Review: Holiday Spice

Synopsis:

Darcy Shaughnessy has gotten used to her overbearing brothers chasing away any man she wants to date. But a chance meeting with a brooding — and deliciously handsome — artist is about to make this holiday season one to remember.

There’s only one thing Benjamin Tanner loves more than his woodcarving: solitude. Then he gets snowed in with Darcy in his cozy cabin in the woods, and their heated feelings begin to melt the icy barrier between them.

With Ben’s need for privacy and Darcy’s love of family and social life, will opposites still attract once the snow clears and the holiday festivities come to an end?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase is another brilliant masterpiece. The ending made me cry with happiness. I was affected during the entire book. Intense, emotional, and intriguing. The plot was well-done as always. Addictive…the pages went by fast. The scenes dragging me up into the characters’ lives. Every page left me wondering what will happen. I’ve never been disappointed yet with any of Samantha Chase’s novels. Her books are out of this world. Holiday Spice is exactly that. Spicy and sweet. A holiday novel that was hard to stop reading. 

The main characters were total opposites. The male character, Ben, was similar to Darcy’s brother, Owen. Socially awkward, smart, and extremely talented. Ben hates interacting with others. In fact, he doesn’t interact with his orders at all. Ben and his two brothers lost their parents. The loss and grief hit Ben the hardest. He never celebrates Christmas anymore because that’s when they lost them…

Then, comes along beautiful yet sassy, Darcy Shaunghnessy. She knocks Ben’s world out of tilt. He can’t stand hearing the truth from her so he runs and hides. But he knows she’s right. He loves her laughter, her baking, and making love to her. She makes him feel alive again. Without her, his world is grey.

Darcy Shaunghnessy is a young woman who lost her mother ata young age. Ever since then, she’s been dealing with family issues. Wanting a mom…but Santa never brought her one. Instead it was just her, her brothers, and her dad. Now, as an adult, her brother blessed her with sister-in-laws and nieces to spoil. But Darcy’s world still isn’t whole. 

Until she meets Ben. Ben makes her knees weak. He makes her feel whole. Complete. But his world and hers don’t match…it will take something toget these two their happily ever after…

Overall, I fell in love with this book. Samantha Chase knows just what us, readers, want. Heartfelt and unforgettable stories. Stories that left me laughing, crying, and falling in love. I highly recommend this new novel to readers worldwide. 

Review: Reagan Through the Looking Glass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

She’s stepped into a world where everything and everyone has a price, and her time is running out to discover who holds the bounty on her head.

 

 

When Reagan’s student adviser is found dead, the police say he’s the victim of a burglary gone bad, but it’s not that simple. Jabberwock-the kingpin of the deep web, and the man who killed her brother-knows she’s close to discovering his identity.

 

 

Two men insist they can keep her safe and help her find answers. Hare is sweet, soft-spoken, and introduces her to a wicked walk on the wild side, spiced with temptation and thrill.

 

 

Hatter has kept secrets from her since they met. But he speaks her language, and a single touch from him ignites her desire.

 

 

As she follows the tracks down the rabbit hole, Reagan is dropped headfirst into a world of the dangerous and surreal, where everything and everyone has a price. And her time is running out to discover if it’s the Hatter or the Hare who owns Jabberwocky’s bounty on her.

 

 

 

Author’s Note: This book is part one of a duet. It does not stand alone.

 

 

 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Reagan Through the Looking Glass by Allyson Lindt is a fascinating new world. One that caught my attention right away. Some many references to the Alice in Wonderland that it’s intriguing. All the codes names and secrets. Reagan’s brother is killed by a notorious man. One that is well connnected and knows everyone’s secrets. Yet Reagan aka Alice soon discovers his. That’s when the game becomes deadly. She’s super smart when it comes to computer technology. And soon, the Jabberwocky won’t know what hit him until it’s over…

Allyson Lindt is a talented writer. Her books are addictive. This one, is part of a duet. Making it a must read and leaving readers like myself hanging for the next release. Exciting, dangerous, and intriguing. Reagan Through the Looking Glass is creative yet thrilling read. I enjoyed the mystery, suspense, and the risks the characters took. Hot, sexy, and entertaining to follow. I loved reading it. Reagan is a strong yet determined heroine that kept me guessing. Overall, I highly recommend this soon to be released title.

Review: Forgotten Reflections (A War Story)

Synopsis:

In the current international climate where North Korea takes center stage, “Forgotten Reflections” weaves an inspirational tale of family, lost memories, folklore and an unforgotten history, spanning three generations as South Korea rises from the ashes. 
DARE TO DREAM IN THE MIDST OF WAR. 1945.

Rice fields seem endless in a quaint farming village of South Korea, yet Iseul and the villagers have been on the verge of starvation for as long as they can remember. Their Japanese colonizers have taken every last grain with them as they are finally ousted from the Peninsula. In the newly independent Korea, Iseul and Jung-Soo dream of what their future might bring. Yet, war is on the horizon and Iseul has fallen for an alleged North Korean communist spy. 
Men are conscripted and rice is taken to feed the growing army as the Korean Peninsula is thrust into an international war that would determine if the strategic region will fall into the communist or democratic realm. With nothing but the news of death and hunger awaiting the village of women, children, and the aged, Iseul musters up whatever hope she has left to bring the village together to make paper. Soon, the village once known for its rice, becomes famous for its paper, becoming a beacon of hope for the battle-worn soldiers awaiting letters from their loved ones. Spies continue to roam South Korea, turning neighbors and families against one another. 
For years, Jung-Soo has been suspicious of his father’s allegiances. With a series of mysterious revelations about his father, Jung-Soo is forced to choose between his tainted communist past, and the future he hopes to have with Iseul after the war.

“Breathtaking, sad and beautiful. Truly gorgeous and a must–read for lovers of literature and historical fiction.” – Rebecca Charlton

“A touching story, not only about love or the Korean War, but also about our own identities and (re)unification in different forms.” – Utopia State of Mind

“A story about a grandmother’s secret life and what she sacrificed to make a better life for her children.” –- Niyati Mavinkurve

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Forgotten Reflections: A War Story by Young-Im Lee is an interesting novel. One that swept me deep into the war story. A foreign country, South Korea is at war. Both the communists and democrats want to take it over….but their war brings the one village to starvation. Hunger, loss, and desperation can be seen and felt with every page. 

A young woman is determined despite the war and its effects on her people. Soon, she brings them hope. Hope soon blossoms into her village. Letters to the soldiers helps them carry forth int the war. Families torn between choices. Love and hope still prevail…

I enjoyed reading this tale. Forgotten Reflections is an engaging story. The plot rushes me through the pages. The characters and their dilemmas entice me further into their world. A culture readers can’t miss. Young-Im Lee has presented a heartfelt novel. One that won’t be forgotten by its readers…including myself. Overall, I recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: The Promise of a Letter

Synopsis:

A letter brings him back to his Amish family. It will take someone truly extraordinary to make him stay. 

Roman is on the verge of leaving the Amish ways. Feeling confined by the strict rules, he longs to do something more with his life. But when things don’t go as planned, Roman’s prospects outside of the community dwindle. Upon learning that his beloved grandmother has died and left a letter urging him to reconcile with his brother in Birch Creek, Roman decides to return home. But he doesn’t plan to stay for long.

Leanna Chupp has always made her own way in her small community of Birch Creek. Though some may call her unconventional–strange, even–Leanna is happy. Her unique outlook on life has meant she’s never had many suitors pursuing courtship, which Leanna doesn’t mind. She is content being single.

But when Roman and Leanna find themselves working together again, everything changes. Though neither fit squarely within the strictures of the Amish faith, their differences could be the very thing to help them form a deeper connection to their community and to each other. The question remains: will this strengthening bond be enough to make Roman stay for good? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

The Promise of a Letter by Kathleen Fuller is an exciting adventure. A book with meaning and purpose. Two protagonists feel trapped, lost, and hurt. But with some time, hope, and faith they will be able to heal and move forward with happiness. The title is exactly what the story is about and shows that even the things we want are not what we may need. 

Kathleen Fuller is a writer with a magical wand. I love traveling deep into her books.  The characters are hard to ignore. Their life issues sucked me into their dilemmas and had me rooting for them. The book also contained a great emotional journey. I felt each characters loss, hope, faith, worry, anger, and fear. It was exciting to watch them grow. 

Leanna is a young Amish woman who is nothing like the others in her community. She hated school except for a few subjects like math. Her ability to fix things is amazing. Mechanical knowledge is for men. And here, I got to watch her fulfill that role. Leanna struggled with what others said about her working as a mechanic. But still, she never gave up…and it was thanks to one man who gave her that break. Only…soon, a gossip breaks out, bringing forth doubt and fear. This causes Leanna to lose her job. I felt sorry for her. It was funny to watch her fulfill more duties suited for her gender….like canning tomatoes. Leanna is terrible at the traditional women duties. But as a mechanic, friend, daughter, and as a sister, Leanna does well. 

Roman is a young Amish man. Not wanting to marry just like Leanna. He too, is interested in mechanics and engineering. In fact, he was pursuing a degree in it. But then, tragedy strikes. Causing Roman to travel home once more. He’s not happy about it. The way he left the last time, will cause for hardship between him and his older brother, Daniel. Daniel is all he has left. But Daniel doesn’t want him home nor helping him. However, Daniel is foolish and gets injured. This causes him to feel worse. With his injuries, Roman automatically takes up the challenge to help his brother. A mechanic shop should be easy…only Roman knows he needs help. Leanna…

Daniel is the older brother of Roman. He owns his own memchanic shop. Before it was just him and Roman. Until he got married…then, things changed. Roman left never saying goodbye. This hardened Daniel’s heart and made him angry. Struggling with things, Daniel is to stubborn to ask for help. His wife is pregnant and he’s afraid she loose the baby…then, there’s the nasty rumor that has him and his wife upset. He lets go of his only employee. His best employee, Leanna. 

The Promise of a Letter is an outstanding read. Kathleen Fuller knows how to nab her readers’ attention immediately. Every page was full of action, suspense, tension, and drama. I loved it. A good clean Christian novel with a bit of romance. Overall, I highly recommend this to all. 

Review: Macaroons and Mayhem

Synopsis:

Excitement blossoms through Peridale when a prestigious gardening magazine picks the village as the spotlight for their next issue, but that joy quickly turns to dread when members of the local gardening society, The Peridale Green Fingers, start dying one by one after their obituaries are sent to The Peridale Post the day before their murders.

Julia is asked to bake macarons for the magazine’s unveiling of ‘The Best Garden in Peridale’ party, but with death striking the village, she has more important things to worry about. Is somebody killing The Green Fingers’ to better their chances of winning the title as well as the cash prize, or is there something more sinister happening? With her old friend and newspaper reporter, Johnny, by her side, Julia must uncover the truth before every member of the club is crushed like an unwanted weed.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Macaroons and Mayhem by Agatha Frost is the nest best book in this thrilling mystery series! I love her books. Agatha Frost has once again, proven that she is queen of the cozy mystery genre. There’s so much to love about her writing. Fast-paced, exciting, romantic, hilarious, deadly, and plenty of drama to keep me busy as always. 

The main character, Julia South, is my all time favorite sleuth. A baker at heart who has the ability to become the best world known detective. She always solves every case. Wherever Julia goes, there’s always a murder mystery to solve. In this case, more than one person dies and a fourth victim as or may not survive the attack. Someone is targeting a garden club. The top members are being killed one by one. Unless the police can figure it out, more people will die. That’s when Julia is called to the case. An investigative journalist friend comes to her after the police mocks him. He thinks he’s stumbled upon a murder investigation. But even Julia is skeptical….but as the events unfold her skeptics may changes and she’s on the hunt. Macaroons and Mayhem has proven to be Julia South’s toughest case yet. Overall, I loved reading this new mystery. I can’t wait to read the eighth book. Agatha Frost is beyond talented. 

Review: Expresso and Evil

Synopsis:

The 6th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series!

When a coffee shop opens in the village, Julia is surprised when her customers flock to the new business, leaving her café almost empty. A failed protest against the corporate chain store leaves Julia wondering if her café can survive, but she suddenly has bigger fish to fry when the owner of the coffee shop is poisoned, and she is framed for his murder.

As Julia attempts to clear her name, she is stopped in her tracks when an unwanted familiar face arrives in Peridale. Her past and present crash together, threatening to jeopardise her blossoming relationship with Barker. Julia’s history is back to haunt her, and she is forced to deal with the consequences of her actions before it is too late. Somebody is trying to frame Julia for her rival’s murder, but can she juggle her most challenging case yet with her complicated love life before she loses more than just her café?

Book 6 in the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English and 48,000 words long. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Expresso and Evil: A Peridale Cafe Mystery by Agatha Frost is another brilliant mystery! I was hooked instantly. This, is the sixth book in the A Peridale Cafe Mystery series. I don’t know how Agatha Frost manages it, but she delivers a clean, hilarious, and intriguing tale every time. I haven’t found a bad book by her yet…

Inside Expresso and Evil, I followed the main character and her close knit group as another mystery tumbles literally into their own territory. In fact, it happens inside of Julia South’s bakery. Her well-know enemy is found dead in her cafe. As the facts pour forth, it looks like someone has been going to a lot of trouble to frame Julia. Her bakery is also suffering a major loss due to her customers going to her enemy’s cafe. Then, to add to the drama, mystery, and trouble, her ex husband has a surprise for her…then, there’s the technical issue with their divorce that puts Julia and Barker at a distance. So much action, mayhem, and sparks flying everywhere. Julia is my favorite sleuth. She’s kind, caring, and smart. Plus, her baking is out of this world….

Agatha Frost combines a lot of genres into one marvelous read. Her series of cozy mysteries are addictive. Once, I start a new book of hers, I can’t stop reading. Then, I wait in anticipation for the next novel to be released. Fun, charming, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. This book was also heartfelt in many ways. Expresso and Evil suits this novel well. Coffee and murder…overall, I recommend this book to readers everywhere. 

Review: Pancakes and Corpses

Synopsis:

Soon to be divorced Julia South never expected to be caught up in solving a murder, until she discovered the body of her cafe’s most awkward customer. With a new smug Detective Inspector in town who underestimates her every move, Julia makes it her mission to discover the real murderer, before her village friends are dragged into the frame, and more bodies are discovered.
A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe owning female amateur sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Pancakes and Corpses: A Peridale Cafe Mystery by Agatha Frost is an exciting new series. I love the main character, Julia. She’s a divorced women returning back to her hometown. Here, in Peridale, Julia is baking. Baking is her passion. But then, her cakes go missing…and a dead customer turns up…which then, catches the unwanted attention of the new detective. Something about him, puts Julia off in more than one way. 

I’ve read a few other book witinnthis series before this one, and I was easily able to follow along. The mystery in each book is different and thrilling to follow. Julia is the best baker. Her hometown, Peridale, is small but sets forth a variety of interesting characters. Intriguing, fun, hilarious, sweet, and sometimes deadly. Pancakes and Corpses is a must read for all. Action, adventure, and a murder case to solve. I couldn’t stop reading it. Agatha Frost is a talented writer. Her pages flew by fast.  

Review: The Churchill Plot

Synopsis:

As 90-year-old Winston Churchill barely clings to life in January 1965, Great Britain and the world prepare for the most significant funeral of the century. The long-planned grand farewell for the great man (code name: Operation Hope Not) will include the presence of a “who’s who” list of world leaders, all vying for the attention of the 350 million people who will watch it all via the relatively new Tel-Star satellite technology. 

But one world leader has decided not to go to London for the funeral of Sir Winston. 
Why would the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, a consummate and ego-driven politician, who has just been inaugurated for his own term, following a landslide election victory the previous November, choose to stay home instead of taking the chance to make his presence known as the leader of the free world? And why would the president not send his new vice president, Hubert Humphrey, to the funeral? And why would the Secretaries of Defense and State eventually travel to London as part of the “official” US delegation, only to avoid the actual service at historic St. Paul’s Church? 

With these very true historical facts as a backdrop, we take a journey through the “looking glass” into a murky world of shadows, mystery, and intrigue. America and the world had not yet fully recovered from the assassination of Johnson’s presidential predecessor, John F. Kennedy. Yet, in a way that seems to connect back to that awful moment in November 1963, there are rumors of another vast conspiracy, one involving a terrorist attack connected to Churchill’s funeral, at the moment more when than 100 world leaders will be gathered together in one confined place. 

Just what part of THE CHURCHILL PLOT is history, and what is fiction? You may find yourself reaching for your smartphone to check facts on Google. 
Go for it. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Churchill Plot by David R. Stokes combines both historical facts and fiction into one stunning read. This novel, has caught my interest from the beginning. I love exploring a bit of history and when writers take it and spin something like this…I can’t resist reading it. The characters ranged from people I recognized to others that I didn’t. I was thoroughly entertained. Action, suspense, and mystery all wrapped into this book. Churchill ignites an intense attention where the U.S. politics is involved. A lot of events cause for serious thinking and wondering…my mind was already spinning with ideas. David R. Stokes’s writing was well-done. I definitely recommend this to history and espionage lovers. 

Review: Onyx Webb The Series (book 10)

Synopsis:

Welcome Back to the World of Onyx Webb! This is Book Ten. (Episodes 29, 30, 31, & 32) Haven’t Gotten Entangled Yet? Please Start with Book One.

Book Ten is the end of the Onyx Webb saga with the final pieces of the web sewn together.
Onyx Webb is a complex multi-genre mash-up that combines elements of supernatural suspense, crime, horror, romance, and more. The Onyx Webb series follows the unusual life of Onyx Webb along with a central group of characters in various locations and times.
In Book Ten: The Mulvaneys deal with aftermath of the Solstice Eclipse Ball. Stan Lee and Spider Boy finally meet. Readers finally learn the fate of Onyx Webb. Scroll Up and Grab Book Ten Today! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Onyx Webb: The Series by both Richard Penton and Andrea Waltz is the last installment to this superb series. A paranormal soap opera tale filled with tons of action, adventure, and ghosts. Onyx Webb is by far still my favorite character. Her story was beautifully done. Noah is another character from this series that I loved too. He’s Onyx’s other half. Their relationship is unusual and emotionally engaging. All the other characters were awesome. They added to each featured episode. Fueling the drama, trouble, and mystery.  Richard Penton and Andrea Waltz are two talented writers. Each one spun this entire book and it’s Series into one that readers like myself will never forget. Nothing is easy in this book nor among the characters. Complex, complicated, and exciting. Never a dull moment. The pages flew by fast. I was once more hooked. I can’t wait to see the next book these writers come up with next. Their words brought forth a new world in which readers like myself easily got lost within….addictive. Overall, I highly recommend book ten to all. 

Review: Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister

Synopsis:

Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister was originally published as Duty Bound. It has since been expanded, revised, and re-edited.

The only woman I want is the one I can never have.

Harper. My best friend’s sister. I’ve wanted her since I was eighteen, but she’s always been off-limits. Now I’m home after years in the Marines, and nothing has changed–except everything has. Her brother is dead, and she’s on a hopeless quest for answers about his death.
And I want her just as much as ever.

Someone is trying to kill her now, and she won’t let me keep her safe. I have to protect her anyway, even if she doesn’t trust me, even if she hates me for it. A man protects what’s precious to him, whether or not he can ever claim her for his own.

And Harper has always been precious to me.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister by both Samantha Chase and Noelle Adams is a sexy yet emotional short read. This novella is packed with loss, anger, and lust. Levi is best friends with Harper’s older brother. He has wanted and liked Harper since the beginning but it really hit Levi the hardest when Harper grew up…

As a teenager, Harper turned heads. Levi was no different. She had him wrapped around her finger and had no idea. Levi has struggled with his attraction to Harper. She’s off limits. Not going to mess up a friendship just because he likes his best friend’s sister. Little sister.

Now, Harper is a grown woman. No little about her. Curves, flawless skin and still as fierce as before…Levi wished it was under better circumstances. His best friend, Harper’s brother, Gavin, died. Burying him. Sadness and pain hits them both. Harper hates Levi. 

Only she doesn’t know why he left her that one day. Nor does she know just how much he really cares about her…

Harper is in danger and Levi will protect her. But where that leaves them afterwards is something readers will have to discover on their own. 

Hot, well-developed, and entertaining. Both Samantha Chase and Noelle Adams have started a series that caught my heart and attention. I missed the deeper connection I get from Samantha’s novels but this one was still good. Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister is a must read.  

Review: Pangaea (The End of Days)

Synopsis:

At the dawn of humankind came the end of all that stood before.

This story is one such fairytale. Except it is not truly a fairytale. It is the story of Giants and Immortals, and of Earth’s greatest legend, Pangaea.

The great continent and the ocean Panthalassa were more than just the earth and the sea—they were the future. They were more than the children that ran across their playgrounds, the farmers that plowed their fields, and the sailors that travelled their waters. More than the hopes and fears of their inhabitants. And much more than the myths and legends who walked the Earth three hundred million years ago. They were a dream, a covenant made long before this universe ever took shape.

This is the tale of an end of an Age.

These are its tragic last days.

Pangaea is being torn apart by magic, and an old evil is set to return. Its greatest champions are blinded by ambition, choked by politics, and crippled by pain. 

Brought together by fate, seven young heroes set out to save the world.

But what can children do against living gods?
Preview the book here (click The Book)

https://www.pangaeathelegend.com/ 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Pangaea: The End of Days by Bolivar Beato is a fascinating book. Inside are tales full of other tales. Each one was pure magic fantasy…myths, events, wars, and other things. Detailed, carefully planned, and entertaining. The book held a intense environment…breaking into more intense moments. Every tale inside connected to the next one. Short, entertaining, and magical. There is so much to read that readers will be taken from their seats into a whole new universe unlike any other. Bolivar Beato is a talented writer. Creating worlds that capture my attention and held until the end.

Review: Misdiagnosed (The Search for Dr. House)

Synopsis: 

When a lymphoma scare threatened the life of a journalist, she began a quest to find the correct medical diagnosis for the mysterious illness she’d battled for nearly 20 years. She turned to her favorite TV show, House M.D., for inspiration. She used her research skills to look for a “real life” Gregory House to give her some answers. In this brutally honest memoir, Nika Beamon reveals how she found the doctor who saved her and how you can too. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review: 

Misdiagnosed: The Search for Dr. House by Nika C. Beamon caught my full attention. Everybody knows who Dr. House is. The title peaked my interest. I found this memoir interesting. A young female journalist is struck by a life threatening illness. Her search for a real life version of Dr. House was inspiring. Misdiagnosed is a sad, heartbreaking, and brave journey. The journey made me wary for the writer. I was worried as she went through all the exams, pills, and diagnosises. Searching endlessly for the right doctor proved difficult. But Nika C. Beamon never stopped her search. Her determination and strength is inspiring. A hope to all who suffer greatly. Overall, I greatly encourage readers worldwide to read this tale. 

Review: Cat Got Your Secrets

Synopsis:

Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, she’s busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique, helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle’s bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene—and the last person to see the victim alive was her own father.

It’s up to Lacy to clear her dad’s name from the suspect list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with her own secrets. And Lacy’s not the only one with bones in her closet.

Time’s running out in this deadly cat-and-mouse game in Cat Got Your Secrets, the delightfully funny third novel in Julie Chase’s Kitty Couture mystery series, perfect for “all those feline fanciers who love to read Rita Mae Brown” (Suspense Magazine).

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase is an exciting new murder mystery. A young woman finds out that her dad is anything but fine. His whole body language says he’s not okay. Just as Lacey goes to a client, she soon finds that he’s dead. And the last person who saw him alive was her dad. From there things become more complicated and messy. A blackmailer insists she stays quiet. But Lacey keeps digging away for the truth. 

Cat Got Your Secrets is full of danger, risks, and humor. I was intrigued. Julie Chase created characters that were easy to relate to and like them. Lacey is close to my age and her life felt believable. Her parents were real in their behavior. A pushy but caring mother and a good dad whose hiding secrets….but I also learned that he wasn’t the only one keeping them. Interesting, entertaining, and a feel good read. I enjoyed following this mystery. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Return

Synopsis:

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family’s rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she’s taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her. 

Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy’s captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans’s hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa? 

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher is an inspiring tale. It’s also full of hardships, woe, and hope. The book is based off some realistic events from the past. I enjoyed following this historical Christian piece. A group of Christians find themselves in the wilderness. A new land that is just as dangerous as it is good. Indians are nearby. In fact, one Indian will become something more to one of the protagonists. Her faith is questioned. Danger escalates and loss is felt. A massacre happens. Half Indians are slaughtered out of fear by others. Anger and fear make for trouble. One Amish man finds himself in such a predicament. Caleb is half Indian and half Mennonite. Betsy feels protective of her new friend. But Caleb is struggling with what’s happening to his kind. Betsy is hopeful thinking one day, Caleb will be ready to enter her world.  But right now he’s hurt, confused, and not ready. Understanding and relating to each character inside this book was easy. I felt their emotions. Fear, anger, sadness, love, and hope. Kindness played a role throughout the troubled and terrible times. Overall, I would recommend The Return to readers everywhere. Themes of friendship, bullying, and respect are found here. It was a well-written yet engaging read. 

Review: The Portrait of Vengeance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

An unsolved case. A tempest of memories. The future’s at stake—and time is running out…

 

 

Gwen Marcey has done a good job of keeping the pain of her past boxed up. But as she investigates the case of a missing child in Lapwai, Idaho, details keep surfacing that are eerily similar to her childhood traumas. She doesn’t believe in coincidences. So what’s going on here?

 

No one knows more about the impact of the past than the Nez Perce people of Lapwai. Gwen finds herself an unwelcome visitor to some, making her investigation even more difficult. The questions keep piling up, but answers are slow in coming—and the clock is ticking for a missing little girl. Meanwhile, her ex-husband back home is threatening to take sole custody of their daughter.

 

 

As Gwen’s past and present collide, she’s in a desperate race for the truth. Because only truth will ensure she still has a future.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

The Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks is another brilliant mystery in this exciting series. Gwen Marcey is the main protagonist who is dealing with a lot. She lost her parents at a young age. Now, as an adult she will come close to the killer. The one who killed her parents is trying to kill her and the six missing kids she found. Gwen forces herself into this new investigation. She left the crime scene where her mother was murdered. Gwen will use all of her power to uncover the truth for this cold case investigation as well as save the children…all of the, who are now, counting on her to save them all.

The Portrait of Vengeance is a thrilling rush. Adventure, action, and mystery. Themes of death, loss, and hope are found here. I was hooked. The forensic artist, Gwen Marcey, has her own demons to face as well as the struggle to survive an ordeal. She must conquer the new challenges. Strong, determined, and smart. Gwen is a character to love. I immediately connected to her. Overall, I recommend this entertaining tale to readers everywhere.

Review: The Summer that Made Us

Synopsis:

Mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins, they lived for summers at the lake house until a tragic accident changed everything. The Summer That Made Us is an unforgettable story about a family learning to accept the past, to forgive and to love each other again. 

That was then… 

For the Hempsteads, summers were idyllic. Two sisters who married two brothers and had three daughters each, the women would escape the city the moment school was out to gather at the family house on Lake Waseka. The lake was a magical place, a haven where they were happy and carefree. All of their problems drifted away as the days passed in sun-dappled contentment. 

Until the summer that changed everything. 

This is now… 

After an accidental drowning turned the lake house into a site of tragedy and grief, it was closed up. For good. Torn apart, none of the Hempstead women speak of what happened that summer, and relationships between them are uneasy at best, hurtful at worst. But in the face of new challenges, one woman is determined to draw her family together again, and the only way that can happen is to return to the lake and face the truth. 

Robyn Carr has crafted a beautifully woven story about the complexities of family dynamics and the value of strong female relationships.

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

The Summer that Made Us by Robyn Carr is a great read. At its center, lies a family struggling with their lives. Each one feels stressed. A past event has kept them torn apart. Now, in the present they go back to the place where all went wrong. Some want to forget it, while others want to remember the good that was there. Hope, fear, anger, and a sadness lingers on every page. I was taken into each character’s feelings. They felt hesitant about the future. Loss, death, and managing relationships both personal and in the family is a hard thing to juggle. I understood the characters’ actions. However, I didn’t feel as close to them as I have with other characters. Robyn Carr is phenomenal writer. Her stories have always inspired me. This book, is inspiring in many ways but the emotional entertaining connection wasn’t really there for me. I didn’t really want to dig deep in this tale. But I continued. The themes and points were on target. Just didn’t feel as engaging as Robyn Carr’s previous novels. The Summer that Made Us fits perfectly with the pages’ content. I do recommend this book. It drags some but it’s still worth reading. 

Review: Murder in Little Shendon

Synopsis:

MURDER IN LITTLE SHENDON 

Picture, if you will, a picturesque village called Little Shendon, suddenly caught up in dealing with a murder of one of its citizens – not a particularly well-liked one at that. Which makes it all the more intriguing because the list of suspects becomes very long. This tantalizing tale unfolds with delightful twists and turns to find out whodunit to Mr. Bartholomew Fynche, the murdered shopkeeper. Fear grips the community as the investigation slowly progresses. Everyone is interviewed; everyone is suspect! From the murdered man’s housekeeper to Lady Armstrong, her staff and her nephew. Or could it be the shy librarian new in town? Or the defiant retired army major and his ladyfriend, the post mistress? Or perhaps the weird sisters who live on the edge of town? 

Then there is the couple who own the local inn and pub, along with the two Americans who are staying there? Even the vicar and his wife fall under the gloom of suspicion. Uncertainty, wariness, and terror reign as neighbors watch neighbors to discover the evil that permeates their upturned lives. No one feels safe in this charming little village. 

A.H. Richardson, noted author, places in your trembling hands a mystery murder that will keep you reading until you learn the details, uncovered by Police Inspector Stanley Burgess and his two amateur detectives, his friend Sir Victor Hazlitt and the famed Shakespearean actor Beresford Brandon. 

Scratch your head with them over the strange clues that turn up. Follow them as they tread carefully among the landmines that appear innocent as they lie hidden beneath the surface of mystery. Something evil skulks in this tiny country village. Who is the murderer? And why was this strange uncivil man dispatched in such a seemingly civil community? You are challenged to discover the culprit before the last few pages. And no fair looking ahead – it’s the journey that proves the most enticing. 

Rating: 4-stars

Review: 

Murder in Little Sheldon by A.H. Richardson is an interesting mystery. This book, left me wondering and guessing who could have murdered the shop keeper. Every character had some tie to the investigation. Each one looked just as guilty as the other. Motive was in high demand. I loved that I couldn’t figure it out until the ending. I don’t like reading mysteries where I already know who committed the crime. As a reader, I appreciated the suspense, intrigue, and the twists. Murder in Little Sheldon made me think of two movies with this kind of who dunnit theme. Especially, The Who Framed Roger Rabbit. I found the writing entertaining and refreshing. It’s a challenge worth reading. Overall, A.H. Richardson is an a writer I would keep on my watch out list. 

Review: A Life Before

Synopsis:

Picture yourself as Mike Strange, a lawyer in 1989 who agrees to represent residents of a large condominium complex, twelve of whom have lost a spouse to lung cancer in the past five years. Surprisingly, all twelve were non-smokers, nor were exposed to second-hand smoke. But all were exposed for years to radon gas emanating from the basements of their condo units. 
As this young lawyer starts ruffling too many feathers to bring those responsible to justice, his wife Susan is brutally murdered by an unknown assailant, clearly as a warning to Mike to back off. For twenty years, her murder has eluded a suspect by the police. 

Only one person seems to have a clue after all this time, a young college student, Samantha Collins, who has recurring dreams of the murder of a young housewife by a tattooed man with a scar on his chin. She has had this dream since she was thirteen, but now in 2011, the dreams are more frequent and include more and more information that place Samantha Collins as the reincarnated Susan Strange from years ago. 

Share the excitement as this one cold case is brought back to life through the vision of Samantha, as the perfect crime may not have been so perfect after all. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Life Before by Julien Ayotte is an exciting thriller. Right away, I was swept into the book. The characters were believable and the scenes fly by fast. I was completely lost within the pages. There are several cases inside that keep readers like myself guessing. Intriguing, stunning, and well-told. Julien Ayotte is a new writer to watch out for…his words come to life. Danger, excitement, and emotional. Crime happens everywhere. These crimes were entertaining to follow. Overall, I recommend A Life Before to readers everywhere. 

Review: The Night Trilogy

Synopsis:

Night is one of the masterpieces of Holocaust literature. First published in 1958, it is the autobiographical account of an adolescent boy and his father in Auschwitz. Elie Wiesel writes of their battle for survival and of his battle with God for a way to understand the wanton cruelty he witnesses each day. In the short novel Dawn (1960), a young man who has survived World War II and settled in Palestine joins a Jewish underground movement and is commanded to execute a British officer who has been taken hostage. In Day (previously titled The Accident, 1961), Wiesel questions the limits of conscience: Can Holocaust survivors forge a new life despite their memories? Wiesel’s trilogy offers insights on mankind’s attraction to violence and on the temptation of self-destruction.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Night Trilogy by Elle Wiesel is a gruesome account of the suffering he and his family faced during World War II. A time of Death, loss, and torment. This was one of history’s nightmarish memories that will never be forgotten. The Nazis were cruel dictators killing innocent human beings without a hesitation. The page in this book showed it all. 
Young Elle Wiesel experienced what no other teenage boy should have faced. He and his family were just one of countless numbers herded onto cattle cars. Usuhered to their death. The showers of death, the endless starvation, beatings, and cruelty killed so many humans. Humans who didn’t know what lied ahead. 
As I read this book, it brought me back to something I wish I never knew about. Something that should never have happened. But it did. A memory that no being can wash away. The smoke from the screaming dying corpses in the “shower rooms” and the endless fears were terrorfying to revisit. It survivors like the writer who show the world what happened and may happen again. 
The Night Trilogy is memoir that will always be remembered. Survival, loss, death, and much more. Terrible days that never end. Even with so much time having passed. It is a gripping and well-written book. I recommend this Holocaust story to readers worldwide. 

Review: The Summer House

Synopsis:

When Flossy Merrill summons her children to the beloved family beach house to celebrate their father’s eightieth birthday, both cherished memories and long-kept secrets come to light in this charming and lyrical novel from the author of The Lake Season and Mystic Summer.
Flossy Merrill has managed to—somewhat begrudgingly—gather her three ungrateful grown children from their dysfunctional lives for a summer reunion at the family’s Rhode Island beach house. Clementine, her youngest child and a young mother of two small children, has caused Flossy the most worry after enduring a tragically life-altering year. But Samuel and his partner Evan are not far behind in their ability to alarm: their prospective adoption search has just taken a heart-wrenching turn. Only Paige, the eldest of the headstrong Merrill clan, is her usual self: arriving precisely on time with her well-adapted teens. Little does her family know that she, too, is facing personal struggles of her own.
No matter. With her family finally congregated under one seaside roof, Flossy is determined to steer her family back on course even as she prepares to reveal the fate of the summer house that everyone has thus far taken for granted: she’s selling it. The Merrill children are both shocked and outraged and each returns to memories of their childhoods at their once beloved summer house—the house where they have not only grown up, but from which they have grown away. With each lost in their respective heartaches, Clementine, Samuel, and Paige will be forced to reconsider what really matters before they all say goodbye to a house that not only defined their summers, but, ultimately, the ways in which they define themselves. 
Featuring McKinnon’s “sharp and evocative” (Kirkus Reviews) voice, this warm-hearted novel is perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Mary Alice Monroe.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon is a superb summer read. A story about a family dealing with a lot of issues. The mother forces her kids back to the summer house. There she hopes to help them deal with their issues and maybe, find some peace. A worried mother over grown children. The mother herself has something to share with her children. She plans to sell their summer house. A place full of childhood memories for the children who are now, grown adults. The journey is rocky at first but smooths over as the pages are turned. Emotional, stunning, and heartfelt. 

Hannah McKinnon writes well. Her characters are believable. Each one adds to the plot. A different issue like the lost of a husband. Readers will easily relate to the them. I was able to understand and love the characters. The mother was the centerfold of this family. Strong, dependent, and clever. She loves her family. Caring, loving, and sweet. I couldn’t put this book down…The Summer House lured me from my seat and deep onto its pages. A deep entertaining read. One that pulled at my heart strings all the way. Overall, I recommend this novel to readers worldwide. Loss, love, and healing. 

Review: Any Dream Will Do

Synopsis:

Shay Benson adored her younger brother, Caden, and that got her into trouble. When he owed money, Shay realized she would do anything to help him avoid the men who were threatening him, and she crossed lines she never should have crossed. Now, determined to start fresh, she finds herself in search of a place to stay and wanders into a church to escape from the cold.
Pastor Drew Douglas adored his wife. But when he lost her, it was all he could do to focus on his two beautiful kids, and his flock came in a distant third. Now, as he too is thinking about a fresh start, he walks through his sanctuary and finds Shay sitting in a pew.

The pair strike up a friendship—Drew helps Shay get back on her feet, and she reignites his sense of purpose—that, over time, turns into something deeper, something soulful, spiritual, and possibly romantic. Even Drew’s two children are taken with this woman who has brought light back into their lives. Perhaps most important, Shay learns to trust again as she, in turn, proves herself trustworthy to her adopted community.

But Caden’s return to town and a disastrous secret threaten to undo the life Shay has tried so hard to rebuild. It will take the utmost courage and faith if she and Drew hope to find healing and open their hearts to a brighter future.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber is as close to a realistic story as possible. Everything felt real. It was like reading a person’s journey from the rough life to a good one. A young woman has had trust issues due to the men in her life. With no One But a brother as family and as a friend, Shay had to learn a lot of lessons. Including, not trusting her baby brother. He relied on her and she made a bad choice because she thought it was a life or death situation. Her brother used her. Broke his promise and left Shay to deal with the consequences. Shay went to prison, lost her bank job, and is dealing with a lot of emotions. Anger, fear, and survival mode. After being released she finds no where to go. Stepping into a church, Shay’s life turns around….she meets Paster Drew. 

Pastor Drew is another interesting character. He and his very young kids lost a loved one. A wife and mother. Drew was hopeless and lost until he meets Shay. He sees hope for her. Even though she can’t. She has a tough attitude but inside she’s good. Drew calls a friend and help Shay into a program for women like her. Because he helped her, Shay forms an attachment of trust, liking, and hope towards him. Drew can’t help but feel good knowing he helped her. Something about Shay also gives him hope for the future. Then there’s his kids. Both meet Shay. Shay loves them as much as they love her. 

Debbie Macomber has written an inspiring tale here. I couldn’t stop reading it. The whole story made me cry, smile, and fall in love. Lost souls finding their ways after a tragedy. A little faith, hope, and love go a long way in this novel. Those who have been through a tough time can easily relate to both Shay and Drew’s issues. Struggles can make or break us at times. But it’s about continuing even when we have nothing else to lose. Overall, I recommend this contemporary to all. Any Dream Will Do is a must read. 

Review: Maybe I Do

Synopsis: 

She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He is married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together—and give true love a shot in Nicole McLaughlin’s Maybe I Do?

Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work—even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.

Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal—beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance. . .particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliché or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin is a sexy sweet contemporary read. I was addicted from the first page. Here, the writer has brought together two kind people. Each one has their own fears that they struggle with, as well as their attraction to each other. Dean is forty-one- years-old. He feels old. Yet he stays fit. Packing a six pack and not a single grey hair, he’s every woman’s fantasy. Including, Charlotte’s. Dean was married once, and it didn’t work. Plus, he’s hiding a secret. Then, there’s Charlotte who was almost married. Her fiancée didn’t meet her at the aisle. Now, she works as a photographer photographing weddings mostly. Charlotte also holds a secret of her own. 

Maybe I Do fits in perfectly. Each protagonist finally figures out that maybe they do want a happily forever…but will their fears stop them? Nicole McLaughlin created a beautiful yet emotional journey. I cried, laughed, and fell in love. Two older people falling deeper for one another. Their lust, attraction, and fears have a long way to go. It was easy to relate to the characters. Hopeful, funny, and well-developed. This book felt so real. Truly, a heartfelt romance. Overall, I recommend this to readers everywhere.

Review: Stargazey Point

Synopsis:

Shelley Noble’s Stargazey Point is a beautiful story of love, heartbreak, friendship, and new beginnings.

Devastated by tragedy during her last project, documentarian Abbie Sinclair seeks refuge with three octogenarian siblings, who live in a looming plantation house at the edge of the world.

South Carolina’s Stargazey Point used to be a popular family beach resort, but the beaches have eroded, most of the businesses have closed, and the crowds have gone. It’s the perfect place to hide from the rest of world.

But hiding is harder than she thought it would be. There’s a wise Gullah woman who seems to see into Abbie’s soul, and an intriguing man on a quest to bring Stargazey Point back to life.

Stargazey Point by Shelley Nobel is the perfect beach read any time of year.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Stargazey Point by Shelley Noble is a fascinating tale. Full of action, intrigue, and heartfelt moments. It instantly grabbed my heart from the beginning. I laughed, cried, and fell in love. The characters were amazing. Felt so real. It was almost like magic. The plot itself was interesting. Believable. Like stepping into a Hallmark movie. Shelley Noble’s words created a deeper meaning. Family, community, and new beginnings. Every page made me feel as if I were really there with the characters. 

Stargazey Point is a small southern spot that readers will love. History, culture, and the people who live there come to life on every page. Until now, I haven’t read any other books by Shelley Noble. I’m very happy to have read this one. A woman who feels depressed from her past is soon sent by a friend to Stargazey Point. There, she stays with her friend’s family. Two older women and an older man. Southern charm is turned up full notch here. Big southern plantation that somehow survived a storm that ruined the once thriving town. Money is almost out for one family. The brother has a kept secret that may come to save them and their home. Abbie comes looking for peace and ends up bringing life into the town and the people she met. It was hard not to like Abbie. She struggled with her own demons. Yet she gave everything she had to help others. Then, there’s Cab. He at first mistrusts her…but after knowing her a bit she soon engages his full attention. Sparks fly. But first fears have to be solved if they they even stand a chance at happiness. Themes like friendship and love are strong. Shelley Noble has done a superb job in creating this masterpiece. Entertaining, emotional, and charming. Overall, I recommend it to others. 

Review: Take Me Home for Christmas

Synopsis:

Christmas is a time for remembering….
Too bad all memories aren’t pleasant. Everyone in Whiskey Creek remembers Sophia DeBussi as the town’s Mean Girl. Especially Ted Dixon, whose love she once scorned. 
But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive. So when he goes missing, she secretly hopes he’ll never come back—until she learns that he died running from an FBI probe of his investment firm. Not only has he left Sophia penniless, he’s left her to face all the townspeople he cheated…. 
Sophia is reduced to looking for any kind of work to pay the bills and support her daughter. With no other options, she becomes housekeeper for none other than Ted, now a successful suspense writer. He can’t bring himself to turn his back on her, not at Christmas, but he refuses to get emotionally involved. He learned his lesson the last time. 
Or will the season of love and forgiveness give them both another chance at happiness? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak was another brilliant read. I don’t know how she does it. Every book is good. Engaging, whole hearted, and stunning. This latest novel, was centered on family. There were other themes like dealing with bullying, harassment, alcoholism and other stuff. Plus, old flames rekindling. 

First, I was introduced to a young woman. One that was super gorgeous and still is. She used her popularity around Whiskey Creek to her advantage. However, that left her with enemies, a broken heart, and no friends. Sophia left a good guy for one that turned out to be way worse than she ever feared. Her one night with a rich guy ended up with her being pregnant. So, her only option was to marry him. Leaving behind the one guy who truly cared about her as she did for him. 

Now, after having lost her husband on the day of her anniversary, Sophia returns back home. Whiskey Creek is her home. But then, she finds her husband stole money from all the people. Their home, cars, furniture, and jewels were taken. The people in town hate her. All but for one man. The one she left behind…Ted Dixon. 

Ted Dixon doesn’t want to be around Sophia. He wants to be over her. But he’s not. He’s hurt but seeing her current situation, he hires her to be his housekeeper. From there, he finds out what has happened to her before her marriage and afterwards. Ted can’t stop himself from saving Sophie and her little girl. But things are getting more complicated…

Take Me Home for Christmas left me feeling sad, angry, and happy. The emotional journey was epic. Brenda Novak has once again, swept me off my feet. Her book was intriguing. I was hooked from the beginning. Life is messy. The characters were three dimensional. Believable and realistic. I can see Sophie and Ted’s situations happening worldwide to real people. Hurt, betrayal,  hope, and love. So many emotions. I loved it. I wasn’t sure how the book would end. Overall, I recommend this contemporar romance to all. 

Review: Forbidden Beginnings

Synopsis:

A senseless assault. An agonizing, life-threatening decision. In the moment of truth, with countless lives at stake, how can justice hope to prevail? 
New York City trauma surgeon, Dr. Christopher Ravello, has it all. A breathtaking, vivacious wife. Lovely children. Life-saving work, and a beautiful home in one of the City’s most coveted neighborhoods. 
But in an instant, Chris’ world is shattered. 
The brutal and senseless assault of his mother, Jacqueline, leaves her barely alive. Consumed with anguish and fear, battling time and circumstances, Chris’ search for a life-saving treatment leads to an agonizing decision and takes him down a path of no return. 
In the wake of his mother’s assault, Chris and life-long friend, Detective Kevin Kennedy, risk their lives and livelihoods tracking down Jacqueline’s attacker. 
When Ravello, driven by an all-consuming rage, at last comes face-to-face with his mother’s assailant, every fiber of his being calls out for vengeance. In the moment of truth, with so much at stake for he and his family, what will Chris choose? 
Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Forbidden Beginnings: Jacqueline’s Tragedy by William Rubin is a thrilling start for this medial thriller series. Powerfully written. I was intrigued. The main character was easy to relate to and understand. Loss of his mother and pressure everywhere. As a doctor, Christopher Ravello, makes a big decision. To help find the man who killed his mother. This new path leads him on a dangerous journey. One that could end deadly…

The medical background was believable. Since, the writer is a practicing physician. Ifound that this story was based off some true life events in a way. Both the main character and writer share the same occupations and loss of a mother. I was immediately drawn into the dark web that William Rubin created. A life changing situation that pulled me in….nailing my attention to every word. Forbidden Beginnings was addictive to read. I highly recommend this to readers who love murder and crime fiction. Plus, characters with a medical background. 

Review: Dead Silence

Synopsis:

There’s a body buried behind a Mississippi farmhouse
Grace Montgomery knows who it is, and she knows why it happened. She was only thirteen the night it all went wrong. And now, like then, she has no choice but to keep her mouth shut.
Grace left the town of Stillwater thirteen years ago, trying to forget, trying to make good. As an assistant D.A. in Jackson, she’s finally achieved the success that was supposed to change her life. But it hasn’t so she’s come back to confront her own history. Which means returning to the farmhouse now owned by her brother and facing the people of Stillwater, a number of whom suspect the truth.
Widower Kennedy Archer is one of those people. He’s running for mayor and needs to stay as far away from Grace as possible. And yetshe’s an enigma he can’t resist. Even though her enemies are close to finding out what really happened and that could ruin them both.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Brenda Novak is the best writer! Her novels range from suspense to romance. She even writes historical novels. I am awed by Brenda’s talent. She never disappoints me. Her writing is always phenomenal. Exciting, intriguing, and epic. Dead Silence is the first book in this series. A mystery that has gone under radar long enough is now, popping back to surface. For Grace it was a nightmare that she couldn’t forget. Her mother, step-sister, and brother all knew what had happened. They kept it between themselves. Grace comes back home, and something about her being back stirs up trouble. Unwanted trouble. Her other half-sister is wanting to know what happened to her father. And the son, wants to find Gracie and her family guilty for his father’s death. But vegance only goes so far…

Dead Silence is intense. It occurs in a small-town intent on hating one family. Grace’s family. Her mother married a preacher because she had nothing for her kids and didn’t want to lose them. Then, the respected and ever loved preacher turns out to be anything than what he seemed…dark, haunting, and engaging. Brenda Novak has brought her characters to life. The words create visual images that make it feel like I was experiencing the whole thing first hand. Believable and realistic. Themes of loss, family, secrets, and love are found inside this stung tale. I couldn’t put it down once, I started. Overall, Brenda has hooked me again. I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: No Getting Over a Cowboy

Synopsis:

The golden cowboy of Wrangler’s Creek returns home to Texas to discover some old flames never fizzle…

There are plenty of things Garrett Granger hadn’t counted on losing—his child to miscarriage, his wife to another man and the family business thanks to a crooked CFO. He also hadn’t counted on moving back to the family ranch, where he’s met by another surprise—former flame Nicky Marlow, who is renting his grandmother’s old house.

Nicky’s been rebuilding her shattered life since her husband’s death two years ago. But Garrett’s timely arrival in Wrangler’s Creek doesn’t automatically make him the missing piece of the puzzle. Even if he does seem to adore her two-year-old daughter… Even if seeing him again stirs up old feelings Nicky would gladly keep buried, forcing her to wonder if moving forward has to mean leaving everything behind… 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen is a hot read. I definitely recommend this book to be added to readers summer list. They’re sexy cowboys, determined women, matchmaking moms, and danger. I was hooked. Intrigued. Old lovers meet again under different circumstances. Women leased an old house on the Wrangler Creek Ranch to use for widows. Garrett Wrangler hasn’t been the same since he lost his daughter as a stillborn and the fact that his wife ran away. She cheated on him with a ranch hand. Then, there was her act blown up as a scandal everywhere. Business trouble for the Wrangler family. If that isn’t enough then, there’s the dead body found in the old house on the ranch. Plus, Garrett’s old love interest is being targeted for money…

Lust, love, death, and risks are on every page. No Getting Over a Cowboy is correct. Nicky Marlow can’t get over Garrett. In fact, he’s still attracted to her as well. Excitement, adventure, and heat. I loved it. The Wrangler family members were funny. They brought humor to the story. Sweet, sexy, and well-done. This tale was a page turner. Delores Fossen surely know how to keep a reader addicted to her books. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.

Review: Man of Action

Synopsis:

He was a man of action—especially when it came to protecting his new undercover partner… 
At nineteen, Andrea Gordon’s life was forever changed. After proving herself instrumental in a bank hostage crisis, she became one of Omega Sector’s top agents. Four years later, her skill at reading people is unrivaled—until she meets fellow profiler Brandon Han. Paired together to track a serial killer who has been targeting at-risk women, the two become entangled beyond the case. Their mutual attraction deepens as they get closer to the truth. But when Andrea’s own sordid past surfaces, they will both be forced to question everything about the assignment…and each other. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Man of Action by Janie Crouch is a one stunning tale. A romantic suspense that went deep under my skin and into my heart. Suspenseful and charming. A young woman had it really rough growing up…actually, she had no one there for her. Her aunt and uncle didn’t even want her. But she had nowhere to go. Her uncle beat her. Her aunt let him. She finally ran away to survive. Andrea ended up not graduating from high school and working in a place she feels shameful for…now, four years later, she’s made a career for herself. Her one time insight to a crime led her to a career as a behavioral analyst. From there she’s partnered with sexy and super smart Brandon Han. He recently lost his partner. A new serious case pops up, and both are sent as new partners. Brandon isn’t game for having a new partner. He knows Andrea is hiding secrets…as their case is in her hometown, those secrets become exposed. Brandon will struggle with how he should feel around Andrea. Andre really likes Brandon but feels he’ll turn away from her if he knew her past. A serial killer is loose and another escaped from prison. With evil lurking around, it will take them both to capture the criminals. 

Man of Action is exactly as it states. Brandon Hall provides more action than most. Both in and out of the bedroom. A sinful combo of hot looks and high intelligence makes him a man most wanted. I loved how Janie Crouch explored differences in race, intellect, and careers. She tamales something like a learning disability or a job for survival and make it into an emotional yet unforgettable journey. I was hooked. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere.

Review: The Phantom of the Opera

Synopsis:

First published in French as a serial in 1909, “The Phantom of the Opera” is a riveting story that revolves around the young, Swedish Christine Daaé. Her father, a famous musician, dies, and she is raised in the Paris Opera House with his dying promise of a protective angel of music to guide her. After a time at the opera house, she begins hearing a voice, who eventually teaches her how to sing beautifully. All goes well until Christine’s childhood friend Raoul comes to visit his parents, who are patrons of the opera, and he sees Christine when she begins successfully singing on the stage. The voice, who is the deformed, murderous ‘ghost’ of the opera house named Erik, however, grows violent in his terrible jealousy, until Christine suddenly disappears. The phantom is in love, but it can only spell disaster. Leroux’s work, with characters ranging from the spoiled prima donna Carlotta to the mysterious Persian from Erik’s past, has been immortalized by memorable adaptations. Despite this, it remains a remarkable piece of Gothic horror literature in and of itself, deeper and darker than any version that follows.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux is quite a tale. Dark, intense, and dramatic. Every page builds the momentum. Suspenseful and cleverly written. The Phantom Ghost is not a ghost at all. But a mere mortal. Yet he brings upon fear and darkness at the Opera. Love, jealous, and murder. This was an interesting piece of literature. I was in love. It had everything I expected and more. Gaston Leroux was a great writer. His words lured me deeper into his fictional world, The Phantom of the Opera. Music, death, and drama at the center. Absolutely, fascinating to read. I recommend this book to readers worldwide. 

Review: Dial C for Chihuahua

Synopsis:

“I am Pepe. But you can call me el Jefe.”

Pepe may have soft white fur, big brown eyes, and mucho attitude–but he’s no furry fashion fad. Pepe can talk–even if his new owner, Geri Sullivan, seems to be the only person who can understand him. 

When Geri takes on her first assignment for a quirky investigator named Jimmy G and stumbles over a Seattle millionaire’s corpse, Pepe proves to be worth his weight in liver treats. Suspicion falls on the not-so-grieving widow, who wants to finance a reality TV show, Dancing With Dogs. 

Normally, Pepe wouldn’t be caught muerte in a sparkly costume. However, he has to sniff out the real killer and keep Geri safe. Lesser dogs might flinch. But Pepe isn’t the kind to turn tail and run. . .

“Pepe is one cool sleuth. I really loved this book.” –Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mysteries

“Readers will sit up and beg for more.” –Sushi the Shih Tzu, canine star of the Trash ‘n’ Treasures mysteries by Barbara Allan

“A fun and breezy mystery.” –Jennie Bentley

Waverly Curtis is the joint byline for the mystery writing team Waverly Fitzgerald and Curtis Colbert.

Waverly Fitzgerald is the author of four historical romances under the name Nancy Fitzgerald. She has taught writing classes at the UCLA Writers Program, the University of Washington Extension, and regional conferences. She currently teaches at Richard Hugo House, the literary arts center in Seattle. She lives in Seattle with her daughter, Shaw, and Shaw’s Chihuahua, Pepe.

Curt Colbert is the author of the Jake Rossiter and Miss Jenkins mysteries. A Seattle native, Curt is also a poet and an avid history buff. Curt and his wife, Stephanie, live in a Seattle suburb under the thrall of their cat, Esmeralda. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Dial C for Chihuahua by Waverly Curtis is a laugh-out-loud mystery. A cozy mystery that pulls readers into the book. I was hooked. Intriguing from the first page to the last. I can’t remember laughing so much….Pepe is the dog to go to for solving mysteries. He’s a Chihuahua that while tiny is a brilliant companion for his human, Geri. Geri is dumped by her husband who already has another woman in his life. Her original job as a stager is coming to an end. She needs another job fast. She finds Pepe in a shelter and takes him home with her. From there, she finds he can talk. But only she can hear him. To everyone else, he’s just another dog barking. Pepe is funny, cute, and all male. He makes this tale sweet, engaging, and exciting. I love animals. Dial C for Chihuahua is indeed a perfect cozy mystery. Danger, risks, and murder inside…

Review: Abiding Mercy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

When doing the right thing will only lead to more heartache, how do you know what you are supposed to do?

Sixteen-year-old Faith has worked full time in her parents’ Amish restaurant since she finished eighth grade. She loves her Amish community–and the recent romantic attentions of her longtime friend, Gideon. When her sister seems to be getting too friendly with Englischers, and her parents are in a buggy accident, Faith only wants to escape into her dream of joining the church and getting married.

But then a local newspaper runs a story about a child named Adriana who was kidnapped fifteen years earlier, and everything Faith has held true comes into question.

Suddenly the community Faith has known her whole life seems unreal. Can she even trust her own family? And how will she ever find home again if she no longer belongs in the world she knows best.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Abiding Mercy by Ruth Reid is amazing. The protagonist had a journey that weighed heavy on the heart and the mind. I fell into the story. The emotions were everywhere.  I  felt everything the main character felt. Sadness, confusion, and difficult choices ahead. Loss, faith, and hope were major themes found within the pages. It was a journey I will never forget. My heart immediately went out to Faith. She grew up in one world, finding that she was snatched from a different one. Choices will need to be made. A young woman has a lot on her plate. Loosing one set of parents only to find that they weren’t her biological ones. Abiding Mercy was well-told. I enjoyed reading every page of it. Sweet, engaging, and beautifully woven. Ruth Reid has captured my full attention with this tale. Overall, I highly recommend it to others.

 

Review: Greylock

Synopsis:

Murder. Betrayals. Romance. Pianist Alexei Georg harbors a dark secret and a lie. He finds an old sonata in a 19th-century Russian sea chest. The night Alexei performs this handsome music in concert, a creature of darkness appears in the audience, in the aisle, and on the stage with him. This is no ghost. This menacing presence haunts Alexei relentlessly. From Boston’s music society to the White Sea in Russia to Mt. Greylock. 

When Alexei’s wife Carole Anne, a prima ballerina, is murdered, Alexei flees Boston and the suspicion of the crime. His affair with the steamy and delicious Lia Marrs adds to the motive. Secluded on Mt. Greylock, Alexei is driven to compose a whale symphony to save his music career. But Alexei cannot flee the unstoppable sonata that he has delivered into this world. Alone on Mt. Greylock, he must find a way to halt the dark force within his music or become prisoner to its phantasmagoric power in an ever-expanding abyss. 

If you don’t believe that music has transformative powers within the supernatural realm, just ask violinists Paganini or Tartini about their deals with the devil for their virtuosity.
Murder, lies, betrayal, romance–and the flickering phantasmagoria.

“If you’re looking for an imaginative, sophisticated read, you’ve found it. Five stars.”–MichaelSchmicker, best-selling author of The Witch of Napoli.

Greylock is a murder mystery flavored with supernatural elements, by the author of the international award-winning The Dazzling Darkness, an Amazon Kindle 17-week best-selling ghost story. Paula Cappa is the recipient of a Chanticleer Book Award for Greylock, the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award, the Readers’ Favorite International Bronze Medal for Supernatural Suspense, and a Gothic Readers Book Club Award Winner for Outstanding Fiction.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Greylock by Paula Cappa is a fascinating tale. It sort of reminds of Phantom of the Opera a little bit. I love how Paula Cappa combined several genres and themes into one magnificent read. Mystery, paranormal, and romance. Music is loved by all. But in this case it can also be hated. Haunting, dark, and intriguing. Readers like myself will e thoroughly entertained. Death, loss, murder, and love can be found on these pages. Paula Cappa is a talented writer. The words came alive as I was flipping through them. Overall, Greylock is an interesting novel. I highly recommend to readers worldwide. 

Review: Family Sins

Synopsis: 

MURDER IN EDEN 
Felled by a cowardly shot to the back, Stanton Youngblood has just enough time before he dies to leave a single clue to his killer’s identity: the word Wayne, scrawled in his own blood. 
That word means everything to his widow. Leigh Youngblood was once Leigh Wayne, but she left her wealthy family behind thirty years ago when she fell in love with Stanton, a betrayal the Waynes have never forgiven. Now she publicly vows to discover which of her siblings thinks money and power are enough to cover up a murder. 
Back in town to find his father’s killer, prodigal son Brody finds his search for justice comes with an unexpected ray of light. He’s loved Talia Champion forever, but when she said she couldn’t marry him, he left town and never looked back. This time it’s Talia who needs him, and it isn’t in him to deny her anything. 
But the killer still has a score to settle, and if that means spilling more blood—so much the better. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review: 

Family Sins by Sharon Sala is a dark and intriguing tale. A romantic suspense novel that made me cry, laugh, and feel terrified. Fear, anger, and revenge are found on every page. One family full of hatred comes to a hault. Their sins are their downfall. Neglecting a sister. Leigh was the smartest one. She was also kind. Leaving behind her bad family for love. They threatened to kill her husband. Now thirty years later, their threat is fulfilled. Leigh finds husband dead. I felt her pain. I felt her husband’s love for her even as he was dying. Sad, realistic, and stunning. Sharon Sala has out done herself with this title. Family Sins is exactly that. Overall, I highly recommend this book to all. 

Review: Defender

Synopsis:

The man who shattered her trust is back to protect her… New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer delivers a breathtaking story of second-chance love. 
When Paul Fiore disappeared from Isabel Grayling’s life, he told himself it was for all the right reasons. She was young and innocent, and he was her millionaire father’s lowly employee. Three years on, Paul is the FBI agent assigned to Isabel’s case. Too late, he realizes what life in her Texas mansion was really like back then—and how much damage he did when he left. 
Once love-struck and sheltered, Isabel has become an assistant district attorney committed to serving the law, no matter how risky it gets. But right now, the man she can’t forgive is the one thing standing between her and a deadly stalker. She knows Paul won’t hesitate to protect her life with his own. But if she can’t trust herself to resist him, how can she trust him not to break her heart all over again? 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

This book, Defender, was my first novel read that was written by Diana Palmer. I’ve seen her books everywhere. Their covers like this one, always tempted me. Now, I can say I’ve one of her novels. From the beginning of this tale, I was intrigued. My curiosity peaked. Two young women are living under surveillance by their over protective father. A man who is beyond rich. He’s also the most feared man by people who know him. Both daughters fear him. Their father is anything but a good man. 

He dictates everything they wear, say, and do. Imagine being a teenager or a college student and never allowed to date. No men in their life but their father and guards. However, one of these guards is a good man. A former FBI agent. He protects both women. The story grew more intense with every page. Abuse, fear, and threats. But then, Diana Palmer also brings love, friendship, and hope into this novel. I couldn’t stop reading this book. This was definitely one western contemporary tale that was not boring. It was realistic, frighteningly, and entertaining. Overall, I recommend Defender to readers everywhere. 

Review: Eleven on Top

Synopsis:

Stephanie Plum is thinking her career as a fugitive apprehension agent has run its course. She’s been shot at, spat at, cussed at, fire-bombed, mooned, and attacked by dogs. Stephanie thinks it’s time for a change. So she quits. She wants something safe and normal. But the kind of trouble she had at the bail bonds office can’t compare to the kind of trouble she finds herself facing now…

Stephanie is stalked by a maniac returned from the grave for the sole purpose of putting her into a burial plot of her own. He’s killed before, and he’ll kill again if given the chance. Caught between staying far away from the bounty hunter business and staying alive, Stephanie reexamines her life and the possibility that being a bounty hunter is the solution rather than the problem. After disturbingly brief careers at the button factory, Kan Klean Dry Cleaners, and Cluck-in-a-Bucket, Stephanie takes an office position in security, working for Ranger, the sexiest, baddest bounty hunter and businessman on two continents. Tempers and temperatures rise as competition ratchets up between the two men in her life — her on-again, off-again boyfriend, tough Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and her boss, Ranger. Can Stephanie Plum take the heat? Can you?

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich is another hilarious tale. Adventure as always with Stephanie Plum. A woman sleuth who gets into ore trouble than she should. Even with help, Stephanie still lands into danger. This time, involving a maniac wanting to silent her forever. With her own grave. This novel is intense. Stephanie Plum is quitting and it’s because of the killer going after that she is lured back into her bounty hunting business again. Maybe, it’s  the career for her after all….Stephanie Plum, doesn’t just solve crimes but catches the bad guys too. Entertaining as ever…with a bit of romance. Risks are something that the protagonist lives for….it’s funny watching her go stir crazy with nothing to do. Overall, Eleven on Top is a great read. 

Review: Before I Fall

Synopsis:

With this stunning debut novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver emerged as one of today’s foremost authors of young adult fiction. Like Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why and Gayle Forman’s If I Stay, Before I Fall raises thought-provoking questions about love, death, and how one person’s life can affect so many others.
For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—”Cupid Day”—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.
Named to numerous state reading lists, this novel was also recognized as a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, The Daily Beast, NPR, and Publishers Weekly. It has been optioned for film by Fox 2000 Pictures.
Supports the Common Core State Standards.

Rating: 4-stars

Review: 

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a stunning YA novel. Inside, I was immediately sucked into the protagonist’s mind. Everything, she said, did, or felt….felt like I was doing it all. Creepy in a way. This book is packed high with emotions. Anger, loss, love, and sadness. Every page was engaging. Entertaining. The ending was epic. The pacing of this book felt a bit slow. It was mostly a steady pace all the way through it. Lauren Oliver does have a talent for writing. I opened up this title and got lost. Teenagers go through so many dramas and emotions that I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride. Ups and downs…craziness everywhere. Strong, bold, and dramatic. The effect worked. I was hooked. Before I Fall, is a recommended read. Beware you may need a tissue box….

Review: Asking for Truffle

Synopsis:

When Charity Penn receives a letter saying she won a trip to Camellia Beach, South Carolina complete with free cooking lessons at the town’s seaside chocolate shop, The Chocolate Box, she’s immediately skeptical. She never entered any contest. Her former prep school friend offers to look into the phony prize–only to end up drowned in a vat of chocolate. Struck with guilt, Penn heads to the southern beach town to investigate why he was killed. But as wary as she is of the locals, she finds herself lured into their eccentric vibe, letting her defenses melt away and even learning the art of crafting delicious chocolates. That is, until delight turns bittersweet as she steps straight into the midst of a deadly plot to destroy the seaside town. Now, only Penn’s quick thinking and a mysterious cask of rare chocolate can save the town she’s learning to love. Rich and decadent, Asking for Truffle, the first in a new cozy series by Dorothy St. James, is sure to be a delectable read for fans of JoAnna Carl and Joanne Fluke.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Asking for Truffle by Dorothy St. James is an exciting cozy mystery. Dorothy St. James brings readers murder, mystery, and romance. I love chocolate. The main protagonist is a fan of chocolate herself. Easy to connect with and likable. Charity Penn has always felt like something was missing in her life. Her mother was gone and her father moves quickly from woman to woman. All she had was an elderly woman took her in like a mother would. However, Penn soon finds trouble. She receives a letter which causes so much suspicion that she sends her best friend on the case. Only, he ends up dead. He found something. Told her to come there quick. And after that his body was found. The whole town thinks he was into drugs and that’s what caused his death. But Penn knew better. Her guess work soon leads into an investigation of crazy events. Money, chocolate, and greed. Penn and her new friend, a fury snapping dog head out to find answers. Asking for Truffle is indeed the perfect title. Suits well for this book. I loved it. Engaging from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more mysteries by Dorothy St. James. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to all. 

Review: Shadow of Death

Synopsis:

1940 Louisiana. The body of Sister Mary Gretchen is discovered hanging from the balcony in a deserted mansion next to the leper colony on the banks of the Mississippi River.
In New Orleans, her sister, Catherine Lyle, doesn’t want to retrieve the nun’s body. It’s not because she doesn’t love her older sister, but because she’s afraid to go outside her house. For almost twenty years Catherine has lived with a terrible secret, carried deep inside her subconscious, suppressed behind the safety of her portraits and her restoration of damaged works of art. But while the journey terrifies her, Catherine knows she has no other choice but to go.
As Catherine tries to put her fears aside, she finds compelling reasons to reject her sister’s death was suicide. From the hemp noose around her sister’s neck to the brutal murder of a leper patient, strange, unrelated clues are compiled: clues of Nazi infiltration of the colony and death threats to others. As Catherine gets closer to discovering the murderer, she finds herself marked for death. In the midst of the lush, exotic setting of a lonely leper colony on the banks of the Mississippi River, readers will find themselves transported to a time and a place that is no more. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Shadow of Death by Jean Sorrell is an entertaining mystery. From the beginning, Jean Sorrell sucked me into her book. The main character, Catherine Lye, is interesting. Went from talking about her dolls associated to anger and loss to solving a murder case. Her sister died and it doesn’t look like suicide…Catherine is starting to piece the clues together. As she does so, she also marks herself as the next victim. Danger, risks, murder and even a bit of a romance can be found. It was exciting. Shadow of Death is a combination of a historical and a cozy mystery. The combination suits this novel well. Overall, I recommend this read to all. 

Review: A Life Removed

Synopsis:

Detectives Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette have put plenty of criminals behind bars. But a new terror is stalking their city. The killer’s violent crimes are ritualistic but seemingly indiscriminate. As the death toll rises, the detectives must track a murderer without motive. The next kill could be anyone… maybe even one of their own.
Officer Aaron Pimental sees no hope for himself or humanity. His girlfriend is pulling away, and his best friend has found religion. When Aaron is thrust into the heart of the investigation, he must choose who he will become, the hero or the villain.
If Aaron doesn’t decide soon, the choice will be made for him. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Life Removed by Jason Parent is a thrilling criminal tale. Inside, readers will follow an investigation. Murder happening more than once. A former officer once good turns into a monster. With two of the best detectives following the evidence, it’s only time until Aaron Pimental’s life stops. The chase is exciting. The detectives, Bruce Marklin and Jocelyn Beaudette, are interesting to follow. A killer is loose and it will take time before they stop him. Death, danger, and intrigue are covered on every page. I enjoyed reading this novel. I look forward to reading more books by this talented writer. Overall, A Life Removed is one thriller I recommend to all. 

Review: Beneath Copper Falls

Synopsis:

USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble returns to her beloved Rock Harbor—but both danger and romance hide in this idyllic small town.
Dana Newell has just moved to Rock Harbor to take a job as a sheriff’s dispatcher and is settling in next door to Bree and Kade Matthews. The abusive relationship she left behind seems a distant memory in this perfect place.
Her first day on the job, Dana receives a call from her friend Allyson who screams “He’s going to kill me too” before the phone goes dead. Dana immediately dispatches a deputy, but it’s too late. Allyson’s death is ruled an accident, but Dana just doesn’t believe it. She knows Allyson—an investigative reporter—was researching a new story. Did someone want to keep her quiet?
Dana continues to look into the accident with the help of Bree and also Allyson’s cousin Boone. Romance quickly blooms between Dana and Boone but the game is much more complex than either of them imagined. When Dana’s ex-fiance locates her, she’s caught in the middle. It’s a game of cat and mouse as she and Boone fight to catch one killer while evading another.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble is another stunning book! This author is another one of my all-time favorites. Her writing has a way of pulling me deeper into the plot. Heart pounding, thrilling, and dangerous. Beneath Copper Falls has it all. Mystery of a friend’s death. As that investigation continues it sends, one woman right in the harm’s way. Her abusive ex is after her again. Plus, there’s a killer that she and Boone are following. Two people wanting to move forward are thrust together. Heat transpires and the romance begins. But there are plenty of risks that comes with it. Then, there’s is the constant danger both have to dig themselves out of…once more, Colleen Coble has created a suspenseful story. Addictive once I got started. Most intriguing novel yet. Overall, I highly recommend this romantic suspense title to all. 

Review: The Last Confession of Morten Flygare

Synopsis:

The Last Confession of Morten Flygare is an unnerving suspense thriller narrated by Morten Flygare – multi-lingual translator and multiple murderer. The blood-stained document that comprises the narrative of the novel is his claustrophobic, unreliable account of the murder of Valentina, and the incarceration and death of his drug-addicted sister, Sonia. This is no ordinary confession, however. In a unique and distinctive style, Morten gradually reveals his secret: this story has only one reader, the police inspector he holds responsible for his beloved sister’s death, and that while he writes in the flickering candlelight, he has one last grotesque secret to share that is his ultimate revenge. The Last Confession of Morten Flygare is a ‘whydunnit’ with a twist.

Rating: 3.5-stars

Review:

For those who love super dark reads, this one is for you. Dark, chilly, and full of strangeness. The Last Confession of Morten Flygare is frightening. It sort of reminded me a bit of the Chucky movies and a little of Jack the Ripper. Death, murder, loss are just a few of the themes mentioned inside…Morten Flygare’s writing takes on a darker shade with each passing page. The further I went the more nightmarish it got. The ending surprised me. Different from other thrillers. 

Review: Thomas Haftmann, Private Eye

Synopsis:

Ex-cop Thomas Haftmann, formerly of Cleveland Homicide, works as a private investigator in the resort town of Jefferson-on-the-Lake. You will follow his cases in these 15 short neo-noirs. Among them are “The Kneeling Woman,” “No Escape, No Turning Back,” “The Riding Boy,” “The Slave Master’s Dungeon,” “Archangel’s Daughter,” “A Woman With Tea-Colored Eyes,” and “The Dog Returneth to His Vomit.” These have been collected from a variety of outstanding publications and blog sites, ranging from Powder Burn Flash through A Twist of Noir to Sex and Murder Magazine. Be warned: Thomas Haftmann’s dark world of murder and madness is not for the reader of cozy mysteries. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Thomas Haftmann, Private Eye by Robb White is a great collection of detective stories. Each one featuring the famous, Thomas Haftmann. He is a private investigator that goes on a variety of cases. Every case is different and entertained me from the start to end. Love detectives and murder mysteries, than this is highly recommend to be added as a to-be-read book. Great pieces of fiction. Thrilling characters and intriguing plot lines. Robb White’s writing is enjoyable to follow. 

Review: The Girls in the Water

Synopsis:

‘The first one had been an accident. He had never intended to kill her. But as he looked down at her body, he knew there would be a next one…’ 

When the body of Lola Evans is found in a local park on a cold winter’s morning, Detective Alex King and her new recruit Chloe Lane are called in to lead the hunt for the killer. 
Days later, a second girl goes missing. It seems the two shared a troubled history, and were members of the same support group. Who is the monster preying on these vulnerable girls? 
As the detectives start to piece together the clues, Chloe realises that she too is in danger – as she uncovers secrets about her own brother’s death which someone will kill to keep hidden. 
Alex and Chloe are determined to find the killer before more lives are lost… 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

The Girls in the Water by Victoria Jenkins is a dark thriller. A game of catch me, if you can. A killer is loose. It’s up to two detectives to find him before another body is found. Danger hangs around the corner. Excitement on every page. I felt the chills run down my arms. The prickling sensation of fear. Two women chasing after a killer is an intriguing tale. Usually, there’s at least one male partner in stories like this. However, Victoria Jenkins shook it up in this book. Different, engaging, and intense. The killer is a cold hearted. The backstory into his making felt realistic. It was like reading a true event from a newspaper but with the enticing edge of a fictional piece. Yes, this is fiction but the reality of the characters both dead and alive were so believable. I enjoyed following the duo as they went about solving the case. Overall, I highly recommend The Girls in the Water to readers worldwide. 

Review: Ascension of Larks

Synopsis:

When globetrotting photographer Magdalena Henry loses the only man she’s ever loved, she risks her stellar career to care for his widow and young children on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest.
Free-spirited and fiercely independent, Maggie adores her life of travel and adventure. But she has a secret. She can’t let go of her first and only love, renowned architect Marco Firelli, now married to her best friend Lena.
When Marco drowns in a kayaking accident, Maggie rushes to the Firelli family’s summer home on San Juan Island. Once there she discovers that Marco was hiding something that could destroy his family. As fragile, perfectionistic Lena slowly falls apart, Maggie tries to provide stability for Marco and Lena’s three young children.
When Maggie is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete in the world’s most prestigious photography competition, she thinks she’s found the answer to their problems. Then Lena makes a choice with unexpected and devastating consequences, forcing Maggie to grapple with an agonizing decision. Does she sacrifice the golden opportunity of her career or abandon the Firellis just when they need her the most?
Gradually the island begins to work its magic. A century-old ritual to beckon loved ones home offers hope in the midst of sorrow. And a guilt-ridden yet compelling stranger hiding on the island may offer Maggie a second chance at love, but only if she can relinquish the past and move forward to find joy in unexpected places.

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Ascension of Larks by Rachel Linden is a captivating read. Talk about an adventure! The main character, Maggie has her hands full. A past lover marries her best friend. From there things get more complicated, messy, and mysterious. When Maggie’s past love dies, she rushes to the aid of his family. Trying to help them out as they move forward in life. But even then, life gets shaken. Maggie is offered a once in a life time event…and the family she’s come to help, is needing her help more than ever. Decisions need to be made and soon. Following Maggie as she grabbed what came her way, was interesting. She’s the kind of woman who deeply cares and does everything possible in her reach. Fate has a way of awarding her…maybe. A possible new love may enter into her complex situation. Rachel Linden’s novel was fast-paced. It held a promising tale. Delivered with excitement, an emotional journey, and believable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ascension of Larks. Loss, love, and new beginnings. 

Review: Onyx Webb Book Nine

Synopsis:

Welcome Back to the World of Onyx Webb! This is Book Nine. (Episodes 25, 26, 27, & 28) Haven’t Gotten Entangled Yet? Please Start with Book One.

Book Nine is the most cataclysmic book in the series yet and what we have been building to for so long. The web is almost entirely formed now. But questions remain: what happens to everyone now that it is?
Onyx Webb is a complex multi-genre mash-up that combines elements of supernatural suspense, crime, horror, romance, and more. The Onyx Webb series follows the unusual life of Onyx Webb along with a central group of characters in various locations and times.
In Book Nine: The Mulvaney’s host the Solstice Eclipse Ball for the Restoring Savannah Foundation and Gerylyn’s prediction comes to pass. Stan Lee gets his revenge and Juniper battles a dark evil at the mansion. Onyx Webb spends her days at the lighthouse alone again without Noah Ashley but Noah may have other plans. Scroll Up and Grab Book Nine Today! 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Onyx Webb Book Nine by both Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz has been my new favorite series. This book series has it all and has everything readers want in each book. The characters are complex and realistic. Yes, there are dead characters…like ghosts but they so make this an interesting and unforgettable read. I love it all. These two writers are definitely masters of fiction writing. They have combined parts of both the past and present in ways that make it easy to follow along and understand. It’s hard to do that in any particular book, but Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz have succeeded each and everytime. Readers can also find a variety of every genre known to readers inside this novel. Yes, I’m serious. Yes, it works out perfectly. Onyx Webb is the main character of this series and I’m so sad to see this series coming to a close. Action, adventure, romance and mystery on every page. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: Hot Target

Synopsis: 

Delta Fierce! 

On loan for a local assignment, Max “Caveman” Decker already feels at home in the backcountry of Wyoming. Protecting one womaneven petite spitfire Grace Saundersis a vacation to the Delta Force warrior. But Grace thinks something darker is at work than the murder she witnessed. It wasn’t a case of the wrong place at the wrong timeit was her “curse.” Every man she gets close to dies. Now she’s saddled with Decker, her sworn protector, who won’t leave her side. Any hope for a simple assignment will change once they’re living under the same roof, where Grace’s curse will be just as inescapable as the crosshairs of a killer.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Hot Target by Elle James is a hot romance. Right from the beginning she sweeps me into her book. I was addicted. The hot hero and amazing heroine make a fabulous pair. But both are a little damaged. Especially, the woman. Every man in her life ended up dead. Now, she and her new lover, are in danger. A killer on the lose with mad shooting skills. Luckily, her lover, was also a sniper and knows how to stay safe. But can he really protect the woman he’s fallen for? Intrigue, suspense, and tons of action. I loved this new romance by Harlequin. Elle James has just been added to my list of favorite writers. Her words are just that good. Overall, I recommend this romantic suspense novel to all. 

Review: The Darkness

Synopsis:

A young man is found murdered, his bones crushed nearly to dust before his body was dumped into New York’s East River
In New York there are hundreds of murders a year, but this one is different. Somebody is sending a message. And shockingly, the victim has ties to my brother, Stephen Gaines, recently murdered by an elusive drug lord known only as the Fury.
For years this kingpin has been shrouded in darkness. Stephen was executed just as he was about to shed some light. Working alongside my mentor, Jack O’Donnell, I’m going to find the truth behind this blood-soaked curtain. But the more we reveal, the more we realize just how dark the Fury’s plans are. And that no matter how brutal the violence has been, we haven’t seen anything yet….

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Darkness by Jason Pinter is a dark thriller. The plot instantly swept me into its web of murder, drugs, and violence. This novel was full of twists and turns. Intrigued, engaged, and full of suspense. Every page pulled me further into the chase. A deadly game of good versus evil. Blackmail, threats, and death. The fear factor is raised to new heights. Inside The Darkness, a man is found murdered right before he was about to shed some evidence. A message well received. A drug lord has some sinister plans as the duo team continued their search for the truth…the evilness only expanded. I haven’t read any of Jason Pinter’s previous novels but this one was good. It caughtmy attention. Perked my curiosity. It led me on a journey. 

Review: Balmy Darlings and Deaths

Synopsis:

Raina Sun is cashing in a gift certificate for a free hairstyle from the town’s premier beauty salon and day spa. No more walking dandelion head, thank you very much. Life is on the up-and-up—until she finds an attacker holding her best friend in a headlock outside the treatment rooms. 

She never thought she would spend her birthday pinned against a sweaty armpit, gagging on a mouthful of seaweed, with the attacker plucking at her best friend’s weave like a farmwife de-feathering a chicken. 

When the attacker ends up six feet under, her best friend becomes the prime suspect. Raina summons her sleuthing skills to jump full-tilt into this murder investigation to clear her best friend’s name. With her stink-bomb-toting grandma and the geriatric posse, she soon discovers death is easy, and it’s the living that kills to protect the dead. 

For readers who like fun cozy mysteries, quirky characters, and a dash of humor. 
Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Balmy Darlings and Deaths by Anne R. Tan is a fun cozy mystery. This novel has plenty of action to keep readers intrigued. I enjoyed following Raina as she worked as a sleuth to solve the mystery. Imagine going into a hair salon only for an elderly lady to hit the salon, a jealous woman to attack a worker of the salon, and for the jealous attacker to be found dead. So many things happen and it’s only time to find out if Raina’s best friend is a murderer or not. Raina has a lot on her sleeve. A crazy grandmother, an ex, and a best friend who isn’t acting like a friend at all. Emotionally troubling…and full of drama. The elderly ladies make this tale sweet and hilarious. Balmy Darlings and Deaths is one adventure after another. A murderer is on the loose and situations keep getting more intense…Anne R. Tan has woven an entertaining tale. I recommend it to all. 

Review: Upon A Spring Breeze

Synopsis:

After a devastating winter, a spring breeze promises more than new flowers.… It promises a new chance at love.
Bess Weaver, twenty and expecting her first child, is in the kitchen making stew for her beloved mann, Caleb, one minute, and the next she’s burying him after a tragic accident. Facing life as a young widow, Bess finds comfort only in tending the garden at an Englisch-owned bed and breakfast—even as she doubts that new growth could ever come after such a long winter.
Aidan tries to repress his guilt over his best friend Caleb’s death and his long-standing feelings for Bess by working harder than ever. But as he spends time with the young son his friend left behind, he seems to be growing closer to the boy’s beautiful mother as well.
When a close-knit group of widows in her Amish community step in to help Bess find her way back to hope, she begins to wonder if Gott has a future for her after all. Will she ever believe that life can still hold joy and the possibility of love? 

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Upon A Spring Breeze by Kelly Irvin is a Christian tale full of tragedy, loss, and new beginnings. A young woman loses her husband and faces life as a single mother. Beth buries herself into work. Keeping busy. Aidan is facing internal struggles over his friend’s death and the growing attraction towards his friend’s wife. The child seems to be pulling the two adults closer but Aidan and Beth have to overcome their obstacles and fears before love can set in…

Kelly Irvin’s writing is easy to follow. Intriguing, clean, and charming. The charcaters are believable. Their life situations are realistic. I was able to connect with both characters. Loss, grief, love, and faith are themes commonly found on every page. Overall, I recommend Upon A Spring Breeze to all. 

Review: Goodbye Days

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

What if you could spend one last day with someone you lost?

One day Carver Briggs had it all—three best friends, a supportive family, and a reputation as a talented writer at his high school, Nashville Academy for the Arts.

The next day he lost it all when he sent a simple text to his friend Mars, right before Mars, Eli, and Blake were killed in a car crash.

Now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident, and he’s not the only one. Eli’s twin sister is trying to freeze him out of school with her death-ray stare. And Mars’s father, a powerful judge, is pressuring the district attorney to open a criminal investigation into Carver’s actions.

Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a Goodbye Day with her to share their memories and say a proper goodbye to his friend.

Soon the other families are asking for a Goodbye Day with Carver, but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these Goodbye Days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison? (less)

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner is a stunning YA novel. Instantly, the plot dragged me into its depth. Deep, emotional, and troubling. As I read further, I wasn’t sure of what the outcome would be. Intrigue, sheer curiosity, and the intensity of the tale hooked me. Friends, death, loss, and uncertainty are major themes found on every page. The main character, Carver Briggs, has a way of luring me further into his life journey. Blame, angry, and heated moments are sure to follow…overall, Goodbye Days has the effect of breaking me into a million pieces and pulling me back together. That kind of epic adventure is truly one worth reading. I recommend this title by Jeff Zentner to readers worldwide. Whether one is a teen or an adult, the pages will send you falling into the book.