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March 26, 2020March 23, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): The Girl I Thought I Knew by Kelly Heard

I love it when a book title has multiple meanings, and this one is no exception.

Is the girl Daisy, as the person she thought she was growing up? Is it Daisy as others have seen her? Or is it Stella, her best friend from childhood? Or is it somebody else altogether?

A lot is going on in this story, but it all hinges on one event at the beginning of Daisy and Stella’s senior year of high school. Repercussions follow both girls over the years, ultimately bringing Daisy back to the small town she grew up in to confront the past.

I thought the author did an excellent job of setting the scene and laying out the details of Daisy’s life. The interspersal of “Before” chapters dovetailed nicely with the “Now” chapters without seeming choppy or taking me out of the flow of current events.

I liked Daisy as a character and as a person. Although it seemed as if there were times that she tended towards the melodramatic, once her entire story was revealed, it became obvious as to why she acted the way she did.

Stella did not play as big of a part as I expected her to, given the taglines and descriptions. But I did like her choices that were the catalyst for the journey into the past undertaken by Daisy. (It sounds convoluted, but it makes sense in the course of the book).

I also thought that the whole reveal was a little bit of a throwaway, given the build-up through the entire book to that point. After everything Daisy had endured over 17 years, it was all explained away in just a few pages. I wish there had been just a little bit more depth to that.

That being said, I did like Daisy’s overall journey, especially as she realizes that she is stronger than she (or anyone) has ever given her credit for being. She had the courage to stick to her convictions, even as everyone else ridiculed or diminished her abilities. On that note, although I initially thought that Anderson’s part in the story was contrived, I found the chapter from his perspective to be ultimately satisfying.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and was turning pages late into the night to finish. (I also love that the author isn’t too far from me, so the world she describes was familiar). I would definitely recommend it.

Author Bio

Originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Kelly Heard now lives in Richmond with her husband, spoiled house cat, and two-year-old daughter. She writes poetry, adult fiction, and creative nonfiction. When she is not writing or reading, Kelly enjoys spending her time gardening, cooking, and playing the ukulele for her toddler.

March 26, 2020March 26, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): The Break Up by Tilly Tennant

Happy to be kicking off this blog tour. Sorry for the delay on the review. But here it is!

I actually like the original title for this book (A Cat Called Cupid) better because it highlights who the real star of this book is: Fluffy/Satchmo. As evidenced early on, there is nothing more comforting than a kitty purr. A cat’s nature is what makes this story work as a whole.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08423K71C
Apple: https://apple.co/2G6oZxf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2RAGGdF
Google: http://bit.ly/37gL9Zt

Oh, there are humans as well, and they are the main story. Lara has a typical rom-com shocker at the beginning, but the author doesn’t waste time with her moping around. In the second chapter, we are already a year later, and Lara has moved on – for the most part.

She came across as extremely likable and realistic. While she starts a business that seems counter-intuitive (wedding planning), she seems to excel at it. But at the same time, she is not impervious to the feelings that come from her boyfriend/best friend issues. Her reactions were natural.

I had a harder time getting a handle on Theo….until his scene with Great Aunt Emma at Chloe’s wedding (and boy was Chloe a piece of work). That scene grabbed me in a way that few do. All at once, I had everything I needed to know about Theo. Nothing else that he said or did mattered. His treatment of Emma was it for me.

I liked the author’s style of writing. The history of locations and detailed descriptions gave the story depth and made it easier to picture the action. In fact, the best thing about a book like this was feeling like I was “reading a movie.” I especially like that in a rom-com over any other genre. This book definitely wins on that front.

But do yourself a favor and go pick up this new release today; it’s the perfect fix for any blues you may have.

Author Bio:

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing. She wrote a novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.

Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was her debut novel; published in 2014 it was an Amazon bestseller in both the UK and Australia. In 2016 she signed to the hugely successful Bookouture and is currently working on her next Tilly Tennant novel. She also writes as Sharon Sant, where she explores the darker side of life, and Poppy Galbraith, where things get a little crazier.

**FACEBOOK:** https://www.facebook.com/TillyTennant/
**TWITTER:** https://twitter.com/TillyTenWriter
**WEBSITE:** www.tillytennant.com

March 24, 2020March 23, 2020

Book Review: Mom Genes by Hilary Grossman

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, and I was excited to see this one (and even more excited that there will be at least a third). But now I am getting ahead of myself.

Wait, before I get to the review, one more thing. Go On, Girl is FREE from 3/23-3/27, and you can pre-order Mom Boss (the third book) for $1.99. GO NOW

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08477RPVG
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940162943402
Apple – https://books.apple.com/us/book/mom-genes/id1496573777
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mom-genes
Books2Read – Link to all the books – https://books2read.com/u/bMpaAk
Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=csnMDwAAQBAJ

Okay, now to the review. This time, we get to follow Claire as she navigates a new family dynamic (her husband has moved out). Fortunately, the ladies of the Forest River PTA are there to help. Or hurt, as is the case with a couple of them.

I liked how Claire managed to keep her wits about her, even in the face of malicious gossip. I got an especially good laugh from the scene during “Snack with Snowflakes.” And that event in itself gave me a chuckle as it is a wry commentary on today’s pervasive over-sensitivity.

I also appreciated Claire’s journey to realizing who her friends were and how trustworthy they could be. That was some nice character growth from the previous book. Her realizations about relationships (dating) were also realistic.

I do have to say that given the current world situation, I was cringing through the scene where Claire was sick but interviewing for a job. It was amusing, but it is funny how quickly perspectives can change.

If people are not familiar with PTA moms (or other parent groups), the actions of Donna and Mia may verge on too much of a caricature. But I can tell you that they are accurate portrayals. There is always at least one person (and a few henchmen) who try to stir people up. Putting faces I know on the characters made some of the scenes much more enjoyable 😊

If you are looking for a book with wicked gossip, adults that act more immature than their kids, and a lot of heart, look no further. Grab this one today, but consider reading Go On, Girl (remember, it’s FREE for a limited time) first to get the whole backstory.

March 24, 2020March 23, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Flowers On Her Grave by Jennifer Chase

I found the last book in this series (Her Last Whisper) entertaining, so I was looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed, and the author keeps getting better as the series continues.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/39a7hVs
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2U7txv9
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2U4MJcP
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2wfPMpC

The first scene is gruesome but sets the tone for what is yet to come. There are also a couple of gut punches along the way.

I like the way Katie and her co-workers, especially her partner in the cold cases (McGaven), relate to each other. There is a natural camaraderie, and their interactions are natural. The relationship between the undersheriff and Katie is also realistic; everybody has had a supervisor like him at one point or another.

I did think that Chad got the short end of the stick in this book, as their relationship didn’t seem to go anywhere. I understand that under the circumstances (and due to events), that isn’t where Katie’s focus was, but it still felt like he was extraneous. At the same time, it seemed as if the relationship between Katie and Nick grew. I’m not sure if that is where the author is going, but it gave me pause.

I also wish that there was more background on the motivations of the killer. I would have liked to had a few more scenes to be able to grasp why they did what they did. Oh, and I realize that this was an ARC (and it doesn’t affect my review at all), but there were an awful lot of grammatical errors that I hope an editor caught.

But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. I like Katie as a protagonist, and that the author has her maturing and addressing her PTSD. That shows growth, and I look forward to reading more as Katie progresses.

Author Bio

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.

In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

March 19, 2020March 18, 2020

Blog Tour: Reborn Yesterday by Tessa Bailey

While their love is strictly forbidden, it might be the only thing that can save them…

Reborn Yesterday, an all-new unique and unforgettable paranormal romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey, is available now.

A timeless love story with bite.

It was a night like any other for funeral home director Ginny Lynn, until the exceptionally handsome—and unfortunately deceased—young man on her embalming table sat up, opened his emerald eyes and changed the course of her life forever, making her feel quite fluttery while he was at it.

Humans aren’t supposed to know Jonas Cantrell, or any vampire, exists. It’s kind of a major rule. Despite his instantaneous bond with perfectly peculiar Ginny, he has no choice but to erase her memories of their one and only meeting.

That was the plan. Before a reluctant Jonas can wipe Ginny’s mind clean, she reveal a secret that brings their worlds crashing together. Human and vampire. Past and present. Darkness and light. And while their love is strictly forbidden, it might be the only thing that can save them…

Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OwrKfV Apple Books: https://apple.co/2tzVd1b Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/rebornyesterday Nook: https://bit.ly/39aMwJK Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Su51lD

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Sbr29P

Excerpt:

“Will there be a million weeping women at your wake?” She tapped a finger to her lips. “There will be, I’m sure of it. The place will overflow with tears. I better make sure our flood insurance is up to date.”

As she commenced circling the table once more, her white lab coat scratched against the hem of her green plaid dress, which fell sensibly to her knees. It was cold in the funeral home, especially downstairs where P. Lynn Funeral Home’s guests were kept in preparation for their final goodbye, so she’d pulled on thick black stockings with a flower pattern before coming below to work the night shift.

Dressing with care was Ginny’s way of showing respect to the people she worked on—a fact her stepmother and reluctant business partner often scoffed over—but a T-shirt and jeans simply didn’t cut the mustard when she’d been entrusted with a loved one’s care. Ginny had designed and sewn her current ensemble in class and she definitely shouldn’t be wondering what Dreamboat here would think about the cut and fabric. Or if he’d notice she’d fitted it a touch tighter in the hip zone than usually made her comfortable.

“I need help.” She gathered her auburn hair over one shoulder. “You agree, don’t you? Finally, you’ve gotten peace and quiet from your multitude of admirers and here I come, trying to annoy you into reanimation so I can find out the color of your eyes. You must want to die all over again.”

Continuing her journey around the table, Ginny’s gaze ticked to the clock, reminding her she should have started working half an hour ago. Why was she so reluctant to begin? Where did she get off experiencing the weight of loss when she’d never crossed paths with this individual before?

“Anyway, I know what you’re thinking. She’s brought up my legion of female fans three times now. She must be jealous.” Ginny stopped beside Dreamboat and looked down at his regal brow, the masculinity of his jaw, and a horrible welling started in her chest. “I think you’d be right,” she whispered in a red-cheeked rush. “I think if you’d smiled at me even once on the subway a decade ago, I’d be out avenging your death right now. Isn’t that crazy?”

Just to be sure a terrible (wonderful) mistake hadn’t been made, Ginny lifted her right hand, letting two fingers hover over Dreamboat’s pulse. Her heart rate spiked at the prospect of touching him, which didn’t bode well for tonight’s task of filling his veins with formaldehyde. How could she give him the proper care he deserved if she couldn’t stop shaking?

A bracing breath passed between her lips.

She touched her fingers down to his pulse.

Nothing.

There had been no mistake.

He was thoroughly, devastatingly dead.

“I’m so sorry,” Ginny managed, her tears welling at such a rapid pace that one escaped, glopping heavily onto the man’s stone cold torso.

His eyes shot open.

His…eyes shot open?

About Tessa

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the workforce as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of eleven years and seven-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Contact Tessa

Website: https://www.tessabailey.com Facebook: http://bit.ly/2sScu5g Instagram: http://bit.ly/36pRws6 Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2NSjQgA Goodreads: http://bit.ly/37nMrSB Join her Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2uoDGZP Stay up to date with Tessa Bailey by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/36j2TCl

March 18, 2020March 18, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): The First Wife by Jill Childs

Not going to beat around the bush.

Hands down, this is one of the best psych thrillers I have read. It had everything a person could want in the genre, and I loved pretty much everything about it.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/33aNiF1
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2vVOe3C
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3cLZm3M
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2IEKy9e

The setting itself is gothic (an old mansion on the cliffs by the sea), which adds to the atmosphere of the opening chapters. That alone drew me in and kept me reading. But it really took off just under half-way through, and I was gobbling up pages to find out what happened next.

The plot is tight and well-written, with enough nuances and hints that I was kept slightly off-balance. I, like Sophie, could sense that something was off but without being able to put my finger on it.

I thought that the characters were realistic. I would only say that I didn’t get a strong feel for Dom, I think mainly because we get to know him mostly through flashbacks. I did think that Sophie’s initial timidity, while unsettling at first, was an excellent catalyst for later events. She needed to have certain personality traits for the rest of the plot to work.

There were twists galore in this book, and I’m not going to give any of them away. Suffice to say that just when you think you have it figured out, you probably don’t. And that goes all the way until the very last word.

If you’re going to be self-distancing, it’s the perfect time to pick up this book.

Author Bio

Jill always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent thirty years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in south-west London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, wars and riots, she’s decided some of the most extraordinary stories are right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets just like yours.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/author_jill
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17843718.Jill_Childs
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jill-Childs/e/B07BL52SYB/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Some Days Are Dark by Miranda Smith

I love a book that takes me in a couple of different directions so that I am unsure as to each character’s motivations and (in the case of this book) innocence. I wasn’t sure where this one was going, and as I got deeper into the story, I found myself feeling empathy for competing characters. That’s ultimately what made this a compelling read.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2W2O1Gx
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2THU0za
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2TGlS6v
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Q9xGwa

At first, I felt for Olivia because she obviously screwed up and lost her family. However, as more information came to light, I found myself feeling less sorry for her because she also made her choices.

I liked how the “mystery” unraveled throughout the book as well. What appeared to be a closed case at the beginning was blown wide open, and the “truth” (told in both current and “before” chapters) slowly came to light.

There is also something else:

Mini-spoiler alert

I believe that the author did an admirable job tackling the hot topic of prescription addiction. I’m not going to say more than that, but the character who deals with it is very typical of numerous victims of the current opioid epidemic. It was brave of the author to make this character a focal point and even bolder to make them somewhat sympathetic.

Back to the end of the review

I very much enjoyed the trajectory of this story and appreciated the natural twists that the plot followed. I felt like I was watching one of those “true crime” shows; it all seemed that real. I would, without a doubt, recommend this book.

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/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

Blog Tour w/Review: You Never Told Me by Sarah Jasmon

What a thought-provoking read. I can’t think of the last time a book took me on this type of journey.

We meet the main character, Charlie, in Thailand, as she is reeling from a shock that makes her question her decisions. Unfortunately for her, she soon gets a message from home that unexpectedly sends her back to England. Once this is all set up, the story switches gears as Charlie slowly uncovers unknown family secrets that have lasting repercussions.

That’s all you’re going to get from me in terms of plot information.

I completely identified with Charlie, especially at the beginning. Her wanderlust and desire to do something other than what she saw as the dull expectations of home. However, I think it was precisely this spirit that led her to her further explorations later in the book.

The author did an excellent job of weaving the family secrets into Charlie’s personal journey as well. She learned a lot about her mom but also about herself.

What I liked most about this book, however, was how leisurely the story unfolded. I felt like I floated through this story (not unlike the houseboat), which was a wonderful way to experience it, and allowed me to fully recognize (and feel) the emotions that Charlie was encountering.

The book does start a little bit slow, with some uncertainty as to where it is going. But stick with it, as a few chapters in you will be caught up in the story just as I was.

About Sarah Jasmon

Sarah Jasmon lives on a canal boat near Manchester with her children. She has had several short stories published, is curating a poetry anthology, and has recently graduated from the Creative Writing MA course at Manchester Metropolitan University. To find out more, visit www.sarahjasmon.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahontheboat
Website: https://sarahjasmon.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahontheboat/

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Knock Knock by Chris Merritt

For once, the tag line of “pulse-racing” and “heart-stopping” is 100% accurate. I could not put this book down. What a bang-up job for the first in a new series!

**BUY LINK:**
https://geni.us/B0848XBLB3Social

As always, in an initial entry to a series, there is a lot to unpack. Right off the bat, we meet the main characters, Dan Lockhart and Lexi Green, whose jobs (DI and clinical psychologist, respectively) bring them together on both a personal and, later, professional level.

She is his therapist as he works his way through all sorts of issues, from PTSD (military service) to his missing wife (vanished, still missing). He brings her on to the case at hand to try to analyze the perpetrator to help them narrow down suspects. She jumps in and gets more than she bargained for (no spoilers).

I thought the introduction of the two was very smooth, as was the background for both of them, as well as for the rest of the Major Investigation Team (MIT). Sometimes introductions can weigh down the plot, as the author wants to build a solid foundation for the rest of the series. This author manages to build that foundation while keeping the plot skipping along at a rapid pace.

The crimes in this book are unique and chilling. There were just enough hints dropped that I found myself wildly guessing at “whodunit” early on, but kept changing my mind as I proceeded to read more. I appreciated how the author gave us a real insight into the killer’s motivations. There was almost as much background for the killer as there were for the lead investigators.

Very often, the perpetrator gets a perfunctory mention of past trauma or personal history that sets them on their murderous path. In this book, however, we get treated to a real deep dive into the world the killer inhabits. It makes the story so much more well-rounded.

The investigation unfolds in an entirely natural way, and I thought the author did an excellent job of illustrating how police “connect the dots,” as well as allowing the members of the MIT to disagree (which often happens in real life). The plotting was astute and well-written and did have me turning pages late into the night to get to the resolution. I was not disappointed!

Although this is the first in a new series, there is a brief mention of a character from another series by the same author (I guess to denote a tie-in?). It’s pretty inconsequential to the plot overall, but it does illustrate that the author is working within a known and detailed world, which makes it an overall more enjoyable read. I will absolutely be looking for the next books in this series!

Author Bio

Chris Merritt is a British author whose crime thrillers combine psychology, suspense, and characters you care about.

All his novels are set in London, where he lives. He began writing fiction in 2014, after previous careers as a diplomat, based in Iraq and Jerusalem, and later as a psychologist working with victims and perpetrators of crime. He specialised in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which sparked his interest in telling stories about how people cope when faced with extreme adversity.

Now he spends most of his time writing novels and drinking coffee while *thinking* about writing novels. When he’s not writing, he loves climbing and playing basketball.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCJMerritt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17558172.Chris_Merritt
Website: www.cjmerritt.co.uk

March 15, 2020March 15, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Her Broken Wings by D.K. Hood

I have made no secret of my hesitation for starting books mid-series. As this is book eight (!) in the Detectives Kane and Alton series, I was even more reticent than usual, but the premise intrigued me so I decided to give it a try.

I was very much NOT disappointed and was turning pages to finish in one sitting!

Amazon: https://geni.us/B082CYKG74Social
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2RALy4b
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YmYjQZ
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/34W2d5W

The author did a fantastic job of weaving a narrative that included just enough information about past cases that I felt more of a desire to read past books out of interest rather than feeling like I was missing several references.

The plot itself was cracking good: Black Rock Falls, Montana is a hotbed for serial killers and other criminals. From the gritty prologue, moving into the gruesome first chapter and beyond, the author captures the reality of murder and mayhem.

At the same time, the jobs of law enforcement are also realistically portrayed. The key is that it is in a way that even a layperson can understand what is happening. There was just enough information to make it interesting and informative without being too technical to follow. The level of detail allowed the switch between police procedural and criminal motivation.

Speaking of, there were a few times that motivation seemed gimmicky, and I can’t speak to the authenticity or accuracy of the disorder mentioned. Still, it made for a unique twist and page-turning reading.

I am glad that I found this series, and I look forward to reading both past books in the series (to catch up) and future books yet to come.

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.