Tag: Book Review

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Blog Tour (Review): She’s Faking It by Kristin Rockaway

Full disclosure: I could not completely relate to any characters in this book. But I still really enjoyed the story. It created an interesting and unique dichotomy for me. Let’s start with what I liked.

I could totally get behind the “hitting rock bottom to rebuild” setting that propels Bree. I found her tribulations to be amusing as she navigated reinventing herself and trying to be a better person. I did also like how she learned more about herself and others around her during her journey.

I also did feel for her at times, and understood her reluctance to part with sentimental items, especially those that reminded her of her mother. In today’s world where everything needs to be picture-perfect, old things are often shunted aside for shiny, new things…and I think that’s just wrong. This is where Bree was conflicted, and where I understood her the best. Deep down she knew what was right, she just didn’t know how to access it and got distracted

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I appreciated Trey. Of any of the characters, I think I could probably identify with him most, especially his attitude toward commercialism and social media. I could get behind someone who just wanted to be able to live without having to have every second documented. At times, this caused interesting tension between him and Bree.

And the social media aspect is where I just couldn’t relate. The whole influencer/non-influencer/collaborator thing is so shallow to me. I find the whole thing (in real life) to be just phony. The emphasis on followers (regardless of whether they’re real or not) and buying them to “boost” yourself seems ridiculous.

Given that, however, I think the author captures the whole movement perfectly from start to finish. Bree’s journey ultimately shows her the importance of real-life connections and experiences, and how dangerous living in the virtual social media world can be.

And perhaps that’s the point – it’s time to refocus on real people, not virtual, fake images.

AUTHOR BIO:

 Facebook: /KristinRockaway Twitter: @KristinRockaway Instagram: @KristinRockway

Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker with an insatiable case of wanderlust. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of software. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and planning her next big vacation.

Thanks for stopping by my stop on the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Women’s Fiction & Romance. Be sure to check back throughout the summer for more reviews!

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Blog Tour (Review): The Black Swan of Paris

I’ll be honest:  this book had me at the theater. I always like finding unique settings in historical fiction novels, and this one certainly qualifies.

I loved how the author set everything up. The connections between characters were tenuous and not easily discernable, adding a bit of mystery. The backstory unfolds slowly, which adds to the tension that is already felt through the setting.

I think that there must have been copious amounts of research because the author captured the essence of theater. Having been in theater myself, I could picture the costumes and stage area, and I could practically smell the aroma that all backstage areas seem to share. Sweat, makeup, perfume, and grease (among others) all combine into a scent that is uniquely “theater.”

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Not only was the general theatrical atmosphere accurate, but the author also managed to balance the ominous presence of the Nazis against the magic of the theater. It was an interesting juxtaposition that gave those scenes depth.

As to the plot itself, has everything a good read should have. There’s intrigue, espionage, romance, and…oh yeah, don’t forget the Nazis. A stunning singer with a hidden past and her dashing manager (who is not what he seems) are the stars, but the secondary characters have just as much depth. And everyone has secrets.

I did think that the plot sagged a bit after the initial introductions and set-up. There were still important points, but the drive forward slowed. Fortunately, it sped up quickly, and the last third of the book was nonstop action. I’m not going to spoil the plot, but let’s just say that it was all very movie-worthy.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the author’s attention to detail. She really created theatrical Paris in the last stages of the Nazi occupation, and made me care what happened to the characters.

AUTHOR BIO

Karen Robards is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty novels and one novella. She is the winner of six Silver Pen awards and numerous other awards.

Author Website: http://karenrobards.com/
TWITTER: @TheKarenRobards
FB: @AuthorKarenRobards

Thanks for stopping by for the second entry in the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Historical Fiction. Check back in later this month for The Woman Before Wallis.

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Books On Tour (Review): I Know You Lied by Lesley Sanderson

I had really high hopes for this book and the author did a great job of keeping my focus for nearly the entire story. However, the end became a little shaky (not enough to ruin it thought. Read on).

I loved the set up for this book. From the beginning with the mysterious letters and Nell’s decision to investigate her family history, I was drawn in. I wanted to know more about her past, just as she did.

How much did her grandmother influence…well, everything. Does Adam, have an ulterior motive or is he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? And how much influence does Joyce really have?

The author had me guessing throughout nearly the entire book, and I especially liked the touches of gaslighting that occurred throughout the plot. Disrupted backpacks, unlocked and suddenly locked doors, and fences…who is responsible? Who is an ally and who has ulterior motive? There were a few characters I wasn’t sure about the entire time, and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is where the author really excelled.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B086C6BF22Social Apple: https://apple.co/2JgedGb
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3aj5IWE Google: https://bit.ly/2WLwS4w

I also liked the flashback chapters that gave the reader the backstory on Sarah and her interactions with her husband’s family. These were poignant and informative and gave depth to both her story and (by relation) Nell’s story.

All of that being said, I loved the story right up until just over three-quarters of the way through. At that point, I felt like the author was trying to tie everything up and that there were some leaps of logic. I also felt that the ending was incomplete; sort of like there was a big build up and then the reveal did not live up to that.

I was left with a few questions, even after the book was finished. With that said, however, I still really enjoyed the story. I appreciated Nell’s journey to find her real family history. I would recommend it for that reason alone.   

Author Bio:

Lesley attended the Curtis Brown Creative 6 month novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 The Orchid Girls (then On The Edge) was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize.

Lesley is the author of psychological thrillers and spends her days writing in coffee shops in Kings Cross where she lives and works as a librarian. She loves the atmosphere and eclectic mix of people in the area. Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has been hooked on psychological thrillers ever since.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lsandersonbooks/
 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LSandersonbooks
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Books On Tour (Review): The Sunset Sisters by Cecilia Lyra

On the surface, this book is about two estranged sisters. When their grandmother, Bertie, passes away, she specifies in her will that to inherit anything, they must reconcile by spending a month at her beach house. The premise itself is interesting, but there is also so much more at stake than initially appears.

I thought that the author did a good job setting the stage for the “reconciliation.” It was apparent from the beginning that although they used to be close, Cassie and Julie had gone completely separate ways for almost 15 years. The reasons for that are revealed slowly, with small hints in the form of inner thoughts and barbed retorts giving the reader clues along the way.

I was very interested in the dynamic between Cassie and Julie. Cassie was very prickly and a huge chip on her shoulder, where Julie was easygoing to the point of being a pushover. Cassie took advantage of that, which made her somewhat unlikeable to me at first. I warmed to her over time, though.

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Kobo: https://bit.ly/3eF13AX Google: https://bit.ly/37A7ylE

What I found particularly intriguing were the life choices that each of the women had made over the years of estrangement. Julie picked a husband who she felt took care of her (and not much else) in the form of control, something she had missed as a child. While Cassie, on the other hand, had made choices that were more along the lines of Julie’s mother. I thought this was a fascinating juxtaposition that was deeply explored and expertly relayed.

I thought that point that they had the same eyes (also the same as Bertie) was especially telling. Eyes are the windows to the soul. Cassie and Julie were more alike than either of them were willing to admit.

I liked how Bertie had everything planned out, right down to involving Craig. With the memories of both girls, and the opinions of Craig, she came across as the mother that neither girl truly had. She was also someone who I would love to know (especially because of her “New Age-y” vibe).

What made this book truly unique to me, however, was Julie’s narrating the dual princess stories. I could see where that was going from the beginning. I was thrilled that the author used that as part of her character development. It was so illustrative, and I loved it. I was also pleasantly surprised that one character did something that I didn’t expect (no spoilers, but I expected a different choice to be made).

I loved the poignancy, and the story was heartfelt. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Author Bio
Cecilia is an author with a reading addiction — a serious one. She is a lover of wine and all things chocolate, and the proud mother of Babaganoush, an English Bulldog. She is also a recovering lawyer, but asks that you do not hold that against her. 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ceciliaclyra
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Books On Tour (Review): Can I Give My Husband Back? by Kristen Bailey

I really enjoyed Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? the first in what looks like a series from a very talented and astute author. And I liked this one even more. Ms. Bailey has upped her game, and the result is a winner of a book.

In this second book, we follow Emma. She is the second oldest of the Callaghan sisters, so I am sensing a pattern; please let it be so! A compassionate heart surgeon, she is divorced from her cheating bastard of a husband (and that’s treating him nicely). This is her story.

I love how this author builds layers. Characters who seemingly have a small part in the plot sometimes end up sharing a nugget of wisdom that has great impact. A perfect example is little Lewis, one of her patients, who wisely states that Dr. C “fixes hearts.” He has no idea how accurate he is. Oh, and he has quite the adventure as well (great scene, that).

Anybody who has been involved in a divorce will be able to find a character in this book to relate to. Emma moves between anger, self-doubt, and “screw him” seamlessly. The emotional roller coaster is real and accurately portrayed. Maddie, her secretary, is loyal and always looks out for Emma’s best interests.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2UBgYYG Apple: https://apple.co/30FT4zf
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2UBdYvr Google: https://bit.ly/30FT8yZ

And then there are the sisters. We already met Meg in the first book. I liked how part of this one overlapped so that there was a common timeline. It tied the books together neatly, instead of them being in a vacuum. Meg doesn’t figure much in this book. Neither does Grace, who makes a cameo with big news that I assume will be part of her story.

We do get healthy doses of Beth and Lucy, the two youngest Callaghans, and boy I cannot WAIT for their stories. Lucy particularly had me laughing out loud several times. While some might see her as mere comic relief (and there is plenty of that, especially when she is Elsa), she is also fiercely loyal to her sisters. She made me think of the yappy little dog who will protect its owner.

One thing I noticed in Meg’s story, and it’s even more pronounced here, is that the author doesn’t hit you over the head with lessons or plot points. She tells a person’s story, and it’s up to the reader to get what they want out of it. I appreciate the craft that goes into that.

Ms. Bailey knows how to set and describe a scene so that it feels like the reader is actually there. From the aforementioned Elsa moments to Beth’s birthday, to a raucous and thoroughly enjoyable trivia competition that left tears rolling down my face, the humanity and the humor are captured perfectly.

I also liked how she didn’t wrap everything up neatly with a bow. While that’s fine for some books, the overlapping timelines from the first and second books illuminate that life is an ongoing story. I assume that we will be able to follow Emma’s progression through the other sisters’ stories.

I hope I’m right about this, because it means that I’ll get three more chances to visit the Callaghan sisters. I look forward to Grace’s because I think I will be able to relate to her. And I really can’t wait for Lucy’s!

Seriously, do yourself a favor and pick up Has Anyone Seen My Sex Life? and then move on to this one so you’re call caught up.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristenbaileywrites/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenbaileywrites/
Twitter: @mrsbaileywrites
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Books On Tour (Review): The Accusation by Victoria Jenkins

I have to admit; I’m a little bit confused by this one. It started as one type of psychological thriller, then morphed into another about halfway through the book. Both halves were interesting in their own right.

Jenna is the perfect example of “no good deed goes unpunished.” She tries to help a woman in the park, but it backs up on her in a major way, throwing her life into absolute chaos. It doesn’t help that Jenna’s husband has been acting strangely, and her teenage daughter is rebelling against pretty much everything.

There are a few clues early on that there may be more in play than what meets the eye. And that’s where I got a little bit confused. It almost felt like the author tried to do too much to make it twisty. It could have been more straight forward, and it still would have been a great story.

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Kobo: http://bit.ly/3b0ZqLa Google: http://bit.ly/39Z0Fuh

Once the revelations started popping up, they led to more questions for me. I think the biggest one is that it seemed as if Jenna should have recognized the danger. I don’t want to say more than that (no spoilers), but I mean it in the very simplest of terms.

There were also more than a few red herrings; some were good, and some didn’t go anywhere. There were a couple that almost seemed as if they got edited out because they had promise. Then they were never mentioned again. It just lacked focus, I guess, is the best way to put it.

Now, I realize that what I just wrote may make it seem like I didn’t like the book, but that’s not true. I actually enjoyed it very much and read it in essentially one sitting. It was engrossing, and the author did a good job of offering a lot of little threads to weave into the overall story.

I also liked Jenna as the main character. She was strong and pretty much stood up for herself. And the author made her untrustworthy by the way Jenna interacted with her husband after the initial accusation. (It didn’t help that her husband was pretty much being a jerk, but he sort of did have reasons for that). Jenna’s initial dishonesty cast doubt on her character that carried through the entire book, right up until we find out the truth about why everything was happening.

So, I would still recommend this as a good psych thriller. I just wish there had been a tad more consistency.

Author Bio

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, was published December 10th 2019 and The Accusation publishes June 9th 2020.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/victoriajenkinswriter/
Twitter:     https://twitter.com/vicwritescrime
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Books On Tour (Review): I Know Your Secret by Ruth Heald

Twisted doesn’t even being to describe this book. It’s part cat and mouse, part psychological thriller, part domestic drama, and all fantastic. For once, the tag line absolutely, 100% fits!

The author does a great job of laying out the background to set everything up. The intent of the two main characters (Beth and Danielle) are made clear and the character lines are clearly drawn.

Or are they?

Told in alternating points of view between the two, the plot moves along crisply. Instead of going back over a singular event from each point of view, the author uses the two different perspectives to propel the story. It’s effective and made for more interesting reading.

It also allowed the author to drop a bombshell and then switch characters, often leaving me speechless and wanting to get back to that perspective. Fortunately, the chapters are quite short, which also swiftly moves the story.

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The constant and quick switches back and forth also kept me off balance. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was really going on, something else would happen that would make me question what I thought I knew. I enjoyed not being able to predict what would happen next (as sometimes happens).

I don’t do spoilers. I can’t stand them. With a plot this intricate, it would be difficult to say anything specific without potentially giving something away. Suffice to say that little things that are innocuous probably aren’t and what appears to be important may not be.

Nothing is as it seems.

The set up takes a while, but once you reach roughly halfway, the action and revelations pick up enormous speed and it’s a breathless race to the finish with all of the secrets being revealed in rapid-fire succession. If ever there was a book that was aptly described as a roller coaster ride this is the one.

Seriously, don’t miss it.

Author Bio:
Ruth Heald is a psychological thriller writer from a suburban Buckinghamshire town. She studied Economics at Oxford and then worked in an eclectic mix of sectors from nuclear decommissioning to management consulting.

Seeking a more creative environment, she found a role at the BBC and worked there for nine years before leaving to write full time. Ruth is fascinated by psychology and finding out what drives people to violence, destruction and revenge. She’s married with one daughter and her novels explore our greatest fears in otherwise ordinary, domestic lives.

Website: http://rjheald.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruth.heald
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RJ_Heald

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Book Review: Sandy by Melanie Moreland

I have many more thoughts on this book, but for whatever reason, I’m a little emotional about this series ending, and I’m having a hard time pulling them together. Until I do, here’s a brief review.

But trust me when I say that you should do yourself a favor and read this series. You will not be disappointed. I hope you fall in love with it as much as I did.

Sandy (Vested Interest #7)Sandy by Melanie Moreland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know that feeling you get when your favorite television series ends? Like you want to know how it all turns out in the end, but you’re dreading it because you know that it will be “the end?” That’s the feeling I had as I approached reading Sandy. I have become so engrossed in the Vested Interest universe and have loved every minute of their stories. I was happy to see Sandy get center stage, and I really appreciated a mature romance. In some ways, it just seemed more sensible than other romances. The message of it’s never too late for a second chance at happiness is heartfelt and pure. I’m going to miss this series (but thank goodness for re-reads). Now the author can work on BAM: The Next Generation 😊

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Blog Tour (Review): Everything to Lose by Gordon Bickerstaff

Hands down one of the most action-packed plots I have read recently (and I’ve read a few), this book is not just a roller coaster of a read. Think the fastest roller coaster with switchbacks and loops where you never know which thrill is coming next.

There is sort of dual plot going, because Gavin (a scientist) is trying to stop the launch of a deadly drug. But when he disappears, Zoe has to find him before it’s too late. But too late for what? Just about everything.

I liked the chemistry between Zoe and Gavin. They were individuals who knew their place but also knew how they had to rely on each other. Well, maybe Gavin has to rely on Zoe a little bit more than vice versa. But she’s a badass to be reckoned with.

There is amazing science, but the author does a good job of making it easily understood. I’m not a science person and sometimes shut down if things get too technical. But that didn’t happen with this book. I was able to follow it and I learned a lot in the process.

There was also political intrigue, which is always a favorite of mine. I liked how the author made me uncertain as to whether or not I should trust a character, and what their motives actually were. None of it felt contrived but natural to the story. A revelation towards the end was especially interesting (no spoilers).

AMAZON UK: https://tinyurl.com/EverythingToLose-AmazonUK
AMAZON US: https://tinyurl.com/EverythingToLose-AmazonUS
BOOK DEPOSITORY: https://tinyurl.com/EverythingToLose-BookDeposit

I will say that this is not a book that you can read casually. I almost felt like I should be taking notes, because there were many intricate details, connections and plot points. Trust me when I say you need to be paying attention when you read this one.

I did not read the first book in the series, so I don’t know if I missed anything. I have seen reviews that mention the action flows from one book to this one. I didn’t feel like I came in at the middle of anything, so I would say that it is okay to read this as a standalone. I really enjoyed it.

That being said, there is a major cliffhanger that will lead to book three, so if you have the time, I would suggest going back and starting with the first book, just so you get the whole story. I have a feeling that strung together, it’s all going to be pretty epic.

About Gordon Bickerstaff:

I was born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland. I studied biochemistry, and I’ve worked in several Scottish universities where I did research on enzymes, and taught biochemistry. After thirty years of teaching and research I retired my academic pen, and took of a mightier fiction pen. 

I live in central Scotland with my wife and we enjoy reading, writing, and walking in the hills.

The Lambeth Group books follow the secret government investigations of agent Zoe Tampsin. A strong female protagonist with courage, determination, and guile. She is assisted by specialist consultant, Gavin Shawlens.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GFBickerstaff 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012357701552 
Website: http://bit.ly/1g4gEoa
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gordon-bickerstaff 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5776209.Gordon_Bickerstaff
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Books On Tour (Review): First Shot by John Ryder

One of three stunning thrillers I read this past week, this one had all of the expected action and then some! It’s a fantastic start to what looks like a new series. Get excited!

Grant Fletcher (our hero) has an intriguing backstory. He is a Royal Marine. While previously serving in Afghanistan, his life was saved by a US Marine, Don Ogilvie. When Don’s daughter goes missing, he calls Grant to help find her.

But it’s not all as simple as that.

In the course of following leads, Grant finds out that several girls have gone missing in a small, backwater town in Georgia, so the case becomes infinitely more complicated. He teams up with FBI Special Agent Zoey Quadrado, who is also investigating the missing girls. What follows is lots of page-turning action. And that’s all I’m going to say about the plot itself.

BUY LINK: https://geni.us/B085DXSTKLSocial

I liked Grant a lot. He was patient and astute but could kick some ass when necessary. He wasn’t a typical “fight his way through everything” action hero. He always thought through a problem. I liked his attitude and his demeanor when dealing with other characters. He actually reminded me a lot of Gibbs from the television show “NCIS.” Calm and measured most of the time, but don’t mess with him.

I was less taken with Zoey, although I did understand her character. Their initial meeting was less than ideal, and from that, I didn’t find her to be especially impartial. But they ended up having a relationship that has promise.

As to the town they were working in, holy moly was that a weird one. From odd characters (loved how Grant gave them nicknames to distinguish them) to a cult-like atmosphere, Daversville was a unique setting that gave angles and depth to what could have been a run-of-the-mill missper case.

I enjoyed this book overall, and I look forward to future thrillers featuring Grant Fletcher.

Author Bio

John Ryder is a former farmworker and joiner. He’s turned his hand to many skills to put food on the table and clothes on his back. A life-long bibliophile, he eventually summoned the courage to try writing himself, and his Grant Fletcher novels have drawn inspiration from authors such as Lee Child, Tom Cain, Zoe Sharp and Matt Hilton. When it comes to future novels, he says he has more ideas than time to write them.

When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.

Author Social Media Links: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRyderAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnRyder101
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