, my husband and I listened to Mr. Olsen’s book, If You Tell, a compelling listen if you like audio books. I decided to give another of Mr. Olsen’s books a try. Lying Next To Me did not disappoint. If I had more time, I suspect I could have finished this one in a day.

The webs people weave in their lives and the lies they tell along the way … how they keep them straight I do not know. In this tale, we find Adam and Sophie Warner and daughter, Aubrey, along with another couple, Kristen and Connor Moss. Surprisingly, these two couples took a Memorial Day weekend trip to the same place, that being Hood Canal in Washington State. Unfortunately, one of these folks did not return home. The question is, what really happened to Sophie? In this tangled web of lies and deceit, a Mason County detective, one Lee Husemann, is called to the scene. As it turns out, she has a past experience with Adam and, even grown-up, she cannot reconcile the man he’s become to the teen she once knew.

There are actually quite a few stories going on this tale: Adam and Sophie Warner and their troubled marriage, until Aubrey comes along. Kristen and Connor’s struggle with infertility. The relationship between Lee and her partner, Montrose, and Montrose’s struggle with a debilitating diagnosis. Lee and Adam’s past tied to her brother, Kip. Adam’s relationship with his boss. And a few other minor characters thrown in the mix.

I know that I will be reading more of Mr. Olsen’s work. He has a way of storytelling that draws the reader in, and I suspect this carries through to the rest of his work.

 

Layla by Colleen Hoover Book Review

 

I heard a lot about this book through social media outlets and decided to give it a read. What can I say about Layla? Good read! Apparently, this would fall into the paranormal genre, but man what a story Layla has to tell you! I actually found myself chucking in a couple of places with the antics of the spirit portrayed throughout this tale.

Ms. Hoover has done an excellent job of telling the tales of Leeds and Layla. When they first met, it was the traditional love-at-first-sight kind of meeting which neither of them was expecting. The only downside was Leeds was in a band and would be leaving the next day. They actually met at Layla’s sister’s wedding (Aspen is her name) … by the pool of all places. Needless to say, they were inseparable from that day forward. So, not only is the reader entertained with a misplaced spirit but also a love story. And then there’s Sable, Leeds’ ex-girlfriend.

I don’t want to say too much about the story because I don’t want to give any of it away. Suffice it to say, if you like Ms. Hoover’s writing and you like a good paranormal tale, this will fit the bill and then some.

My favorite quote from this book: “Tacos can excuse a lot of bad decisions.” Why yes, yes they can.

 

Crooked Prayers by Mike Donohue Book Review

 

I had the opportunity to proof this book for Mr. Donohue, and I am providing a review. Picture provided by Mr. Donohue.

Max is back! What adventures is he up to in book #6? Does he save another damsel in distress? Book #6 is like getting two books in one, with some answers that have been long awaited.

If you have read the first five books in this series, you’ll know that Max has long since had questions about his past, his parents, what really happened. In this tale, we learn some answers that Max has been searching for. Not necessarily the answers he was hoping for but answers all the same. The crux of this tale revolves around some fantastical science, that of Dactyls, that can apparently heal a person’s injuries from the inside out, plus mess with one’s mind. Not to mention the trouble that has apparently followed Max to the town he’s currently in, minding his own business. In true Max fashion, his past follows him. There are at least four stories intertwined in this tale.

Mr. Donohue fills this tale with reminders of things long past, a rotary phone, a phone booth on the corner … relevant to the time of the story line. With the ending setup for Max’s next adventure. One thing I truly enjoy about Mr. Donohue’s writing is his imagery. He has a way of describing scenes that make you feel like you’re there or pull up a memory from long ago.

I highly recommend you read this series in order: Shaking the Tree, Bottom of the World, Hollow City, Trouble Will Find Me, Burn the Night, Crooked Prayers. Prequels: Sleeping Dogs and The Devil’s Angel. Short story collection: October Days.

Someone Had To Die by Jack Luellen Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

James Butler, an attorney, has been very interested in the case of a DEA agent, one Special Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed in 1985. Mr. Butler was so interested in this case that he began his own investigation, on his own time, with the support of the law firm he worked at. He enlisted the help of Erica Walsh, the paralegal at the firm, who also happens to be the daughter of the firm’s owner, Brian. While Brian is not instrumental in Mr. Butler’s investigation, he didn’t stop it and supported their efforts. During the course of their investigation, Mr. Butler and Ms. Walsh began to uncover some information that was either overlooked or buried so deep in the documents they found that people started surfacing … shady people … who didn’t want the truth uncovered. There are quite a few characters in this book which sometimes makes it hard to keep up with, but they are all vital to this story. There may even be just the tiniest hint at a budding romance.

The things I appreciate about this book:

It is Mr. Luellen’s first book … the ending leads me to believe Mr. Butler and Ms. Walsh will be having another adventure. It will be interesting to see what these two stumble upon next.

It is written with heart. By that I mean, I can tell by the tone that Mr. Luellen has spent many, many hours, months, maybe even a year or two researching this book, believing in his book.

The fact that it is so well researched lends more to the factual storyline. If you like history based on happenings in the US, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this read.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby Book Review

 

I have been wanting to read this book ever since I’ve seen it on social media, and also since I’ve read “Blacktop Wasteland.” At long last … I have now read this book and devoured it in its entirety in two days. Yeah, I thought it was that good.

This is a story of two dads losing their sons. This is a story of two dads finally coming to grips with their sons’ sexuality, of their sons’ happiness with each other. This is a story of a Black man and a white man coming together to find out the truth about what happened to their sons. A story about how it is for a Black man to live in the world (sad to say) and a story of a white man learning how it is to be a Black man. A story of two men who have served time in prison and come out trying to make a better live for themselves. There is so much more going on in this tale.

It is real. It is honest.

Mr. Cosby has a way of describing things in this book that make them all the more real … just like he did in “Blacktop Wasteland.” If you have been wanting to read this book, I highly encourage you to do so. This one is going back on my shelf to be read again.

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent Book Review

 

Wren and Sage don’t know any other life than the one they have lived in a cabin with Mama and Evie. Mama and Evie haven’t returned yet. Mama told them not to leave the cabin. Mama told them if they go outside not to go past the tree line. Mama told them Evie was sick and she needed to take her and find her help. Mama would sometimes disappear on her own but would always come back with a wagon full of supplies from the Supply Man. Mama told them a lot of things. Mama was wrong.

Can you imagine living out in the middle of what is supposedly nowhere … not knowing there was a better life, a better way of doing things? Can you also imagine being the wife of a rich man looking out the window and thinking you see someone in your driveway? Can you imagine what you might think when two ragamuffin girls knock on your door after stumbling out of the woods?

While reading this book, I was beginning to wonder how these two stories were going to intersect and when they did, it all made perfect sense. Ms. Kent has done an outstanding job of bringing these two stories together, bringing these two families together in a way that will have you shaking your head. The final truth is revealed in the end.

I have now officially read all of Ms. Kent’s books!

Verity by Colleen Hoover Book Review

 

I have to admit, I don’t understand what all the hype is about. I don’t really know how I feel about this book. I think it is one of those that falls into the category of – you’ll either like it or you won’t.

I think it’s dark. I think it can somehow be considered sexy on some level. It is brutally honest in some spots, though those spots can also be tearjerkers and cause some “how could she do that” moments. It is full of F-bombs, but I think that is appropriate to the context.

I also think it is a good indication of how versatile Ms. Hoover can be as a writer. Not being a writer myself, I don’t know what it takes to come up with good stories. Maybe she is right, in that you have to go to the darker side of oneself to draw out what makes a good character.

I still don’t know how I feel about this book.

Privacy by Nina Sadowsky Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. Picture provided by Ms. Sadowsky. Publishing June 2022.

I know I have said this before, but one of the cool things about being a reader is discovering new authors. Such is the case with Ms. Sadowsky and the first book I have read by her, Privacy.

I enjoyed this book on my different levels. The characters: Laina the psychiatrist who is trying to solve her patients’ problems and feeling like a failure. Cal Murray, the “cub reporter,” who is always on the search for a bigger, better story to land himself a job as an anchorman. Cop Cal, Cal Murray’s cop friend who gives him tidbits. Laina’s patients themselves who each are faced with their own set of difficulties. Even “creepy scarf guy” adds to this story. Vanessa, Laina’s lawyer and best friend. Bex, Laina’s other best friend. Harley Weida, Laina’s business partner who is harboring a secret all his own that he holds over Laina.

While some of these characters have what you might call “bit” parts, they all lend to making this story relatable, easy to read, and an “oh, I didn’t see that coming” ending.

Ms. Sadowsky also subtly tackles a racial issue in this tale that, unfortunately, still exists today. She handled this eloquently and it only adds to the story with a very subtle message. She even threw in a budding romance!

The thing I enjoyed most about Privacy is the way Ms. Sadowsky dropped clues that led me down a path, only to be diverted to go off in another direction. And the ending? Be sure to get your copy of Privacy when it publishes in June 2022.

Deconstructed by Liz Talley Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Talley. Talk about a fun read! I look forward to reading more from this very talented lady. She is able to take some pretty serious subjects and write about them with a sense of humor but also with a sense of realism, making you feel like her characters are people you know. In this tale you will find infidelity, a family that is on the ‘fringe,’ and a couple of ladies who ‘deconstruct’ their lives only to rebuild themselves into the people they want to be. This is one of those books that you’ll want to keep on your shelf to read when you need a good laugh.

Cricket, the owner of Printemps (an antique store), finds herself at a loss as to what to do when she finds out her husband, Scott, is cheating on her. She also then finds out that he may be holding onto another secret, one that she thinks could potentially be dangerous. She elicits the help of Ruby, a clerk at her store, for help and discovers a friendship with Ruby she didn’t think possible.

Ruby, having served a couple of years in jail, is surprised when she gets a job at Printemps. She is a member of the Balthazar family … a family on the ‘fringe.’ Through this tale, Ruby not only finds a friend in Cricket, but has the realization that her family isn’t as bad as she makes them out to be. Ruby is also a very talented ‘re-purposer’ of old clothes.

You will also be introduced to Juke, Griff, Gran, Julia Kate, Stephanie, Jade, Marguerite, Ed Earl, Dak, and a few other characters thrown in for good measure. Each of these characters have their own backstory, some of them changing their lives for the better. There is even a bit of romance thrown in just to make things interesting.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty Book Review

 

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Moriarty. I enjoyed it! While there are some triggering subjects contained within these pages (domestic violence and bullying), there is also an underlying theme of friendship and a hint of romance.

Jane has just moved to Pirriwee with her son, Ziggy, and has enrolled him in kindergarten. Jane is one of those women who isn’t quite sure of herself and prefers to fade into the background. She finds herself becoming friends with Madeline and Celeste, Madeline not being afraid to speak her mind and Celeste seeming to have more on her mind than anyone knows.

Madeline is married to Ed, a laidback easygoing gentleman. Madeline’s ex-husband is Nathan who is now married to Bonnie, the hippie chick. Nathan and Madeline have a daughter, Abigail. Madeline and Ed have two children, Fred and Chloe.

Celeste is married to Perry. They have twin boys, Max and Josh. Behind the closed doors of their home, there was a darker secret that no one knew about.

Renata’s little girl is Amabella. Amabella plays a significant role in the telling of this tale.

There are other characters intermixed in this tale who all add to the story. There is a bit of humor interlaced between the chapters tying everything together about what happened on “the trivia night,” yet the subjects contained within these pages are taken seriously. These subjects are also written in such a way as to be not too heavy, with the focus of the story being what happened on “the trivia night.” I also appreciated the snippets from the police investigation, but the reader is not immersed in tedious details.

I found this to be a fun yet serious read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Moriarty.

When I Was You by Minka Kent Book Review

 

Brienne, Kate, Niall, Sam, the main characters.

Enid, the nosy neighbor. Every story needs one.

Brian, the annoying co-worker.

What a tangled web that Ms. Kent has woven with these four main characters. This story is told in two voices, those of Brienne and Niall. Brienne suffered a brutal attack a few months ago that left her scared of being alone. Enter Niall, the man who answered her roommate ad. Having Niall in her house, the one her grandmother left to her, made Brienne feel safer, made her feel not as ‘crazy.’ One day, Brienne went snooping through Niall’s room because what did she really know about him? Turns out doing so led her down a path that she least expected. 

This is an entertaining tale of cat-and-mouse, but who is the cat and who is the mouse? Some may even say this tale is a bit twisted with the connection between two of the characters that only one knew about. Ms. Kent continues to be one of my go-to authors and I am never disappointed.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover Book Review

 

I was fortunate enough to win this book through a Facebook giveaway hosted by Kim Law. This is also the first book I have read by Ms. Hoover.

I found this book to be a compelling read and after reading Ms. Hoover’s message in the back, I understand why. Ms. Hoover has not just written a made-up story, she based this story on fact, on what she saw as a child growing up. I applaud that. Her experience makes this a very believable story and, on a personal note, coming from a mentally/emotionally abusive experience, I found myself relating to Lily. I am also putting a trigger warning on this book regarding domestic violence. If you have experienced that you may find this a hard book to read.

There are also some underlying messages within these pages. There is a childhood friendship that became everlasting, even though time and distance separated them. There is healing. There is forgiveness. There are new friendships developed. There is a deeper understanding from a daughter’s perspective as to what her mom went through and why she stayed. More importantly, there is the message of breaking the cycle that we sometimes find ourselves in.

It is very easy to say what you would do if you were in certain situations. The thing is, we really don’t know what we would do. As an outsider looking in, it is easy to make judgment calls. As the person in the situation, we can’t see it until we reach our limit. We don’t consciously know what our limits are until we reach them, then we know what to do. It’s like some lightbulb goes off, like we finally reach our ‘naked truth’ and then we can walk away.

For everyone who has found the strength to leave an abusive relationship, I commend you. Through this book, Ms. Hoover has proven that you have value and more importantly that you are seen and heard. Well done, Ms. Hoover, well done.

The Secrets of Cedar Farm by Carissa Ann Lynch Blog Tour

 

Title: The Secrets of Cedar Farm

Author: Carissa Ann Lynch

Series: Standalone

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/TSoCFTBR

BookBub: https://bit.ly/TSoCFBB

One-Click: mybook.to/CedarFarm

BLURB:

Behind every family is a story.

But some stories are darker than others.

Norah Campbell was an addict. The loss of her fiancé drove her to despair; she lost custody of her daughter, Gemma, and control of her life.

Now Norah is in recovery and she wants Gemma back. But to do so she must move in with her eccentric aunt and uncle, and they refuse to give up control without a fight. When strange occurrences keep happening at the farm and Norah makes a gruesome discovery, she soon realises she’s living with a monster.

As her mental health spirals out of control and she is tempted to relapse, she begins to wonder if she is also a monster.

This is a novel about addiction and recovery, and the strength of a mother who must fight in order to save herself and her child.

AUTHOR INFO:

Besides my family, my greatest love in life is books. Reading them, writing them, holding them, smelling them…well, you get the idea. I’ve always loved to read, and some of my earliest childhood memories are me, tucked away in my room, lost in a good book. I received a five dollar allowance each week, and I always — always — spent it on books. My love affair with writing started early, but it mostly involved journaling and writing silly poems. Several years ago, I didn’t have a book to read so I decided on a whim to write my own story, something I’d like to read. It turned out to be harder than I thought, but from that point on I was hooked. My first and second books were released by Sarah Book Publishing: This Is Not About Love and Grayson’s Ridge. I’m a total genre-hopper. Basically, I like to write what I like to read: a little bit of everything! I reside in Floyds Knobs, Indiana with my husband, three children, and massive collection of books. I have a degree in psychology and worked as a counselor.

AUTHOR LINKS:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CarissaAnnLynchauthor

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/carissaannlynch_thrillers/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/carissaannlynch

BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carissa-ann-lynch

TIKTOK: https://bit.ly/3IJgVAv

AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3H6YgOW

GOODREADS: https://bit.ly/3H4nqxn

TOUR HOSTED BY #HEAPR

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs Book Review

 

This is certainly my kind of read. Very twisted, sort of dark. A mother and daughter having a troubled relationship, with only the mother really knowing the underlying cause. A daughter thinking her mother is wrong and doing something that is pretty unthinkable by keeping her mother held captive in her own home. There are not very many characters throughout this tale of darkness, but there is just the right amount to be sure the reader keeps all their roles straight. Nina, the daughter, does have a job at the local library and presents to the world a normal personality, but when she gets home … Maggie, her mother, supposedly did what she did to “protect” her daughter, what mother wouldn’t? Enter the unveiling of the deepest secrets imaginable. A very good read indeed!

The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan Book Review

 

I was lucky enough to receive a gifted copy from Ms. Ryan and am providing a review.

This is a tale that will keep you turning the pages. It is all based on the premise of something hinky going on at an adoption agency which only comes to light when Tuck thinks she’s been reunited with the wrong mother. She tells her friend Jane this who honestly doesn’t believe her as she has her own set of problems to deal with. As time goes on and Tuck keeps being insistent about this, Jane, as a reporter, can’t help but get involved. The final piece to this puzzle is unraveled when one of the workers at the adoption agency starts finding nuggets of information left behind by her predecessor. This little mouse of a woman, Ella, holds all the secrets. This one is definitely worth a second read to discover all of the nuances that were missed the first time around.

The Thinnest Air by Minka Kent Book Review

 

I love me some Minka Kent! Seriously, if you haven’t tried any of her books, I highly encourage you to do so. In this tale, Meredith seemingly has everything she could ever want, to include a husband who adores her. Until she goes missing. Her sister, Greer, gets involved and does not stop until she finds some answers. Greer is the sort of person who doesn’t let her emotions show, due to their upbringing and being a mother figure to Meredith. Greer also has an on again/off again boyfriend in Harris. As it turns out, Meredith hadn’t been telling Greer everything, and only when she’s missing does Greer discover that Meredith had a stalker a few years ago. She doesn’t discover this until Detective Ronan tells her about it. Greer also discovered that Meredith and Ronan had a little more than a cop/victim relationship. The question is – what happened to Meredith?

I sure didn’t figure out who the bad guy was in this read and it kept me turning the pages for this very reason. One of the reasons I enjoy Ms. Kent’s writing is because she intertwines her stories and drops hints to lead you down one path, only to surprise you by leading you down another one, then she adds yet another bend in the path. Give her a try! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

The Deposit Slip by Todd M. Johnson Book Review

 

One thing I enjoy about being a reader is discovering new authors. Mr. Johnson is a new author to me, a lawyer by profession, and took a relatively dull subject and turned it into a story. The whole premise is based on Erin Larson having to go through her late father’s safety deposit box after his unfortunate accident and finding a deposit slip from Ashley State Bank in a staggering amount. Curious to her as she had no idea her father had this much money … we are talking ten million plus. Of course, upon finding this deposit slip and taking it to the bank, they claimed to know nothing and that the slip was a fake. Enter Jared … he only happened upon this case because his mentor from Paisley, the law firm Jared started at where he met Clay who had also moved on from Paisley, referred it to him. Jared, having just come off a big case he lost, was quite hesitant … but there is the ever-present lure of money, yet it became more to him than that. Of course, his assistant, Jessie, was none too happy with him and almost threw her hands up and abandoned him altogether.

There are a lot of backstories contained within these pages. The relationship between Jared and his father that they were both forced to deal with. The relationship between Jessie and Jared (I suspect there will be more of these two in coming books). The lawyers at Paisley thinking Jared didn’t stand a chance and would give up … being that Jared had no money and they were a big law firm, Whittier and Stanford. Mrs. Huddleston. Joe Creedy. The Legion Hall and its members. All of these characters combined bring this story together, each of them playing their own roles to help Jared in this case. Definitely a different sort of read for me, but overall entertaining.

IAP Certification of Completion

 

You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

The premise of this book is based on Jack waking up on a beach not remembering who he is but having an extremely strong desire to make his way to Maine for reasons he cannot understand. He makes it to Maine and ends up with Maya who, as it turns out, is his younger stepsister but because of his amnesia he does not remember her. Lily, who “Jack” was with in Maryland, sets out on a quest to find him because she knows he isn’t dead, or is he?

This book published back in May 2021, and I am terribly late to be getting around to reading this one; it has been on my list for quite a while. It is quite a twisted read – just what I like! The characters Jack/Ash, Maya, and Lily … what relationships they have and their backstories. They each have deeply hidden secrets and they keep them for their own reasons. And, really, who wouldn’t want to read a book with a quote like this one: “… as if we were in the middle of a vomit-inducing romantic comedy.” Ms. McKinnon’s descriptions alone, especially those recalling how Ash and Maya met, make the reader feel like they were there experiencing their encounters themselves.

 

The Secrets of Cedar Farm by Carissa Ann Lynch

 

I was fortunate enough to receive a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.)

I went into this read with absolutely no expectations, as I hadn’t even read the blurb … I mean, it was written by Ms. Lynch, so it has to be good right? To say this is an excellent read is an understatement. If I could give this one more than five stars, I would … yes, I thought it was that good. I was pulled in from the very first sentence. If I didn’t have to sleep, I would’ve finished this one in a day … it will definitely keep you up past your bedtime!

There is so much going on throughout this tale of addiction, love, forgiveness, creepiness involving Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis and Cedar Farm itself. That house … the way it is portrayed, it definitely reminds me of a museum we have here in California, the Winchester House where there are doors and stairwells leading to absolutely nowhere, the only difference being at Cedar Farm’s house the secret door leads somewhere. Norah, the main character, ended up in rehab and the only reason she ended up staying with Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis was because she had no alternative; as well, that is where her daughter, Gemma, was … again, having no alternative. This book definitely has a creep factor that you will not want to miss.

If you don’t have this one on your radar or in your to-be-read pile – add it! Expected to be published January 2022 – an excellent read to start the near year with!

My Wife is Missing by D.J. Palmer Book Review

 

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

I could have easily devoured this book in one sitting if I had the time. That ending was truly unexpected. As this story unfolds, we are led down the path of Natalie’s ‘escape’ from Michael, Michael having some long-buried secrets. This story also throws in what happens when a person suffers from chronic insomnia, anywhere from hallucinations to paranoia, not knowing who to trust including oneself. Not to mention the detective who decides to join Michael on his quest to bring Natalie and their children home.

The characters in this book help shape this story. Tina who is Natalie’s boss and friend. Audrey who is new to Dynamic Media (the company where both Natalie and Tina work). Bryce and Addie (Natalie and Michael’s children). Natalie and Michael themselves. Detective Kennett from New York, who has a vested interest in what happened so long ago to Brianna. Michael’s mother. Sarah Fielding. Natalie’s parents. Kate, long-time friend of Natalie. While some of the roles are minor and others major, each of these characters play an important part in the telling of this tale. This will definitely go on my shelf for a second read!

Unmissing by Minka Kent Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Not my picture.) 

This story is told in the voices of Merritt and Lydia (Merritt being Luca’s now wife, Lydia being his “missing” wife). This tale is bound to keep the reader intrigued. It is such a different story line … one that won’t disappoint. Lydia has been missing, presumed dead, for the past nine years. Imagine Merritt’s surprise when she opens the door one evening and comes face-to-face with her “late” husband’s first wife, Lydia. At first, she didn’t believe it was Lydia. I mean, really, how could it be? Merritt closes the door in Lydia’s face, thinking she was a random stranger and feeling the need to protect her children, Luca being out of town. Lydia finds herself befriending Delphine, the owner of one of Bent Creek’s shops. As the story progresses, some deep-seated secrets come to light. But who really has the most to hide? Is it Luca, or is it Lydia? There is much going on within the pages of this tale.

There are a couple of twists contained within the pages of this story that happen unexpectedly and are sure to keep the reader turning pages. I found Merritt, Lydia, and Luca to be very well-developed characters that played well off of each other, exposing the others for who they truly are. Delphine is also an important character and not one to be discounted. What a tangled web of truths and untruths that unravel by the end of this tale. Get ready for this one to hit the shelves February 2022!

Children of Hope by Michael C. Fine Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. (Cover photo provided by publisher.)

What started out as a fun night out for sisters Hope and Angel turned into something far worse. Because of the overturning of Roe v Wade and the sisters being in a state where a “trigger law” was in effect, Angel was forced to have the baby that she did not want or ask for. Angel made Hope promise her to do something in the future that would ensure no other young teen, such as herself, would have to go through what she went through. Hope went on to medical school and was able to position herself in a research lab to further her quest. While in today’s world, we are not quite “there” yet, the technology posed in this tale is not really all that farfetched. Enter the government and some men wanting to change some laws, one being that they were able to overturn Roe v Wade and then went on to propose a Sanctity of Life bill, which Hope was desperately fighting against. Enter a group of three men who met went about secretly helping alleviate the troubles of good people. This is certainly a tale of good versus evil, but who is the final victor?

When this book hits many reading radars, it is going to lend itself to asking many, many questions. This book takes a look at what could potentially happen if Roe v Wade is ever overturned (personally I hope it is not). It is going to beg the question of “what if” in a lot of cases. I commend Mr. Fine for taking a chance and writing such a book, especially since there is so much controversy surrounding this particular topic. Perhaps it will change some minds, open some hearts, provide a better understanding. Maybe the technology that is portrayed in this tale will come to fruition one day.

The Fiancee by Kate White Book Review

 

It is the time of year when the senior Keatons open their incredible home to their families for a week-long vacation. They do this every year and everyone, well almost everyone, enjoys their time spent there. This year, the excitement was no different but the events certainly were. There is one extra surprise guest this year, that of Nick’s love interest of the moment, Hannah Kane (a wannabe actress). Summer, Gabe’s wife, who is in the acting industry, recognizes her but can’t remember her last name. Hannah lies to her about the plays they were in together a couple years ago. Summer can’t figure out why Hannah has lied, so she makes it her quest to get to the bottom of things. Gabe thinks she is overreacting and has become obsessed with Hannah owing to Hannah’s success that Summer hasn’t quite attained. Death happens during this year’s summer vacation leading to stress and grief and strange things happening. Another death happens … perhaps a case of mistaken identity which leads to more stress and anxiety. All culminating in a whodunnit with the whodunnit turning out to be someone you least expect.

I found this to be a carefully crafted tale leading up to whodunnit. I was beginning to think it was this person, then I switched my thinking to maybe it’s this other person (which would have been just as fitting and unexpected), and yet I was wrong on both counts. If you’re a fan of Ms. White’s writing, I am quite certain you will find yourself spending a day with these characters, each of them bringing what is needed to this family vacation.

The Perfect Roommate by Minka Kent Book Review

 

Meadow is the kind of college student you don’t notice; she is just that average. Really not memorable at all. And she likes it that way. She finds herself in need of a new place to live and stumbles across an ad for a room to rent. She goes and meets Lauren and hopes she hides her social anxiety well enough to be likable, to be a perfect roommate. For whatever reason, Lauren decides she lives Meadow and lets her move in immediately, like right now immediately. Meadow cannot believe her luck! Through Lauren, Meadow meets Tessa. She meets Thayer (Lauren’s boyfriend). She meets Eli (Tessa’s love interest). She starts to discover that she could possibly have friends … this is, of course, due to Lauren’s involvement in giving her some of her “toss-away” clothes, a new hairstyle, makeup, introducing her to people she wouldn’t normally meet or associate with on her own. Meadow thinks her life is turning around for the better, until she discovers something that Lauren is doing that really sets her on edge. Enter Meadow’s job as a cleaning company which puts her smack dab in the middle of cleaning one of her professor’s homes and becoming a friend to his wife, Elisabeth. Little does she know how things will transpire after she finds out Lauren’s dirty little secret, the tragic accident that happens while she is trying to figure out how to stop Lauren, and who the guilty party really is.

Ms. Kent is fast becoming one of my go-to authors to read. For me, her stories pretty much “hit the mark” in what I look for in a “thriller.” Messed-up relationships, love gone wrong, a guilty party you don’t expect, forgiveness in a family. She combines them all. I highly recommend you give her books a try if you haven’t. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I am definitely looking forward to Ms. Kent’s next book. I hope you are, too!

The Patient's Secret by Loreth Anne White

 

I received an advanced gifted copy and am providing a review.  Publishing March 2022. Not my picture.

This was an intense read created around a true crime that happened in Canada. This story captures quite a few underlying stories in relation to the main story … that of a brutally horrid crime that occurred in Glenn Dennig.

Lily, Tom, Phoebe, Matthew Bradley. Seemingly the perfect family living in an eggplant-colored house with green trim.

Arwen, Joe Harper. The new neighbors who moved in down the street from the Bradleys and right across the lane from the Cody family.

Hannah, Simon, Fiona, Jacob Cody. The house where the annual neighborhood barbecue takes place. This year, though, there was an argument of extreme proportions.

Rue, Eb Duval. The detective on the case and her son, Eb.

The intertwining of lives and lies are found within the pages of this tale. Lily and Tom have the biggest secret past lives of all of these characters. Phoebe, their daughter, is a bit of a rebellious teen and falls for Joe, the new neighbor. Phoebe is 12 and Joe is 16. This brings all sorts of memories up for Lily, Phoebe’s mom. Matthew, the Bradleys’ son, is a future photographer, stealthily sneaking up and taking photos … sometimes in places he shouldn’t be, capturing images he shouldn’t capture. Matthew is an integral part of this tale.

Arwen and Joe, a mother and son, always moving. Arwen is the one who was working on a “secret” project to give her and Joe their “big break.” She is the one who ties this story together as it is told in a “then” and “now” voice, amidst the newspaper reports of the crime that happened many, many years ago.

Hannah and Simon … Hannah has her suspicions about Simon having affairs. Simon has a man shed that Hannah has been in, but Simon doesn’t know that. Fiona and Jacob are their children and have minimal parts in this tale.

Rue and Eb have their own story intermixed in this tale, Rue has a troubled marriage, and she suspects her son did something he shouldn’t have.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. White. I found this to be quite an intense read, the brutality of what happened back in 2006 is indescribable and I suspect has been somewhat toned down for this story. It is not for the faint of heart. The question still remains to this day – what really happened in that room? Only two people know and neither one of them are talking.

No One Can Hear You Scream by A.B. Whelan Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. Not my picture.

Jennifer Parker, successful lifestyle Instagrammer, is the main character throughout this tale. Tyler is her boyfriend, after having divorced her husband, Connor. Tyler also has an extremely close relationship with his mother, some may think too close. The kids, Jayden, Emily, and Noah. Tyler had the brilliant idea to take “his” family on a vacation … in a yurt of all things! While Jennifer was not overly keen on the idea, she decided to go, if only to prove to Tyler that he was important, that he was the man in her life, not Connor. Little did the family know what was in store for them. This is not a tale for the weak-in-the-stomach sort of reader.

This book certainly has some “creep” factor. While I knew this was a book that was based around an Instagram influencer, I really did not know what to expect. It also may serve as a warning to be careful how much personal information you post on social media. The significance of the animal sanctuary and what happens there is personal to Ms. Whelan and I thank her for including such realism in her story.

Trigger warnings: Animal cruelty; stalking.

A Slow Ruin by Pamela Crane Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. Publishing November 2021. Not my picture.

April 16, one hundred eleven years ago, Alvera Fields goes missing. No one really knows what happened to her. April 16 present day, Vera Portman goes missing; no one knows what happened to her. Is this simply history repeating itself? Or something more sinister? The question is – did Vera find out some dark family secrets that made her run or is she dead?

The family members: Oliver Portman husband to Felicity Portman, father to Vera, Eliot, and Sydney. Sydney, the three-year-old, is sick and only Vera can help her. Is this why Vera ran? Cody, Oliver’s brother, and his wife, Marin. Who has more secrets they need to keep hidden? Debra and Joe, Oliver (Ollie) and Cody’s parents.

Other characters who play an integral part in this story: Austin, Vera’s “secret” boyfriend. Blythe, Vera’s “secret” friend. Barrett Hunter, Marin’s stepdad.

This story is told in the voices of Felicity and Marin in the present and in the past. While I was reading along, I kept waiting for what happens next. Then, boom! At the end this tale ties together and the waiting is over, the secrets are unveiled, and it left me thinking … wait, what? Did I miss something? I will definitely have to read this one again to pick up on all the nuances.

There is one line that I want to share with you that really resonates; Ms. Crane has a subtle way of incorporating hidden messages into her writing. This is a scene where Felicity has found Vera’s journal and has come across a person known as “BS.” Upon figuring out who this mysterious “BS” is, Felicity decides to confront her, maybe get some answers. At first glance, all Felicity sees is a “Goth Girl,” and how could Vera possibly be her friend? Upon talking to her, Felicity finds out there is a person hiding behind the “Goth Girl” look. This is the line I want to share: “Wow. A true athlete. And college-bound. I couldn’t believe how wrong I had been about her. I had been so quick to judge her outside I hadn’t even bothered to see who she was.” There is a lesson here. There is also a lesson at the very, very end of this story, forgiveness and love. 

One of the many things I admire about Ms. Crane is the fact that she incorporates her family into her writing. Such is the case with A Slow Ruin. This story is loosely based on her own family’s history, and her niece wrote the diary entries contained with these pages. Ms. Crane is going to have some steep competition between her niece and her own daughter, both of whom are blossoming writers.

The Art of Obsession by Lori Lacefield Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

Frankie Johnson has the opportunity to be the lead in her own case, a dream of hers. She can’t afford to mess this one up, especially not in front of her mentor, Ben, and ASAC Vicks. If she does, she may not get the opportunity again. During the course of her investigation, she meets two very interesting characters. Those of Dr. Lawrence Banks and Dr. Kenneth Whitman. She is determined to get to the bottom of things, to “get her man.” She also finds herself attracted to one of these men which cannot happen, not in the course of an investigation. Ben wasn’t lead on this case as he was solving a different one, but as it happens that case is solved in the background and he feels the need to reign Frankie in, feeling she is too close to her own case because of this attraction. This rankles Frankie, but it also makes her think. Was she too focused on who she thought was the guilty party? Was she getting too emotionally involved? The twist of this tale … totally unexpected.

This is the kind of book I like to read. A lot of imagery that makes you “see” the author’s intent in your mind. A detective who gets more personally involved in the case she is investigating than she should. A bit of romance. A lot of mystery surrounding the bad guy. The bringing forth of a subject that is generally not talked about. The planting in the story of some hints that take you down one path only to veer off on another. A book to spend your evening with because you want to find out who the guilty party is. There were even a couple of spots that made me chuckle. 

To say I enjoyed this read is an understatement. If you haven’t read Ms. Lacefield’s work before, give this one a shot!