BLOG TOUR - The Guilty Mother

DESCRIPTION:

I know something is wrong the moment the doorbell rings. The smile on my daughter’s face disappears as a police officer places handcuffs around my wrists, and my husband watches in horror as they march me out the door. I’m being arrested for murder… our neighbour is dead and I know why.

Lisa and Mike Grey have the perfect family. They live on a beautiful tree-lined street, behind an impeccably-cut lawn, raising two wonderful children. They never imagined being able to afford such a picturesque house, and as soon as they moved to Dragonfly Close, they felt totally at home.

But when their next-door neighbour Russell is killed, and Lisa is arrested for his murder, chaos takes over the once peaceful street.

How could a doting mother, and a dedicated housewife, do something so terrible?

She says she didn’t do it. But if Lisa didn’t kill Russell, why is she refusing to give her alibi to the police? Who is she trying to protect?

There are lies hidden behind each closed door. And more than one person knows what happened the night Russell died, but everyone watches from the safety of their homes as the police take Lisa away.

Someone on Dragonfly Close is getting away with murder… the question is who? And how far are they willing to go to keep their terrible secret safe?

Fans of Liane Moriarty, Nicole Trope and Linda Green will love this completely gripping page-turner, with a twist that will make your heart stop.

BUY LINK:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BVC25DFGsocial

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MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   The Guilty Mother

Author:  Sam Vickery

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Women’s Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  337

Date of Publication:   April 28, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

Lisa and Mike’s neighbor Russell has been killed in a hit-and-run accident. One night while having dinner with their two teenaged children, the police knock on their door and Lisa is arrested. Did she kill Russell? If it was an accident, why didn’t she report it?

In this latest book by Sam Vickery, nothing is as it seems. In fact, secrets and lies abound. Will the truth be revealed if indeed Lisa is guilty? Then there is Victoria, Russell’s wife. Is she the grieving widow? Well, she plays an important role as well. 

What an intense read with surprising twists, sad drama and trauma, and more! Just when it seemed that I had figured things out and if there was a probable motive, I found myself quite stunned. Loved this book and can’t wait to read her next book. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sam Vickery is an English author who loves gritty, emotional stories that can make you sob. As a child, she was forever getting in trouble for being caught with her nose in a book, and these days are no different. She lives on the south coast of England with her husband, two children and a cat that thinks it's a dog.

https://www.facebook.com/SamVickeryWrites/

Review - Wait For Dark

Title:  Wait For Dark

Author:  Kiersten Modglin 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

Date of Publication:  April 30, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

They want an ideal life.
She’s the only thing standing in their way.

The Ashleys are determined to build a future detached from the issues in their pasts, and it seems to be working.
They’re happily married.
In love.
Established in their dream careers.
Closer than ever to being debt-free.

But when a mysterious opportunity arrives with an offer they can’t refuse, everything changes.

Soon, they meet her.
She’s rich.
Powerful.
Single-minded in her goals.
She is not used to being told no.

Worst of all, she knows about the dirty deeds they’ve done in the dark…

If they don’t do exactly what she wants, the ramifications of their secrets being exposed are endless. In a battle of wits against a woman who knows too much, the Ashleys find themselves with an impossible choice to make.

Whom do you trust when the only person who can save you is the one who might bring you down?

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

The Ashley’s have mapped their futures out, and they share the dream to become debt free. They have good jobs. He is a physician. She is a social worker. Hudson has a side gig. If he continues for another year or two, they are certain that they will achieve true financial security. Both Hudson and Willa struggled financially as they were growing up so they made goals and their plans have been flawless. Until now . . .

One thing is for sure. Hudson and Willa truly love one another. Of that there is no doubt. It is too easy. What Hudson does on the side has had no impact on his professional career, but that is all about to change with a scheme targeted at the once happy couple that could derail everything. 

To say the very least, Hudson and Willa have an unconventional marriage. They started off as friends and have been married for a few years, and are truly quite happy. However, one of Hudson’s clients is about to change everything for them. During most of this compelling and engaging read, secrets and lies have set a rocky foundation for Hudson and Willa’s marriage. Will they be able to hold their carefully constructed lives together?

I loved this book! However, I couldn’t help but wonder if one of my treating doctor’s leads a double life, lol. Thanks for the imagery Kiersten Modglin! If you want a fast-paced thriller that will keep you planted in one spot until you finish, look no further than Wait for Dark.

Many thanks to Kiersten Modglin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kiersten Modglin is an Amazon top-30 bestselling author of award-winning psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers. Kiersten lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston Terriers: Cedric and Georgie. She is best known for her unpredictable suspense and her readers have dubbed her 'The Queen of Twists.' A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes super-fan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kierstenmodglinauthor 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmodglinauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kierstenmodglinauthor

BLOG TOUR - The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency

 

DESCRIPTION:

When Maud McIntyre sets up her own private detective agency, she never imagines her first case will involve murder… A mystery in the Highlands? The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency is on the case!

Edinburgh, 1911: When Maud McIntyre and her lady’s maid, Daisy, form a detective agency, they never dream their first case will take place at a glamorous house in the Scottish Highlands. But when the Duchess of Duddingston, concerned that a notorious jewellery thief will target her lavish weekend party, employs Maud to go undercover as a guest to find the culprit, the agency has its first case to solve…

Undercover with Daisy as her maid, Maud follows a trail of clues across the Duddingston House estate. And as she meets the weekend guests, she hopes one of them will reveal themselves as the jewellery thief. But when one of the house guests is discovered dead, Maud and Daisy realise they’re not only hunting precious gems, but a murderer…

As Maud and Daisy investigate, they realise that a connection in Edinburgh might hold a vital clue that will help them solve the case. Travelling back to the city, Maud hopes that what she and Daisy uncover will help them piece together the mystery.

But when Maud receives a telephone call from the Duchess requesting urgent assistance, she realises that the murderer didn’t have just one victim in mind. Speeding down the drive to Duddingston House, Maud and Daisy hear gunshots ring out across the estate. Will they reach the Duchess in time to save her? And might they catch the murderer in the act?

A warm page-turning historical whodunnit, perfect for fans of the mysteries of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey and Catherine Coles.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BT57ZCF5social

Audio:

UK: zpr.io/njjM8E4CGPCV

US: zpr.io/B6n6ugVAPE56

Listen to a sample here:

https://soundcloud.com/bookouture/the-scottish-ladies-detective-agency-by-lydia-travers-narrated-by-helen-mcalpine

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

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency

Author:  Lydia Travers

Series:  The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency #1
Publisher:  Bookouture    

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format: Audio and Kindle ARC 

Narrator:  Helen McAlpine

No. of Pages:   340

Date of Publication:   April 27, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars

She may not rival Sherlock Holmes, but Maud McIntyre forms a female detective agency with her dear friend Daisy. It is 1911 Edinburgh and the suffragette movement is underway. Maud has no intention to live by convention and takes on as many cases as she can. With the support of her father and her stalwart friend and partner, Maud dons various disguises and roles for the times they have to go undercover. 

Maud and Daisy’s first case is to try and locate a jewelry thief. They find much more. In fact, a murder takes place which naturally makes things far more serious. Their new business is certainly underway. What a delightful start to a new series. The setting, characters and intrigue were all done wonderfully, and this promises to be an engaging series. I really am looking forward to the second book in the series, Murder in the Scottish Hills.

I loved that I was able to get this book for review as an audiobook. The narrator Helen McAlpine was new to me and I really enjoyed her Scottish accent. Her exceptional narration made a wonderful book all that much better.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lydia Travers was born in London.  She moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has raised children, bred dogs and kept chickens; and for as long as she can remember has written for pleasure. A former legal academic and practitioner with a PhD in criminology, she now runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by the family dog.

Lydia also writes as Linda Tyler and her first novel under that name, Revenge of the Spanish Princess, won a 2018 Romance Writers of America competition for the beginning of an historical romance. Her second novel The Laird's Secret was Commended in the 2021 Scottish Association of Writers' Pitlochry Quaich competition for the beginning of a romantic novel. Mischief in Midlothian won the 2022 Scottish Association of Writers' Constable Silver Stag trophy. She has had a number of short stories published in magazines, journals and anthologies in the UK, the USA and Australia.

https://www.facebook.com/LindaTylerAuthorScotland

https://twitter.com/LindaTyler100

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Lydia Travers here: https://www.bookouture.com/subscribe/lydia-travers

BLOG TOUR - The Woman a Number 6

DESCRIPTION:

A loyal wife. A handsome husband. Which one of them will kill to keep their secret?

When I first met Malcolm, I knew that he was everything I had ever wanted. When we had our beautiful, blue-eyed son Finn I felt like my life was finally complete. The past eight years have been the happiest of my life. Until now.

Because Malcolm’s been lying to me.

I’ve been following him. I finally saw him with her. How could he betray me and my darling boy? Of course, we all have our secrets. But everything I’ve done, I did for my son.

So I have a plan. When the police knock on our door tomorrow morning, Malcolm will have no clue what’s in store. All I need to do is pick up Finn and we can start our new life together.

But I don’t notice the car tailing me. The sudden crushing impact takes my breath away. As my heart pounds and my car is forced towards the rushing river below, my only thought is for my precious Finn. Because I know with certainty that if this is happening to me, then he’s in grave danger too…

Did Malcolm know what I was planning after all? Is this his revenge? Or worse, have my own secrets and lies finally caught up with me—and has my time finally run out?

The Woman at Number 6 is a totally twisty and gripping psychological thriller that will have you wondering who to trust and turning the pages well into the night! Fans of Gone Girl, The Couple Next Door and T.M. Logan will be totally hooked.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0BT89VF8Xsocial

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   The Woman at Number 6

Author:  Matthew Farrell

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  357

Date of Publication:  April 26, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

Tracy has gone missing. In fact, she was in a terrible car accident that has left her broken and battered. But, she is not alone. Someone is caring for her now and has promised to always care for her. However, Tracy’s husband and son are missing her. 

There is more going on. Tracy suspected her husband of having an affair. A woman named Kat has been murdered. What is the connection? With rapid changing twists and turns, and a few cleverly placed rabbit trails, this story was incredibly tense. 

I loved how the story began. Tracy calmly tells her husband Malcolm that she wants a divorce. She then leaves home and the real drama begins. She may have wanted to leave her husband, but what of their young son Finn? Where has Tracy gone and what of the car accident? And what of the murder of the woman named Kat? The police keep circling around Malcolm as they are trying to determine what role he plays in all of this. 

I was kept guessing throughout and just as I thought I knew who was responsible, I was thrown for a loop yet again. Great job, Matthew Farrell. Keep these thrilling books coming. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matthew Farrell is the Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Adler & Dwyer thriller series. He lives just outside of New York City in the Hudson Valley with his wife and two daughters and is currently at work on his next novel. 

 

Author social media

Twitter: @mfarrellwriter

Facebook: Matthew Farrell Books

Instagram: mfarrellwriter

Tik Tok: @mfarrellwriter

Website: https://www.mfarrellwriter.com/

Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/matthew-farrell/

BLOG TOUR - A Light to Guide Us Home

 

Title:   A Light to Guide Us Home

Author:  Dianne Haley

Series:  The Resistance Girl #3
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   277

Date of Publication:   April 26, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION: 

‘Please, you must get Clara out of France!’ cried the woman, her voice breaking in desperation. ‘She’s only thirteen and her parents have been taken to a death camp. Can you save her before it is too late?’

1943, Nazi-occupied France: Valérie Hallez clings to the hope that she will soon reunite with her beloved fiancé, Philippe, fighting the Nazis in Italy. Until that day comes, she risks her life helping Jewish children flee across the border with the resistance, but each tear-stained face breaks her heart a little more.

So, when she learns of little lost Clara, anorphan whose family has been torn apart by the German occupation, and is asked to rescue her, she jumps at the chance to save another innocent life. But she isn’t the only one searching for the young girl…

Because brave Clara is carrying a crucial Nazi document. And the secrets it holds could change the course of the war forever.

Frantically trying to stay one step ahead of the Gestapo, Valérie traces Clara to an isolated children’s home– but she is too late. German soldiers have already raided the building.

Her relief when she hears that Clara escaped is short lived, as there’s not a whisper of her whereabouts. And just when she’s about to start on her search, devastating news reaches her about Philippe.

Shattered by the thought that Philippe may never come home, Valérie tries to pull the pieces of her broken heart back together. She knows there’s a little girl lost out there who needs her. So, she must make the hardest choice of all. Even if she can’t save her dearest love, can she save poor Clara – and help her end this terrible war?

A totally unputdownable and heart-wrenching wartime story about love, bravery and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Alice Network.

A Light to Guide Us Home can be read as a standalone.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0BK9HLLD4social

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Valérie‘s story continues in this tense and emotional third book by Dianne Haley. The story mostly takes place in German-occupied Italy. This was the most action packed historical fiction book I have read in a while. I could not put it down for one second because of worrying for the characters.

Although the characters were trying to get to Switzerland, the Germans violated the country’s neutrality every chance they got, which meant that the danger never let up for one second. Considering that betrayal was at hand only increased the danger. 

Valérie is trying to locate and assist a thirteen-year-old brave girl named Clara as she is transporting a very important document. This compelling read kept me on my tenterhooks from beginning to end and the tension never once let up, whether from Valérie‘s point of view or for the road Clara’s aunt Hannalore was on when it came to her concern for young Clara and for the documents they were trying to get delivered. 

This stellar book is definitely one of my favorite reads of all time. Any Resistance story is bound to be heartbreaking, but the strength and courage shown by Valérie and the others was nothing short of amazing. 

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

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from the north of Scotland, Dianne now lives with her husband in Edinburgh and has two grown-up children. After a thirty-year business career in London and Edinburgh when Dianne wrote between projects, she is now writing full-time.

Dianne and her family have been visiting the area round Lake Geneva since 1992 and love the Alps in all seasons. The inspiration for her series set in WW2 Switzerland came from a drive through Geneva’s old town on a rainy October evening, the cobbled lanes a perfect setting for secrets and hiding places.

Author social media 

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dhaley30

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dianne-Haley-Author-105318942048374 

Website: www.diannehaley.com

Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/dianne-haley/