BLOG TOUR - The Truth About the Accident

DESCRIPTION:

I gaze at my husband’s once-handsome face, so still and pale in the hospital bed. The doctors say I should keep talking. He might be able to hear me even after the terrible accident that left him fighting for his life. But all I have to whisper to my husband is this: I know what you did.

Every day I wave my husband Damon off with a kiss and a smile, drive our precious children to school, and make sure our house is pristine before preparing a delicious meal. I pretend I’m not filled with fury that he once nearly destroyed our perfect life. It’s important to carry on as normal.

That is, until the accident.

My husband was hit by a car. It was pouring with rain. Nobody saw what happened. But the police are asking questions…

Do they know about the terrible argument we had that day?

Do they know about the text message I sent, telling someone to Delete everything?

And do they know that no-one is happier that my husband is in a hospital bed, than me?

An absolutely addictive page-turner about a family in crisis, a marriage at breaking point, and how secrets can be deadly. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0C1CX92CQsocial

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Truth About the Accident

Author:  Nicole Trope

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   310

Date of Publication:  June 30, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

How did Damon end up getting hit by a car in the pouring rain? Even more, what happened before Damon got hit and ended up in a coma? In this multiple POV story by Nicole Trope, there is quite a lot revealed about Damon and his life. 

Not only is Damon married with two children he is also involved with a mistress. And that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the duplicitous lifestyle Damon has been living. With excellent pacing, this intense story of revenge had a few surprise twists with a shocking conclusion. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- 'It's not meant to be a story.' She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters' degree in Children's Literature.

The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story. She went on to publish a further five novels in Australia before joining Bookouture in 2019. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS and CAN.

She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children.

 

Author social media:

Facebook: @NicoleTrope

Twitter: @nicoletrope

Author email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/nicole-trope

 

BLOG TOUR - The Party on Laurel Street

DESCRIPTION:

The Party on Laurel Street: A completely addictive psychological thriller with jaw-dropping twists

Only she knows what really happened that night…

It was meant to be a time of celebration, of neighbours chatting over sparkling glasses of wine, enjoying the decadent surroundings of the huge mansion house which overlooked all the houses on Laurel Street. But then my troubled friend Gabbie has a heated argument with her husband. She leaves the party and disappears without a trace.

Gabbie’s neighbours rally round, painfully aware that Laurel Street has already had its share of tragedy. Years ago, when we were children, my best friend Erin vanished, never to be seen again, after having a secret party in the woods with me and Gabbie as our families celebrated the new year.

I want Gabbie to be found safe. I need her to come home. Because if she doesn’t, I know that all eyes will be on me as they were years ago.

But then I discover that my husband Luke was the last person to see Gabbie alive and I’m reminded of all the times I saw them getting close. As much as I pushed it to the back of my mind, I have to ask, can I really trust them? And worse, is someone about to make me pay for the secret I’ve been keeping for so long?

A totally unputdownable and gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist for fans of Lisa Jewell, T.M. Logan and Louise Candlish.

 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon: https://ow.ly/OYjW50OJ4us
Apple: https://ow.ly/fkfE50OJ4ut
Kobo: https://ow.ly/UCia50OJ4uu
Google: https://ow.ly/lgjJ50OJ4uv

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Party on Laurel Street

Author:  Ruth Heald

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  331

Date of Publication:   June 28, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

Two missing women. One in the past, Erin, and Gabbie, presently. Mel and her husband Luke have moved back home after she left twenty five years previously. Being back on Laurel Street brings back very painful memories for Mel. She cannot help but recall the tragic disappearance of her friend Erin all those years ago. 

Mel and her friend Gabbie were with Erin at that time, and Erin did not make it out alive. This past tragedy takes on an ominous feeling of fear, especially when Gabbie disappears after an argument with her husband. Could Gabbie’s disappearance have anything to do with Erin’s? In fact, it soon becomes apparent that there were secrets then and that there are secrets now. 

This intriguing story will definitely hold the reader’s attention. Well-written, strong characterizations and an equally strong story makes this latest book by Ruth Heald a thoroughly compelling read. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ruth Heald is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers THE WEDDING, I KNOW YOUR SECRET, THE MOTHER'S MISTAKE and THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS, and the relationship drama 27: SIX FRIENDS, ONE YEAR.

Ruth studied Economics at Oxford University and then worked in an eclectic mix of sectors from nuclear decommissioning to management consulting. She worked at the BBC for nine years before leaving to write full time. Ruth is fascinated by psychology and finding out what drives people to violence, destruction and revenge. She’s married with two children and her novels explore our greatest fears in otherwise ordinary, domestic lives.

You can connect with Ruth on Twitter @RJ_Heald, or Facebook /RJHealdauthor

Author social media:

 

Twitter: @RJ_Heald

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjhealdauthor/

Instagram: @ruthheald 

Website: https://ruthheald.com/

Author newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/ruth-heald

BLOG TOUR - The Diary from the Cottage by the Loch

 

DESCRIPTION:

Sitting in the purple heather, Carrie carefully opens the tattered cover of the journal, the gold-edged pages catching the sunlight shimmering off the surface of the loch. The handwriting is unmistakable. The words inside will shatter everything she thought she knew about her family…

Carrie Anderson searches under the flowerpot by the bright blue door and finds the keys to the little whitewashed cottage. Still recovering from the heart-wrenching loss of her beautiful sister, Carrie hopes that staying on the edge of the glittering loch, where the siblings used to spend summers with their great-aunt Maud, will help her heal from her grief.

On a trip to the tiny village store, Carrie literally bumps into ex-Navy officer turned chef Rory McRae. Tall and broad shouldered, at first Rory is infuriatingly distant, but his enthusiasm for his farm-to-table restaurant lights up his rich brown eyes. When he tells Carrie that he’s understaffed, she is quick to offer help. She soon finds Rory’s warm smile and playful jokes are a balm to her heart. Suddenly, Carrie begins to feel less alone.

But then she discovers a diary her aunt Maud kept as a young woman after World War Two. The faded sepia photograph of a baby boy tucked into the back reveals a heartbreaking secret about her family she can scarcely believe. Opening up to Rory, could the discovery of a long-lost relative finally heal the loneliness that has been plaguing Carrie’s heart? Or will the secrets the diary unravels destroy her hope for a new future in Loch Cameron?

Get ready to fall in love with the Scottish Highlands in this stunning, heartbreaking and uplifting read by USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Kerr. For fans of Susanne O’Leary, Debbie Macomber and Pamela Kelley.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0C4FLSCYTsocial

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:  The Diary from the Cottage by the Loch

Author:  Kennedy Kerr

Series:  Loch Cameron #3
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Women’s Fiction; Romance 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  278

Date of Publication:   June 28, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars 

With a tragic loss and a recent discovery, Carrie Anderson revisits a cottage from her past. She has many good memories where she and her sister spent the summers with their great aunt Maud. While staying in the tiny village, Carrie takes on a job working for an aloof restaurant owner. Her suddenly new job and her desire to learn more about her great-aunt definitely keep Carrie busy. 

While at the cottage Carrie discovers a diary that was penned by a young woman during WWII. Perhaps by means of this diary Carrie will discover long-held secrets of the past. Meanwhile, Carrie is also trying to find her future. 

What a touching story in this excellent third book in the Loch Cameron series. Although each book can be read as a stand-alone! The stories are so warm and inviting and they all come highly recommended. This story delivers powerful messages of healing, hope and love. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

  

Kennedy Kerr is a USA Today Bestselling fiction author. She adores beaches, lochs and stone circles, and loves writing about small communities, mysteries and family secrets. She has a very cuddly cat called Twinkle who spends her days sleeping: Kennedy aspires to having Twinkle's nap schedule one day.

Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it. Her favourite foods include (but are not limited to) Indian food, Victoria sponge, breakfast pastries with coffee and sushi. The only thing she's not particularly keen on is artichoke, and she'd eat it, anyway.

Author Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennedykerrauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KennedyKerr5

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kennedykerrauthor/

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/kennedy-kerr

BLOG TOUR - The Girls on Chalk Hill

 

DESCRIPTION:

They lie on the hillside, wearing matching white dresses, tiaras in their blonde hair. Each of them clutches a red rose. They could be sleeping, but frost shines on the lashes of their wide blue eyes, frozen open forever…

Detective Lexi Bennett is devastated when she finds the two teenagers lying side by side on the quiet green hillside, their throats cut. Convinced this is no ordinary killer, she vows to draw on all her profiling experience to find justice for these beautiful girls who will never have the chance to grow up.

But when the victims are identified as Lucy and Eden Carter, Lexi’s blood turns cold. The sisters were triplets – and the third girl, Paige, is missing. The case suddenly feels frighteningly personal. Lexi was a triplet too, and she and her sisters were abducted as teens. Two of them escaped but Lexi’s dreams are still haunted by memories of the faceless man who took them, and her sister Rose, who she never saw again.

Her boss thinks she’s too close to the case, but Lexi is sure the monster who took her is back with a message. She throws herself into the investigation, hunting down every clue, certain that time is running out to save Paige.

Then she returns home to find the back door open and Rose’s diary on the kitchen table. As she traces her beloved sister’s handwriting, her heart breaking, Lexi swears she will not rest until this brutal monster is caught. Will the diary help her find him before Paige is killed? Or is she walking into a trap designed just for her?

A completely compelling serial killer thriller that will make your pulse race on every page. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Angela Marsons and J M Dalgliesh will love The Girls on Chalk Hill.

BUY LINKS:

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Audible:
UK: http://ow.ly/rkF450OgI03
US: http://ow.ly/chLb50OgI02

Listen here: http://ow.ly/1UQ550OgI01

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Girls on Chalk Hill

Author:  Alison Belsham

Series:  Detective Lexi Bennett Book 1

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audio ALC

Narrator:  Sofia Zervudachi

Length:  11 hr 33 min

No. of Pages:   419

Date of Publication:   June 26, 2023

My Rating:   5 Stars

Is it mere coincidence that while out running one morning Detective Lexi Bennett stumbles across the bodies of two teenage girls? After having worked for the FBI in America for several years, Lexi is back in the UK and now has a case that eerily resembles her past. There is a killer with a plan. A plan that includes Lexi Bennett.

The bodies were identified as Lucy and Eden Carter. This fact is quite chilling to Lexi, especially once she learns that they are part of a set of triplets, with the third sister still missing. The reason that this shocks Lexi is that this case is reminiscent of her past, as she too was one of a set of triplets. She and her sisters had also been abducted when they were teens. 

This Detective Lexi Bennett book begins a new series by Alison Belsham. I had this book in audio format and found this book very well written and truly compelling, and it was made all the more intriguing due to the excellent narration. The story itself came full circle when it came to Lexi’s past and the tension when it came to the current case never let up. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, The Girl’s Last Cry, in very short order. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In 2016, I entered and won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect competition. This secured me an agent and a three-book publishing deal with Orion for my police procedural series set in the world of tattoos and tattooing. My first novel, The Tattoo Thief, was translated into 15 languages, was a No 1 bestseller in Italy and is the first instalment of the internationally acclaimed Tattoo Thief trilogy. I also write in collaboration with my brother Nick Higgins – Canelo has published our action thriller series set in Afghanistan, Death In Kabul and Death in Helmand. Now I’m embarking on a fresh crime series with Bookouture. It's set in Canterbury, featuring DI Lexi Bennett, newly appointed to lead the Major Incident Team after a spell working with the FBI’s specialist serial killer unit.

I divide my time between London and Edinburgh, where I am a co-founder of the Edinburgh Writers’ Forum, providing professional development and networking for writers.

To learn more about me and the books I write, visit my website at www.alisonbelsham.com

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alison.belsham.3

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlisonBelsham

Website: http://www.alisonbelsham.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/alisonbelsham/

Bookouture Email Sign Up:  https://bookouture.com/subscribe/alison-belsham/

Review - A Single Dad in Amish Country

Title:   A Single Dad in Amish Country

Author:  Patricia Johns

Series:  Butternut Amish B & B

Genre:   Inspirational Romance 

Publisher:   Harlequin Heartwarming

Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  384

Date of Publication:  June 27, 2023

My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

He wants security…

She wants the chance to fly

All single mom and soon-to-be commercial pilot Hazel Dobbs expects from her Amish B&B vacation is gorgeous farmland, fresh air and delicious food. No one mentioned handsome landscaper Joe Carter—or his irrepressible little girl. Suddenly Hazel sees the possibilities of a whole new family. But with her biggest dream finally on the horizon, falling in love looks like the ultimate crash landing…

From Harlequin Heartwarming:  Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

The Butternut Amish B&B

Book 1: Her Amish Country Valentine

Book 2: A Single Dad in Amish Country

Book 3: A Boy's Amish Christmas

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Hazel Dobbs and Joe Carter are single parents with very different goals in life. She is training to become a commercial pilot and he is Englisch living among the Amish and raising his four-year-old daughter Lottie. Lottie is a busy preschooler who is on a mission. She wants her mommy, a woman she has never met. Joe wants more than anything to give Lottie a stable, two-parent home, because he has a sense of loss from his past that he does not want passed on to his daughter.

Hazel is staying at a lovely Amish B & B while she studies for a test that will get her the job of her dreams. She has flown airplanes for years, but has dreamt of flying commercial. While staying at the B & B she meets single father Joe and  his adorable daughter. His little girl is in awe of airplanes, and thinks if she gets on the right plane she can find her mother. 

Meanwhile, Hazel's daughter Maddie is in the UK visiting her father, and talks regularly with Hazel about the difficulties on getting to know him and his family. Hazel would not take back one second of her life with her daughter but now it is the time to live her dreams. Meeting Joe gives her pause.

Joe is a catch and more than one mother in his daughter's preschool class would love to snare him, but he wants more than a mother for his child, as important as that is for him. In fact, he wants a companion, and that just might come in the form of Hazel. However, she plans on being up in the sky with regard to his career, and he wants stability for his daughter.

What a sweet story by Patricia Johns. I love the backstories in this book. Not just Hazel and Joe's stories, but the B & B owner Melinda and how she is affected by unrequited love. Yes, a wonderful story all around and I cannot wait to read the third book in this series later this fall.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a Harlequin author who writes for the Love Inspired, Western/American Romance and Heartwarming lines. I have recently signed a book deal with Kensington Books for Amish romance, so in 2019, you’ll find me being published by both Harlequin and Kensington. You can find my books in any place that books are sold. I am represented by Rachel Beck of Holloway Literary.

I have my Hon. BA in English Literature from University of Toronto, and I live in Northern Canada where the weather dominates our small talk. Mr. Johns has the distinct challenge of being married to a writer, and our young son has yet to be impressed by seeing his mother’s books on a store shelf. 😉 It’s the perfect life for me.

Click on over to see my books, or check out my blog where I talk about writing, books, marriage, kids, and everything else that distracts me from my work. And leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.

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Review - Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend

 

Title:   Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend

Author:  Rachel J. Good

Series:  Surprised by Love #5

Genre:  Inspirational Romance

Publisher:  Zebra

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of pages:  352

Date of Publication:  June 27. 2023

My Rating: 4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Hiding a painful secret, valley newcomer Noah Riehl is looking for a fresh start with few complications.  He hopes his job at the Farmer’s Market will give him the quiet life he craves. But light-hearted Caroline Hartzler has other ideas. She practically falls in love with him at first sight. And when she asks Noah for a not-so-simple favor—and won’t take no for answer—he finds himself reluctantly agreeing…

Caroline refuses to listen to the gossip that has followed Noah into the valley, or even to her own daed’s warnings. She’s taken with Noah and his gentle, generous spirit. In fact, he’s the perfect person to help her discourage an unwanted suitor—by pretending they’re courting. Yet the more time they spend together, the more Caroline must remind herself that their relationship is just a temporary ruse. But she’s not the only one struggling. . . Secretly, Noah’s feelings for Caroline deepen more than he thought possible, helping him renew his faltering faith. But when rumors about his past threaten to ruin them both, they must pray that the truth leads them to the blessed union they long for…

MY THOUGHTS:

If he had his way, newcomer Noah Riehl would like to go to work everyday a the local Farmer's Market in Lancaster County and then go home. However, a stormy woman named Caroline changes everything for him.  Caroline has recently led her team to a win in a volleyball game and has upset one of the other players. When he approaches her, Noah is nearby and before he knows it, Caroline declares that he is her boyfriend.

Although it was only for the moment, Noah and Caroline are fake dating, and it doesn't take long for their feelings towards one another to grow. Caroline works for her brother Gideon at his Market Barbecue stand and he had already experienced Caroline being distracted over a boy once before. Now that she has a new boyfriend, his busy stand is often understaffed as Caroline is frequently distracted. Meanwhile, Noah has a backstory that has become fodder for gossip, but Caroline refuses to allow that to influence how she is growing to really care for him.

This is a strong story of faith, and reclaiming that faith. In order to be in good standing with their Amish faith, both Noah and Caroline must make wise decisions that will impact their future. This was a very engaging addition to a lovely series. And of course, Mrs. Vandenburg, over the age of 90, played an important role.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. A former teacher and librarian, she completed her MA from Vermont College while raising five children. She is presently an MFA student at Hollins University. In addition to having more than 2300 articles and 40 books in print or forthcoming under several pseudonyms, she also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers.

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BLOG TOUR - Taken Girls

DESCRIPTION:

Music from the busy dancefloor echoes into the deserted room where the Prom Queen lies deadly still. A tiara rests on her soft blonde curls, but her face is frozen with fear, and her painted red lips are forever sealed shut in a silenced scream…

When Detective Amanda Steele’s niece, Ava, begs her to look for a missing schoolfriend, she immediately agrees to take on the case. Eighteen-year-old Reese left home three nights ago after fighting with her mother and hasn’t been seen since. But when the teenager’s body is discovered brutally murdered, poised dramatically at the prom venue, Amanda is devastated she didn’t save the girl in time.

Haunted by the scene, Amanda dives headfirst into the case. Chasing every lead, she is horrified when she discovers a potential key witness strangled in her own home. It soon becomes clear that the killer will stop at nothing to silence anyone who might reveal their identity. So when Ava mentions she saw someone acting strangely at the prom venue that night, Amanda’s heart stops.

And when Amanda’s worst nightmare comes true, and her beloved niece is taken, she knows that every second counts to uncover this twisted killer’s identity and bring Ava home safely. But can she crack the secrets of this killer’s deadly game before it’s too late?

A completely pulse-pounding and unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0BV2SL7K1social

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   Taken Girls

Author:   Carolyn Arnold

Series:   Detective Amanda Steele Book #8
Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:   Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   324

Date of Publication:   June  20, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

When a teenage girl named Reese goes missing, Detective Amanda Steelers niece Ava pleads with her to find her friend. Things at Reese’s home got heated between her and her mother and Reese left after a fight and it has now been three days. Sadly, Reese’s body has been discovered and Amanda is determined to find justice for Reese. 

Amanda is at sixes and sevens with this case, especially when Ava pressures Amanda to dig deeper, especially as she felt that Amanda should have made a bigger effort initially. Sadly, Reese is not the only victim. 

Amanda and her partner Trent work hard when it comes to this case, and with this story involving teenagers it packed quite a punch! It was nerve wracking, well-written and utterly compelling. This series just keeps getting better and better and I look forward to book nine. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold

Website: https://carolynarnold.net/

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