Wednesday, May 28, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Save Her Life


DESCRIPTION:

The tears fall down the girl’s pale face as she desperately tries to struggle free from the ties around her wrists. The only sound in the room other than her muffled cries is the ticking of a clock. Her mother has less than one hour to find her alive.

It’s been more than thirty years since Special Agent Sandra Vos’s twin brother was shot dead, an innocent victim caught in a kidnap gone wrong. It devastated Sandra’s family, but it made her who she is today, one of the FBI’s most successful negotiators.

After dropping her teenage daughter, Olivia, at school, Sandra is alerted to a potential hostage situation at her local grocery store and races to the scene. A man has pulled out a gun and is refusing to talk or let anyone out of the building until his demands are met. The fate of dozens of lives rests in Sandra’s hands.

But as Sandra starts to make a breakthrough with the hostage taker, she receives a call that makes her blood run cold. Someone has taken Olivia, and their demand will push Sandra to her absolute limit. If it’s not met within twenty-four hours, she will never see her daughter again.

Sandra knows she should step aside, letting her team take over, but she doesn’t trust anyone else to bring Olivia home alive. Breaking every rule in the book, Sandra is ready to go into her most personal negotiation yet. But how much will she have to sacrifice to save her daughter?

A totally gripping new series which will have you turning the pages long into the night. Perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, Mary Stone and Elle Gray.


BUY LINK: 

 
Title:   Save Her Life
Author:   Carolyn Arnold
Series:   Sandra Vos #1
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:   Audio ALC and Kindle ARC
Narrator:  Kathryn Akin
Length:  7 hrs 50 min
No. of Pages:   353
Date of Publication:  May 27, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Special Agent Sandra Vos is an exceptional FBI agent known for her professionalism. She also has a strong bond with her daughter, Olivia. When Olivia goes missing, Sandra is determined to find her, putting aside her professionalism, often letting her emotional side take over.

Readers first met Sandra in the exceptional Amanda Steele series, and now she has her own series. Readers will likely be equally intrigued by this new series.

Sandra is certain that she will find Olivia. Her determination is fueled by the strong feeling that her daughter is not just missing but has been taken. Olivia’s safety is Sandra’s top priority, a relatable concern for any mother. However, as Sandra is one who has witnessed the worst that society has to offer feels utterly helpless with Olivia missing, the urgency and intensity of the book rise exponentially.

Listening to the expertly narrated audiobook was captivating. The side stories and their connections to the present were intriguing. I also enjoyed the setup of the Sandra Vos series and the character development. The alternating points of view from the kidnappers’ perspective added to the urgency of this compelling read by Carolyn Arnold. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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

Social Media
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/carolyn-arnold 

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Heart of the Sun


DESCRIPTION:

From mega-bestseller and TikTok sensation Mia Sheridan, an all-new epic, angsty second-chance romance with an unexpected and gritty speculative twist; think: Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After meets Station Eleven.


Tuck and Emily grew up together in their neighboring California orange groves and nearly gave their hearts to each other, but life pulled them apart and set them on very different paths. Now, 13 years later, stubborn, sunny Emily is a pop star and brooding Tuck is an ex-con in need of a job. When Emily hires him to be her bodyguard, they naturally butt heads, even as both try to ignore the heat rekindling between them.


When a massive solar flare hits Earth, knocking out the electrical grid and all satellites, the world changes forever instantly. Tuck and Emily are forced to come together to fight for their lives and find a new place in this post-apocalyptic world—one where everything Emily has worked so hard for has crumbled, but also one where Tuck can start over and maybe even thrive.


Heart of the Sun is a bullseye Mia Sheridan new adult romance with a post-apocalyptic backdrop that tests the characters to be their better selves.



Title:  Heart of the Sun
Author:  Mia Sheridan
Publisher:   Canary Street Press
Genre:   Dystopian; Romance
Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC
Length:  14 hrs 47 mins
Narrators:  André Santana and Annalee Scott
No. of Pages:   464
Date of Publication:   May 20, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Is it an accidental plane crash that Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson miraculously survived? Or was there more to it? Tuck, Emily, and her boyfriend Charlie managed to escape the crash and are determined to walk as far as necessary to find help. Despite their history together, Emily and Tuck’s history together clearly prove that Charlie is a liability. But they press on.

Survival becomes paramount for the trio, especially when it seems that every mile they take leads them nowhere. As they grapple with the aftermath of the crash, they gradually comprehend the magnitude of the situation and their uncertain futures.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by this story. The sense of urgency was palpable, and the narrators delivered fantastic performances. Another intriguing aspect of the narrative was the alternating points of view between Emily and Tuck. It was fascinating to witness the profound impact of the sudden changes on their lives.

Although dystopian novels aren’t my preferred genre, I occasionally find myself drawn to them based on their intriguing descriptions. In this case, a world plunged into darkness, offering little hope of finding their homes, captivated me. Meanwhile, Emily and Tuck are forced to confront their past and reconcile it with the present, all while being accompanied by Charlie. This thrilling story boasts excellent character development and an intriguing plot. I highly recommend it.

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

Please enjoy the following excerpt:


prologue 

Tuck 

Now 

Holy shit. What the hell is happening? 

Cold sweat broke out across my back as the lights inside the small, chartered plane blinked off and the engine went quiet. I could hear the pilot, Russell, behind the curtain to the cockpit, speaking into the radio with what sounded like growing alarm. I rose from my seat and took a few unsteady steps to the cockpit doorway where I slid the curtain open to see Russell furiously pushing buttons and moving dials. I grabbed the wall to hold myself steady as the plane bumped and jerked, sudden flares of lightning pulsing through the darkened cabin. 

“What’s going on?” I asked, voice as shaky as the rest of me. 

“The engines and the navigation equipment went down,” Russell said. “Air traffic control cut out and I can’t get them back on the line.” 

My heart dipped along with the plane, and I heard a small squeal of fear from behind me where Emily and Charlie were sitting.

“Isn’t there a backup system?” 

“That’s out too! Copy! Copy!” he called into his headpiece, but again there was no reply. “Shit.” 

I ignored Emily’s quiet cries; there was nothing I could do. I had no idea what the hell was going on, and my own fear was mounting as the plane made another small drop. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Russell’s cheek, punctuating the fact that he was panicked as well. 

“Sit down and buckle up. I’ll use the manual controls,” he said, obviously trying to insert a note of confidence in his tone. “We can still glide, but I’ll need to get us down quickly. Brace for impact.”  My heart was racing as I turned back toward my seat. “What’s happening?” Emily asked, eyes wide with fear. 

“Something knocked out the engine and navigation system and air traffic control isn’t answering,” I said, my eyes sweeping over her to verify she was buckled in. “He says to brace for impact.” I glanced out the window. The sky had dimmed, and I could see zigzags of lightning in the distance. An unexpected electric storm? 

Emily looked straight ahead, grasping the armrests as the plane gave a groaning shiver. 

I sat down and buckled myself in just as the plane dipped and then dipped again, my stomach rising and falling quickly as a small piece of luggage went flying past my face. Then the plane took on a bumpy flight pattern and strange milky clouds streaked past my window, splintered by a spidery bolt of white lightning right next to us. 

I could hear the muted blast of the wind outside, highlighting the dead silence of the engine. 

Brace for impact, the pilot had said. But I didn’t know how to do that other than sitting still and silent, terror pounding through my body. 

We plunged yet again, the force jolting and lifting me and causing the seat belt to bite harshly into my hips. For a minute I was afraid the belt would break against the immense pressure. When I turned my eyes toward Emily, she was still gripping the armrests, her face ashen, eyes clenched tight. Next to her, Charlie had his eyes squeezed shut as well and looked to be hyperventilating. The plane began to shake, making a long, shrieking sound as though it was at risk of being torn apart by the rapid descent. My heart slammed, the hair rising on my nape and arms. 

Just get us on the ground, Russell. Please get us on the ground. 

We bumped and shook and for a moment, the sky went even darker, then seemed to split. The plane lowered again and this time didn’t straighten out for several long seconds. My breath lodged in my throat. The aircraft straightened, and as the nose rose, the sky parted once more, and I glimpsed the ground. It was red and fiery, smoke billowing everywhere. I swallowed heavily, the bony fingers of terror gripping my lungs. 

I closed my eyes, focusing on my breath, conjuring the one place on earth that had always brought peace to my soul. I was a child again, the air tinged with the scent of orange blossoms. I lifted my face to feel the kiss of dry heat upon my skin and listened for the ringing echo of my mother’s laugh. 

“Tuck.” Her voice. Emily. Not who she’d later come to be, the woman she was now, but the girl she once was. The one I’d loved. “Tuck.” That whisper again, my name floating over her shoulder as she ran through the groves of my memory, dirty knees and tangled hair, her quickened breath interrupted by bursts of giggles, spirit as radiant as the California sunshine. Another dip, another swerve, my memories dissolving in the surge of adrenaline shooting through my veins. My eyes shot open, and I leaned forward, watching helplessly out the window as we descended straight into hell. 

Excerpted from HEART OF THE SUN by Mia Sheridan. Copyright © 2025 by Mia Sheridan. Published by Canary Street Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MIA SHERIDAN
 is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven. miasheridan.com. 




BLOG TOUR - The Busybody Book Club

Title:   The Busybody Book Club
Author:  Freya Sampson
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Women's Fiction
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   336
Date of Publication:  May 27, 2025
My Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A dysfunctional book club must pull together when one of their members goes missing in this bighearted new mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Nosy Neighbors.

The five members of the St. Tredock Book Club disagree on everything, from the books they read to the biscuits they eat. But when one of the group suddenly disappears and a dead body is discovered at his house, these bibliophiles must put their differences aside to solve the mystery.

Having recently moved to Cornwall, Nova Davies started the book club to impress her new colleagues at the community center, but so far it’s a disaster. To make matters worse, six thousand pounds is stolen from the community center during one of her meetings, putting both her job and the whole center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when a dead body is discovered at his house and Michael disappears. The police think he’s simply run away, but the other members have their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove he’s a murderer as well as a thief, while secret romance reader Arthur believes Michael’s eloped with his mistress, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play.

While trying to find Michael and recover the money, each book club member has their own secrets to protect. With inspiration from their favorite fictional sleuths, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and everyone is safe at home where they belong.


MY THOUGHTS:

I love the tagline for this book. They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

The St. Tredock Book Club, comprising of five members, faces a challenge and at least one of them is in hot water. The group’s founder, Nova Davies, hopes the book club will not only foster a sense of belonging among its members but also contribute to the struggling community center. The recent theft of thousands of pounds has dealt a devastating blow to the center. Will Nova be the one to take the blame for this serious theft?

While Nova is understandably concerned for her job, she is also deeply concerned for the center itself, and especially the people that rely on its services. Over a period of time, funding has become less and less available for the center, and it is only due to fundraising efforts that the funds were even available for an absolutely necessary repair. So this loss is devastating for more than one reason.

One of the members of the book club, Phyllis, an octogenarian always accompanied by her rather annoying bulldog, Craddock, is bound and determined to find the thief and recover the funds. She enlists the help of an endearing older member named Arthur, as well the much younger Ash. Nova can’t help but come along for the ride. 

Nova has more pressing concerns than the theft and her job. She’s about to marry Craig, and her upcoming wedding already brings its own stresses. To top it off, since she’s relatively new to the community, losing her job would leave her with few options. 

There’s one person that is the most likely suspect, but there are a rapid series of event events that occur that raise even more questions. This makes this small group of people struggle to work together even harder to try to recover the funds. More than that, recovering that money might be just critical as protecting any secrets that might be hidden. 

Phyllis stands out as a compelling character in this novel. Her strong admiration for Agatha Christie and her aspiration to be just as effective as the renowned Miss Marple brings moments of levity in this book. However, there are other circumstances that contribute to the overall enjoyment of this well-crafted latest novel by Freya Sampson. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Freya Sampson is the author of two novels, The Last Chance Library and The Lost Ticket/The Girl on the 88 Bus. She worked in TV as an executive producer and her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British Royal Family, and a number of factual and entertainment series. 

She studied History at Cambridge University and in 2018 was shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize. 

She lives in London with her husband, two young children and an antisocial cat.


Review - The Guest Cottage

Title:
  The Guest Cottage 
Author:  Lori Foster
Series:  Firefly Summer #1
Publisher:  Kensington
Genre:   Romance
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   304
Date of Publication:  May 27, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In this uplifting series debut, forgiveness and unlikely friendship blossom in the haven of a quiet lakeside town when two very different women bond over one man’s betrayals.

Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.

Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.

Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.

To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.

Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.


MY THOUGHTS:

Lori Foster’s latest novel, a heartwarming first book in a new series, regales readers with Marlow Heddings’ journey to a new beginning. After her husband Dylan’s funeral, Marlow realizes she’s been dwelling on his betrayal for too long. Seeking a new start, she heads to Bramble, Kentucky, where she’ll be staying for the foreseeable future.

Marlow believes this fresh start will bring her peace. Leaving her high-powered life behind, she craves a more relaxed environment in Bramble. In fact, she’s contemplating making it her permanent home and even starting her own boutique. Things are looking up for her, but more serious matters arise. Also, could her sexy new landlord be a romantic interest? Is she even considering romance?

Just as Marlow starts settling in, she receives quite the shock. A much younger woman named Pixie appears on her doorstep, carrying news that will change everything. Pixie is pregnant with Dylan’s child and has limited options. Marlow can’t bear the thought of Pixie suffering and immediately offers her comfort and security. This act of kindness deeply upsets Dylan’s parents, heightening Marlow’s protective instincts.

This heartwarming story is filled with endearing characters, particularly Marlow. While the focus is on Marlow’s journey to begin anew, her finding love and the other relationships in the book are quite delightful. Lori Foster’s writing is captivating, and this series promises to be another gem. It’s the perfect choice for your first summer read. 

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori Foster is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author with over 10 million books sold. She received the Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews and her books have been chosen as editors picks by Amazon multiple times. Foster is actively involved in charity work, and all of the author proceeds from her anthologies have gone to various organizations, such as the Animal Adoption Foundation, the Conductive Learning Center, and One Way Farm. She lives in Ohio with her high school sweetheart.

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Sunday, May 25, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Twisted Bones



DESCRIPTION:

Moonlight shines over the cottage by the river, casting a shadow over the frozen water. Silk fabric rustles in the reeds, moving ever so slightly to reveal five thin bones…

When Detective Morgan Brookes is urgently called to her Aunt Ettie’s cottage, hidden in Covel Woods, she rushes to the scene. Panicked Ettie is shaken having discovered the chilling remains of a woman in the river, one skeletal hand reaching out from the deep water.

The unknown woman was dressed to walk the rugged trails of the Lake District, so Morgan’s team assume she fell in the water and was taken by the current. But thin diagonal bruises on her neck suggest something far more sinister. A faded red rose tattoo helps Morgan identify her as a homeless woman named Martha who went missing seven years ago, and Morgan is horrified to discover Martha stole nappies and baby formula just before she disappeared. Did she have a child? Where is the poor baby now?

Desperately searching through cold case files, Morgan discovers that schoolteacher Aria Burns went missing from the same busy area. But her horror quickly turns to hope when she sees the autopsy results from Martha’s frozen remains. She was killed recently; if Aria was taken by the same killer, she could still be alive.

Morgan is certain a twisted individual is stalking Rydal Falls, and Martha’s body was dumped to signal the beginning of his cruel game. But just as she finds a clear suspect in a visitor with links to the area where Martha and Aria went missing, another body surfaces. Can she uncover the truth about Martha, and find Aria alive? Or is she already too late?

Fans of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Rachel McLean will hold their breath as they read this addictive and utterly unputdownable crime thriller.

BUY LINK:
 https://geni.us/B0DX2LGYM8social 

Title:   Twisted Bones
Author: Helen Phifer
Series:  Detective Morgan Brookes #15
Publisher:  
Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   313
Date of Publication:  May 21, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

Morgan’s spa day takes an unexpected turn when she receives a call from her dear Aunt Ettie. Aunt Ettie has discovered a body near her cottage, and while the remains appear to be recent, Morgan and her team soon uncover that it’s the long-lost body of a woman who had vanished years ago.

As another woman goes missing, Morgan realizes she must intensify her investigation. She musk ask hard questions from someone close to her, someone who has recently endured a traumatic experience.

As Morgan and her team dig deeper into the case, another woman is taken, and this shakes Morgan to her core, leaving her fearing that they might not be able to catch the killer in time.

Helen Phifer has crafted another thrilling installment in her exceptional series. The book keeps the reader guessing with occasional chapters from the killer’s perspective. From beginning to end, Twisted Bones is an amazing read that definitely marks its place as a remarkable addition to the series.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Helen Phifer is the 
bestselling writer of the hugely popular Detective Morgan Brookes series. As well as the Lucy Harwin, Beth Adams and Maria Miller series of books.
Her debut novel The Ghost House featuring Annie Graham went on to be a global bestseller.
She lives in the busy town of Barrow-in-Furness surrounded by miles of coastline and a short drive from the glorious English Lake District. Her favourite hobbies include reading, chasing the Aurora Borealis when it puts in an appearance, visiting Salem, watching the sunset, the moon rise and drinking coffee.
Helen loves reading books that scare the heck out of her and is eternally grateful to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Graham Masterton for scaring her senseless in her teenage years, and to Alice Hoffman’s beautiful stories for inspiring her love of all things witchy and to write fantasy novels alongside her crime thrillers.
Or find her over at www.helenphifer.com

Saturday, May 24, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Please Don’t Find Me



DESCRIPTION: 

My heart is hammering furiously as the bedroom door creaks open. The second I see my husband’s lifeless body, I know I have to run. And no-one can ever find us.

 There are three things I know to be true.

 ONE. My husband knew my secret.

 TWO. Now he’s dead, my daughter and I are in danger.

 THREE. I will do anything to protect my child, whatever the cost.

 We need to vanish. But first, it has to look like we were taken.

 I move through our house, pushing over chairs and rummaging violently through drawers. I pull out items Robert and I bought together and throw them across the room. As a final touch, I leave Avery’s sneaker abandoned on the ground outside.

 It’s important there’s no trace. But if I could leave a message behind, it would be this:

 If you look for me, you won’t like what you find.

 An addictive and jaw-dropping page-turner with twists to die for. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Alice Hunter.


Content warning: This book includes the discovery of a suicide and the discussion and portrayal of suicidal ideation.

BUY LINK:

Title:  Please Don’t Find Me
Author Wendy Dranfield
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Psychological Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  352
Date of Publication:   May 22, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

This book delivers a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you questioning what you just read. Julia, a woman on the run with her six-year-old daughter Avery, is fleeing from a shocking discovery—her husband Robert’s suicide. But the reasons behind her escape run far deeper, delving into her dark and disturbing urges and resulting actions.

Julia’s actions are inexplicable, and the novel explores the reasons behind her behavior. But the story doesn’t stop there. Enter Officer Scott Walker, Julia’s ex-boyfriend, whose own disturbing reasons for breaking up with her years ago are revealed. His relentless pursuit of Julia becomes a central thread in the novel.

This haunting read takes you on a journey through Julia’s dark urges and the brutal extremes she goes through while on the run with Avery. It’s a shocking and compelling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning.

While it’s clear that Julia has dark urges, the novel also delves into Scott’s story. Even the deceased Robert has a voice, adding to the intensity of the read.

This fast-paced novel is thrilling from beginning to end. The question lingers: what is Julia’s story, and what is Scott’s? The book answers these questions and more, offering a unique and unexpected perspective. While the trigger warning at the opening of this book was warranted, it is most certainly worth the read. It’s a different and shocking experience that you won’t be able to put down. 

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Wendy is the author of the Detective Madison Harper crime series. Her novels and short stories have been shortlisted and longlisted for various writing competitions and awards, including the International Thriller Writer Awards.

Visit her website for the most accurate and up-to-date information about her books: www.wendydranfield.co.uk

Author social media 
Instagram: @wendy_dranfield 

Author newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/wendy-dranfield