Tag: Page Turner

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You Will Remember Me (McKinnon)-Blog Tour-Thriller-Coming Soon

Holy crap.

There’s no other way to voice my reaction to this book other than with a lot more words that would probably have my blog shut down.

This book was that much of a mind twist (insert other word here).

What initially seemed like a simple misper story with a few twists quickly evolved (devolved) into a story of jealousy, lies, misconceptions, and just about every other synonym for deceit you can think of.

I really liked how the author lulled the reader in with a simplistic story. There was enough of a hook in the beginning to get me invested and trying to figure out who was who – and if people really were who they said they were.

I thought that Lily was an interesting character. I had a different picture of her in my head than how other characters described her. I’m not sure if that’s due to her backstory or what. But she changed the most in my eyes over the course of the story.

Maya, on the other hand. Wow, what a character she was, and not necessarily in a good way. I don’t want to give anything away, but I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that she takes part in one of the most twisted plot threads I’ve read in recent memory.

And I’m not going to say what that is or what her part in it is.

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I did guess some of what was going on early in the novel. But I had no idea the depths to which the author would go to get to the shocking ending.

And make no mistake, if you think you know how it’s going to finish, I can assure you that you most certainly do not.

I’ve read quite a few good books this year, but I can’t remember one that had me reading it as it was written. I read slowly at first, but as the action picked up, I read faster. By the middle of the book, I was turning pages and couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happened next.

I wouldn’t say it was a gradual type of story. It was more like a roller coaster where you slowly climb to the top of a big hill before racing down through twists and turns at breakneck speed before you’re jerked to a stop at the end.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

Don’t miss this one.

Twitter: @HannahMMcKinnon
Instagram: @hannahmarymckinnon
Facebook: @HannahMaryMcKinnon

Author Bio: 

Hannah Mary McKinnon was born in the UK, grew up in Switzerland and moved to Canada in 2010. After a successful career in recruitment, she quit the corporate world in favor of writing, and is now the author of The Neighbors, Her Secret Son, and Sister Dear. She lives in Oakville, Ontario, with her husband and three sons, and is delighted by her twenty-second commute.

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Everybody Lies-Books On Tour (Review)-Fiction-Available Now

“Page-turner” definitely describes this book, but not in a thrilling, seat-of-your-pants way. Rather, it was unwinding tension that slowly crept up, making me wonder if anyone was telling anyone else the truth.

Although it wasn’t twisty like the characters were pathological liars. It was an astute and highly accurate portrayal of the lies that people tell each other (and themselves) to simply maintain some kind of normalcy or relative calm in their lives.

The author starts with the murder of a young woman and spirals the story out from that point. Each character has a connection to the woman and some of those are more obvious than others. As the investigation into her death proceeds, the reader learns just how many secrets there are in the small town.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08F9T795SSocial Apple:  http://ow.ly/xXIJ50ASemK
Kobo: http://ow.ly/x2OE50ASe4x Google: http://ow.ly/sFr850ASeqF

The story is told in alternating points of view between the three female characters, Caroline, Evvy, and Daisy. I thought that the character development was extremely well-done. I could sense their changes in perspective as they came to realizations about their lives. This was especially true of Daisy. I think she was my favorite

Although Caroline and Evvy had their own growth, I got the sense that they were held back by their own feelings of being too old – choosing (for the most part) to accept what life was handing them.

For example, Caroline never really wanted to stay on the island; she thought it would be temporary. After decades of marriage and raising a family, it is what it is (to her). But, when something happens late in the book, and she has the opportunity to finally leave, she realizes that she has built a home and leaving might not be as easy as she thought.

Daisy, however, shows real growth and maturity as she struggles between loyalty to helping her mom and embracing opportunities to better herself and her situation. I really enjoyed her chapters, as I felt her to be the most sympathetic.

Once the case is solved, all that’s left is for the characters to pick up the pieces. I did figure out who the killer was, but I think many people will be surprised. I would definitely recommend this family drama story for taut storytelling and sharp commentary on the lies we all tell – whether we realize it or not.

Facebook: emilymcavanagh77
Twitter: @admin@emilymcavanagh

Author Bio:

A teacher as well as a writer, Emily Cavanagh lives with her husband, two daughters, and an Australian Shepherd on Martha’s Vineyard Island. Her work has been published in Red Rock Review, Grain Magazine, Transfer, and Martha’s Vineyard Arts and Ideas. Read more about Emily’s work and life at www.emilycavanaghauthor.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Gordon Bickerstaff:

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GFBickerstaff 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012357701552 
Website: http://bit.ly/1g4gEoa
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gordon-bickerstaff 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5776209.Gordon_Bickerstaff
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Blog Tour (Review): Roses Are Red by Miranda Rijks

When I read a book, I make notes and write the review in my head as I proceed. The final result that you see on this blog is usually a mixture of the highlights of each mental review I complete. I can’t remember the last time I had a review change in my mind as much as it did for Roses Are Red.

At the beginning of the book, I thought it would be a psych thriller in flashbacks, illustrating the reasons leading up to the shocking first chapter. That was wrong.

Then, I thought it would be about a woman putting herself back together after trauma. That was partially right.  

As I reached a little under halfway, I was positive I had it all figured out. I was disappointed that it seemed so simple and that I still had lots more in the book to go. But I kept reading because I wanted to see how it all played out.

Can I just say that the last third of the book had me turning pages as the action ratcheted up and some of what I thought I knew got thrown out the window?

In other words, if you think that you know what is happening, you probably don’t. I don’t want to say much more than this, because it is kind of pointless to go into character development and things like that without giving away plot points, and I definitely don’t want to do that.

Suffice to say that this is a great psych thriller that can also serve as a cautionary tale (you’ll figure that one out as you read), and was compelling enough for me to read it in one sitting. That’s difficult to do. So, grab it and give yourself a whirlwind treat of a read. This is a psychological thriller with lots of suspense and you will not be disappointed.

About Miranda Rijks

Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.
Miranda is the author of YOU ARE MINE and I WANT YOU GONE. ROSES ARE RED will be her seventh novel published with Inkubator Books.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MirandaRijks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaRijksAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandarijksauthor/
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Books On Tour (Review): The Daughter She Lost by Lauren Westwood

This book went a completely different way than I thought it would, and I couldn’t be happier about that. I do love it when a book surprises me like that. Although, now that I think about it, even if the book had been more straightforward without the intrigue (more on that later), I still would have enjoyed it.

The author set the scene perfectly in the opening chapter with Amanda’s drive through the fog on her way to Avalon Springs. Aside from being well-described and atmospheric, it also illustrated the mental fog that Amanda was in personally.

As always, I know that sounds cryptic, but I don’t want to spoil anything in this review. Suffice to say that the fog that Amanda encounters on the California Coast can hide many secrets. And that is another thing the author gets absolutely right: small-towns and their hidden stories.

(On a side note, the descriptions of the location, the redwood groves, in particular, reminded me of growing up in the SF Bay Area and our cabin in the Sierra Nevada that was surrounded by giant redwoods. Good memories.)

In an isolated area, there are not always options for…well, almost anything. It is effortless for people to grow up and stay in the area because it is comfortable or because something is holding them to it. Both are true in Avalon Springs. Add in the recession or the diminishment of industry, and you can get more of a ghost town.

It also applies to the people of such a town. Their lives are often inextricably woven together, whether by choice or by circumstance. That is what Amanda finds herself in the middle of as she tries to uncover her past. The characters’ interactions weave together naturally, and nothing feels forced or trite. I liked how even Amanda’s kids were fully-realized characters and not just “props.”

The intrigue of who knew what, or who did what, had me second-guessing what I thought I knew. It also kept me turning pages, but not in a roller coaster “what’s going to happen next” way. Rather, it was the slow revealing of secrets and unraveling of lies that made this an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

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 loves hearing from readers, so if you wish to get in touch, please visit her here:

  1. Website: https://www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com/
  2. Twitter: @lwestwoodwriter  https://twitter.com/lwestwoodwriter
  3. Facebook: @Lwestwoodbooks https://www.facebook.com/Lwestwoodbooks/
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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.

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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.

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Apple Books: https://apple.co/2vVOe3C
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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
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Book Review: The Dream House

I love a good thriller that keeps a reader guessing without overt manipulation. You know the kinds of books that I mean. The books that throw a last minute character or event in to tie it all together? I find those to be dishonest.

The Dream House definitely kept me guessing, but only because the plot was masterfully crafted. I knew that everything was going to tie together somehow, but the writer did an excellent job of sneaking those ties in subtly. As I have mentioned, I leave notes on my Kindle as I read so when I write my reviews, I can remember what I was thinking/feeling at the time of reading.

In this book, I have six separate times where I left a “Wow!” or “No way…” (and even one “Holy Shit!!!!”) in my notes.

Now, y’all know that I read a lot. And I’m pretty good at guessing plot twists. I will admit that I guessed one, and half guessed another. But the others totally took me by surprise. And that’s just freaking awesome in my bookish world.

I also want to discuss the subject matter. I imagine that domestic violence is a difficult subject matter to write about. It’s a fine line between wanting to get the cruelty and depth of abuse across clearly while still treating it with respect to the victims – all while making sure it doesn’t become overly dramatic or cartoonish.

I think the author thoroughly succeeded in getting the points across succinctly and without it becoming overwrought. I especially liked how the various types of abuse were explored (again, subtly) so that characters in the present showed signs of committing the same abuses that they were against.

I know that sounds a little complicated, but psychological abuse, making excuses for the abuser, and abuse causing personality changes (among other things) are all woven into the plot, creating a tapestry of abuse-related actions that are inter-related.

This is not to say that’s all the book is. Far from it. It’s an excellent character study with a tight plot, deep characters, and twists galore – a psych thriller that truly earns the moniker “unputdownable.”

Oh, and one more thing: The title of the book switched from The Guest to The Dream House. The new title has a double meaning (which you will understand when you read the book) and I think it was a good choice to change it.

The Dream HouseThe Dream House by Jess Ryder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are psych thrillers that are “unputdownable,” and then there are ones that keep giving you one-two jabs of “holy heck what just happened?!?” The Dream House is the perfect combination of the two. I read it in two sittings (only due to a prior commitment) otherwise I would have read straight through. It is masterfully crafted with a plot that is both brutally realistic and hauntingly beautiful. It should probably be mentioned that the subject matter (domestic violence) might be triggering to some readers; descriptions can be rather frank. But the author deals with it in an honest and true-to-life way. Visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for more thoughts on this excellent book. Thank you to Bookouture (via NetGalley) for a complimentary pre-release digital ARC of this book (formerly titled The Guest).

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