Bookouture Archives

August 6, 2020August 5, 2020

The New Girlfriend by Sheryl Browne – Books On Tour (Review)

Here’s another psychological thriller that I have mixed feelings about. The plot was one of the better ones I have come across. However, I had a difficult time getting behind a couple of the main characters.

You’ve seen the background elsewhere. As Cassie mourns the death of her son, Josh, a woman pops up claiming to be the mother of Josh’s child. In her grief, Cassie wants to believe her, but at the same time, feels like it is too convenient. Adam (Cassie’s husband) agrees. It doesn’t help that Cassie is harboring deep secrets of her own.

I think that is what made her unsympathetic to me. She made her own bed and had to lie in it. Maybe she saw a kindred spirit in Kim (the baby mama). Or maybe she was just a bad person. Regardless, it was difficult to feel sorry for her. Frankly, one of her actions really made me despise her.

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I kind of felt the same way about Kim, although she did have a terrible home life that she was trying to escape. I couldn’t blame her for that. But she was untrustworthy as well. I don’t think that a rotten homelife excuses the things she did.

The person I did feel sorry for was Adam. He seemed to be caught in the middle of all of the crazy women. I rooted for him to be able to escape it all safely. There were other characters who were mentioned in passing at the beginning, and then weren’t really brought up again until halfway through the book.

And that’s really when the story started taking its twists and turns. I’m not going to say anything else, but the second half of the book was definitely more interesting than the first half. So, give this one a try. I think if you come at it that the first half is the set up for the last part, it works as a whole.

Author Bio
Sheryl Browne writes psychological thriller and edgy contemporary fiction. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association, Romantic Novelists’ Association and awarded a Red Ribbon by The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, Sheryl has several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where she completed her MA in Creative Writing.

August 5, 2020August 4, 2020

Another Woman’s Child by Kerry Fisher – Books On Tour (Review)

Jo and Ginny have been best friends for decades. When Ginny reveals she has terminal cancer, she asks Jo to take care of her teenage son, Victor. Jo is already struggling with her own teen daughter (drama!), but she feels she owes it to her oldest friend to help where she can. Jo has no idea what that ultimately means for her family.

This is the set up for this introspective and ultimately uplifting book about being steadfast and doing the right thing even when everything you’ve thought you’ve built seems to be crumbling.

I’m not going to lie. Jo really got on my nerves in the first part of the book. Everything always seemed to be about her, and how worried she was about what everyone else would think. She was a definite people-pleaser. Everyone knows the type: someone who tries too hard and it becomes painfully obvious that they’re desperate to be hitting the right tone and intent.

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Jo’s daughter, Phoebe, is a hellion. There’s no other way to put it. She acts like a spoiled brat and obviously likes to push boundaries (and her mom’s buttons) for entertainment. Jo’s husband, Patrick, has also known Jo long enough that he usually just steps back and lets her spiral. And poor Victor, who lost his mom, is thrown into all of this crazy in a new town where he is the only person of color.

However, when there is a big family revelation (right about halfway through the book), everything changes. Long-held beliefs are shaken, loyalties are questioned, and everyone is forced to take a step back to re-evaluate their perspectives on the situation.

I thought the author handled the challenges facing the family with awareness and insight. I thought that each character’s reactions were individualized. It was obvious that a lot of thought went into the various characters and their personalities.

The author also provides a searing, and accurate, commentary on racism. At times it was difficult to read, but as the white mom of an Ethiopian son, I am familiar with some of the prejudices that the townspeople showed towards Victor. It’s an unfortunate part of human nature to accuse what is easiest to see, not what is most difficult to understand. I think the author did a good job with handling this subject, especially when it came to how the family ultimately handled all of it.

I went into this book expecting one thing and feeling one way about most of the characters, but my opinion of them completely transformed through the author’s thoughtful portrayal. I highly recommend this book about resilience and the importance of family.

Author Bio
Kerry Fisher is a million-copy bestselling author. She writes women’s contemporary fiction, is a USA Today bestseller and her books have been translated into twelve languages. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica. After returning to England to work as a journalist, she eventually abandoned real life stories for the secrets of fictional families. She lives in Surrey with her husband, and a naughty Lab/Schnauzer called Poppy, who joins in the huge dances of joy when her young adult children come home.

August 4, 2020August 3, 2020

The Wife’s Choice by Emma Davies – Books On Tour (Review)

This is the second book in a row that I was intrigued by, and enjoyed, but still felt like there was something missing.

I could identify with Alys’ outlook on just about everything: her feelings of being unimportant at work (with the work not exactly being fulfilling to begin with), the way she had to run interference between her daughter and her husband, being at a crossroads in her life…all relatable.

Especially that feeling of what might have been. I think every woman who has reached a certain age totally gets that one. Usually, it is in tandem with “the one that got away.” It’s almost that way for Alys, but with a little twist.

I’m not telling what it is (you can read that elsewhere).

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While I related to most of the situations Alys was dealing with, I found the writing style to be a little bit jarring. It switches from “I rush into the other room” to an inner monologue of “seeing you again has brought emotions back” – but Alys is not saying the second part to anyone.

It’s hard to explain, almost like these moments are supposed to be Alys’ inner monologue, but they’re not constant. As I said, it was jarring each time it occurred.

But I did like the trajectory and could understand how conflicted Alys was. I also liked how the secondary characters had just as much backstory as the main ones. And I especially appreciated the strong female friendship between Alys and Nancy. I thought that was a highlight.

I would recommend the book for some strong female characters and relatable situations.

Author Bio

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her): https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/

August 3, 2020August 2, 2020

My Mother’s Choice by Ali Mercer – Books On Tour (Review)

This story left me feeling conflicted. I thought the character development, especially of the main character, was realistic, and the plot was well thought-out, but overall…well, I can’t quite put my finger on it.

The gist of the story is Dani has grown up under the guidance of her aunt for ten years. She has random flashes of memory of her dad and aunt from when she was four years old, but not many memories of her mom.

Her aunt has set a lot of rules, and (like any 14-year-old) Dani rails against many of them. Her aunt calls in Dani’s dad, but nothing is really clarified for Dani.

Until she finds her mom’s diary in the attic and everything changes. The phrase “be careful what you wish for” came to mind.

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As she reads her mother’s diary, some of Dani’s questions are answered. But in turn, more questions arise. Dani pushes the issue with both her aunt and her dad until an explosive revelation brings everything out into the open.

In some ways, I thought that Dani was the most mature character out of the three of them. She seemed the most real to me. I especially appreciated how the author treated her as a real person and not a “typical teen.” I mean, there were definite teen moments, but Dani’s emotions and thoughts were deep and real. I liked that about her.

I understood the reasons for her aunt and dad to keep things from her, but I found it difficult to feel sorry for them. I got a definite “we know better” vibe, which just sat wrong with me for some reason.

I also didn’t feel like the revelation made as big of an impact as I thought it would. I don’t know if that’s because of my slight dislike for the adults, or what. But I think that’s where I am missing out on the bigger emotional punch of the climax.

I would still recommend this book, because I’m pretty sure that others will have a much different take than I did. I did feel for Dani, and commend the author for a teen character with more depth than many adult ones. That alone is worth the read.

Author Bio

Ali decided she wanted to be a writer early on and wrote her first novel when she was at primary school. She did an English degree and spent her early twenties working in various jobs in journalism, including as a reporter for the show business newspaper The Stage. She started writing fiction in earnest after getting married, moving out of London to the Oxfordshire market town of Abingdon and starting a family. She has two children, a daughter and a son who is autistic and was diagnosed when he was four years old.
Ali is fascinated by families, their myths and secrets, and the forces that hold them together, split them up and (sometimes) bring them back together again. She always travels with tissues and a book and has been known to cry over a good story but is also a big fan of the hopeful ending.

For updates and pictures, follow Ali on Twitter (@AlisonLMercer) or Instagram (@alimercerwriter), or on her Facebook page (AliMercerwriter)

August 1, 2020July 31, 2020

The Next Widow by C.J. Lyons – Books On Tour (Review)

I always love the excitement of a new series. I can’t wait to see how an author handles all of the details, from establishing backstories and relationships to addressing the plot at hand. If this book is any indication, the Jericho and Wright series promises to be quite thrilling, indeed.

The book kicks off strong with a gruesome trauma then careens into an even worse experience for Dr. Leah Wright and doesn’t let up for quite a bit. I liked how the author seemed to have no problem just jumping in and running with the story, as the first part was laced with tension and excitement.

There were just enough clues dropped that the reader was supposed to be kept off-balance. Are they legitimate or are they red herrings? I had my suspicions early on, but that’s only because of my background. Well, and the fact that I read A LOT of crime thriller and mysteries. I’m always looking for the alternative answers.

I’m not telling if I was right or not. Because that might give things away.

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I also thought it was interesting that the story sort of switched gears through the middle of the book. It became very “cat and mouse” as backstory was revealed, and possible motives came to the forefront. This worked somewhat, but also dragged in places.

The introduction of new “actors” was interesting though and set the stage for the last third of the book, which is when the author really hit a stride. It become much more “page turning” and interesting.

I’m not sure that all of the reasoning completely worked out. There were some things that didn’t ring true and felt forced. But overall, I liked where the plot ultimately ended up and was intrigued by the set-up for future stories.

I would definitely suggest giving this series a look and getting in at the very beginning. I have a feeling that the history of the two main characters will play a bigger role in books to come.

Author Bio

As a pediatric ER doctor, New York Times and USA Today Bestseller CJ Lyons has lived the life she writes about in her cutting edge Thrillers with Heart.

CJ has been called a “master within the genre” (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as “breathtakingly fast-paced” and “riveting” (Publishers Weekly) with “characters with beating hearts and three dimensions” (Newsday).

Learn more about CJ’s Thrillers with Heart at www.CJLyons.net

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020

The Girls of Victory Street by Pam Howes: Books On Tour Blog Tour

World War II serves as a backdrop for this novel, which is ultimately a study about resilience and how life carries on even as it seems to be falling apart. Heartfelt and honest, it was a quick and thoughtful read.

I liked how the author started the story before the beginning of the war. It allowed the reader to get a feel for the town and the characters. The underlying knowledge that things were going to change added tension.

Not that there was more needed. Bella and her family face quite a few challenges, war or no war. I did feel like one particular moment early on was glossed over rather quickly. I would have expected it to have more impact and taken up more space in the plot.

I think because it happened so early, I hadn’t had the chance to get a good understanding of the character. That resulted in the event almost feeling more contrived that it should have been.

I really enjoyed Bella’s “professional” trajectory. I’m a big fan of the Andrews Sisters, so I imagined them quite often throughout the book. That brought back some happy memories of learning about their music (and the era) when I was younger.

While I love historical fiction, especially WWII, I also liked that the war served more as a backdrop rather than a main plot point. It was a reminder that people still had everyday worries with the war piled on top.

I thought the message of music as a relief from the personal strains of life was also a good one. The importance of finding something that makes you happy, regardless of what else is going on, should never be underestimated.

Oh, and just a nitpicky thing about the blurb: accurate events, not in the same order as the plot.

Author Bio
Pam is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren and roadie to her musician partner.

The inspiration for Pam’s first novel came from her teenage years, working in a record store, and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band The Raiders. She is a fan of sixties music and it’s this love that compelled her to begin writing.

July 23, 2020July 30, 2020

The Child Across the Street by Kerry Wilkinson – Books On Tour (Review)

I thought this author’s last book, After the Accident, was one of the most unique books I have read. So, I was looking forward to seeing how he followed it up.

Abi returns home after several years away and is immediately witness to a hit and run. The victim turns out to be the son of one of her oldest friends, Jo. From there, things just sort of…happen.

Usually I mention atmosphere or setting later in a review, but I’m putting it near the top because in this case, the situation within Abi’s hometown plays a direct bearing on the characters. In some ways it as influential as any person is on others in the story.

One of the things that Abi and her friends consistently comment on is how much has changed, yet still stayed the same. Hendo’s shoe factory was the lifeblood of the town. Once that happened, it took a lot of the town spirit with it.

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I think this is vital, because that means the story can easily be translated to any small town where factories or industry have dried up. Once jobs are gone, people lose hope and behavior becomes well…sketchy.

That’s absolutely the case in point here. Abi herself is chased by demons and falls into the same patterns that took her father. Holly (another friend) seems to be involved in a desperate scheme for money – but she didn’t feel she had a lot of other choices.

And then there’s Jo and her family. Secrets and lies abound here. And really, nobody does or says exactly the truth. It’s up to Abi, in her defeated state of mind, to try to figure everything out.

I’m not saying anything else about the plot, because of those secrets. While not quite reaching the bar he set, this is still fine psychological suspense.

July 18, 2020July 18, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): The Silent Dolls by Rita Herron

There’s a new detective in town, and Ellie Reeves is a force to be reckoned with as she navigates a missing child case that brings up dark memories.

I liked how the author jumped right into the story and didn’t waste a lot of time with slogging setups. Those are great, but sometimes in a new series, they can cause the real plot to be delayed until a bit later in the story. That’s not so in this case.

Something happened to Ellie when she was a child, and her parents think it could still affect her. This is a problem because her dad is the Sheriff, and she wants to replace him when he retires. But will he choose her? We find out the answer to that very early in the book, and her father’s decision has direct bearing on the case as it is investigated.

Not all of the characters are open books with clear agendas. Ranger Cord McClain has secrets, and his demeanor comes across as equal parts knowledge and strength balanced with mystery. What does Eula Ann know (or not know), and how is she connected to the missing girls? Is special Agent Derrick Fox guided by his personal tragedies? Or does he have information that could blow the case wide open and expose long-held beliefs in the process? And just who is the Watcher?

(A quick side note about Special Agent Fox. He reminded me a lot of Fox Mulder from “The X-Files.” Driven by an almost identical past event, FBI agent, similar name…it’s all there. If you’re familiar with the show, you’ll know exactly what I mean as you read the book)

These questions unravel against the backdrop of a little girl who has gone missing along the Appalachian Trail. There’s a big winter storm barreling down, so time is of the essence. Ellie and the above- mentioned characters all have their parts to play.

I did like that it was set in the U.S., where locations were actually familiar. Don’t get me wrong, I love my UK Detective Inspectors, but it was a nice change to have terminology and locations that were actually familiar. I think it did make a difference in how I could picture the action.

I know that I haven’t said much about the plot, but I always err on the side of caution when it comes to mystery thrillers like this one. A simple mention of a plot point could give away a more significant thread, and we know how much I hate that. I may have actually done it already…or did I?

You’ll have to read for yourself. I have a feeling that this is going to be an excellent series, so get in on the ground floor and read the first book now. I already can’t wait for the next one.

Author Bio:
USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.

With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.

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Website: www.ritaherron.com

July 15, 2020July 14, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Summer at Orchard House by Ellyn Oaksmith

Technically a romance, this story of three sisters trying to save their dad’s vineyard is also a testament to the importance of keeping the American Dream alive. It’s the perfect story for the times.

Right off the bat, I could tell that the author had a vast knowledge of the inner-working of vineyards, a thought that was confirmed the further I read. Whether it was from experience or copious amounts of research, it showed in the details. It also made the vineyard almost a character itself, instead of just a pretty setting for a story.

I think this was important because the vineyard is central to the plot, and it being more than an inanimate object was added depth to the importance of the plot of land. It became symbolic of everything the family had in life.

That was my favorite part of the whole plotline. From the first phone call that Carmen receives from her sister through the stories that unfold, the reason why the vineyard must be saved is clear. It’s their lifeblood, their representation of their family, and their part of the American Dream. Everything that America is to millions of people.

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I loved how Mr. Alvarez imbued that in his daughters, even if they didn’t exactly realize that at the time. I could relate to the feelings that Carmen had when she realized that she should have paid more attention to her father when she was younger. She regrets not learning from him more, and with his condition, it’s harder to do in the present time. That hit home for me.

I also liked how the author was fair to Evan, giving him depth as well. His character could have been the rich, annoying neighbor stereotype, and there were times that that kind of attitude appeared. However, I thought the author did him a great service in making him human and vulnerable. His first introduction where he felt lonely after meeting with Mr. Alvarez stuck with me through the whole book.

I really enjoyed the journey of all of the characters throughout the story. I would highly recommend this book for many reasons, but mainly for the attention to the heart of the story: the importance of maintaining and keeping sight of dreams.

Author Bio
Ellyn Oaksmith is a USA Today and Kindle bestselling author. After graduating from The American Film Institute, Ellyn was a screenwriter in Hollywood, pitching movies, rewriting scripts and navigating the Los Angeles freeways before Google Maps. Meeting movie stars was a fun and surreal perk.

Ellyn’s first book was published by Avon/Harper Collins. Other contemporary romances with smart, ambitious heroines followed.
Ellyn lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and their polydactyl cat, Forest. Ellyn is an avid competitive rower.

Website: http://ellynoaksmith.com/
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July 14, 2020July 12, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Her Shallow Grave by DK Hood

This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. I came in late at Her Broken Wings (#8), but have been trying to catch up since then. I’ve seen the progression. The writing is crisp, the characters are realistic and likable, and the villains are always super-creepy. This installment is no exception.

I really like how the author doesn’t beat around the bush. The action starts right away so there’s no guessing about where it’s headed and this one really takes the cake. The Sculptor is definitely one of the most chill-inducing and prolific baddies I have “met” in a book.

The camaraderie between Kane and Alton has grown over the series. They’ve been working together long enough that they’re a well-oiled machine. But that doesn’t mean they’ve become complacent. There’s a scene early on that illustrates just how “on top” of things they still are, especially Kane. The man is a beast.

The author also pays attention to secondary characters, giving them their own times to shine. FBI Agent Jo Wells and Bobby Kalo have their own parts to do. I especially like Bobby’s story.

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Actually, the more I think about it, the more I realize these books read more like a popular tv show. The characters all have their strengths and together they make a team. The plots are self-contained, but have the through-plot lines that continue from book to book. I dig that.

I’m trying to avoid the plot, because I really think books like this need to be experienced, and I don’t want to be the one to spoil someone’s experience. I mentioned The Sculptor; he is as nuanced as the regular characters, and I appreciate the attention to detail. I also like that one of the victims did not act like a typical victim. I was rooting for her. And that’s all I am going to say about that.

This is one of the few series that I think you really can read as stand-alones, but I do think you miss the background of the team. So jump in now.

Author Bio:

I’ve always had a wicked sense of humour and was the kid who told the ghost stories around the campfire. I am lucky to have family all over the world and have spent many vacations in places from Paris France to Montana USA and Australia. I use the wonderful memories from these visits to enhance my stories.

My interest in the development of forensic science to solve crime goes back many years. I enjoy writing crime, mystery and thrillers. With many stories, waiting for me to write I’ll look forward to sharing many spine-tingling stories with you.

D.K. Hood is an active member of International Thriller Writers