The Vatican Secret-Books On Tour (Review)- Action Thriller-Available Now

I really enjoyed the first book (The Vatican Conspiracy) and was looking forward to this one.

I was not disappointed. In fact, I think this one was even better than the first.

I liked how the author jumped right into the action. It felt more like a continuation of the previous book rather than the same characters in a different plot.

That continuity allowed for a direct start. The first chapter sets the groundwork for all the events to come. There’s no need to have long, drawn out descriptions or tedious backstory.

If you read the first book, you pretty much know the players and why things are happening.

Now, that’s not to say that you can’t read this as a standalone as well. Because I know someone who read this one without having read the first one.

She really enjoyed this (said it reminded her of Dan Brown, but better) and didn’t feel lost at all. The only thing she mentioned was that she could tell that previous incidents had occurred by the way the characters referenced them. But that didn’t take away or distract from the plot at hand.

And what a plot it is. Once again, the Vatican is at the center of a global power move by internal and external forces.

That’s not a spoiler. It’s essentially in the title.

I continue to be intrigued by Marco. To me, he is both a conundrum and a Renaissance Man, a little bit good at a lot of things and a lot good at other things. That makes for interesting reading because I’m never quite sure how he will react to a situation.

I don’t want to give any plot points away, but it is a quintessential thriller with secrets, betrayals, and lots of page-turning action.

As I mentioned, I think this could be read alone, but you will definitely enjoy it more if you read the first book in the series. You’ll have a better feeling for Marco, and you’ll understand the motivations of the characters that carry into this book.

TWITTER:  phogenkampVT
FACEBOOK:   peterhogenkampbooks

Author Bio:

Peter Hogenkamp was born in upstate New York and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Go Crusaders!) He graduated in 1986 and was exiled to Europe for three years by his premedical adviser, for which he will be grateful the rest of his days. Spending the next three years – supposedly – teaching chemistry and algebra in Salzburg, Austria, he traveled extensively, drank a lot of beer and made many a lifelong friend. In his travels, he found dozens of great places for scenes in a thriller: castles perched on cliffs; monasteries tucked away in alpine valleys; villages built above rocky coastlines; cities soaked in history. When he isn’t writing or hiking with his strong-willed Cairn Terrier, Hermione, Peter practices medicine with his lovely wife, Lisa (who does most of the heavy lifting), hosts Your Health Matters, which airs on cable television, streams on YouTube and sounds off on podcast, and tends to the needs of his four children.

Her Dark Lies-Blog Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

Part mystery, part suspense, part psychological thriller, part Gothic Agatha Christie and all crazy, this was one page-turner of a book.

The haunting atmosphere was set in the prologue and the author did a great job of maintaining it throughout the entire twisty plot.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I think I’ll refer to the notes that I made as I read.

I liked how the author emphasized Claire’s artist background in the narration, specifically giving names to the colors that she was seeing. It was done with an artist’s eye which was impactful and helped me get a better feeling for Claire.

I do wish they had continued, but as the plot became more complicated, Claire’s descriptions became less embellished. I guess that does make sense for her character – she no longer had the time or inclination to notice the details.

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I also liked how the author set the tone for how the Compton family dealt with things. The repeating of statements, mantras to remind themselves, etc. were all consistent and added to the mystery surrounding the family.

I did think that the family business got short shrift. I wish there had been a bit more detail about it, as it certainly was a unique prospect – and not all that unbelievable given the current state of affairs worldwide.

But as it was it served more as a mechanic to illustrate the family’s wealth and need for privacy without elaborating and giving it a lot of depth. I think this is why another aspect didn’t completely come together for me.

I don’t know how to address that without giving anything away, but the motivations of a main character seem to spring from what the family can offer, but that was never made crystal clear to me.

Or maybe the character was just supposed to be a total sociopath and none of that matters.

I guessed early on what was really going on so there was no mystery there for me at all. Other readers may not make the connections. The author did have me second guessing a few times, and I have notes speculating that other characters were to blame (when they had nothing to do with the incidents in question).

The plot also took an Agatha Christie-like turn, where multiple people were under suspicion but just as quickly were proven to not be responsible (for various reasons).

That last third of the book was pretty gonzo. There was a lot of build-up, but then things really started happening quickly. In some ways it felt almost too frantic because it was all rapid-fire events and revelations.

There are times when I will skim parts of a book to get through because of repetition or just not holding my interest. This is NOT one of those books. I read every single part – it definitely kept me engaged.

I would certainly recommend this one. It’s an excellent brain break from reality and you’ll enjoy trying to figure out who is reliable and who isn’t.

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Twitter:  thrillerchick
Instagram: thrillerchick 

About the Author:

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

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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?

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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

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.

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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/

My Sister’s Husband-Books On Tour (Review)-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

Buy this book. Now. Don’t wait.

I mean, read this review if you want to, but seriously, if you are a fan of suspenseful stories, this is the book for you.

I’m not even sure where to start with the twists in this one.

When you think you know what is happening.

You don’t.

When you think you’ve learned all of the secrets.

You haven’t.

When you think you’ve figured out all of the lies.

You’re not even close.

This book had layers upon layers of secrets, parallel story lines with similarities in timelines, and intricate relationships that may or may not be what they seem.

I can’t say enough good things about it.

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However, that being said, I also am struggling to figure out how to write this review without giving away any of the plot points, because it would be a shame if readers had a heads up. This is definitely one to read without any hints.

To say that Freya and Brooke have a shaky sisterhood is an understatement. I loved the way that their issues mirrored Alice and Diana’s. It was interesting to see how the author drew the parallels but not as clearly as one would imagine.

There was also great emphasis on family loyalties and how they can be misconstrued or misplaced. The question of “does history repeat itself” came to mind a few times, but with the caveat of “do we create our own destiny by our actions.”

I know that sounds heavy, and this book is anything but that. It is crisply written, with a tight plot, and lots of twists (literally up until the very last page).

I didn’t say a lot about the plot – you can get a synopsis elsewhere. But seriously: Do. Not. Miss. This. Book.

It just rocketed towards the top of my best reads of the year.

Website: https://www.nicolamarsh.com/
Twitter: @NicolaMarsh
Facebook: NicolaMarshAuthor

Author Bio:
USA TODAY bestselling & multi-award winning author Nicola Marsh writes feel-good fiction with a twist! She has published 68 books with Harlequin, Amazon and indie, and sold over 8 million copies worldwide. She currently writes women’s fiction/rural romance for Harper Collins Australia Mira imprint, emotional domestic suspense for Bookouture and contemporary romance for Harlequin Dare.

She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a RBY and National
Readers’ Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times
Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath,
More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards. 

A physiotherapist for 13 years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two dashing
young heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, barracking loudly for her beloved
North Melbourne Kangaroos footy team, and her favourite, curling up with a good book!

The Innocent Girls by BR Spangler – Books On Tour (Review)

I really enjoyed the origin of Detective Casey White in Where Lost Girls Go, so I was excited about her next case. Second time this weekend, where there is no Sophomore Slump in a series (I’m on a winning streak).

Casey has progressed since moving to the Outer Banks: she’s in a relationship with Jericho, she’s firmly rooted in her job, and she seems to be coming to grips (at least a little bit) with her missing daughter, Hannah, being so close, yet still so far away.

However, with the gruesome opening scene, the author lets us know right away that not all is peaceful in the Outer Banks, and things are going to get a lot more complicated and violent. From there, a new investigation is launched…one that hits closer to home than Casey expects.

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I like Casey because she is natural. She has failings and personal demons, but she knows that she still has a job to do and she does it well. Her instincts are strong, and she puts clues together in a smart fashion.

The plot itself was interesting. Somehow the author managed to tie together cults, brainwashing, environmentalism, wrongful accusations, loyalty, love, and revenge to create a thoughtful and well-plotted case. A late twist (very late) kept me guessing up until the very end. Extremely well-done.

I did think that one lead in the case (a tie to the summer solstice) hat appeared early on was misguided and a little inaccurate. It seemed like a red herring, and not a well-informed one. Fortunately, it went by the wayside sort of quickly, so I was able to forgive it. Had it remained I would have had an issue with it.

I mentioned Casey’s demons. She has to face one head one with the reappearance of a person from her past. I loved the way she ultimately handled it (no spoiler, but you’ll know it when you read it.

With the way everything wrapped up, I’m very excited to see what’s up next for Casey and Jericho and am looking forward to the next book.

Author Bio:

B.R. Spangler here. I’m a resident of Virginia along with my family, five cats, two birds, a hamster, and a lizard. During the day, I work as an engineer and spend my off hours writing, editing, and thinking up the next great story.

I split my time across pen names, writing crime thrillers, science fiction, horrors, paranormal and contemporary fiction.

Road to Mercy by TJ Brearton – Blog Tour (Review)

I really enjoyed the first book in the Shannon Ames series, Into Darkness, and I’m really excited to say that there is no Sophomore Slump in this series.

As with the last book, this one opens with an exciting scene (not saying what it is) that sets the tone for the rest of the story. We get people on the run, dead bodies, shady financial dealings, a twisty investigation…all the elements of page-turning, thrilling suspense.

The author does not let up the entire length of the book. Even during “down” times of the investigation, the plotting is tense, and the action is compelling.

I like that Shannon herself does not let up. She is an astute and no-nonsense investigator who expects others to live up to her standards. But she isn’t necessarily “tough-as-nails” annoying. Her character is a likable bad-ass.

I also appreciate how the author allows the story to unfold, switching to other characters periodically so that we get an “update” from their point of view. It makes the story more accessible. These are the easiest thrillers to read because they’re engaging, and the action is natural.

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GY7X8QQ
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GY7X8QQ

One of the other reasons that I like these two books (and I hope that there are a lot more) is they’re largely set in and around New York City, where I used to live. There is definitely something just more to a story when you can picture the streets and neighborhoods.

Truth though, as soon as I saw Woodbury Common, I was pretty much pre-disposed to like the book, because I’ve shopped there and know the area. I did have to laugh, though, when the characters mention Raytheon in Loudoun County, because that’s practically my backyard now. So yeah, locations that are relatable give it that extra oomph.

Not that this story needs it though, because as I mentioned, this plot has everything sNot that this story needs it though, because as I mentioned, this plot has everything someone could want in a thriller. It could be set anywhere and it would still be a winner.

I really do hope that Shannon continues her investigations, because I love “watching” her work. This is one gripping thriller series that truly lives up to its hype!  

About T.J. Brearton:

T.J. Brearton’s books have reached half a million readers around the world and have topped the Amazon charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. A graduate of the New York Film Academy in Manhattan, Brearton first worked in film before focusing on novels. His books are visually descriptive with sharp dialog and underdog heroes. When not writing, Brearton does whatever his wife and three children tell him to do. They live happily in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate, New York. Yes, there are bears in the Adirondacks. But it’s really quite beautiful when you’re not running for your life. 

TJ is the author of Into Darkness, book 1 in the Shannon Ames series. ROAD TO MERCY will be his second novel published with Inkubator Books.

The Stepdaughter by Georgina Cross – Books On Tour (Review)

I’ve been on a lucky streak of suspenseful novels lately. This one absolutely fits the definition of a page-turner, as I read it one sitting.

There is very little to pick apart here. The plot was tight. There weren’t a lot of deep thoughts or angsty, twisted mind ramblings. The author gave us just enough information to whet our interest and kept things moving.

The story is told in alternating chapters between multiple characters. It never got confusing. Actually, it was one of the most effective uses of the “several narrators” style that I have read. It was also a great way to allow the reader to understand the different perspectives. This was important, especially as the layers of secrets start to unfold.

And boy, are there secrets galore in this one.

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I don’t want to give too much of the plot away (we know that’s a pet peeve of mine), but I thought the beginning with Mia going missing (and the added complication next door) was an effective starter and drew me in immediately.

Nobody is immune to hiding information from other characters. That’s not to say that it’s a great big mystery with people sneaking around corners (well, for the most part). It actually felt pretty natural, because everyone has secrets that they don’t want others to know, right?

In fact, the power of secrets and how damaging they can really be is the message that comes across loud and clear in this book.

I did think that there were a couple of characters and events that seemed to be more gratuitous than useful in advancing the plot (Coach Jacobs, for one). Although, that situation also served as a commentary on how quickly people will jump to a conclusion and run with it, and how easily rumors and harmful behavior can take root.

I also wish the author had given us a little bit more of Charlotte. I loved her whole backstory (I could relate), and she did have a couple of key points. But I think, given the pivotal part that she played, she could have had a few more chapters.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it for a quick, engrossing read. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Author website: www.Georgina-Cross-Author.com
Twitter: @GCrossAuthor Facebook: GeorginaCrossAuthor
Instagram: GeorginaCrossAuthor

Author Bio:

Georgina Cross is the author of The Stepdaughter (publishing September 2020) and Book 2 (title to be released January 2021) and Nanny Needed (to be published 2021) which are works of domestic suspense, psychological suspense, and thriller.

She is represented by Rachel Beck with Liza Dawson Associates with her suspense fiction appealing to readers of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Georgina has been writing since she was a child. Notebooks & floppy discs filled with stories: adventures growing up in New Orleans and tales from Malaysia & England where her family lives. After graduating from Louisiana State University, she pursued a career in marketing & communications and founded Susie’s Wish non-profit which sends patients with life threatening illnesses to the beach. She spends time with her husband and their combined family of four sons watching plenty of scary movies and is thrilled to be a full-time author.

Books On Tour (Review): What I Know By Miranda Smith

I liked this author’s Some Days Are Dark, so I was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. I love a good gaslighting, and I got plenty of that in this twisted thriller. It hooked me from the beginning and slowly continued to draw me in up to the explosive finale.

The author did a fantastic job setting the scene, giving the reader a peek via flashback to an event that shaped Della’s (the main character) life. I mean, wow…what an opening sentence. If that doesn’t pull you in, I don’t know what would.

The author then switches to the present when Della is an adult. Despite her family history (more on that in a second), she seems to have everything together and has made a good life for herself. I instantly related to her because she is an English teacher.

I was not surprised to see that author is a former teacher because she accurately nailed every aspect of teaching. The school scenes brought back many memories, from engaging students to dealing with ineffective administrators. The reality and accuracy of those parts made me “trust” the rest.

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I’m not sure if that makes sense. If I know someone is accurate about a topic that I am knowledgeable in, I am more likely to go along with other aspects of the story, even if they seem a little off the mark.

Not that I think Della’s past is far-fetched. On the contrary, we know that evil exists in the world and that evil people have families that must deal with them. I’m referring to some of Della’s actions later in the book that could be considered (shall we say) professionally questionable. She oversteps and pushes the boundaries of professionalism, but she has her reasons.

I liked how the author kept the action in the present, but occasionally would flashback to another event from Della’s childhood. That plotting allowed the present-day action to continue while building the foundation from the past that continued to influence Della’s perceptions. It was effective.

My only complaint, and it’s pretty minor, is that while I appreciate how Della’s past shaded her judgment and cast doubt on her suspicions, I also felt like Zoey was too much of an enigma. Her motivations could have been more evident.

I also think the author had a great build-up to the “past’s” climax, but then it was all wrapped up in a few brief paragraphs. I think a little more detail there would have helped cement both Della’s story and given a platform to Zoey’s. The whole ending also seemed a tad rushed, given how evenly plotted the rest of the book was.

Regardless, it was engaging, and it certainly kept me guessing. I highly recommend picking this one up for a thrilling summer read.

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. 

Books on Tour (Review): Winter Rising by Alex Callister

If you thought the first book was action-packed, you ain’t seen nothing yet! The author pretty much picks up where Winter Dark left off and keeps the high-octane plot going.

This time, Winter and other members of GCHQ are after a notorious hitman, the Guardsman. But is Winter off her game after her close encounter with Alek Konstantin? She certainly can’t shake him from her thoughts even as she knows he could be manipulating everything while on the run.

The author does a fantastic job of not letting up on the action, even in the “quiet” moments. There is always a feeling of…not exactly dread…but more of that you just know something big could happen at any second. To me, that’s the very definition of a page-turner.

I liked how Winter has become a more “full” character. She seemed to have more depth this time around. I loved her interactions with members of the CIA and her own team. I especially enjoyed her “mentorship” of Leon and Xiu. I think it made Winter realize a side of her personality she didn’t know she had.

That being said, she is still her caustic, cautious self. I enjoy reading about her messing with people because they never know if she is serious or not (the “Coming to America” reference comes to mind). She keeps people off-balance naturally, which is almost like a suit of protection for her.

As for the Konstantin, he is like a looming specter in both Winter’s mind and the overall plot. He is enigmatic (and apparently charismatic) which makes it difficult to decide whether to hate him for his evilness or appreciate his deceit.

I also thought it was fascinating and a little disconcerting to read about a world in chaos. There’s a different reason for it in the book (obviously), but the current global situation gave an added layer of tension. It’s not that much of a reach to think of looming possibilities. (That’s a tad bit dramatic, but the emotion is definitely there.

I’m pretty sure that I didn’t breathe much through the last third of the book. But that’s okay because now I’m primed for the next one!

Author Bio
Alex Callister is the pseudonym of an industry expert on media, telecoms and internet stocks. She studied history at Oxford and the British School at Rome and was set for a career in academia until the beginning of the tech boom woke a lifelong interest in internet shares. Alex has spent her career visiting high-security web hosting sites and speculating on what might go wrong. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallisterAuthor
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