Cozy Mystery-The Museum Murder-Available Now

I found a feisty, funny heroine to fawn over in the cozy mystery The Kensington Kidnap, and I’m flying high that Pip is back for another fantastic adventure.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I just loved every minute of reading it.

When I read psych thrillers, I try and outguess the author as to whatever the big twist might be. With crime novels, I try to solve the case before the police do. And rom-coms sometimes result in a “yeah right – nobody is that romantic” response from me.

With Pip, and this type of cozy mystery, I just get straight-up enjoyment from beginning to end.

I wondered how Pip would be able to stumble upon another “accidental detective” case, but I needn’t have worried. This one is even better than the first and again, it’s right up Pip’s avenue of expertise.

Once again, her love of pop culture gets her a job that quickly turns into more than she expected. Of course, she’s been bitten by the investigative bug and is more than happy to help solve the mystery at hand (you won’t find a spoiler about it here).

We get a healthy dose of Most (who has new responsibilities) and a few characters from the first book make reappearances over the course of the investigation.

Guiding her along the way as Flis who may just be one of my favorite characters ever written. She’s ditzy and has no idea what she is saying most of the time (as I mentioned in my review of the first book, Mrs. Malaprop would be proud).

But she is always there to support Pip – even if it takes Pip a while to figure out exactly how she is trying to help! I love every scene between these two.

We also get a glimpse into why Pip and Flis may be the way they are. It comes early on and has to do with a phone call and llamas.

And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

One of the things I like best about these two books is the clever writing. These are books that you need to read carefully – not because you’ll miss an important clue (well, maybe you will), but if you skim, you’ll miss clever asides and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it references or quips.

(My clumsy attempt at alliteration in the first sentence of this review is in honor of the writing tricks the author often uses).

Honestly, even if you aren’t a fan of cozy mysteries, you really should give this series a try. It’s witty, contemporary, and thoroughly engaging.

Author Bio:
Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.

Close My Eyes-Books On Tour (Review)-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

This was an interesting psychological thriller. It didn’t exactly have me on the edge of my seat, but it did keep me engaged and interested.

Usually, if something isn’t extremely compelling, I feel sort of “so-so” about it. But I enjoyed reading where the author was going throughout this entire story.

I’ll be honest and say that I guessed a major plot point fairly early on, but that was strictly through being the cynical person that I am.

I think maybe that is what made it unique for me. I had a strong feeling that I had figured it out, but I wanted to see how the author got there – and if I was right or not.

I wasn’t right about all of it.

I thought that Gemma was the strongest character in the book. She felt the most realistic to me. The author did a great job of illustrating both her distress and desperation.

Beth was a little less fleshed-out, which at first bothered me, as I thought she was the center of the story. That being said, I did think that Beth’s journey was well-done. Sometimes issues like those Beth was dealing with seem overdone and “too much.”

That wasn’t the case here. She was as bewildered as I think I would have been if I had begun experiencing what she did. Her reactions seemed natural.

I also found it interesting that the author threw in some red herrings. I can’t quite tell if they were intentional or not, though. There were a few that I expected more out of, as in they had more to do with the pivotal events.

In that regard, I was left wanting with a few of the mentions and involvements. I guess in simpler terms, I wasn’t sure what was important and what wasn’t.

But in thinking about it, maybe that was exactly what the author intended.

If this review seems a bit convoluted, I apologize. Upon reflection, I believe it’s indicative of how well the author wove the plot that I was never quite sure what was vital and what was a side-mention.

And that’s what kept me interested right up until the very end.

I will conclude with the wish that the bad guy had received a much worse punishment. There was a lot of build up and then it kind of went by the wayside. I wanted more for that person because they definitely deserved worse.

But still, would certainly recommend this one.

Author Bio:

Throughout Beverley’s many years spent working in advertising and PR, she had always wanted to write fiction. In 2015 a creative writing course inspired her debut novel, Seeking Eden, which was published in 2017. The sequel, Eden Interrupted, soon followed. Beverley’s third novel – her first with Bookouture – fulfils a long-time goal to publish a psychological thriller.

Born in Yorkshire, and raised in Kent, Beverley currently lives in West Sussex with her partner and their adorable terrier. When not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking the dog or listening to rock music.

The Passenger-Blog Tour (Review)-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

I’m going to be honest (no point of lying on my own blog, right?)

This book started slowly, and I wasn’t quite sure that it was going to be an engaging read. However, I’m glad I stuck with it because the author actually built the suspense gradually before picking up at the halfway point and eventually finishing with several revelations that rocked the entire plot.

Told from multiple points of view, it is mainly Amanda’s story. At first, she seemed like a pathetic milquetoast of a person with unachievable dreams. That ended up being extremely untrue, but you’ll have to read it to see just how opposite she was.

The prologue starts with a memorable event, but (again) it’s a long way into the book before the significance of it becomes clear.

Having a lot of the action take place on a train was a bold choice, as it could have felt static and dull. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Atmospheric and claustrophobic (especially to anyone who has ever commuted via train), the closed location lent itself to the suspense of how events would unfold.

I certainly do not want to give anything away, but the crosses, double-crosses and double backs were very well done and had me quickly turning pages, especially in the last third of the book.

I definitely got a better sense of Amanda – I wish there had been a bit more of Louise. I would have loved to have seen her get a real piece of the action once everything started happening at once. That would have been a nice twist.

But no matter – give this one a try and stick with it. The author had me questioning what was going to happen right up until the very last page (I was waiting for another shoe to drop).

P.S. This is also a fairly quick read, as I finished it one setting. I’d suggest picking it up to read on your commute…just beware of charming strangers.

Facebook: danielhurstbooks 
Instagram: danielhurstbooks/

About Daniel Hurst:

Daniel Hurst writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full-length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Visit his website at https://www.danielhurstbooks.com/ 

The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall-Books On Tour (Review)-Historical Fiction/Mystery-Available Now

This book was nothing that I was going to be but everything a good, engaging book should be. I was drawn in and held captive to the very last pages.

I’ve mentioned before how historical fiction seems to often fit into slim categories. For various reasons, this one breaks a new plane for me. I loved being caught by surprise.

If ever there was a time to NOT give away plot points, this is it. So, I’m going to try to be as cagey as the blurb and keep the important points and spoilers out of this.

I liked how the story was told in alternate timelines. It was never jarring because Megan (in the present) was working on an estate where Ellie (in the past) lived. The transitions between the two were often smooth.

I enjoyed the mystery this book centered around. Old estates are a treasure trove of possibilities, and this author uses the setting to great advantage in both timelines.

What really made this book special, however, was the attention to mysticism and folklore. It was informative, intriguing, and unique. That’s a great combination.

Side note: When I was younger, my parents and I went on trips to Ireland, Scotland, and England.  I was fascinated with the folklore and still have several books of Irish faery tales and Scottish myths.

This is what absolutely made the book for me. The references were plentiful and detailed enough that I could go investigate for myself (and I just might). There were sections that were absolutely breathtaking as Megan tried to figure out what happened historically and what was occurring in the present.

I know this is a vague review, but it really is a case of “you need to read it and be surprised on your time” type of thing. That was definitely part of the allure for me at least.

If you are a fan of the mystical and like historical fiction this is definitely one for you.

Author Bio:

Jessica Thorne watched far too much sci-fi and read far too much fantasy at an impressionable age. And it was awesome. She writes fantasy and sci-fi romance with a steampunk edge and just refuses to face reality.

Small Town Secrets-Books On Tour (Review)-Fiction-Available Now

I have really enjoyed this author’s Full Bloom Farm series (see my review of Home at Summer’s End, which includes links to the first three books) so I was more than eager to read this stand-alone.

Or maybe it isn’t a stand-alone, because it certainly has the potential to be a new series. More on that later.

We get another feisty heroine in Virginia. You can read the blurbs and other reviews to find out why she is headed to Fortune Springs. She is also running away from something (as female leads in these types of novels are wont to do).

I liked Virginia. She was prickly, and we got just enough background to explain why she never took anything that anyone said to her at face value. While her character wasn’t as deep as the Anderson sisters in the other series, she was still likeable, and I found it easy to root for her.

I felt the same way about Owen. Although, in some ways he felt more of a stereotype than a fully recognized character. That being said, the scene with an ailing Polka was charming and amusing. It also gave readers a picture of what was hidden beneath his gruff demeanor.

To me, the real stars of the book were Calla and Willa. If I could wish for anything from this book it’s for it to be a series with Calla getting a dedicated storyline. I loved her attitude, her perceptiveness, and her heart. She was just a good person.

Willa took after her grandmother, I think. Although there wasn’t a lot of background on her, she was in a tough position (especially as a teenager), yet she still managed to bond with Virginia and find her way out of sulkiness.

The plot itself was hit or miss. There was a lot to like, but there were also some holes.

It was fairly apparent why Virginia was headed to the town, but I felt like that motivation was merely a way to get a surprise in towards the end more than a real deep exploration. However, Virginia did have a lot of realizations that came from her past experience and how she was handling the events that had driven her to get on the bus.

One of these was her relationship with Willa. While some may think that Willa’s attachment seemed out of the blue, I think it was indicative of Virginia’s character that Willa (with whatever trauma she had experienced) was able to bond with her. Virginia’s realization of how much Willa looked up to her was a good moment in Virginia’s development.

I was missing the depth of Willa’s experiences and how that led to her being with Calla. It was obvious that it was nothing good, but it felt rushed and not very fleshed out. The same goes for the central conceit of the plan that brought Virginia to town in the first place. I’m not sure that was as supported as it could have been.

What I like best about this author’s books though, and what does stand out in this story, is the way she captures small town life. From people being in each other’s business to everyone stepping up to help a fellow townsperson, the whole range of small-town living is accurate.

One scene involving Willa’s school assignment and the local firehouse perfectly captured this. I loved the descriptions, and I could picture the action happening as if I was there myself. These are the best parts of her books.

With that in mind, I could see this being a series where other women trickle into town and find their life purposes. This would give the author the chance to explore the motivations of the townspeople and the newcomers, and some entertaining parallels could appear, while also expanding on the original premise.

And it would give Calla the opportunity to eventually have her own plot as she shepherds the women through their arrivals and assimilations into the town. I’ll be waiting for this story, and looking forward to the author’s next book.

Facebook: alysmurrayauthor
Instagram: writeralys/
Twitter: @writeralys

Author Bio:
Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories! Currently splitting time between her home state of Louisiana and London, she enjoys kissing books, Star Wars, and creating original pie recipes for all of her books. Tobey Maguire is her Spider-Man.

Not Without My Sister-Books On Tour (Review)-Historical Fiction-Available Now

My love for Historical Fiction is pretty clear, and this book can be added to the ones that make a real impact.

What makes this story stand out from other ones that focus on concentration camp life is that it’s largely told via the points of view of two children.

Rachel is 17 when her family farm is taken. and she is forced to run with her two brothers and younger sister Mindel who had just turned four. When they are separated, both girls try to find their way back to each other.  

While Rachel’s harrowing experiences are similar to those in other stories, I believe this is the first time I have ever read about camp life from a young child’s point of view.

The chapters involving Mindel were both informative and disturbing. It is sickening to think that children that young were targeted with beatings and horrific treatment, and it certainly brings the animalistic nature of the Nazis into harsh light.

But I was also interested in their methods of coping. Mindel’s “gang” played versions of cops and robbers (but instead were Nazis and Jews) and took bets on which prisoner was going to die next.

While it certainly is morbid and dark thinking (especially for a four-year-old!), it is indicative of the spirit that must have been necessary to get through the days however possible. I also found the bond between Laszlo and Mindel to be quite touching.

I also appreciated that the author included real people in the camps that Rachel is in. I don’t want to say more than that, but it lent an air of authenticity and reality to the story. In other words, Rachel’s story wasn’t in a vacuum, but could have belonged to anyone in any camp.

The scenes involving the Orphan Camp and Mother Brinkmann were also unique. They were a good reminder of the goodness of some people, and it was a nice break (albeit often short) to read the descriptions of children acting like children (like the scene with the shoes).

Even if you’ve read several historical fiction books centered on the camps and experiences of people at them (like I have) I would definitely recommend this one for its unique perspectives and message of unwavering hope.

Facebook: AutorinKummerow
Twitter: @MarionKummerow

Author Bio:

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.

The Secret Sister-Blog Tour (Review)-Suspense-Available Now

It took me a while to figure out where this book was going. Once I understood the author’s purpose, I was able to better grasp the points that were being made.

Although this novel was suspenseful, as the cover states, I actually felt it was more a stinging indictment of the foster care system.

Large sections of the story were devoted to how the system failed Anna and Birdie. These were written with apparent agony and were very realistic.

As Anna’s past began to take shape, her choices became clearer. It soon became apparent that she did have an overall plan, but it didn’t crystalize until the very end.

In that regard, it was a good suspense novel, because it kept me guessing pretty much up until the last pages.

However, there were times that it felt unfocused. Anna would be in the present and then all of a sudden, she would start relating a memory of her sister.

I understand why the author chose this method of telling the story, because it put the reader into Anna’s mind and allowed the reader to cast the same doubt on Anna’s memories that other characters insinuated.

There were times that it was quite jarring, though, and more than once I had to stop reading and back up to re-read to make sure I understood what timeframe we were in.

There was also clever plotting in Anna’s choice of profession and the parallels between people in her life currently and who had influence over her in the past.

Some of the plot points required a leap of faith (would Guy be that quick to move the relationship forward, what was so mistrustful about Nancy or the social worker, etc.). But I was willing to ride along with the author to see where it all went.

There was also a connection that I did not put together and my jaw dropped at it – this is when everything picked up for me.

The second half of the book moved much faster as all of the pieces began to fall into place. While there were some dips in the action, overall, I would say this was a decent suspense story.

The Silent Friend-Blog Tour (Review)-Psych Thriller-Available Now

This book was absolutely nothing that I expected it to be. In spite of that, it turned out to be one of the best books I’ve read so far this year.

Right from the beginning, the author drew me in with switching time frames. It created intrigue as it was unclear as to what the “before” and “after” actually were.

When I first started reading, I thought it was going to be a typical “friends hide secrets” from each other. I think that’s what the author was going for? It definitely made the major event come as much more of a surprise.

And it was quite a gut-wrencher as well.

Regardless of the author’s intention at the outset, this was ultimately an amazing look at the aftermath of a tragedy that has become all too commonplace in today’s world.

(Seriously, I don’t want to give away more than the blurb does – and for once a blurb keeps important details hidden (thankfully)).

But the harrowing event is described in such agonizing detail, I began to wonder if the author had actually experienced it or talked to survivors of real-life events. It was that gut-wrenching and frankly, difficult to read. But extremely well-done.

One thing I wasn’t too keen on, because I didn’t see the purpose at first, was how awful Laura’s mother was. I mean, in the pantheon of bad moms of main characters, this one is a doozy. But as the story progressed, I realized how vital that was to the plot and the main conceit of the story.

I also thought the author did a great job of keeping another important piece of information hidden in plain sight. Again, not to give anything away, but…names matter. In fact, there were a lot of little details that seemed innocuous but became important.

Again, the attention and thought given to this plot was apparent.

I was a little incredulous that Sandy and Sam did not see what was right in front of them especially later in the book when history begins to repeat. But I think (again) the author chose this viewpoint to illustrate how easy it is to get wrapped up in one’s own sorrows and worries.

Sometimes we can’t see what’s plainly right in front of this.

All in all, this was an extremely well-written book that also teaches some real-life lessons. In a world where hate and radicalization can be prevalent and easily consume people, forgiveness can be a powerful weapon.

Pick this one up – you won’t be sorry.

Twitter: dianefjeffrey 
Facebook: dianejeffreyauthor 
Instagram: dianefjeffrey/

About Diane Jeffrey:

Diane Jeffrey is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in North Devon and Northern Ireland. She now lives in Lyon, France, with her husband and their three children, Labrador and cat.

Diane is the author of four psychological thrillers, all of which were Kindle bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia. THE GUILTY MOTHER, Diane’s third book, was a USA Today bestseller and spent several weeks in the top 100 Kindle books in the UK.

Her latest psychological thriller, THE SILENT FRIEND, is set in Belfast and Lyon. It was published in ebook in November 2020 with the paperback and audiobook to follow in 2021. She is currently working on her fifth psychological thriller.

Diane is an English teacher. When she’s not working or writing, she likes swimming, running and reading. She loves chocolate, beer and holidays. Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

The Path to Sunshine Cove-Blog Tour (Review)-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

I enjoyed the first book about Cape Sanctuary by this author (see my review of The Sea Glass Cottage), so I was looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed.

Aside from being a place I would love to visit Cape Sanctuary reminds me of the towns that my parents and I used to visit on weekend drives. Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, there were no shortage of such towns.

To me, a setting that invokes good personal memories is almost as important as the plot or the characters. It certainly can help to put the reader in a positive frame of mind for reading.

I liked the way the author shaped this story.

First off, I thought the job that the job Jess had was fascinating. It was indicative of her true nature and in direct conflict with the prickly outer shell she exhibited – especially the one her sister thinks she has to break through.

I actually found myself wishing that Jess existed and would be available to help me and my mom clean out her house. There are 50 years of memories waiting to be sorted, and it will not be easy. Do people with jobs like Jess exist in real life?

I digress.

I appreciate how this isn’t a typical romance book, although there is romance involved. I thought the point/counterpoint of Jess figuring out what Nate meant to her and Rachel trying to juggle her homelife and realizing what Cody actually did for the family was interesting.

One thing that stood out to me in the previous book and is again present here is how well the author captures teenage girls. Sophie is a real person, not a caricature of a teenager. Her moodiness is perfectly accurate for her age, as is the way she capitulates (in relief) when someone offers her an alternative.

A potential surfing disaster headed off with the offer to build sandcastles is an excellent case in point.

I also thought that Rachel was a perfect example of today’s social media conscious society. She obsesses over everything being perfect for Instagram or her blog even as her home life is messy and complicated.

What she didn’t initially realize was that her desire for everything to be perfect kept her from spending quality time with the family – which would have ultimately made her life easier.

While Jess and Rachel were at odds with each other initially, I liked how they came together and realized each other’s strengths. The same could be said about Nate and Sophie as he juggles learning how to parent a teenager. It’s all about family.

Ultimately, I found that to be the strongest message. When we stop to actually listen to each other, we can learn so much more than hanging on to assumptions and past interactions.

Words to live by.

I hope we get to visit Cape Sanctuary again. I’ve become fond of it.

Author Bio: New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including six RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and Career Achievement and Romance Pioneer awards from RT Book Reviews. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

Her Dark Lies-Blog Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

Part mystery, part suspense, part psychological thriller, part Gothic Agatha Christie and all crazy, this was one page-turner of a book.

The haunting atmosphere was set in the prologue and the author did a great job of maintaining it throughout the entire twisty plot.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I think I’ll refer to the notes that I made as I read.

I liked how the author emphasized Claire’s artist background in the narration, specifically giving names to the colors that she was seeing. It was done with an artist’s eye which was impactful and helped me get a better feeling for Claire.

I do wish they had continued, but as the plot became more complicated, Claire’s descriptions became less embellished. I guess that does make sense for her character – she no longer had the time or inclination to notice the details.

Purchase information below Author Bio

I also liked how the author set the tone for how the Compton family dealt with things. The repeating of statements, mantras to remind themselves, etc. were all consistent and added to the mystery surrounding the family.

I did think that the family business got short shrift. I wish there had been a bit more detail about it, as it certainly was a unique prospect – and not all that unbelievable given the current state of affairs worldwide.

But as it was it served more as a mechanic to illustrate the family’s wealth and need for privacy without elaborating and giving it a lot of depth. I think this is why another aspect didn’t completely come together for me.

I don’t know how to address that without giving anything away, but the motivations of a main character seem to spring from what the family can offer, but that was never made crystal clear to me.

Or maybe the character was just supposed to be a total sociopath and none of that matters.

I guessed early on what was really going on so there was no mystery there for me at all. Other readers may not make the connections. The author did have me second guessing a few times, and I have notes speculating that other characters were to blame (when they had nothing to do with the incidents in question).

The plot also took an Agatha Christie-like turn, where multiple people were under suspicion but just as quickly were proven to not be responsible (for various reasons).

That last third of the book was pretty gonzo. There was a lot of build-up, but then things really started happening quickly. In some ways it felt almost too frantic because it was all rapid-fire events and revelations.

There are times when I will skim parts of a book to get through because of repetition or just not holding my interest. This is NOT one of those books. I read every single part – it definitely kept me engaged.

I would certainly recommend this one. It’s an excellent brain break from reality and you’ll enjoy trying to figure out who is reliable and who isn’t.

Facebook: JTEllison14/
Twitter:  thrillerchick
Instagram: thrillerchick 

About the Author:

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

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