Friday, April 30, 2021

BLOG TOUR - The Liar's Daughter


DESCRIPTION
:

The call comes on an ordinary Sunday afternoon to say your sister has been admitted to hospital with a serious head injury. But you don’t have a sister… do you?

You’ve never doubted your parents. You’ve loved them without question your whole life. But your stepmother is uncharacteristically speechless, and your father isn’t well enough to understand.

So you get in your car.

Turn the key in the ignition.

Knowing everything behind you is a lie.

Not knowing what lies ahead: the truth… or something far darker?

A deliciously dark and twisty tale of deception, secrets and family ties, The Liar’s Daughter is perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, The Woman in the Window and The Family Upstairs.

*Previously titled: The Missing Sister


BUY LINKS:


MY THOUGHTS:
 
Title
:   The Liar's Daughter
Author:  Rona Halsall
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   305    
Date of Publication:   April 26, 2021  
My Rating:   4 Stars

Eva and her stepmum Linda are active carers for Eva's father due to the fact that he has dementia. Eva would do anything in order to be there for her father. One day Linda gets a phone call that ends up shaking Eva's world. The phone call prompted Linda to tell her that she has a sister. Eva has an older sister. How? She has never heard of this. Linda begins to tell the story...

If this was kept from Eva then what else could have been hidden from her? Not happy with the explanation she received from Linda Eva finds herself bound and determined to unearth any facts, even more lies, that have been hidden from her. The first thing Evan learns is that her sister is named Nancy. What is more is that Nancy has been hurt and needs help. 

Nancy lives in a remote area and Eva reluctantly agrees to stay there with her until Nancy recovers. Hopefully during this time Eva can find out how this secret was kept from her. The first truth revealed is Nancy's age, 40, sixteen years older than Eva. What is more is that something happened in Nancy's life when she was sixteen that in part became the reason for Eva being completely unaware of her existence. 

Trying to be there for Nancy while she recovers is not easy for Eva, especially when it proves that Nancy has a mean side. In fact, some of the things Eva learns are shocking. That shock passes right on to the reader. In my case I simply could not put this book down as I just had to fit the pieces of this story together. 

Alternate timelines and points of view are delivered at a rapid pace with twists and turns and rabbit trails that ensue in this thrilling story. Nothing is as it seems and I loved watching things come together. Although the story did have a slow start the tension definitely picked up and grabbed my attention like a vice. The Liar's Daughter is another exciting book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Rona Halsall. 

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rona lives on the Isle of Man with her husband, two dogs and three guinea pigs. She has been a bookworm since she was a child and now she's actually creating stories of her own, which still feels like a dream come true.

She is an outdoorsy person and loves stomping up a mountain, walking the coastal paths and exploring the wonderful beaches on the Island while she's plotting how to kill off her next victim. She also makes sure she deletes her Google history on a regular basis, because... well, you can't be too careful when you spend your life researching new and ingenious ways for people to die.

She has three children and two step-children who are now grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of ideas for new stories!

Social Media Links:
To find out more about Rona's novels, go to www.facebook.com/RonaHalsallAuthor or follow @RonaHalsallAuth on Twitter.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

BLOG TOUR - No Going Back

    

DESCRIPTION
:

A child has been taken. A family is out for revenge.

Riley Cooke is just one day old when he is stolen from the hospital. His young mother, Shelby, is beside herself. DC Lucy Murphy and her team face a race against time to find the vulnerable baby and bring him home – before the child’s grandfather, fearsome gangster Pete Baker, takes matters into his own hands.

Pete is sure he knows who’s behind baby Riley’s abduction, and he thinks they ought to pray Lucy finds them before he does. Because someone is going to pay dearly for causing this much pain to his family.

They say never stand between a gangster and his target. But that’s exactly what Lucy must do – because if Pete is wrong, innocent blood could flow.

A shocking and addictive read that will keep you turning the pages. Fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and Emma Tallon will love this.

BUY LINK:

MY THOUGHTS:
 
Title
:   No Going Back
Author:  Casey Kelleher
Series:  DC Lucy Murphy #3
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery/Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   286
Date of Publication:  April 29, 2021
My Rating:   4 Stars

With what should be a wonderful moment in time for Ashley and Shelby proves to be anything but. They are expecting their first child but they are stressed out. Ashley is not only in debt to loan sharks, but he has a roving eye. Much more seriously, Shelby is stabbed.

Just recently, another pregnant woman was stabbed and killed. Fortunately, Shelby escapes her attacker. However, this leads to Shelby experiencing preterm labor. DC Lucy Murphy is certain both cases are connected. When Lucy begins questioning both Shelby and Ashley with hopes of identifying the attacker, she knows things are a bit off about Ashley. 

The stress of being stabbed leads Shelby to delivering her baby early. When her baby is suddenly abducted Lucy is determined to do anything possible to get the baby safely back to Shelby and Ashley. The drama in this book was captivating and I was on the edge of my seat with hopes of the safe return of the infant.

The drama Shelby is experiencing with her baby is finely balanced in tis book as there is some focus on Lucy's personal life. Then there is Ashley and what he is up to in this book. Lastly, we have Pete, Shelby's father, and how he plays a pivotal role in this fabulous story. I love how all of these things were interwoven in the book and how captivating tension was in this book. I couldn't put this book down and loved how it reached a crescendo when it came to a riveting conclusion.

As No Going Back is the third book in the series, I definitely recommend reading the books in order. The previous books are No Escape and No Fear.  However, as this book mostly involves the events at hand it could be read as a standalone. In my case, I have read and loved the previous books and this makes me appreciate Lucy on a deeper level.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, Casey Kelleher grew up as an avid reader and a huge fan of author Martina Cole.

Whilst working as a beauty therapist and bringing up her three children together with her husband, Casey penned her debut novel Rotten to the Core. Its success meant that she could give up her day job and concentrate on writing full time.

For all news and updates:
www.caseykelleher.co.uk
www.facebook.com/officialcaseykelleher
http://caseykelleher.wordpress.com
Twitter: @caseykelleher

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Review - Love By Design

Title
:   Love by Design
Author:  Effie Kammenou
Series:  Meraki #2
Genre:   Romance
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   338
Date of Publication:  March 22, 2021 
My Rating:   4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

Mia Andarakis just landed her dream job at a luxury magazine. And even better, her boss is the handsome and enigmatic Nicholas Aristedis, a &4.     Bn8man she has crushed on from afar. But Nicholas isn’t who she imagined. Irascible and mercurial, his instant dislike for Mia makes it almost impossible for her to work with him.

Nicholas has faced many losses and heartaches in his thirty-two years. Determined to avoid heartbreak, he has closed his heart to love. But Mia awakens feelings in him he had long since denied. And soon he discovers their connection is deeper than he realized.

Mia and Nicolas embark on an adventure across picturesque locations as they launch a new publication and uncover the mystery behind her grandfather’s disappearance. But perhaps the greatest challenge is in learning to set aside their insecurities and fears. Can the two forget the traumas of their past? And will they ever learn to trust in the possibility of love? Find out in the second novel of The Meraki Series

MY THOUGHTS:

He's the boss. She's infatuated. Mia Andarakis and Nicholas Aristedis are more than drawn to one another. However, in many respects in this love/hate story Mia and Nicholas have everything working against them. Not only due to the fact that Mia's job as Nicholas's assistant is a new one, one that cannot be upset by revealing the very strong feelings she has for him, the fact that they come from two different worlds bears serious consideration.

Love By Design is a wonderful read, and follows Love Is What You Bake of it. These are delightful stories rich with warm characters and who find love despite difficult obstacles. The trope in this book does not come without merit and I loved finding out what baggage Mia and Nicholas were holding onto and what it took for them to be able to work things out. The setting in this book is added a special touch, especially due to the fact that the characters are Greek, also the family owns a cafĂ© and the fact that delectable recipes are included made the book even better. 

I love that Mia had such a strong crush from the start and I truly enjoyed watching Nicholas come around. This story was sensitive, warm and definitely made me smile. Watching the pair navigate their professional and personal lives all while trying to learn how to deal with their feelings was a joy to read. I am already eager for the third book in this series. 

Many thanks to Effie Kammenou for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. Instead, she worked in the optical field for 40 years while raising her two daughters.

In 2015, three years after the death of her mother from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, book one in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.

Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards.  Waiting for Aegina: Book Two in The Gift Saga was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards and Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, had also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.

Her latest novel, the first book in a new contemporary romance series, is now complete. Love is What You Bake of It, follows Kally’s path to independence despite her sometimes stifling family and her tumultuous road to finding love. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without a delve into the past, or the references to mouth-watering foods.

Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named cheffieskitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends or traveling for ‘research.’

As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the books for a little extra ‘flavor.’

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.



Review - Love is What You Bake of It

Title
:   Love is What You Bake of It
Author:  Effie Kammenou
Series:  Meraki #1
Genre:   Romance
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   280
Date of Publication:   March 24, 2020
My Rating:   4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

The only love Kally Andarakis is baking is in the form of the sweet treats she whips up in her café, The Coffee Klatch.

Kally never believed herself to be a person worthy of love, but when an intoxicating man she considered out of her league pursues her, she risks everything to be with him. Later, when tragedy strikes, truths are revealed that leave Kally brokenhearted and untrusting.

Eight years later, Kally is a successful pastry chef running the cafĂ© she’d always dreamed of owning. With a home of her own, a profession she’s passionate about, and the support and love of friends and family, Kally is content with the life she has carved out for herself.

Until the day Max Vardaxis walks into her cafĂ©…

With arguing parents, meddling relatives, an overly energetic grandmother, a man-crazy best friend, and the long ago, mysterious disappearance of a grandfather, this new man in town is just one more complication in Kally’s life, if not the main one.

Kally must now decide whether to keep her heart safe or to once again take a ‘whisk on love.’


MY THOUGHTS:

One thing that Kally Andarakis cannot abide is a cheating man. Having previously fallen in love and losing someone special - then finding out a truth about him after the fact - has kept her guarding her heart. However, when a handsome cop named Max Vardaxis enters her cafĂ© her senses are immediately assaulted. Kally has actually found fulfillment in life. She has done so by creating wonderful baked items. In fact, this book contains several delectable recipes. This is what makes Kally happy. Starting a new romance after her bad experience is not the direction Kelly chooses to go.

Kally comes from a strong family, albeit more than a bit nosy, parents who constantly bicker, a friend who is determined for Kally to find a man. Despite that bit of chaos in her life, Kally is more than happy. Besides wondering whether or not anything could possibly happen with Max, there is a bit of mystery in Kally's life, and that is the fact that her grandfather has been missing for decades.

Meanwhile, it becomes more than clear that both Max and Kally are drawn to one another, yet existing baggage that they both have bears serious consideration. How far either of then will go to reach for love is a chance they both are not certain they can take.            

In this sweet story where both characters come from a Greek background brings both drama and joy, with a light touch that was a delight to read. This entertaining story was a great start to an already enjoyable series. The second book in this series is Love by Design, which I have already read and enjoyed as much as I have this book. 

Many thanks to Effie Kammenou for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. Instead, she worked in the optical field for 40 years while raising her two daughters.

In 2015, three years after the death of her mother from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, book one in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.

Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards.  Waiting for Aegina: Book Two in The Gift Saga was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards and Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, had also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.

Her latest novel, the first book in a new contemporary romance series, is now complete. Love is What You Bake of It, follows Kally’s path to independence despite her sometimes stifling family and her tumultuous road to finding love. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without a delve into the past, or the references to mouth-watering foods.

Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named cheffieskitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends or traveling for ‘research.’

As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the books for a little extra ‘flavor.’

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.


BLOG TOUR - Third Kill


DESCRIPTION
:

In a city of sinners, a killer is hunting…

Las Vegas, Nevada: a killer is on the hunt.

When the two of the city’s crime bosses are found brutally murdered within days of each other, the fragile balance of Sin City threatens to collapse. It’s exactly what the killer wants…

But there is one thing this killer hasn’t counted on…

Grant Fletcher has been sent to Vegas by a shady government agency. He has one job: find the killer, and stop them before more people die. Stop them, by any means.

Would you send a desperate man to find a vigilante killer?

It looks like a dangerous gamble. But what neither the killer—nor the government agency—know is that the odds are never good unless you’ve got Fletcher on your side.

Fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne and J.B. Turner’s Jon Reznick will love the Grant Fletcher series.

BUY LINK:

MY THOUGHTS:
 
Title
:   Third Kill
Author:  John Ryder
Series:  Grant Fletcher #3
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery/Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   359
Date of Publication:   April 28, 2021
My Rating:   5 Stars

Grant Fletcher has been hired to stop a dangerous killer. Eliminate them if necessary. Accompanied by his FBI handler, Special Agent Quadrago, Grant becomes all things to all people in order to infiltrate the Vegas casinos with hopes of flushing the killer out.

The killer is a vigilante. The ones murdered are certainly not model citizens by any means. Yet, murder is murder so the killer must be stopped. This action packed novel by John Ryder is filled with powerful characters, danger and tension at every turn. The killer has been identified as female and is called The Mantis. She is highly skilled and has always managed to evade capture. While killing nefarious gangsters, unfortunately innocent bystanders have also lost their lives. This fact makes things personal for Grant and increases his desire to get the job done. 

Grant is an unusual protagonist in crime thriller novels. He does not shirk from using any means necessary when it comes to working the cases he is assigned. Quadrago is the perfect counterpart to keep Grant focused on the case at hand all while helping him maintain his humanity. Third Kill is a fabulous read, filled with tension from beginning to end and delivers a riveting conclusion. I am definitely eager for more books in this exciting series.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Ryder is a former farmworker and joiner. He’s turned his hand to many skills to put food on the table and clothes on his back. A life-long bibliophile, he eventually summoned the courage to try writing himself, and his Grant Fletcher novels have drawn inspiration from authors such as Lee Child, Tom Cain, Zoe Sharp and Matt Hilton. When it comes to future novels, he says he has more ideas than time to write them.

When not writing, John enjoys spending time with his son, reading and socialising with friends. A fanatic supporter of his local football team, he can often be found shouting encouragement to men much younger and fitter than he is.

Author Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnRyderAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnRyder101

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

BLOG TOUR - Beneath Blackwater River


DESCRIPTION
:

She looked alive, her hair drifting freely in the water, her red lips gently parted, as if to let her final breath escape. A small locket floated by her face, attached to her neck with a silver chain…

When Detective Kay Sharp first left Mount Chester—population 3,823—in her rear-view mirror, she promised never to look back. The town only contained bad memories and dark secrets. But when a brutal crime surfaces, she finds herself home once more, and this time she’s not going anywhere.

Kay is called to Blackwater River, where the body of a seventeen-year-old girl has been found. Surrounded by snowy peaks and a forest alive with the colors of fall, the victim floats in the water, a hand-carved locket around her neck.

The locket seems strangely familiar. Digging into cold cases, Kay discovers that three-year-old Rose Harrelson was wearing it when she vanished fourteen years ago. In the middle of the night, the little girl’s bedroom—with Mickey Mouse on the wall and a hanging baby mobile—was suddenly empty. The unsolved case still haunts the town.

But the teenager they have found has been dead for only a few hours. If the girl in the river is Rose, where has she been? Who has been hiding her all these years? Kay knows she must solve the kidnapping in order to untangle the mystery of the dead body.

Then Kay receives a shocking call. The dead girl has been identified—and she’s not Rose. So why is she wearing the locket, and what happened to the missing child from all those years ago? As Kay unearths a web of lies and deceit spun for decades, the close-knit community will never be the same. And Kay will find herself facing a truly terrifying killer…

A totally gripping page-turner that should come with a health warning! Be warned: you’ll lose sleep and your heart will race like crazy as you read twist after twist. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni and Kendra Elliot.



BUY LINKS:


MY THOUGHTS:
 
Title
:   Beneath Blackwater River
Author:  Leslie Wolfe
Series:  Detective Kay Sharp #2
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   319
Date of Publication:  April 23, 2021 
My Rating:   5 Stars

Kay Sharp was a former special agent for the FBI and went back home to the small town of Mount Chester when her brother Jacob was having some problems. It was supposed to be a temporary thing, but Kay ended up getting a job as a detective in the small town. Her next case is that of a body of a teen girl that was found in Blackwater River. 

As the story begins a young couple is at the River and they discover the body.  Kay discovers that the girl was holding a locket. This locket proves familiar to Kay and she begins to search into a cold case of years previously. It just might be that this body and that of a missing girl of years ago are connected.

This raises a lot of questions. As this story progresses something happens that takes this delicate case into a different direction. As small as the town is - less than 4,000 residents - it shouldn't be that difficult for Kay to fit the pieces of this case together. Instead, she runs into more than one situation, a situation that places others in the community at great risk.

I love how this book was written! There is more than one storyline and point of view and I enjoyed sitting back and watching the events unfold. This book does touch on more than one sensitive issue, but it is handled quite well. For the sake of trigger warnings I will mention that kidnapping, rape, murder and spousal abuse are in this book. 

If the reader enjoys twists and turns - and sharp ones at that - and want to be led to a riveting conclusion then this is the perfect book. The characters are excellent in this book and I love that Kay's brother Jacob held a significant role. One additional thing I will mention is that as the story is being told in third person perspective the killer also has a voice. This definitely brought me closer to an already fabulous book. Beneath Blackwater River is an excellent sophomore book in an already stunning series and now I am more than eager to see what the author has to offer as this series continues.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Leslie Wolfe is a bestselling author whose novels break the mold of traditional thrillers. She creates unforgettable, brilliant, strong women heroes who deliver fast-paced, satisfying suspense, backed up by extensive background research in technology and psychology.

Leslie released the first novel, Executive, in October 2011. It was very well received, including inquiries from Hollywood. Since then, Leslie published numerous novels and enjoyed growing success and recognition in the marketplace. Among Leslie's most notable works, The Watson Girl (2017) was recognized for offering a unique insight into the mind of a serial killer and a rarely seen first-person account of his actions, in a dramatic and intense procedural thriller.

Leslie enjoys engaging with readers every day and would love to hear from you.

Author Social Media Links:
Become an insider: gain early access to previews of Leslie's new novels.
* Email: LW@WolfeNovels.com
* Like Leslie's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wolfenovels
* Visit Leslie's website for the latest news: www.WolfeNovels.com
* Visit Leslie's Amazon Book Store: http://bit.ly/WolfeAll

Monday, April 26, 2021

BLOG TOUR - My Little Girl


DESCRIPTION
:

Your daughter is missing. Did someone close to you take her?

Seven-year-old Beatrice has gone missing.
Her mother Claire’s whole world has been turned upside down in just one moment and she can’t stop shaking. She’s desperate to find her precious daughter, but nothing about the day she disappeared makes sense…

The mother-in-law: Jill was meant to be looking after Beatrice. She says she didn’t take her eyes off the little girl but her version of events doesn’t add up… Claire has never got on with her, so why should she trust her now?

The husband: He should have been with their only child. Instead, he changed the plans without telling Claire. She didn’t think there were any secrets between them, but maybe she was wrong?

Laurel has always been jealous of Claire’s family. Has her husband’s ex-wife taken her daughter?

Which one of them is lying? And who really knows where Beatrice is?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally addictive psychological thriller will keep you guessing all the way to the final shocking twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.


BUY LINKS:


MY THOUGHTS:
 
Title
:   My Little Girl
Author:  Shalini Boland
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   363
Date of Publication:   April 22, 2021
My Rating:   5 Stars

Claire Nolan's worst nightmare has come true. Her daughter has been kidnapped. Claire is especially distraught as her daughter has disappeared while under the care of her mother-in-law Jill. Claire has told her time and again that she did not feel comfortable with Jill caring for Beatrice and now this has happened.

Meanwhile, Jill has been quite happy. Excited to spend time with Beatrice and determined to prove trustworthy when it comes to doing just that. Her son Ollie, Claire's husband, trusts her, so why not Claire? Things were going quite well while Jill had taken Beatrice and her best friend to the fair. Until...

The chaos of the fair has proved to much. Suddenly Jill cannot find Beatrice. Panicked beyond belief, Jill desperately looks for her granddaughter. She finds Millie, Beatrice's best friend, but not Beatrice. Where could she be? Not only is she more than worried about Beatrice, she knows that Claire and Ollie will be more than livid. Claire's lack of trust of trust just has proved to have merit.

Even with the police investigating, everyone begins to point fingers, especially Claire. She is angry with Ollie because he was the one to have taken the girls to the fair. But Claire's anger goes beyond Jill and Ollie. So, who is responsible? Jill? Ollie? In fact, Claire's long-standing mistrust goes beyond Jill. She begins to wonder about Laurel, Ollie's ex-wife. Could Laurel have something to do with Beatrice being taken?

As time goes by all too slowly, one thing begins to ring true. Someone is lying. Someone in this small circle of people just has to know something about where Beatrice could be. For starters, Claire has never felt comfortable with the fact that Jill have remained close to Laurel. Could Laurel have anything to do with Beatrice's disappearance? A web of lies begins to unravel. Combine lies with a lack of trust and perhaps the police can begin to develop enough clues as to where Beatrice is and if she could possibly be returned safe and unharmed. That is what Claire believes and that is what Claire insists. 

What a thrilling story! Tension is present from beginning to end. Any story that involves a child being taken is a difficult read. When the story is wrapped in lies and untrustworthy characters that only makes the story that much more compelling. Then there is the simple fact of the author of this book: Shalini Boland. ANY book by Ms. Boland proves compelling. Hands down. This book ranks right up there with another fabulous read that has grabbed my attention from the start all the way to the exciting conclusion.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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).

https://www.facebook.com/shaliniboland
https://www.instagram.com/shaboland/
https://twitter.com/ShaliniBoland 

Saturday, April 24, 2021

BLOG TOUR - Dead Secret

 

DESCRIPTION:

‘Enthralling from the first page to the last. Devoured in one sitting. Noelle Holten has become one of my must-read authors’ Angela Marsons, bestselling author of the Detective Kim Stone series

Psychopaths can take root in the unlikeliest soil…

DC Maggie Jamieson crosses paths once again with Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood when a domestic violence survivor stumbles into her new refuge, unable to speak, desperate for help.

Then another case hits Maggie’s desk. A young man has been murdered, and a curious constellation of black dots has been inked onto his cheek.

That’s when DCI Hastings goes missing and Maggie uncovers a shocking connection that turns the case on its head.

Every family may hide secrets, but not every family buries them…

Title:  Dead Secret

Author:  Noelle Holten
Series:  DC Maggie Jamieson #4
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:  Harper Impulse Killer Reads
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   400 Pages
Date of Publication:  April 23, 2021
My Rating:  5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

DC Maggie Jamieson is thrust into the case of the murder of a young man. While first noticing that DCI Hastings hasn't been seen at the station for days. It soon becomes apparent that he, his wife and their daughter, are missing. While Maggie and her team begin the process of notifying the young man's family and looking for suspects, Maggie also begins to vigorously try and determine where Hastings and his family could possibly be.

Meanwhile, Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood has come a long way from being a victim of domestic violence to establishing a safe place that will prove to be a safe haven. Even before the doors are opened to those in need, a young woman knocks on the door and is in desperate need of help. She refuses to go to the hospital and also refuses to provide many details as to who hurt her and other factors that might aid Lucy and the police when it comes to protecting her.

Are any or all of these three situations connected in any way? Maggie, along with her new partner, Kat, leave no stone unturned when it comes to seeking answers. While all of this is going on, Maggie is contending with other issues. For one thing, her dear friend, Dr. Kate Moloney, had a very difficult time during a previous case, and is no longer working with Maggie, causing Maggie to miss her dearly. Then there is the nagging reporter, Julie Noble, determined to ruffle Maggie's feathers any way possible. To say Maggie has her hands full is a true understatement. 

What a thrilling book in this fourth book in the DC Maggie Jamieson series. The twists and turns in this exciting book kept my interest from beginning to end, and also kept me planted in my recliner until I reached the very last page. I have read and loved each previous book in the series, Dead InsideDead Wrong and Dead Perfect, all previously reviewed on my blog. This is a fabulous series and this entry shows how Maggie excels when it comes to solving crimes, no matter how complicated. I love seeing Maggie grow as a detective, but also as a woman managing changes in her life. I definitely look forward to continuing further books in this series.

Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Noelle Holten is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk. She is the PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK, and worked as a Senior Probation Officer for eighteen years, covering a variety of risk cases as well as working in a multi agency setting. She has three Hons BA’s – Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice – and a Masters in Criminology. Noelle’s hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the booklove via her blog.

Dead Inside – her debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK is an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson.

Subscribe to Newsletter: http://ow.ly/cgww50BkB
Twitter: (@nholten40) https://twitter.com/nholten40
Instagram: @author_noelleholten
Bookbub Author page : https://bit.ly/2LkT4LB 

Friday, April 23, 2021

BLOG TOUR - Her Child to Protect

Title
:   Her Child to Protect
Author:  Delores Fossen
Series:  Mercy Ridge Lawman #1
Publisher:  Harlequin Intrigue
Genre:   Romantic Suspense
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   184
Date of Publication:   April 27, 2021
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Nothing can stop her

…from saving two lives.

When she arrives at a murder scene, Deputy Della Howell is not pleased to find her recent ex already on the job. She’ll work the case with Sheriff Barrett Logan but will keep the secret she’s certain Barrett isn’t ready for—she’s pregnant with his child. But as the dueling cops investigate, familiar sparks reignite between them…just as they fall prey to a very tenacious killer.

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

For more action-packed stories, check out the other books in the Mercy Ridge Lawmen series by Delores Fossen:

Book 1: Her Child to Protect

Heartfelt or thrilling, passionate or uplifting—our romances have it all. Visit TryHarlequin.com to sample FREE books from among 12 different series. It’s just a taste of the new books published each month—every story a journey guaranteed to leave you with That Harlequin Feeling.

BUY LINKS:

MY THOUGHTS:

This first book in a new series by Delores Fossen is thrilling from beginning to end. I have read several books by this author so I expected that this book to be enjoyable and I definitely was not disappointed. When deputy Della Howell approaches a crime scene, she does not expect to run into Sheriff Barrett Logan as they normally work in different towns.

Della and Barrett are former lovers. What is more is that Della is pregnant with his child. Della had been trying to figure out a way to tell Barrett, and also trying discover the role he will spend in their child's life. However, a murder has taken place and Della and Barrett are forced to work together despite their past.

One thing I love about this book is it gives readers the cast of characters in this book, as each of the Logan brothers will have their own stories. In fact, we learn that Barrett had a difficult childhood and was more of a father to his two brothers. Barrett and his brothers suffered a tragic loss two decades previously, and because of this they are estranged from their mother Alice. Alice is trying to repair her relationship with her sons and this proves problematic for Barrett.

The murder scene Barrett and Della are at has more than one clue. One is a huge clue that really forces them to act quickly, especially as it soon becomes clear that Della's life is in jeopardy. It had been two months since Barrett and Della were together and now that she is facing danger Barrett is determined to stay close.

Considering the fact that Della is pregnant, certain questions beg to be answered. How will Barrett feel about the baby? Is there any chance for their relationship to be healed? What dangers will Della face that could threaten her pregnancy?

What a fabulous book! I loved the drama that was going on as well as the tension in just about every scene. Barrett's past and present continued to collide with Della and the news he is unaware of. Knowing that this book is a romance clues the reader in that they will fall for each other, but this book shows the journey and that is what made it such a good read. I am eager to read the next books in this series.

Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review.

Please enjoy the following excerpt:
HER CHILD TO PROTECT by Delores Fossen

Blog tour excerpt

Sheriff Barrett Logan aimed his flashlight in the ditch and looked for a dead man.

There were no signs of him, but then Barrett hadn’t believed there would be. That was the problem with getting an anonymous tip. It could be a hoax. However, since he was the sheriff of Mercy Ridge, Texas, checking out hoaxes was part of his job description.

Especially this one, which had come in the text he’d gotten from an unknown number.

There’s blood near the county marker. She finally did it. She murdered him.

Barrett didn’t know who this she was, but that wasn’t the only word that had stood out for him. Blood, finally and murdered had also grabbed his attention. If this was indeed some kind of prank, then the person who’d sent the text had clearly wanted to embellish the details in such a way to make him jump right in and investigate.

Keeping watch around him, Barrett moved away from his truck that he’d left parked on the road. He’d put on his emergency flashers and kept on his high beams in case someone was out this time of night. Not likely, though. This was a rural road with a mile or more separating the sprawling ranches that dot- ted the area. Plus, it was nearly one in the morning, and most folks had long gone to bed. Mercy Ridge wasn’t exactly a hotbed of partying and such.

Barrett fanned the flashlight over the sign that the texter had mentioned. The sign wasn’t just to let drivers know they were entering another county but also to mark the lines of jurisdiction. Barrett and his deputies policed this side, but if the supposed body was beyond the sign, then that would fall under the jurisdiction of the Culver Crossing PD.

The cool spring rain spat at him, soaking the back of his shirt and his jeans. Thankfully, though, his Stetson was keeping the water out of his eyes, making it easier for him to see a long stretch of the ditch. Definitely no body and no blood in there, but he did see something else.

Footprints, maybe.

Someone or something had trampled down the weeds on the other side of the ditch. Weeds that practically arrowed toward a thick cluster of trees and underbrush.

Avoiding the trampled down parts, Barrett jumped across the ditch, his boots sinking into the wet ground, and he adjusted his flashlight again. However, before he could follow the trail, he heard the sound of an approaching vehicle. One that braked to a screeching stop right behind his truck. It was a Culver Crossing cruiser, and Barrett started muttering some profanity before the deputy stepped out.

She was definitely someone he hadn’t wanted to see tonight. Or any other night for that matter. The last time they’d spoken nearly two months ago, she had made it crystal clear that she hadn’t wanted to see him, either. Yet, here she was.

Barrett hadn’t expected her to have changed much in these two months, and she hadn’t. Well, except for that troubled look she was giving him. Then again, Della often looked troubled, and there was often plenty of wariness in her crystal blue eyes.

The rain had already gotten to her, he noticed. There were strands of her shoulder-length dark brown hair clinging to the sides of her face and neck. Her shirt was doing some clinging, too. Definitely something he hadn’t wanted to notice.

Della pulled in her breath and released it slowly, the kind of thing someone would do when steeling themselves up. It didn’t seem to help, though, be- cause at the end of it, there wasn’t much change in her expression.

“Did you get a text telling you that a body was out here?” she asked.

Her voice and expression were as cool as the night rain, and it reminded Barrett that it hadn’t always been that way. Of course, the noncool times had happened when she’d been in his bed. Since that was another reminder he didn’t want or need, he pushed the thought aside.

“Yeah,” he verified, and purposely turned back to his search.

He tried to look unruffled by all of this, but his thoughts were going a mile a minute. Why had someone texted both of them? Was this some kind of sick ploy to get them back together? If so, heads were going to roll.

***

Heartfelt or thrilling, passionate or uplifting—our romances have it all. Visit TryHarlequin.com to sample FREE books from among 12 different series. It’s just a taste of the new books published each month—every story a journey guaranteed to leave you with That Harlequin Feeling.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 70 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She's received the Booksellers' Best Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. In addition, she's had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. You can contact the author through her webpage at www.deloresfossen.com

Author Links
Website: https://www.deloresfossen.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/240672.Delores_Fossen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDeloresFossen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfossen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deloresfossen/?hl=en
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delores-fossen