Friday, December 18, 2020

Goodnight Beautiful Review

Author: Aimee Molloy
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Harper Audio
Format: Audio 7 hours, 55 minutes
Narrators: Val Toomey, George Newbern, Marin Ireland, Joel Froomkin
Release Date: Oct. 13, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Rating: 4 Insane Hearts

*A special thank you to Libro.fm and Harper Audio for an audio arc of this book.

From “master of clever misdirection” (Kirkus Reviews) Aimee Molloy, author of the New York Times bestseller The Perfect Mother, comes an irresistible psychological thriller featuring a newly married woman whose life is turned upside down when her husband goes missing.

Review:
Goodnight Beautiful is a twisted psychological thriller that left this reader lost in a room of smoke and mirrors trying to figure out who was authentic and who was wearing a disguise.  I quickly learned that Author Aimee Molloy is an expert at misdirection - one who excels at shattering gender norms and readers expectations.  And one who loves to manipulate characters and readers with clever plot lines, unreliable narrators and shocking twists.  Be prepared to be thoroughly entertained while flipping pages in an effort to figure this one out.

Psychologist Sam Statler and his new wife Annie Potter have moved to Sam's home town on the outskirts of New York to be near Sam's ailing mother.  When the landlord of an old Victorian house offers Sam space for his office, Sam knows he's found the perfect spot.  What Sam doesn't realize is that someone can hear every word of his counseling sessions, every dirty little town secret, through the vent in the ceiling.  With the paint still wet on his sign, Sam starts seeing patients - many of whom are old flames from Sam's wild, single days.  But Sam only has eyes for Annie and hates having to keep secrets from her.  Until a mysterious French woman in a mini cooper walks in, clearly wanting more than a counseling session.  Any man would be tempted, right?  When she calls asking for an emergency home visit, Sam's loyalties are tested.  It's late, a dangerous storm is raging and he should be headed home to his wife.  He rushes out of his office and . . . disappears.  Where is Sam? 

That's all I'll share about this cleverly plotted, compelling thriller.  Avoid spoilers and step in blind to get the full effect of Mollory's cunning writing style.  Whether you read or listen to this story, you're sure to be surprised, even shocked, at least a time or two before the ending as this author deftly guides both characters and readers through twists and turns, spinning them around in circles then leaving them dizzy and questioning their own sanity.  Goodnight Beautiful unfolds via three story narrators who are all highly unreliable and almost impossible to figure out.  The audio is especially effective because these voices are portrayed by different narrators lending an air of authenticity and mystery to this book.  I will say I struggled just a bit in the beginning with the voice of one of the main narrators, but soon realized it's the author's intent - part of the misdirection and illusion.  Once I settled in, I tumbled head over heels into a story that rendered me totally confused at times and yet highly motivated to seek answers. 

Goodnight Beautiful is intense, mysterious and a bit creepy.  The author's clever narrative and dubious characters led me through a world of mind games where I soon realized someone else was holding the winning hand, and readers are charged with figuring out who and why?  I can only say "Well played, Aimee Mollory."  I highly recommend Goodnight Beautiful (book and audio) to fans of mysteries, domestic suspense and thrillers.  It's one wild, hallucinating ride!

Synopsis:
Newlyweds Sam Statler and Annie Potter are head over heels, and excited to say good-bye to New York and start a life together in Sam's sleepy hometown in upstate New York. Or, it turns out, a life where Annie spends most of her time alone while Sam, her therapist husband, works long hours in his downstairs office, tending to the egos of his (mostly female) clientele. Little does Sam know that through a vent in his ceiling, every word of his sessions can be heard from the room upstairs. The pharmacist's wife, contemplating a divorce. The well-known painter whose boyfriend doesn’t satisfy her in bed. Who could resist listening? Everything is fine until the French girl in the green mini Cooper shows up, and Sam decides to go to work and not come home, throwing a wrench into Sam and Annie's happily ever after.

Showcasing Molloy’s deft ability to subvert norms and culminating in the kind of stunning twist that is becoming her trademark, Goodnight Beautiful is a thrilling tale of domestic suspense that not only questions assumptions but defies expectations.

Twitter:  aimeenmolloy

Monday, December 14, 2020

Take It Back Review & Blog Tour





Early praise for Take It Back


"Riveting, thought-provoking legal thriller... Abdullah is definitely a writer to watch." - Publishers Weekly, starred review


"Abdullah has done an exemplary job of character development and is especially good at ratcheting up suspense as the trial proceeds." - Booklist, starred review


"A thought-provoking and sparklingly intelligent novel, with the welcome bonus of an unguessable ending." —The Telegraph



Series: Zara Kaleel #1
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Release Date: Dec. 8, 2020


My Rating: 5 Powerful Hearts

A special thank you to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book & blog tour invitation.

From author Kia Abdullah, Take It Back is a harrowing and twisting courtroom thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page is turned.

Review:
Readers, take notice! Take It Back is a stunning, twisted courtroom drama that raises the bar for legal thrillers. Highly compulsive, shocking, powerful . . . a real page burner of she said/they said. When a sixteen year old girl comes to Artemis House to report being lured away from a party and raped by four classmates, Zara Kaleel is assigned her case. Zara shocked family and friends when she left her lucrative career as a lawyer to become a sexual assault counselor seeking justice for victims of assault. Upon hearing Jodie's story, she believes her and sets out to prove her case. Little does she know, she's just opened Pandora's Box and the repercussions will change life as she, the victim, the accused and every person in town knows it.

Jodie Wolf was born with a horrifying facial deformity. Shunned and bullied by classmates, her life as a sixteen year old white girl is one of isolation and loneliness. And yet, she experiences all the emotions typical teenage girls feel including an attraction to a popular muslim boy -  although she knows he sees her as a monster. Imagine her surprise when said boy approaches her at a party, convincing her he wants to help her. The devastating events later that night shatter her fragile world, leading to a tsunami of which she later says, "I wish I could take it back". One white girl with a disability and her muslin counselor chasing demons of her own vs. 4 popular muslim boys from hardworking immigrant families - all with solid alibis. It's a case of he said/she said, and the gloves are off. Who will you believe?

Author Kia Abdullah has rendered a stunning, heart wrenching story covering some major issues including race, religion, culture, politics, sexual assault, prejudice and disabilities. Tackling all these issues in one book is a huge undertaking, but Abdullah does so with expertise and care as she maneuvers the minefield of sexual assault among a society that believes women belong in the home. Much of this story plays out through explosive courtroom scenes surrounded by a frenzied media circus - all serving to enrage a highly volatile town torn apart by political, racial and religious views. The drama unfolding is unsettling and yet so real you can smell the sweat, tears, and fear. The author's skillful manipulation of both characters and readers is simply magnificent as the revelations just keep coming.

To say Take It Back is cunning and shocking and heartbreaking is an understatement. The complex, disturbing, and highly compulsive narrative drew me in and kept me burning through pages to get at the truth. Driven by a steadily increasing pace and sense of some unknown, I found myself totally captivated as I devoured page after page, chapter after chapter . . . constantly changing my mind about whose story to believe. When the truth was finally revealed, I sat there in shock. Wow. Never saw that one coming. Well done, Kia Abdullah. I can't wait for book 2! Take It Back is powerful, authentic, eye opening, and in many ways . . . educational. I highly recommend it to fans of courtroom and suspense thrillers.

 Synopsis:

One victim.

Four accused.

Who is telling the truth?

Zara Kaleel, one of London's brightest legal minds, shattered the expectations placed on her by her family and forged a brilliant legal career. But her decisions came at a high cost, and now, battling her own demons, she has exchanged her high profile career for a job at a sexual assault center, helping victims who need her the most. Victims like Jodie Wolfe.

When Jodie, a sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities, accuses four boys in her class of an unthinkable crime, the community is torn apart. After all, these four teenage defendants are from hard-working immigrant families and they all have proven alibis. Even Jodie's best friend doesn't believe her.

But Zara does—and she is determined to fight for Jodie—to find the truth in the face of public outcry. And as issues of sex, race and social justice collide, the most explosive criminal trial of the year builds to a shocking conclusion.

Author Bio



KIA ABDULLAH is an author and travel writer. She has contributed to
The Guardian, BBC, Channel 4 News, and The New York Times. Kia currently travels the world as one half of the travel blog Atlas & Boots, which receives over 200,000 views per month.


Author Website

Instagram

Twitter @KiaAbdullah

Facebook

GoodReads

Sunday, December 13, 2020

The Lady Upstairs Review

 

Author: Hallie Sutton
Genre: Thriller/Modern Noir
Publisher: G.P. Putnam
Release Date: Nov. 17, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Rating: 3.5 Provocative Hearts

*Many thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book via Netgalley.

A modern-day noir featuring a twisty cat-and-mouse chase, this dark debut thriller tells the story of a a woman who makes a living taking down terrible men...then finds herself in over her head and with blood on her hands. The only way out? Pull off one final con.

Review:
The Lady Upstairs is a dark, provocative, modern day noir thriller about women doling out vigilante-style justice in the form of blackmail to some powerful men in Hollywood with questionable ethics.  The story has a decidedly feminist voice with the boss aka the lady upstairs deciding which men need knocking off their pedestal for violating a code of conduct she considers unsuitable.  Lou, the only woman who knows the identity of the "lady", serves as the liaison between her and the working girls.   Our protagonist Jo has almost paid off her debt to the lady upstairs and is planning to get out of the business once she does.  One bad decision and suddenly Jo is in over her head and faced with helping dispose of a dead client.  With both her unknown boss and the cops hot on her tail, Jo's only option is to pull one more job - this time entirely on her own.  She'll make back the money she needs and be free.  Is it ever really that simple?

The Lady Upstairs is an intriguing, unique thriller that's leans heavily on a character driven plot line.  It starts off strong with the setup and introduction of characters.  There's a cynical tone and morality playing out with justice being handed down in a twisted match game of wits.  I found the writing and story structure to be solid, and enjoyed the old Hollywood ties and ambiance.  However, the story begins to wobble midway through as readers are abandoned to deal with Jo's repeated drunken ramblings.  The results are a slight loss of focus and slowing pace.  It left my mind rambling much as Jo did.  The pace picks up again as the story rolls toward the finish line and while I wasn't shocked by the big reveal, I was entertained.  This is Halley Sutton's debut novel, and she's off to a great start.  Highly recommended to fans of mystery and suspense with a dark edge.

Synopsis:
Jo's job is blackmailing the most lecherous men in Los Angeles--handsy Hollywood producers, adulterous actors, corrupt cops. Sure, she likes the money she's making, which comes in handy for the debt she is paying off, but it's also a chance to take back power for the women of the city. Eager to prove herself to her coworker Lou and their enigmatic boss, known only as the Lady Upstairs, Jo takes on bigger and riskier jobs.

When one of her targets is murdered, both the Lady Upstairs and the LAPD have Jo in their sights. Desperate to escape the consequences of her failed job, she decides to take on just one more sting--bringing down a rising political star. It's her biggest con yet--and she will do it behind the Lady's back, freeing both herself and Lou. But Jo soon learns that Lou and the Lady have secrets of their own, and that no woman is safe when there is a life-changing payout on the line.

A delicious debut thriller crackling with wit and an unforgettable feminist voice, The Lady Upstairs is a chilling and endlessly surprising take on female revenge.

H

Sunday, November 22, 2020

All Scot and Bothered Review


Author: Kerrigan Bryne
Series: Devil You Know #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Release Date: Sept. 29, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Rating: 3.5 

A special thank you to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.

They are a dangerous duke, a fierce lord, and an infamous earl—dark, bold, brave men who know exactly what they want. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...

Review:
All Scot and Bothered is an enemies to lovers historical romance with a lot of sizzle and pop between the hero and heroine.  Cecelia Teague is a smart, creative woman who just learned she's inherited a gambling empire that includes a few ladies of ill repute.  Unfortunately, this places her under the scrutiny of Lord Chief Justice of the High Court Cassius Gerard Ramsey who's determined to shut the place down.  When they first meet at a dinner, Ramsay doesn't have a clue who Cecelia is and sparks fly between them.  Later, when he comes to the gambling establishment on official business, Cecelia's in disguise and he doesn't immediately recognize her.  In the meantime, their attraction and chemistry spike as she works to keep her identity hidden.  The story that unfolds is heated in more ways than one!

Author Kerrigan Bryne brings a lot of heat to historical romance with sexual tension that's explosive.  I enjoyed Cecelia as another strong heroine with a spine of steel and a mind of her own.  It took more time for me to warm up to Ramsay as some of his actions are particularly harsh, but the interaction between these characters set the stage for an intriguing story with surprising depth.  While this isn't my favorite by this talented author, it's perfect for fans of historical romance with a twist . . . and lots of chemistry.

Synopsis:
He is first and foremost—at everything. A man who's made his own way in the world through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London's most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he's ever met.
IN THIS GAME OF LOVE, THE RULES DO NOT APPLY
Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future—until a secret benefactor from her mother's scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips...Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women...and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?
 

If you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Namesake Review

Duology: Fable #2
Author: Adrienne Young
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: March 16, 2021
Order Links: Amazon  


My Rating: 5 Churning Hearts


*Many thanks to Mary Moates @ Wednesday Books for an arc of this book. You guys are dominating the genre right now!  You never let me down.

Filled with action, emotion, and lyrical writing, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with Namesake, the final book in the captivating Fable duology.

Review:
Finishing the Fable duology left me with dueling emotions churning inside like a choppy sea.  I'm captivated by this fantastic story, amazing world and dynamic characters.  And yet, I hated reading the last page knowing it was The End.  Now I'm mourning the loss of Fable, West, Willow, Saint and the rest of the motley crew I've come to love.  Young does an incredible job of weaving everything together and bringing plot lines to a satisfying closure in Namesake.  I'm just not ready to give these characters up, and I don't think you'll be either.  You MUST read Fable, book one first and avoid all spoilers for both books.  If you do, this story will sweep you away like a riptide.

The Fable duology is hands down one of the best young adult fantasy stories I've ever read - that includes both books!  Like a siren's song, this tale lured me in with rich, expressive sights, sounds, smells, and oh so many feels.  Namesake continues where Fable left off.  If you've read Fable, you know that Fable (the protagonist) is blindsided at the end of book one by a notorious foe using her as a pawn in a complex power game.  Stormy seas are ahead for Fable as she calls upon her strength and special talents to persevere and survive against all odds.  And just when she and readers think she's worked her way through all the deceit and betrayals, a storm of secrets unravel inundating her with more shocking truths.  What will Fable have to sacrifice to protect loved ones?  Will she lose everything?

Namesake is a majestic tale of courage, power, betrayal, sacrifice, secrets and risking it all for  love.  The characters are bigger than life - potent and colorful and flawed and real.  I want more stories about this heart-stealing cast.  The setting and world building are unbelievably good - magnificent, overwhelming, unexpected and ever changing like the sea.  Fast paced action drives the story and readers forward as plot lines tangle and twist.  I planned to read Namesake over a long weekend . . . talk about famous last words.  I started reading page one Friday night and finished the book in the wee hours of Saturday morn.  There's no stopping once you begin, my friends.  Beware and set some time aside because you won't be able to put this one down.  Namesake is an epic tale of survival, sacrifice, and the search for truth - the search for "home".  I highly recommend both books - Fable & Namesake to readers everywhere.  This is a journey you don't want to miss, my friends. 
 
Synopsis:
Trader. Fighter. Survivor.

With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and its crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when she becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems.

As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception she learns that her mother was keeping secrets, and those secrets are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them then she must risk everything, including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.


Adrienne Young is a born and bred Texan turned California girl. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, scouring antique fairs for old books, sipping wine over long dinners, or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings beneath the West Coast sun.

For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/

Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks
Twitter: @adriennebooks

Monday, November 16, 2020

Waiting On The Rain Review

 

Author: Claudia Connor
Series: McKinney/Walker #3
Genre: Romance
Release Date: Dec. 31, 2020
Order Link: Amazon


My Rating: 4 Beautiful Hearts


A special thank you to Author Claudia Connor for an arc of this book.



Review:
After twenty long years away, Luke Walker is home for his brother Zach's wedding hoping to make amends and reconnect with the siblings he walked away from at age seventeen. Luke's at loose ends, a bit lost after his sudden decision to leave military life not knowing what his future holds.  And then he meets UN interpreter Ava Bennet who's home for a few weeks to help her mother care for her father during his rehabilitation.  Ava's been blind since birth and without the familiarity of her New York City surroundings and public transportation, she's dependent on others which she hates.  Both Luke and Ava carry secrets and regrets - each choosing to remain alone rather than risk disappointment and hurt again.  When the two share a dance at Zach's wedding, the connection and chemistry are immediate and intense.  Waiting On The Rain is their story - tender, intimate, loving.  But Happily Ever After?  Highly unlikely.

Claudia Connor's skill at weaving intimate, heartwarming love stories is evident in Waiting On The Rain.  She excels at drawing readers' into the midst of large families - the gatherings, meals, rivalry between siblings, support system - where they quickly become entangled and hopelessly in love with the characters.  I was immediately drawn to Luke - his fears, anxiety, regrets and the same with Ava with her own self-doubts and ghosts.  I love that the author showcases Ava's strengths - her independence and ability to adapt in unknown situations as well as Luke's easy acceptance of her unique challenges. 

Waiting On The Rain is a beautiful story of two different people with two separate lives learning to trust each other against all odds as they fall in love when there's every reason in the world why it won't work.  The relaxing quiet small town and open country setting is conducive to a transformation in both characters as they explore their feelings and question what they thought they wanted in a future even as they learn to put the past at rest.  Can a city girl and a country boy make it work?  Both have their doubts and fears to overcome.  And yet . . . the chemistry and desire sparking between them is off the charts as are the bedroom scenes.  Rest assured, Connor has no issue including steamy lovemaking into her happily ever after stories.  

Waiting On The Rain is low angst romance at its best.  It's a touching, intimate and beautiful story of two people learning to let go of the past while finding the trust to build a future together.  I read this book in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down once I met these characters and became engrossed in their lives.  I highly recommend it to fans of romance as well as those who just enjoy a good, heartwarming story. 

Synopsis:
Being blind doesn’t hold Ava Bennet back in the least. With her work, her shopping, and public transportation within walking distance, she’s totally at home in the big city. But she’s not in the city now. Temporarily back in her small home town to help her father has her struggling in a big way.
 
Luke Walker is done running from his troubled past. Finally home after years in the military, he’s ready to make amends with his family and set down some roots. But adapting to civilian life is much harder than he ever expected.
 
She has no intention of sticking around. He has no plans to run again. All they have is one month together. Will it be enough for Luke to prove he’s everything Ava needs—in light, in darkness, and most importantly, even in the rain?   
 
 
Claudia Connor is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The McKinney Brothers.

Claudia writes, warm, heartfelt contemporary romances with a bit of steam, a lot of family and always a happily ever after. Claudia attended Auburn University, where she received her undergraduate and masters degrees in early childhood education, and completed her studies in Sawbridgeworth, England. When she's not writing, she enjoys movies, reading, and travel, with a heavy dose of daydreaming during all three. Claudia lives near Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three daughters.

You can find out more about Claudia’s books at http://claudiaconnor.com

or stop by and say hello on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaConnor.
 


Thursday, November 12, 2020

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Review


Author: Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date:  Feb. 2, 2021
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  4 Hilarious Hearts

Many thanks to Minotaur Books for a paperback arc of this book. #MinotaurInfluencers #FinlayDonovanIsKillingIt

Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano’s adult debut Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a witty, fast-paced mystery series, following struggling suspense novelist and single mom Finlay Donovan, whose fiction treads dangerously close to the truth as she becomes tangled in real-life murder investigations...

Review:
Author Elle Cosimano's adult mystery debut Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a breath of fresh air in the genre. The story features Finlay Donovan aka single mother of two, romance suspense writer and suspected contract killer and cohort Vero aka the on again, off again nanny and accomplice. Everything about this story is an exaggeration, larger than life - from the mystery of the murder to the untimely appearance of dead bodies to the hilarious antics and banter of our relatable protagonist and her sidekick. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It has it all – intriguing mystery, wacko characters, brisk plot line, and ludicrous comedy. The only real danger in reading this book is expiring from laughter while you're imprisoned in the pages with no desire to escape.

Finlay, a recently divorced, romance suspense writer nursing a bad case of writer's block and another missed deadline, is staring down another bad day when she meets with her agent at a local restaurant to discuss her progress, or lack thereof, on her next book. After a lady seated nearby who showed blatant interest in their conversation leaves, Finlay discovers a mysterious note left behind – one that will change the course of and secure her future but not without consequences. The next thing she knows, she and Vero are in the middle of a murder investigation while doing their best to skirt the local law and organized crime. The end results are hilarious - a comedy of errors wrapped around a good if barely believable mystery.

Finlay Donovan’s a strong if sometimes foolish protagonist who's easily identifiable. The author’s skill at portraying Finlay as a real life single mother struggling to do it all is golden, making her relatable and likable while drawing readers’ empathy. Single mothers will recognize and commiserate with Finlay and have no issue justifying her actions. Likewise, the dynamics of the relationship between Finlay and Vero and the portrayal of Vero as a witty sidekick rather than the typical scheming nanny is perfection. The growing camaraderie between these two women as they dare each other into making yet another bad decision makes for delightful, laugh out loud, exaggerated scenes filled with witty banter – a perfect portrayal of true friendship. A support cast of maybe, maybe not boyfriends and unreliable suspects with too many motives to count serves to keep the mystery of whodunit alive, and even though I recognized where this was headed, the author's youthful writing style and wry sense of humor kept me thoroughly entertained throughout. Cosimano's skillful utilization of a writer passing what’s essentially a spoof of her own current situation off as a fictional mystery to deliver the plot is brilliant as is the manipulation of larger than life characters and scenes that twist and turn right through the final aha moment. This may not be the best executed mystery ever written, but it wins my vote for most hilarious.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a series featuring these characters. I'll definitely be tuned in to see where the author takes this in the future. Highly recommended to fans of mystery, comedy, and dark satire.

 

Author of NEARLY GONE, HOLDING SMOKE, THE SUFFERING TREE, SEASONS OF THE STORM, and FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT (Feb 2, 2021 from Minotaur Books). Represented by Sarah Davies of The Greenhouse Literary Agency.


Wednesday, October 14, 2020

The Unwilling Review

Author: John Hart
Genre: Crime Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: Feb. 2, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Rating:  5 Fractured Hearts

A special thank you to St. Martins Press for an early arc of this book via Netgalley.  Book Synopsis and Author Bio follow my review.

Set in the South at the height of the Vietnam War, The Unwilling combines crime, suspense and searing glimpses into the human mind and soul in New York Times bestselling author John Hart's singular style.

Review:
A family shredded by the Vietnam war.  A father and mother left grieving the loss of their eldest son, unable to forgive their second son, and vowing to protect their youngest son.  Three brothers - the good one, the bad one, and the dead one.  Robert, whose brothers idolized him, died serving in Vietnam, Jason, following in the steps of his brother, served three tours and returned home a broken, angry, drug addicted shell of a man, and Gibby, a high school senior on the cusp of manhood, struggling to live up to his parents high expectations while stretching his boundaries and discovering first love.  Jason has served his time - both in the war and prison - and now wants to recover the bond with his younger brother Gibby against the wishes of his parents who fear Jason will lead Gibby down the wrong road.  The French family is irrevocably broken - split apart by an unpopular war, devastating loss, and paralyzing fear and guilt.  And when Gibby goes against their wishes and sneaks away for a day with Jason and two women, events are put into play that will raze their lives once again.  Murder, accusations, a day of reckoning. But who will pay?

This is my first book by John Hart.  It will not be the last.  What I discovered is a clean, sharp, precise author who doesn't waste words and yet delivers emotionally charged characters and vivid scenes that stimulate all five senses while fully engaging mind, heart, and soul.  Plot lines are intricately woven and challenging, unfolding at a brisk pace and ominous tone.  I was quickly drawn into this dark tale of love and hate and anguish and hopelessness.  The Unwilling is a raw, gritty crime thriller - a story of a family ravaged by war, reckless words, blame, guilt, and fear.  It's a story of redemption, proving oneself, and coming of age.  It's about hearts forever scarred.  The Unwilling is a taut, tense masterpiece - one I won't soon forget.  I highly recommend it to everyone.

Synopsis:
Gibby's older brothers have already been to war. One died there. The other came back misunderstood and hard, a decorated killer now freshly released from a three-year stint in prison.

Jason won't speak of the war or of his time behind bars, but he wants a relationship with the younger brother he hasn't known for years. Determined to make that connection, he coaxes Gibby into a day at the lake: long hours of sunshine and whisky and older women.

But the day turns ugly when the four encounter a prison transfer bus on a stretch of empty road. Beautiful but drunk, one of the women taunts the prisoners, leading to a riot on the bus. The woman finds it funny in the moment, but is savagely murdered soon after.

Given his violent history, suspicion turns first to Jason; but when the second woman is kidnapped, the police suspect Gibby, too. Determined to prove Jason innocent, Gibby must avoid the cops and dive deep into his brother's hidden life, a dark world of heroin, guns and outlaw motorcycle gangs.

What he discovers there is a truth more disturbing than he could have imagined: not just the identity of the killer and the reasons for Tyra's murder, but the forces that shaped his brother in Vietnam, the reason he was framed, and why the most dangerous man alive wants him back in prison.
JOHN HART is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, and of THE UNWILLING, which will be released on February 2, 2021. The only author in history to win the best novel Edgar Award for consecutive novels, Hart has also won the Barry Award, the Southern Independent Bookseller’s Award for Fiction, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and the North Carolina Award for Literature. His novels have been translated into thirty language and can be found in over seventy countries. “My only real dream,” John declares, “has been to write well and to be published well.”

He lives in Virginia with his wife, two daughters, and four dogs.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Dear Child Review

Author: Romy Hausmann
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release Date:  Oct. 9, 2020
Purchase Link: Amazon

My Rating: 5 Psychotic Hearts

Many thanks to Flatiron Books & Macmillan Publishers for an arc of this book. #readinginsidersclub

Gone Girl meets Room in this page-turning thriller from one of Germany's hottest new talents

Review:
BAM! The sound of a watermelon smashing as it's dropped on the floor . . . or a head shattering as it's beaten against a wall . . . or my mind exploding after reading this dark, chilling, one-of-a-kind psychological suspense thriller. You'll get the analogy after you read Dear Child.  Friends, what we have here is as rare as hen's teeth - a brilliantly written thriller that imprisons readers in an isolated, windowless shack deep in the woods in the middle of nowhere with a woman, 2 children, and their "protector".  If you think you've read something like this before, think again. I promise you if you survive and find your way through all the smoke and mirrors to the astounding end, you'll realize how unique and special this story is. 

I knew nothing about Dear Child when I accepted an arc other than what the synopsis told me.  It sounded intriguing, but in no way prepared me for the harrowing journey to come.  Avoid spoiler reviews and this twisted tale of mind-games will spike your blood pressure and raise the hair on the back of your neck.  Before I realized what was happening, I found myself incarcerated by the dark, gripping multi-layered plot, malicious undertones and unreliable, flawed characters.  Shackled to my seat, I couldn't stop reading or break the chains binding me until the blindsiding end.  I read a LOT of psychological thrillers and often figure things out well before the end.  Not this time.  I devoured Dear Child trying to figure out WHO to believe, WHO is deceiving who, WHO is the real villain, WHO is the monster - for that matter ... WHO is the captive?  

Dear Child unfolds through three points of view - a woman captive, a child, and a father. Vague? Yes.  As I said, go into this one blind.  The water gets murky quickly in this horrifying, jaw-dropping tale.  The story is told in present time with heartbreaking glimpses into the past raising several tough questions.  I found the voice of the child Hannah especially disturbing yet compelling - an almost monotone delivery of knowledge, facts and insight way beyond her years in a near programmed-like state, and amazingly, this set the gripping tone that drives the gut-wrenching story forward at a brisk pace.  I haven't read a book before that challenged me as a reader as thoroughly as this one did.  I'll say it touches on the fragile psyche of victims held in captivity for long periods of time.  It speaks to the many different perspectives on what is "normal" and the manner in which our perceptions are authenticated.  It emphasizes the long, hard road to recovery for people trapped in their own mind by horrifying life experiences and the heavy burden laid on them by a world that can't understand.  I applaud German Author Romy Hausmann for her first book to be translated in English as she has set the bar high.  I dare say I don't expect to read another thriller like it for long time to come if ever.  Dear Child is a raw, gritty, psychotic suspense thriller that blew me away on its way to earning every single one of my 5 stars along with a spot on my All-Time Favorites List.  Fans of mystery, suspense, and psychological thrillers, you must read this book and help spread the word.  There's a new sheriff/suspense author in town!  Dear Child is a brilliantly delivered, one-of-a-kind stunner!

Synopsis:
In a windowless shack in the woods, Lena and her two children live a life that follows the rules set by their captor, the father: Meals, bathroom visits, study time are strictly scheduled and meticulously observed. He says he is protecting them from the dangers lurking in the outside world.

One day Lena manages to flee, but the nightmare continues. There is the question of whether she really is the woman named "Lena," who disappeared without a trace fourteen years ago?—she has the distinctive scar, but the family swears she isn’t the girl they lost. The police and Lena's family are all desperately trying to piece together a puzzle that doesn't quite seem to fit. And it feels to Lena as if the tormentor she fled still somehow wants to get her back.



Dear Child is told from three points-of-view: the woman who escaped and is coming to terms with life outside the shack; the missing Lena’s father, who would do anything to get her back and is becoming more and more unhinged; and the daughter raised entirely in that isolated world, a little girl with Asperger’s and a photographic memory who may know more than she’s letting on.

Twisty, suspenseful, and psychologically clever, this captivating thriller, which starts where others end, has all the ingredients of a breakout hit.
 

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Heartbreak Bay Review

 

Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Stillhouse Lake #5
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Release Date: March 9, 2021
Purchase Link: Amazon  Barnes & Noble

My Rating: 4 Heartbreaking Hearts

*Many thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book via Netgalley.

Review:
Heartbreak Bay is the fifth book in the Stillhouse Lake series and another superb addition to the series.  I'll say upfront that while each of these books will standalone, you're missing a great reading experience and a lot of character development if you skip any of the books.  My advice: Read in order!

This story opens with Gwen, Sam, Lanny and Connor living an almost normal life in their new home a little distance away from Stillhouse Lake.  It appears the vigilantes have finally focused their attentions elsewhere and life is good again . . . until its not.  A phone call in the wee hours from Det. Kezia Claremont pulls now P.I. Gwen out of the warm bed she shares with Sam into the ominous dark night.  She meets Kez on a seldom traveled road beside a murky pond near Stillhouse where a submerged vehicle is pulled out of the water.  Two young sisters are in the backseat still strapped in their child seats.  No one else is around.  Both Kez and Gwen are horrified and heartbroken at the unspeakable crime.  Where is their mother?  Was she kidnapped?  The answers to these questions lead Kez and Gwen into a deadly investigation that goes from bad to worse, stirring a hornet's nest that draws the crazies back out of the woodwork.  Gwen's life is in chaos yet again.  An invisible killer is playing a game of "Would you rather . . . " with them and the endgame is their lives.  

Heartbreak Bay is a character driven story that unravels at a deadly pace.  As events spiral out of control, it becomes clear that Kez and Gwen are being played by a cruel killer.  Caine excels at setting a tone of malice that carries throughout with imminent danger always lurking around the next corner.  I swear I could hear my heart bound as this story played out.  I especially loved learning more about Kez in this one as readers get a look at what makes her tick.  She and Gwen put their lives on the line to protect loved ones and their heart, grit, and drive is a force to be reckoned with.  This story is action-packed from cover to cover with an explosive block-buster ending that might be a bit unbelievable IF it was anyone else.  But in this case, the author has clearly done her research and also previously established these characters as super heroes with a strong sense of right and wrong.  Heartbreak Bay is a raw, emotional, high octane suspense thriller that I highly recommend to everyone.  Especially fans of this highly addictive series!

*On a Personal Note:  Hugs and prayers go out to author Rachel Caine during her battle against cancer.  Just like the strong women she writes about, Rachel's heart, will, and endless determination is an inspiration to us all.  We love you, Rachel!

Synopsis:
They’re hunting a killer so silent, so invisible, that his unspeakable crimes are the only proof he exists.

A car submerged in a remote pond. The bodies of two girls strapped into their seats. The mystery of their mother, vanished without a trace, leads Gwen Proctor and Kezia Claremont into dangerous territory.

On the surface, Gwen’s life is good—two children approaching adulthood, a committed partner, and a harrowing past dead and gone. But that past is attracting the attention of someone invisible…and unstoppable. Trouble’s just beginning. So is the body count in this backwoods Tennessee town.

As threats mount and Gwen’s hunted by an enemy who pulls all the strings, Kezia has her back. But working to solve these vicious and unreasonable crimes will expose them both to a killer they can’t for the life of them see coming.

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Saturday, September 26, 2020

Don't Look for Me Review


 Author: Wendy Walker
Genre: Psychological Suspense
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Release Date: Sept. 15, 2020
Purchase Links: Amazon  Barnes & Noble

My Rating: 4.5 Mysterious Hearts

Many thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book via Netgalley. #macmillansreadersinsidersclub

"In Wendy Walker's thrilling novel Don't Look for Me, the greatest risk isn’t running away. It’s running out of time.

Review:
A grieving family torn apart by guilt and blame over the death of a child.  A mother pushed to the edge, disappearing without a trace after running out of gas in the eye of a hurricane.  A family searching for two weeks before evidence surfaces that indicates she walked away from them and doesn't want to be found.  Did she?

Don't Look For Me is a riveting psychological thriller that I read mostly in one sitting.  I was hooked from the first few pages all the way through the end.  This story unfolds through two points of view - Molly, a grieving mother and her oldest daughter Nicole who bears guilt and secrets of her own.  The setting is a small, dying town in the middle of nowhere, reeking with creepy vibes and a slew of suspicious characters that kept me guessing.  A frantic pace pushes this story forward at breakneck speed when Nic follows her gut feeling and a mysterious phone call to return to town and resume the search for her mother.  All I can say is hold on for dear life as this story will knock you off your feet as these characters maneuver dangerous twists and turns.  A unique support cast adds to the mystery and intrigue of this dark tale.  And while I figured out part of it, I'd was still stunned by the shocker at the end.  Don't Look For Me is another 2020 Favorite.  Highly recommended!
 
Synopsis:
One night, Molly Clarke walked away from her life.

She doesn't want to be found.

Or at least, that's the story.

The car abandoned miles from home.

The note found at a nearby hotel.

The shattered family that couldn’t be put back together.

They called it a “walk away.”

It happens all the time.

Women disappear, desperate to leave their lives behind and start over.

But is that what really happened to Molly Clarke?


Wendy Walker is the author of psychological suspense. Her novels have been translated into 23 foreign languages and have topped bestseller lists both nationally and abroad. They have been featured on The Today Show, The Reese Witherspoon Book Club, and The Book of the Month Club and have been optioned for television and film.