Category: Book Reviews

Posted on

Blog Tour w/Review: Deadly Silence

As anyone who follows my reviews knows that I read a lot of crime thrillers, and most of them are from the UK. I have mentioned how much I enjoy the structure of these, as it reminds me of the BBC shows we watch on Acorn TV. We’ve binge-watched several over the past few years. Deadly Silence ranks right up there with some of the better books I have read.

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Silence-gripping-thriller-Detective-ebook/dp/B07Z2R84T9/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=deadly+silence&qid=1571140575&sr=8-5
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Silence-gripping-thriller-Detective-ebook/dp/B07Z2R84T9/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=deadly+silence+OMJ+Ryan&qid=1571140710&sr=8-1

One thing I particularly liked about this book was that the main character was not the typical put-together, straight-arrow protagonist. Early on, there are references to previous events which have impacted Jane Phillips’ life. It would probably help to read that book first if only to understand all of those moments, and to gain some insight into Jane’s background. However, this book can be read as a standalone. The author does an excellent job of clearly stating where Jane’s mind is throughout this investigation.

I also liked the interaction between Jane and her team. It was evident that they were a tight-knit group who had worked together for a long time, and no asshole of a boss was going to change that. And speaking of asshole bosses, I have to say that DCI Fraser Brown really takes the cake. His Napoleon Complex was quite apparent.

The investigation itself was also interesting. I thought the author laid out the clues and plotted the investigation in a manner that was intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages. I did figure out who the culprit was, and the person’s motivation, reasonably early on, but that is only because I read a lot of crime thrillers and I have learned a lot about investigations and reading clues from my husband’s profession.

It was still a terrific novel, and I highly recommend it.  

About OMJ Ryan

Hailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards. In 2018 he followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.

Social Media Links

Posted on

Books On Tour: A View Across the Rooftops

Historical fiction is not usually my top pick, but after reading A View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne Kelman, I may have to re-evaluate and read more of this genre. It was an extraordinary lyrical book that perfectly captured the hopelessness of occupation while also celebrating the human spirit and instinct for survival.

I thought Josef’s character was exceptionally well-done (which is good, since the whole plot centers around his actions). He had allowed his grief to envelope him to the point that he was barely living any meaningful existence. It takes a few actions by the Nazis to make him realize that his self-imposed emotional prison is nothing compared to the atrocities that his neighbors and friends were facing.

The author did an excellent job of conveying the mood and atmosphere of all aspects of occupation and did so by personifying them in her characters. For example, Ingrid’s eagerness to support the Third Reich showed how much she longed for stability and a comfortable life, mainly due to her unsettled childhood. She was blind to the true nature of the Nazis in her desire for steadiness. And her realizations about the truth come only after some truly horrific events.

Honestly, I wish I had the time and space to analyze each of the characters because I think each one of them was multifaceted and changed throughout the story. The journey of the characters through occupation is as long and complicated as the war itself.

An underlying theme of perseverance through adversity is also well-thought-out. Michael maintains his personality for most of the book, only falling into real despair once (no spoilers). Hannah realizes that she has more courage than she thought possible. Even little Eva finds something that keeps her motivated while destruction surrounds her.

I do not get emotional at books, but this one had me crying in quite a few places. Some of it was due to the author’s ability to convey the emotions of the moment, but it was also at the realization of the sheer evilness that humanity can exhibit. Hate, and the belief of inherent superiority, is a destructive force. Those who ignore the rise of suppressive forces are doomed to suffer under it. It takes internal fortitude, and a belief in the fundamental good in people, to overcome it.

A View Across the Rooftops is well-written, full of description and depth, and it should go straight to the top of your reading list.   

A View Across the RooftopsA View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne Kelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Epic. There is no other way to describe this story. It is an incredible journey through occupied Amsterdam, from 1941 to after the war in 1947. The characters are realistic, and the author did an excellent job of creating a representative cross-section of people, from the Nazi sympathizer to the members of the Dutch Resistance. When it comes to books, I am not a crier, but I found myself tearing up several times at both the sheer beauty and the utter despair on the pages. This is one of my favorite books I have read this year, by far. For a detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

View all my reviews

Author bio
Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State.  

Posted on

Books On Tour: What He Did

I love a book that has an intriguing opening prologue that sets the tone, even if it takes a while to figure out where the event falls in the importance of the story. That is the case with What He Did, the latest release from J.G. Roberts.

From the opening scene, this book had me hooked. I think I was also drawn in because we are a football (soccer) family, so I was interested in that aspect of the plot. But, even if it hadn’t been a significant point, I still would have enjoyed this story.

I thought the author did a fantastic job of revealing clues as the investigation proceeded; I appreciate when an author takes the time to plan things so that the reader can try to solve the case along with the characters. That is what occurred in this book. I dislike when all of the information comes across at once, making the Detective (or Investigator, or whatever position) look like a genius.

That doesn’t happen in this book. Detective Rachel Hart follows multiple leads, and the investigation branches in several different directions, just like a proper case would in real life. This means that either the author has first-hand knowledge of the process, or took the time to do extensive research. Either way, it makes for a much more interesting read.

I also appreciated the red herrings that the author threw in for the reader. There were more than a few moments where I switched my mind about who was who (and who was responsible for something occurring). I read a lot of crime thrillers (and my husband is law enforcement), so I am always excited when an author keeps me on my toes.

The subplot of Rachel’s personal life fit into the plot neatly, which isn’t always the case. Although, I do think that there is more to be revealed in future books if the ending is any clue. This is the second book in the Detective Rachel Hart series, and aside from a few references to a previous case, it can be read as a stand-alone. That being said, I have already downloaded the first book in the series, and eagerly await the next installment.

What He Did (Detective Rachel Hart Book 2)What He Did by J.G. Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book in the Detective Rachel Hart series can be read as a standalone, and it is quite the page-turner. The author does an outstanding job of allowing the reader to follow the case along with Rachel, while also throwing in a few twists along the way that keep it interesting. While the investigation aspect is well-done, the personal side of Rachel’s life is also realistic. Although I did figure a few things out before Rachel did, the author kept me engaged right up to the final page. An excellent crime thriller to pick up! For a full review, please see my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of this book.

View all my reviews

Author Bio
Julia was born in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, and began her career as a professional singer/dancer. This enabled her to travel the world in her late teens storing up experiences she has since included in her writing. Following roles as a hostess on The Price is Right and a member of the Beadle’s About ‘hit squad’ in the 1980s, she became a TV Presenter and filmed features for Sky Sports before launching the QVC shopping channel in 1993 where she still presents today. Having always wanted to write, she penned her first book, a memoir sold on QVC, in 2013 and has since written four full length novels, two novellas and several short stories.  

Links

Posted on

Blog Tour w/Review: Southern Heartbreaker

Jessica Peterson just keeps getting better and better. Her Charleston Heat series has become one of my favorites. Where else can you find sexy men with a sense of humor and women who can get as raunchy as they do? (Okay, maybe a few other series, but not many).

Southern Heartbreaker is by far my favorite in the series so far. From the characterizations to the plot to…well, everything, I loved every part of it.

I thought that Eva’s situation was relatable. Having success and then being stuck on how to follow it up with a strong second outing is something that just about everyone has experienced in one way or another. I loved how she figured out what needed to be done (with Ford’s help, of course) and would totally buy what she is selling!

And then there is Ford. Where to start with him? I think he is one of the more complex characters that Ms. Peterson has created. It’s not easy to balance being a doting daddy and a foul-mouthed (fairly raunchy) lover. I mean, those guys exist in real life, but writing them becomes tricky because they can easily turn into caricatures.

Not so with Ford. The scene on the boat has to be one of the most amazingly hot scenes I have read in a long time. And not just because of the chemistry between the characters, but also because of the depth of their connection that makes it feel so right to them.

I think that is where this relationship shines; they had a connection in college that never really went away in spite of where life took each of them. In a way, they were each other’s “the one who got away” and they were able to find each other again. Don’t we all have one of those? We may not want to find them, but it’s fun to live vicariously and imagine what could be if we did, right?

At any rate, this latest entry into the series is top-rate. If you haven’t read the series, start now. If you have, get this one to add to the collection.

Southern Heartbreaker (Charleston Heat, #4)Southern Heartbreaker by Jessica Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The latest entry in the Charleston Heat series does not disappoint. We get Ford and Eva’s story (which is amazingly hot and emotional), and we also get updates on the other couples in the series. I love how the author has created this universe of people I would love to hang out with daily. Ford is my absolute favorite so far; I love his goofiness with his daughter and his raunchiness with Eva. It was a fun read from beginning to end, and I hope there are more in the series. For a detailed review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.

View all my reviews
Posted on

Books On Tour: In My Mother’s Name

Some psychological thrillers are rollercoaster rides. They start slow and then pick up the pace, gradually turning into an exciting, page-turner of a read. Others are more like ivy. They creep and crawl, drawing readers in slowly with tendrils of information until they are completely entangled in the story. In My Mother’s Name belongs in the latter category, and it is one of the most stunning books I have read in a long time.

BUY LINKS

When cleaning out her grandmother’s house, Adele finds a diary that belonged to her long-dead mother. What follows is Adele’s journey to discover the truth about her mother’s life as well as Adele’s history. As Adele visits the village of Reedstown and meets people who knew her mother as a teenager, Adele soon realizes that there is a lot more to her mother’s story than meets the eye.

The author does a fantastic job of keeping multiple character arcs moving forward while intertwining them with other characters’ stories. The writing styles also change: at times, the descriptions are very poetic and idyllic, while at others (specifically in diary entries and flashbacks) there is a rawness that comes across strongly. I also liked how the author used several innocuous things (a bird nesting in an attic, a smoky chimney, etc.) to illustrate how even minor events can have a significant impact on one’s life.

In the midst of it all, the character development is what struck me as the key to drawing me into the story. Each of the main characters (and even several of the secondary characters) are fully fleshed out and grow with the events of the plot. As more village secrets are revealed, I realized how my perception of the characters changed – but also how there were apparent signs in earlier events that hinted at each character’s role in the activities of 24 years prior.

I know that sounds a little muddled, but it actually isn’t within the course of the story. As I said, the author pulls the reader in slowly with the bits of information and then throws in twists that take the action in a different direction. In My Mother’s Name is certainly a page-turner, but not a high-velocity one. Be prepared to settle in for the long haul and allow the plot to wash over you as you follow Adele’s, and ultimately Marianne’s story. You will not be disappointed.

In My Mother's NameIn My Mother’s Name by Laura Elliot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am not usually one to agree with taglines or blurbs because they often feel over-the-top, but this is one case where I can wholeheartedly say that it is 100% accurate. This book was an addictive, emotional, page-turner of a psychological thriller (that’s a mouthful). The characters are real and well-developed, and the author does a superb job of bringing the village of Reedstown with all of its blemishes, secrets, and tainted history to life. Adele is a protagonist who is easy to support as she journeys into the past to find the truth about her mother’s life and death. In My Mother’s Name is one book you do not want to skip over. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read a complimentary pre-release, digital ARC of this book.

View all my reviews

Author Bio

Laura Elliot is an Irish novelist who writes psychological thrillers and lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her novels are: The Wife Before Me, Guilty, Sleep Sister, The Betrayal, Fragile Lies, Stolen Child and The Prodigal Sister. She has worked as a journalist and magazine editor. In My Mother’s Name is her latest novel published by Bookouture.

Social Media Links

Posted on

Books on Tour – Her Mother’s Lies

I love Rona Halsall’s books because even if I guess one of the twists, there are always at least two more that I did not see coming. Her Mother’s Lies is no exception to this.

I loved the set up of the novel. Martha is a 24-year-old who struggles with taking care of her alcoholic mother. On what is arguably the worst day of her life, Martha realizes that life can always get worse; unfortunately for her, it does.

What follows is a tightly-written, intricate plot filled with little details and clues that are often so subtle, they’re easy to miss the first time reading. There were even a few parts that I had to go back and re-read after a particular revelation, just to see what I missed the first time. I love it when an author writes something so clever that I don’t even realize my assumptions are wrong.

I did guess at one of the twists about halfway through the book, but I knew there would be more coming, and I wasn’t disappointed. There were several more that I did not see coming at all. When I did realize what they were, they were jaw-droppers.

I thought all of the characters were well-developed. I felt for Martha’s sense of hopelessness in a dire situation, but also compassion for Fran’s choices (although that feeling changed as more details were revealed). And Izzy is a whole different story – complicated and sympathetic doesn’t even begin to describe her.

I also liked the setting. True story: as I was reading, the town of Truro sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I asked my husband where we knew it from, and he replied, “That’s where the hospital is in Doc Martin.” Now, that’s one of our favorite tv shows, and as soon as he said it, I realized that the entire setting reminded me of the village and surrounding areas in the show. In hindsight, it makes total sense, but it was a neat little moment as I was reading.

If you are looking for a page-turner with realistic characters and twists that surprise you, look no further; pick up Her Mother’s Lies now!

Author Bio

Rona lives on the Isle of Man with her husband, two dogs and three guinea pigs. She has been a bookworm since she was a child and now she’s actually creating stories of her own, which still feels like a dream come true. 

She is an outdoorsy person and loves stomping up a mountain, walking the coastal paths and exploring the wonderful beaches on the Island while she’s plotting how to kill off her next victim. She also makes sure she deletes her Google history on a regular basis, because… well, you can’t be too careful when you spend your life researching new and ingenious ways for people to die.

She has three children and two step-children who are now grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of ideas for new stories!

Social Media Links

To find out more about Rona’s novels, go to www.facebook.com/RonaHalsallAuthor or follow @RonaHalsallAuth on Twitter.

Posted on

Books On Tour – Her Last Whisper

Time for another “unputdownable thriller.” This time up, it’s Her Last Whisper, the second book in the Detective Katie Scott series by Jennifer Chase.

Fresh off her first case, Katie is assigned to investigate cold cases in the Pine Valley Sheriff’s Department. One particular cold case catches her eye because it is only six months old. It is somewhat “ripped from the headlines” in that it involves a woman who claims to have been kidnapped, but details and supporting facts seem to be lacking. (If memory serves there was a similar real-life case near Sacramento, CA a few years ago).

Katie suffers from undiagnosed PTSD from her time in the Army. The subplot involving a former Army buddy seems like an unnecessary complication, although it does give a little bit of depth to Katie’s background. Likewise, her PTSD appears to be used as a plot device more than an actual character trait.

I thought the detective work was mostly accurate, and the crime(s) were interesting. However, I felt like the author gave superficial treatment to some aspects of the case, even tossing off one plot point with a “we’ll never know” comment. It played a part in the investigation, and it didn’t ring true that it all of a sudden didn’t matter to the case. And I didn’t think that the perpetrator’s motivation was as detailed as it could have been.

All of that aside, there were some genuine surprises, and it was an interesting book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good crime thriller series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are several references to events from Little Girls Sleeping (the first book), so if you want a more solid background, start with that one.

AUTHOR BIO

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.  

LINKS

Posted on

Blog Tour w/Review: The Death and Life of Penny Pitstop

I enjoyed this author’s Lagotti Family series, so I had high hopes for this stand-alone. And the first chapter did draw me in with an unexpected twist. Unfortunately, the plot did not follow through, and (in all) this one does not live up to the other series.

There were some interesting concepts in the plot – high finance, market trading, corporate lawyers, and international business around the time of 9/11 are all great bases that would make for an intriguing novel. There are so many ways the author could have gone with any of these threads.

What there was of a plot just seemed like filler to get to the next sex scene instead of the other way around. I read a lot of romances, and some of them get pretty raunchy. But there is usually at least a semi-coherent plot that keeps the action moving. Not the case here.

I never really got a feel for any of the characters, except for Penny, and she was unlikeable, if only for the way she treated Ray (not that he was infallible either). But, again, it was difficult to get a firm grasp on their relationship because there was not a lot of detail provided, other than how they pleasured each other.

In all, the whole novel felt disjointed. There were a few interesting parts, but they became lost in the multiple sex scenes. I wish the author had put more thought into developing the overall plot.

Posted on

Books On Tour: Close To You

Close to You is one of the most exciting books I have read in a while, and I have read a lot of cracking psychological thrillers lately. Because of the number of books I go through, I have become quite good at usually figuring out at least one or two plot points.

That was not the case with this book. It kept me guessing right up to the very last page, and for that reason, it is one of my favorite books that I have read in a long time.

Right from the beginning, the author grabbed me with the unique premise of the story. I liked that the main character had an unusual job (personal trainer) and that the plot started with a bang. I have found that my favorite books often state something shocking, and then elaborate on how the characters got to that particular point.

In this case, the story unfolds with mostly alternating “then” and “now” chapters. As always, there are no plot spoilers here. Suffice to say that the author does a fantastic job of keeping the narrative flowing in spite of the jumps back and forth in time.

I also appreciated how I was never quite able to get a total read on the main characters. Just when I thought I had figured out a character’s motivations, there was a red herring or an incident that changed my mind. And about the red herrings: sometimes an author uses them in a way that is too obvious, and they stand out by a mile. Not the case in this book. They are perfectly placed and just plausible enough to keep the reader turning the pages.

One thing, however: this is the third book in a week where the author has felt the need to throw in a political comment that has no bearing on the characters nor the story. Frankly, I’m getting tired of it, because it takes me out of the drama at hand. It is gratuitous and (as I have stated before) annoying. Authors (and editors) would do well to remember that people from all walks of life read their books; alienating a large population for the sole purpose of earning some sort of “cool points” seems counter-productive, self-indulgent and childish.

I’m marking it a 5-star read because I didn’t see the twist coming for a change. But I do wish that authors would wise up and stop pandering. Next time, I might just stop reading – and that would be a shame.

Posted on

Books On Tour: Broken Souls

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!

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)