Coming Home Review & Blog Tour

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: Nov. 29, 2022

Special thanks to Berkley for an arc and book tour invitation.

Meet the author & read an excerpt below!

When an army vet becomes a firefighter in small-town Colorado, the flames of an old love reignite in this sweet romance by bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray

Review:

Coming Home is a beautiful second chance romance with damaged characters I couldn't help but fall in love with.  Anderson and Chelsea were not only high school sweethearts, but on the cusp of a lifetime commitment when he announced he was entering the army upon graduation, and they should break up. Devastated by what she thought was a harsh brush off, Chelsea went away to college where an event changed her life forever. Their paths cross again ten years later as they both find themselves back in their small hometown and unable to avoid one another.  Anderson now works at the fire department as a paramedic, and Chelsea loves her work at the local senior center. Both of them are completely different people whose lives apart have profoundly changed them and yet when they meet again, the spark's still there.  Can they set aside their pain over lost dreams and give love a second chance?

Coming Home is a sweet, second chance contemporary romance that showcases two characters, each carrying regret and guilt from the past.  Gray does a great job exploring the hurt and pain while allowing both characters to come to terms with their past before committing to moving forward as a couple.  I enjoyed the secondary plot line involving two senior citizens whose circumstances ring true as they seek solutions to issues faced by thousands of seniors every year.  These characters are believable and easy to like and their dialogue is realistic.  Highly recommended to fans of second chance contemporary romance.

Synopsis:

In Woodland Park, a small town nestled in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Anderson Kelly and Chelsea Davis were once the high school "it" couple--the star quarterback and the valedictorian. They broke up when Anderson joined the army and one poor decision at a fraternity party changed Chelsea's life. Now, she works long shifts in a senior center to support her nine-year-old son, Jack.

After multiple tours in Afghanistan, Anderson has changed, too--physically scarred but mentally strong--and he decides to move back to Woodland Park. Anderson and Chelsea steer clear of each other to avoid reopening old wounds, until they are forced to reconnect through the senior center. They soon discover that the love they once shared never completely vanished. But it will take a fire, a dangerous collision, and the love of one little boy to help Anderson and Chelsea see that the future they've always yearned for is in sight...

Shelley Shepard Gray, Author AKA Shelley Gray (Western Romance).
Photo by Dianne Bomar
Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.  

Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

Excerpt:

Chelsea's back was to the main entrance of Granger's but it didn't stop the fresh burst of cold air from sinking into her skin. She was starting to wish she'd chosen a thicker sweater for her night out with Mallory and Kaylee.

Granger's Last Stand wasn't the only option in Woodland Park for burgers, wings, and beer,

but it was hands down everyone's favorite spot. Located on the main drag through town,

the restaurant had been expanded multiple times over the last twenty years. Now it boasted

indoor, patio, and rooftop dining. Local bands played all summer and from time to time in

the winter high school and college kids played acoustic guitar near the fireplace.

Tonight, since there was still a chill in the air, most everyone was inside. A couple of people

were keeping the old jukebox playing and the buzz from the crowd provided the rest of the

noise.

After eight hours of working at the Woodland Park Senior Center, Chelsea was ready to

relax and catch up with her two best friends. "Mal, you never finished telling us about the

couple who came into the boutique today," she said.

The petite brunette shrugged. "It wasn't all that notable . . . beyond the fact that the

husband sat on the pink velvet chair by the door while his wife spent almost a thousand

dollars on end-of-season fleece!"

"To be fair, that stuff adds up," Kaylee said. "Last time I bought a Patagonia jacket, I paid three hundred."

"Are you still wearing it, Kay?"

Kaylee picked up the sleeve of her jacket that was draped over her chair. "Obviously."

"Well, there you go."

Chelsea hid her smile by taking another sip of wine. The conversation was nothing new.

Kaylee liked to carp about the prices at Mallory's store but always managed to stop by to

drool over every new shipment of high-end ski, apres-ski, and mountain gear. Since

Chelsea couldn't afford any of it, she enjoyed simply listening and being supportive. "Well,

that's great. I'm glad they stopped in."

"Me, too," Mallory said with a smile. "They were on their way to Cripple Creek to gamble. I hope they come in again before they head back to Kansas City."

"I'm really happy for you. Congrats." Chelsea knew that sales like that kept Mallory's spirits up, especially in the spring. A lot of folks were still paying off Christmas bills in March, so

the shop suffered a lot of slow days until the weather warmed up and she began selling

biking and hiking gear.

"Thanks." Mallory smiled again, but she kept glancing past Chelsea's shoulder.

"What's going on behind me? Am I boring you?" she teased.

"I think she's having a hard time concentrating because the hotties from the fire station just

blew in," Kaylee said. "Who can blame her though? It's hardly fair that five guys can look so good."

Chelsea's stomach sank. Of course the firefighters had to show up. It was the first night in

ages that she'd gone out instead of hurrying home to Jack.

Not even pretending to look anywhere else, Mallory murmured, "That Mark Oldum is

dreamy."

"So is Chip," Kaylee said. "I met him at the gas station a couple of weeks ago."

Oh brother. "How do you know those guys' names?" Chelsea asked her friends. "I didn't know you hung out with firefighters."

"I don't, which is the problem," Kaylee joked. "And, just for the record, I don't know all of their names. Just one or two. And I know because I asked Wendy up at the bar." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she asked," Why all the questions? I didn't think you were interested in dating. Or have you finally changed your mind?"

"It would be great if you did start going out," Mallory said. "All you do is work and go home."

"No, that's not all I do. I have Jack, remember? He keeps me plenty busy."

"I get that, but I think it's time you started doing more for yourself. Jack's almost nine, you know," Mallory added.

"Ha-ha, I know."

"Then you also know that he's going to want to start doing more things with his friends

instead of just his mom, right?"

"I know that, too." But she also hated to think about it. When had he gotten so big,

anyway?

Kaylee sighed. "If you know all that . . . isn't it time you started dating?"

"I've dated," she protested. Though, to be fair, she hadn't dated very much. She'd promised herself years ago to always put her little boy's needs ahead of her own. And, though he

probably wouldn't mind if she dated occasionally, she never wanted to risk hurting him.

Or maybe she was simply afraid to risk hurting her heart again. Anxious to push the attention elsewhere, she smiled at Mallory. "Who are you looking at now?"

"I'm trying to find where Mark went. I lost him in the crowd. I tell you what, half the station

must be here."

Chelsea tried not to tense but it was next to impossible. Whenever she was someplace there

was a chance of seeing Anderson Kelly, she couldn't help it. "What do the other guys look

like"

Excerpted from Coming Home by Shelley Shepard Gray Copyright © 2022 by Shelley Shepard Gray. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Built To Last Review

Author: Erin Hahn

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Publisher: St. Martins Griffin

Release Date: Oct. 18, 2022

Purchase: Amazon

Many thanks to the publisher for an arc.

Erin Hahn's Built to Last is a sparkling second chance romance about owning what you’re worth and fighting for the one who got away.

Review:

For ten long years, Shelby Springfield has worked alongside her father restoring vintage furniture for homes he restores while trying to stay under the media's radar.  Shelby was a child star whose life imploded after a public breakup with one of her costars - even though she secretly loved the other.  And now, the three find themselves together again, working on the pilot of a home improvement show named Homemade.  The meeting is awkward as Lyle reveals his plans to produce this show starring Shelby and Cameron . . . the one who got away.  The story that unfolds is about learning to accept who you are when everything else is stripped away and earning the trust of the one true love who got away.

Hahn's become a fantastic voice in the world of young adult stories, capturing the essence of the age group and all the awkwardness that comes with growing up.  Built To Last develops slowly as the characters get reacquainted, let go of the past and move into the future.  While this story isn't in my normal wheelhouse, I found it believable and entertaining.  The character growth and relationship development is great adding a depth to the characters and story line.  As chapters alternate points of view, readers get an intimate view of what both Shelby and Cameron are thinking while they're still afraid to own it.  Low level conflict, a touch of humor and some sweet romantic scenes make Built To Last another winner for Hahn.  Highly recommended to fans of young adult.

Synopsis:

Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like she does the rough spots on the vintage furniture finds she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs -- the one who got away.

Anytime Shelby has called, Cameron has come running… And then he runs right off again to chase stories around the world by making documentaries, too scared to admit what he really wants. But when Lyle stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, Cameron can't help but come on board.

There's something in it for everyone -- almost. Cameron wants to come home and set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove to the world she's not the messy party girl anymore. And Lyle wants to twist the screws on his two childhood friends who had more chemistry than he could dream of with anyone. Sparks and sawdust fly as Shelby and Cameron film the pilot for "Homemade" and battle Lyle’s shenanigans at every turn.

One Duke Down Review

Author: Anna Bennett

Series: Rogues to Lovers #2

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Release Date: Jan. 24, 2023

Order Link: Amazon

Many thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book. 

Review:

One Duke Down is the second book in Bennett's delightful Rogues to Lovers series.  The stories and characters are unique, interesting and highly emotional.  Poppy Summers is truly a fisherman's daughter, and now the sole provider for her ill father.  She spends her days on the water, hauling in her nets and selling her fish at market.  Imagine her shock to find a gorgeous injured male tangled in her nets one morning - one who claims to be a Duke. Right . . . that head wound obviously has made him delusional. Andrew Keane is the Duke of Hawking, and he's having a devil of a time convincing the fiery haired fishing beauty that he's telling the truth.  He does, however, convince her to hide him away on her beach allowing him time to heal and figure out who wants him dead.  Poppy may not believe him, but she can't turn down the large sum of money he offers her to help him.  Never mind the sparks that are flying between the pair.  It's just a business arrangement, right?

One Duke Down is an apt title as Keane finds himself questioning his place in life and the way he's lived it as he learns more about Poppy and the hard row she hoes every single day just to put food on the table.  As the story unfolds, the pair grow closer and while Poppy may dream of what a life with Keane would be like, she's convinced there's no way she'd ever fit in a Duke's world nor would she be accepted.  Keane is determined to gain her trust as he falls head over heels for her.  Meantime, they work as a team to determine who tried to kill Keane.  

I enjoyed the grit and determination displayed by both Poppy and Keane and the emotional turmoil felt by both as they seek an impossible way forward together.  These characters are well developed and believable.  While this is the second book in this series, this story stands alone as the author includes all pertinent past information.  However, it would be beneficial to read Girls Before Earls as it introduces this charming town and the trio of women who form friendships that will carry them through life.  One Duke Down explores family ties and loyalty, love between social classes and earning trust in this charming historical romance and mystery.  Highly recommended to fans of historical romance.

Synopsis:

A FISHERMAN’S DAUGHTER
Miss Poppy Summers is determined to keep her family’s fishing business afloat. Her poor widowed father has fallen ill, and her foolhardy brother has moved to London, leaving her precious little time to read or pursue her own dreams. But she’ll do anything for her family, so she cheerfully spends mornings in her rowboat, casting her nets. The very last thing Poppy expects or wants to find tangled in them is a dangerously attractive man. Especially one with a head wound—who’s convinced he’s a duke.

AND A DUKE OUT OF WATER
Andrew Keane is the Duke of Hawking, but he’s having the devil of a time convincing his wary, fiery-haired rescuer of that fact. The truth is he came to the seaside resort of Bellehaven Bay to escape his life in London. Unfortunately, someone in Bellehaven wants to kill him—and he intends to find out who. He implores Poppy to tend to his injuries and hide him on her beach, reasoning it will be easier to find his attacker if that man assumes Keane is already dead. She wants no part of the scheme but can’t refuse the generous sum he offers in exchange for food and shelter while he recovers. It’s a mutually beneficial business arrangement…nothing more.

ARE ABOUT TO MAKE WAVES
Under Poppy’s care, Keane regains his strength—and a sense of purpose. As they work together to solve the puzzle of his would-be murderer, he’s dazzled by her rapier wit and adventurous spirit; she’s intrigued by his mysterious air and protective streak. Though Poppy’s past gives her every reason to mistrust someone like Keane, the seawalls around her heart crumble in the storm of their passion. But when clues hint at the prime suspect in Keane’s attempted murder, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie. Torn between the world she’s always known and the one she’s always dreamed of, she’ll need true love for a shot at her fairytale ending.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned

Author: Jacqueline Firkins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: St. Martins Griffin

Release Date: Oct. 25, 2022

Purchase: Amazon

Special thanks to St. Martins Publ. for an arc.

In Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, Jacqueline Firkins wonderfully captures the messiness of failure, forgiveness, and embracing a second chance on life and love.

Review:

Marlowe Banks is an extremely talented Broadway costume designer who flees New York for California after devastating reviews of a play point the blame at her poor designs.  At the same time, Marlowe broke her engagement to fiancé Kelvin although he continues pursuing her. Now, her designer skills are under utilized as she’s working as a lowly production assistant for an arrogant costume designer on a hit television show.  The star of the show is a social media sensation and too full of himself to attract Marlowe. However, after she spills coffee down the front of his shirt, events take an interesting turn.

It quickly becomes obvious to readers that Marlowe is seriously underemployed.  It's clear she's hiding - trying to avoid drawing attention to herself as she blends into the background of her mundane life.  However, when Angus Gordon plows into her world, things begin to change as they slowly get to know each other - not the projected images, but the core of what's inside. I feel the author does a fantastic job of portraying each character's weaknesses and allowing readers to follow their transition and growing confidence.  While the romance is sweet, for me it's the personal growth and the way these two characters prove vital to each other in deeper ways that makes this an important read.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is a sweet, intelligent contemporary romance that goes beyond the expected.  I enjoyed the journey of personal growth the author puts these characters through and also liked the slow burn romance.  Firkins writing style makes for easy reading, and her characterizations are spot-on.  Highly recommended to fans of contemporary romance with a greater than normal depth of plot line.

Synopsis:

Marlowe Banks’s life has come apart at the seams. Her engagement ended abruptly. Her latest costume design was shredded by critics. Her student loans are overdue. Her parents have never been more disappointed. Desperate to hide from her failures, Marlowe flees New York City to embrace invisibility in Los Angeles as a menial Production Assistant on a popular TV show. While sorting socks and taking care of her boss’ spoiled Weimaraner, no one can confront her poor artistic choices or the end of her engagement, the end her ex refuses to accept.

When a costume mix-up requires Marlowe to step into in a scene, the camera catches a heated look between her and Angus Gordon, the show's arrogant bad boy, thrusting Marlowe into the spotlight. As the pair is forced together on set, Marlowe learns she's not the only one hiding. Walls come down for both of them, revealing a life Marlowe isn't sure she's ready for, and when her past comes calling, she has to decide if she's going to stay invisible or if it's time for a redesign.

Vanishing Hour Review & Excerpt

Vanishing Hour Book Tour

Author: Laura Griffin

Genre: Romance Suspense

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: Oct. 25, 2022

Preorder: Amazon

Special thanks to Berkley for an arc of this book and for a tour invitation.

Enjoy an Excerpt below!

When a cold case in Texas leads to a sinister string of disappearances, a newcomer to the small town helps the deputy sheriff to piece together the clues in this new romantic thriller from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

Review:

At the invitation of a friend, Ava Burch leaves her corporate lawyer job in the city and moves to Cuervo near Big Bend National Park with her search-and-rescue dog Hank, joining her friend in opening the only law firm in the area.  While Ava is a lawyer, she also volunteers for SAR missions on the side.  When a child goes missing, she joins the search for the boy with Hank, a rescue dog who was trained by her late father.  While searching, they come across an abandoned tent with things inside covered in year's worth of dust including one shoe and a vehicle key.  Ava finds it very odd and disconcerting so she snaps some pictures and moves on in her search for the boy.  Upon leaving the park, Ava reports her findings to the local sheriff who abruptly brushes her off; however, Deputy Sheriff Grant Wycoff is very interested and convinces Ava to take him back out to the site of the tent the next day.  Imagine Ava's surprise upon arriving at the spot to find the tent gone.  Someone moved everything overnight.  Why?  While searching, Ava, Grant and Hank discover the skeletal remains of a woman.  From there, a complex investigation ensues as other missing women cases come to light.  Ava is troubled by the events and begins her own investigation discovering clues ignored by the sheriff's office.  However, it's soon obvious she's making someone very nervous.  It now seems someone wants her and her dog Hank dead.

Vanishing Hour is a complex romance thriller with the perfect blend of a budding romance with extreme physical attraction and a murder investigation.  Ava and Grant are both hesitant to connect as both are carrying some unwelcome baggage, but the more they team up searching for missing women, the hotter the chemistry between them flames.  When Ava's life is threatened, Grant goes into protective hero mode, and who doesn't love an overly protective hero?

The breathtaking setting in Vanishing Hour is simply stunning as it stimulates all five senses and sets the dangerous backdrop for this story as it's as deadly as it is beautiful.  People can't survive long without adequate prep and supplies and often find themselves at the mercy of the desert - which plays a major role in this story.  Griffin does a fantastic job of pitting well-developed characters against a formidable Mother Nature to deliver an intriguing tale.  While there are scenes where Ava barrels headfirst into some questionable situations, overall these characters are likable and believable.  Vanishing Hour is a highly entertaining story with just the right amount of romance and suspense.  Highly recommended to fans of romance suspense!

Synopsis:

Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas, and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog Huck discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she’s perplexed but she carefully photographs it all the same.

All Deputy Sheriff Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker—with her designer jeans and expensive car— who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her discovery on the trail, he sees there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Ava’s discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.

VANISHING HOUR by Laura Griffin

Berkley | On Sale October 25, 2022

Excerpt

 Missing children are an emergency. Always. Their little bodies are less able to regulate temperature, so they're especially vulnerable to exposure. And in a place as vast and rugged as Silver Canyon State Park, additional hazards abounded: rattlesnakes, coyotes, hundred-foot cliffs. Even the anemic little creek that Ava had been following was terrifying. A child Noah's size could drown in a bathtub.

Ava glanced up at the relentless sun that sucked moisture out of everything beneath it. She looked ahead at Huck, who trotted back and forth in front of her in his zigzag pattern. He was working the wind, as he'd been trained, tirelessly sniffing the air with his powerful nose, which could pick up anything with human scent on it, from a candy wrapper to a dropped article of clothing.

So far, nothing.

Ava checked her watch. Two long hours since she'd left the trailhead. Sweat stung her eyes, and she wiped her forehead with the back of her arm. She paused beside a boulder and dropped her pack on the dusty ground to retrieve one of her water bottles. Huck needed some, too, but right now he was intent on his work.

She took a lukewarm sip and scanned the scrub brush lining the canyon wall. Young children had a tendency to wander aimlessly until they found a place to curl up for a nap. Some would even hide from search teams, afraid of getting in trouble for being lost. So Ava had been incessantly scanning pockets of brush.

Huck halted in front of her, his nose lifted in the air. Ava froze and watched. But then his head dropped down and he resumed his zigzags. Ava tucked the water bottle away and pushed off the boulder to continue her trek.

She watched Huck, amazed by his energy. Even in this heat, he loved working, and when he had his vest on, he didn't have an off switch. As he bounded around in front of her, she thought of the other teams, especially the canine one. She was surprised they hadn't found something close to camp.

Of course, the parents had been there, which might have been a problem. Frantic parents threw off a lot of scent, which could have overpowered Noah's smell and possibly confused the dog. Also, the temperature rising in the canyon could have wafted the scent up, well above the dog's nose. Yet another challenge here was that young children didn't throw off as much scent as adults. And still bodies-ones that were either asleep or unconscious-threw off less scent, too.

So there were all kinds of factors in play, especially in a park this size.

Ava checked her watch again and sped up her pace, unable to shake the feeling of dread that had been settling in her stomach as the hours ticked by. Scanning the canyon wall, her gaze caught on something beige and triangular.

A tent? No.

A tarp. She climbed onto a boulder for a closer look. About halfway up the slope of the canyon was a sand-colored canvas tarp that had been stretched taut to create a patch of shade. It looked like a primitive fort-just the sort of thing that would attract a kid's attention, and her pulse quickened as she climbed closer. Nearing the tarp, she spied a small yellow tent tucked in the shade beneath it.

She glanced around for Huck, but he was sniffing along at the base of a rockslide.

Grabbing hold of a juniper tree, Ava levered herself onto the ledge. She ducked under the tarp and paused a moment for her eyes to adjust. The little tent was unzipped. Hope ballooned in her chest as she pulled back the flap and poked her head inside.

Her hope disappeared as she scanned the interior. No sleeping child curled up in the dimness. The air was utterly still, and everything was coated with a thin layer of dust, as though no one had been there in weeks, maybe months. A pile of gear in the corner included a cookstove, a hiking boot, and a blue bedroll with a carabiner clipped to it. Attached to the carabiner was a black key fob.

A chill snaked down her spine. Who would leave their car key out here? The fob seemed odd. Ditto for the hiking boot. Where was the other one? And where was its owner?

On impulse, Ava took out her phone and snapped a couple of pictures. As part of her SAR training, she'd learned to document crime scenes. She couldn't pinpoint why, exactly, but that was what this felt like. She ducked out and snapped a shot of the exterior. A faint bark pulled her attention back to the mission. She couldn't afford to get sidetracked, even though this place felt creepy. She put her phone away as she skimmed the surrounding area for the missing boot, or any sign of the boot's owner. She glanced up the canyon, looking for evidence of a fire pit or any other camping equipment.

A soft whimper had her turning around.

Huck sat beside a rock pile, his ears pricked forward and his gaze fixed on hers. Ava's heart skittered. This was his sit alert letting her know he'd found something.

"Show me," she commanded, and he sprang into action, bounding across the creek bed. She climbed down the rocks and jogged after him, frantically searching the clumps of trees. Huck darted around a giant prickly pear cactus and behind a line of mesquite trees. Amid the fluttering green leaves, she caught a flash of red.

"Please, please, please," she murmured.

Huck disappeared beneath the brush and barked. Ava spied a small white sneaker and a pudgy leg.

Huck danced in a circle, drunk on success and eager for his reward.

"Good boy, Huck! Good boy! Good boy!" She filled her voice with praise, even though her heart had lodged in her throat. The little body wasn't moving. Oh God.

Praise for Laura Griffin and her novels
"An emotional, exciting page-turner. Griffin deftly balances the mystery and the love story."—The Washington Post
 
"I love smart, sophisticated, fast-moving romantic thrillers, and Laura Griffin writes them brilliantly. Last Seen Alone is a terrific example of her signature style: intriguing characters; sharp dialogue; and a tight, well-researched plot."—New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz
 
"Top-notch romantic suspense! Fast pace, tight plotting, terrific mystery, sharp dialogue, fabulous characters."—New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

"A gripping, white-knuckle read. You won't be able to put it down."—New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak

The Godfather - 50th Anniversary Edition

Author: Mario Puzo

50th Anniversary Edition

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release Date: Oct. 11, 2022

Purchase: Penguin Random House

Many thanks to the publisher for a Anniversary Edition of this book.

Review published in The Godfather

A special deluxe hardcover edition of The Godfather—the unforgettable saga of an American crime family that became a #1 bestseller and global phenomenon.

Review:

The Godfather by Mario Puzo exploded on the literary world in 1969, quickly becoming a timeless American classic that is now considered to be the book that set the standards for mafia fiction. And now G.P. Putnam is releasing a new anniversary edition in honor of the 50th year celebration of the film's release in 1972. I can't say enough about how stunning the 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is - the title glittering like gold on the newly designed jacket, a book case printed with art that hardcore fans will instantly recognize and revel in, gorgeous illustrated endpapers and stained edges - a must have collector's edition for hardcore fans and film lovers alike. Like the story within, The Godfather 50th Anniversary Edition is a timeless, priceless, regal masterpiece.

For over 50 years, The Godfather has dominated the literary and film world as the undisputed, renowned masterpiece of Mafia Fiction. While the 1972 film adaptation was magnificent, it's the words rendered by a man who vowed to write a best seller, Mario Puzo, the son of Italian immigrants who moved their family to New York City, that continue to resonate throughout the literary world today as the great American Classic. Puzo introduces readers to the Corleone family through brilliant in-depth characterizations - a family who displays strong moral and religious convictions, who believe their actions are warranted serving to maintain respect and family values. Don Corleone is convincing as a family man, a generous friend granting requests in exchange for favors, but make no mistake about it - he's a ruthless Sicilian mobster and the hardened mafia lord who built an empire through unethical connections with police and other high ranking officials while instilling respect and fear in all who dared face him. As he comes to accept that his days are numbered, he looks to his children for the person who will guide the empire he built on blood, sweat and tears into the future. Will it be Santino - the hot-head, Fredo - the weak one, Tom - his adopted son who has yet to prove himself . . . or Michael - the youngest who has always spurned all dealings having to do with family business. Michael Corleone is a decorated Marine Corps hero who refuses to conform to his father's wishes until his hand is forced when his father takes a turn for the worse and tensions between the five great mafia families escalate. A potentially good man succumbs to the demands of his family and his Sicilian pride as he takes the reigns of the legacy built by his father and leads his family into the future. The story that unfolds is rich in family, honor, tradition, violence, vengeance and love.

The Godfather is an epic tale that has stood the test of time. It's a global phenomenal that exceeded all expectations, even those of an author who once vowed to write a best seller. Characters hardened by their chosen paths in life explode off the page catapulting readers into their world of violence, while exposing them to what it truly means to be part of a family - whether by blood or not. Protagonist Michael Corleone is one of the most conflicted characters I've ever known as he becomes caught up in his family's web of violence in spite of all his efforts to live a so call normal life with his wife, a preacher's daughter, and the children he hopes to see grow up as lawyers and doctors aka normal people with normal occupations. Michael’s character development over the course of this book is brilliantly subtle, slipping up on readers as he transitions from an all-round good guy hero to the cold hardened mafia leader all in the name of protecting family. Puzo does a fantastic job of presenting these characters in a highly emotional, gut wrenching plot line that makes this story highly readable, entertaining and nigh on impossible to put down.

There's little more I can say about The Godfather that hasn't already been said many times over. The book is a powerful story of the first family of American Mafia Fiction - a tale of tradition, honor, family, power. It's a cultural phenom that resonates as loudly today as it did when it was first released in 1969. G.P. Putnam's & Sons 50th Anniversary Edition honoring the 50 year anniversary of the film's release in 1972 is a beautiful masterpiece - a must-have collector's edition for fans as well as the perfect introduction for new readers to one of the most well-known beloved classics of our time. Highly recommended to fans of crime fiction.

Synopsis:

The Godfather—the epic tale of crime and betrayal that became a global phenomenon.

Almost fifty years ago, a classic was born. A searing portrayal of the Mafia underworld, The Godfather introduced readers to the first family of American crime fiction, the Corleones, and their powerful legacy of tradition, blood, and honor. The seduction of power, the pitfalls of greed, and the allegiance to family—these are the themes that have resonated with millions of readers around the world and made The Godfather the definitive novel of the violent subculture that, steeped in intrigue and controversy, remains indelibly etched in our collective consciousness.

Exiles Review

Author: Jane Harper

Series: Aaron Falk #3

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Release Date: Jan. 31, 2023 US

Order Link: Amazon

Many thanks to Flatiron Books for an arc of this book.

Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

An outstanding novel, a brilliant mystery and a heart-pounding read from the author of The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man and The Survivors. 

Review:

In 2016, Jane Harper's debut novel The Dry was published, introducing readers to Federal Investigator Aaron Falk and the harsh, dry landscape of rural Australia.  The story touched a chord with readers, going on to win several awards worldwide and is now being adapted to film with the lead played by actor Eric Bana.  Exiles is the third and final book in the Aaron Falk trilogy.  While it saddens me to say goodbye to this series and hero, I must say Exiles is my favorite of the three books in this trilogy by far.  Harper has rendered an intricately woven, character driven mystery worthy of the finale spot.  I believe readers will be singing the praises of this small town drama for years to come.

On the day Kim Gillespie vanished from the Marralee Food and Wine Festival, leaving her baby behind hidden under blankets in her pram, Aaron Falk was in attendance - there to perform his duties as a godparent to friends Greg and Rita Raco's new baby son.  Due to the Kim's disappearance and the ensuing search, the christening was called off.  Now, a year later, Falk returns to Marralee to take part in the previously postponed ceremony.  While he's there in a personal capacity, the unsolved disappearance of Kim haunts him as the events he recalls of that night run repeatedly through his head.  He had waved at her on the ferris wheel at one point in time . . . hadn't he?  

Once again, all the players from a year ago are in attendance, and Falk finds himself dissecting the intriguing dynamics playing out among this group of family and friends.  Kim's husband and the now year old baby Zoe are in attendance as is Zara, Kim's older daughter from an on again, off again relationship with Charlie Raco.  During this time, Falk is reintroduced to Gemma, a woman he met once before, and he finds himself conflicted by the powerful attraction sparking between them.  Five years prior, Gemma's husband died in an apparent hit and run, and the driver's identity remains unknown . . . another tragic mystery for Falk to ponder.

Exiles is an intricate, character driven mystery that's brilliantly rendered via dual timelines by Author Jane Harper.  The tone is increasingly dark and ominous as convoluted, seemingly unconnected clues slowly surface.  Throughout it all, readers are in Falk's headspace as he meticulously sifts through bits of information, looking to figure out why he can't fine tune the picture he's getting.  It's not until the end when words spoken by a small child bring him his Ah Ha moment that he knows.  

Of all three books in the Aaron Falk Series, Exiles is hands down my favorite, a masterpiece, rich in small town drama and family dynamics.  Unlike previous books, Exiles doesn't lean as heavily on setting to deliver this mystery although it certainly plays a role.  This story is more of a study in characterizations and local culture that evolves slowly as Harper weaves a dark tale of hidden, illusive secrets.  The representation of Falk in an unofficial capacity is a brilliant move by Harper as readers finally get to know the man and his vulnerabilities vs. the official discharging his duties.  Exiles creeps up on you in accumulative increments as Falk unofficially investigates several potential candidates for the role of villain.  I have no doubt this book will join The Dry and Force of Nature on the big screen in the future.  Harper has rendered one of the best written, cleverly plotted mysteries I've read in some time.  Highly recommended to fans of this series and anyone who loves a good mystery.

Synopsis:

At a busy festival site on a warm spring night, a baby lies alone in her pram, her mother vanishing into the crowds.

A year on, Kim Gillespie’s absence casts a long shadow as her friends and loved ones gather deep in the heart of South Australian wine country to welcome a new addition to the family.

Joining the celebrations is federal investigator Aaron Falk. But as he soaks up life in the lush valley, he begins to suspect this tight-knit group may be more fractured than it seems.

Between Falk’s closest friend, a missing mother, and a woman he’s drawn to, dark questions linger as long-ago truths begin to emerge.

My Darkest Prayer Review

Author: S.A. Cosby

Genre: Southern Noir

Publisher: Flatiron (reissue)

Release Date: Dec. 6, 2022

Order Link: Amazon 

Many thanks to Flatiron for an arc of this book.

This review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby’s debut novel My Darkest Prayer is republished in a new edition, with a new introduction from the author.

Review:

My Darkest Prayer is the previously published debut novel by Author S.A. Cosby, now well-known for his award winning novels Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears.  This edition is a reissue of the original book with the inclusion of an introduction written by the author sharing his thoughts about this book and what drove him to finally put pen to paper.  Having read both subsequent books, it's clear Cosby has honed his writing skills and made great strides in the southern noir genre.  I found My Darkest Prayer to be highly entertaining despite the superabundance of graphic violence, superman heroics and general stereotyping of women.  Cosby's talent and determination to render stories his way is evident on every page as is his exploitation of the many picturesque viewpoints of southern society and small town people.

Nathan Waymaker is a former Marine and ex-cop who currently lives and works at a funeral home owned by his cousin Walt.  Basically, Nate is a bear of a man with a good heart and intentions; however, his barely controlled anger and resentment over the corrupt sheriff's office's mishandling of his parents' death investigation is always one smart remark away from erupting.  While the brawls he finds himself in are impressive, showcasing his brute strength and killing skills, they come a little too fast and furious for this reader.  After the first few, I got it . . . he's one bad dude.  His big, bad persona proves useful when the pastor of a local church is found dead, and Nate is approached by local parishioners with a request that he look into the suspicious death as the sheriff's office is doing what they do best which is absolutely nothing.  When Nate sticks his nose in a few dark, rancid closets, suspicions are raised about the dearly departed preacher.  It appears he may not have been the holier than thou man his congregation believed him to be.  Did his alleged dirty deeds get him murdered? What Nate uncovers leads to a multitude of high octane barroom melees and thwarted attempts on his life as he finds himself on the wrong side of the local bad cops and a notorious gangster.

My Darkest Prayer is dark, scrappy, violent and occasionally funny.  Cosby has a wry sense of humor that surfaces in larger than life characters like Nathan Waymaker, serving to smooth over more graphic scenes.  The first person narration by antihero Nathan Waymaker lands readers in the midst of the supercharged action while also giving them a glimpse of Nate's vulnerabilities and motivations.  Flamboyant support characters round out this cast of misfits, and I'd be amiss if I didn't afford honorable mention to Skunk - the best friend who comes running any time you call - fully loaded and ready to guard your back.  And then there's the preacher's estranged daughter turned Hollywood porn queen who won't be shedding any tears for her deceased father.  

Southern noir, aka grit lit, is stereotyped by stark violence, depressing poverty and characters who tend to be larger than life - those with the capability to survive by their quick wit and/or brute strength, and in this regard, Cosby nails it.  My Darkest Prayer is raw, brutal and gutsy - a virtual bloodbath of violence with a super antihero who repeatedly takes on three or four men at a time and walks away . . . not unscathed, but generally walking under his own power.  I'm a fan of Cosby's work - even when I find myself cringing at the grotesquely exaggerated attributes of women repeatedly emphasized in My Darkest Prayer.  Ditto for the overstated sexual appeal and prowess of our superhero.  In my opinion, the author demonstrates more restraint and finesse in these areas in later books.  It bears repeating that this was Cosby's first published novel, and honestly, it's a brilliant piece of work plot wise if you can get past the reiteration of violence, profanity and street references to well-endowed women.  As a reader, I'm glad I experienced his later works prior to reading My Darkest Prayer.  Otherwise, I might have made a rash decision not to continue reading the work of an author who has become one of my go-to favorites in the genre.

As in subsequent books, Cosby exploits the small southern town setting with its vibrant characters and deep rooted prejudices to relay a story of corruption and revenge, blurring the line between good and evil in My Darkest Prayer.  The action is brisk and over-the-top, soaring from zero to sixty within seconds of opening the book as Cosby holds the pedal on the floorboard, burning up the pages until readers cross the finish line.  The steady progression of Cosby's work is or will be evident to all who read subsequent books.  I enjoyed reading his opening explanation letter and found My Darkest Prayer to be highly entertaining.  Recommended to fans of southern noir and high action, fast paced crime novels.

Synopsis:

“I handle the bodies.”

Whether it's working at his cousin's funeral home or tossing around the local riffraff at his favorite bar, Nathan Waymaker is a man who knows how to handle the bodies. A former marine and sheriff's deputy, Nathan has built a reputation in his small Southern town as a man who can help when all other avenues have been exhausted. When a beloved local minister is found dead, his parishioners ask Nathan to make sure the death isn’t swept under the rug.

What starts out as an easy payday soon descends into a maze of mayhem filled with wannabe gangsters, vicious crime lords, porn stars, crooked police officers, and a particularly treacherous preacher and his mysterious wife. Nathan must use all his varied skills and some of his wit to navigate the murky waters of small town corruption even as dark secrets of his own threaten to come to the surface.

The Maid's Diary Review

Author: Loreth Anne White

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date: March 1, 2023

Preorder: Amazon

Special thanks to Montlake Publ. for an arc of this book.

Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine

Review:

An adulterous midnight rendezvous in a car parked in a secluded area turns into more than the two occupants bargained for when they observe an odd occurrence that appears to be the disposing of a body and vehicle.  Both witnesses are prominent professionals married to other people.  Neither can afford to be forthcoming with what they observed for obvious reasons.  They silently agree to go their separate ways without reporting what they saw.  Welcome to the domestic suspense thriller The Maid's Diary by Loreth Anne White.

The Maid's Diary is a complex thriller in which someone's carefully buried ugly past comes roaring back to haunt them when it's discovered by an inquisitive maid, Kit Darling.  Kit has made a career of cleaning wealthy clients' homes, affording her abundant opportunities to indulge her obsessive fantasies by snooping through their personal belongings, taking photos of herself with said items and posting the misleading pictures to her secret social media account.  She dreams big and lives large through her fantasies, believing them to be harmless fun.  However, what she discovers at her newest client's house not only shocks her, it scares her to death sending her spiraling back to a dark time in her life.  Should she speak up?  Go to the police?  Or is there a way Kit might benefit from her new found knowledge?  She records everything in her secret diary as her therapist advised before deciding on a course of action that propels this tension laden story forward at breakneck speed.  A dark, intense and convoluted tale ensues - one that eventually involves homicide cop Mallory Van Alst and a gruesome, bloody scene at the home of a missing wealthy couple whose maid is also missing.  The blood evidence at the scene indicates someone died there, but who?  Where is the body?

The Maid's Diary is another excellent example of White's expertise in shifting between various unreliable narrators and past/present timelines to deliver a dark, twisted tale that's nearly impossible for readers and amateur sleuths to solve before the reveal.  As the story progresses, readers pick up clues through the daily entries in Kit's diary and Mallory's investigation.  While it's unclear how the players are connected, it's obvious they're on a collision course - a crash waiting to happen.  Early on, I found it hard to get a grip on individual players as there's an elusive air about them - perhaps a premonition that all are not as they present themselves, but as the story unfolds and I was lured deeper into the lives of these characters, pieces began clicking in place.  In my opinion, the manner in which this story is structured is not dependent on nor conducive to creating strong emotional bonds between readers and characters.  However, my empathy for the plight of the emotionally fragile main character continued growing as I learned more about her motivation.  

Loreth Anne White is a master at rendering taut, twisted stories that grip readers from page one until The End.  The Maid's Diary is a dark, gritty story in which White introduces seemingly unconnected characters with vastly different lifestyles and pasts and meticulously entangles them within intricate plot threads.  Snared in their own web of devious lies, she charges them with executing an escape plan.  White's signature style of igniting setting and tone builds tension to the flash point before it all detonates in an explosive climax in The Maid's Diary.

The Maid's Diary is a riveting read - a demonstration of the power of buried secrets to destroy when they escape into the wrong hands when you least expect it.  Once again, White tackles dark social issues with care and concern, shining a light on some serious, repetitive crimes that go unaddressed way too often.  Readers, find some quiet alone time to settle in with this one because you won't stop reading until you've turned the final page.  Highly recommended to fans of mysteries, suspense and thrillers.

Synopsis:

Kit Darling is a maid with a snooping problem. She’s the “invisible girl,” compelled to poke into her wealthy clients’ closely guarded lives. It’s a harmless hobby until Kit sees something she can’t unsee in the home of her brand-new clients: a secret so dark it could destroy the privileged couple expecting their first child. This makes Kit dangerous to the couple. In turn, it makes the couple—who might kill to keep their secret—dangerous to Kit.

When homicide cop Mallory Van Alst is called to a scene at a luxury waterfront home known as the Glass House, she’s confronted with evidence of a violent attack so bloody it’s improbable the victim is alive. But there’s no body. The homeowners are gone. And their maid is missing. The only witness is the elderly woman next door, who woke to screams in the night. The neighbor was also the last person to see Kit Darling alive.

As Mal begins to uncover the secret that has sent the lives of everyone involved on a devious and inescapable collision course, she realizes that nothing is quite as it seems. And no one escapes their past.