Category: Book Reviews

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Books On Tour (Review): The Missing Letters of Mrs. Bright by Beth Miller

A (late) middle-aged woman married for 29 (not 30!) years decides to leave her empty nest and pursue…well, she’s not exactly sure at first. I’m pretty sure that the premise of this book is relatable to any woman who has been married for more than a decade or two.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/39xYAG1
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2MQs7km
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2rRQuag
Google Play:  https://bit.ly/2ZLpiGH

When Kay does something, she does it in a big way. She blindsides her husband, co-workers, and adult children with her decision. Some of them are more understanding than others. I could empathize with her for most of the book, but there were a few parts where she was downright unlikeable.

I related to her feeling of “the path not taken.” I think that is a common theme for women who have devoted their lives to their husbands and children, only to find their own interests have been pushed aside. Once “empty nest syndrome” sets in, there is more opportunity to think about what has been missed over the years.

What kept the story interesting, and ultimately saves Kay as a redeemable character, is that her memories of certain events and people are faulty, painted with a golden tinge of fond memories instead of stark reality. She also eventually finds out that real life bears little resemblance to the life she imagined might have happened.

There is a sub-plot with her daughter, Stella, who only recently moved out of the house. At times, it seemed like those parts didn’t fit into the narrative, but about halfway through it became apparent as to why Stella’s story was important to tell alongside of Kay’s

The letters mentioned in the title are between Kay and her friend Bear (it takes a while to discern who Bear is and the importance of the character). They serve as a “point/counterpoint” to Kay’s present story.

All in all, this was a well-crafted story that emphasized the importance of not losing oneself while also moving forward and not living in the past of “what could have been.” I very much enjoyed reading it and would recommend it.  

Author Bio

I have been told that I write like a tall blonde, so that’s how I’d like you to picture me.

I’ve published three novels, with one more about to be born, in January 2020. I’ve also published two non-fiction books. I work as a book coach and creative writing tutor.

Before writing books, I did a lot of different jobs. I worked in schools, shops, offices, hospitals, students’ unions, basements, from home, in my car, and up a tree. OK, not up a tree. I’ve been a sexual health trainer, a journalist, a psychology lecturer, a PhD student, a lousy alcohol counsellor, and an inept audio-typist. I sold pens, bread, and condoms. Not in the same shop. I taught parents how to tell if their teenagers are taking drugs (clue: they act like teenagers), and taught teenagers how to put on condoms (clue: there won’t really be a cucumber). I taught rabbis how to tell if their teenagers are druggedly putting condoms on cucumbers.

Throughout this, I always wrote, and always drank a lot of tea. I’m now pretty much unbeatable at drinking tea.

@drbethmiller  

https://www.bethmiller.co.uk/ 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Miller/e/B00PWNOA2Y/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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Books On Tour (Review): The Daughter's Promise by Sarah Clutton

After the pulse-pounding thriller I finished previously, I thought it would be nice to read something that was a bit simpler. I quickly found out, however, that there was an underlying current to this book that was almost as intriguing as the thriller.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0821GP4C2
Apple Books: https://apple.co/35JyLjH
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2pZLWha
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2KZIRVv

Plot points are described in the blurb found on multiple sites, which is sort of a pet peeve of mine. I know that blurbs are supposed to create buzz, but I don’t like it when so much of the plot is given away in them. If I know too much going in, I look for those points thereby possibly missing other important things.  

In this case (thankfully) I didn’t read the whole blurb before I read the book. I was able to enjoy the revelations of the book as they occurred, which I think is very important to how I view a book when I am finished.

I liked being able to understand each of the women as they were introduced and to follow them through the story. The message that secrets can destroy families was very clear and the plot points that illustrated that theme were organic and plausible.

I related to Willa very strongly. I am an adoptee and also know very little about my birth parents. The scene where she thinks about her medical history especially struck home, because I go through the same thing every time I go to the doctor. It is sometimes disheartening to have to say “I don’t know” to family medical histories, especially as I get older and certain diseases or problems can arise.

I thought the differences between Annabelle and Sylvia were very interesting. They were almost polar opposites, with each thinking they were happier than the other…when in reality neither was entirely satisfied (as evidenced by both of their actions).

This wasn’t a page-turner in a thriller sense, but it did keep me reading to get to the bottom of Lillian’s motivations. It was nicely crafted to wind its way through the different points of view to arrive at the resolution.  I would definitely recommend this book.

Author Bio

Sarah Clutton is an Australian author and former lawyer whose debut novel, Good Little Liars, mixes suspense and domestic drama with nuanced characters. Having majored in psychology in her original degree, Sarah is fascinated by people. How does the past shape us? Can we can learn empathy? What determines the outcomes when moral and legal boundaries collide?

Sarah’s work earned her the Dymocks/Fiona McIntosh Commercial Fiction Scholarship in 2018, a coveted national award run by one of Australia’s most successful commercial fiction authors and sponsored by Australia’s largest book chain. An alumna of the Australian Writers’ Centre novel writing course, and with a mostly-finished Master of Arts (Writing) that she has no interest in finishing because she prefers making stuff up, Sarah lives with her family in the very pretty tourist town of Bowral, near Sydney. She has lived all over Australia, and if she didn’t live in Bowral, she would live in Hobart, the most beautiful city she knows.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sarahcluttonauthor/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/sarahmclutton

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Books On Tour (Review): Winter Dark by Alex Callister

I’m not always a fan of action books because it sometimes seems like the author tries too hard. That is not the case with this new series by Alex Callister.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07YX7P4V6Social
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/winter-dark
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zPC0DwAAQBAJ
Apple Books:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/winter-dark/id1482904710

The action starts from the beginning and doesn’t let up (for once, the tag line of “heart-pounding suspense” is truthful). 

I did find it difficult to sort out the characters at first. There seemed to be references that referred to prior events (but this is the first book). Eventually, however, it all became clear.

I loved that the protagonist was a young female. With all of the talk these days of female empowerment, it was refreshing (and sure as heck a lot better than the proposed new “female Bond.” But I digress).

I thought that Winter was an interesting character. I liked that she had a spotty background, but that she was smart as well as feisty. In fact, her intelligence (to me) is what made her stand out as a heroine to root for.

The concept of torture for the online masses is also timely. As people become more involved with virtual experiences, and with the lack of civility that seems to be tracking with the rise of social media, it is not too farfetched to believe that we will one day have these types of options, as distasteful as it is. Who knows, maybe it’s already occurring on the Dark Web.

Anyway, I thought it was a great book. It was exciting and read like a movie, which I appreciate because the action moved the plot along quickly. If you’re looking for a crime thriller that keeps you intrigued, look no further.

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Blog Tour w/Review: You, Me, and the Movies by Fiona Collins

I cannot think of another way to describe this book other than cinematic.

Yes, movies and movie quotes are a significant part of the plot, but it is so much more than that.

Scene descriptions were incredibly detailed and created vivid pictures. Events had depth and everything had a purpose. The book as a whole was focused and entertaining.

And heartbreaking.

Confession: I had to re-read the last few chapters twice. The first time I could barely see the pages through my tears. There was so much emotion flowing through the pages that it just got to me.

More than that, however, was the empathy that I felt for Arden.

I don’t want to give the whole thing away because it unfolds beautifully, and readers should experience it on their own. But her realization that her best years might be behind her, and subsequent understanding that she might have the possibility of a better future was heartfelt, realistic, and infinitely relatable. ‘Nuff said on that before I start crying again.

I loved the unique perspective of this story – a history told through movies that were significant to the relationship. The quotes that Arden and Mac remember prove that memories stay with us even as our lives change. It is no surprise that movies guide Arden’s life, given her mother’s propensity for fantasy and image.

I could go on and on about all of the things I liked about this book, but I am honestly having a hard time finding the words because it was just so epically beautiful in every way.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up right away.

About Fiona Collins

Fiona Collins grew up in an Essex village, and after stints in Hong Kong and London, returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband and three children. She has a degree in Film and Literature and has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic and weather presenter for BBC local radio and film/TV extra. You can find her on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks.

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Blog Tour w/ Review: The Good Mother by Cathryn Grant

I always like a good plot that sneaks up on me, and The Good Mother fits the bill perfectly. What seemed like a study of suburban women and the packs that they form descended into a taut domestic thriller that explores the long-lasting effects of trauma.

I thought that the author did an excellent job of using the three women (Amy, Rachel, and Charlotte) to progress the character study. Amy, as the go-getter/Alpha, was the “Type A” mom that is familiar to many. Rachel, her supposed best friend, wanted to appease and be included. And Charlotte was the “New Mom in Town” who didn’t fit the suburban mom role.

I could find myself (at least a little bit) in each of these women, and I think that is why I enjoyed the book so much. My “allegiance” to the individuals ebbed and flowed with the story, which kept it interesting. I have been the new mom in town (although not a brazen or “artsy” as Charlotte), so I could relate to what she felt as she tried to fit in.

I least identified with Amy. I understood her desire to be the perfect mom (what mom doesn’t?) and connected with her drive to make sure that her family had everything they needed. However, her desire was more of an obsession, which was ultimately guided by childhood trauma. Her progression was the most interesting but the least relatable to me.

Rachel was the character I truly understood. She wanted to belong to the group and went along with everything, even when she thought it was wrong or didn’t want to take part. One incident with Amy stands out, as Rachel participated even as she knew she shouldn’t. I saw it as a turning point for her, as she realized that things were changing quickly and out of her control.

After all of the events of the book, I could also relate to Rachel’s feeling of wanting everything to be the way it was before. Whenever there is a monumental change, there is almost always the desire to return to what was normal (even if it actually wasn’t). That came across loud and clear to me.

I did especially like the way Amy and Charlotte’s plot lines interwove and eventually collided. I thought it was smart of the author to build the suspense – I honestly was not sure which way that was all going to go, but it was extremely satisfying.

Each mother in this story thought that they were doing what they could to be a good mother, and it was fascinating to see each of the approaches. It was also interesting to see the pitfalls and failures of each woman and where their choices could have been better. I could argue that this could be used as a cautionary tale as well as an entertaining novel.

This book started a little slow, but the tension built fast, and the author kept the pace moving. I would definitely recommend this book.

About Cathryn Grant

Cathryn is the author of the Alexandra Mallory Psychological Suspense series, Psychological Thrillers, Suburban Noir novels, The Haunted Ship Trilogy, and the Madison Keith Ghost Story series. THE GOOD MOTHER will be her second novel published with Inkubator Books.

Cathryn’s fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazines, The Shroud Quarterly Journal, and The Best of Every Day Fiction. When she’s not writing, Cathryn reads fiction, eavesdrops, and tries to play golf without hitting her ball into the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and two cats. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CathrynGrant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathrynGrant.Writer/
Website: https://www.cathryngrant.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathryngrant_fiction/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cathryn-Grant/e/B004G1I484?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1566901527&sr=8-3


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Blog Tour w/ Review: Husband Material

Quite frankly, this book went in a completely different direction than I thought it was going to go when I started. And I’m totally okay with that because it ended up being a lot deeper and more thought-provoking than I expected.

At first, I didn’t think I was going to be able to relate to Charlotte. Her job was something that I have no passion for nor can I relate to it (tracking social media influencers makes me roll my eyes). But Charlotte’s personality ultimately won me over. Actually, she had me when she shut down Chad in the first chapter.

I liked how her story was revealed slowly. It added a bit of mystery to the plot, especially just past the halfway point. The author did a terrific job of allowing the reader to feel what Charlotte was experiencing right along with her. I love it when an author can make an unrelatable (to me) character sympathetic at the same time. That’s a trait that is often missing.

The situations that Charlotte found herself in, both overall (with her “package”) and the immediate scenarios, were realistic, and I could see them occurring in real life. The balancing act Charlotte was forced into also felt natural.

I think what I liked the most, however, was the relationship between Charlotte and Brian. Their history was a barrier at first, even as it became apparent that there was more going on (and probably had been going on for a while). I especially liked that it was not perfect.

So often in a romance novel, everything falls neatly into place. Even if there are troubles (and there always are), they are packaged up by the end with a HEA. I don’t feel that this is the case here, and that’s what sets this book apart.

Their relationship is messy, imperfect and comes with A LOT of baggage. Even as the reader can see the chemistry, the issues are still apparent. Even by the end, there is not a typical hearts and flowers/rest of our lives resolution. The reader knows they are on the right track, but there is still growth that needs to occur.

And ultimately, this story is about Charlotte’s growth. Her identity as a widow, how she interacts with the people around her, her perspective on her job…all of these change throughout her story.  

Even though I’ve never had an urn of ashes show up at my front door, her discovery and the challenges she faces were ones that I could relate to. Her journey was uplifting and interesting and a great way to kick off a new year.

Buy Links

Author Bio

EMILY BELDEN is a journalist, social media marketer, and storyteller. She is the author of the novel Hot Mess and Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals. She lives in Chicago. Visit her website at www.emilybelden.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram, @emilybelden.

Author website: http://www.emilybelden.com/
Twitter: @emilybelden
Instagram: @emilybelden
Facebook: @emilybeldenauthor


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Blog Tour: Good Girls Lie

What a way to start a new year of reading! From a body hanging at the entrance to an elite girls’ school (literally the first sentence of the book) to the shocking finale, this book was filled with twists galore and had me engrossed the entire time.

Buy Links: 
Harlequin 
Indiebound
Amazon
Barnes & Noble 
Books-A-Million
Target
Google
iBooks
Kobo

The plot on its own was intriguing because the author sets up from the beginning that not everything is as it appears; this goes for situations as well as people. I loved the way the author put little hints into the narrative to nudge the reader that something might be relevant.

Now, I realize that several authors do this, as they guide their characters and the reader through the story. What makes this author stand out, however,  is how the hints are dropped. They are rarely overt and never scream out obviously. Instead, they are almost throwaways or asides that only a careful and clever reader will catch.

As an example, I re-read the first few chapters before writing this review (to refresh my memory). Having finished the story, I was amazed to see how many little hints were scattered within the first chapter alone. To me, this is just genius.

Because the plot was so twisty, I really can’t get into details (if you have read any of my reviews, you know that I loathe spoilers and book report reviews). I thought that the characters were fully realized, and I could imagine the action taking place in real life – nothing seemed too far-fetched. Given that the author had experience within an all-girls school, this makes sense.

I also liked that the chapter titles gave a hint of what would be revealed in the chapter. And that is what made this book so good; each chapter gave the reader just a little bit more of the bigger picture until the climax (or is it?) of the story. And just when you think everything is resolved…well, you’re wrong – it isn’t. Keep reading until the very last word.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author.

Oh, and if this book is any indication of how my reading year will go, I cannot WAIT to jump in!

Author Bio

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 20 novels, and the EMMY-award winning co-host of A WORD ON WORDS, Nashville’s premier literary show. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 26 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

Social Links:
Author Website
Twitter: @thrillerchick
Facebook: @JTEllison14
Instagram: @thrillerchick
Goodreads
BookBub

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Book Review: True to Me

This book spoke to me for many reasons. I’ll go into them in a bit, but first a little backstory.

My dad worked for the airlines for over 20 years, and we got to fly on his employee passes quite often. Living in California, Hawaii was a short flight across the Pacific. And yes, I do mean short; because of trade winds and routes, it was often a shorter flight to Hawaii than it was to NY or Florida. Go figure.

Anyway, I first visited the islands when I was about ten years old, and I fell in love with everything about them. The people were amazing, the culture was fascinating, and the vibe was thoroughly relaxing. Even as a kid, I got all of that.

Fast forward to college, where I was friends with a guy whose family was from Hawaii. On one of our family visits over there, he invited my cousins and me to a few of his family gatherings…including his cousin’s wedding.

That’s right: we crashed a wedding in Honolulu. I mean, I guess we were invited, but not formally. But that’s the Hawaiian way. It was an incredible evening from start to finish. You would never know that we haoles didn’t belong. I found out that that word has different meanings depending on who is speaking it. Fortunately for us, it was used in jest and everyone was gracious and welcoming.

All of those memories (and more) came roaring back to me as I read True to Me. The author perfectly captures the Hawaiian way by embodying her characters with different aspects of the culture. The protagonist, Quinn, is guided by all of them along her path of discovery, which gives her a deeper understanding of her life, both past and future.

I don’t want to reveal the plot, as several reviews do, as that’s not what I’m about. Plus, I think that readers should be able to experience Quinn’s journey right along with her without knowing what will happen next. Her decisions are more impactful that way.

Quinn’s personal growth along the way was a joy to watch. I did think that a little bit more detail of her “uptightness” would have been good, especially when it came to her relationship with Ethan. But it was all still clear enough that she was searching for something, even if she wasn’t sure exactly what that something was at times.

And this is the crux of the story. Quinn is searching for the answer to a question about her family but is really looking to find herself. This is ultimately relatable, because everyone (at one time or another) has had questions about the path they are on and whether there is something more “out there.” And frankly, this is the time of year when people think it the most.

Ultimately, this is a beautiful story set in a magical place that illustrates the importance of learning how to breathe and take the time to figure out what the world is trying to tell you. Hawaiians understand the strength of ohana and how vital pono is. Everybody should take a lesson from them. Quinn did and was certainly happier for it.

Happy New Year everyone – find your path and don’t look back.

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Books on Tour (Review): The Argument

I am pretty sure that I have mentioned it before, but in my mind, there are different types of psychological thrillers. Mostly, however, they fit into two categories: the roller coaster and the drawn-out exploration. The Argument is squarely in the latter category.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07YCPXL2FSocial
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2mUlIKN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lJrf74
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2ljeMqo

I find books like this sometimes to be a difficult read. There is so much detail in the thought processes of the characters, little minutiae that needs to be read and processed. On the one hand, I appreciate the attention to details like this as it is apparent that the author has put a lot of thought into the characters’ motivations.

On the other hand, it can make for a plodding read and that can become tiresome.  That might not be the correct word, because the action is still ongoing, it’s just more in the characters’ thoughts instead of actual activity within the book.

Regardless, this is one of the better ones that I have read. At any given time, I felt for either Hannah or Olivia. There was the right balance of both of their points of view, and I found my belief in the individual points of view to change depending on the action. At first, I was not a fan of Olivia at all, but it became apparent there were a lot of underlying issues that were slowly revealed.

There were comments by characters that made me question their motivations, and all of the plot points (even seemingly unimportant ones) eventually added up to quite the finale. I think the author plotted and paced everything out perfectly.

I recommend this book, but make sure you read it when you can devote the time to appreciate every word; you don’t want to miss anything.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/victoriajenkinswriter/
Twitter:      @vicwritescrime
https://twitter.com/vicwritescrime

Victoria Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based. Her debut novel The Girls in the Water is an Amazon UK top 30 bestseller, and top 5 bestseller in the Amazon US chart.

Her first psychological thriller, The Divorce, was published in July 2019. The second, The Argument, publishes December 10th 2019.

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Books On Tour (Review): The Blossom Twins

Gutted.

There is no other way to describe how I felt by the end of this book.

I knew that something big was going to happen (based on reviews from earlier readers), so I tried to brace myself.

Didn’t help.

When last we saw Natalie, she had to make some crucial decisions regarding her family. There have long been issues with both of her children, mostly born from the fact that Natalie and her husband, David, have been on the outs for quite a while. This book continues with that conflict and everything comes to a head as significant decisions are made (can’t say more, ‘cuz it would give it away).

As always, Natalie has to work a case while her home life implodes. This one is especially chilling because young girls are being killed similarly to a killer from Natalie’s past. Now, I really can’t say much more, because this is one you have to read for yourself to get the impact. I don’t want to give ANYTHING away.

One of my favorite things about this author is her pacing. The reader gets to follow the investigation “in real-time,” which makes it more interesting. The reader also gets an added benefit of flashback chapters that give extra clues as to the identity of the murderer.

The way the investigation proceeds is easy to follow and dovetails perfectly with events in Natalie’s personal life. In this case, the two become inextricably twined in a way that both Natalie and the reader do not see coming. (Not going to lie, I had my suspicions regarding who the killer was, but still was shocked by the bigger picture).

By the end of the book, Natalie is at a crossroads in her life. Events have broken her. And I, for one, cannot wait to see what she does next. I say it every time – if you haven’t started reading the Natalie Ward series, you should start now, because they just keep getting better and better.

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