Wednesday, June 18, 2025

BLOG TOUR - The Pastor’s Wife


DESCRIPTION:

“Welcome to Church!” Pastor Tim flashes his brilliant white teeth around the congregation. He doesn’t notice me, but I can see that every woman is hypnotized. Except one. His wife. I watch as worry clouds her violet eyes. She’s hiding something. And I’m going to find out what…

Whitney Falls was supposed to be the perfect place for me to disappear, with its quiet leafy streets and tulip-lined gardens. I didn’t intend to make any new friends. But when the pastor’s wife saves me from an accident, I can’t help but fall into her orbit.

Soon enough, I become a regular at church, and the pastor and his wife welcome me into their home with open arms. But the more time I spend with them, the more I begin to feel something isn’t right. It’s not just that Mary looks uncomfortable when Tim kisses her and that he controls what she eats. It’s more than that. It’s the strange black car that I’ve seen watching me each time I visit. The fact that Mary and Tim won’t talk about where they came from before they moved to this small town.

And when I creep through their house in the small hours of a late October morning to see what I can find, I discover something that sends a shiver down my spine… something that makes me wonder whether our first meeting was an accident at all.

Everyone thinks the pastor and his wife are saints. Now, I’m sure that they’re the worst kind of sinners. But they don’t know who I really am. Or what I could do with the terrible secret they want to keep safe…

A completely gripping and unputdownable read that will have you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Gone Girl.

BUY LINK:
Title:  The Pastor’s Wife 
Author:  LynDee Walker
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC
Narrators:  Stephanie Cannon, Pat Rodriguez
Length:  10 hrs 24 mins
No. of Pages:   389
Date of Publication:   June 16, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
Martha is new to Whitney Falls. But so are the smooth and charming Pastor Tim and his wife Mary. Mary and Tim had moved from town to town, but had finally found a home in  Whitney Falls. From the outside looking in Tim and Mary’s marriage seemed idyllic, but it wouldn’t take long for Martha to see the cracks in their marriage. 

The rapid friendship that developed between Martha and Mary was about to face significant challenges. With each of them harboring pasts they’d rather keep hidden, the narrative takes on a sinister tone. This book might have been a tale of secrets and lies, but it turned out to be far more intricate, making it an enthralling read from beginning to end.

As an avid audiobook listener, Stephanie Cannon and Pat Rodriguez were unfamiliar to me as narrators. However, I believe they both delivered exceptional performances in capturing the captivating voices of Martha and Mary. This added an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. LynDee Walker was also a new name to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first encounter with what I hope will be a series of captivating books in the future.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LynDee Walker writes about strong women who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Her books have appeared on finalist lists for the Agatha and International Thriller awards—and once, on the weekly Amazon Charts national bestsellers list smack in between two of her writing heroes.

LynDee is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who
covered everything from ribbon cuttings and high school football to capital murder trials and high level police corruption. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the United States, and she has written more than 20 novels.

LynDee's favorite things are family, hydrangeas, porches, beaches, and books. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she's not juggling laundry,
children's sports schedules, and two very happily spoiled rescue dogs.


Tuesday, June 17, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Before Dorothy

Title:  Before Dorothy 
Author Hazel Gaynor
Publisher:  Berkley 
Genre:   Historical Fiction; Women’s Fiction 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   368
Date of Publication:   June 17, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars 
DESCRIPTION:

Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own grand adventure, leaving gritty Chicago behind for Kansas and a life that will utterly change her, in this transporting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor.

Chicago, 1924: Emily Gale and her new husband, Henry, yearn to leave the bustle of Chicago behind for the promise of their own American dream. But leaving the city means leaving Emily’s beloved sister, Annie, who was once closer to her than anyone in the world.

Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have made a life in the warmth of the community of Liberal, Kansas, and among the harsh beauty of the prairie. Their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose, until tragedy strikes and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep.

The wide-eyed child isn’t the only thing to disrupt Emily’s world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everything, and their much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposed, Emily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of Dorothy.

Bursting with courage and heart, Before Dorothy tells the story of the woman who raised a beloved heroine, and ponders the what is the true meaning of home?



MY THOUGHTS:

I feel like I grew up with the movie The Wizard of Oz. I’m sure I’m not the only one who had dreams of being Dorothy herself, experiencing both the sadness and the wins as she followed the Yellow Brick Road. Naturally, I love the Easter Egg references to the story by L. Frank Baum. They were seamlessly woven into the narrative, making me want to watch the movie again soon.

As a child, I was captivated by musicals, so I have fond memories of the movie. However, this story takes a different turn. It focuses on Emily Gale’s experiences. Emily and her sister Annie moved to America and settled in Chicago, working as shop girls. Their bond seemed unbreakable, but at some point, their lives took different directions. Annie married and had a little girl named Dorothy. Just before that, Emily’s undying love for Henry was about to pull her away from Annie’s orbit. Emily had always been enamored with her mother’s dream to settle in Kansas, believing it promised a better life. That’s where she and Henry did indeed settle.

The story begins with Emily’s life changing before marriage and before Kansas. It then segues to the challenging life she faced with Henry in Kansas. This touching story touches upon some tragic times in American history, including the Great Depression, preceded by the stock market crash. The Midwest was plagued by devastating dust storms and other hardships, causing immense loss for countless people. These experiences deeply affected Emily and Henry during their marriage, during which they became guardians to young Dorothy.

Auntie Em, a character who was overlooked by me every time I watched the famous movie, was a delight to watch. The author’s skill in developing her into a three-dimensional character and maintaining her strong bond with Henry was truly remarkable. I was also captivated by the incredible connection she ultimately formed with Dorothy.

The author’s talent for crafting characters that resonate with readers is evident throughout the book. She skillfully evokes the profound sadness experienced by people during that tumultuous era. Conversely, the true connection that family meant to Emily was a joy to experience. Dorothy's words from the movie that “there’s no place like home” rang loud and clear while experiencing Emily’s life Before Dorothy

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail and Irish Times bestselling historical novelist. Her debut novel, THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, was awarded the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year, and her novels have been shortlisted for the 2016 and 2020 Irish Book Awards, the 2019 HWA Gold Crown Award, the 2020 RNA Historical Novel of the Year and the 2021 Grand Prix du Roman Historique. Her latest novel, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG & BRAVE/THE BIRD IN THE BAMBOO CAGE was a national bestseller in the USA and an Irish Times bestseller. 

Hazel’s co-written novels with Heather Webb - LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS, MEET ME IN MONACE and THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE have all been published to critical acclaim, winning and being shortlisted for several international awards. 

Hazel was selected as a 2015 WHSmith Fresh Talent pick, and by Library Journal as one of Ten Big Breakout Authors. She is published in twenty-five territories and her books have been translated into eighteen languages. Originally from Yorkshire, England, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and two children and is represented by Michelle Brower of Trellis Literary Management, USA.

For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.


Sunday, June 15, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds


DESCRIPTION:

For fans of BAD SUMMER PEOPLE, FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT, and THE WHITE LOTUS, this sun-dappled mystery from New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan features a risk-averse bibliophile who gets in over her head when strange notes in a book draw her into a real-life investigation.


Mia Crawford is responsible to a fault. She has to be. Between her high-demand job and taking care of her grandmother and her cats, she has little time for anything else. What time she does have, she pours into reading. Mysteries, romances, thrillers…books filled with women who are far more impulsive than she would ever dream of being. Now, forced into taking a long-overdue vacation, she finds herself on a luxurious private island where she just might have a chance to reinvent herself—for a little while, anyway. She can explore the island. Flirt shamelessly with a cute bartender. Have a vacation fling. Live like a heroine in one of her favorite novels.


Or she can curl up with a good book on the beach. Turns out reinventing yourself is easier planned than done. But when gossipy notes written in the margins of an old book turn out to be clues to the disappearance of another guest, Mia finds herself diving head-first into a dangerous adventure. With everyone at the resort hiding secrets of their own, she’ll have to solve this real-life mystery before she becomes the next target.


BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org | B&N

Books A Million | Amazon


Title:  Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds
Author Allison Brennan
Publisher:  MIRA
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   400
Date of Publication:   June 17, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Mia Crawford, a self-proclaimed risk-averse bibliophile, leads a rather mundane life. However, her vacation at a luxurious resort takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a sacrilege—a written commentary in the book she’s reading. Initially annoyed, Mia can’t help but be intrigued. The notes in the book, along with the dialogue, ignite her curiosity and set her on a path of solving a mystery.

With a resort guest, Diana Harden, having gone missing, Mia becomes an amateur sleuth, determined to unravel the truth. But her quest for justice isn’t the only thing on her agenda. She also harbors a secret desire for a romantic fling.

The story unfolds smoothly, with quotes from various novels opening each chapter. Mia is a likable character, and it’s delightful to witness her gradually breaking free from her shell. As she compares the notes in the book she found, Mia draws inspiration from years of reading countless mystery novels. She hopes to apply her knowledge and skills to solve the mystery, following the clues she uncovers.

This captivating tale offers a delightful blend of mystery, personal growth, and the pursuit of love. The mystery is intriguing, Mia’s journey of self-discovery is heartwarming, and her dreams of finding romance hold a promise of being far more than just a fleeting desire. 
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy the following excerpt:


PROLOGUE 

“Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities.”  —George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones 

DIANA HARDEN HAD A plan, and the plan was good.  This little hiccup in her plan was merely an annoyance, not a roadblock. Sending her on a wild goose chase to St. John was childish and petty. 

Ethan Valentine would pay dearly for wasting her time.  It was near dark when the water taxi returned her to St. Claire. The driver was barely more than a kid, but Diana paid him well. She’d had enough of this cloak-and-dagger bullshit, so she had the kid take her straight to Valentine’s private dock in a sheltered cove on the southwest side of the island. 

“Remember,” she said, putting her fingers to her lips in the universal be quiet sign. She didn’t want Ethan to know she’d figured out his ridiculous game. 

The driver nodded and grinned, and she waved him off.  Ground lights lined the wood stairs from the dock to Ethan’s house built on top of the cliff. The height dizzied her as she trudged up. The cool ocean breeze chilled her through the sheer scarf that she’d wrapped around her shoulders. 

Ethan would pay first, and then she would tell him where she’d hidden the files. When she went out of her way to help someone, to give them information that would put them on top of the world, and they treated her like dog shit on their shoe? No way would she tolerate such disrespect. 

The man had to be half-crazy to live like a hermit in the middle of the Caribbean. All because he’d lost in a business deal? Coming here to lick his wounds and feel sorry for himself? He should be thrilled that she had proof he’d been cheated. Instead, he’d shunned her. 

If someone had told Diana ten years ago that she’d fallen head over heels for a gold-digging con artist, she would have been grateful. Sad, angry, sure—who wouldn’t be? But she would never have lost everything over it. Ethan Valentine should have been thanking her for the information that she had been willing to give to him practically for free yesterday. 

Now the jerk would pay top dollar. 

Diana stopped to catch her breath when she reached the top of the stairs. The view was breathtaking—the sun sinking into the ocean to her right, and the distant lights of St. John to her left. Almost as if on cue with the falling sun, several soft white LED lights flickered on, showcasing the house and garden, but darkening the jungle beyond. 

Though the house was lit, she couldn’t see through the privacy screens. She adjusted the oversized bag on her shoulder, then approached the frosted glass door and rang the bell twice. The chime sounded like a bird call. When no one immediately came, she rang again. And again. Nothing. She tried the door; locked. 

Frustrated and angry after her crappy wasted day on St. John, she walked around the deck. The downstairs was almost completely enclosed by glass doors. She was looking for a way inside when a voice, heavy with an accent that sounded not quite Mexican, said, “Are you looking for something?” 

Diana stumbled and knocked over a chair. “Who are you?” she demanded. 

Squinting, she barely made out an old man reclining on a chaise lounge on the far corner of the deck. He had brown skin and a white beard so long and thick she could barely see his face. She’d seen him at the resort, an annoying busybody. What was he doing at Ethan’s house? How long had he been watching her? 

“¿Quién crees que soy? ¿No has sentido curiosidad?” 

She didn’t understand Spanish. 

“No one is home,” the old man said, in English this time. “Do you need help finding your way back to the resort?” 

“This is Ethan Valentine’s house,” Diana said. “He said he would be here.” 

“He did? Odd.” 

Who was this strange man? 

“When will Ethan be back? It’s important.” 

”Volverá cuando vuelva. Perhaps you’d like to wait?” the man said. “It might be a day or two before he’ll come by. Or a week. A month?” He lifted his hands in the air and shrugged. 

Where the hell was Ethan? At the resort? Oh, that would be just her luck. 

Irritated, she said, “I’ll find him myself.” 

“Very well.” The man leaned back into the chair and closed his eyes. 

With an infuriated sigh, Diana traipsed along the gravel road that led to the main lodge, wishing she’d asked the kid with the water taxi to wait. 

She didn’t relish the two-mile hike to the resort, especially going over this mountain. Her flip-flops crunched on the gravel. She had wasted far too much time because of Ethan Valentine. He wanted to play games? Oh, she would play. And Diana was much better at it than he was. Her price had gone up tenfold. 

The narrow road was poorly lit with sporadic ground lights. She didn’t have a flashlight and her cell phone was dead, so she stayed in the middle of the path, knowing that there were sheer drops all over the place. Diana had never considered herself squeamish or afraid of the dark, but she couldn’t even see the stars because of the thick canopy of bushy leaves hanging over the road. 

Rodents ran from the trees right in front of her, then scurried down the cliff. She forced herself to breathe evenly. There were no dangerous animals on the island. The rustling leaves? Probably gophers or rabbits. She started talking out loud to herself, feeling silly, but hearing her own voice calmed her fears. 

She stumbled and caught herself with a vine that was hanging from one of the trees, cursing Ethan. He thought a hundred thousand was too much? How about a million, Ethan? Pay up or she’d out him. Tell everyone what he had really been doing since disappearing from the United States. She’d start with the Wall Street Journal and Variety. Then maybe Forbes or The Economist. Hell, the New York Times might be interested in the scoop. See how Ethan liked the publicity. His ridiculous behavior certainly wouldn’t help Valentine Enterprises. 

She stepped into a clearing on the top of the mountain. Packed, flat earth free of rocks and bushes and lined in bright lights.

Ethan’s helipad, though there was no chopper here now. That jerk. That asshole. Chalk this up to one of the many lies he’d told.  Maybe she wouldn’t sell him the documents at all. Maybe she’d sell them back to the man she’d stolen them from, and Ethan could continue to wallow in misery. 

Angry but wholly determined to make these miserable men pay for the havoc they had wreaked in her life and the lives of those she cared about, she strode across the helipad. 

The trees swayed in a sudden gust of wind, and a chill ran up her spine. She rubbed her arms and cursed. 

Then the lights went out. 

She froze in the sudden black. The jungle closed around her, and the trees groaned as if they knew something she didn’t. Rustling to the left, then to the right. “Who’s there?” she called out. “Show yourself, you prick!” 

She heard the flapping of wings first. Then dozens of bats flew right at her. She screamed and dropped to the ground, her arms over her head, as the flurry of flying rodents rushed by. She could feel the air shift and change around her as they dipped so low she thought for a moment that she was prey. 

Then the flapping faded into the distance, and Diana found herself huddled on the ground, filthy and sore. 

“For shit’s sake, Diana!” she said out loud. “Get up.” 

Determined not to let creatures of the night terrify her again, she stood, and her eyes readjusted to the dark. The lights flickered on, then went off again, but on the far side of the clearing, she spotted a wooden sign. She made her way there and came upon a forked path with two arrows. The path to the left was marked The Falls, and the path to the right went to St. Claire. 

Finally! She hurried to the right, down the path toward the resort. All she could think about was stripping off her disgusting clothes and inspecting the cuts and bruises she felt all over her body. 

Ten minutes later, faint music filtered up through the trees, and she thought about all her potential paydays—the conniving con artist with the super-rich, clueless boyfriend? Diana had had her pegged a mile away. Don’t try to con a con, she thought with a smile. Or maybe she’d focus on the security guy with the gambling habit? The cheater? The thief? 

So many to choose from . . . and then she got an idea, as if a light bulb went bright above her head. She slowed and reached into her bag to glance through her notes, then realized she’d left the book in her room this morning. No worries. It wasn’t like she’d forget the most brilliant idea she’d had all week. After all, she was the heroine of this story—as strong and beautiful and smart as the treasure hunter in the novel she was reading. She laughed out loud. That’s what she was, a treasure hunter! Only she hunted secrets, not gold. 

Secrets that turned into gold. She loved the imagery.  She picked up her pace, eager to get back to her cottage. Her feet hurt, her head pounded, and all she wanted was a large glass of wine and a long soak in the hot tub with her book. 

The path wound around as she descended. Diana avoided the main lodge because she didn’t want to see anyone, especially when she looked like something the cat dragged in. Security lighting brightened the private patio of her cottage. She searched for her card key and as her hand grasped it at the bottom of her bag, she heard a voice behind her. 

“Diana.” 

She jumped, whirled around. Fear bubbled up in her chest until she saw who it was. Annoyed and tired, she said, “What do you want?” 

“I’ve been waiting for you.” 

“We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m beat.” 

She turned her back on her uninvited guest and started to insert her card key, but before she could open the door, she was grabbed from behind. 

“Wha—” She tried to speak, but her words were cut off. Her scarf tightened around her neck. She couldn’t talk. Then she couldn’t breathe. 

Her vision blurred. Grabbing at the scarf, she scratched her neck. Her knees grew weak. Her vision faded. 

Scream! 

No sound escaped her throat. She heard nothing except for her own pounding heart, fear wrapping itself around her like a vise.  Then, darkness.

Excerpted from BEACH READS AND DEADLY DEEDS by Allison Brennan. Copyright © 2025 by Assemble Media. Published by MIRA, an imprint of HarperCollins. 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of over forty novels. She lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

BLOG TOUR - The Secret Mistress


DESCRIPTION:

Our first mistake was trusting him. Our second was underestimating how far we would both go to hide our own dark secrets…

THE WIFE: Before my husband died, we were the perfect couple. Or so I thought. When a woman claiming to have been his mistress shows up on my doorstep with a child she says is his, I know she must be lying. Who is she and what does she want?

THE MISTRESS: I don’t want to tell his widow the truth about the man she married. But if I don’t get what I need, everything will have to come out. And what I know has the power to destroy her life.

We have both done things we wouldn’t want anyone to ever know about. If anyone found out, it would be the end of us. But if she tells, I tell…

And someone will have to die before this is over…

An utterly addictive thriller that will have you gasping out loud! Perfect for fans of The Perfect Marriage, The Wife Between Us and The Wives.


BUY LINK:

MY THOUGHTS: 

Title:   The Secret Mistress
Author:  Ellie Monago
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   General Fiction
FormatKindle ARC
No. of Pages:   347
Date of Publication:   June 10, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

It definitely is not a case of happy families when Maren discovers that her deceased husband had been having an affair for years and fathered a little boy. Maren meet Jade. And Tai. 

Maren is torn between her desire to have nothing to do with Jade and her growing feelings for the four-year-old Tai. However, her feelings are not born of kindness; in fact, her actions reveal the opposite. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Jade has an agenda, and both women are at odds. The wife. The mistress.

Secrets and lies run deep, presenting a strong emotional story. Both Maren and Jade are interesting protagonists. The story begins slowly but builds in intensity. Meanwhile, there is a surprising twist that breaks away from the growing drama between Maren and Jade. Having read three previous books by Ellie Monago, I knew that I’d be in for a great ride and that definitely was the case with this latest novel.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ellie Monago is the pen name of an acclaimed novelist and practicing therapist. She’s also a wife and mother, and when you add it all up, she doesn’t wind up with much time for hobbies. But she’s an avid tennis fan, a passionate reader of both fiction and nonfiction—especially memoir (nothing’s as juicy as the truth!)—and she relishes a good craft cocktail.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Making Friends Can Be Murder

Title:  Making Friends Can Be Murder
Author Kathleen West
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   432
Date of Publication:   June 10, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Thirty-year-old Sarah Jones gets caught up solving a murder in her new neighborhood after unknowingly befriending a dangerous con artist (who’s nothing like what she seems) in this playful, twisty mystery from acclaimed author Kathleen West.

It feels like kismet when Sarah Jones, newly relocated to Minneapolis after abruptly calling off her engagement, gets invited to join a group of women who share her same very common name. For years Sarah has received all types of correspondence intended for different Sarah Joneses, but now it seems that this mistake has given her the opportunity for an instant community.

What starts as a low-stakes meet-up called “The Sarah Jones Project” soon turns sinister when another local Sarah Jones is found dead, under suspicious circumstances, at the base of the downtown Minneapolis bridge. After fielding numerous calls from concerned loved ones ruling out their Sarah as the victim, the surviving Sarahs decide to take matters into their own hands. Aided by the dead woman’s nanny, a newly commissioned (and very handsome and eligible) FBI agent, and a cloistered nun with a complicated past, the motley crew of unlikely friends are determined to get to the bottom of the murder of one of their own.

Between a budding romance and best friendship, Sarah feels like she’s in the right place at the right time, right up until the facts of the murder case begin stacking up too close to home. Can their team piece together where the deceptions lead before the killer silences someone else?

Perfect for readers of Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series and Deanna Raybourn’s Killers of a Certain AgeMAKING FRIENDS CAN BE MURDER offers readers a fun filled mystery populated by a quirky, multigenerational cast of characters.


MY THOUGHTS:

Having gotten in trouble in school, 17 year-old Sarah Jones was assigned an extra project by one of the Catholic nuns at her school. Therefore, the Sarah Jones project was born. The purpose was to create a “whimsical internet extravaganza that was designed to bring in intergenerational group of women together to explore authentic friendship”. Discovering that both Sarah Jones extremely common names in the country, the group was unlikely to become anything substantial.

Initially, there were seven of them. Again, all named Sarah Jones. To minimize confusion, they referred to one another by their ages Aside from Sarah 17, Sarah 27, Sarah 30, and the others, there was Fed Sarah, who has become Dead Sarah, apparently, the victim of a murder.  

Initially, the Sarah Jones project was going rather well for the diverse group of same namers, but with the murder of Fed Sarah, things definitely had taken a turn. Most of the Sarah Joneses, and a nun named Sister Mary Theresa, immediately become amateur sleuths to find out who was behind the murder of Fed Sarah. Enter George Nightingale, newly appointed FBI Agent, who definitely doesn’t want the actual motivation for his involvement in the goings on. 

Lots of Sarahs. Social media exchanges. An interesting plot and a blooming romance. These were some of the factors that made for a book that was an addicting mystery. 
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

BLOG TOUR - The Bride’s Secret


DESCRIPTION:

I gaze into my fiancé’s eyes as I toast to our love, relieved that tomorrow we’ll be married. After we say ‘I do’, no one from my past will ever be able to find me.

On our wedding day, I wake with a smile. Today I get to marry the love of my life. He may not know everything about me, but Robert and I fit perfectly together. I can’t wait to put on my perfect white gown and walk down the aisle.

In just a few hours, I’ll be his wife. And my secret will be hidden forever.

I turn to wake him up, but his eyes don’t open. There’s blood smeared across the white bed sheets, across his body, across my own trembling hands. My fiancé is dead.

It’s only then that I realize there’s a knife in my hand…

If you love Gone GirlThe Housemaid and The Girl on the Train, you won’t be able to put this absolutely gripping and addictive psychological thriller down. It’s sure to keep you turning the pages until late into the night.

BUY LINK:

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

Title:    The Bride’s Secret
Author:  Rosie Walker
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   333
Date of Publication:   June 4, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Maeve’s reality completely changes after waking up next to her dead fiancé Robert. She was ready for a new name and a new life. But no, Robert is dead. Stabbed to death while she was right there sleeping. In a confused state of panic, Maeve flees. She ends up hundreds of miles away at a Scottish village that she had only recently learned about

Then there is Gilly. Happily married to Callum and the mother of two children. Her job should have provided her with complete anonymity when it came to her volunteer work on a telephone hotline. However, after a series of calls, she begins to feel more and more unsafe. She has a secret. She also has a past. If those are exposed, she could lose everything. Her life. Her freedom. Her children. So, she flees.  

What an exhilarating read! Is there a connection between Maeve and Gilly? This story has an amazing twist and races at a fast pace. In each case, fleeing seemed the only option, with danger lurking just beyond sight. While this book was incredibly exciting, the ending felt a bit underwhelming. Nevertheless, Rosie Walker has crafted an addictive story that readers will eagerly devour in one sitting. 

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rosie Walker writes psychological thrillers about mysteries, secrets, lies, and strange people. Rosie was born in North Yorkshire and has lived in Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Birmingham, Ohio and Texas, and has yet to live in a house with a secret passageway, hidden basement or a long-forgotten sealed-up room, but still holds out hope. She now lives in Edinburgh with her husband Kevin, their daughter Elsie and their Cypriot rescue dog, Bella. She has a Masters in Creative Writing and a degree in Psychology.

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Rosie Walker here: https://www.bookouture.com/subscribe/rosie-walker