Wednesday, February 19, 2025

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Cold As Hell

Title:    Cold As Hell
Author:  Kelley Armstrong
Series:  Haven's Rock #3
Genre:   Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher:   Minotaur Books
Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC
Narrator:  Thérèse Plummer
Length:  10 hrs
No. of Pages:  352
Date of Publication:  February 18, 2025
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong returns to Haven’s Rock in Cold as Hell as Casey Butler hunts down a dangerous killer during a deadly blizzard.

Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary town hidden deep in the Yukon for those who need to disappear from the regular world. Detective Casey Butler and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are starting a family now that they’ve settled into their life here. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including her worried husband, stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.

When one of the town's residents is drugged and wanders too close to the edge of town, she’s dragged into the woods kicking and screaming. She’s saved in the nick of time, but the women of the town are alarmed. Casey and Eric investigate the assault just as a snowstorm hits Haven’s Rock, covering the forest. It’s there they find a frozen body, naked in the snow. With mixed accounts of the woman's last movements, the two begin to question who they can trust—and who they can't—in their seemingly safe haven.


MY THOUGHTS:

Haven’s Rock, having reached a population of seventy, now faces a perplexing mystery. When one of its residents, Kendra, is drugged and dragged into the woods, Detective Casey Butler and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are thrust into a challenging investigation to uncover the culprit behind this heinous act. Fortunately, Kendra managed to get away safely. Haven’s Rock is a spinoff of the seven-book Rockton series, and is just as compelling. 

Casey, heavily pregnant and struggling to relax, finds herself in a town plagued by a perpetrator. With only three police officers in Haven’s Rock, she faces challenges in focusing on her upcoming birth amidst the strict environment and limited amenities. Compounding her concerns are worries about her pregnancy and the impending snowstorm. 

When another woman from town vanishes and is later discovered dead, Casey and the others must determine the cause of death. If it was indeed murder, then it becomes critical to exercise caution and be wary of the town’s residents. 

As this is the third book in the series, readers would really benefit from reading the first two books, and even the Rockton series. Although, the backstory is touched on in this book, these previous novels are compelling reads. 

Thérèse Plummer’s exceptional narration, a hallmark of her previous books in the series, set the perfect atmosphere for this remarkable novel. Sinking into its pages was an absolute delight. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets. 


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Friday, February 14, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Never Come Back



DESCRIPTION:

When my husband went missing I was desperate to get him home. Now I know his secrets, I wish he’d never come back…

I hate when Wyatt is away for work. The cold bed. Dinner alone. Comforting our little boy, telling him Daddy will be back to tuck him into bed again soon. But when Wyatt misses his flight and his cell is disconnected, panic takes over.

After seven sleepless nights, tossing and turning as I imagine the absolute worst, he walks back into our home. I breathe a sigh of relief. Until I realize that everything has changed.

I want to believe Wyatt’s explanations. The work trip. The “stolen” phone. But I see the strange, jagged scar across his side even though he tries to keep it hidden. And when I start digging, I uncover more than signs of an affair. It’s so, so much worse…

His secrets have become my nightmares, threatening my son and our unborn child in ways I couldn’t imagine. I can’t confront him.Not without exposing the lies I’ve buried for years. About who I really am and what I’ve done.

And it seems the past has caught up with us. Because one moment, I’m holding my son’s tiny hand as we walk around the mall. The next he is nowhere to be seen.

If my husband had never come back, would my son still be safe? And how are we meant to get him back when our deadliest secrets are yet to be uncovered?

This addictive and gripping thriller is perfect for fans of Minka Kent, Jeneva Rose, and Freida McFadden. You won’t be able to put this down!

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

Title:  Never Come Back
Author Cara Reinard
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Psychological Thriller 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   372
Date of Publication:   February 11, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Rowan is furious that her husband, Wyatt, has to travel abroad for business. Wyatt continues his plans, despite her protests. Tragically, a single, fateful decision during his trip alters the course of his life forever. Rowan’s agitation intensifies when she not only can’t reach Wyatt but also receives a call from his employer informing her that he has been injured.

Rowan and Wyatt are parents to a four-year-old son, Landon, and are expecting their second child. Rowan yearns for Wyatt’s return home to restore normalcy. However, even upon returning home, his experience has left him a broken man, certain to have a profound impact on their marriage.

Their son Landon’s subsequent disappearance further exacerbates their strained relationship, shedding light on their less-than-ideal marriage.

The story takes a darker turn as Wyatt’s experiences abroad persist. For the sake of their son and while wishing for his safe return, a united front is crucial. This couple’s situation suggests that their marriage may be beyond repair.

Beyond its surface-level drama, this novel delves into a profound and thought-provoking subject, one that I found new and intriguing as I read it. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cara Reinard is the Amazon bestselling author of SWEET WATER and INTO THE SOUND. She has an MFA in writing from Lindenwood University. Cara has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for two decades and enjoys writing twisty, character-driven psychological thrillers that are as much about the protagonist’s journey as they are about the mystery.

Cara lives just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband, children, and two fluffy Bernese mountain dogs.
 
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Cara Reinard here: https://www.bookouture.com/subscribe/cara-reinard

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Review - None of This is True

Title
:   None of This is True
Author:  Lisa Jewell
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Publisher:   Atria Books
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  390
Date of Publication:  July 20, 2023
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins.

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.


MY THOUGHTS:

Birthday twins, or as they’re known, “Astro-twins,” Josie Fair and Alix Summers share a fateful coincidence—they’re both born on the same day and year. Their lives take a dark turn when a series of unfortunate events begin to unfold, raising questions about their true intentions. Is there a method to their madness?

The story starts innocently enough, with Alix celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at a local pub. A chance encounter with a stranger, Josie, reveals that they share a common birthday. As they talk, Alix realizes that Josie would be the perfect subject for her podcast. A series of podcasts in fact.

Beneath the surface, tensions are brewing. Alix and Josie’s lives are about to be upended, and trust is tested as secrets and lies begin to surface. The line between truth and deceit blurs, leaving the reader to wonder whether either woman will emerge unscathed.

As unreliable narrators, Josie and Alix are intriguing characters. The rapid-fire twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the very end. Lisa Jewell’s novel is a thrilling and suspenseful read that demands to be savored.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa was born in London in 1968. Her mother was a secretary and her father was a textile agent and she was brought up in the northernmost reaches of London with her two younger sisters. She was educated at a Catholic girls’ Grammar school in Finchley. After leaving school at sixteen she spent two years at Barnet College doing an arts foundation course and then two years at Epsom School of Art & Design studying Fashion Illustration and Communication.

She worked for the fashion chain Warehouse for three years as a PR assistant and then for Thomas Pink, the Jermyn Street shirt company for four years as a receptionist and PA. She started her first novel, Ralph’s Party, for a bet in 1996. She finished it in 1997 and it was published by Penguin books in May 1998. It went on to become the best-selling debut novel of that year.


She has since written a further nine novels, as is currently at work on her eleventh.


She now lives in an innermost part of north London with her husband Jascha, an IT consultant, her daughters, Amelie and Evie and her silver tabbies, Jack and Milly.


Review - Harlem Rhapsody

Title:  Harlem Rhapsody 
Author Victoria Christopher Murray 
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Historical Fiction 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   400
Date of Publication:   February 4, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The extraordinary story of Jessie Redmon Fauset whose exhilarating world of friends, rivals, and passions all combined to create the magic that was the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.

In 1919, as civil and social unrest grips the country, there is a little corner of America, a place called Harlem where something special is stirring. Here, the New Negro is rising and Black pride is evident everywhere…in music, theatre, fashion and the arts. And there on stage in the center of this renaissance is Jessie Redmon Fauset, the new literary editor of the preeminent Negro magazine The Crisis.

W.E.B. Du Bois, the founder and editor of The Crisis, has charged her with discovering young writers whose words will change the world. Jessie attacks the challenge with fervor, quickly finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie’s leadership, The Crisisthrives, the writers become notable and magazine subscriptions soar. Every Negro writer in the country wants their work published in the magazine now known for its groundbreaking poetry and short stories.

Jessie’s rising star is shining bright….but her relationship with W.E.B. could jeopardize all that she’s built. The man, considered by most to be the leader of Black America, is not only Jessie’s boss, he’s her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Their torrid and tumultuous affair is complicated by a secret desire that Jessie harbors — to someday, herself, become the editor of the magazine, a position that only W.E.B. Du Bois has held.

In the face of overwhelming sexism and racism, Jessie must balance her drive with her desires. However, as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.


MY THOUGHTS:

Jessie Redmon Fauset, a former high school teacher, now serves as the literary editor of The Crisis magazine. While this achievement brings her immense joy, she is equally delighted to be in a secret five-year affair with W. E. B. Dubois.

Jessie is a multilingual writer who takes literature seriously. The Crisis is the premier publication of the NAACP. Despite her knowledge and talent, she will soon encounter significant challenges. This book addresses numerous social issues, making it both entertaining and educational. 

The First World War is over and it is the time for the New Negro. Black pride is rising, and Du Bois is making huge strides. Despite their scandalous affair, Jessie is steadfast in her support of Du Bois, and for other Black writers, publishing as many of their stories as possible. These young minds include Langston Hughes. 

Victoria Christopher Murray’s storytelling is nothing short of remarkable! Her execution of this story is flawless, particularly in bringing real-life characters to life within a fictional setting. The book concludes with some insightful notes that are worth reading. While this book was already excellent, these notes provide valuable insight about a woman whose name may not have been familiar to others like me. 
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including The Ex Files; Too Little, Too Late; and Lady Jasmine. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female).

She has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.

Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC.



 

Review - The Block Party

Title:  The Block Party
Author Jamie Day  
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   384
Date of Publication:   July 18, 2023
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

This summer, meet your neighbors.

The residents of the exclusive cul-de-sac on Alton Road are entangled in a web of secrets and scandal utterly unknown to the outside world, and even to each other.

On the night of the annual Summer block party, there has been a murder.

But, who did it and why takes readers back one year earlier, as rivalries and betrayals unfold—discovering that the real danger lies within their own block and nothing—and no one—is ever as it seems.


MY THOUGHTS:

The Meadowbrook Online Community Page is glad to be announcing its annual block party. Will a good time be had by all, or will an unspeakable event truly rock the citizens of Alton Road?

Nick and Alex Fox, the organizers, are working hard to make the party a success. However, the story quickly shifts between the present and a year ago, revealing that things are not going well. In fact, a group of teens is playing a dangerous game of revenge. Alcohol, drugs, and other illegal activities are also involved.

One thing that caught my attention, especially considering the younger perspectives, was the mention of the fable, The Scorpion and the Frog. Just that brief reference hints at the underlying dynamics between a couple of characters. The unexpected twists and turns throughout the book make it a stellar read. 

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

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - The Queens of Crime

Title:  The Queens of Crim
Author Marie Benedict
Publisher:  Macmillan Audio
Genre:   Historical Fiction 
Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC
Narrator:  Bessie Carter
Length:  10 hrs 28 mins 
No. of Pages:  320
Date of Publication:  February 11, 2025
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie returns with a thrilling story of Christie’s legendary rival Dorothy Sayers, the race to solve a murder, and the power of friendship among women.

London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second-class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment.

May Daniels, a young English nurse on an excursion to France with her friend, seemed to vanish into thin air as they prepared to board a ferry home. Months later, her body is found in the nearby woods. The murder has all the hallmarks of a locked room mystery for which these authors are famous: how did her killer manage to sneak her body out of a crowded train station without anyone noticing? If, as the police believe, the cause of death is manual strangulation, why is there is an extraordinary amount of blood at the crime scene? What is the meaning of a heartbreaking secret letter seeming to implicate an unnamed paramour? Determined to solve the highly publicized murder, the Queens of Crime embark on their own investigation, discovering they’re stronger together. But soon the killer targets Dorothy Sayers herself, threatening to expose a dark secret in her past that she would do anything to keep hidden.

Inspired by a true story in Sayers’ own life, New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict brings to life the lengths to which five talented women writers will go to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of letters as they unpuzzle a mystery torn from the pages of their own novels.

MY THOUGHTS:

Agatha Christie’s vanishing for 11 days has remained a mystery. But that is not the mystery that Dorothy Sayers has in mind. However, her true intrigue lies in her plan to assemble five brilliant mystery women writers and form the Detection Club.

Dorothy believes that initiating a murder game will be an ideal way for these five women to bond and get to know each other. Despite their diverse ages, they share a common passion for mystery writing and the camaraderie of a solitary profession for women during that era. This shared interest and the camaraderie of their lonely profession aim to overcome barriers such as age, class, culture, and education.

Thus, the Queens of Crime are born. Dorothy L. Sayers spearheads the club, which also includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy. As they embark on their journey, their first case presents itself: May Daniels, found dead, presumably by foul play. The club is promptly called upon to investigate, and these formidable Queens of Crime are determined to solve this perplexing mystery, despite the challenges that lie ahead.

Bessie Carter’s exceptional narration brings the characters, the era, and the crime to life, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story. Regrettably, the women also face the pervasive misogyny that plagued their lives throughout their endeavors, especially considering their talent. The suspense surrounding the murder is flawlessly delivered, and the inclusion of cameos by other notable historical figures further enhances the book’s appeal.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. 

Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List. 

Up next is the February 11, 2025 release, The Queens of Crime, the thrilling story of Agatha Christie’s legendary rival, mystery writer Dorothy Sayers, the race to solve a real-life murder, and the power of friendship among women.

And in April, her first children’s book will released, a middle grade historical adventure co-written with Courtney Sheinmel called The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.


Wednesday, February 12, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Dreams of the Scottish Highlands



DESCRIPTION:

As the castle comes into view beside the sun-dappled loch, Cat wonders if this magical place is where she will finally heal her heart…

In desperate need of a fresh start after a recent heartbreak, Cat Hardwick leaves her life in the city behind and travels to the remote Scottish Highlands. Arriving at her godfather’s estate, she hopes returning to the beautiful place she remembers from childhood will help mend her broken heart.

But as she steps into the grand hall, the castle isn’t as she expects. With a sagging roof and buckets to catch the leaks, Cat soon realizes the estate is in trouble. Determined to save the place that gave her such happy memories, she offers her expertise as an event planner as a way to breathe new life into the estate. Surely there must be a way to save this magical place?

The only person opposed to her plans is her godfather’s son, Logan McCaskill. He is just how Cat remembers from childhood – grumpy and irritating, but maddingly attractive with thick black hair and piercing dark brown eyes. Each time he rejects her ideas in his lilting Scottish accent, she feels her cheeks flush, caught between anger and desire.

Cat spends her days avoiding Logan. But when an unexpected storm forces them to seek shelter in an abandoned cottage on the estate, with nothing but a flickering fire and a flask of whiskey for company, it is a night that changes everything forever…

But then Logan starts acting distant, just as her old flame unexpectedly appears. Cat hoped this place could be her new home, but now she feels more lost than ever. Will Cat find the courage to face her past and embrace her future? Or is she destined to leave this magical place alone?

An emotional and uplifting read set against the backdrop of the stunning Scottish Highlands, perfect for readers of unputdownable family dramas and fans of Liz Eeles, Debbie Macomber, and Mary Alice Monroe.



Title:   Dreams of the Scottish Islands
Author:  F.L. Everett
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Cozy Mystery
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   388
Date of Publication:   February 10, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Cat Hardwick, now heartbroken and jobless, receives a surprising letter from her godfather in Scotland. He asks for her help renovating his estate. Initially doubtful, she heads to the Scottish Highlands. To her astonishment, the castle is in a huge state of disrepair—far from the luxury event planning she is used to.

With no other options, she decides to give it a try. However, her godfather’s son, Logan McCaskill, opposes any changes his father has planned for the estate. Logan and his father have differing views on the renovations, and Logan’s difficult nature and grumpiness create tension.

It’s been 15 years since Cat visited the castle, and she had developed a crush on Logan back then. As she spends time with him again, her romantic feelings resurface, but she’s only in Scotland for two weeks, making it unlikely to establish a romantic connection.

This delightful story captivates from the very beginning and remains an absolute delight until the very end. Everett’s latest book is a warm and comforting read, perfect for curling up with your hot beverage of choice and immersing yourself in its pages.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Flic Everett is a Mancunian writer who now lives in a cottage in the beautiful West Highlands with her patient husband and two deranged cocker spaniels. She still misses Manchester, and returns like a homing pigeon every month to see family and friends. She spends a lot of time writing on trains.

Flic has owned an award-winning vintage shop, guest-presented Woman’s Hour and was once a part-time tarot reader. She has a grown up son who makes her laugh more than anyone on earth, and she likes reading, painting, cooking, clothes, animals, Art Deco and rummaging in charity shops for bargains. Her greatest fear is being stranded without a book. She has spent many years as a freelance journalist and editor for national newspapers and magazines and can’t believe she’s finally allowed to make up stories from the comfort of her own home.

 

Author social media 

Website

Www.fliceverett.com

Facebook URL

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551319733773

Instagram URL @fliceverett

Twitter URL @fliceverett

Newsletter: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/f-l-everett/


BLOG TOUR - The Uninvited Guest


DESCRIPTION:

One hen, one stag, one uninvited guest… who won’t make it to the wedding?

Megan Lewis is ready for her big day, but when an unexpected guest crashes her hen weekend, her perfectly curated world unravels.

Beth, claiming to be Jamie’s cousin, quickly charms the group. But when she gets close to bridesmaid Lauren, things take a dark turn, and a game of truth or dare exposes secrets from Megan’s past, shaking her world.

As the wedding nears, Megan realises Beth isn’t who she says she is — but she may be her only ally.

When you can’t trust anyone, not even your fiancé, who can you turn to?

An unputdownable novel full of suspense and secrets, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney and Lisa Jewell.
Title:  The Uninvited Guest 
Author Ruby Speechley
Publisher:  Boldwood Books
Genre:   Psychological Thriller 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   289
Date of Publication:   February 10, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Megan Lewis is certain that there’s going to be a wedding. But then again, this wedding might not happen. When Megan and her friends get together for a hen party over the weekend, things take a disturbing turn. A funeral display with the words “R I P  M E G A N” appears, and they’re funeral flowers. Someone doesn’t want Megan to marry, and it seems like they’re willing to go to any lengths to stop her, perhaps even putting her life at risk.

Megan, eagerly anticipating her upcoming marriage to Jamie, believes it was love at first sight. This conviction leads her to believe that this is the best decision for her and will bring her lasting happiness. However, someone else has a completely different perspective. The threats don’t end with the initial shocking message. These threats have undoubtedly put a damper on her hen party.

From the very beginning, the party is off-balance. To make matters worse, Megan invited Lauren to the hen party, hoping to mend their fractured friendship. Unfortunately, the two are clearly at odds, and their differences only escalate when they start playing revealing party games.

Just when things can’t get any worse, a newcomer, Beth, joins the group. Beth claims to be Jamie’s cousin, and everything goes completely off the rails. Megan already felt unnerved by Lauren’s presence, Beth’s arrival just makes things worse. 

The party is filled with threats, secrets, lies, and blackmail—none of which are conducive to happiness. The threats are clear and escalate tension throughout the short span of time the story takes place. This thrilling domestic suspense story is expertly paced and filled with twists and surprises. The reader is drawn into Megan’s point of view, especially as some revelations start to become clear.

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ruby Speechley
is a bestselling psychological thriller writer, whose titles include Someone Else’s Baby. Previously published by Hera, she has been a journalist and worked in PR and lives in Cheshire.

Social Media Links – 
Twitter: @rubyspeechley
Instagram: @rubyjtspeechley


Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Review - Summers at the Saint


Title:  Summers at the Saint

Author May Kay Andrews
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Genre:   Romance; Women's Fiction
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   448
Date of Publication:   May 7, 2024
My Rating:   5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to the St. Cecelia, a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia, where traditions run deep and scandals run even deeper. . . .

Everyone refers to the St. Cecelia as “the Saint.” If you grew up coming here, you were “a Saint.” If you came from the wrong side of the river, you were “an Ain’t.” Traci Eddings was one of those outsiders whose family wasn’t rich enough or connected enough to vacation here. But she could work here. One fateful summer she did, and married the boss’s son. Now, she’s the widowed owner of the hotel, determined to see it return to its glory days, even as staff shortages and financial troubles threaten to ruin it. Plus, her greedy and unscrupulous brother-in-law wants to make sure she fails. Enlisting a motley crew of recently hired summer help—including the daughter of her estranged best friend—Traci has one summer season to turn it around. But new information about a long-ago drowning at the hotel threatens to come to light, and the tragic death of one of their own brings Traci to the brink of despair.

Traci Eddings has her back against the pink-painted wall of this beloved institution. And it will take all the wits and guts she has to see wrongs put to right, to see guilty parties put in their place, and maybe even to find a new romance along the way. Told with Mary Kay Andrew’s warmth, humor, knack for twists, and eye for delicious detail about human nature, Summers at the Saint is a beach read with depth and heart.

MY THOUGHTS:

There are Saints and there are Ain’ts. Traci Eddings, once a lifeguard who later became the owner of St. Cecilia, referred to as the Saint, has had a life full of twists and turns. Growing up as an outsider, she made a surprise move by marrying the boss’s son, only to become a widow. Now, she’s the owner of the resort that has fallen on hard times. 

The snubbing class distinction that Traci experienced as a teenager has not escaped her now, especially when it is more than clear that more than one person is working against her. When she takes on her new staff, which includes hiring the daughter of her estranged best friend, Traci hopes that the summer season will be long enough to bring the glory back to the hotel, although they are hampered by a truly tragic event. 
 
This captivating story of growth, brimming with remarkable depth, weaves a delightful blend of romance and mystery that keeps is certain to engage readers from beginning to end. 

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 novels (including Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook, The Beach House Cookbook.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.

Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by twelve more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.

She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels, and both available to rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. In between cooking, spoiling her grandkids, and plotting her next novel, Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses.