When Emily meets Adam she immediately knows that she wants to snatch him up and she does exactly that. Emily however, has no3.5 Stars* (rounded down)
When Emily meets Adam she immediately knows that she wants to snatch him up and she does exactly that. Emily however, has no idea that Adam is a mama's boy. From the get go, his mother Pammie is not a fan of Em’s and she appears to have it in for her - in the biggest way possible: by lying, tricking her and making her look as bad as possible in front of her son in hopes that he’ll break it off. The lengths this woman goes to.. talk about hella entertaining. Adam of course, doesn’t see any of it and is uber protective of dear old Pammie.
Mama always wins in a head to head, shame on you for thinking otherwise Emily.. then again a girl’s got to try, right?
“The Other Woman� by Sandie Jones is a campy entertaining mystery/suspense. It reminded me of The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances which I read last year - though I preferred this. I really enjoyed where “The Other Woman� was going, right up until the end where I felt kind of bamboozled. The ending snuck up on me - there were no bread crumbs to lead me there� and for that I was a bit frustrated. Personally, I like having an idea of where a storyline is going - that didn’t happen in this instance, which I found disappointing. Though parts of the novel were a bit unbelievable, it was an enjoyable read which I would recommend.
This was a Traveling Sister Read. Thanks Sisters.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Sandie Jones for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Girl Who Smiled Beads is the story of tragedy, war, violence and ultimately of survival.
Six year old Clemantine Wamariya was5 Astounding Stars.
The Girl Who Smiled Beads is the story of tragedy, war, violence and ultimately of survival.
Six year old Clemantine Wamariya was torn from her home along with her older sister Claire, when the War broke out in Rwanda. Fleeing everything they had ever known, they were left to their own devices, running from the massacre. Both sisters spent six years on the run, through six different countries in Africa searching for safety, never finding it. Clemantine had to learn to fend for herself, eventually gathering clothes from campsites, doing laundry and whatever else she could do to survive. Her sister Claire became the breadwinner, making clothes, bartering, finding food, goats and cooking, all to show that she was useful.
These two endured more than anyone could ever imagine: Clemantine’s eyes wide open, starving, full of fear.. waiting, oh so desperate for love and affection, always waiting, never receiving. Claire, showing love the only way she knew how, by providing. And yet, in the cruelest of conditions, somehow, they survived.
Six years later, Clemantine and Claire were granted asylum in the United States, and to Chicago, where Clemantine was given opportunities most girls were not, attending Hotchkiss and Yale University, when Claire worked hard day and night to provide for her family.
This story is a devastating one. It is hard to imagine that anyone could ever survive anything like this and live to tell the tale and triumph, and yet Clemantine and her sister Claire have done exactly that. For me, “The Girl Who Smiled Beads� is an example of resilience, of the idea that a person can survive absolutely anything and accomplish their goals. Clemantine didn’t just survive the most horrific experience, she thrived. I am in bewildered awe of Clemantine Wamariya and her sister Claire. Thank you for sharing your story Clemantine!
This was a Traveling Sister Read. It original included a few sisters and ended with just Brenda and me. It was a very heartfelt discussion. Glad we shared in this experience Brenda!
Thank you to Book of the Month and to Clemantine Wamariya for this inspiring read.
Natasha seems to have the perfect little life, married to Nick, a successful and5 Wild & Crazy Stars.
My Oh My, That was One Wild, Fun and Crazy Ride!
Natasha seems to have the perfect little life, married to Nick, a successful and caring man who caters to her every need. Together, they have a baby girl named Emily, who they love and adore above all else. The only problem? Jen. Nick’s ex-wife. His family loves her and invites her to family functions, totally ignoring Natasha and Nick still cares enough to have nightly phone calls with Jen, claiming however that she is lonely and needs someone to talk to and that it means nothing.
One day however, it all comes crashing down. Natasha comes home to discover that Emily is gone, as is all of her stuff and Nick, her so-called “beloved husband� is responsible. The only person she can turn to, to get her daughter back is the one person she has always despised: Jen. Can she trust her? What do you think? I’m afraid I can’t spill.
“The Ex-Wife� by Jess Ryder is a delicious and completely wicked novel that grabbed me straightaway. The ride is intense. The hype? It’s all true. If you’re looking for a stellar read, go out and grab this book my friends, you won’t regret it.
I read this with Kaceey and Brenda. We all really liked this one - for good reason!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Jess Ryder for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, ŷ, Twitter, Instagram and Amazon on 6.17.18. ...more
Josie Quinn is back and this time she’s in charge. When Detective Noah Frawley calls Chief Quinn to 3.9 Stars* (rounded up)
One Heck of a Page Turner!
Josie Quinn is back and this time she’s in charge. When Detective Noah Frawley calls Chief Quinn to the scene of the crime where a woman has been found, beaten almost to death, her hours old newborn having been torn from her, Josie can’t imagine things getting any worse. Then, inevitably they do: Luke, her fiancé, goes missing. The evidence leads to a mystery woman who claims amnesia and just happens to have been found in Luke’s home, wearing his clothes.. This mystery woman was also at the crime scene when the battered woman gave birth. It simply can’t be a coincidence. As the investigation continues, Josie can't help but wonder how Luke ties into all of this - finding out the answers to that question terrifies her, though not as much as the idea of not finding him at all.
WIth time slipping away, and Luke and the newborn baby’s life hanging in the balance, Josie and Noah are in overdrive and neither can slow down for a second or all will be lost.
“The Girl With No Name� is a drama filled mystery with crazy twists and turns, some of which were a little out there and some of which kept me on my toes. It is one mystery/suspense whose pages I couldn’t swipe through fast enough to get to the end. This being the second book in the Josie Quinn Detective series, I am now fully invested and have high hopes for this series and for Josie. Lisa Regan sure knows how to write intriguing female characters as is evident by Josie Quinn and my personal favorite, Claire Fletcher (whose character and series I miss, and hope to see again one day soon).
This was a sister read with Brenda and Kaceey - all 3 of us liked this one a lot and we can’t wait to see what Ms. Regan has in store for Josie Quinn next. For the full Traveling Sister Group Review, please see Brenda and Norma’s Amazing Blog:
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Lisa Regan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on ŷ, Amazon and Twitter on 6.10.18. ...more
“I Crave You.� It’s a game that Mike and Verity used to play while they were dating. They’d go to a bar, 4 Stars.
Creepy and Freaky and Crazy Intense.
“I Crave You.� It’s a game that Mike and Verity used to play while they were dating. They’d go to a bar, pretend that they weren’t together, and Mike would watch while another man hit on Verity and then he would pounce. Both would get off on it. Mike never dreamed that anything would come between them.
Until the day that V broke up with him and became engaged to someone else. Mike, knows it’s not real, however. It’s just the game she’s playing. A Crave. Their feelings for each other, their need for each other. No one else understands. But he knows. Even when it all goes wrong, he knows it’s all for the best, that she wants the same thing he does and that their bond will endure. Always.
Told from Mike’s perspective, “Our Kind of Cruelty� by Araminta Hall is a psychological suspense that hooked me with its intensity and disturbing nature. I was all in even though there were times when the hair on the back of my neck stood up and my skin was crawling - I simply couldn’t stop reading. This was captivating, compelling and obsessively good.
This was a sister read with Kaceey. Both of us really liked “Our Kind of Cruelty� and can’t wait to see what Ms. Hall comes out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Aramanita Hall for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
What would you do if your past came back to haunt you? Could you let it go? Would you want to? I know my answer� the question 3.65 Stars* (rounded up)
What would you do if your past came back to haunt you? Could you let it go? Would you want to? I know my answer� the question is: how do Finn and Ellen, the main characters in “Bring Me Back� by B. A. Paris, feel about it. Read on to find out my friends.
Now: Finn is happily engaged to Ellen, living a quiet life in the suburbs, just the two of them. Being with Finn, well, for Ellen it is everything she ever wanted.
Before: Finn was engaged to Layla. His love for her was extremely intense. He needed her, was consumed by her and wanted to be with her every second. Then she disappeared, out of thin air. That was twelve years ago.
Finn has never gotten over it. Neither has Ellen. Layla was Ellen’s sister, you see and Finn has been in love with both of them. Tsk. Tsk. Now, twelve years later, both Finn and Ellen start receiving Russian Dolls (reminders from Ellen’s childhood) and other notes and such, making them think Layla might still be alive. Finn is haunted by this.. by Layla, whom he was always been obsessed with. He can’t sleep, becoming more and more withdrawn, while Ellen is excited at the idea. Could her sister be alive? Is your pulse racing? Are your hands shaking? The answer should be yes.
B. A. Paris� “Bring Me Back� is a unique mystery / suspense which short intense chapters and well developed characters in which I was immediately invested. It is a quick, easy read which I flew through in a matter of mere hours. While I guessed parts of the story by the midway part, another threw me complete for a loop and that part was a bit far-fetched for me. B. A. Paris is an expert at immediately capturing a readers attention and she grabbed mine from the get go. Having read her previous novels, I would say that this one didn’t quite measure up. That said, if you liked B. A. Paris’s other books, I think you’ll like this one as well as “Bring Me Back� is a fun, thrilling ride.
This was a Traveling Sister read which was a lot of fun for all of us. For full traveling sister group reviews, please see Norma and Brenda’s blog:
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and B. A. Paris for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on ŷ, NetGalley, Twitter and Instagram on 6.3.18....more
Fantastical, Magical, Wondrous & Whimsical. It captures your heart and holds on tight.
Cathal Flood is an angry, cantankerous, difficult old m4 Stars.
Fantastical, Magical, Wondrous & Whimsical. It captures your heart and holds on tight.
Cathal Flood is an angry, cantankerous, difficult old man who lives alone in Bridlemere, a dirty, disgusting old mansion, which houses lots of secrets, perhaps a few ghosts and several quirky cats too. Maud Drennan has always lived a lonely sort of life. Having lost her sister at a young age, grief has always been with her. She is a special sort, seeing and hearing things that others don’t, including Saints, or Spirit Guides, as the case may be. Maud is the carer who is assigned to Cathal Flood. She is his last hope. If she can’t control Cathal, his son Gabriel is planning to send him off to a home. His less than sunny disposition is a more than bit scary for Maud - as are all of the noises and strange things she encounters at this old house, yet she can’t help but find Cathal and Bridlemere intriguing.
When photographs from the past start popping up at Bridlemere, Maud finds herself deeply enveloped in old mysteries.. ones she just can’t help but want to solve, even though she is not a detective. With the help of her friend Renata, Sam Hebden, Mr. Flood’s former carer and several spirit guides such as St. Dymphna and St. Valentine surrounding her, Maud takes off investigating. She must do this - it is her calling.
Magic ensues. Whimsy abounds. Psychic elements mystify. In “Mr. Flood’s Last Resort,� Hearts get broken along the way, mine included. Tears fell. More than once. Cathal Flood is a man whose oddities endeared me when perhaps they should have scared me, at least a little. Maud Drennan is quirky and surprisingly bold at times when you least expect. Renata is the dearest of friends - I wish she was one of mine.
This is Jess Kidd’s second novel and she proves that she has the ability to write magical supernatural fantastical stories with characters like no other. “Himself� Jess Kidd’s debut novel was one of my favorite reads of last year and while this one came close, it wasn’t quite as captivating. Though this seems to simply be a quirky novel involving fantastical supernatural elements, it also involves serious storylines about grief and loss and deals with both in an enchanting and lovely way. Having read both “Himself� and “Mr. Flood’s Last Resort,� I am now completely entranced by Jess Kidd and am eagerly awaiting her next novel.
This was a Traveling Sister read which made for an incredibly interesting and informative discussion. I loved reading this whimsical fantastical novel with my sisters. It made this read even more amazing! For full traveling sister group reviews, please see Norma and Brenda’s blog:
Thank you to Atria, NetGalley and Jess Kidd for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, ŷ, Twitter and Amazon on 6.3.18....more
Leah and Robert were College sweethearts, always wanting to go to Paris, France, settling for trips to Paris, Wisconsin, and other cities and 3 Stars.
Leah and Robert were College sweethearts, always wanting to go to Paris, France, settling for trips to Paris, Wisconsin, and other cities and towns named Paris thinking, maybe one day.
Robert is a writer - he craves time alone and often takes off, he and Leah and his kids, Ellie and Daphne, have an understanding. When Robert needs time, he just leaves, always leaving a note, saying “be back soon.� Sometimes he’s gone for hours, sometimes days, never providing an explanation. One morning, Robert leaves and doesn’t come back. At first, Leah and her girls think he simply took a trip and then, as the days go by, they think he abandoned them or worse. When Leah finds a confirmation code in a cereal box for 4 plane tickets to Paris, France, leaving in a few weeks time, Leah knows - she and the girls must go. Maybe, just maybe� Paris is like a dream for all of them, being able to let go, find each other, and get help. Once they receive a half finished a manuscript of Robert’s, however, Leah, Ellie and Daphne have more questions than answers and can’t help wonder if maybe Robert is alive.
“Paris by the Book� is a slow moving domestic drama about a family whose lives have been torn apart. There were times when I was deeply involved in the storyline and enraged at the character of Robert, who took off for days at a time with no explanation and seemed to have little regard for his family and at the character of Leah, who often cared more for her own regard than her daughters. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this novel included a bit more of a tell vs. show style of writing and had a tendency to overuse the phrases “I said� and “Ellie said� etc., which I admittedly grew a little tired of. The characters of Leah, Daphne and Ellie however, all had me fully invested in the storyline which made me eagerly await the outcome.
This was a sister read with Lindsay - thanks for reading this one with me Linds! Sorry it took me a little while to finish!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Penguin Publishing Group and Liam Callanan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Five Beautiful, Heart-Wrenching, Emotional, Evocative Stars.
Extremely rare are the novels that touch the soul, permanently marking the heart, creatingFive Beautiful, Heart-Wrenching, Emotional, Evocative Stars.
Extremely rare are the novels that touch the soul, permanently marking the heart, creating a burning in the lungs, making it impossible to draw in enough air. “A Place for Us� by Fatima Farheen Mirza is that kind of novel.
Every word read, causing an emotional chill and creating a sensation that coursed through me, making my heart all a flutter.
“A Place For Us� is a novel about a family of five: Rafiq, Layla, Hadia, Huda and Amar, all of whom struggle to be true to themselves, while trying to remain faithful to each other, their religion and their traditions as Muslim Americans. Rafiq, runs a tight ship, strictly adhering to the militant upbringing, he himself grew up with. Layla, lives for both her family and her religion, they go hand in hand and she believes in the power of her faith to help guide her through. Her children are her life, though unconsciously she gravitates to one, more than the others. Hadia, the eldest daughter, is the best and the brightest, the one who needs recognition, personally and professionally above all else. She has a need to live by a certain code, regardless of who it impacts. Huda is the quiet one, the most confident, the most self-assured. The one everyone goes to when they need to be consoled. Amar, is the youngest child, the one who struggles the most: within his family unit, with school and with his beliefs. He has always been the outsider. The one thing he wants most in this life is forbidden.
At the outset of “A Place for Us,� the family comes together to celebrate Hadia’s wedding. Amar returns for the celebration from parts unknown, having been estranged from the family for many years. Everyone walks on eggshells. afraid of each other and most of all, afraid of facing the truth.
Emotions are palpable, from the very first moment, the tightness in the chest, the sinking, nervous feeling in the stomach. I am there, scared straight, watching, waiting, all eyes on Amar.
Fatima Farheen Mizra created characters who I felt a complete and utter kinship with, almost a “oneness� with when reading this. I am Hadia, when she is in competition with Amar and when confronts her Baba (Rafiq) about him; I am Amar, when he dotes on his mother, when he plays with his friend Ali, when he looks longingly at Amira and when he hangs his head in shame. I am also Huda, when she comforts those around her. Whose character resonates most with me you might wonder..gnawing away every fiber of my being? Amar. Always Amar. Thinking of his unrelenting heartache, his unwavering need for acceptance, love and understanding, my chest is tight and my eyes fill with tears.
When reading this novel, my head swirled with a myriad of thoughts. How do you define “A Place for Us?� Is it culture, family, religion or tradition? It it a “place� for you or a “place� for me? In my opinion, the answer isn’t that simple. It is the “place� where each character feels the most comfortable being the person they are, the “place� they feel the safest and most at ease and for each it is different.
No one knows how they might impact someone else and yet, in “A Place for Us� each and every character’s life is impacted by another’s actions and decisions. Ways in which you would never imagine. In my mind, this was the take-away - to be accountable for your actions and think about how your choices affect those around you as all actions have consequences, even the trivial ones.
“A Place for Us� is novel I lived and breathed. It is full of life lessons and a gazillion heartfelt, desperate, tear-jerking moments. To say that I was invested in and loved Amar, Huda, Hadia and Baba and this book is an understatement. The writing is so fluid, like a fountain, the water rising up, up, up ever so slowly, and splashing over quickly. It calming, exquisite, intricate, muted. In other words, sheer perfection. It has a “place� in my heart and soul and the characters will continue to give me chills for a long time to come.
This was a Traveling Sister Read. Our discussions for this book were by far, the most brilliant, emotional and gut-wrenching of any group read to-date. Throughout the course of the novel, each of us felt utterly bereft. None of us have recovered. We were all astounded by Fatima Farheen Mizra’s ability to capture a family’s struggle so realistically. It seems impossible to imagine that this is her debut.
For the Full Traveling Sister Group Review, please see Brenda and Norma’s blog:
Thank you so very much to ŷ, Sarah Jessica Parker’s new imprint: SJP for Hogarth, Penguin Random House and the incredible Fatima Fahreen Mizra for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. My love for this book knows no bounds.
Published on ŷ, Amazon, Twitter and Instagram on 6.10.18....more
A book about a reality TV show involving women? You have to know going in that it is going to i3.5 Stars* (rounded up)
Campy and purely entertaining
A book about a reality TV show involving women? You have to know going in that it is going to involve catty, powerful women who will do anything to get ahead. Imagine a “Real Housewives� scenario.
Five successful women are about to star in another season of “Goal Diggers.”� Let the games begin! Brett, is the uber successful owner of a spin studio, who everyone on earth seems to love, except for her cast mates, that is. It kind of makes you wonder why. Stephanie is Brett’s former best friend, an author of several fiction novels and now, a fictional memoir. She is everyone’s hero and the first black cast member and boy is her story a doozy.
Kelly, Brett’s sister has been vying for a spot on the show for years. On paper, she has the “look.� Gorgeous, skinny and a mind for business. Brett never thought it possible - Kelly has always been in her shadow. And then it happens.
When the next season start shooting, all hell breaks loose. For Brett, Kelly, Stephanie and cast members Lauren and Jen, the cuffs come off. It is reality at it is best. Picture drama like: “Puck� in the “Real World: San Francisco.� If you like reality tv, then this is a novel you will find entertaining. While I haven’t watched it in years, I used to (yes, I admit it) thus for me, “The Favorite Sister� was tawdry and engaging.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Jessica Knoll for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
When Daphne and Heath meet, its instantaneous. Their connection. After a few months, they just know: soul-mates. And yet, both have secrets. S3 Stars.
When Daphne and Heath meet, its instantaneous. Their connection. After a few months, they just know: soul-mates. And yet, both have secrets. Secrets, they have never shared with each other - and I’m not talking about the small stuff. As it turns out, their pasts - well, they are anything but ordinary. And they’ve kept every last detail from the other.
Though Daphne would like to keep it that way, Heath has something else in mind. He would like to bear all to his beloved and he has found the perfect place to do so: a therapy based retreat center for couples. Once there, Heath seems right at home with the Dr., and the other guests. Daphne, however is immediately suspicious: of everything, including being filmed for twenty-two hours a day, and, of the Dr.
Moving at breakneck speed, it is hard to keep up the pace. It is only when multiple storylines are told, that a few of the chapters become somewhat frantic. And then.. you’re reading and all of a sudden - you’re like What?! As if! For me, it stretched the confines of believability as I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what in heck was going on. Yet, from a pure entertainment standpoint, well, it got me.
I read this with several of my Traveling Sisters and all of them loved this entertaining read. For Full Traveling Sister Group Reviews, please see, Brenda and Norma’s Blog:
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
In Brooklyn, a group of mothers to-be, all due in the month of May, coined “The May Mothers� start a meet-up, sharing stories and bonding o3.75 Stars.
In Brooklyn, a group of mothers to-be, all due in the month of May, coined “The May Mothers� start a meet-up, sharing stories and bonding over impending motherhood.
Being the perfect mother seems unattainable and yet these mothers strive for it. Receiving monthly emails about what to expect each month, exchanging messages with helpful suggestions, gaining support from each other whenever the need arises.
After their babies are a few months old, their bond deepens unexpectedly. Frannie, Nell, Colette, Winnie & Token decide to take a “night off.� What starts out as an innocent night having drinks at a pub, ends with a bang when Winnie’s son, Midas, goes missing, disappearing from their home without a trace.
Thereafter, the May Mothers come together, investigating. What happened that night, in addition to investigating each other. They can’t help it. They don’t really know each other that well, and yet, they desperately want to trust each other. Yet, can they? Should they?
“The Perfect Mother� is told from several different perspectives, some of which are confusing at first. Though it starts off a little slow, the novel picks up at the mid-way point and takes off so quickly that I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. The ending was quite the shocker - which frankly, I’m still not sure I get. I’m hoping it’ll come to me one of these days! “The Perfect Mother� is a slow burn, character driven suspense novel that definitely kept my interest. It was my book of the month pick and was a great choice.
This was a traveling sister read - our discussions were lots of fun. Thanks sisters! For full Traveling Sister group reviews, please see Brenda an Norma’s Blog:
The idea of “The House Swap� sounds somewhat intriguing right? Instead of taking a regular vacation, you swap houses with a stranger for a wee3 Stars.
The idea of “The House Swap� sounds somewhat intriguing right? Instead of taking a regular vacation, you swap houses with a stranger for a week’s time. Going to a different locale, living a different life. Caroline and Francis take the bait. Leaving their flat in England (and their young son Eddie) to go to a townhouse, right outside of London. It’s not something I would do, but hey, let’s give this one a chance, shall we?
2013: Caro and Francis� relationship is in shambles. Francis has a problem: he is addicted to little blue pills, and therefore has a hard time functioning, leaving Caro to care for their son Eddie, though she has other things on her mind � mainly her own life. Caro cannot control herself: her wants and needs take over. Needless to say, both characters self-destruct in different ways.
2015: As soon as Caroline and Francis arrive at the townhouse, things go awry for Caroline. She begins to find little tokens that remind her of her past. A past that she has never truly gotten over � one that haunts her. Caroline and her husband Francis have been trying to rekindle their romance and reconnect and “this� throws a wrench into everything.
Whose house are Caro and Francis staying in? Is it someone Caro knows? What happens thereafter, to Caro, Francis and everyone else involved? It makes your heart go thump, thump, thump, right?
Told in two different timelines, from a few different perspectives, this is a novel that starts out extremely slow and stays that way until about 60%. Once it picks up, it definitely grabs your interest and is at times hard to wrap your head around. I would perhaps describe it as domestic drama v. a mystery/suspense. While some parts of the book are a bit far-fetched, I did end up liking it. The character of Eddie was, by far, my favorite. The premise for “The House Swap,� is very cool and I think a lot of people will enjoy this intriguing read.
This was a Traveling Sister Read which included Brenda, Norma, Kaceey and Mackenzie. The discussion was fantastic and it made the read so fun. Thanks sisters! For full Traveling Sister Group reviews, please see Brenda and Norma’s Amazing Blog:
Thank you to First to Read, Penguin Random House and Rebecca Fleet for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on ŷ and First to Read on 5.16.18. ...more
Gemma’s happy little world is about to explode. Little does she know. Someone desperately wants to destroy her. Everything Gemma has built and4 Stars.
Gemma’s happy little world is about to explode. Little does she know. Someone desperately wants to destroy her. Everything Gemma has built and worked so hard for, is about to shatter just like a pane of glass. She is like a pawn in her own chess game. Now, it’s Gemma’s move.
If your interest isn’t piqued, it should be.
Mary Torjussen has written a compelling and truly interesting read in which I was fully invested. The characters are full of intrigue and complexity and they pulled me in from the get go. “The Girl I Used to Be� was my very first Mary Torjussen novel - it surely won’t be my last.
This was a Traveling Sister Read with Brenda and Kaceey. For Full Traveling SIster Reviews, please see Brenda and Norma’s Blog:
Thank you to Edelweiss, Berkley, Penguin Publishing Group and Mary Torjussen for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Edelweiss, ŷ, Twitter and Amazon....more
The body of a young girl named Ella Reynold’s is found in a Lagoon, frozen under the ice, yet forensics show she drowned in salt water. The mys4 Stars
The body of a young girl named Ella Reynold’s is found in a Lagoon, frozen under the ice, yet forensics show she drowned in salt water. The mystery, besides the fact that she has been murdered? She is wearing different clothes than the ones she went missing in. Turns out they belong to a different girl named Lili Davies, whose body turns up shortly thereafter, having drowned the same way. Porter, Nash and Clair & Kloz investigate and unfortunately for them, the body count continues to rise. It has to be a serial killer and while the signature is different than 4MK’s, they can’t help but wonder.
The FBI, including Agent Poole, took over 4MK’s case and though the FBI is headquartered at the department, they cut the police out of the investigation completely. Porter however, can’t let it go, thus he takes off on his own to try and find Bishop, who continues to haunt him, whether he likes it or not.
These two separate suspense stories intertwined in a fascinating way that left my head spinning and my heart racing. This one is a doozy. While not quite as captivating as the first book, “The Fourth Monkey,� (which I suggest you read before this one) “The Fifth To Die� - is a worthy follow up that kept my attention and scared me just a little.
This was a sister read with Brenda and Kaceey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and J. D. Barker for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, Edelweiss, ŷ, Amazon, Twitter and Instagram on 6.19.18....more
Literally, a Scream! Now THIS is the Robert Bryndza we all know and love.
Hot off the heels of her last case, Erika Foster drives by the scene4 Stars.
Literally, a Scream! Now THIS is the Robert Bryndza we all know and love.
Hot off the heels of her last case, Erika Foster drives by the scene of a murder on Christmas Day and it immediately gets her attention. A woman’s cold, frozen body is found right outside of her home, with her neck slashed. Detectives Foster and McGorry investigate only to find that the body is that of 22 year-old Marissa, a burlesque dancer whose life was anything but ordinary. Meanwhile, a man in a gas mask is assaulting both men and women around town. Are the two related? Detective Moss works feverishly to figure it out before someone else gets hurt.
“Deadly Secrets� is heart-stopping and gritty. This installment includes all of our favorite detectives and also highlights McGorry and Moss specifically, which is a real treat. Foster’s vulnerabilities start to show through, thus, I’m excited to see what‘s next for her. This is one police procedural that increased my pulse rate from the get go and didn’t let up. It is twisty and turny and crazy compelling and that ending? My gosh� while, it might have been a little far-fetched for my liking, it sure got my attention and somehow, I just know it’ll get yours too.
This was a Traveling Sister read with Brenda and Norma. Thanks Sisters! For full traveling sister reviews, please see Brenda and Norma’s Blog:
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Robert Bryndza for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, ŷ, Twitter and Amazon on 5/8/18. ...more
Anna Johnson’s parents are gone.. it has now been over a year since she lost her mother and more than that since she lost her 3.75 Stars* (rounded up)
Anna Johnson’s parents are gone.. it has now been over a year since she lost her mother and more than that since she lost her dad. She lives each day for her little girl, Ella and her partner Mark. Thank goodness she has them. Everyone, including the police think her parents died by suicide, but Ella knows differently.. she just feels it. When on the anniversary of her mother’s passing, she receives a note in her mailbox which says “Suicide, Think Again� - Anna feels somewhat vindicated and she goes to the police. Detective Murray Mackenzie helps by investigating, even though he is semi-retired and everyone else in the department has closed their cases. Thereafter, bad things start happening to Anna - things that should stop her from moving forward with the investigation. She needs answers, however and she will do whatever it takes to get them. Detective Mackenzie doggedly works the case to the bone - and he doesn’t give up - even when told to do so.
“Let Me Lie� is a twisty turny suspense novel that kept me glued to the pages throughout. Certain parts of the mystery were somewhat predictable, while other parts were completely unexpected. The ending, for instance, took me by surprise. Detective Mackenzie’s character was extremely likable and heartwarming and the side storyline involving him and his wife stole the show.
I read this with my GR sister Kaceey and we both liked it a lot.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Penguin Publishing Group and Claire Mackintosh for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Edelweiss, ŷ, Twitter and Amazon on 5.13.18.
FBI Agent Jess Bishop is damaged. In more ways than one. If you ask her, of course she’ll deny it. Yet all you have to do is look at her mangle4 Stars
FBI Agent Jess Bishop is damaged. In more ways than one. If you ask her, of course she’ll deny it. Yet all you have to do is look at her mangled hand which bears evidence of her last case, to see it. While recuperating she investigated cases on her own and she found something. Young girls who have gone missing in the area - all of whom were found with blue cotton candy under their fingernails.
Ava is a terminally ill girl. She is taken from the hospital, a bag of blue cotton candy left on her bed. This is it. Ava is the link and soon the entire team investigates, including Jess� partner Agent Chan and Jess� former partner, Jamison, who returns after being injured. Yet things are not the same between she and Jamison. They will never be the same. Not after what went down.
Enmeshed in the investigation, things go awry. Jess takes risks she knows she shouldn’t and yet, for her, there is no other way. She cannot outrun her demons. All she can do is hide in her work and do her best to track a killer before it’s too late.
“Cross Your Heart� by Kierney Scott is one heck of a mystery/suspense. I was all in. Jess Bishop, Agent Chan, Jamison and Lindsay are characters you can’t help but absolutely love. They are damaged, soulful and are as real as you and I. This is the second book in the Jess Bishop series and I highly recommend that you read book 1 first as it gives you background into the characters.
I read this with Brenda, Kaceey and Lindsay. We all love these characters and were fully invested.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kierney Scott for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Netgalley, ŷ, Twitter and Amazon on 4.29.18. ...more
Fourteen years ago, Daniel was in an accident. When he awoke from a coma he had no recollection of who he was before. Now he i3.75 Stars* (rounded up)
Fourteen years ago, Daniel was in an accident. When he awoke from a coma he had no recollection of who he was before. Now he is awoken in the middle of the night by a phone call. The caller asks for “Michael� and tells him that he must return what he stole or his family will suffer. Of course, he has no idea what the caller is talking about, but they mean business and he immediately fears for his son, Thomas, his ex-wife, Rachel. Thereafter, he immediately rushes to his ex-wife’s house to find evidence of a crime having been committed and discovers that Rachel and Thomas are gone. Dread fills his soul. It is real.
The clock is ticking - Daniel has 5 days to recover what he stole fourteen years ago. Daniel does his best to uncover a past he knows nothing about. Talking to his mother, trying to track down a father he hasn’t spoken to in years. Meanwhile, Rachel does whatever she has to do to protect her son. Their love for each other is evident.
“Close Your Eyes� by Darren O’Sullivan is a race against time, it gives you heart palpitations and makes your breath catch in your throat. The characters are very real and likable and their emotions are felt as if they are your own. If you are looking for a mystery/suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is it.
Kaceey and I read this one together. We enjoyed all of the twists and turns this book had to offer. Thanks for reading it with me Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital and Darren O’Sullivan for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
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