Friday, August 12, 2022

Audiobook review: shattered by James Patterson and James O. Born

 

                                       Audiobook

                       Published July 18th 2022 by Little, Brown Company
                                      Buy on Amazon

Nothing could tear Detective Michael Bennett away from his new bride—except the murder of the woman who is his partner and best friend.

NYPD master homicide investigator Michael Bennett and top FBI abduction specialist Emily Parker have a history.

Working case after case, each can predict the other’s next move. So when she fails to show at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, Bennett risks venturing far outside his jurisdiction. The investigation her undertakes is the most brilliant detective work of his career…and the most intensely personal.

A portrait begins to emerge of a woman as adept at keeping secrets as forging powerful connections. A woman whose enemies had both the means and the motives to silence the real Emily Parker—and her protectors.

                                                    MY REVIEW:


ShatteredShattered by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book #14 of the Michael Bennett series.
NYPD master homicide investigator Michael Bennett and top FBI abduction specialist Emily Parker have a history.
Emily fails to show up at FBI Headquarters which worries Michael and on top of that he has a missed call from her and she is not answering her phone. So he goes outside his jurisdiction to go find her.
I have not read the other books in the series but they are on my TBR.
Michael and his wife had just gotten married and raising Michael's 10 adopted kids. I really cant wait to read more of this series to find out why he had adopted 10 kids.
He also investigates , no matter, what until he gets answers. Even if it pisses off people and he gets physically hurt in the process.
I received this audio from Hachette for review.

View all my reviews


   
                                                      James Patterson


Born in Newburgh, New York, The United States

Website
http://www.jamespatterson.com/

Twitter
JP_Books

Genre
Literature & Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Young Adult


Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead



James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author and most trusted storyteller. He has created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today, with his Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Private, NYPD Red, Daniel X, Maximum Ride, and Middle School series. He has sold over 380 million books worldwide and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers. In addition to writing the thriller novels for which he is best known, among them The President Is Missing with President Bill Clinton, Patterson also writes fiction for young readers of all ages, including the Max Einstein series, produced in partnership with the Albert Einstein Estate. He is also the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on the New York Times adult and children’s bestseller lists.




                                                                 James O. Born


Born in The United States

Website
http://www.jamesoborn.com/

Genre
Mystery & Thrillers



James O. Born is a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). He has been involved in investigations in such areas as organized crime, violent crimes, economic crimes, drug cartels, and public corruption. It has now been fourteen years since Born started writing, and ironically, he has the same editor as W E B Griffin and Tom Clancy - the very authors he spent his time reading during those long surveillances years ago. Born currently lives in suburban Palm Beach County with his wife Donna, and two children, John and Emily.

Friday, August 05, 2022

Book Review: The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne

 

                                                ebook, Advance Reader Copy, 343 pages

                              Expected publication: August 5th 2022 by Bookouture
                                          Buy On Amazon

Sitting side by side on the clifftop, he turns to her solemnly and says, ‘The water witch is real.’ She rolls her eyes and grins, teasing him. ‘Sure. A psycho mermaid. Got it.’ But now he’s gone forever… will she find the truth beneath the waves?

Brittany, France. Ariadne Walker’s fiancĂ© Simon drowned in the stormy Atlantic Ocean doing what he loved: searching for the lost underwater city of Ys. Local legend says it was destroyed centuries ago when the princess of Ys became a water witch, cursing the name of the man who betrayed her.

Ari never believed these tall tales. And the letter Simon sent before he died finishing their relationship is a devastating secret she’ll take to the grave. But arriving in Brittany, Ari encounters a man emerging from the sea in a rocky cove, saltwater dripping from his dark hair. Rafael swears the legends are true: and his ancestor was cursed by the water witch. Now, his own life is in terrible danger. And the secret to breaking the curse lies hidden in the lost city.

When Ari finds a cryptic map and a golden mask of a woman’s face amongst Simon’s things, she has no choice but to believe Rafael’s plea. Can they follow the trail and save Rafael’s life? Pouring over the map by candlelight, the flickering flames only add to the heat between them… but will Ari’s fragile heart soon be shattered all over again? And will they ever find Ys and break the curse – or will the water witch demand another sacrifice?

An absolutely addictive romantic fantasy read filled with passion and mystery, that will sweep you away to the wild coast of northern France. Filled with real myths and legends from this magical place, The Water Witch is perfect for fans of Luanne G. Smith, River of Shadows and Jennifer L. Armentrout.

                                                         MY REVIEW:


The Water WitchThe Water Witch by Jessica Thorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did not think I would like this book as much as I did. I ended up loving it and the mystery of a city under water and a curse of a mask.
Brittany, France. Ariadne Walker’s fiancĂ© Simon drowned in the stormy Atlantic Ocean doing what he loved: searching for the lost underwater city of Ys.
Local legend says it was destroyed centuries ago when the princess of Ys became a water witch, cursing the name of the man who betrayed her
Ari never believed these tall tales. And the letter Simon sent before he died finishing their relationship is a devastating secret she’ll take to the grave.
Rafael swears the legends are true: and his ancestor was cursed by the water witch. Now, his own life is in terrible danger
Ari's brother, Jason and friend Nico call Ari to please come back to Brittany as he found something.
Rafael's aunt wants their help and Rafael's family is very rich and can make things happen so Ari and Jason are hired to find the mask and the Ys
Then another death happens which makes them have more questions. As Ari and Rafael get closer and things start happening. This which cant be real but are. Who is Gwen and Laure and what do they have to do with all of this? We know Laure is Rafael's sister but I didn't trust her. I trusted Gwen even less.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book to review.

View all my reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Jessica Thorne


Born Ireland

Website
http://www.rflong.com/jessicathorne/

Twitter
JessThorneBooks

Genre
Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy



URL
https://www.goodreads.com/jessicathorne


Jessica Thorne watched far too much sci-fi and read far too much fantasy at an impressionable age. And it was awesome. She writes fantasy and sci-fi romance with a steampunk edge and just refuses to face reality.

Thursday, August 04, 2022

Book Review: The Lost and Found Girl by Maisey Yates

 

                                                    Kindle Edition

                                                    Published June 28th 2022
                                                    Buy on Amazon

Ruby McKee is a miracle. Found abandoned on a bridge as a newborn baby by the McKee sisters, she’s become the unofficial mascot of Pear Blossom, Oregon, a symbol of hope in the wake of a devastating loss. Ruby has lived a charmed life, and when she returns home after traveling abroad, she’s expecting to settle into that charm. But an encounter with the town’s black sheep makes her question the truth about her mysterious past.

Dahlia McKee knows it’s not right to resent Ruby for being special. But uncovering the truth about Ruby’s origins could allow Dahlia to carve her own place in Pear Blossom history.

Recently widowed Lydia McKee has enough on her plate without taking on Ruby’s quest for answers. Especially when her husband’s best friend, Chase, is beginning to become a complication she doesn’t want or need.

Marianne Martin is glad her youngest sister is back in town, but it’s hard to support Ruby’s crusade when her own life is imploding.

When the quest for the truth about Ruby’s origins uncovers a devastating secret, will the McKee sisters fall apart or band together?

                                                         MY REVIEW:




The Lost and Found Girl: A NovelThe Lost and Found Girl: A Novel by Maisey Yates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this full of 2 mysteries that I just could not help wondering who, what and why?
Ruby McKee is found abandoned on a bridge, as a baby. No one knew who she was but was deemed a miracle.
She’s become the unofficial mascot of Pear Blossom, Oregon, a symbol of hope in the wake of a devastating loss. Ruby has lived a charmed life, and when she returns home after traveling abroad, she’s expecting to settle into that charm.
Dahlia McKee knows it’s not right to resent Ruby for being special.
Recently widowed Lydia McKee has enough on her plate without taking on Ruby’s quest for answers.
Marianne Martin is glad her youngest sister is back in town, but it’s hard to support Ruby’s crusade when her own life is imploding.
They are 4 sister's, one by adoption and each one is very different from the other.
Some hide their feelings and some don't.
Another mystery in town is of a missing girl from 20 years ago and her boyfriend was always to blame no matter how much he denies it. He is the black sheep of the town and is back.
The end will have you saying I did not see that coming.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the kindle to review.

View all my reviews



                                                            Maisey Yates


Website
http://www.maiseyyates.com

Twitter
maiseyyates

Genre
Romance



URL
https://www.goodreads.com/maiseyyates


New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.

Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.

She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Book Review: I Let You Fall by Sara Downing

 


                                          Published June 20th 2022 by Quilla Books

                                         Buy on Amazon


On a summer night in London, art teacher Eve Chapman finds herself in a hospital emergency room. She watches surgeons desperately operate on a young woman with a terrible head injury. But when the bandages are removed, Eve is horrified to find her own body on the operating table.


Trapped in a coma, Eve struggles to cope with the fact that no matter how hard she tries, her family and friends cannot see or hear her. But then she meets Luca Diaz, a handsome and comatose lawyer who can see her. He takes Eve under his wing and teaches her how to use her new abilities to help the living.

As the weeks pass, Eve struggles to find a way back to her body and to Nathan, the man she loves. But the more time she spends with Luca, the more she wonders if her old life is worth going back to at all.


MY REVIEW:



I Let You FallI Let You Fall by Sara Downing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this down. I read it all in 1 day.
Eve Chapman had an accident and is in a coma. She can hear her family and friends but can not speak back. Eva also is above her bed in spirit and can't figure out what is going on.
Then she meets Luca, who also is in a coma. He helps her cope with what is going on.
The intensity of this book and what goes on with these 2 and what they have to do was just so heart warming, I had all the feels all rolled up into these pages.
You meet families who are going through rough times and spend a lot of time at the hospital.
I received this book from the publisher for review. Now I want to read more of this author's books.

View all my reviews



                                                                      Sara Downin
g


Born in The United Kingdom

Website
https://www.saradowningwriter.co.uk/

Twitter
sarawritesbooks

Genre
Romance, Historical Fiction, Paranormal



URL
https://www.goodreads.com/saradowning


Sara Downing is the author of the popular Head Over Heels contemporary romance series, plus a further romance, Stage Fright, and a historical novel, Urban Venus.

In 2016, Sara published The Lost Boy, her first foray into the world of the supernatural. Her latest novel, I Let You Fall, is now on pre-order and will be available from June 20, 2022.

Sara lives in rural Worcestershire with her husband, three almost grown-up children, a Labrador and a cat. Before children she was a Chartered Accountant, but always knew her dream career lay elsewhere. She started writing in 2009 and hasn't since yearned to return to the world of accountancy.

Friday, July 15, 2022

Book review: Her Payback by Emma Tallon

 

                                                    Kindle Edition
                          Expected publication: July 15th 2022 by Bookouture
                                                      Buy on Amazon

Scarlet Drew is sailing dangerously close to the wind with her new police detective boyfriend, John. Not everyone agrees with their illicit relationship, but so far they’ve managed to keep it a secret from anyone outside the family. If only her nemesis, cousin Ruby, wasn’t still hanging around, life would be perfect.

Lily Drew is keeping a watchful eye on the building tension between Ruby and Scarlet – the last thing she needs is a war breaking out inside the family. But when people start going missing from a local boxing ring with close connections to the Drews, it puts the family back on the police’s radar and her worst nightmare is realised. With the police now watching their every move, it’s only a matter of time before the situation takes a dark turn.

As Lily tries to regain control, another person disappears from the boxing ring, and this time it’s a Drew. Ruby finally has a chance to prove her loyalty to the family, but she’ll have to get over her rivalry with Scarlet first. Will the bitterness between the two cousins get in the way of saving one of their own? And just how long can Scarlet keep her relationship a secret before their entire world comes crashing down around them?

                                                                MY REVIEW:


Her Payback: An utterly nail-biting and gritty crime thriller (The Drew Family Series Book 4)Her Payback: An utterly nail-biting and gritty crime thriller by Emma Tallon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 4th book of The Drew Family. Just as good as the other 3.
The Drews are a crime family and consists of Lily who is the mother of Ruby, Connor, and Cillian and her niece Scarlet.
Ruby has always been the black sheep of the family and into a lot of trouble and drugs. She has been clean for awhile and wants to show the family that she should be a part of the business. That Scarlet should be out and she will do whatever she can to make that happen.
Scarlet's boyfriend, John, is a policeman who fell for Scarlet but they have to keep it a secret except for family.
Lily has noticed the tension between Ruby and Scarlet and is keeping an eye on it and hoping they can work things out.
Then people start missing from the local boxing ring, which has a tie to the Drews. This time a Drew goes missing. Will he be found?
Will Ruby get her revenge she thinks she should get?
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the book to review.

View all my reviews



                                                              Emma Tallon


Born in London , The United Kingdom

Website
http://www.emmatallon.com/

Twitter
EmmaEsj

Genre
Crime, Fiction, Thriller




Emma Tallon is a British author of gripping, gritty, organised crime thrillers.

Having worked as a freelance ghostwriter for several years, Emma decided to take the professional leap after the birth of her son and finished the first full novel of her own.

After months of rejection from publishers and agents alike, in December 2017 Emma signed a publishing contract with Bookouture for the first three books in the Tyler Family series. She has since gone on to sign several more contracts with Bookouture and has become an established name within her genre.

For more information on Emma or to join her mailing list, please go to: www.emmatallon.com or alternatively, follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/emmatallonofficial Instagram: @my.author.life or Twitter: @EmmaEsj

Blog Tour: A Perfect Stranger by Shalini Boland


 

                                                  Kindle Edition, 293 pages
                            Expected publication: July 11th 2022 from Bookouture
                                                     Buy from Amazon




Two marriages. Three little lies. Someone’s going to die…


I hold my breath as my handsome husband walks through the door. I’ve planned the perfect surprise birthday party for him. Our friends are gathered and the champagne is flowing. But when I catch the look in his deep brown eyes, I realise I’ve got this horribly wrong.

All evening my stomach is churning. And I can’t help but notice Danielle Baines speaking with Aiden. With her salon-styled hair, diamonds glittering on her ring finger and married to a rich businessman she has the kind of lifestyle I can only dream of. I’ve never liked her. And I know the feeling is mutual.

So why is she here and what is she saying to my husband?

Now it’s the end of the party and the man I love is confessing a secret that shocks me to the core. But it’s not what I was afraid of. It’s much worse.

He says we have to take our son and leave the place we call home because our lives are in danger.

I thought I knew everything about my husband. But suddenly he feels like a stranger. Should I trust him with my life?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally gripping psychological thriller will have you guessing until the last jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.


                                                             MY REVIEW:

 

A Perfect StrangerA Perfect Stranger by Shalini Boland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great psychological thriller by Shalini Boland. She never disappoints.
Emily's husband, Aiden, has been acting strange and she doesn't know what is wrong. so she throws him a surprise birthday party to cheer him up. Instead it has made him upset and she feels he is ungrateful for what she has done for him.
Dani Baines is speaking to him. His bosses beautiful wife. Someone with all the money ad beauty. Emily wants a life like that.
After the party Aiden confesses to Emily what is going on and it shocks her and now she is confused and hurt.
They have to go on the run with their 4 year old son, Josh, and Emily is pregnant and due soon.
Dani also is trying really hard to get pregnant and her husband is not acting himself all of a sudden. Having parties and inviting strangers over. She doesn't understand what is going on. so she starts snooping and what she finds out is quite chilling.
There are a few twists in this book and the one at the end really had my jaw dropping.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book to review.

View all my reviews


Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and Jess their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer songwriter, but now she spends her days writing suspense thrillers (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).

Saturday, July 09, 2022

Book Review: Cold, Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs

 

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published July 5th 2022 by scribner
Buy on Amazon

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with her twenty-first novel of suspense featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan who, after receiving a box with a human eyeball in it, uncovers a series of gruesome killings eerily reenacting the most shocking of her prior cases.

Winter has come to North Carolina and, with it, a drop in crime. For a while, temporarily idle forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is content to dote on her daughter Katy, finally returned to civilian life from the army. But when mother and daughter meet at Tempe’s place one night for dinner, they find a box on the back porch. Inside: a very fresh human eyeball.

GPS coordinates etched into the eyeball lead to a Benedictine Monastery where an equally macabre discovery awaits. Soon after, Tempe examines a mummified corpse in a state park, and her anxiety deepens.

There seems to be no pattern to these random killings, except that each mimics in some way a killing that a younger Tempe witnessed, analyzed, or barely escaped. Who or what is targeting her, and why?

Helping Tempe discover the answers is detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell, retired but still volunteering with the CMPD cold case unit—and still displaying his gallows humor. As the two penetrate a bizarre survivalist’s lair, even Skinny’s mood darkens.

And then Tempe’s daughter Katy disappears.

At its core, Cold, Cold Bones is a novel of revenge and why revisiting the past may be the only way to rescue the present.

                                                  MY REVIEW:
 
Cold, Cold Bones (Temperance Brennan, #21)Cold, Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 21st book of the series and even though I am behind on reading the series, I still enjoyed it. As I already knew the characters and who they are. The series, Bones on TV , is based loosley on this series.
Temperance Brennan gets an eyeball , in a box, on her back porch. Who would do this and whose eye is it? Upon looking at it more Tempe's daughter, Katy, notices letters and numbers on the eyeball. More things keep happening that looks like there is a copycat killer on the loose.
Then Katy disappears and won't answer her phone. It becomes suspicious when Tempe gets a short message from Katy that she doesn't believe Katy sent it.
Seems like Tempe and a retired detective, Sledell, keep running against brick walls trying to figure out who is doing the copycats and why?
Tempe's concern for her daughter has them wondering what the hell is going on and is she safe or not?
Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner fr the book to review.

View all my reviews



                                                                     Kathy Reichs


Born in Chicago, The United States

Website
http://www.kathyreichs.com/

Twitter
KathyReichs

Genre
Mystery & Thrillers, Nonfiction


Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs is a native of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. at Northwestern. She now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.

Tuesday, July 05, 2022

Book Review: The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains

 

                                                                 Kindle Edition
                                             Expected publication: July 5th 2022 from Forever
                                                                  Buy on Amazon

She’s ready to start a new chapter in her life…
For Tess Lane, owning Lakeside Books is a dream come true, but it’s the weekly book club she hosts for the women in town that Tess enjoys the most. The gatherings have been her lifeline over the past three years since her husband’s mysterious death. Tess has tried to move on, but when River Harrison shows up on her doorstep, all her lingering questions come rushing back.…

River, a former marine turned private investigator, was her husband’s best friend, and seeing him again is a reminder of everything Tess lost. At first, she tries to ignore him, but Tess comes to realize that this is her chance, once and for all, to find the answers that have troubled her for years.

With the support of her friends, Tess joins River on a journey of discovery that leads them to the edges of Somerset Lake and on a road trip down the Carolina coast. Although their adventure isn’t always easy, Tess starts to find the joy in life again. But when secrets surrounding her husband’s death are finally revealed, can Tess find it in her heart to forgive the mistakes of the past … and maybe even open herself up to love again?

                                                               MY REVIEW:


The True Love Bookshop (Somerset Lake)The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tess Lane owns a bookshop, which is a dream and she hosts a weekly book club with women who have all become close friends. What goes on in book club, stays in book club.
Tess's husband dies 3 years ago and they have been there for her while she has coped with his death and why it happened.
River Harrison shows up at the bookstore needing help. He was her husband's best friend but had walked away as best man days before the wedding. He is now a PI and she asks him to help her find out the mystery of her husband.
What is discovered is hard and he doesn't want to hurt her.
I think this was a great story between Tess and River. She had hated him since her wedding day. He always liked her and felt she deserved better.
I had a feeling of where the journey was going to take them and what they would find out. I didn't expect one of the secrets that came out though.
There is one quote from the book that I absolutely loved.
"Every day above ground is a blessing"
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Forever.

View all my reviews



                                                                         Annie Rains


Website
http://www.annierains.com/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/AnnieRainsBooks

Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks




Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

If you enjoyed the Hero's Welcome series, don't miss the short wedding story for Kat and Micah (Welcome to Forever). Get it here for FREE: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/aTSl1

For other books and happenings, sign up for my newsletter on my website: www.annierains.com

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Book Review: The Christmas Village by Annie Rains

 

                                                                     Kindle Edition
                                                  Published October 12th 2021 by Forever
                                                                        Buy on Amazon

USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains delivers a tender trade paperback romance that will appeal to readers with its warmth and bestselling themes!

Lucy Hannigan has inherited her mother's bulldog, Bella, and her childhood home, the only pink house on Gingerbread Lane. With the holidays coming up, the pressure is on to decorate the house for the annual lights competition and maintain her parent's winning streak. But Lucy already has her hands full as a midwife and a new landlord-to her ex-fiance.

When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he's grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn't make it easy to live next door. Sparks still fly between them, and he'd give anything to get back in Lucy's good graces. But to do that will take much more than just tree trimming and house decorating and contest winning. Will one wildly grand romantic gesture on Christmas Eve finally soften her heart?

                                                         MY REVIEW:

The Christmas Village (Somerset Lake, 2)The Christmas Village by Annie Rains
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lucy Hannigan has inherited her mother's bulldog, Bella, and her childhood home, the only pink house on Gingerbread Lane.
When Miles Bruno is suddenly asked to move out of his rental home, he's grateful to Lucy for taking him on as a tenant. But their broken-off engagement doesn't make it easy to live next door.
This reminded me of what a Hallmark movie would be. All the feels and wanting to live in the town and having really great neighbors.
The sparks between Lucy and Miles was the topping to this story.
This is the 2nd book of the series and just as good as the first one.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the book to review.

View all my reviews



                                                                       Annie Rains


Website
http://www.annierains.com/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/AnnieRainsBooks

Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks




Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

If you enjoyed the Hero's Welcome series, don't miss the short wedding story for Kat and Micah (Welcome to Forever). Get it here for FREE: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/aTSl1

For other books and happenings, sign up for my newsletter on my website: www.annierains.com

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Book Review: Harmony of Fire by Brian Feehan

 

                                                                     Kindle Edition
                                                Published June 28th 2022 by Berkley books
                                                                   Buy on Amazon


The We walk among us--beings who existed long before humans ever did, filled with powerful magic. Owen and Alice are both Etherealist, rare humans born with magic and a target for those We that wish to take it from them. At nine years old and against her will, Alice's soul was tied to one such powerful and evil We. She escaped and was trained as a weapon so she might one day break the bond and safely return home. Owen is a musician who is trying to outrun his past while keeping those around him safe in an increasingly dangerous world. Only through finding each other do either Alice or Owen have a chance of survival.

                                                                     MY REVIEW:

Harmony of Fire (Alice & Owen Book 1)Harmony of Fire by Brian Feehan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The We walk among us--beings who existed long before humans ever did, filled with powerful magic. Owen and Alice are both Etherealist, rare humans born with magic and a target for those We that wish to take it from them.
When Alice was 9 her soul was tied to a powerful evil We. She ended up escaping with the help of a priest. She was then trained as a weapon so she could break her bon and be able to go home.
Owen is a musician who is trying to outrun his past and keeping people close to him safe.
The book changes from the past to the present until the present is of Owen and Alice meeting each other.
At first Alice tried killing Owen and everyone he cares about but the dynamics change.
At first I wasn't real thrilled with the book but after awhile I got into it and needed to know what was going on. There is a lot of violence and death but not to much detail. There are a few sex scenes as well just go give you a warning.
This is the first book for this author and I think he will go far. a NY Times Bestseller, Christine Feehan, is his mother.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the book to review.

View all my reviews



                                                                        Brian Feehan

Born The United States

Website
https://www.brianfeehanauthor.com/

Genre
Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy


Brian Feehan is a 2nd generation author, son to #1 New York Times Bestselling author Christine Feehan. He lives in a small coastal town in Mendocino County Ca with his son and the love of his life Michelle. He loves spending time with family, playing tennis, cooking, reading, and of course writing.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Book Review: Red on the River by Christine Feehan

 



                                                                  Kindle Edition

                                       Expected publication: June 28th 2022 by Berkley Books

                                                           Buy on Amazon


#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan goes all in with this sexy romantic thriller set among the dangers--both man-made and natural--of Nevada's breathtaking landscape.

Vienna Mortenson isn't your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up. Out in the backcountry there's no time for hesitation when lives are on the line. Vienna prides herself on being tough and decisive. She's not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance.

Zale Vizzini's job constantly puts him in harm's way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn't exactly a recipe for a stable relationship. Despite the challenges and the risks, Zale wants something real with Vienna. He just needed time to figure out how to be in her life without putting her in danger. Now, he's determined to win her back, and he's ready to lay all his cards on the table.

As their friends' wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna's heart. But there are more deadly forces waiting to strike in the rugged terrain of Nevada and the western Sierras. Soon both of their lives are threatened, and the odds are stacked against them....

                                                   MY REVIEW:


Red on the RiverRed on the River by Christine Feehan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book of the series and just as good. But it can be read as standalone snce it gives you background information from the first book.
This story is about Vienna Mortenson and her gift. Vienna Mortenson isn't your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up.
She's not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance..
Zale Vizzini's job constantly puts him in harm's way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn't exactly a recipe for a stable relationship.
As their friends' wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna's heart.
Vienna can see the other player's cards when she plays poker with them. Like having xray vision. Her life becomes in jeopardy and Zale shows up just at the right time but she is not happy to see him as he had already broken her heart and isn't going to let that happen again.
Loved Zale and Vienna.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC to review.


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                                                              Christine Feehan


Born The United States

Website
http://www.christinefeehan.com

Twitter
AuthorCFeehan

Genre
Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy




Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 90 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...

Book Review: The Girl Who Survived by Lisa Jackson

 

                                                          Kindle Edition, 452 pages
                                                     Expected publication: June 28th 2022
                                                        Buy on Amazon

In this deviously volatile, deliciously creepy thriller from the #1 New York Times bestseller, the lone survivor of a brutal family massacre must uncover the awful truth about the fateful night that left her forever marked…

Has she already had her last chance to be the final girl?


All her life, she’s been the girl who survived. Orphaned at age seven after a horrific killing spree at her family’s Oregon cabin, Kara McIntyre is still searching for some kind of normal. But now, twenty years later, the past has come thundering back. Her brother, Jonas, who was convicted of the murders has unexpectedly been released from prison. The press is in a frenzy again. And suddenly, Kara is receiving cryptic messages from her big sister, Marlie—who hasn’t been seen or heard from since that deadly Christmas Eve when she hid little Kara in a closet with a haunting, life-saving command: Don’t make a sound.

As people close to her start to die horrible deaths, Kara, who is slowly and surely unraveling, believes she is the killer’s ultimate target.

Kara survived once. But will she survive again? How many times can she be the girl who survived?

                                                 MY REVIEW:


The Girl Who SurvivedThe Girl Who Survived by Lisa Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

20 years ago, most of a family was murdered. 18 year old Marlie woke up her 7 year old sister and told her to be quiet and to follow her. Marlie locked her in the attic and told her not to come out until Marlie got her. There is a bad person and something bad going on. Kara waited and then picked the lock. Went downstairs and found her parents and step siblings all dead except for Jonas and Marlie was missing, Jonas was injured and told her to get help and run.
Present day and Jonas is getting out of prison for killing his family, which he denies and Kara doesn't really know what happened. There was a neighbor who had saved Kara but had died while saving her. His son is now a reporter and wants answers.
The investigators want to really know what happened and are getting back into finding answers.
We find out that Jonah's attorney and Kara's aunt have depleted the inheritance and Kara is supposed to be getting it all real soon.
Then murders start happening again and left me with questions and having a hard time putting the book. down and finding out who the murderer really is.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the book to review.

View all my reviews


                                 Lisa Jackson


Bornin The United States

Website
http://www.lisajackson.com/

Twitter
readlisajackson

Genre
Suspense, Mystery & Thrillers


URL
https://www.goodreads.com/readlisajackson



Lisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of more than 85 novels, including Afraid to Die, Tell Me, You Don’t Want to Know, Running Scared, Without Mercy, Malice, and Shiver. She is also the co-author of the Colony Series, co-written with her sister, Nancy Bush. There are over 20 million copies of Lisa Jackson’s books in print in twenty languages.

Before she became a nationally bestselling author, Lisa Jackson was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, the USA Today, and the Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.

With over thirty bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity – and back – in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional and downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims, and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.

Book Review: Summer on Blackberry Beach by Belle Calhoune

 


                                                                    Kindle Edition
                                            Expected publication: June 28th 2022 by Forever
                                                                   Buy on Amazon


A faux summer fling seemed like the perfect solution . . . until they start falling in love for real.

Teacher Stella Marshall’s summer break has just began, but the gossip is already sizzling: Luke Keegan’s back in town! Stella’s high school crush is all grown up and smolderingly sexy. She might even consider a fling with the former Navy SEAL, if she hadn’t already sworn off all romantic entanglements. But there isn’t a single thing she can do to stop the rumor mill whispering about her and Luke being together—unless . . .

A showmance! Luke never thought he’d propose a fake relationship, but it’s the only way to stop the runaway speculation about their love lives. Pretending to date a woman as stunning as Stella is easy. Not actually falling for her is the hard part. Luke isn’t sure he deserves a hometown happy ending, when members of his SEAL team never made it back at all. But there’s real attraction buzzing between him and Stella . . . and he knows she feels it too. Could their faux summer romance lead to true love?


MY REVIEW:


Summer on Blackberry Beach (Mistletoe, Maine #2)Summer on Blackberry Beach by Belle Calhoune
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stella Marshall was supposed to get married but her fiance broke up with within days of the wedding. Claiming he was in love with his ex. Who he married and had a child with.
Luke Keegan comes back into town after being wounded in the military and the person who Stella had a crush on in high school.
They both decide to have a fake relationship to keep other away and to stop having people set them up on dates.
Stella is not to trusting of men at the moment and Luke has a lot of baggage thinking it is his fault 2 men died on his watch in afghanistan.
These 2 were so funny and you knew they would end up falling for each other but getting to that journey was the fun part. Stella has a sister getting married and Stella is trying to help her with the wedding and then they have an 11 year old sister, turning 30 lol. She is quite a spunky thing and very nosy and gossipy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the book to reveiw.

View all my reviews



                                                                       Belle Calhoune


Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, The United States
November 16

Genre
Romance, Spirituality, Fiction



URL
https://www.goodreads.com/BelleC


Belle Calhoune writes heartwarming, inspirational romance novels set in small, cozy towns. Married to her college sweetheart and living in southern Connecticut, she is the mother of two girls. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she is one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library allowed her to become an avid reader who aspired to be a romance writer. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, spending time in Cape Cod, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.

Book Review: Sea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson

 

                                                                     Kindle Edition

                                               Expected publication: June 28th 2022 by Forever
                                                                    Buy on Amazon

A moving, uplifting novel about motherhood, starting over, and an unexpected summer romance…

Kit Blakemore is ready to live again. After her husband died while serving in the military, she was in a haze of grief. Now she wants to reclaim her former self—finish her degree and find a better career to provide for their sweet little boy, Oliver. To do that, she’ll need to sell her late husband’s dilapidated Victorian in Seashell Harbor. But first, Kit intends to give Ollie the kind of unforgettable seaside summer she had growing up, making lifelong memories and friendships.

Of course, nothing goes exactly as she planned. Ollie is struggling with his confidence, and frankly, so is Kit. But everything changes when her husband’s best friend, Alex de la Cruz, returns to town, offering to help her renovate. She doesn’t expect Alex to temporarily move in…or for him to bond with Ollie…or for her numb heart to begin thawing. Slowly he’s helping Kit and Ollie heal, and it scares her to death.

Kit swore she wouldn’t leave herself open to the pain of loss again. But if she’s going to teach her son to be brave and move forward, Kit must first face her own fears.

                                                            MY REVIEW:



Sea Glass SummerSea Glass Summer by Miranda Liasson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kit's husband had died while serving in the military and she is learning how to live without him and to raise their 5 year old on. She moved home to live with her parents and to deal with her grief and to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Her husband left behind a old house to be sold.
Alex de la Cruz was her husband's best friend and served in the military together. He has guilt over his friend's death and vowed to help Kit and fix up the old house to be sold.
Alex and Kit also knew each other in high school as all 3 of them went to school together.
We also see Hadley and Darla from the first book of this series be there for her. All 3 of these women had been friends for years and they are there for each other in both books. I love their friendship and how they call out BS on each other but still remain friends.
Kit does not want a relationship again and to be hurt but there is an attraction there between Kit and Alex. Throw in some kitties, dogs and romance and this ended up being a fun read.
Thank You to Forever and NetGalley for this book to review

View all my reviews



                                                          Miranda Liasson


Born
September 17

Website
https://mirandaliasson.com

Twitter
mirandaliasson

Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Humor and Comedy



URL
https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscommiranda_liasson



Miranda Liasson is a bestselling author who writes about the important relationships in women’s lives as well as the self-discovery and wisdom gained along the way. Her heartwarming and humorous romances have won numerous accolades and have been praised by Entertainment Weekly for the way she “deals with so much of what makes life hard . . . without ever losing the warmth and heart that characterize her writing.” She believes that we can handle whatever life throws at us just a little bit better with a laugh.
A proud native of Northeast Ohio, she and her husband live in a neighborhood of old homes that serve as inspiration for her books. She is very proud of her three young adult children. And though every day she thinks about getting a dog, she fears a writer’s life may bore the poor animal to tears. When she’s not writing or enjoying books herself, she can be found biking along the old Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath trails in the beautiful Ohio MetroParks.
Miranda loves to hear from readers!

You can learn more at:
MirandaLiasson.com
Twitter @MirandaLiasson
Facebook.com/MirandaLiassonAuthor
Instagram @mirandaliasson

For information about new releases, sales, and other news, feel free to sign up for her newsletter at http://www.mirandaliasson.com/#mailin....

#Forever #Mirandaliasson

Book Review: Suspects by Danielle Steel

 

  


                                                                           Kindle Edition272 pages
                                                                   Expected publication: June 28th 2022
                                                                              Buy on Amazon 


A dedicated CIA agent becomes an unexpected ally to a woman haunted by the kidnapping of her family, in this thrilling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.

Theodora Morgan is fashion royalty. Founder of a wildly popular online shopping service, she is one of the most successful businesswomen in the world, although she prefers to keep a low profile, especially over the last months. It was a year ago when the unthinkable struck her family, and her husband, industry mogul Matthieu Pasquier, and their son were kidnapped and held for ransom—a nightmare that ended in tragedy.

The case has gone cold, despite evidence linking the crime to Matthieu’s Russian competitors. Theo has reluctantly gone back to work running her company. On the flight to a launch party for one of her highly anticipated pop-up shops in New York City, she crosses paths with high-society networker Pierre de Vaumont. Theo politely invites him to her event—unaware that Pierre has been flagged by the CIA.

Senior supervising CIA operative Mike Andrews investigates Pierre’s suspicious Russian contacts and clears him to enter the country, but when he realizes that Theodora Morgan is on the same flight, he becomes concerned for her safety. Posing as a lawyer, Mike begins a covert mission—starting with Theo’s opening party. When Mike and Theo meet, their connection is instant, but Theo is completely unaware of Mike’s true objective or identity… or that the life she is rebuilding is in grave danger.


                                                   MY REVIEW:


SuspectsSuspects by Danielle Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Theodora Morgan is a high fashion businesswoman. She doesn't like to be in the limelight and keeps a low profile. A year ago her husband and 13 year old son were kidnapped and held for ransom. Things did not go well and they were killed.
It is still an ongoing investigation where there doesn't seem to be any leads. Theo has decided she needs to get back into work and goes to NY and a few other places to open up pop up stores.
She crosses paths with high-society networker Pierre de Vaumont. Theo politely invites him to her event—unaware that Pierre has been flagged by the CIA.
Senior supervising CIA operative Mike Andrews investigates Pierre’s suspicious Russian contacts and clears him to enter the country.
Posing as a lawyer, Mike begins a covert mission—starting with Theo’s opening party. When Mike and Theo meet, their connection is instant. He doesn't know why he is drawn to her and she is really nice to him.
The friendship these 2 make seems instant but natural and they start seeing each other. He is very concerned though for her safety and has people checking up on her and about the case involving her husband and son.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the Ebook to review.

View all my reviews



Danielle Steel

Born in New York, New York, The United States
August 14, 1947

Website
http://daniellesteel.com

Twitter
daniellesteel

Genre
Fiction, Romance


Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world’s bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy’s Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina’s life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children’s books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

daniellesteel.com
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Twitter: @daniellesteel
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel