Blog Tour: Killer Choice by Tom Hunt

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: January 30, 2018

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

The electrifying debut thriller that asks the question: To save the one you love, is there any price you wouldn’t pay?

His wife is sick.

He needs $200,000 to save her.

A mysterious man offers to give him the money with just one catch: He has to murder someone to get it.

Gary Foster’s life is finally heading in the right direction. After years of trying, his wife, Beth, is pregnant, and he recently opened a business with his brother. But one phone call changes everything….

After collapsing suddenly, Beth has been rushed to the hospital. Tests reveal a devastating diagnosis: an inoperable brain tumor. Their only hope is an expensive experimental treatment available abroad, with a cost that’s out of their reach. And Beth’s time is running out….

Then a strange man approaches Gary and offers the money he needs, on one condition: that he kill someone, no questions asked. End one life to save another.

In this nail-biting debut novel of domestic suspense, one man makes a choice that forces him to confront the darkest reaches of his soul and betray those closest to him. As he’s swept up in a nightmare of escalating violence, he must question his own morality—and determine just how far he’s willing to go to save the woman he loves.

Review:

I love books about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, the idea that far fetched scenarios could actually happen to an average Joe is both scary and fascinating. Killer Choice reminded me of a David Bell novel with more of an action thriller vibe, but Hunt’s protagonist was reminiscent of some of Bell’s leads, so fans of his work should definitely add this to their TBR.

The pacing of this was spot on, you immediately dive into the story with little time spent on background information though everything you absolutely need to know is shared. Gary faces a question that’s been asked many times before, how far would you go to save a loved one? There was a uniqueness to this though, it definitely wasn’t as straightforward as I assumed it would be, the entire book isn’t based on what decision Gary makes, instead there were many twists and turns that I never saw coming.

This is an excellent debut from a very solid writer, Hunt truly has skills and I’ll be curious to see what he has in store in the future. I devoured this one, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next and though things seemed a little implausible, I was throughly entertained and didn’t care at all. This would make a great movie, there’s a nice balance between intense action and sedate family life that would appeal to a variety of people.

Killer Choice in three words: Explosive, Fervent and Tense.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Blog Tour: Spring at Lavender Bay by Sarah Bennett @Sarahlou_writes @NeverlandBT

Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon U.K.

Release date: February 2, 2018

Publisher: HQ Digital

Genre: Chick Lit

Blurb:

Blurb: A season for change…?

Beth Reynolds loved growing up close to Eleanor’s Emporium – a bric-a-brac shop full of wonders on Lavender Bay. Devastated to learn that Eleanor has died, she returns home from London immediately and is shocked to discover that the elderly lady has left the shop to her!

Vowing to restore it to its former glory, she only intends to stay until the end of the season. Although the longer she spends in the colourful seaside town, the more she falls back in love with everything she left behind…and quite possibly, with her best friend Eliza’s older brother, local chef Sam Barnes!

Why didn’t she notice he was quite this gorgeous before? And will their spring fling be enough to convince her to stay?

Don’t miss Spring at Lavender Bay, the first book in the enchanting Lavender Bay trilogy! Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Rachael Lucas and Hilary Boyd.

Book 1:Spring at Lavender Bay

Book 2:Summer at Lavender Bay

Book 3:Snowflakes at Lavender Bay

I’m delighted to be one of the stops on the blog tour for Spring at Lavender Bay today!

Review:

I became a fan of Sarah Bennett last year when I jumped in part way in her Butterfly Cove series so I was so pleased to be able to start her new series at the first book. She has a lovely way with words and writes the sweetest romances with realistic and wholly relatable characters that you can’t help but fall in love with! Add in an idyllic, quaint setting and you have the perfect recipe for a charming read.

This book introduces us to three friends, Libby, Eliza and Beth and focuses primarily on Beth though it provides enough of an introduction to both the residents of Lavender Bay and the town itself that I’m eager to see what happens in the next two books. Beth was a sweet person and I loved her friendship with Libby and Eliza, they have a blast together and have genuine relationships. As much as this is a romance there is a heavy emphasis on the importance of female friendships and a strong sense of community spirit and goodwill as well making it a perfect read for those that don’t want a cheesy, over the top romance novel. There’s a bit of drama as well to keep things interesting and the dash of romance was a combination of sweet and spicy with a side of adorable. I can’t wait to read the next book this summer!

Spring at Lavender Bay in three words: Cute, Picturesque and Endearing.

About the Author:

Sarah Bennett has been reading for as long as she can remember. Raised in a family of bookworms, her love affair with books of all genres has culminated in the ultimate Happy Ever After – getting to write her own stories to share with others.

Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.

When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.

Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove trilogy, published by HQ Digital UK.

Her new series is set in the beautiful seaside town of Lavender Bay, and will follow the lives of three best friends – Beth, Eliza and Libby.

Review: She Regrets Nothing by Andrea Dunlop

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: February 6, 2018

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

In the tradition of The Emperor’s Children and The House of Mirth, the forgotten granddaughter of one of New York’s wealthiest men is reunited with her family just as she comes of age—and once she’s had a glimpse of their glittering world, she refuses to let it go without a fight.

When Laila Lawrence becomes an orphan at twenty-three, the sudden loss unexpectedly introduces her to three glamorous cousins from New York who show up unannounced at her mother’s funeral. The three siblings are scions of the wealthy family from which Laila’s father had been estranged long before his own untimely demise ten years before.

Two years later, Laila has left behind her quiet life in Grosse Point, Michigan to move to New York City, landing her smack in the middle of her cousins’ decadent world. As the truth about why Laila’s parents became estranged from the family patriarch becomes clear, Laila grows ever more resolved to claim what’s rightfully hers. Caught between longing for the love of her family and her relentless pursuit of the lifestyle she feels she was unfairly denied, Laila finds herself reawakening a long dead family scandal—not to mention setting off several new ones—as she becomes further enmeshed in the lives and love affairs of her cousins. But will Laila ever, truly, belong in their world? Sly and sexy, She Regrets Nothing is a sharply observed and utterly seductive tale about family, fortune, and fate—and the dark side of wealth.

Review:

Raise your hand if you were a fan of Gossip Girl? Either the books or the TV series, I preferred to binge the series, but I digress. If you liked those books back in the day then She Regrets Nothing should be your next read. It’s a more adult version with a darker edge but still explores the glamorous side of the elite society in NYC. This was scandalous, juicy and full of family drama.

Laila never knew she had wealthy, albeit estranged family members until her mother passed away. When she finally meets her cousins she takes the opportunity and uses it to her advantage, the only thing she truly she wants is to be fabulously wealthy. Laila wasn’t likable at all but she sure was entertaining, this girl redefined the phrase social climber and took deceit and manipulation to a crazy level.,Most of the Lawrence family is pretty unlikable honestly, but Liberty was my favorite and not at all like the rest of the clan. She works in publishing and is a bookworm, what’s not to like?! Badly behaved characters are some of my favorites though and this had them in spades.

Books set in NYC always appeal to me and Dunlop brought the glittery backdrop to life. I mentioned a dark edge earlier and this part took me totally by surprise, for the majority of the book I figured this would be a three star read at best, nothing inherently bad, just a fun read about rich kids in the city. But things took a turn and I was pleasantly surprised and totally addicted. The ending was fantastic as well, one of those rare times where it was exactly what I wanted.

She Regrets Nothing in three words: Seductive, Dazzling and Dramatic.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

January Wrap Up

The English Wife was a beautifully written story that requires a little patience.

The Woman in the Window was an incredibly well done psychological thriller.

The Immortalists was a beautifully written book with tons of profound questions.

An Engineered Injustice was a fantastic legal thriller.

The Little French Guesthouse was an adorable read.

Two Girls Down was an intense read with a kick ass lead.

Between Me and You was a love story told in a super unique way.

Deep Blue Trouble was an amazing thriller.

The Girlfriend was a slow burn, well written and full of menace and manipulation.

Keep Her Safe was a romantic suspense that didn’t quite work for me.

Let’s Talk About Six was a sassy, fun read.

The First One to Die is the second installment in a fantastic series.

The Start of Something Wonderful was an uplifting read with a fresh heroine.

Hydra was another highly unique read, highly recommended.

Look For Me was fantastic, I’m a huge LG fan.

The Burial Society was an addictive, lighter style suspense.

The Confession was a engrossing thriller.

Family Tree would be ideal for a book club.

Surprise Me was classic Kinsella, pure entertainment and fun.

Watch Me was a creepy stalker novel full of obsession and danger.

Sometimes I Lie was a fantastic psychological thriller.

Into the Black Nowhere was a chilling serial killer thriller.

The Perfect Roommate was a fantastic psychological thriller.

The Social Affair was another great psychological thriller with a hip, edgy vibe.

Twist of Faith was skilled Mystery with a so so ending.

Blood Sisters was a twisty and very well crafted psychological thriller.

A Well-Timed Murder was a refined mystery set in Switzerland.

The Chalk Man was a creepy Psychological Thriller.

Not Perfect was a fun read, a great choice to read in an afternoon.

Sunday Silence is the seventh book in a new to me series and I really liked it.

I read way too many great books this month to pick a favorite but standouts include The Confession, The Woman in the Window, Into the Black Nowhere, The Perfect Roommate and The Social Affair!

I’m finally moved but nowhere near unpacked and settled in. 🙈 I’ll get there eventually so I apologize that I haven’t been as active on social media as I normally am. Hopefully soon!< strong>How was your month?!

Blog Tour: Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: January 23, 2018

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

The grass is always greener on your sister’s side of the fence…

Divorce left Harper Szymanski with a name no one can spell, a house she can’t afford and a teenage daughter who’s pulling away. With her fledgling virtual-assistant business, she’s scrambling to maintain her overbearing mother’s ridiculous Susie Homemaker standards and still pay the bills, thanks to clients like Lucas, the annoying playboy cop who claims he hangs around for Harper’s fresh-baked cookies.

Spending half her life in school hasn’t prepared Dr. Stacey Bloom for her most daunting challenge—motherhood. She didn’t inherit the nurturing gene like Harper and is in deep denial that a baby is coming. Worse, her mother will be horrified to learn that Stacey’s husband plans to be a stay-at-home dad…assuming Stacey can first find the courage to tell Mom she’s already six months pregnant.

Separately they may be a mess, but together Harper and Stacey can survive anything—their indomitable mother, overwhelming maternity stores and ex’s weddings. Sisters Like Us is a delightful look at sisters, mothers and daughters in today’s fast-paced world, told with Susan Mallery’s trademark warmth and humor.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Sisters Like Us! Check out TLC Book Tours for the full schedule.

Review:

Being the rebel that I am I jumped into this series at book four. It looks like each book focuses on a new set of characters with cameos from past favorites which made it extremely easy to follow. Sisters Like Us is about, well, sisters Harper and Stacey as well as their mother Bunny and Harper’s daughter Becca. I never get tired of reading about sister and mother/daughter relationships and Mallery brought these women to life in a realistic and appealing way.

I really enjoyed the majority of the characters with the exception of Bunny, I couldn’t stand her. Harper was my favorite probably because our lives are the most similar. Stacey was quirky, a bit of an oddball but her mannerisms and outlook on life were endearing and made for great reading. Mallery’s books always provide me with a much needed escape and every time I glanced at the cover I thought about how pretty it was. There was a little romance that added some spice but it’s main focus was on the dynamics of the family and Mallery writes with an effortless ease that keeps you turning pages. A lovely story with gentle life lessons and tons of heart, recommended for fans of Kristan Higgins and Kristy Woodsen Harvey.

Sisters Like Us in three words: Lighthearted, humorous and sweet.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to TLC Book Tours and the publisher for my review copy.

About the Author:

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women’s lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan’s books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on “the new queen of romantic fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!”

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they’re an integral component to a happy life.

Connect with Susan

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