Review - Where the Darkness Goes

Title:  Where the Darkness Goes

Author:  Kiersten Modglin 

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Format: Audio ALC

Narrator:  Ellie Gossage; Jay Myers

Date of Publication:  October 30, 2024

Length:  8 hrs 11 mins

No. of Pages: 362

My Rating: 4 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Tessa Becker has several reasons to never return to her 

She will have to face the man who shattered her heart.

She is terrified to confront her ailing mother’s condition.

That is where the murders happened.

Tessa Becker must return home for one reason and one reason 

Someone else is dead and it’s time to finally learn the truth.

Ever since the first murder, Tessa’s once charming and safe hometown has been infected with suspicion and fear. Back then accusations were made in whispers, but without proof, the killer still walks free. And now it’s possible they’ve struck again.

If things weren’t complicated enough, Tessa finds herself forced to stay with the one man she had hoped to avoid. Years ago, Garrett Campbell held her heart until he crushed it. Now, he’s a stranger. He’s also her brother’s best friend.

In an all-too-familiar place filled with secrets and devastating loss—surrounded by people and memories she’d rather forget—Tessa will have to discover the truth about what happened back then, and the threat it poses to the town and the ones she loves most before it’s too late.

Seamlessly blurring the edges of psychological thriller and romantic suspense, million-copy bestselling author Kiersten Modglin’s latest romantic thriller will have you hopelessly falling in love and obsessively searching for answers all in one breath.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Is Tessa Becker dreaming? Stranded in the middle of a storm, waiting for help, she sees someone she thought she’d never see again—Garrett Campbell. Not only does Garrett assist Tessa after her car breaks down, but she also discovers that they’ll be roommates while she’s in town for a friend’s funeral. Tessa’s intention when returning to her hometown was to stay with her brother Will, unaware that Garrett and Will are roommates, and Will is actually out of town on business.

Tessa and Garrett have a history which is explored in this book. However, despite the romantic theme, there’s something sinister lurking beneath the surface. When Tessa, Garrett, and Will were in their late teens, murders shook the town. Those murders remained unsolved.

As the story unfolds, the timeline shifts between past and present, revealing how the trio was affected by those murders. Now adults, speculation arises that the current death is connected to those of years ago.

With unexpected twists as the story begins to unravel, past and present collide, impacting both the romance and the suspense. The dual narration in this audiobook made it incredibly easy for me to become fully invested in this captivating story. 

Many thanks to Kiersten Modglin and NetGalley 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

Review - If Something Happens to Me

Title:  If Something Happens to Me

Author:  Alex Finlay

Publisher:  Minotaur Books

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:   Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   324

Date of Publication:   May 28, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.

With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.

Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…

Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.

As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.

In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told from several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The story cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

I know who you are.

If something happens to me. 

Ryan’s girlfriend, Ali, mysteriously vanished during their high school years. One fateful night, they were driving when the car came to a halt, and Ryan was abruptly pulled out. Five long years have passed since her disappearance, yet Ryan remains haunted by the memory. He has since changed his identity and is now in his first year of law school.

However, fate has a shocking twist in store for Ryan. He is certain that he has encountered the man who appeared during Ali’s disappearance, and to his dismay, he finds a threatening note. This unexpected encounter occurs while he is in Tuscany, on a trip with other law school students, making it all the more perplexing.

Alex Finlay’s fast-paced narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, building a gripping and suspenseful story. The case of Ali’s disappearance is unexpectedly reopened when Ryan’s past comes back to haunt him. Poppy McGee, a young and determined deputy sheriff, is thrust right into things. She is now the point person on Allison Laney’s case. And It’s only her first week on the job, but Poppy is undeterred. Her suspicions of Ryan’s innocence grow stronger as she delves deeper into the investigation.

Finlay’s writing style is captivating, reminiscent of a merry-go-round where each brief stop reveals a new angle. As the story progresses, Ryan and the police are confronted with revelations that challenge their wildest imaginations. This book is a masterpiece, and I eagerly anticipate reading more works by this brilliant author. It’s the second Finlay book I’ve read, and I can confidently say that I’ll be exploring his other works in the future.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alex Finlay is the author of the 2021 breakout novel, Every Last Fear, the 2022 Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller, The Night Shift, and the 2023 LibraryReads Hall of Fame recipient, What Have We Done.  His work has been an Indie Next pick, a LibraryReads selection, an Amazon Editor’s Best Thriller, as well as a Cosmopolitan, CNN, Newsweek, E!, BuzzFeed, Business Week, Goodreads, Parade, PopSugar, Scribd, and Reader’s Digest best or most anticipated thrillers of the year. Alex’s novels have been translated into twenty-one languages and are sold around the world.  All of his novels have been optioned for film and television, and Every Last Fear is in development for a major limited series.  

Alex writes under a pen name and is a prominent Washington, D.C. lawyer who has represented clients in more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

His next novel If Something Happens to Me releases in May 2024.

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Review - Fresh Start at Bluebird Cottage

Title:  Fresh Start at Bluebird Cottage 

Author:  Susan Schild

Series:   Azalea Lake Sweet Romance Book 3

Publisher:  Longleaf Pine Press

Genre:   Women’s Fiction; Romance

Format:  Kindle

No. of Pages:   179

Date of Publication:   December 19, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stats

DESCRIPTION:

USA Today Bestselling Author Susan Schild presents the third book in the beloved small-town Azalea Lake Sweet Romance series!

Cricket Darley has finally learned to trust again after being abandoned by her ex-husband, and she’s found the man of her dreams! Just three months ago, she married her next-door neighbor, contractor and all-round good guy Hank Mayfield. The two are thrilled at being together in their fixer-upper cottage on picturesque Azalea Lake, but life’s ups and downs are coming so fast that the newlyweds haven’t even had time to go on a honeymoon.

Hank is troubled by problems at work but clams up every time Cricket tries to talk to him about it. Cricket’s employees keep leaving her senior caregiver business, and she’s extra-busy helping her beloved aunt recover from a nasty fall.

Will their long-awaited honeymoon to the North Carolina mountains draw them even closer, or push them further apart?

But even greater challenges greet them when they arrive home. Does Cricket’s newest hire have sticky fingers? Will Hank have to resign from his own family business? To add to the drama, Hank’s scheming ex-wife still seems intent on stealing him back. Will their relationship survive the showdown?

Marrying after forty can be complicated, but can the newlyweds overcome their differences and move forward to build the joyful life they’ve always dreamed of?

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Despite the challenges she has encountered as a small business owner, Cricket Darley has experienced significant growth in her business. As a newlywed who has been married for only three months, she is more than content with her husband, Hank, who is employed in a family-owned business.

However, Cricket can sense Hank’s stress at work. She has more pressing concerns than her business and marriage. Her independent aunt has taken a nasty fall, so it seems that worry has become a part of Cricket’s life.

As always, Cricket can rely on her closest friend, Honey, and her trusted assistant in her caregiver business, Pearl. In fact, who would be more suitable to manage the temporary operations of her business while Cricket and Hank prepare for their long-awaited honeymoon? With this time away, Cricket hopes to find the necessary relaxation and clarity. 

I got my hands on the third book in Susan Schild’s Azalea Lake Sweet Romance series pretty quickly. I had just finished the first two, and I was excited to dive into the next one. For Schild’s fans, there was a bit of a wait between books, but trust me, it was worth it. The third book is just as charming as the first two. I’m new to Schild’s writing, but I’m sure her fans have missed her work. 

I’ve had an absolute blast reading this series set on Azalea Lake. The stories are so heartwarming and delightful, and the characters are like the kind of friends you’d want to have forever. It’s like stepping into a cozy and inviting world. Since it’s an older romance series, the romance is sweet and perfect for me. 

Many thanks to Susan Schild for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Schild writes heartwarming and funny novels about women over 40 having adventures. falling in love, and finding their happily ever afters. 

Susan is a wife, and a stepmother who enjoys weekend getaways with friends, reading fiction, and rummaging through thrift stores and antique stores for treasures like four dollar cashmere sweaters and amateur watercolor paintings. A dog lover, Susan is especially fond of Lab mix rescue dogs. 

With a professional background as a psychotherapist and a management consultant, Susan has used her professional background to add authenticity to her characters.

Susan and her family live in North Carolina where she is busy writing her next novel.

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Review - Leigh Brody FBI Mystery #s 1 & 2

Link to shop the series

Title:  The Girl Who Survived

Author:  Nichole Severn

Series:   Leigh Brody FBI Mystery #1

Publisher:  Storm Publishing 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   May 6, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Leigh Brody returns to her hometown after a body is found, marked with her name. Will it give her the chance to solve a mystery that has shadowed her life for years?

It’s been twenty years since Leigh found the murdered body of her twelve-year-old brother, Troy. Her father was arrested for the crime, but she never accepted that he did it. Her hunt for the real killer almost cost her everything…

Now working for the FBI, Leigh is called back to New Hampshire when a series of copycat crimes are committed. Only the killer has left a very specific calling card, a plastic army figurine, the same as the one she found on Troy’s body, and carved into its base: Leigh’s name.

This case is as personal as it gets, and this time, Leigh is determined to make the right person pay. But when another child goes missing, can she dig deep into her past to find the clue she missed years ago, and put a monster behind bars for good?

An addictive, edge-of-your seat crime thriller, with a twist you will not see coming. An unputdownable read for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan and A.J. Rivers.

MY THOUGHTS:

FBI Special Agent Leigh Brody returns to her hometown of New Hampshire after a disturbing incident. Her past is deeply troubled, marked by the tragic death of her brother and her mother’s suicide when her father was arrested for the murder. These events are the last thing she wants to revisit.

However, New Hampshire is currently experiencing a series of gruesome crimes that bear a striking resemblance to the events two decades ago. To her astonishment, one of the bodies found bears her name. Despite her father’s conviction, Leigh has always been certain of her father’s innocence and is determined to uncover the truth behind her brother’s murder. This quest could lead to the overturning of her father’s conviction.

Nichole Severn’s intriguing book is a compelling read from start to finish. The author skillfully weaves a web of suspense with unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. 

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

Title:  The Vanishing Wife

Author:  Nichole Severn

Series:   Leigh Brody FBI Mystery #2

Publisher:  Storm Publishing 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audiobook

Length:  9 hrs 26 mins

Narrator:  Amelia Sciandra

No. of Pages:   314

Date of Publication:   September 12, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Her friend is missing. A teen has been murdered. And Leigh will have to put everything on the line in this serene town where secrets simmer below the surface…

FBI criminologist Leigh Brody arrives at her friend Elyse’s beachfront Alabama vacation home and walks straight into a crime scene. Blood spatters the floor, and Elyse’s worried husband and reserved teenage daughter have no idea where she is.

Her boss orders her not to get involved, but Leigh is determined to find her friend. She’s trying to understand reports of Elyse’s erratic recent behaviour when the body of a fifteen-year-old girl is found on the nearby boardwalk. And the case takes a chilling turn when another girl goes missing.

What deadly game had Elyse got involved in? And how much will Leigh have to risk to find the killer terrorizing this sleepy vacation town, before it’s too late to save the vanishing girls?

A compulsively gripping and atmospheric crime thriller where nothing is as it seems. Perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan and A.J. Rivers.

MY THOUGHTS:

Leigh Brody is a criminologist with the FBI but she drops everything after receiving a desperate call from her friend Elyse. However, Leigh’s recovery from a major cancer operation complicates matters, making the pursuit of Elyse’s whereabouts a daunting task. Despite the challenges, Leigh’s unwavering dedication to Elyse drives her to put her job and health aside and do everything in her power to find her friend.

In the second installment of the Leigh Brody FBI Mystery series, readers are treated to a thrilling and suspenseful narrative filled with shocking twists and turns that keep them engaged from beginning to end. While this book serves as the second installment in the series, it can also be read as a standalone. The author delves deeper into Leigh’s strong bond with Elyse and explores her health concerns, adding emotional depth to the story. Despite some early revelations that may raise eyebrows, they actually enhance the reader’s enjoyment of the book. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Nichole Severn writes mind-twisting suspense and bullet-proof romance with strong heroines, heroes who dare challenge them, and cases you won’t be able to forget.

She graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Psychology, is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a founding member of the Addicted to Danger Facebook group, and volunteers for non-profits focused on supporting mothers.

She resides with her very supportive and patient husband, as well as her two demon spawn, in Utah. When she’s not writing, she’s constantly injuring herself while weightlifting, finds herself in over her head with DIY projects, or escaping deep into mafia romance and romantasy reads.

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Review - A Marriage of Lies

 

Title:  A Marriage of Lies

Author:  Amanda McKinney

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Mystery & Thtillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   272

Date of Publication:   March 29, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Beneath the surface of every marriage there are secrets. This one is deadly.

My husband is lying. The minute he came home with alcohol on his breath and unable to look me in the eyes I knew it.

We used to be in love – the intense ‘I can’t be without you for a second’ kind. Where it hurts deep to be apart.

But now, we’re the couple that keep secrets from each other.

We hide the truth.

He thought I wouldn’t find out. I’m a detective – it’s literally my job to uncover clues and solve mysteries. I know what he did.

And now I’m sitting here, in a police interview, being asked the question ‘did you kill her?’ to which I utter one life-shattering ‘yes.’

A jaw-dropping, twist-filled emotional rollercoaster of a read for fans of Gone Girl, The Perfect Marriage, and The Girl on the Train.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

“Yes...I killed Cora Granger.” 

Detective Rowan Velky has confessed to murder. While it was ordinarily her job to unearth clues, clues are indeed piling up. But not by her. Against her. 

Rowan and Shepherd’s marriage, which had been a solid foundation for years, has taken a tumultuous turn. A chasm has formed between them, and it’s only growing wider. As the narrative skillfully weaves between past and present, secrets and lies emerge, casting a shadow over their once-unbreakable bond. 

Rowan’s past was deeply saddening. However, one might wonder how and why it influences the current events. Moreover, what does it have to do with Rowan confessing to murder, particularly one that was exceptionally gruesome?

As you encounter Rowan and Shepherd, prepare for an exhilarating journey, especially considering the presence of other pivotal characters in this captivating narrative. The story, its secrets, and the jaw-dropping twists that culminated in a thrilling confusion made this book a fantastic read. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amanda McKinney is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than fifteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. Her latest book, Rattlesnake Road, was named one of POPSUGAR's 12 Best Romance Books to Have a Spring Fling With, and was featured on the Today Show. The fifth book in her Steele Shadows series, Jagger (Steele Shadows Investigations), was recently nominated for the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.

Amanda wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY in 2017, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Her books include the bestselling series, STEELE SHADOWS SECURITY, the multi-award-winning BERRY SPRINGS series, BLACK ROSE MYSTERIES, and many more to come.

Set in small, Southern towns, Amanda’s books are page-turning murder mysteries peppered with steamy romance She lives in Arkansas with her handsome husband, two beautiful boys, and three obnoxious dogs.

Text AMANDABOOKS to 66866 to receive Amanda's newsletter and get the latest on new releases, promos, and freebies!

Visit her website at www.amandamckinneyauthor.com
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Review - The President’s Lawyer

Title:  The President’s Lawyer

Author:  Lawrence Robbins

Publisher:  Atria Books

Genre:  Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   October 8, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A high-stakes legal thriller that is perfect for fans of John Grisham and Scott Turow following a Washington, DC, litigator who is hired to defend his best friend, the former President of the United States, against a murder charge. 

After a long career as one of DC’s most powerful litigators, Rob Jacobson is faced with the case of a lifetime: the former President of the United States—his childhood best friend—has been accused of murdering his mistress.

Rob knows he’s the only one who can prove his friend’s innocence, but he is soon overwhelmed as he attempts to devise a strategy to defend an authoritative man with a taste for infidelity, serious anger issues, and unconventional sexual appetites. As the high-profile case unfurls, the troubled, intertwining pasts of the two men complicate Rob’s efforts and soon, doubts begin to grow in his head. Could his oldest friend truly be capable of murder or is something even darker at play?

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Rob Jacobson has agreed to defend the former president of the United States, Jack Cutler, for the murder of his mistress. Her name was Amanda Harper and she was a junior lawyer and part of his staff. There is something to consider with Rob taking Cutler’s case. The two have been best friends for decades.

Rob will need at least one thing from Cutler now that he has decided to take the case. What Rob will need is complete and total honesty. The ability to defend Cutler will no doubt will be faced with countless obstacles. It is no secret that the former president had an affair with the victim. The fact that Rob at one time also had an affair with her makes things uncomfortable for him as he looks for ways to get Cutler off. Things are not looking good for Rob’s case, yet he is not one to give up. 

The narrative unfolds through a dual timeline, incorporating flashbacks to provide context and background information. While the flashbacks were intriguing, the true heart of the story lies in the courtroom scenes where Rob presents his legal arguments and examines witnesses. These courtroom scenes are compelling and eye-opening, showcasing the author’s skill in crafting a gripping legal thriller.

This book marks a sensational debut for the author. While I’m not typically a fan of legal thrillers, this one has piqued my interest in the sub-genre. Not only does the story feature remarkable courtroom repartee, but it also delves into a sleazy backdrop of secrets involving questionable tastes in the bedroom. The ending is nothing short of spectacular, leaving this reader eager to discover more. 

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

Review - Sounds Like a Plan

Title:  Sounds Like a Plan

Author:  Pamela Samuels Young;

  Dwayne Alexander Smith

Series:  Sounds Like a Plan Book 2

Publisher:  Atria

Genre:   Multicultural; Romantic Suspense

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   July 9, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Reluctantly joining forces after discovering they’ve both been hired on the same missing person case, two rival Black private investigators find their mutual dislike evolve into an undeniable attraction in this rollicking, romantic thrill ride told in alternate perspectives from award-winning authors Dwayne Alexander Smith and Pamela Samuels Young.

Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham have a lot in common. They are both hard-working private investigators with their own firms in Los Angeles. They are both Black, happily single, and very good at their jobs. But when they’re together, they are like oil and water.

When they find themselves working the same missing persons case, the idea of collaborating seems about as likely as a blizzard in Beverly Hills. But once it’s clear that they have been set up to take the fall for a murder, they have no choice but to work together.

Bickering their way from Century City to Malibu and beyond, it becomes increasingly hard for them to deny the sparks flying between them. But with a small army of killers in hot pursuit, there’s no time to sort through their complicated feelings in this witty, fast-paced, and swoon-worthy mystery.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Jackson Jones, a driven private investigator, exudes respect by dressing in a suit and tie. However, as a Black man, he would be perceived differently if he showed up in a t-shirt and jeans. Mackenzie Cunningham, equally professional and successful, faces similar challenges due to her race.

Despite being hired by different individuals, Jackson and Mackenzie find themselves on the same side, searching for the same missing person. Their shared goal brings them together, despite their immediate differences. 

While they are both equally successful, their competitive nature often leads to clashes. However, despite their attraction to each other, they remain focused on their mission. Unexpected twists and turns in the case reveal that joining forces might be mutually beneficial.

This intriguing start to a thrilling series leaves me eager to read the next book. I find it refreshing that they choose friendship over rivalry, especially in the face of danger.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author and attorney Pamela Samuels Young writes mysteries that matter. Dubbed “John Grisham with a sister’s twist” by one reviewer, Pamela’s fast-paced novels tackle important social issues.

Her most recent legal thriller, Failure to Protect, takes on the bullying epidemic and its devastating aftermath. Pamela won the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction for her thriller Anybody’s Daughter, which provides a realistic look inside the world of child sex trafficking. Her courtroom drama Abuse of Discretion centers around a troubling teen sexting case. #Anybody’s Daughter and #Abuse of Discretion are young adult editions of the two books. A young adult version of Failure to Protect is forthcoming. 

Pamela also writes erotically sassy romantic suspense under the pen name Sassy Sinclair. A natural hair enthusiast, Pamela writes about her own empowering natural hair journey in Kinky Coily: A Natural Hair Resource Guide. 

Prior to retiring from the practice of law to write full time, Pamela worked as Managing Counsel for Toyota specializing in labor and employment law. A former journalist, she spent several years as a television news writer and associate producer in Detroit and Los Angeles. Pamela received her bachelor’s degree from USC and also earned graduate degrees from Northwestern University and UC Berkeley School of Law. The Compton native is a frequent speaker on the topics of sex trafficking, bullying, online safety, fiction writing, self-empowerment, and pursuing your passion. 

Pamela loves connecting with her fans! To invite her to a speaking engage or a book club meeting via Skype, Facebook Live, FaceTime, Zoom, speakerphone or in person, email her at authorpamelasamuelsyoung@gmail.com. To read excerpts of Pamela’s books, visit her websites at www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com and www.sassysinclair.com .

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Working professional screenwriter represented by Resolution and Circle of Confusion. I have sold or optioned six spec screenplays and I have been hired by studios for numerous rewrites. Currently I have two movies in post-production, STUCK and THE CLOSET. Both are due to be released in 2014. 

My first novel, a thriller titled FORTY ACRES, is scheduled for release by Simon & Schuster July 1st, 2014.

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Review - The Unraveling

Title:  The Unraveling

Author:  Vi Keeland

Publisher:  Atria Books

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   291

Date of Publication:   July 9, 2024

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

This chilling, sizzling, and addictive thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Vi Keeland follows a New York psychiatrist’s dark descent into dangerous obsession.

This isn’t a love story.

It’s a story about obsession.

After experiencing a terrible loss, New York City psychiatrist Meredith McCall feels painfully adrift. When she crosses paths with a man with whom she has a tragic connection, she follows him, sparking an unhealthy obsession with Gabriel Wright. How is he doing so well while her life is in shambles?

But when Gabriel walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical and moral bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can’t bring herself to turn him away and becomes further entangled. With her life and career continuing to unravel, it appears that things could not get any worse…until they do.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Dr. Meredith McCall has an obsession. As obsessions usually go, this one is unhealthy. And unusual. With her career is on the line as a result of tragic events, Meredith has been spiraling downward. Gabriel Wright is the object of Meredith’s obsession, and the choices and actions she takes become worse and worse.  

With her license having been revoked for a year, one might expect that someone of her profession would be quite careful in the decisions they make. However, even though she is receiving psychiatric treatment herself, she cannot let go of the obsession she has with Gabriel Wright. 

The pacing in this book was off the charts! With then and now chapters, including an utterly tragic and heartbreaking event, I was thoroughly glued to the pages of this book. Should I mention the twists? Yes, the twists! They just kept on coming. And…the ending. I had to go back and reread it. Twice. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over one hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-six languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.

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Review - Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder

Title:  Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder

Author:  Kerryn Mayne

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  KindleARC

No. of Pages:   352

Date of Publication:   February 21, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Lenny Marks is excellent at not having a life.

She bikes home from work at exactly 4pm each day, buys the same groceries for the same meals every week, and owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit (currently arranged by height). The closest thing she has to a friendship is playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends reruns.

And Lenny Marks is very, very good at not remembering what happened the day her mother and stepfather disappeared when she was still a child. The day a voice in the back of her mind started whispering, You did this.

Until a letter from the parole board arrives in the mail—and when her desperate attempts to ignore it fail, Lenny starts to unravel. As long-buried memories come to the surface, Lenny’s careful routines fall apart. For the first time, she finds herself forced to connect with the community around her, and unexpected new relationships begin to bloom. Lenny Marks may finally get a life—but what if her past catches up to her first?

Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming, Kerryn Mayne’s stunning debut is an irresistible novel about truth, secrets, vengeance, and family lost and found, with a heroine who's simply unforgettable.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Pretty much alone in life, thirty-seven year old Lenny Marks gets through life day by day. A teacher who gives just enough, never more, and this includes never forming any close connections. In fact, she really doesn’t have friends; she has acquaintances. 

Thanks to her near obsession with Scrabble, with nightly games played against a fictitious Monica Geller, Lenny often thinks in anagrams. 

Mrs. Finlay: rainfly, family, flimsy, snarly, mails, fail, liar

Crestfallen: cleanser, reflects, careens, falters, fester, secret

Manipulates: animal, pulsate, insult, menial, past, lies

Lenny, often annoyed by her own quirks, particularly her social ineptitude, lives in a quaint yet uninspired home. Her weekly meal routine and bleak, colorless future mirror her repressed memories, hidden within her brain due to PTSD. This could be a good opportunity to raise awareness about trigger warnings in the book, as domestic and child abuse are integral parts of the well-crafted narrative. However, as readers immerse themselves in Lenny’s mind, they may find themselves repeating her anagrams aloud, which provides a touch of levity that makes the story more palatable. 

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kerryn Mayne is an author, former wedding photographer, and current police officer. When not at work attempting to solve crime, she is writing about it or preparing an endless stream of snacks for her four children. Kerryn lives in the bayside suburbs of Melbourne with her husband, children and a highly suspect lovebird. She only owns 11 copies of The Hobbit (for now). 

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is her debut novel.

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