Have you ever had friends tell you that you HAVE to read a
book (or see a movie, or watch a tv show) because it is incredible, or at the tip-top
of its genre? And you think it couldn’t possibly be as good as everyone says,
so you ignore it and get around to taking a look at some point, thinking you’ll
give it a try? And then you realize that you’re an idiot and you’re missing out
because it really IS as good as everyone says?
If so, you’re just like me when it comes to Patricia Gibney’s
books.
I have seen her recommended numerous times, and people in
book groups rave about her crime thrillers. I am always looking for new
authors, but I tend to shy away from ones who get a LOT of hype (for the
reasons listed above). I am thrilled that I finally came to my senses when it
comes to her books, though, because this was one thriller that I could NOT put
down.
Even though Broken Souls is the 7th in the
Detective Lottie Parker series, I was able to read it almost as a stand-alone.
The author did a fantastic job of allowing a new reader to enjoy the story
without distracting references to past books.
That’s not to say that the references aren’t there, because
they are (hard to avoid seven books in). But they were well-placed and served to
move the current plot along instead of causing me to stop and try to figure out
what had happened. The references also made me curious enough to want to go back
and read the first books in the series, and I promptly added them to my Amazon
cart.
The deftly-woven plot kept me turning pages. I love a book
that reads like a television show, especially when it comes to UK crime dramas.
The author did a fantastic job of tying
all of the characters together, and I think she captured the nature of a
small-town realistically.
I sound like a broken record, but there are no spoilers
here. Just a mea culpa that I should have listened to people and picked up
Patricia Gibney’s books ages ago. Consider me a convert, and I can’t wait to
see what comes next!
Ria is a single mom because her husband, Grayson, walked out
on her five years ago. Her mother-in-law has kept her as part of the family,
even though the family is not very tight. One day, Ria receives some emails
exposing family members’ secrets. Who sent her the emails, and why?
It is an exciting premise, and the author does a great job of
layering the lies that each family member tells to cover their secrets. The
result is that the reader is never quite sure what is a lie or what is the
truth. Furthermore, one also can’t tell which lie is being covered up. It becomes
an intricate spiderweb, and as Ria looks into the emails further, she becomes
more entrapped.
I thought that overall it was a very well-done story. I felt
that the different personalities of the daughters-in-law (Ria, Ashlin, and
Samira), as well as that of Christine (the daughter), were all sharply written.
The male characters were not as strong, mainly because I think that the author
wanted to showcase how women unknowingly influence each other’s personalities.
And then there is May, the matriarch of the Parker clan. From
the beginning, it is apparent that she is headstrong and the driving force of
the family. She is also an enigma, as her chapters often end with a thought or
comment that leaves the reader questioning her motivations.
No spoilers here, so that’s all I am going to say about the plot. I will repeat that it’s a page-turner, and the multiple twists were well done. I only guessed one of them, partially guessed another, and didn’t see one coming at all. One of the notes that I made was that the story was like a bizarre game of Family Clue.
Now, to the not-so-good. The location of the story is Chicago.
Last I checked, this is in the United States. Forgive the snark, but I counted
at least 18 instances of phrasing that were inconsistent with American English.
Everything from “bollocks” to “ringing” someone on their phone. Now, it might
seem inconsequential to some, but to me, it feels lazy.
Just as I would expect a story set in England or Australia
to use UK terms, I expect a story set in America to use American words. We don’t
“ring” people, we call them. We don’t “lose the plot,” we “go crazy” or “lose it.”
There were a few other examples as well. They were jarring and took me out of
the flow of the story.
If a writer is going to set a story in a location, I wish
the writer would do the simple research necessary to make everything fit
together. Or, at the very least, that the editor would catch these things before
publication.
That was really the only detraction, however, and I still would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good page-turner.
Lots of books claim to be page-turning thrillers with unbelievable twists. Some live up to the hype, and some don’t. In The Last Wife, all of the characters had secrets of some kind. The author did a fantastic job of keeping me off-balance and wondering which secret was affecting which character. In fact, there were layers upon layers of lies that unraveled throughout the story. There were a couple of writing issues that seemed jarring to me, but overall I thought it was a well-done thriller with an original (and unexpected) twist. Yes, this one did live up to the hype. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary digital ARC of this book.
USA TODAY bestselling & multi-award winning author Nicola Marsh writes feel-good fiction with a twist!
She has published 68 books with Harlequin, Amazon and indie, and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. She currently writes women’s fiction/rural romance for Harper Collins Australia Mira imprint, emotional domestic suspense for Bookouture and contemporary romance for Harlequin Dare.
Her first mainstream contemporary romance, BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD released to rave reviews, including a nomination for RWA’s RBY, Romantic Book of the Year. Her first indie-pubbed contemporary romance CRAZY LOVE is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestseller, and was nominated for an ARRA award. Her women’s fiction novel SAVING SARA with Lake Union hit the #1 kindle romance spot on Amazon UK.
Her young adult fantasy SCION OF THE SUN won a National Readers’ Choice Award for Best YA novel.
She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a RBY and National Readers’ Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
A physiotherapist for 13 years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, barracking loudly for her beloved North Melbourne Kangaroos footy team, and her favourite, curling up with a good book!
Seven Letters is a beautifully poetic novel about love,
loss, finding oneself, and second chances. At first glance, it seems like an
awful lot to put into one story (and there are a few times where it wanders),
but overall, the author does a fantastic job of keeping everything together.
Kate Moreton visits the Blasket Islands (off the coast of
Ireland) to research her dissertation. While in the area, she meets Nora Crean,
and they take an instant liking to each other. Kate then meets Nora’s grandson,
Ozzie. And this is where the story takes off.
As always, you can read recaps in other reviews and get an
idea of the plot through blurbs. I’m here to tell you what I thought worked and
didn’t work in the book. Fortunately, there is a lot more of the former to discuss.
I liked how the seven letters represented different stages of Kate’s journey. Because that is what this story ultimately is: Kate’s recognition of herself and how she has approached her life. From the first letter regarding her dissertation to the last one sent to her best friend, Milly, the reader can see Kate’s growth and gradual acceptance of her place in life.
I thought that the prologue of the Irish tale was effective.
It set the tone that the characters would somehow fit the parable, but the
author did this subtly, which I enjoyed. I did guess who Kate and Ozzie were in
relation to the parable, and it was interesting to see how the author explored
that.
I also liked how the author wrote Ozzie as a little bit of
mystery, giving the reader the chance to figure him out as Kate did the same. The
characterizations were strong which made the actions and reactions more believable.
There were a few places where the plot seemed to move
jarringly in an odd direction. Ozzie seemed especially prone to sudden pronouncements
and changes in mood. I understand why the author wrote him that way, but a
couple of times, it didn’t feel genuine.
I have traveled extensively, and I very much appreciated how
the author was able to capture little moments about travel. For example, I could
relate to Kate’s moments on her initial bus tour (I loved that opening). I also
loved the observation that Europeans go out to be social and stay home to be
alone, while Americans are the opposite. I just experienced that in Spain on a
recent trip, and it is absolutely true.
I thought the book ended rather abruptly, which was disappointing. But, in general, I thought it was a well-done commentary on figuring out what is essential in life and being open to new thoughts. I highly recommend this book.
The theme of this book is set right from the opening Irish tale of love lost due to foolish (or selfish) choices. The author traces one woman’s journey over many years, paralleling the fable from the prologue. I enjoyed reading Kate and Ozzie’s story. I thought the author did an incredible job with detail, especially when it came to the Blasket Islands. Reading those stories made me curious about the realities, and I researched them further; what I found was fascinating. I also liked how the author made the point that there is often another side to people that even those closest cannot see. There is so much truth to that. I definitely recommend this book. For a complete review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary digital ARC of this book.
As I have mentioned several times, I am a big fan of her Vested Interest series. But I have also found her shorter series and stand-alones to be equally good. The Amendment is no exception.
I loved The Contract; I found it to be realistic, emotional, and extremely well-done. I was happy to see that we get to continue Katy and Richard’s story in The Amendment.
However, believe me when I say that you will not see this
one coming.
The hints are there in the teasers, the blurb gives you an
idea, but nothing will prepare you for what happens. (Spoiler: Have tissues
ready. And I don’t say things like that lightly).
It is challenging to write this review without giving
anything away because I believe a reader needs to experience this story on their
own, without any idea of what will happen. Suffice to say that what does occur
is one of the most realistic and gut-wrenching incidents I have ever read.
Ms. Moreland does an excellent job of describing events in a
manner that allows the reader to experience the emotions of the characters,
which in turn makes everything in the book seem more real.
I may be repeating myself here, but this is what makes her
books so amazing.
I’m going to talk myself in circles. You shouldn’t be reading this review; you should be reading The Amendment.
The Lagotti Family series reads a little like a Sam Spade novel and a lot like “The Sopranos” (more on that in a minute). This review focuses on book one in the series, The Heist.
There was a lot to like about this book. First, I appreciated the tone. I could hear the voice of a narrator of an “old-time” gangster movie in my head as I read, which was pretty cool. The plot itself was intricate and tight. There were no loose ends.
I liked the character development. At first, it was a little
tricky to keep all of the character relationships straight, but it became
apparent early enough in the story that there was a purpose to the tightly
woven interactions and connections. The character introductions were such that I
could tell who would be a long-term player and who might not be around for
long. This method made me think of the first season of “The Sopranos,” when the
family relations were complicated but apparent. That took some writing skills
on the part of the author.
The plot itself was also well-done (as always, no spoilers –
especially since it is a crime family saga). As it is the first of four books,
it spent some time laying the foundation for the rest of the series. In that
regard, the details about Frank and Mary Lou (in particular) were essential to
get straight. I liked the situation that Mary Lou found herself in and found
her choices to be entertaining.
Another Soprano allusion: Mary Lou reminded me of Carmela. She
understood the family rules and took part in everything (sometimes complicit, sometimes
unwittingly), but she also saw that there could be another life for her if only
she made different choices. I felt some sympathy for her as she made her
choices.
For those who are faint of heart, be warned: these books are
gritty and (at times) quite graphic. There is no sugar-coating the attitudes of
some of the characters, which sometimes results in language and scenes that may
seem shocking.
I think that this aspect added to the story. In today’s
society, there is so much that is sanitized and “politically correct.” People
are offended at just about everything, which often results in entertainment
that is watered down and bland. These books do NOT do that; the author makes no
apologies and does not take the easy road, which results in a more realistic
and authentic story.
I recognize this might mean that the series isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But if you are missing “The Sopranos,” be sure to give the Lagotti Family box set a try.
About Leopold Borstinksi:
Leopold Borstinski is an independent author whose past careers have included financial journalism, business management of financial software companies, consulting and product sales and marketing, as well as teaching.
There is nothing he likes better so he does as much nothing as he possibly can. He has travelled extensively in Europe and the US and has visited Asia on several occasions. Leopold holds a Philosophy degree and tries not to drop it too often.
He lives near London and is married with one wife, one child and no pets.
I can tell from the first book, Aries, that the new series
by Gemma Jones, The Zodiac Queen, is going to be a keeper. It was a
quick read, which was both good and bad. It was good because I was able to read
it quickly, but bad because it left me wanting more.
I thought that the author did a good job of establishing the
concept without it seeming too farfetched. I did have a hard time determining
the setting because it is one of those books that has both contemporary
references (such as a clothing line) but also some more archaic or historical
aspects (the virgin bride, a fictional island). None of this distracted me from
the story.
The author was also careful to keep the Zodiac theme
throughout, which I appreciated. A few were that there were 12 members of the Zodiac
Brotherhood; she had to stay with each of them for one month; there were 12
stories in the building on the island, and so on. That attention to detail made
the story more interesting.
The relationship between Liam (Aries) and Novalee was unique. As the Chancellor, Liam had a little more power over decisions, but there were some things that he couldn’t change. Novalee was in a difficult situation and will have to find her way when her protector (which he essentially became) isn’t able to help her. She is also strangely attracted to one of the brothers who seems to despise her, which will cause some political intrigue between the members of the Brotherhood.
All of this made for a great start to the series, which (assumedly ) will have 12 installments. If they are all this short, they should come rather quickly, which makes for happy readers.
Crazy Rich Cajuns is hands down my favorite of the
series. But I do have a love/hate
relationship with it (more on that later).
First up, all of the good stuff. I know I am going to forget
some because there was so much to love about this book. The chemistry between
Bennett and Kennedy has grown throughout the series, and it bursts into flame
in this book. The balancing act they do as they explore each other and come to individual
realizations is both hot and touching.
(Yeah, that’s a fine line to walk, and the author does it masterfully).
Kennedy has been a spitfire all along, but she has another
side that Bennett (and his family) bring out, and it is beautiful to see. Her
scenes at Bennett’s house are some of my favorites I have ever read. It’s easy
to say that something was funny, but the Flip Cup episode (dude, vanilla vodka)
had tears running down my face. And Kennedy’s tales of treasure hunting were
simply fantastic.
I loved the exploration of relationship roles. Kennedy’s
interpretation of Leo and Ellie’s relationship and the recognition that both she
and Bennett come to puts the convention of the Bayou on its ear, and it totally
works for the story. The scene where Leo guides Bennett is priceless because it
happens in typical Landry style.
I mentioned the chemistry was explosive, and that is mainly
due to the juxtaposition of Bennett’s outer and inner character. On the
surface, he seems very straightlaced and proper (at least in Kennedy’s eyes). But
once he gets her alone and opens his mouth? Holy hell is it hot – and totally unexpected!
I know I am missing some parts, but honestly, I just loved
the entire book. I devoured it in one sitting because I didn’t want to leave
them, which brings me to the “hate” part of the love/hate relationship.
I hate that it’s pretty much the end of the Boys of the
Bayou series. I like that we will be getting another installment with Chase
(Juliet’s brother), so we will still get to visit Autre and the Landry clan,
but I am so disappointed that the Landry family will no longer be central (as
far as I can tell).
Oh well, I guess that’s what re-reads are for, right? And this is definitely a series that I will return to again and again. Do yourself a huge favor and pick up this entire series right now. You’ll find yourself wanting to book a trip to the Bayou.
No point in beating around the bush: this is by far my favorite book in the Boys of the Bayou series. Not only does it feature Kennedy, whose story I have been waiting for since her introduction, but the author turns convention on its head and takes the story out of the Bayou. One would think it would be a fish-out-of-water, but that’s not necessarily the case. The journey that both Kennedy and Bennett undertake as they explore their feelings is typical Erin Nicholas but with a hint of something else (no spoilers). This is one of the first books in a while that I was sad to see end because I wanted more of their chemistry. For a more detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, digital, pre-release ARC of the book.
I did not know what to expect from this book and, to be honest, even after finishing it, I am not quite sure how I feel about it.
The story of Naima (who lost her father) and Dew (who lost
both parents) was an interesting premise, and I thought the author would mostly
tackle the process of how young adults grieve. This did occur, but it seemed
lost in other aspects the author tried to address.
I did not care for Naima’s character. She was obviously
angry at the world (as so many kids today are) and lashed out at everyone,
including those who loved her most. It seemed as if she was also angry at her
father for being in the military (which ultimately led to him being taken from
her) and she took her anger out on everyone around her. She was rude and unlikeable
a majority of the time. It is difficult to get behind a story where a main
character is supposed to garner sympathy but doesn’t.
Dew, on the other hand, was more interesting to me. He dealt
with his grief differently from Naima, and his attempts at keeping his life together
were more believable. I liked his interactions with his adopted parents and
laughed out loud at some of the scenes involving his sister, Faith. I would have
liked more with Dew and less with Naima.
Ultimately this book is as much about mental health as it is
about love and loss. As a former teacher, I can see some of my high school
students being able to relate to the characters, but I did not find them
particularly relatable myself. I also think that the emphasis on buzzwords and
concepts like gender fluidity, non-binary, and other “of the moment” issues was
detrimental to the story. But that is just my perspective. There may be others
who love the way these topics were addressed.
While I did not particularly like this book, I would still
recommend it. Just because it wasn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean that others may
not find it amazing. Give it a try for yourself.
I seem to be in a “second of series” phase right now because I have read a bunch of books lately that have had me concerned for “sophomore slumps.” Fortunately, I believe that all of them have been successful, and Kiss Me Tonight is no exception. I loved the first book in the series but the second installment hits full stride, and what a fun read it was!
From the initial text message to the method of
communication between Noah and Reagan, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I
loved the interplay between the two, I thought the situations were unique, and
I thought the author did a great job of staying true to the characters while
creating a realistic scenario.
Nobody would ever think that a random dick pic
could lead to something more, but in Reagan’s world, it does. Fortunately, that
dick belongs to a decent guy, Noah, who got shafted (no pun intended).
What follows is an unfortunate event, which in
turn leads to several realizations by both characters that they are meant for
each other.
Oh yeah, and there is a panty-eating chihuahua,
a fairly crazy great aunt, the usual best friend snark included in the budding
relationship.
Honesty, it’s just as crazy as it sounds, and it is fun reading. Ms. Hart certainly knows how to turn a phrase and create dialogue that is realistic and relatable. I especially loved the banter regarding favorite TV shows. And yes, totally agreeable on the fact that Ross from Friends is one of the most annoying (read: worst) characters ever. Fight me on this (and I LOVE the show).
But you have to read it for yourself to get the full essence. The book even sets up the third in the series, which…YAY! If you haven’t read the first one (and why not?), pick it up for the raccoons, stay for Poosh. I promise you will not be disappointed.
I have found a new series to get into (my list is getting long).
The second in the Detective Jo Fournier series
by M M Chouinard was entertaining and intriguing (and sometimes that is a
difficult combination to achieve).
From the first death in the office of a
college professor, I had a feeling that I was going to like this book. Having
worked in higher education, I am always interested in how accurately portrayed
it is. I am happy to report that the author does an excellent job of detailing
the politics and pitfalls of higher education faculty and staff.
The mystery itself was also gripping. By the
time Jo and her partner, Arnett, caught on to the links between the victims,
there were so many other questions to answer that I was kept off-balance as to
who the killer might be – there were a few red herrings that helped to
complicate the investigation. I did not mind those because they were well-written
and did not seem gratuitous.
I liked how the author interspersed a few
chapters from the killer’s perspective. This gave the depth to the motivations
and made the story more interesting. I also appreciated the “cat and mouse”
aspect to the search for the killer, because there were a few times that I
couldn’t tell which characters were the cat and which were the mouse. To be
kept guessing equals a good read in my book.
Usually I do not like it when there is random
personal background thrown into a story, but in this book it worked. I enjoyed
Jo’s visit to Louisiana and would love to see more about her family. I think it
was good background to her character.
There were a few places where I felt that I
missed a reference from the first book, but ultimately it did not diminish my
interest in the story. In fact, I had to go out and grab the first one to fill
in the backstory. In other words, this can be read as a standalone.
If you are a fan of crime thrillers, look no further.
Go and get this one now!
In a town full of secrets, the truth won’t stay buried…
When a girl’s body is discovered in a park in the sleepy Massachusetts town of Oakhurst, local detective Jo is shocked to the core. Because the girl is the second innocent victim to turn up dead in three days. And just like the first, a tarot card has been left by the body. The meaning of the card: betrayal.
After uncovering a series of threatening messages targeting the girl, a student at the university, and the first victim, her teacher, Jo thinks she’s locked the killer in her crosshairs. The primary suspect is a volatile ex-military student with an axe to grind for failing grades, and the frightened town is out for his blood. But the next day, a much-loved member of the community is found dead in her home, a tarot card in her mail. There’s no clear motive to link her death to the others, and the message on the card this time is even stranger: domestic bliss.
With a fourth body and card appearing the following day, Jo knows she’s running out of time to crack the code and bring the killer to justice. And the pressure only gets worse with heart-breaking news about Jo’s father forcing her to choose between helping her family heal or the victims’ families get justice. Can Jo find the twisted murderer sending the town into a panic before another life is lost? Or this time, will the dangerous killer find her first?
A completely addictive detective thriller that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning. If you love Kendra Elliot, Melinda Leigh and Lisa Regan you’ll love Taken to the Grave.
Author Bio
M.M. Chouinard’s first fiction story was published in her local paper when she was eight, and she fell in love with Agatha Christie novels not long after. While pursuing a Ph.D in psychology and helping to found the first U.S. research university of the new millenium, the stories kept rattling around inside her skull, demanding to come out. For sanity’s sake, she released them. She’s currently at work on her seventh novel.
