Monday, April 13, 2026

BLOG TOUR - Stolen Family



DESCRIPTION:

A breath of warm air lifts the canvas opening of the tent to reveal a carpet of crimson petals within. Two bodies lie side by side. Mother and daughter are achingly beautiful in the glow of the twinkling fairy lights above, but their cold blue lips have whispered their last “I love you…” 

As a heatwave chokes the small town of Denton, Maxine and Haven Barnes are discovered dead at a local festival, blood-red camellias pressed into their once-clammy skin. Detective Josie Quinn races through the crowds to attend the scene, horrified that something so disturbing could happen at a family event. Maxine was known to the police for issues with her abusive husband, but the trail ends there.

Hours later, a call rocks Josie to her core: another mother and teenage daughter are missing, with the same rare flowers left on their doorstep. And just when the stakes couldn’t get any higher, the missing women are linked to the most challenging member of Josie’s team, Detective Kyle Turner. He had a secret family he’s kept hidden from them all, and now their lives are in danger…

Clock ticking, it will take everything Josie has to break down the walls Turner put up to protect himself and the people he loves. But when tracing the flowers back to their origins has the killer within her grasp, a truth much closer to home reveals itself. And with it, more danger than anyone could have imagined. Can Josie bring this monster to justice before any more precious lives are taken?

BUY LINKS:
Title:  Stolen Family
Author:  Lisa Regan
Series:  Detective Josie Quinn Book 24
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC 
No. of Pages:  424
Date of Publication:  April 9, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

The small town of Denton, Pennsylvania is rocked by the brutal murders of a mother and daughter, and when another pair goes missing, Detective Josie Quinn and her team know they are in a race against time to find them.


The first victims, Maxine and Haven Barnes, are discovered at a local festival, each marked with a chilling signature - camellias carefully pressed onto their bodies. When the same flowers appear on the doorstep of another missing mother and daughter, Josie has no doubt they are dealing with a calculated and escalating offender. 


The case takes on an even more urgent, deeply personal edge when Josie realizes that one of her own colleagues, Turner, is the husband and father of the latest victims. Desperate for their safe return, Turner is a man unraveling in real time, even as the truth about his troubled marriage begins to surface. Separated from his wife and carrying the weight of that fractured relationship, his fear and guilt bleed into every interaction, making him as volatile as he is heartbroken.


Despite her complicated history with Turner, a coworker who has never been particularly well-liked within the department, Josie refuses to let personal feelings interfere with the investigation. She remains focused, steady, and determined. Every lead feels more urgent because of Turner’s raw emotional state; every setback hits harder. His grief, anger, and regret are not just background elements. In fact, these actions actively shape the tension of the story, making the stakes feel painfully real.


Lisa Regan once again delivers a gripping, fast-paced thriller that balances procedural detail with emotional intensity. What truly stands out in Stolen Family is how deeply personal the investigation becomes, not just for Josie, but for everyone involved. Turner’s spiraling emotional state injects the story with a sense of immediacy and heartbreak that lingers long after the final page. This isn’t just a race to catch a killer. No, it’s a desperate fight against time, loss, and the haunting possibility of what might already be too late.


Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Regan is an Amazon bestselling crime novelist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.



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BLOG TOUR - A Very Irish Mystery

  


DESCRIPTION:

Lady Eleanor Swift is having a grand time cosying up with her husband in Dublin’s traditional pubs, eating their fill of Irish stew and soaking up the craic… Until another body ruins all their plans!


Lady Eleanor Swift is visiting Dublin with her husband Hugh Seldon and butler Clifford to meet Samuel O’Sullivan, a man who may be able to tell her more about the mysterious disappearance of her parents two decades ago. Deciding they should explore the city a little more, they jump at the chance to visit the world-renowned Finnegan’s brewery.


But their taste test of the famous black stout turns deadly when Eleanor spots a body in one of the barrels! The dead man is none other than the owner of the brewery, Fergal Finnegan himself. Sensing a scandal, the head of operations hires The Byron Detective Agency to investigate.


It seems there was no pot of gold at the end of Fergal’s rainbow. Did his debt-ridden younger brother kill him for his inheritance? Did the fact Finnegan wouldn’t leave his wife make his mistress murderous? And was there more to fight about with rival brewer George Gaffney than just profits?


When their chief suspect is found dead only days later and the top-secret formula for a new beer goes missing, the agency is almost thrown off the case. But Eleanor doesn’t give up on justice. Will the luck of the Irish be on her side before the killer catches up with her?


A totally unputdownable Irish cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Carlene O’Connor!




You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at:http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Title:   A Very Irish Mystery
Author:  Verity Bright
Series:  Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #25
Publisher:  Bookouture    
Genre:   Cozy Mystery
Format:  Kindle ARC 
No. of Pages:  339
Date of Publication:  April 10, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS: 

Verity Bright’s Lady Eleanor Swift series has always been a delight, and A Very Irish Mystery proves that the charm is still going strong. In this installment, Eleanor and her husband, Hugh Seldon, set off for Dublin, ready to enjoy a change of scenery. But their trip has a deeper purpose. Ever since the mysterious disappearance of her parents left her orphaned, Eleanor has longed for answers. Now, a man named Samuel O’Sullivan claims to have information that could finally shed light on her past.

Traveling with their ever-reliable butler, Clifford, the trio takes in the sights, and this includes a visit to a world-famous brewery. What begins as a pleasant outing quickly turns grim when Eleanor discovers the body of the brewery’s owner, Fergal Finnegan, hidden in one of the barrels. With their experience running the Byron Detective Agency, Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford are more than willing to assist in uncovering the truth.

Eleanor is no stranger to asking questions, but having an official reason to investigate doesn’t make things any easier. As they dig deeper, a web of family drama begins to unravel. Fergal’s brother is struggling financially, and Fergal himself was involved in an affair. These are easily both strong motives for murder. Could his brother or his wife be responsible? While these possibilities seem promising at first, new revelations soon complicate the case and force Eleanor to reconsider her assumptions.

Bright once again excels in delivering a captivating mystery. The intrigue begins immediately, and the rich historical backdrop adds depth and atmosphere, perfectly complementing the cozy tone of the series. This latest installment not only keeps readers guessing but also continues to develop Eleanor’s personal journey, making it a thoroughly engaging and satisfying read.

Thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

https://twitter.com/BrightVerity

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Verity Bright here: https://www.bookouture.com/verity-bright

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Sunday, April 12, 2026

Review - The Name Game

Title:   The Name Game
Author:  Beth O’Leary
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:  Romance; Women’s Fiction 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   384
Date of Publication:   April 7, 2026
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A man and a woman with the same name are looking for a fresh start only to discover they have landed the same job in this charming new romance by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

Charlie couldn’t be happier to take the job of farm-shop manager on the remote, wild Isle of Ormer. She’s grieving, a little lost, and in desperate need of a fresh start.

Jones has come out of a difficult breakup and is looking forward to some peace away from the noise of his city life. Moving to Ormer couldn’t have come at a better time.

But when Charlie Jones and, ahem, Charlie Jones both turn up at Ormer’s one and only farm shop, claiming to have been offered the role of manager, everyone is baffled. How could this have happened? And just who is the real Charlie Jones?


MY THOUGHTS:
 

Will the real Charlie Jones please stand up?

When an excellent job opportunity arises, two applicants are called back—both with the exact same name. Clearly, the offer is meant for only one of them. So…who actually gets the job?

The position is for a farm shop manager, and both Charlie Jones - one female, one male - are hoping this opportunity will be the fresh start they desperately need. Each has faced recent disappointments, and it quickly becomes clear just how much is riding on this one chance. Naturally, confusion ensues, but what unfolds is a light, engaging journey toward new beginnings for both of them - in more ways than one.

Beth O’Leary delivers the story in a fun and distinctive way. We get Charlie’s diary entries alongside Jones’s emails, which not only keeps things organized but adds a personal touch to each perspective. Referring to them as “Charlie” and “Jones” also helps eliminate any potential confusion, making the reading experience smooth and enjoyable. Watching their connection grow through these exchanges is especially satisfying, as a gentle romance begins to take shape.

I really enjoyed this one. The character growth felt natural, the format kept things fresh, and I especially appreciated that it was a closed-door romance. It’s the kind of story that’s easy to settle into -warm, a little quirky, and quietly charming all the way through.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beth studied English at university before going into children’s publishing. She lives as close to the countryside as she can get while still being within reach of London, and wrote her first novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from work. You’ll usually find her curled up with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Witness Protection

Title:  Witness Protection
Author:  Robert Whitlow
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Genre:   Legal Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC
Length:  12 hrs 33 mins
Narrator:  Jason Keller
No. of Pages:   464
Date of Publication:   April 7, 2026
My Rating:   3 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In seeking to help an employee charged with drug smuggling, a man in the federal witness protection program is drawn back into the criminal world he thought he'd left behind.

While in his early twenties, Jason Favreau went to work in the accounting department for a company he thought was in the import/export business. He was partly right. It was a front company for a cartel smuggling drugs into the US. Once he becomes aware of the illegal operation, he doesn't quit--he's making a lot of money and participates at various levels. When the cartel is raided, Jason is arrested and agrees to testify for the government. In return, Jason is ultimately placed in the Witness Protection Program, relocated to southeast Georgia, and given the name Jon Tremaine. He goes to work for a large commercial tree farm, and after eighteen years he is the manager of the operation. One of his employees, Pablo Mendez, has a side hustle importing exotic chocolate from his home village in Mexico for sale to high-end restaurants. But when one of his pallets of chocolate is seized at the port of Brunswick, drugs are found, and Pablo is arrested.

Jon helps Pablo hire Kelli Jackson, a former US Attorney in Atlanta who has moved to Brunswick with her two children after a divorce from her unfaithful husband. Kelli takes a job with a law school friend who has a growing practice in Brunswick. Based on her prior criminal law experience, Kelli agrees to represent Pablo. As the case is investigated, it becomes clear to Jon that the drug gang operates much like the group he was part of in Louisiana and Texas. Pablo agrees to cooperate with the government in return for dismissal of charges that will otherwise certainly result in a conviction and separate him from his young family for decades.

Life as a defense lawyer is much different from that of a US Attorney, and Kelli struggles to keep up. But as Pablo's case heats up, so do the dangers for all involved. It will take a great deal of courage and legal knowledge to protect Pablo and bring the criminals to justice.


MY THOUGHTS:

Kelli Jackson struggling as a single mother to two children. Currently staying with her aunt Carli for now, Kelli owes her best to help those least fortunate. Her new job connects her with a friend from law school, Jon Favreau, whose career had been sidelined. Now they are both working hard together to help a man named Pablo, who has somehow become involved in a widespread drug smuggling operation. Pablo works for Jon at a commercial tree farm, and claims his innocence. Can Jon and Kelli help Pablo, especially now that he has become a government informant?

This is no easy case for Kelli to have taken on, especially as the intensity ratchets up, almost to the point of burying Pablo. Yet her determination to find justice for Pablo prevails. While her working with Jon doesn’t necessarily make her job any easier, the pair indeed make a fine team.

I had Witness Protection as an audiobook and I admit that I struggled with the story throughout. Both the concept and conflict were good, but the delivery simply did not connect with me. Perhaps it was the narration that kept taking me out of the story - whether it was due to the bland narration or the delivery of the female voice. Then there were the constant scriptural references, yet I stayed with it as I was hoping for a satisfying conclusion, and for that, Robert Whitlow did deliver.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.
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Thursday, April 9, 2026

BLOG TOUR - I Owe You One


DESCRIPTION:

She saved my life. I faked her death…

I only came back home to lie low and reconnect with my sister, Bryony. Her life with her gorgeous husband Alex is perfect – a far cry from the disaster mine has turned into…

But almost immediately I can tell something is wrong. My once bubbly sister’s skin is pale, her hair dull, her eyes unfocussed. She tells me Alex has turned obsessive, controlling her every move. A tear tracks down her cheek as I stare at her in horror.

‘I have to fake my death,’ she whispers and I jolt back in shock. ‘And I need your help to do it.’ As I start to shake my head, mouth trembling, she lays her winning card ‘You owe me, Jess. I saved your life.’

But after she’s successfully disappeared, I realise there are holes in her story – things she’s told me about Alex that can’t be true. Threatening messages that can’t have come from him. Rumours in the village about the way she’s been acting. She doesn’t contact me like she promised – and rather than being angry she’s gone, Alex seems completely devastated…

So when I learn Bryony never actually saved me all those years ago, I start to question everything. Have I just saved my sister, or helped her get away with something terrible? And when the truth comes out, will I be the one whose life is in danger…?

An utterly page-turning, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that will have you reading late into the night! Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Couple Next Door and The Family Upstairs.

BUY LINKS:


Title:   I Owe You One
Author:  Lauren North
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   322
Date of Publication:   April 8, 2026
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Repaying a debt to her sister Bryony is everything to Jess. Their childhood was undeniably tumultuous, and as adults, their lives are no less complicated. Jess has endured significant setbacks, including the loss of both her business and her relationship. Meanwhile, Bryony confides in Jess about the abuse she is suffering at the hands of her husband, Alex. This is a revelation that completely shocks her, given that Alex has long been one of Jess’s closest friends. It’s almost impossible for Jess to reconcile the man she knows with the one Bryony describes.

But Bryony reminds Jess of one undeniable truth: she owes her. Bound by this lingering debt, Jess feels compelled to help Bryony in exactly the way she asks. Bryony has a carefully crafted plan, and despite her doubts, Jess sees no way out but to go along with it. The story unfolds through a dual timeline, gradually revealing the past and the events that cemented Jess’s deep sense of obligation.

Jess’s perspective remains clear and grounded throughout, even as the tension steadily builds. The plot layers twist upon twist, creating a gripping pace that keeps the pages turning. By the time the story reaches its conclusion, the final revelations are nothing short of jaw-dropping. I was left genuinely stunned.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.

Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside.

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