Tag: Book Review

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Summertime Guests-Blog Tour (Review)-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

Part commentary on relationships part mystery, this book had quite a bit going for it. It did keep me interested, even as some of the aspects fell a bit short for me.

One of the things I did like about the way the author created the plot was how each of the partnerships (Riley and Tom, Marie and Jean Paul, Gwen and Jason, Claire and ???) were at a different stage.

The author introduced each of these in the first four chapters and then the action jumped back and forth between the different couples as well as in time.

The switches in time were a little bit jarring, but if you pay attention to the date at the beginning of the story and then the dates that head each chapter, you shouldn’t have any problems.

I thought that each of the couples were interesting in their own way. I kept expecting them to weave together and meet in the middle somewhere. I guess in a way they did, but not in the manner that I expected.

It really seemed as if each of them had their own story line and then the “main event” is something that touches each of them differently.

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I did feel like the author held back pertinent parts of information for a bit too long in a couple of cases. They did make for some surprise twists, but it also felt a bit forced in a few places.

For example, I thought Jason’s background and the subsequent twists that it provided kind of came out of nowhere. It’s not that the detail wasn’t plentiful, it just seemed to escalate rather quickly.

The same with Claire. She was my least favorite character (maybe that was by design?) and even though I did feel sorry for her at times, she was an ugly enough person in her opinions that I wasn’t upset by the big reveal about her.

(And by the way, those opinions only made sense to her character when I took into account where she was from and what she did for a living. Otherwise, they seemed like cheap attempts at political points, which I really hate).

I did expect more out of Riley and Tom, but I liked the end result of their relationship. The same with Jean Paul and Marie. I think I related to Riley (she reminded me a bit of me when I was younger) and to Jean Paul and Marie as a couple now.

In fact, I think any couple who has had their fun “couple times” usurped by a kid of any age would be able to relate to them.

As I mentioned, there were a couple of twists that I didn’t see coming and one plot point involving Claire was especially effective, given why she had left home for a bit. That was nicely done.

I did enjoy this book, and the author did a good job of keeping me guessing right up to the last pages. I think if you go into it expecting the different perspectives on relationships with the touch of mystery, you’ll like it too.

Twitter: @wendyfrancis4
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Author Bio: 

Wendy Francis is a former book editor and the author of the novels The Summer Sail, The Summer of Good Intentions, Three Good Things, and Best Behavior. Her essays have appeared in Good Housekeeping, The Washington Post, Yahoo Parenting, The Huffington Post, and WBUR’s Cognoscenti. A proud stepmom of two grown-up children, she lives outside Boston with her husband and eleven-year-old son.

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The Blessed Bones-Books On Tour (Review)-Crime Thriller-Available Now

Detective Clara Jeffries remains a standout in the “strong female law enforcement agent” genre, and her background is certainly the most unique.

This third book in the series finds Clara quickly enmeshed in another investigation which is complicated by the location and proximity to Alber.

In fact, this time there are two investigations and it’s up to Clara to determine if there is any crossover. I very much like the way this author plots the stories, because everything is organic and natural. There is no forced connection or tying into each other.

Things just happen.

Clara’s background remains a major point both in her personal life and as she addresses clues and facts of the cases.

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(For those who haven’t read any of these books yet, Clara grew up in a polygamous town, leaving after being forced into a horrible marriage. She returned in book one and is still struggling with acceptance – both of her past and dealing with the townspeople viewing her as an apostate).

She and Max (a lost boy of the town) have also progressed in their relationship, but not without struggle there as well. I like how the author keeps this real as well. They both have baggage that they are trying to work around, but it’s not always unsurmountable.

I was happy to see a bit of progress with her relationship with her family as well. It’s an important part of her character, and there were some touching moments. It will be interesting to see if Mother Ardeth comes around.

In spite of Clara helping several people in the town and some seeming to soften toward her, there remains a sore spot (no spoiler) that will definitely take centerstage in future books.

As with any crime thriller, I don’t want to give anything away about the particulars of the investigation. But I will continue to look forward to Clara’s cases and to see what happens next.

Twitter: @KathrynCasey

Author Bio:
A novelist and award-winning journalist, Kathryn Casey is the author of eleven highly acclaimed true crime books and the creator of the Sarah Armstrong mystery series. Library Journal picked THE KILLING STORM as one of the best mysteries of 2010. Her latest true crime, IN PLAIN SIGHT, investigates the Kaufman County prosecutor murders, a case that made worldwide headlines. Casey has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, the Today Show, Good Morning America, the Biography Channel, Reelz, The Travel Network, Investigation Discovery, and many other venues. Ann Rule called Casey “one of the best in the true crime genre.”

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Tell No Lies-Blog Tour (Review)-Thriller-Available Now

This book starts with a heartbreaking event and takes an interesting turn almost immediately. Pretty soon, things are happening at a rapid pace and the reader is hit from all sides. It’s a well-plotted and intricate story that frankly left me a little tired after reading it.

Not that that’s a bad thing.

The author does a good job of dealing with timely references. It’s not a spoiler to say that child trafficking, widespread environmental pollution, and corporate greed are all bound together within the plot.

Honestly, it’s in the blurb as well.

While I read this, I got the feeling that there was a bit of background that I was missing. Shame on me for not realizing that it was the second in a series.

Buy links can be found underneath the Author Information section

That didn’t dim my enthusiasm for reading, but as there are only two books, I would recommend reading in order, if only to get the full scope of the two main characters, Quinn and Costa.

Apparently, they had a bit of history, and their roles in this book complicate what is an obvious chemistry between the two of them. Again, I think reading the first book might be helpful, because it kind of felt like the author was reluctant to explore their personal relationship any further.

That could also be because there were so many layers to the events in the book. Undercovers in various places, investigations that produce side-investigations, lies upon lies…it’s a lot to keep up with. And nobody really heeds the title of the book (oh, the irony).

But it does make for a page-turning read. Just start at the first one so this one is more enjoyable, and you have a firm basis going forward.

Facebook: @AllisonBrennan
Twitter: @Allison_Brennan
Instagram: @abwrites

About the author:

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

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The Last Bookshop in London-Blog Tour (Review)-Historical Fiction-Coming April 6

Done right, historical fiction not only evokes the time period in question, but also makes the reader truly feel the emotions of the events in the book.

This book is highly successful at that.

Descriptive and elegant, yet also haunting and brutal at times, I felt everything Grace was feeling as she found her way in London.

Right from the beginning, with the date stamp of August 1939 London, the reader knows what the background of the story is going to be, even as Grace and her friend Viv don’t. This added a sense of foreboding as the girls’ excitement at finally being in the city was quite apparent.

I liked the opening chapters because they set the scene for what was to come while also giving the reader a good look at just how “normal” everything was.

Until it wasn’t.

It also gave me time to get to know pivotal characters before the Blitz began (no spoiler there – if you’re reading historical fiction, you should know the time period and the history). This was a very good thing, because once the bombs started dropping, there were new things to focus on.

Buy Links can be found beneath the Author Bio

I thought Grace was a strong character and I loved her development over the course of the entire book. Even her name was an excellent choice because she was often the personification of it, even in the worst of times.

I really enjoyed her journey into reading. It was smart of the author for Grace to have that epiphany because it made her actions later in the book that much more poignant and impactful.

While I loved the scenes involving the bookstore, I do have to mention the details of the Blitz. I have read several books that contain scenes from the Blitz, but I don’t remember a time that it was described so thoroughly.

I felt like I could smell the smoke, see the fires, and feel the concussions of the bombs right along with Grace. It was harrowing and emotional. I honestly needed a break after a couple of the scenes and could totally identify with Grace’s exhaustion.

As the author writes, it’s a true testament to Londoners that they survived that onslaught.

But not only did they survive it, they pulled together. Even writing this part of the review right now, I’m tearing up thinking of the last few chapters.

It was that well-done. I’m not doing it justice. But it was just so good. All of it.

This book had a great story, a lead character to root for, charming supporting characters, and accurate depictions of war, both the good and bad sides of it. All of this together made for an excellent read that I highly recommend.

And make sure to have the tissues nearby.


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About the Author:

Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance novels filled with twists and turns, adventure, steamy romance, empowered heroines and the men who are strong enough to love them. Her website is http://www.madelinemartin.com/ 

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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).

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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.

Facebook: KatieGayleWriter
Twitter: @KatieGayleBooks

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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/ 

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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.

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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.

Facebook: JessThorneBooks/
Twitter: @JessThorneBooks

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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