July 28, 2022

I’m going to be blunt with this one. Over Her Dead Body, a new psych thriller from Tim Adler, is not for the faint of heart. The author’s depiction of events is stark and sometimes chilling.

it is also important to say that there are some serious issues in this plot. My blog usually does not include trigger warnings, but readers should know going in – if only to head off any “if I’d known I wouldn’t have picked it up” bad reviews.

I hate those types of reviews.

Anyway, mental illness and domestic abuse both figure heavily in the plot. In fact, there probably wouldn’t be much of a plot without either.

From the blurb, you know that Keisha is arrested for the murder of her abusive husband. But the early chapters cast doubt on that arrest.

Who is Myra? Why does she have the first chapter in the book? What does she have to do with Keisha’s relationship with her husband?

And who really did kill the husband?

Given these questions just from the first chapter, you know you are in for a challenging and mysterious story.

The author builds tension by allowing the reader to see Keisha’s life as it is in the present while also reliving Keisha’s earlier life in the mental ward right along with her.

It is clever writing, because it allows the reader to see everything from Keisha’s point of view, making her almost instantly a sympathetic character.

And then the reader starts to get Myra’s memories. Suddenly things aren’t as clear anymore.

Honestly, it is difficult to write this review while being mindful of not giving away any vital plot points. I was hooked from the beginning and had a very hard time putting it down. How do I convey that without tipping secrets?

Keisha has an abusive husband. Somebody kills him. Who and why are eventually revealed over the course of the book. The author builds credible tension while laying out the case against…someone. That is where the psych in psych thriller kicks in.

Odd review, I know, but Over Her Dead Body needs to be read with as little influence as possible, in my opinion. Tim Adler has put great thought into building the relationships – far be it from me to mess with them.

Kristen Bailey is an author who will shock you when you read her books. No topic is off-limits or taboo. But you may also be surprised at how much you find yourself laughing. That becomes clear early on in her new romantic comedy Great Sexpectations.

First of all, I have to say that I absolutely love her Callaghan Sisters series. So, I was predisposed to like this one. But she had me hooked from the opening scenes at a Halloween party.

Who wouldn’t love a girl who wears a Ghostbusters costume in the midst of everyone else in sexy gear? Right there, I could tell that Josie would be an ordinary gal trying to find her way in a sex-filled world.

Once her family history and business are revealed, that becomes even more apparent.

Honestly, this is definitely an NSFW book – do NOT try and sneak a couple of chapters on a break or something like that.

For one thing, you’ll find yourself laughing way too much – literally out loud – which will lead to questions about why you’re laughing which will in turn lead to all kinds of awkwardness.

Nobody needs workmates butting in on this.

Second, there are parts that will probably make even the most open-minded person blush. Again, that would lead to questions, yada, yada, yada.

Just snuggle yourself down on your couch or in bed and dive into Josie’s world. Trust me, you will not want to put this book down.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0B2QDXJXTsocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/tsFh50JmLUl
Kobo: http://ow.ly/uiAR50JmLUj
Google: http://ow.ly/uNoj50JmLUk

As much as people may think that the author writes to shock, I think it is more to open people’s eyes to pertinent societal issues. And she mostly does so with humor.

It does seem that she is dismissive of concerns as voiced by Cameron’s family. I hope that they are written especially “large” to make a point. When it comes to certain discussions (as at Josie’s first encounter with them) there are legitimate points on both sides. I don’t think it’s right to dismiss either one out of hand entirely.

But this review is more about the way Ms. Bailey writes things that most people wouldn’t consider talking about even with their closest friends. And she writes whole books about these topics.

And oh, are there topics in this one! As I said before, NOTHING is taboo in Kristen Bailey’s literary world. Not giving anything away though, because you definitely need to experience each new layer to fully appreciate how the author approaches it all.

Another thing about that world? Look carefully, and you’ll find references to the Callaghan sisters throughout. I’m happy that the author hasn’t entirely abandoned them. But I’m equally happy to add Josie and her family to it.

I loved Great Sexpectations, and I really hope that there are more to come (no pun intended – a nod to the author) with these characters.

website: www.kristenbaileywrites.com.

Author Bio:

Mother-of-four, gin-drinker, binge-watcher, receipt hoarder, enthusiastic but terrible cook. Kristen also writes. She has had short fiction published in several publications including Mslexia & Riptide. She writes women’s fiction and she hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.