Tag: Books On Tour

Posted on

The Drowned Woman-Books On Tour (Review)-Mystery Suspense Thriller-Available Now

I really enjoyed the first book in this series (The Next Widow), so I was excited for the next installment to see what was up next for Luka and Leah. I came to some very interesting conclusions after reading this story.

First, I found that I was more interested in the character arcs of Luka and Leah than I was about the plotline itself. That’s not to say that the plotline was bad in any way. But it didn’t hold my attention the same way the characters did.

That’s interesting to me, because usually the plot enhances the characters and vice versa. For whatever reason this time, though, I kind of found them to be…separate.

Which actually is a little weird, because both Luka and Leah have personal ties to the plot of this book. So, I really can’t figure that out.

But I digress.

The second thing I learned that it’s almost always important to give a book a chance, even when you feel like giving up. I thought the beginning this book was slow. It was very difficult for me to get into it.

Again, this was strange because it takes place just a month after the first book, and a lot in the characters’ lives (especially Leah’s) is new. She is trying to adjust, both in her personal (after the tragedy in book one) and professional (she has a new job – more on that in a moment).

The book also starts with a prologue involving the death of a woman who thinks of (calls to?) Luka as she drowns. What’s that about? (I’m not telling).

See, all looks really good, right?

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08DZBNNRPSocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/DCwK50B3i9q
Kobo: http://ow.ly/jcOp50B3i6H
Google: http://ow.ly/DkDm50B3ibB

But the beginning dragged for me. I will admit, I was a bit turned off by Leah’s job. It was reminiscent of the push to defund the police. The attitudes of a couple of characters rubbed me the wrong way.

The dialogue surrounding her initial encounter with Walt was especially off-putting to me. That’s a personal thing on my part, though…I’m sure others won’t be bothered by it at all.

I also was able to peg the bad guy pretty easily, which was a little disappointing. I kept hoping that I was wrong and there would be a twist, but there wasn’t.

I did think that the plot picked up speed in the latter half of the book, with the last third especially being rapid fire and much more interesting. In spite of my suspicions being confirmed, I did like how it all ultimately fitted together.

But back to my initial thought about the characters – it really is about where Leah and Luka go next. I’ll still follow and hope for another good case for them.  

Facebook: cjlyons
Twitter:  @cjlyonswriter

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

Posted on

Silenced Girls-Books On Tour (Review)-Mystery Thriller-Available Now

Wow! What an introduction to a new series!

Seriously, before I say anything else, I just have to say that if you are a fan of mystery thrillers you need to get this book.

If you’re a fan of tough, smart heroines who are very real, you need to get this book.

And if you’re a fan of being taken along on a detailed case that follows an investigation perfectly, you need to get this book.

I can’t say enough good things about it.

Right from the prologue, where Victoria “Tori” Hunter is questioned about her sister’s disappearance, I could tell that it was going to be a well-told story. There was something about the style of writing and the interplay between characters that drew me in.

The story then jumps to present day and takes off from there. Honestly, it was so well-plotted I don’t want to give anything way, but the way the author moves between characters and events was flawless.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08L3L1TJVCover
Apple: http://ow.ly/edZZ50BQTi6
Kobo: http://ow.ly/s9ua50BQ5NX
Google: http://ow.ly/dmdD50BQ5TB

I really liked Tori. She was one of the most real characters I have “met.” Everything that was part of her story rang true – nothing seemed to be overdone or manipulative to fit the narrative. Her career trajectory, life choices, and attitude were all spot on.

I also appreciated Braddock and his history. I’m partial to NYPD stories, but I’m also picky about them. Authors often use a well-known department as a mechanism but treat it as any other law enforcement agency.

This author either did copious research or knew someone on the job, because he captured the attitude (and background) of an NYPD MOS perfectly. I think I actually knew this guy. I also appreciated that 9/11 wasn’t used as a crutch, but as a pivotal event that was a part of Braddock’s history. It was accurate.

The plot was excellent. Once again, everything just flowed. I especially liked how there was a side story that focused on Tori’s normal “every day” job. That was an interesting detour that gave the reader insight to Tori’s drive and professional persona. It also provided additional background.

The author does a great job of creating a “real” investigation. There are swings and misses, wrong avenues and surprise suspects. Again, I can’t stress how natural everything was.

I’m starting to repeat myself, but that’s because I want to emphasize how great the book was – but not give any plot points away.

Suffice to say that I’m very excited to have found Agent Tori Hunter, and I can’t wait to read more of her stories.  Definitely one of my top reads for the year.

FACEBOOK: rogerstelljesbooks
TWITTER: @RogerStelljes

Author Bio:

Roger Stelljes is the acclaimed New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of pulse-pounding murder mystery and suspense novels, including the Tori Hunter and McRyan Mystery Series. Roger’s crime thrillers are noted for their fast-paced, yet intricate plots filled with layered and complex characters.

Roger started his first novel in July 2002 while on vacation in Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes area and has been writing ever since. His debut book, The St. Paul Conspiracy, was nominated in genre fiction for the Minnesota Book Awards along with finalists Brian Freeman and William Kent Krueger. With his follow-up, Deadly Stillwater, where Vince Flynn hailed Roger as a “powerful new thriller voice”, he won the Midwest Independent Book Publishers award for commercial fiction.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Roger still lives there with his family. In addition to his work as an author, Roger is a partner in his law firm. Roger is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys spending time outdoors boating, attending hockey games, and honing his golf game.

Posted on

From a Paris Balcony-Books On Tour (Review)-Historical Fiction-Available Now

The story that started in Paris Time Capsule and continued in The House on the Lake finishes in From a Paris Balcony. As with the other two books in the trilogy, the author uses a contemporary plotline in conjunction with historical timelines.

This time we follow Sarah, an art curator whose life has been turned upside down. When she finds a mysterious letter that hints at a tragic mystery involving one of her ancestors, she takes the opportunity to go to Paris to see what she can uncover.

In the course of doing so, she rents the apartment that has been central in the trilogy – Marthe’s Belle Epoque living quarters that had been closed up for decades. Of course, there has to be conflict (because nothing is easy in Paris) and it seems as if an artist is already in residence.

It’s no spoiler to say that Laurent and Sarah are meant to be the couple to follow, but in honesty, I didn’t much care for their story line. As with the other two books, the contemporary sections felt awkward.

The dialogue didn’t flow, there didn’t seem to be a lot of chemistry, and some of the plot points seemed at loose ends. The transitions between the two eras were sometimes abrupt and it almost seemed like the author lost focus for a bit before bringing the plot back to wrap up at the end.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2TQf1Xq
Apple: https://apple.co/34MvBxK
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2TJrqN5
Google: https://bit.ly/34OQQze

What kept me reading, however, were the historical sections. With Marthe’s story coming to a close, it is now easy to see that this is where the author seemed much more comfortable. I really got a better sense of Marthe’s time and the events that led to the tragedy mentioned in the letter that Sarah found.

I don’t know if it’s the intrigue of the closed-up apartment and period it “lives” in that draws my attention or if the writer was just more comfortable creating a story around an actual event (opposed to fabricating Sarah’s contemporary life).

I can’t speculate on the latter, but it certainly appeared to me that the author liked the past and treated that storyline with more care. All in all, it was a good trilogy, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it.

Website: http://www.ellacarey.com/
Facebook: ellacareyauthor
Twitter: @Ella_Carey

Author Bio:

Ella Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen languages, in twelve countries, and have been shortlisted for ARRA awards. A Francophile who has long been fascinated by secret histories set in Europe’s entrancing past, Ella has degrees in music, nineteenth-century women’s fiction, and modern European history. She lives in Melbourne with her two children and two Italian greyhounds who are constantly mistaken for whippets.

Posted on

The First Time We Met-Books On Tour (Review)-RomCom-Available Now

I’m going to admit, I started this book very confused.

On the one hand, I enjoyed the back and forth between Izzy and Sam. I thought that their connection was obvious, and I could literally feel the relationship “fizz” between them. However, there were other parts where it seemed as if the author was just trying to fill in in order to move to the next fizzy part.

Case in point – within “Part I” of the book, there were several life events for both Sam and Izzy that were quickly glossed over. Births, deaths, break-ups, moves. It was quite a whirlwind and didn’t give me sound footing. I understand that the author needed to get to the rest of the book, but I wish it had been a little bit smoother.

In Part II, however (and through the rest of the book), the plot follows a more regulated timeline of both Sam’s and Izzy’s lives.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2HSL06J Apple: https://apple.co/3akac09
Kobo: https://bit.ly/31Oiyt6 Google: https://bit.ly/30PqKdk

What I liked about the book was how it reminded me of a 90s Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movie. And I thought that even before it was mentioned in the book!

Obviously, the course of true love never does run smoothly, and that’s certainly the case with Sam and Izzy. They were two ships passing in the night. Repeatedly. Just when they seemed as if they were on the right track, life kicked them back again.

I didn’t mind that, because it kept me guessing as to whether or not they would ever be at the right place at the right time together. But, as with any good RomCom, love prevails (of course). You know it’s going to, but it’s all about the journey getting there. I loved how it all came full circle, quite literally.

And any book that has a “Friends” reference is okay by me.

Twitter: @JoLovettWrites

Author Bio:

Jo Lovett lives in London with her family.

She worked in Corporate Tax before taking a longer-than-expected career break to have more-than-expected children (five). She started writing romantic comedy when she realised that she was regularly begging her oldest son to let her do his English homework but she wasn’t actually that interested in haunted houses or Macbeth.

Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019.

When she can escape from her laundry mountain and childcare, she enjoys reading, tennis and wine.

Posted on

She Lies Alone-Books On Tour (Review)-Psychological Suspense-Available Now

It is difficult to classify this book. The cover says that it is a psychological suspense novel, but there’s also mystery involved. Frankly, I didn’t get much of a “typical” psych suspense from it…more straight-up suspense. But maybe that’s just me.  

The book starts with a jogger finding a body on a high school soccer field. The plot then skips back to the weeks prior to the discovery. Most of the book relates the events leading up to the tragic death.

Told through alternating points of view, the story unfolds from the eyes of a teacher, Jane, and a parent, Amy. We get very different perspectives from each of them, but put together, the full picture emerges.

An interesting note: as I read, I was sure that there were other narrators. But in writing this review, I went back to verify, and every other chapter was either Jane or Amy. There were a few exceptions where one or the other had a couple of chapters in a row.  

I think it’s a sign of good writing that an author can use two characters to paint such a complete picture that it seems like there are more people telling the story. I didn’t realize that until going back and checking, so very well done there.

I was able to relate to this book because I am a former high school teacher. Both the characters (administration, teachers, parents, students) and the setting were familiar. I recognized people I have worked with, especially among the teachers.

The attitudes were also familiar: the admin who only cares about test scores, the secretary who thinks she controls everything, the differing approaches of teachers…I’ve experienced them all.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08HNJNBX6Social
Apple: http://ow.ly/R6Zt50BpJ4o 
Kobo: http://ow.ly/eWv650BpJ2I 
Google:  http://ow.ly/t2Wz50BpJ5q 

I will say that Jane annoyed the heck out of me, and I spent most of the book rooting against her. Maybe it was due to personal experience with teachers like her or maybe she was just unlikeable. But her attitude, assumptions, and barbed comments and thoughts got on my nerves.

I had a difficult time discerning whether she was written that way on purpose to counteract Elena’s more positive approach, or to highlight the differences between an English teacher and a Chemistry teacher, or just to be the vessel that the revelations of the events come through.

Regardless, she did have the longest journey and it seemed by the end that she had seen the error of her approach and was determined to do better in memory of her friend.

I don’t want to say much else, because there were a few surprises along the way. I did guess a few of them (I figured out early on who was leaving the envelopes in Amy’s mailbox). I liked how the end wrapped up the earlier premise that teenagers go through phases – not saying more than that, but it was subtle yet effective.

Less successful, however, was the reveal as to “whodunit.” In hindsight, I see how it was all plotted, but the connections seemed tenuous. I’m not sure it was altogether “believable,” especially in light of the character’s other actions.

Likewise, there was a subplot that seemed to be used solely as a manipulation. I kept expecting a shoe to drop on that case (would have been an even more interesting twist), but it essentially went nowhere.  

That being said, it was still an interesting story and there was enough to keep me interested that I read it mostly in one sitting. You won’t be disappointed with this one.

Facebook: LauraWolfeBooks
Twitter: @LauraWolfeBooks
Website:  https://www.laurawolfebooks.com/

Author Bio:

Laura Wolfe is a lover of animals and nature. When she is not writing, she can be found playing games with her highly-energetic kids, riding horses, growing vegetables in her garden, or spoiling her rescue dog. She lives in her home state of Michigan with her husband, son, and daughter. Laura’s YA mystery, Trail of Secrets, was named as a Finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Laura holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan and a JD from DePaul University. She is an active member of multiple writing groups, including Sisters in Crime and the SCBWI.  

Posted on

The One Before-Books On Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

I’ve been on another psych/suspense thriller kick lately. Fortunately, most of them have been pretty good, and each one has had something unique that makes them stand out.

For The One Before, I’d have to say that the author pulls a switch that I absolutely did not see coming, and it changed my perspective on the story completely.

Well done for that.

I did feel like the story started slowly.  I’ll admit that I wasn’t entirely sure that I was going to like the book. It felt very methodical and almost formulaic. Outsider engaged to rich golden boy; they move to boy’s hometown where his family rules the roost; town members are divided about past events.

Only once you reach a particular point in the book (you’ll know it when you read it), you realize that everything was put in place exactly this way to lull the reader into a sense of familiarity and maybe even complacency.

And the purpose all along is to be able to slap the reader in the face with a twist. Or four.

Truly, this book totally picked up in the second half. Once I got to the turning point, I couldn’t put it down.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/34Cl9sC
Apple: https://apple.co/3fystYI
Kobo: https://bit.ly/30tnCUl
Google: https://bit.ly/31jUygW

To me, Cooper was the most complex character. In some ways, he was an enigma as he had escaped Whisper – only to return and become more like his family. It was an interesting switch for him.

I didn’t care for Madison that much at first. I thought the author maybe injected Madison with some of her personal perspectives on feminism. There were also a couple of relatively throwaway political comments that served no purpose to the plot and only seemed to be inserted for “points.” That annoyed me, and me unsympathetic towards Madison.

However, I think that Madison realized the error of her past choices and was on a path to redemption.  Her journey was tough, but she did better herself – at least a little bit.  

I will admit that I did guess one of the more major twists – but that was only because I play a game with myself that I try to think of the most “out there” twist and then see if I’m right. This time I was – but not about all of them.

I would definitely recommend picking up and sticking with this one. You’ll be glad you did. And while you’re at it, check out this author’s other books Some Days are Dark and What I Know.

Author Bio:
Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children. 

Website: https://mirandasmithwriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaSmithAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/msmithbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/

Posted on

The Perfect Liar-Books On Tour (Review)-Psych Thriller-Available Now

This book had a great premise, but I can’t help feeling that there was something lacking.

Don’t get me wrong; I read it one sitting, so it definitely had me engrossed and curious to see what happened. I liked the set up of three women “getting away from it all” and heading to Tuscany, especially since they all seemed to be in disparate places in life.

Susanne was divorced and missing her teenage son who was off on holiday with her ex-husband. Evie, her new friend, had recently lost her mother, inherited her mother’s house, and was at loose ends. Dale, her long-time best friend, was just ready for a vacation.

When they get to the villa (owned by a friend of Susanne’s) they find that Harry (the friend’s godson) is already there. Is Harry too good to be true, as he doesn’t seem to mind the company of the older ladies, especially Susanne?

Or is something else going on?

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08H8KMV4GSocial
Apple:  http://ow.ly/a1E650BgGxB
Kobo: http://ow.ly/DeYX50BgGwu
Google:  http://ow.ly/aXKW50BgGAz

The author does a good job of casting doubt on each of the character’s motivations. There’s just enough to question about each of them that I was never quite sure if anyone had ulterior motives or not.

There was also a great twist at the very end that got me. I didn’t see it coming and it was a great way to end the book.

All of that being said, there were a few things that could have been slightly better.

I thought that the character development could have been a little bit deeper. It seemed like each woman’s situation was more for the plot than for any development of the character. Even though each woman’s situation was unique, there didn’t seem to be much purpose for the situations.

Every time I thought each woman’s perspective would produce a new offshoot of interest, it didn’t. There seemed to be quite a few paths that were approached but never taken.

There was a definite “Talented Mr. Ripley” vibe to the whole thing as well. You’ll understand when you read it.

At one point in the book, the author also introduces a new point of view. It quickly becomes apparent why that person is contributing to the story, but the arrival was a bit jarring.

I also felt that Susanne’s decisions in the latter half the book were questionable. I get why the plot needed to go in that direction, but the choices didn’t seem honest and (again) were more to move the story than be true to the character.

Even though this was a little bit of a mixed bag, I would still recommend it because the author does a nice job of throwing enough questions out there that it made for interesting reading.

FACEBOOK: Beverley-Harvey-Author
TWITTER: @BevHarvey

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.

Posted on

The Girl Without a Name-Books On Tour (Review)-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I’m a big fan of this author (here are my reviews of Burning Island and My Name is Eva).  I love her writing style, and she relates a story in a way that makes it real. Her writing is well-researched and heartfelt…this book is no exception.

I will say that I expected something completely different than what I thought the book was going to be focused on, so that was a nice surprise. Actually, there were two surprises, because after the introduction, I still thought the story would be different. It went way beyond my initial perceptions.

The set-up of a current-day tragedy spurring the flashbacks and recollections that make up the bulk of the story was very effective. I like how Billie (the daughter) took it upon herself to try to solve the mystery of what was aggravating her father.

The story is told mainly in flashbacks, from 1939 all the way up to 1952. There are chapters set in 2004 (the current time) as well as some letters interspersed as well. But everything moves seamlessly through the shifting times and perspectives.

The story of the children who were evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII has been a common theme lately, but this time it only took up the first part of the book. It was important to understand the connections that were made at this time, as they had direct bearing on later events.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3kGjTKJ
Apple: https://apple.co/2ZE3rCo
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2WxpvwS
Google: https://bit.ly/32sA5cg

I thought the author did an admirable job with both Stevie and Ruby’s characters. It was easy to see their personalities and character arcs that led from childhood to adulthood. I also liked how Joan was included to help propel the plot and give foreshadowing to past events.

I know that sounds weird, but her recollections in the present gave the reader an idea as to what happened back during the war (and after the war was over). That made reading the events of the past even more exciting to me.

Once I realized (by the dates at the headings of chapters) that the climax of the story was approaching, the feeling of dread I had grew. I had an idea of what had happened, but it didn’t lessen the impact of the actual event.

The author also is very clever in how she refers to the characters. I won’t say more than that, because I don’t want to ruin what I thought was an excellent (albeit small) twist, but it turns out that Stevie and Ruby had more in common than meets the eye.

Okay, I’ll give you a hint. Pay attention to how Billie refers to her father. And make the connections. It was a great attention to detail that actually spoke volumes about her father’s state of mind and attitude toward the pivotal event.

I’m not saying more. But once again, Suzanne Goldring has produced a story that will stay with me for quite a while. Another excellent addition to the Historical Fiction genre.    

Twitter: @suzannegoldring

Author Bio:
Following an eventful career as a public relations consultant, specialising in business and travel, Suzanne Goldring turned to writing the kind of novels she likes to read, about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Whether she is working in her thatched cottage in Hampshire or her seaside home in North Cornwall, Suzanne finds inspiration in the secrets hidden by everyday life.  

Posted on

The Girl Who Never Came Home-Books On Tour (Review)-Family Drama-Available Now

There was some very clever plotting in this book.

It starts with a tragedy and then follows family and friends of the victim as they come to grips with the aftermath.

I thought it was interesting to get the perspectives from the people who knew Zoe (the victim). The author did a great job in illustrating how the perceptions we have of a person can be completely different depending on our relationship to them.

For example, Zoe’s mom, Lydia, remembers her daughter as any mom would – with affection, but with regret for the times she was harsh with Zoe. This does not jibe with the image of Zoe as related by her best friend, Shayna.

She remembers Zoe as someone who had changed recently and not necessarily for the better. Through Shayna’s eyes, we see that Zoe herself was a chameleon, putting on a different persona depending on who she was dealing with at the time.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3jtSzhb
Apple: https://apple.co/3gsiPry
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3k6gbds
Google: https://bit.ly/3fqkmwW

I also found Bernadette’s (the teacher) view of Zoe to be interesting. As a former teacher, I could relate to how she felt about Zoe. Teachers often see sides of kids that the parents never do. That being said, Bernadette wasn’t all on the level either.

And then there’s the older sister, Jessie. Lydia has a difficult time being around her for various reasons, but Jessie has her own set of demons to deal with, especially as Lydia rejects her.

Of course, there’s also the question of what really happened to Zoe the night she disappeared and ended up dead.

All of this works together to make a compelling read. There were times that I felt it skewed young because of how much it dealt with teenage relationships and feelings, but I guess that was to be expected when the central character is a teenager.

This unflinching look at the masks we wear even with people we know best should not be missed.   

Facebook: NicoleTrope
Twitter: @nicoletrope

Author Bio:

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because, as her professor pointed out, ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’

She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters’ degree. In between raising three children, working for her husband and renovating houses, she has published six novels. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Posted on

The Next Wife-Books On Tour (Review)-Psych Thriller-Available Now

This was a very slow burn psych thriller. The ominous feeling was set from the beginning. The prologue actually brought to mind “The Shining,” that kind of cat and mouse search that you just know will end badly.

Now extrapolate that through the whole book.

It’s a testament to the writing that I sometimes felt afraid to turn the pages because I didn’t want to see what was going to happen next – while at the same time not being able to stop because…well, I wanted to see what happened next.

The mood and setting were definitely gothic. A mysterious mansion, secrets, bouts of madness…all quite atmospheric. It allowed me to be sucked into the world of the characters. The author did a great job creating that.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3kylLox Apple: https://apple.co/2PMYPEA
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gQ4GEZ Google: https://bit.ly/3fOCGjC

I thought Martha was an interesting character. She obviously knew something, but her dementia made her unreliable. The other characters (and the reader) never knew exactly what she was talking about. That was by design, and it was effective.

I obviously felt for Tess. She let herself get swept up in a romance that was totally a sham. As things took a darker turn, I kept rooting for her to get the nerve to do what had to be done.

While the domestic situation was awful, there were more pressures for her too. I shared Tess’ feeling of being suffocated from everything closing in on her.

Why is Martha watching the house? Who is sending Tess mysterious notes? Do Daniel’s “friends” have ulterior motives? How are all of the characters connected…or are they?

I loved the fact that everything didn’t really reveal until the very end of the book. By the time Tess begins to unravel the truth, it literally felt like a pressure cooker ready to explode. And boy does it ever. The surprises in the last quarter of the book keep coming, right up until the very last pages.

This was like a roller coaster that takes a long time to get to the top before setting off on a wild ride of unexpected twists and loops. It will keep you turning pages with dread and anticipation right to the end.

Twitter: @authorlizlawler

Author Bio:

Liz Lawler grew up sharing pants, socks, occasionally a toothbrush, sleeping four to a bed. Born in Chatham and partly raised in Dublin, she is one of fourteen children. She spent over twenty years as a nurse and has since fitted in working as a flight attendant, a general manager of a five star hotel, and is now working with trains. She became an author in 2017 when her debut novel Don’t Wake Up was published by Twenty7.  

close

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)