Thursday, February 6, 2025

BLOG TOUR - His Other Life



DESCRIPTION:

The woman’s name blurs as tears spring into my eyes. I can’t believe my husband would betray me like this. But now he’s gone, she may be the only way to learn the truth about how he died…

Two years after my beloved Jonah was killed in a car accident, I retrace my steps to the romantic hotel we were staying in when his life was cut tragically short. The last thing I remember is the warmth of his hand in mine as we drove off through the pine trees towards our candlelit dinner. Then the beeping of monitors when I woke up alone in a hospital bed days later. What really happened that night?

But when I arrive at the hotel, a nervous-looking employee hands me my husband’s jacket. It still smells like him, and I discover something inside. A hastily scrawled note. Two words that turn my world upside: call Gemma.

No one in Jonah’s life knows who Gemma could be. Flashes of an argument rush back to me painfully, and I feel myself fall apart. I remember his drunkenness, the sound of my own voice, heartbroken and betrayed. Did he use our anniversary to tell me he'd had an affair?

The truth will change everything I thought I knew about my marriage. Should I go home, and leave his secrets in the past? Or face the idea that I never really knew my husband at all?

Fans of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and The Last Thing He Told Me will be hooked by this unputdownable page-turner filled with shocking twists and tearjerking secrets.

Link to purchase the book

Title:  His Other Life
Author:  Anna E. Collins
Publisher:   Bookouture 
Genre:   Women’s Fiction
Format:  Kindle ARC 
No. of Pages:   304
Date of Publication:   February 6, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

More than two years have passed since the tragic car crash that claimed the life of Isla’s husband, Jonah. The details of that fateful day remain elusive to her, and her life has come to a grinding halt. Even her once-proud career as a university professor no longer holds significance. Isla is consumed by a desperate need to remember the day leading up to the accident and unravel the reasons behind Jonah’s peculiar behavior.

In her quest for answers, Isla crosses paths with Maverick, a spry veteran who agrees to assist her. Despite his age of 90, Maverick exudes a youthful vitality that captivates Isla. Together, they embark on a journey to help Isla not only regain her memory of the crash but also find the strength to move forward with her life. A glimmer of hope emerges as Isla begins to piece together fragments of her past, even though the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty.

As Isla delves deeper into her memories, flashback scenes reveal a life Jonah led in complete secrecy. This newfound knowledge fuels her determination to uncover the truth and find closure. Maverick’s presence and Louise’s availability provide her with unwavering support and assistance throughout her journey.

This touching and emotionally resonant story was an easy one-sitting read. The revelations that unfolded throughout the narrative evoked a range of feelings within me, leaving me with a profound sense of connection to Isla’s plight. This story compels me to seek out more from this talented author. 

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anna E. Collins is a Seattle area author who writes stories about the lives and loves of women—their hopes, dreams, journeys, and relationships—with the goal of making readers both laugh and cry. She grew up in Sweden as a voracious reader with a vivid imagination but didn’t start writing fiction until after she had kids. By that point, she had worked as a high school teacher for several years, married an American, undertaken two international moves, and needed a new outlet.

Her first (gargantuan and unpublishable) venture into fiction sparked a passion for creating people and worlds that illustrate and illuminate aspects of the human experience that connect us. A couple more books and a master’s degree in educational psychology later, Anna decided to make writing more than a hobby, and she has never looked back. Whether writing women’s fiction or romantic comedies, Anna aspires to create characters that jump off the page and relationships that are as imperfect as the ones we find in everyday life.
When not writing, Anna stays busy driving her teenage kids around, training her eternal canine companion, Archie the mini goldendoodle, and engaging in other creative pursuits such as drawing, singing, and baking. Her husband is her biggest cheerleader.


Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Anna E. Collins here: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/anna-e-collins/


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Wednesday, February 5, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Their Dying Embrace



DESCRIPTION:

Morgan kneels beside the fluttering crime scene tape. Their hands clasped, the couple’s embrace looks loving and warm, but an icy chill grips the air. Their lips are blue, and blood is dripping on the floor. They have been silenced forever…

When sweet-natured teaching assistant Rosie Waite, and her boyfriend Matt, are found dead in their quaint family home in the Lake District, Detective Morgan Brookes is horrified. Sleeping just two doors down, she heard no screams for help, no slamming doors, or alarms in the night. A twisted killer nailed the couple’s lips shut, and Morgan vows to keep watch over every innocent family in Rydal Falls until this monster is brought to justice.

Climbing the narrow attic staircase as she searches every inch of the property, Morgan finds a mattress on the floor, empty food wrappers, and a letter that if you’ve found this, you’re next to die. Fear washes over Morgan’s team; the killer was watching his victims, and now her life is at risk.

Ignoring pleas that she take a step back, Morgan throws herself harder at the case discovering that the nails used to bind the victims’ lips were pierced with expert equipment. And Matt had been asking questions at a local tattoo parlour. Everyone thought he and Rosie were a quiet, kind-hearted couple, but was Matt hiding a dangerous secret? Did he betray the woman he loved?

It’s the break Morgan desperately needs, until one of her closest friends is attacked. His lifeless body, crimson with blood, left surrounded by jagged nails – an exact match to the ones pierced into Matt and Rosie. The killer has been watching from the shadows again. Morgan’s used to putting her life on the line to protect the innocent, but what must she sacrifice to save the people she loves most? And how many precious lives will be lost before she can stop this killer?

A must-read and an unstoppable thrill-ride. Fans of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Rachel McLean will be blown away by the heart-racing tension in this absolutely unputdownable crime thriller.

BUY LINK:
https://geni.us/B0DK1TMZRZsocial

Title:   Their Dying Embrace
Author: Helen Phifer
Series:  Detective Morgan Brookes #14
Publisher:  Bookouture
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   240
Date of Publication:  February 3, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

Detective Morgan Brookes has an immediate change of plans when she is called to the scene of a double murder. Just two doors down from her home, an absolutely heinous crime has been committed, along with a gruesome signature. The couple that were killed are Rosie and Matt, and as the opening scene proved, Rosie’s feeling of being terrified was absolutely justified. 

Morgan is determined to find the killer, but is chilled to the bone when she discovers a threatening note: if you’ve found this, you’re next to die. Morgan is filled with a feeling of dread since that threatening note fell into her hands. The killer is not finished. 

As the case unfolds, the clues are scarce, and Morgan can’t shake her uncertainty. But, as usual, even if she’s a target herself, she presses on, following any leads she can find. Disturbingly, another attack close to home intensifies the urgency.

Fourteen books in, and this book is just as captivating as when the series first began. We witness Morgan’s blossoming relationship with fellow detective Ben, showcasing their mutual hard work and dedication.

One aspect I admire about this series and Helen Phifer’s writing style is the assurance that you’re in for a treat. So, settle in with a warm beverage, relax, and indulge, as you won’t want to put this book down.

I must mention a delightful touch that brought a smile to my face amidst the seriousness of the crimes. It’s the reference to the Josie Quinn series by Lisa Regan. I love it when a mention like this enhances an already enjoyable read.

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 Annie Graham, Lucy Harwin, Beth Adams and her current series featuring Detective Constable Morgan Brooks published by the fabulous Bookouture.

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.

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. Unable to find enough scary stories she decided to write her own and her debut novel The Ghost House released in October 2013 became a #1 Global Bestseller.

She has written over twenty books in various genres and you can follow her over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helenphifer/

Or find her over at www.helenphifer.com


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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Last Twilight in Paris


DESCRIPTION:

"A fast-paced and vibrant wartime tale of holding on to love against the odds and learning to fight for the truth." –Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter

A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival, from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff

London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe —and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan—a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison, and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store and Franny’s death. But nothing is as it seems, and there are forces determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours.

Buy Links:

HarperCollins
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop.org

Title:  Last Twilight in Paris
Author:  Pam Jenoff
Publisher:  Park Row
Genre:   Historical Fiction
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   336
Date of Publication:   February 4, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:


Inside Lévitan, The Nazi Department Store Where Jewish Prisoners Were Forced To Sell Their Belongings


Under the Nazi occupation of France, the Jewish-owned Parisian furniture store Lévitan was converted into a work camp where some 800 Jewish prisoners were held.


I decided to begin my review with the link and headline I discovered while searching for information about Lévitan. Having read numerous historical fiction novels set during World War II, which frequently delved into the atrocities committed in the various camps and even explored the sinister purposes of some, Lévitan was a name I had never come across before.

In this heartwarming and utterly unforgettable tale, we encounter Louise, a selfless woman whose life took an unexpected turn in 1953. While rummaging through a box in London, she stumbled upon a necklace bearing the name of a Parisian department store. Intrigued, Louise couldn’t shake the feeling that she had seen this necklace before. As the narrative unfolds, we are transported back to the tumultuous era of World War II, where Louise served as a dedicated Red Cross worker. It is during this time that we witness the devastating loss of her dear friend, Franny, a renowned actress who dedicated her performances to entertaining the POWs.

Our other primary protagonist in this story is Helaine, a sheltered young Jewish woman, Prior to the outbreak of the war, she falls in love with a cellist named Gabriel. As he is not Jewish, this presents a problem with her parents, especially her father. Nonetheless, she marries him, and the two scrape by due to his music. However, as the war has started to invade other parts of Europe, including Paris, a gulf begins to grow between them.

Louise is relentless in her determination for trying to find out whatever she can about the necklace she found, despite any obstacles she may face. More importantly, Louise is more determined to find the truth about the department store called Lévitan and how it became a labor camp and what Jews were imprisoned there. 

As most stories about the war have a strong impact on me, this one did as well. In fact, I was brought to tears more than once in the story. I loved reading Pam Jenoff’s comments before and after the story that illustrate her reasons for writing these impactful World War II stories, And, although using literary license when necessary, she clearly brings attention to yet another cruel way in which the Germans treated the Jews. 

Quite often when reading these World War II stories, I am reading stories that took place in Germany, and we all know what happened there. However, to see how in Paris the Jews were treated no better, and how some of them were housed, was utterly heartbreaking. I’ve only had occasion to read two previous books by this knowledgeable author, but that is a situation I plan on changing in the coming year.

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

Please enjoy the following excerpt:
Prologue

Helaine

Paris, 1943 

Darkness. 

Helaine stumbled forward, unable to see through the black void that surrounded her. She could feel the shoulders of the others jostling on either side. The smell of unwashed bodies rose, mingling with Helaine’s own. Her hand brushed against a rough wall, scraping her knuckles. Someone ahead tripped and yelped. 

Hours earlier, when Helaine had been brought from her underground cell at the police station into the adjacent holding area, she was surprised to see other women waiting. She had not encountered anyone since her arrest. She had studied the women, who looked to be from all walks of life, trying to discern some commonality among their varied ages and classes that had caused them to be here. There was only one: they were Jews. The yellow star they wore, whether soiled and crudely sewn onto a worn, secondhand dress or pressed crisply against the latest Parisian finery, was identical—and it made them all the same. 

They had stood in the bare holding area, not daring to speak. Helaine was certain that her arrest had been some sort of mis take. She had done nothing wrong. They had to free her. But even as she thought this, she knew that the old world of being a French citizen with rights was long gone. 

An hour passed, then two. There was nowhere to sit, and a few people dropped to the floor. An elderly woman dozed against the wall, mouth agape. But for the slight rise and fall of her chest, she might have been dead. Hunger gnawed at Helaine and she wished that she still had the baked goods she purchased at the market just before she was taken. The meager breads, which had seemed so pathetic days earlier, now would have been a feast. But her belongings had been confiscated at arrest. 

Helaine looked upward through the thin slit of window near the ceiling. They were still in Paris. The sour smell from the city street and the sounds of cars and footsteps despite the curfew were familiar, if not comforting. How long they would stay here, she did not know. Helaine was torn. She did not want to remain in this empty room forever. Yet she also dreaded leaving, for wherever they were going would surely be worse. 

Finally, the door had opened. “Sortir!” a voice ordered them out in native French, reminding Helaine that the policemen, who had brought them here and who were keeping them captive, were not Germans, but their own people. 

Helaine had filed into the dimly lit corridor with the others. They exited the police station and stepped outside onto the pavement. At the sight of the familiar buildings and the street leading away from the station, Helaine momentarily considered fleeing. She had no idea, though, where she would go. She imagined running to her childhood home, debated whether her estranged mother would take her in or turn her away. But the women were heavily guarded and there was no real possibility of escape. Instead, Helaine breathed the fresh air in great gulps, sensing that she might not be in the open again for quite some time. 

The women were herded up a ramp toward an awaiting truck. Helaine recoiled. They were being placed in the back part of the vehicle where goods should have been carried, not people. Helaine wanted to protest but did not dare. Smells of stale grain and rotting meat, the truck’s previous cargo, assaulted her nose, mixing with her own stench in the warm air. It had been three days since she had bathed or changed and her dress was wrinkled and filthy, her once-luminous black curls dull and matted against her head. 

When the women were all inside the truck, the back hatch shut with an ominous click. “Where are they taking us?” someone whispered. Silence. No one knew and they were all too afraid to venture a guess. They had heard the stories of the trains headed east to awful places from which no one ever returned. Helaine wondered how long the journey would be. 

As they bumped along the Paris streets, Helaine’s bones, already sore from sleeping on the hard prison cell floor, cried out in pain. Her mouth was dry and her stomach empty. She wanted water and a meal, a hot bath. She wanted home. 

If home was a place that even existed anymore. Helaine’s husband, Gabriel, was missing in Germany, his fate unknown. She had scarcely spoken with her parents since before the war. And Helaine herself had been taken without notice. Nobody knew that she had been arrested or had any idea where she had gone. It was as if she simply no longer existed. 

To distract herself, Helaine tried to picture the route they were taking outside the windowless truck, down the boulevards she had just days earlier walked freely, past the cafés and shops. The familiar locations should have been some small comfort. But this might well be the last time she ever came this way, Helaine realized, and the thought only worsened her despair. 

Several minutes later, the truck stopped with a screech. They were at a train station, Helaine guessed. The back hatch to the truck opened and the women peered out into pitch blackness. “Raus!” a voice commanded. That they were under the watch of Germans now seemed to confirm Helaine’s worst fears about where they were headed. “Schnell!” Someone let out a cry, a mix of the anguish and uncertainty they all felt. 

The women clambered from the truck and Helaine stumbled, banging her knee and yelping. “Quiet,” a woman’s voice beside her cautioned fearfully. A hand reached out and helped her down the ramp with an unexpectedly gentle touch. 

Outside the truck it was the tiniest bit lighter, and Helaine was just able to make out some sort of loading dock. The group moved forward into a large building. 

Now Helaine found herself in complete darkness once more. This was how she had come to be in an unfamiliar building, shuffling forward blindly with a group of women she did not know, uncertain of where they were going or the fate that might befall them. She could see nothing, only feel the fear and confusion in the air around her. They seemed to be in some sort of corridor, pressed even more closely together than they had been. Helaine put her hand on the shoulder of the woman in front of her, trying hard not to fall again. 

They were herded roughly through a doorway, into a room that was also unlit. No one moved or spoke. Helaine had heard rumors of mass executions, groups of people gassed or simply shot. The Germans might do that to them now. Her skin prickled. She thought of those she loved most, Gabriel and, despite everything that had happened, her parents. Helaine wanted their faces, not fear, to be her final thought.  Bright lights turned on suddenly, illuminating the space around them. “Mon Dieu!” someone behind her exclaimed softly. Helaine blinked her eyes, scarcely daring to believe what she saw. They were not in a camp or a prison at all. Instead, they were standing in the main showroom of what had once been one of the grandest department stores in Paris.

Excerpted from LAST TWILIGHT IN PARIS by Pam Jenoff. Copyright © 2025 by Pam Jenoff. Published by Park Row Books, an imprint of HTP/HarperCollins.  
 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pam Jenoff is the author of several books of historical fiction, including the NYT bestseller The Orphan's Tale. She holds a degree in international affairs from George Washington University and a degree in history from Cambridge, and she received her JD from UPenn. Her novels are inspired by her experiences working at the Pentagon and as a diplomat for the State Department handling Holocaust issues in Poland. She lives with her husband and 3 children near Philadelphia, where she teaches law.


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Audiobook Review - Bonded In Death

Title:  Bonded in Death 
Author:  J. D. Robb
Series:  In Death #60
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre:  Mystery/Thrillers
Format:  Audio ALC
Narrator:   Susan Erickson
Date of Publication:  February 4, 2025
No. of Pages:  368
Length: 10 hr 30 min
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The #1 New York Times bestselling author spins an epic tale of loyalty, treachery, murder, and the long shadow of war…

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset―fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets―may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear―because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must―not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain―and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…


MY THOUGHTS:

Four decades ago, the Urban Wars marked a period of significant historical upheaval. Detective Eve Dallas’s most recent murder investigation leads her to examine the conflict in Europe in 2026. Summerset, Roarke’s majordomo, is poised to play a pivotal role in Eve’s new case. The murder victim, Giovanni Rossi, is revealed to have been a member of a clandestine group known as The Twelve. Surprisingly, Summerset is also a member of this group, albeit for reasons that remain enigmatic. The group comprises only a select few individuals, and the discovery of a kill list underscores the urgency for Summerset and the remaining members to seek protection under Eve and Roarke’s watchful eyes. 

Upon discovering Rossi’s peculiar demise, Eve’s pursuit of his perpetrator intensifies, concurrently with her responsibility to safeguard Summerset and the others. For newcomers to the series, this revelation is undoubtedly shocking. Roarke, Eve’s affluent billionaire husband, possesses expertise in various fields. For several years, Summerset has been employed by Roarke, and Eve, following their marriage. He has played a significant yet discreet role in their lives. This is particularly noteworthy given that Summerset is the individual who ultimately gave Roarke his life and saved him during his youth.

The In Death series, set in the mid-21st century, several decades after the end of the Urban Wars, surprisingly shocks Summerset with Rossi’s demise, yet not entirely in disbelief. The shock he experiences is palpable. In this latest captivating and addictive installment, a substantial portion of the narrative focuses on Summerset, offering readers a glimpse into his early life.

Eve is in a very good place in her life. Loving Roarke and living a life with him is more than she ever imagined for herself.  However, Eve has always felt a certain way towards Summerset, even avoiding him whenever possible. Now, Eve finds herself responsible for his life. Her carefully orchestrated life is controlled by rules, or boundaries, that she sets for herself - marriage rules, work rules, friend rules.

My review would be incomplete without acknowledging the exceptional narration provided by Susan Erickson throughout the entire series. Her remarkable ability to capture voices and convey the distinct personalities of each character is unparalleled. With Erickson’s voice acting, it becomes effortlessly apparent that Eve’s witty and sharp remarks, Peabody’s humorous demeanor, Summerset’s reserved nature, and Roarke’s protective instincts are all vividly portrayed. I really sunk into this audiobook, making me utterly crazy about this book, just as I was with every book in this series. Now, to wait for book 61 …

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.
She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.
Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.
Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together
Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.
Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”

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Review - Guilty Until Innocent

Title:  Guilty Until Innocent
Author:  Robert Whitlow
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Genre:   Legal Thriller
Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC
Length:  12 hrs 20 min
No. of Pages:   464
Date of Publication:   February 4, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

When an old case is reopened, two lawyers work to prove a man's innocence despite the odds stacked against them.

After being fired from his last two jobs, Ryan Clark lands an associate position with a law firm run by his distant cousin, Tom, in a small North Carolina town. Over twenty-five years earlier, Tom represented local man Joe Moore when he was convicted of murder in the deaths of a prominent young couple. Even though the evidence was circumstantial, Joe was high on drugs and doesn't remember the details of the crime. He never seriously questioned his own guilt, even when he was originally accused. Not only has he adapted to life in prison but he's become a different person there and has a significant ministry to fellow inmates.

But Joe's family remains unconvinced of his guilt, and they hire Ryan and Tom to file a motion to obtain Joe's release. The resulting investigation uncovers layers of dark secrets in the local community. It will result either in Joe's vindication--or expand the number of people who should join him behind bars.


MY THOUGHTS:

Joe Moore, found guilty of double murder and having served twenty-five years in prison, has taken his sentence well and dedicated his time to the good. Despite not remembering the events leading up to the murders, he has become very involved in a prison ministry, having overcome his past as a drug addict.

Ryan Clark, an attorney facing challenges, discovers potential evidence that could prove Joe’s innocence. Now working with his distant cousin Tom, another attorney, they tirelessly work to plead Joe’s case.

Joe’s family remains steadfast in their belief in his innocence and unwavering faith. While meth may have erased his memory of that fateful night, Joe’s actions and behavior demonstrate more than mere rehabilitation. He embodies goodness, and time has proven it.

This legal thriller delves into faith and showcases Joe’s commendable attitude, especially when his positive behavior opened doors for him.

The story unfolds with an intriguing plot, and it also features Ryan’s relationship with his wife Paige, and their challenges. Despite this story having a bit of a slow start, it delivered a satisfying conclusion. While the desire for Joe’s exoneration was straightforward, achieving it proved challenging. All said, this was a solid read by Robert Whitlow.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.
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Saturday, February 1, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Her Hiding Place



DESCRIPTION:

As I turn the key in the lock, I tell myself that I’m a good mother. I’m doing this to keep my little girl safe. No one knows she’s hidden in my room, or who I really am. But if they ever did, we’d have to run for our lives.

As I push my cleaning cart around this luxury hotel, I try to tell myself I’m doing the right thing. I look just like any other maid. No one even notices me. But I see and hear everything

I breathe a sigh of relief when I close my door behind me. I’ve made it through another day without anyone discovering that I’m hiding my toddler Alice in my room.

I know the other staff would judge me for keeping her locked away. But I have no choice. They have no idea what we’re running from. And if anyone sees her, we’ll need to run again.

I thought this remote resort was far enough from my past, and we could finally start over. But our hiding place is shattered when one of the other maids is killed. It feels too familiar. And deep down I know—this is a message for me.

Someone here knows about my past. And when I run back to my room to check on Alice, my blood turns to ice when I find she’s gone.

How far will I have to go to get my child back? And what will happen when they find out who Alice really is…?



Title:  Her Hiding Place 
Author:  Shannon Hollinger
Publisher:   Bookouture
Genre:   Psychological Thriller 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   348
Date of Publication:   January 31, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars  

MY THOUGHTS:

Charlotte, an unreliable narrator in Shannon Hollinger’s latest book, appears to be on the run with three-year-old Alice. As she delivers a chilling narrative, she finds refuge at a resort in the Florida Keys, where she has secured a housekeeping job. This might be her only chance to save Alice. However, Charlotte soon realizes that they will be fleeing from a raging storm as a hurricane directly targets them. 

Charlotte has been keeping Alice hidden the entire time.Before Charlotte and the other employees at the resort can secure a safe plan for escape, a different sort of danger faces all of them. 

This locked-room story is fast-paced, especially when trying to figure out the guilty party. Then, factoring hiding a small child, almost in plain sight, ratchets the danger and intrigue even higher. 

One thing that I really loved about this captivating novel is how the author cleverly plants tiny little clues along the way as the story continues to progress. With occasional flashbacks, the story slowly gains shape. 

As a grandmother who has two three-year-old granddaughters, I couldn’t imagine either of them capable of remaining hidden for hours on end as Alice did while Charlotte worked. Aside from struggling to absorb that, I was kept engaged in this thrilling book. I couldn’t put this book down as the twists in this story kept on coming, right to the very end. 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

With degrees in Crime Scene Technology & Physical Anthropology, Florida author Shannon Hollinger hasn't just seen the dark side of humanity - she's been elbow deep inside of it! She finds writing to be a much cleaner way to spend her time than the autopsy suite. Most days it smells better, too.

Her debut novel, the psychological thriller Best Friends Forever, is the first of a five-book deal with publisher Bookouture.

Her short fiction has appeared in Suspense Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, among a number of other magazines and anthologies, and her story Lady Killer was a finalist for the 2021 Al Blanchard Award sponsored by the New England Crime Bake.

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