The Last Widow

Title:  The Last Widow
Series:  Will Trent #9
Author:  Karin Slaughter
Publisher:  Harper Collins/William Morrow
Release Date:  Aug. 20, 2019 (USA)
Purchase Link:  Amazon


My Rating:  5 Thrilling Hearts


*With special thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book!

From the No.1 bestselling author comes a gripping new crime thriller featuring Will Trent and Sara Linton

Synopsis:
It begins with an abduction. The routine of a family shopping trip is shattered when Michelle Spivey is snatched as she leaves the mall with her young daughter. The police search for her, her partner pleads for her release, but in the end…they find nothing. It’s as if she disappeared into thin air.
A month later, on a sleepy Sunday afternoon, medical examiner Sara Linton is at lunch with her boyfriend Will Trent, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. But the serenity of the summer’s day is broken by the wail of sirens.
Sara and Will are trained to help in an emergency. Their jobs – their vocations – mean that they run towards a crisis, not away from it. But on this one terrible day that instinct betrays them both. Within hours the situation has spiralled out of control; Sara is taken prisoner; Will is forced undercover. And the fallout will lead them into the Appalachian mountains, to the terrible truth about what really happened to Michelle, and to a remote compound where a radical group has murder in mind…

Review:
The Last Widow is one of my most anticipated books of 2019.  After reading it, I can say it's a powerful, relevant story that I won't soon forget.  Slaughter clearly spent a great deal of time researching social and political issues of our time as well as the radical, militia style groups that emerge, along with the idealistic views of people who tend to join them.  The author captures the atmosphere and essence of a cult group practicing segregation as they believe it their duty and right to do whatever it takes to keep their bloodlines pure.  This is the type group that is at the center of the story in The Last Widow.

First let me say, The Last Widow is part of a fantastic series, but this author includes everything you need to read and enjoy this book as a standalone.  However, the character and character relationship development are huge in this series so I highly recommend you read them in order.  The setup is clear from the blurb so I'll only touch briefly on it.  A month after a scientist working for the Center of Disease Control is kidnapped, Sara and Will are spending an afternoon with her family.  Some of these early "domestic" scenes play out through both Will and Sara's eyes which fascinated me as it clearly demonstrates how they still have different views and manners of coping with their developing relationship.  Well done, KS!  When their afternoon is interrupted by explosions in a nearby city, Sara and Will race toward the scene to assist, running straight into a situation that results in Will being badly injured and Sara being kidnapped by a group of radical domestic terrorists.  In a race against time, Will works with his partner Faith Mitchell and other law enforcement led by Amanda Wagner to find and infiltrate the group to free Sara and save society.

The Last Widow is intense, graphic, and rich in detail as can be expected from this author.  It emphasizes the practice and horrors of pedophilia, the superiority of males over females, senseless murder, and biological warfare as well as the dangerous atmosphere that breeds militia-style cults.  The suspense builds at a frantic pace as the story unfolds from two narrators - Will and Sara.  Through Will's eyes, the focus is on the efforts of law enforcement to find the cult, the dangers of going undercover, and his panicked frame of mind which includes major guilt over what he perceives as his failure to keep Sara safe.  There are interactions with Will and Sara's mother/family during this time that are priceless gems for readers of the series.  Fantastic, telling scenes!  Through Sara's eyes, readers view life within the terrorist camp, and it's there that the depravity of their leader and horror of their plan become apparent.  

Slaughter's ability to manipulate characters through a highly visual, atmospheric setting is key to the rising, menacing tone throughout.  Her mastery of plot, character, and character relationship development is brilliant, as always, as she pulls every single thread together by the end.  The Last Widow is a taut, fast-paced, graphic thriller with a timely message that people everywhere should heed.  And by the way,  I read the last page several times over before closing the book with a smile on my face.  Great setup for the next book in one of my favorite series ever!  May our wait be short!  For suspense and thriller fans, this is one you don't want to miss.

My Rating:  5 Thrilling Hearts 

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

♥Sandra♥

The Year I Left Blog Tour & Review

Title:  The Year I Left
Author:  Christine Brae
Publisher:  Vesuvian Books
Release Date:  Aug. 20, 2019
Purchase Link:  Amazon


My Rating:  4 Emotionally Charged Hearts


*With many thanks to Vesuvian Books for an arc of this book.



Synopsis:
Carin Frost doesn’t understand what’s happening to her. A confident businesswoman, wife, and mother, she begins to resent everything about her life. Nothing makes sense. Nothing makes her feel. Maybe it’s the recent loss of her mother in a tragic accident. Or maybe she’s just losing her mind.

Enter Matias Torres. As their new business partnership thrives, so does their friendship—and his interest in her. Carin is determined to keep her distance, until a work assignment sends them to Southeast Asia where a storm is brewing on the island. In the midst of the chaos, Matias asks her to do something unimaginable, exhilarating, BOLD. Carin knows the consequences could be dire, but it may be the only way to save herself.

An honest look at love and marriage and the frailties of the human heart, this is a story of a woman’s loss of self and purpose and the journey she takes to find her way back.

Review:
The Year I Left is a story for anyone who's ever felt lost and adrift in a life that no longer gives them what they need to thrive and grow and feel alive.  A story for anyone who's ever felt the need for something more out of life.  A story for anyone who's ever yearned for something they can't define or grasp but know they need like their next breath.  It would be easy to say this is a story for women . . . and I suppose it is.  But truthfully, I think it applies to both men and women.  It's a story for anyone who's ever asked themselves the question:  Is it ever okay to put your own personal needs first . . . especially if they come at the expense of loved ones?

Carin Frost is a wife, mother, and successful career woman who appears to have it all - fabulous home, business, and lifestyle, gorgeous devoted husband and child.  So why is she so unhappy and unsatisfied with her life?  Carin is sleep-walking through life, going through the motions and playing her expected role while silently screaming for help.  Until she meets her new business partner Mattias Torres - a man who gives her a taste of the life she can have if she's willing to give it and him a chance.  A co-business trip to Southeast Asia results in a life or death situation where a split-second joint decision drastically changes both their lives.  For the first time in forever, Carin feels alive.  But can she live with the consequences of her actions? 

This is my first book by Christine Brae, and I'm highly motivated to seek out more.  Her lyrical, descriptive writing style enhances this emotionally charged story that I think will hit close to home for many.  Brae tackles some tough issues like depression, responsibility to others as well as to ones self, resentment, guilt, and redemption - all part of life choices and lessons.  Told in a unique voice that reads like a journal written by Carin, The Year I Left conveys a range of emotions from deep sadness to giddy joy and everything in between.  The author delivers some life lessons through Carin and Mattias's story with reminders that you can't continuously live your life for everyone else at the expense of your own happiness; however, for every action, there is a reaction that includes living with the consequences.  Every individual must decide if true personal happiness is worth any cost.  What some will view as a selfish choice may feel like a lifeline to others.  The Year I Left is a poignant, heartfelt romance that touched this reader's heart and soul, still resonating within me days after I read the final page.  I'll add here (without spoilers) that I loved the way the author chose to end this story, leaving readers a little leeway to interpret the ending.  This is a fantastic Must Read for anyone who's ever wondered if they're truly living life to the fullest!

My Rating:  4 Emotionally Charged Hearts . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra

About the author:  Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Christine is the author of The Light in the Wound, His Wounded Light (2013), Insipid (2014). Her latest book, In This Life, released in 2016 and is currently under option for TV and Film.

Two more books, Eight Goodbyes and The Year I Left are scheduled to be released in 2018 & 2019.

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.

Christine is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin Literary Management.

On the Corner of Love and Hate Review

Title:  On the Corner of Love and Hate
Series:  Hopeless Romantics #1
Author:  Nina Bocci
Publisher:  Gallery Books
Release Date:  August 20, 2019
Purchase Link:  Amazon


My Rating:  3 Stubborn Hearts


*Special thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book!


Synopsis:
For fans of Christina Lauren and Lauren Layne comes a delightfully sassy and sexy romance about a campaign manager who reluctantly works with the local Lothario to help revamp his image for the upcoming mayoral elections, only to discover that he’s hiding something that can turn both their lives upside down.

What’s a campaign manager’s worst nightmare? A smooth-talking charmer who’s never met a scandal that he didn’t like.

When Emmanuelle Peroni’s father—and mayor of her town—asks her to help rehab Cooper Endicott’s image, she’s horrified. Cooper drives her crazy in every way possible. But he’s also her father’s protégé, and she can’t say no to him without him finding out the reason why: Cooper and her have a messy past. So Emmanuelle reluctantly launches her father’s grand plan to get this Casanova someone to settle down with and help him lose his lothario reputation.

Cooper Endicott wanted to run for Mayor, but he never wanted the drama that went with it. Now that he’s on the political hamster wheel, the other candidates are digging up everythingfrom his past. Even though he’s doing all the right things, his colorful love life is the sticking point for many of the conservative voters. He wants to win, badly, and he knows that if he wants any chance of getting a vote from the female population, he needs to change his image. The only problem? He might just be falling in love with the one person he promised not to pursue: the Mayor’s off-limits daughter.

Review:
On the Corner of Love and Hate is a small town, enemies-to-lovers romance featuring childhood friends turned enemies Emma Peroni and Cooper Endicott.  Emma's father (outgoing mayor) talks her into being Cooper's campaign manager in an effort to revamp his shady ladies-man image and help him get elected as the next town mayor.  Emma reluctantly agrees to it even though she continues to hold a long-time grudge against the man who once broke her heart.  As they begin working together, the sarcastic remarks fly . . . and so do the sparks!

One of my favorite tropes in romance is small town and enemies-to-lovers!  The author does a great job with setting up a small town scene, including the prevalence of everybody-knows-everything-about-everybody atmosphere . . . a town where it's hard to outrun your past mistakes as you're constantly reminded of them.  The town people are authentic, adding a special ambiance to the story.  Bocci also excels at writing realistic dialogue with some much needed humorous banter which I enjoyed.  

This story unfolds through Emma's point of view which understandably doesn't paint Cooper in a very good light.  While I wanted to be sympathetic to Emma's plight, I found her to be so consumed by past betrayals that she continuously took one step forward and then two steps back, causing her to appear too stubborn and wishy-washy.  Unfortunately, Cooper doesn't fare much better.  His in-your-face immature attitude is flaunted a bit too often as are his womanizing, alley-cat ways.  He shows growth by the end which is a plus, as does Emma; however, it became a case of too little, too late for me to feel much empathy with either character.  The result is a lack of true chemistry between these two main characters, making it hard for me to identify with either.

While I liked the premise of On the Corner of Love and Hate, I think the story would have resonated more with me if it had concentrated more on the romance building between Emma and Cooper and less on their ongoing feud over a broken past.  Having said that, there are some great humorous scenes that I enjoyed.  Fans of enemies-to-lovers stories should check this one out.

My Rating:  3 Stubborn Hearts . . .

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra

Under Currents Review

Title:  Under Currents
Author:  Nora Roberts
Genre:  Romance/Suspense
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Release Date:  July 9, 2019
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  4 Intricate Hearts


*With many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an arc of this book.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a novel about the power of family to harm—and to heal.

Synopsis:

Within the walls of a tasteful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, young Zane Bigelow feels like a prisoner of war. Strangers—and even Zane’s own aunt across the lake—see his parents as a successful surgeon and his stylish wife, making appearances at their children’s ballet recitals and baseball games. Zane and his sister know the truth: There is something terribly wrong.

As his father’s violent, controlling rages—and his mother’s complicity—become more and more oppressive, Zane counts the years, months, days until he can escape. He looks out for little Britt, warning her Be smart. Be careful. In fear for his very life, he plays along with the insidious lie that everything is fine, while scribbling his real thoughts in a secret journal he must carefully hide away.

When one brutal, shattering night finally reveals cracks in the façade, Zane begins to understand that some people are willing to face the truth, even when it hurts. As he grows into manhood and builds a new kind of family, he will find that while the darkness of his past may always shadow him, it will also show him what is necessary for good to triumph—and give him strength to draw on when he once again must stand up and defend himself and the ones he loves…

Review:
Nora Roberts has a gift for writing stories that portray all the intricate dynamics of family - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Her stories often demonstrate the power of family to either destroy or save lives and frequently deliver a theme of nature vs. nurture that I find fascinating.  I love knowing when I open one of Roberts books that the human spirit of a character may be sorely tested, but the will to survive and persevere over evil will triumph in the end.  And I appreciate that she often tackles sensitive subjects such as child and spousal abuse with grace, respect, and empathy as she does in Under Currents.

I'll briefly touch on the storyline, leaving readers an opportunity to experience this book firsthand as it should be.  Under Currents is divided into three parts with the first part taking place in the past and the second and third parts picking up the storyline in present time.  In part one, readers meet Zane & Britt Bigelow - a brother and younger sister who appear to have it all -  a picture-perfect family living in a picture-perfect mansion in a picture-perfect part of town.  But looks are deceiving, and readers quickly learn all is not as it appears as these two children are silently suffering the ultimate betrayal at the hands of those charged with loving and protecting them . . . their parents.  Until one explosive night when everything changes.

Fast forward about twenty years and readers are introduced to Darby McCray - a feisty, spirited newcomer who's opening a landscaping business in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mtns. of North Carolina.  After the recent tragic hit & run death of her mother, she's looking for a new start far away from an abusive ex-husband.  (This is the first time one of Roberts' romance/suspense heroines has reminded me (in mannerisms & actions) of Eve Dallas, the heroine of her In Death series written as J.D. Robb.)  When Zane returns to his hometown to open a law office, the two meet and a slow-burn romance begins to flourish.  And now everything is picture-perfect in their lives until ghosts from the past rise to stalk and threaten them.  Someone is on a mission of revenge, but who's the target?

As always, Roberts flawlessly weaves family and community and the routine of daily life into a story with emotion, laughter, tears, love, and a strong sense of belonging.  The characters are relatable and well-developed, each playing their role extremely well.  I will say I would have liked a little more reader insight into the inner thoughts of the villain, but I guess the vagueness of him/her adds to the suspense for some.  The setting is authentic (I live in N.C. and know the area well) and rich in details that tease the senses.  I like the way the title is reiterated in the story as under currents are always present in one form or another, running beneath the surface as evident in this story. There are several twists and turns to keep readers on their toes and guessing until the very end.  While you may or may not be shocked by the final reveal, I think you'll enjoy the journey as this book is an addictive Must Read!

My Rating . . . 4 Intricate Hearts . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra

The Other Brother Review

Title:  The Other Brother
Series:  Beta Brothers #4
Author:  Hazel Kelly
Release Date:  July 7, 2019
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  3 HEA Hearts

*A special thank you to the author for an arc of this book!

Synopsis:
College dropout Piper has been down on her luck for years, and she’s beginning to doubt whether she'll ever achieve her dream of becoming a professional chef. 

So when a handsome stranger who's frostier than frozen food offers her a job that seems too good to be true, she's in no position to ask questions. Yet the longer she works for him, the more she has.

Unfortunately, her billionaire boss is determined to keep Piper in the dark, especially about his past. But little does she know, her warm presence is making him think about his future for the first time in years, a future he increasingly hopes she'll be a part of.

Can New York's beastliest bachelor open his heart to the beautiful young woman he saved on a hunch? Or will his demons drive her away before he finds the courage to admit his feelings?

Review:
A heartwarming, modern Cinderella & Prince Charming story!  Ash and Piper meet in the grocery store produce department when she advises him on the art of picking out the perfect zucchini squash (cue the sexual innuendos) and then promptly disappears.  They meet for a second time at a charity event when he criticizes one of her appetizers as being too salty and then offers her a job as his personal full-time chef.  Piper is literally "Cinderella" - down on her luck, hungry & thin, and living and working in a bad situation.  She figures the rich, handsome stranger is the lesser of two evils so she accepts his offer, burns her bridges, and moves in with him.  Ash is a billionaire, but no one would mistake him as Prince Charming.  He's cold, bitter, and short-tempered, but not abusive.  Both of these characters harbor secrets from their painful pasts and refuse to open up and share them even as they grow closer.  The trust issues are evident, especially on Ash's part.  It's not hard to see the disaster waiting to happen.  

Readers are privy to both character's thoughts and feelings as the story unfolds.  I enjoyed seeing their emotional connection grow along with the sexual sparks.  The author's snarky humor serves to lighten the mood and tone of this book with several laugh-out-loud scenes.  I will say I was looking for just a little more depth in the plot line as it was a bit predictable.  I also wanted to feel more raw chemistry - more push and pull from and between these characters.   I've felt that energy to a greater extent with Kelly's previous books and hero/heroines.  Having said that, The Other Brother is a good slow burn romance with a beautiful fairytale happy ever after that will leave readers smiling.  A Must Read!

My Rating:  3 HEA Hearts . . .And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra

The Escape Room Review

Title:  The Escape Room
Author:  Megan Goldin
Genre:  Suspense/Thriller
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Release Date:  July 30, 2019
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating: 4.5 Compulsive Hearts


*With many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an arc of this book via Netgalley

In Megan Goldin's unforgettable debut, The Escape Room, four young Wall Street rising stars discover the price of ambition when an escape room challenge turns into a lethal game of revenge.

Synopsis:
Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple. Get out alive.

Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple. Get out alive.

In the lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They’ve mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style—but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.

Invited to participate in an escape room as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive? Welcome to the escape room. Your goal is simple. Get out alive.

In the lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They’ve mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style—but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.

Invited to participate in an escape room as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive? In the lucrative world of finance, Vincent, Jules, Sylvie, and Sam are at the top of their game. They’ve mastered the art of the deal and celebrate their success in style—but a life of extreme luxury always comes at a cost.

Invited to participate in an escape room as a team-building exercise, the ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival.

Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. As tempers fray, and the clues turn deadly, they must solve one final chilling puzzle: which one of them will kill in order to survive?

Review:

A highly addictive, compelling must read! I was held spellbound by this mesmerizing story - only managing to escape its hold by finishing the book.  Readers, you'll want to set aside enough time to read this in one sitting as I did.  Once you enter, there's no going back!  

The Escape Room is a gripping story of greed, corruption, and revenge - just another day in the cut throat, ruthless Wall Street corporate world.  Three shallow, high finance team members and their team leader receive a non-negotiable invitation to attend an Escape Room team building exercise late on Friday afternoon.  There isn't an option to decline if they want to keep their jobs.  The location is a high-rise building under construction which stands empty on the weekend except for a security guard.  The team enters the elevator unseen to ascend to the destined escape room - only to find themselves locked in the elevator around the 70th floor.  Lights go out and the temperature rises as they work to solve a few cryptic clues to get released.  As time passes, the heat becomes suffocating, tempers flare, dark secrets and resentments surface, chaos and panic set in, and the situation becomes volatile, escalating out of control.  It quickly becomes apparent that this is no ordinary escape room challenge . . . they're in a battle for their lives. 

I'm not going to say more about the story.  It's truly an enthralling experience to read and discover the role each person plays in this deadly game and how they ended up there.  Goldin delivers the unique story through chapters that alternate between the present escape room elevator scene and the past leading up to that point in time narrated by a former employee.  Jumping back and forth between scenes, my heart rate escalated as I flew through the pages and soon found myself trapped in the escape room right along beside them.  You can literally smell the sweat and fear and count the heartbeats!  The author slowly weaves each individual's personal story until they all come together in a climax that may not be shocking, but is well delivered and deserved.  The Escape Room is one of the most compulsive reads I've experienced in a long time.  Not the most twisted, not the most shocking, but the most can't-put-it-down, I'm-fully-immersed Must Read!  Highly recommended!

My Rating:  4.5 Compulsive Hearts . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra