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Books On Tour (Review): The Mother I Could Have Been

How many of us often wonder if we are doing the whole “motherhood” thing right? Kerry Fisher takes an unflinching look at how easy it is for a mom to be doubtful about her capabilities in raising a child in The Mother I Could Have Been.

When I started reading, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It seemed a little bit “thriller-ish” with chapters from Vicky’s point of view interspersed with ones from a mystery person. But at the same time it also appeared to be more straight fiction in the actual plotline (if that makes sense).

I think many readers will be able to relate to Vicky’s uncertainty and self-doubt as well as her feelings of inadequacy. I also think some might live vicariously through her as she makes choices that allow her to live mostly free of any responsibility.

But what happens when responsibility is thrust upon her, not once but twice? You’ll have to read it to find out because you won’t find spoilers here.

I enjoyed the way Caro’s and Vicky’s lives crossed and intertwined. I thought both characters (and the secondary characters as well) were realistic, and their actions thoroughly natural. India, Caro’s daughter, was especially well-done; it was a pleasure to despise her.

I did think that there were a few events that seemed more manipulative than organic, but they didn’t bother me too much. I understood why the author had to have them occur the way they did.

I also appreciated a little twist that made me go back and re-read a few sections. I love when an author writes in such a way that what is assumed is not actually reality. My real only complaint was that the ending seemed a little rushed and quite abrupt. But again, I realize that it wasn’t meant to be a “full-circle” as much as “finally on the right path” type of story.

It’s another great read for you to put on your TBR or Holiday Wish List.

AUTHOR BIO

Kerry Fisher is the bestselling author of five novels, including The Silent Wife and The Secret Child. 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 now lives in Surrey with her husband, two teenage children and a naughty Lab/Schnauzer called Poppy.

 Website: http://www.kerryfisherauthor.com/ 
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/KerryFSwayne
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Books On Tour: The Silent Victim

Note: I received this book under the initial title, “Girl Walking Alone.” (I like the new one better!)

Right from the beginning, this book was different from many other crime thrillers that I have read, mainly due to the protagonist (Jessie) being a reporter rather than a member of law enforcement. That alone made the story more potentially accessible to readers, as there was not a lot of police procedure to wade through.

Jessie also has unique insight throughout the investigation as her story provides not only as a backdrop but also as a catalyst for events to move forward. It is an interesting balance that serves the plot well. Jessie is wrapped up enough in her own experiences that the reader, along with some characters, questions whether she is objective enough to get the story accurate.

Overall, the plot reads more like a television show or movie – the action skims along, discoveries are made and followed, and there aren’t a whole lot of inner monologues or deep-thinking. There were a few times that Jessie’s “thoughts” seemed repetitive (the constant mention of the tv-movie of her experience is an example).

I did feel like there were some uneven spots. Some events had a lot of detail, and others (that seemed important) barely got a mention. There were also some passages that seemed less well-written, with simple language. Those stuck out because so much of the novel was crisp.

There were more than a few good twists in the story, but also a few red herrings that went nowhere. I liked the twists, did not care for off-handed disposal of a couple of points (especially when they were prefaced by “we may never know” after they appeared to be vital to the plot).

Overall, however, it was a good story with some interesting plot turns and a mostly satisfying ending. Plus, I liked reading about my old stomping grounds of NYC! I look forward to reading more of Jessie Tucker’s investigations.  

Author Bio

I am a New York City author who writes mystery thrillers for Bookouture about newspaper reporter Jessie Tucker. Coming this winter…THE SILENT VICTIM

Email: DanaPerryAuthor@yahoo.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaPerryAuthor
Facebook: @danaperryauthor

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Books On Tour: Snow Creek

No sense in beating around the bush: this book is one of the most well-crafted thrillers I have read. There is so much to unpack that it is hard to know where to start. I guess the best place to begin is by saying this is a must-read!

It had it all: a tormented protagonist who uses her job to assuage a troubled past, a twisted crime that is nowhere near open and shut in a location that is almost a character itself, and side stories that keep the pace moving at rapid-page-turning speed.

BUY LINKS:
 
Amazon: https://geni.us/B07XSB35SSSocial  
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2men9nf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lS0LQ8.
Googleplay: http://bit.ly/2lQLE9G

Snow Creek is where people go to live off-the-grid, away from society and its laws, which results in a whole lot of lawlessness. But the author does a fantastic job of not allowing the reader to know precisely what is going on at any given point; just when I thought I understood something, another piece of information came to light, making me question it.

Not going to lie, it is difficult to review this book without giving specifics away because this is one time that secondary plot threads and character backstories are just as twisted as the main plot.

The author also does a phenomenal job of weaving everything together so that hints pop up in one place, referring to another plotline, and clues are revealed when the reader least expects them.

I particularly liked how the author exposed Megan’s history in bits and pieces. I found myself almost more intrigued by her story than by the crimes she was investigating. And the cliffhanger left me definitely looking forward to the next book.

I do like it when an author rolls out just enough information that keeps me satisfied but also wanting more. I can’t wait to see how Megan’s story proceeds – and to see what twisted crime she investigates next.

Author Bio

A #1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, seventeen novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).

Website: https://www.greggolsen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreggOlsenAuthor/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Gregg_Olsen
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Books On Tour: The Quiet Girls

As someone who reads a lot of psychological thrillers, I tend to get a little complacent about the plots and think I have things figured out fairly early. Sometimes, I end up being right; still can make for a good read.

The Quiet Girls went in the opposite direction from where I thought it was going to go, and for that reason, it was truly an addicting story (as the tagline promised). I read it in one sitting.

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The story starts with a bad dream, follows quickly with the adventure of three girls in a seemingly abandoned house, and never really lets up until the very last page.

I thought that there were some unique character choices, which added depth to the story. The allusions to Harry’s past illness, followed by his relapse, gave the whole plot an added dimension and allowed it to make sense. Without his issues, the decisions he made would have seemed farfetched.

There was not a lot of depth to the characters, although we did get a lot of backstory for Carrie, which was suitable for the character but stood out because other characters did not have the same details.  For the most part, this worked because it kept the plot skimming along.

About mid-way through, there were a couple of twists that really got the story going.  That being said, there were a few parts that seemed a little bit too convenient as well. Carrie’s backstory is one of them.

The messages that the devil is sometimes closer than you think, and in spite of our best intentions we might still make crucial mistakes come through loud and clear and ultimately drive the narrative to a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely recommend this book.

Author Bio

J.M. Hewitt writes crime fiction and is the author of three previous crime fiction novels and has been published in two short story publications. Her work usually incorporates twentieth and twenty-first century events and far-flung locations, and her novels explore the darker side of human behaviour.
In contrast to the sometimes dark content of her books, she lives in a seaside town in Suffolk with her dog, Marley. 

When she was ten years old she’d read all the books she owned, all those on her mother’s bookcase and everything the library had to offer. She decided the only course of action to take was to write her own stories. Thirty years later, she is still writing them.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/j.mhewittauthor/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jmhewitt
WEBSITE: www.jeanettehewitt.com
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Blog Tour w/Review: The Bowery Slugger

Having read a few of this author’s books, and finding some to be better than others, I had a little bit of trepidation when approaching The Bowery Slugger. Turn of the last century America is one of my favorite periods in history, and I am always wary of accuracy in historical novels.

I am happy to report that Mr. Borstinski does an admirable job of creating the atmosphere of the NYC Bowery in the early 1900s. This gritty look at the immigrant experience should not be missed.

I was drawn into the story almost immediately, as I thought the immigrant experience and the tenements of the Bowery were especially well-described. The whole story had a “Gangs of New York” feel to it, and it kept me turning pages. Some people may find the brutality to be a bit much, but it is definitely realistic to the time and place of the story.

I particularly liked the balance that Alex tried to achieve. Even as he was working his way up in the organization, and brutally so, he still had a bit of his “Old World” self that he tried to embrace as he became more interested in his neighbor, Rebecca.

I also found the author’s treatment of the rise of unions, exploitation of immigrants, and the corruption of Tammany Hall to be well-done. I appreciated the way that he wove historical facts into his narrative. His research for this novel is admirable.

This was by far the best of his books that I have read, and I look forward to the next installment in the Alex Cohen series, out in the spring of 2020 (hopefully!)

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Blog Tour w/Review: From Inside the House

I was pleased to see another DI Graves book released so soon after the first one. I very much enjoyed The Demons Beneath and looked forward to jumping back into the plot, assumedly where it had left off.

I was a little bit surprised to find that wasn’t the case. Instead, the author starts with a fascinatingly gruesome murder, followed in quick succession by Detective Inspector Graves and Palmer arriving at the scene. As one character puts it (and I’m paraphrasing here), if they are on the case, you know there is more to it.

As this is another cracking crime thriller, I’m not going to give any spoilers. Suffice to say that the murders and the common thread that ties them together are well-written and creepy, and answer the question of “what happens when a psychopath and a sociopath work together?” These scenes are very well-described, so it is easy for the reader to see why Graves has such a problem with crime scenes. (He reminds me of Doc Martin, the doctor who gets queasy at the sight of blood).

I loved that this aspect of his character got more attention in the story – the brutality of the murders lent itself easily to exploring Graves’ issues. I also liked how we got more back story as to why he is the way he is.

I think that this is a strength of the author; all of the characters are very natural. They have quirks and personal baggage that sometimes help/hinder their investigations. They do not exist in a vacuum solely to solve crime; they are real people.

I also liked that several departments contributed to the investigation. From the Medical Examiner to the profiler and even the rank and file, everyone came up with a piece of the puzzle to solve the crime. As a person who is very familiar with law enforcement, I appreciated the attention to detail and recognition that the littlest bit of information can truly crack a case.

I did wish for a little bit more of Jenny’s story, but it is quite apparent that this is going to be a cat and mouse thread that weaves through future installments of the series. The melding of two different plot threads left quite the cliffhanger and made me eager for the next book.

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Books On Tour: The Wish List of Albie Young

I don’t get emotional when I read books. I may hate/love/enjoy characters and their interactions, but I rarely have a deep connection that makes me feel more than what the story demands.

That is most definitively NOT the case with The Wish List of Albie Young. I felt this book deeply in so many ways I have a hard time knowing where to start. It has vaulted to the top of my best reads of the year.

From the beginning, it was thoroughly unique that the reader never actually meets the main character, the man who was the catalyst for the entire story. We only learn about Albie through the eyes of Maria, a woman who got to know him through weekly meetings at a local café.  

Maria is one of the most “real” characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Watching her move through the stages of grief was touching and emotional. I could visualize exactly what was happening to her and empathized with how she tried to cope with her new reality. It wasn’t always easy, but she drew strength when she needed to, and she did so with the help of Albie.

Her heartache (that preceded the loss of Albie) had caused her to withdraw from living until she became a shell of a person. She eventually realized that he was an amazing man, and if he thought she was special, then maybe it was time she gave herself a chance to live.

It is so true that sometimes the dead need to show us how to continue living. And this was the heart of the book for me. By continuing Albie’s wish list, Maria finds a new lease on life, learning that it is never too late to start living. Her blossoming brought tears to my eyes, which continued through the rest of the book.

I also had a feeling about one aspect of the plot (no spoilers), but that didn’t stop me from absolutely bawling like a baby when I read the section confirming it.

Honestly, even though there was sadness at missed opportunities, the hopefulness that Maria had by the end of her story absolutely leaped off the page at me. I wanted to spend more time with her to see her continue her journey.

This is a story that has everything, and it should not be missed. As we head into the holiday season, it is an excellent reminder of how simply we can have an impact on others and to be thankful for those interactions that improve our lives – if we just remember to look for and recognize them.

Author Bio

Ruby Hummingbird is a novelist based in the English countryside. She loves nothing more than writing uplifting and heartwarming fiction that gets her readers reaching for the tissues. When she isn’t storytelling, she can be found tending to her beloved sunflowers or sipping on hazelnut lattes. The Wish List of Albie Young is her debut novel, and it promises to be a real heartbreaker. 

Twitter: @HummingbirdRuby
Facebook: /ruby.hummingbird.58
Instagram: rubyhummingbirdauthor
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Blog Tour w/Review: A Proclivity to Prurience

I have read a lot of erotica and books that claim to be erotica. Some are tantalizing and keep things subtle until a big moment when everything becomes overt. Others are more “in your face” from the beginning. Both types have their place within the genre and can be significant in their rights.

The one thing that makes an erotic novel really work, however, is a plot that provides a reason for all of the sex the characters have.  That, unfortunately, is where this novel seems to be lacking.

There was a decent set-up, as the wedding that led off the story was the perfect situation to explore several different relationships and experiences. Unfortunately, there were a lot of characters that were introduced in short order and with very little detail, so it was difficult to get a full grasp of relationships right from the beginning.

While the scenes moved quickly from one to another, I had a difficult time keeping the thread of the plot as it seemed rather thin. Joe has a devil-may-care attitude towards life, which Abbie appears to be fascinated with, but events take some odd turns, and everything gets out of control.

This is the best that I can describe the plot because while there were times that the characters reacted realistically, there were others where it seemed like events were just in the story to move from one sex scene to another.

Joe, as the catalyst, was an unlikeable character, as he did not seem to have any compass or direction other than moving from one pleasurable experience to another. I will give the author points for creativity because Joe certainly experienced the gamut of sexual choices.

The author had a high command of the language, and her word choices were different from many other erotic novels. This kept the reading interesting, at least because it did not devolve into the more familiar gutter language of other erotic books.

Honestly, I’m not quite sure what to think of this one. There were hints of a really good erotic story, but the cohesiveness left something to be desired. So, if you’re looking for a lot of well-described, quickie scenes, you should give this one a try. But if you prefer a plot with erotic scenes interspersed, you would be best to look elsewhere.

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Books On Tour: My Mother’s Silence

I’ve often distinguished thrillers as either moving fast with lots of twists or slower with a more ominous build to the reveal. My Mother’s Silence belongs in the latter category.

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Skye is returning home after leaving 15 years prior, shortly after her twin sister died and she was in a horrible car accident. She grudgingly agrees to return only because her brother tells her that her mom has taken a fall and is asking for her. There are family secrets, town secrets, and a whole lot of messed up for her to deal with.

Her memories surrounding the accident are missing, but as she speaks with old friends, she starts having flashes that she comes to realize are memories resurfacing. This is when the story really takes off because everything that she thought comes into question, which in turn leaves the reader wondering what the real story is.

I particularly liked the Celtic themes and perspective of the townspeople. I thought the author did a very good job of illustrating how small towns work, where everyone has a connection and they stand up for their own. I also wish I could hear some of Skye’s songs because they sounded beautiful in my mind 😊

There were a few parts that seemed like a little bit of a reach, but only because they didn’t seem to be as detailed as others. Skye’s mother’s state of mind is something that I found particularly fascinating, as her lucidity appeared to be directly linked to the facts of the past. I know that sounds a little cagey, but I don’t want to give anything away.

I do wish that we could have had more of Ginny’s diary entries because I thought they were interesting and gave a new dimension to the events of the past. I think a few more of those placed at strategic points in the plot could have added to the questions that Skye was trying to answer.

All in all, this was a solid story and I would definitely recommend it.

My Mother's SilenceMy Mother’s Silence by Lauren Westwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As psychological thrillers go, this belongs in the slow-build/reveal category. It is not particularly chilling as much as it is a story of family secrets and the consequences surrounding them. I liked the setting and thought the author did a great job of creating the small-town atmosphere. I also thought that Skye’s personality was very balanced and crucial for how she approached each new piece of information as she tried to piece her memories back together. This was a quick and intriguing read, and I would recommend it. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.

View all my reviews

Author Bio

Lauren Westwood writes dark and romantic women’s fiction and is also an award-winning children’s writer. Originally from California, she now lives in England in a persnickety old house built in 1602, with her partner and three daughters.

Lauren hopes you enjoy her latest book, My Mother’s Silence, which is a dark, emotional journey about homecoming and family secrets. Your opinions are important to her, so please do leave a review.

Author Social Media Links

Lauren loves hearing from readers, so if you wish to get in touch, please visit her website: https://www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com/, or follow her on twitter: @lwestwoodwriter  https://twitter.com/lwestwoodwriter or Facebook: @Lwestwoodbooks https://www.facebook.com/Lwestwoodbooks/

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Blog Tour w/Review – Tell Me Everything

I have very mixed feelings about this book, mainly because it seems as if the author had a difficult time deciding what to focus on in the book.

On the one hand, it was a fascinating look at alternative lifestyles for adults, a topic that does not get enough honest attention. What two consenting adults do in their private life is really nobody else’s business, regardless of age or gender.

I found this first part of the story to be extremely interesting because I thought the author’s exploration of a married couple’s shared interest outside the marriage is not a usual catalyst in a novel. The actions and reactions of Jessica and Jake were honest and realistic.

When Jessica crosses a few lines, however, I felt that the plot sort of lost its way. It wasn’t so much her crossing them because that seemed like a natural progression in the relationships they had. It was that the character who was the catalyst for the “line-crossing” did not have enough depth to him.

Everything else to that point was carefully described and detailed. Then this guy pops up primarily (it seemed) to cause problems. I thought this whole interlude did not ring true and was thrown in to make it “interesting.” All it did for me, however, was to take focus away from the couple’s growth and dealing with issues.

That’s not to say that the conflict shouldn’t have happened. I liked how Jessica was able to use her experience to help another character, so I think that something should have happened – I just think it could have been done differently. I also felt that it was resolved way too easily, considering the trouble that it caused, and everything wrapped up rather quickly at the end, not to mention there were a few characters that were just sort of left hanging.

My other issue is in the author’s notes; she mentions that she wrote the book to be able to address “toxic masculinity…and rape culture.” I did not get that from ANY of this book and could not even begin to see where that would have had any place in the story. I would still recommend this book. I just wish it had been a little bit more streamlined.

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