Category: Book reviews

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #imwayr

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly post to share what you recently finished reading, what you’re currently reading, and what you plan on reading this week. It’s hosted by Kathryn at Bookdate. 

What I Read Last Week: 


Dead to Me was the first in a new series that I really liked. 

All The Wicked Girls was an amazing read.

The Big Dreams Beach Hotel was a super cute, light read. 

I didn’t actually read The Sister last week but I shared my review again as my TBT in honor of its paperback release!

Currently Reading: 


Up Next: 


I only managed to read 3 books last week, I’m struggling a bit lately and I was also on a mini vacation. I did manage to finish two audiobooks though as I did quite a bit of driving so stay tuned for those reviews later this week. I’m hoping to get back into a good groove this week though! Keep your fingers crossed for me that I’m not entering a slump, ugh!! I’m really looking forward to my planned reads though so I’m hopeful! 

How was your week?

Blog Tour: Bolt Action Remedy by J. J. Hensley @Jjhensleyauthor

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Goodreads|Amazon|Author Website
Release date: October 2, 2017

Publisher: Down & Out Books

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Former Pittsburgh narcotics detective Trevor Galloway has been hired to look into the year-old homicide of a prominent businessman who was gunned down on his estate in Central Pennsylvania. When Galloway arrives, he determines the murder could have only been committed by someone extremely skilled in two areas: Skiing and shooting. He believes the assailant should not be too difficult to identify given the great amount of skill and athleticism needed to pull off the attack. When he discovers the victim’s property is next door to a biathlon training camp, the situation becomes significantly more complicated. 


Galloway makes plenty of enemies as he sifts through stories about lucrative land deals, possible drug connections, and uncovers evidence suggesting the homicide may have been elaborate suicide. As he attempts to navigate through an unfamiliar rural landscape, he does his best not to succumb to an old drug addiction, or become confused by one of his occasional hallucinations. Oh, and a Pittsburgh drug gang enforcer known as The Lithuanian—if he’s even real—is tracking Galloway and wants to take his eyes. Galloway would rather keep those. 


In Bolt Action Remedy, the typically quiet streets of Washaway Township, Pennsylvania become the epicenter of a mystery involving elite athletes and old grudges. For Galloway, the problems keep piling up and somebody out there believes problems should be dealt with by employing the most permanent of remedies. 


I’m so excited to be kicking off the blog tour for Bolt Action Remedy! 


Review: 

Right from the first page of this one I was hooked, a man is shot amd killed on his property and the tension and setting was so vividly rendered, I felt like I was there, a part of the action myself. Then we flip to a year later and are introduced to Trevor Galloway, a former detective with a harrowing past. His friend Chase has asked him to investigate a cold case, that of the man who was gunned down in the prologue. 

Two things really grabbed me and made me well and truly hooked on this book. First  the assailant had to be a biathlete which is such a unique and interesting premise, I’ve never read a book with anything even remotely close to this setting/idea and nothing makes me happier than reading a crime novel with a fresh perspective. On top of the super intriguing premise, Galloway was the type of lead that makes my heart sing. He’s damaged, flawed and practically broken, but he also has the type of ironic, wry sense of humor that never fails to satisfy me as a reader. He also suffers from occasional hallucinations making his reliability  a constant guessing game that kept me on my toes. 

This was really fast paced with a ton of action and some great scenes that made my heart race. The writing style is sharp and witty and there was enough information about biathlons to keep me engaged but not so much excessive info that I was bored. The mystery itself was taut and I could never quite figure out what would happen next, it really was an entertaining read. If you’re looking for a fresh, remarkable crime novel, give this one a shot. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy. 

#TBT #TheSister by @Fab_fiction @bookouture @thecrimevault @littlebookcafe

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I have a very special pick for my Throwback Thursday read this week! Last summer I was so impressed when I read Louise Jensen’s debut, The Sister and a year later  she’s one of my favorite authors, I loved The Gift as well and can’t wait for her newest book to be released soon. Today The Sister is being released in paperback and in honor of that I’m sharing my review again. 


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Release date: July 7, 2016

Publisher: Bookouture 

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Blurb: 

Grace hasn’t been the same since the death of her best friend Charlie. She is haunted by Charlie’s words, the last time she saw her, and in a bid for answers, opens an old memory box of Charlie’s. It soon becomes clear there was a lot she didn’t know about her best friend. 




When Grace starts a campaign to find Charlie’s father, Anna, a girl claiming to be Charlie’s sister steps forward. For Grace, finding Anna is like finding a new family, and soon Anna has made herself very comfortable in Grace and boyfriend Dan’s home. 




But something isn’t right. Things disappear, Dan’s acting strangely and Grace is sure that someone is following her. Is it all in Grace’s mind? Or as she gets closer to discovering the truth about both Charlie and Anna, is Grace in terrible danger? 




There was nothing she could have done to save Charlie …or was there? 

Review:


I’m joining in again with Throwback Thursday which was created by my good friend Renee at It’s Book Talk. She started this weekly feature as a way to highlight old favorites and read books that have already been published. I have so many older books on my TBR that get ignored in favor of review copies and I figure participating in Throwback Thursday will help me to read at a least one older title a week!

This book is not one that instantaneously grabs you and doesn’t let go. No, instead it slowly pulls you in until it has you right where it wants you. And then, BAM! Twists and turns galore. While it’s not a book where you are flying through the pages at warp speed, you are still slowly and methodically pulled in to this fascinatingly concocted novel. Told from two different times; Then and Now, you know that Charlie is dead but you have no idea how she died. Was she murdered? Did she simply vanish? And why is Grace so overwhelmed with guilt? 
Grace thinks she may be going crazy. Or is she? She feels like someone is constantly watching her and she swears she keeps seeing a red car behind her. In her grief stricken state after the devastating loss of her best friend Charlie, Grace isn’t actually sure about anything. She is extremely innocent thinking and naïve, yet I still found myself caring about her. There is a vulnerability and tenderness surrounding Grace that tugged at my heart strings. She has very childlike qualities, especially in the scenes with her absolutely precious grandparents. Her boyfriend Dan, while so annoying to me, was very protective of Grace and I can see why. She has that air about her, as if she’s always a bit of a damsel in distress, moments away from needing to be saved.
Lexie is Charlie’s train wreck of a mother. My god how I loathed this woman throughout many parts of this book. She’s a cruel drunk, but although there were relatively few times I felt sympathy towards her, I admit I did. Her life hasn’t been easy. Then there is Anna, Charlie’s long lost sister. From the minute she was introduced she gave me a single white female vibe. I mentioned Dan earlier, and I really wanted to like him. I can’t. I don’t wanna say much more about these characters as it would spoil the plot twists, however if you’re anything like me you won’t trust any of them for a second.
The suspense in this book is a slow build up and I was playing guessing games the entire time that Grace’s life was torn apart and ruined. I made many incorrect guess along the way but that thrills me! Quite proud of myself for having things all figured out, then whoops totally wrong. Onto the next theory. 
If you like an intense psychological thriller, give this book a try. A few times over the past couple of days while reading this I had to look over my own shoulder to make sure I was not being watched. Always a good sign of a suspenseful thriller if I feel this way! 

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Blog Tour: The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett @MicheleGormanUK @HarperImpulse

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Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon UK
Release date: August 18, 2017

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Blurb:

Wriggle your toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze on your face when you check into the hotel that’s full of dreams…


Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she’d still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.


What’s worse, the hotel’s new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents stand in the way of the developers’ plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.


That’s going to make Rory’s job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn’t exactly on his side, even though it’s the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he’s still there to evict her friends.


How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else’s?


I’m delighted to be one of the stops on the blog tour for The Big Dreams Beach Hotel today! 


Review: 

What a gorgeous read this was, it’s the type of book you should reach for if you want to escape from reality and get caught up in the lives of some highly entertaining, quirky characters. I flew through this one really quickly, mostly because I was so charmed by the storyline, the characters and Bartlett’s adorable, witty writing style. 

Rosie is the kind of heroine that you can’t help but like right away. It’s written in a really casual conversational style so I felt like I was gossiping with a good friend as Rosie told her story. It’s mainly told in the present as the hotel in Scarborough where she works gets bought by some wacky Americans who have eccentric taste, but it also flips back to Rosie’s brief stint in NYC. Both storylines were equally compelling but there was something special about the Scarborough hotel, I think it was the colorful cast of characters, mainly the residents who lived there permanently, they were odd but oh so endearing! 

This had plenty of laughs and loads of charm, the witty banter between Rosie and Rory was sweet and hilarious. This would be ideal to read on vacation, it’s light and fun but also has substance. I really enjoyed my first read by Bartlett and it definitely won’t be my last! 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy. 

Review: All The Wicked Girls by Chris Whitaker @WhittyAuthor @BonnierZaffre

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Goodreads|Amazon
Release date: August 24, 2017

Publisher: Bonnier Zaffre

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

‘Raine sometimes complains that nothing exciting is ever gonna happen in Grace again. Daddy told her careful what you wish for.’ 


Everyone loves Summer Ryan. A model student and musical prodigy, she’s a ray of light in the struggling small town of Grace, Alabama – especially compared to her troubled sister, Raine. Then Summer goes missing.


Grace is already simmering, and with this new tragedy the police have their hands full keeping the peace. Only Raine throws herself into the search, supported by a most unlikely ally.


But perhaps there was always more to Summer than met the eye . . .


Review: 

Last year I was raving about Tall Oaks, a truly special debut that ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2016. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on All The Wicked Girls and I was simultaneously giddy and nervous when I started. I was so enraptured by TO that I worried that maybe I wouldn’t be as crazy about this one but all that worry was totally unnecessary as this was another amazing read that blew me away just as much as TO did. 

I have a hard time reviewing books that truly move me and I think I may have finally found a structure that works for me recently with my review of The Good Daughter. I’m going to try that approach again here and hope that it shows you guys just how much I loved this book. 

Small town America has never been portrayed so brilliantly. 

What does a U.K. based author know about life in small town southern America? If you’re Chris Whitaker, EVERYTHING. ATWG is set in Grace, Alabama in the nineties and he captures the dynamics of a small southern town perfectly. Grace is a town full of despair and oppression, the residents are so tired and defeated, there is an overwhelming feeling of desperation and hopelessness that made me feel stifled and weary. Evoking unexpected emotions is always the hallmark of a gifted storyteller in my opinion. There is such a strong sense of place that imagining this town was effortless. 

His writing is intense and his voice is wholly unique. 

Adding to the amazing setting is the stylized writing used, the Southern expressions and mannerisms were dead on and I instantly found myself reading Whitaker’s prose in a lazy drawl. The weather plays a large role and I was immersed in the atmospheric nature by the extremely well crafted imagery he created. I can so easily imagine this town that I would love to see it as a movie!

His characterization is flawless. 

For everyone that loved Manny in TO you’ll be pleased to know that Whitaker’s ability to create a memorable teenage boy was not a fluke. Noah and Purv are best friends who help Raine search for her sister, Summer and they were both the type of characters that you can picture leaping off the pages and walking down the street, they’re truly larger than life. Chief Black is a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders and Samson may be one of the oddest fictional characters I’ve ever encountered. That’s just a taste of the flawed, raw, astounding cast that features in this book. 

He writes thrillers that make you feel all of the feelings. 

Very few writers can move me to tears, I’m pretty stone cold but I definitely shed a few tears while reading this. Alright fine, it was more than a few tears, Whitaker completely shattered my heart and took my emotions on a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. I also laughed though, there is humor here as well which brings levity to an otherwise dark plot. He also explores dark themes such as domestic violence, drug abuse, poverty, loss and love in such a profoundly poetic way, its breathtakingly beautiful. 

He takes intricate plotting to a new level. 

You know how annoying it can be when you’re always two steps ahead of an author and you can see the plot twists coming a mile away? That doesn’t happen here, Whitaker is constantly leading the reader down one path only to knock you down just when you think you know exactly what’s going on. Nothing is as it seems and everyone has secrets, remember that and you’ll figure it all out. 😜

I’ll stop rambling now but I’ll finish by saying that this book proves that Whitaker is a force to be reckoned with, he is insanely talented and I would be honored to read his to do list. If you haven’t read TO yet, what are you waiting for?! Then when you get done and are desperate for more grab this one. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

Blog Tour: Dead to Me by Stephen Edger @StephenEdger @bookouture

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Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon UK

Release date: August 17, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

How do you catch a killer who knows your every move?

She drew the curtains and returned to the kitchen where she removed the bottle of vodka from the freezer and reached for the large kitchen knife. If he dared to come back, she’d be ready for him.

When a body is found hanging in the remains of a dock-side warehouse, Detective Kate Matthews is called to the scene. Recently transferred following the death of a colleague, Kate is yet to see a successful prosecution over the line. But this won’t be an easy win…

Someone is watching her: leaving her clues in her home, taunting her to throw the case and threatening the life of her little girl.

As more bodies begin to surface and Kate’s stalker closes in, her instincts tell her that there is a link hidden among the victims’ missing pieces. This is a killer with a message and Kate must race against the clock to solve his twisted riddle.

But at the end of this impossible puzzle lies an impossible choice…

A dark and compulsive cat-and-mouse thriller that will keep you guessing to the very last page. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Sarah Hilary and Patricia Gibney.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Dead to Me!

Review:

This is the first book in a new series following Kate Matthews and I found it to be a really solid opening and one that made me eager to see where Edger will take things next. There was A LOT going on here, there were several cases running simultaneously and he managed to keep things tightly plotted and intense throughout.

The start of a new series is always interesting as I see if I’ll gel with the new cast. I didn’t really take to Kate quickly but by the end, I was a fan. She’s a complicated woman with some skeletons in her closest and while I may not agree with the choices she made, I can respect her. The rest of her team were also a finicky bunch and I really only warmed to Laura. Everyone was prickly and hard to like, but I think that’s because there was a ton of inter office politics at play, everyone is out for themselves and seems to have their own agenda. Their workplace had a very tense atmosphere making it hard to see their true disposition but I’m curious to see where everyone is at in the next book.

This has a steady pace that kept me reading and wanting to know more, the chapters were brief and to the point making me do that whole, just one more chapter thing. There was a creepiness lurking as someone is messing with Kate beyond the job while she’s at home that added some menace as well. This had a tricky plot with plenty of misdirection and the conclusion was surprising and unforeseen. Kate’s a strong lead and will carry this series easily, I can’t wait to see the premise for book two!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

About the Author:

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephen Edger is a British crime writer, who has been writing since 2010. In that time he has written and published eleven novels, and five short stories. He writes mysteries and thrillers focused on crime.

Stephen was born in the north-east of England, grew up in London, but has lived in Southampton since attending university in the year 2000. Stephen works in the financial industry, and uses his insider knowledge to create the plots of his books. He also has a law degree, which gives him a good understanding of the inner workings of the UK justice system.

Stephen is married, and has two children, and two dogs. He is passionate about reading and writing, and cites Simon Kernick and John Grisham as major influences on his writing style.

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #imwayr

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly post to share what you recently finished reading, what you’re currently reading, and what you plan on reading this week. It’s hosted by Kathryn at Bookdate.

What I Read Last Week: 


The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky was an awesome read!

I loved Unraveling Oliver it was so unique.


I enjoyed The Queen of New Beginnings and it’s companion The Queen of Blogging.


The Goddesses had a great premise but it fell flat for me.

My TBT pick was Dark Matter and I was blown away!


Buried Secrets was a good thriller.

The Other Girl was a super entertaining read. 

The Cosy Canal Boat Dream was a fantastic book!
Currently Reading 


Up Next: 


I’m not sure what else I’ll read this week, I’m heading out to a girls wine trip over the weekend and won’t be reading much! Things may be quiet here for a few days but I do have a couple of posts scheduled in my absence.

How was your week? 

Review: The Cosy Canal Boat Dream by Christie Barlow @ChristieJBarlow @HarperImpulse

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Goodreads|Amazon|Author Website
Release date: August 22, 2017

Publisher: Harper Impulse 

Genre: Romatic Comedy

Blurb: 

Welcome to the Little Rock marina – where hearts are healed and dreams are made…


For the last two years Nell Andrews has been struggling to stay afloat. As her life tumbled down around her, the only safety net has been her cosy canal boat, The Nollie. Tucked away inside, Nell has found a place to heal her broken heart. And now she’s ready to move on and follow her dream…


Gorgeous Guy Cornish, with his easy Irish charm, makes him an instant hit with everyone at the marina, and the perfect person to help Nell with her project. But Guy has his own reasons for being at the marina, and a past that threatens to sink Nell’s dream…

Review: 

When I pick up a Christie Barlow book I feel like I’m getting a warm hug from an old friend. They’re always warm and cozy, this one even has cozy in the title! So I already knew I was in for a treat when I started this one but I wasn’t aware that I was about to read my new favorite Barlow book. 

Nell was the type of character that I liked right away, she has an incredibly painful past, somehow I was teary eyed in the first chapter?! But she was a woman who I immediately felt a connection with, I was invested in her from the first page. She has a best friend named Bea and their friendship was so sweet and genuine. Bea’s family was also adorable and so supportive of Nell which she desperately needed. The entire cast of characters were lovely and had their own distinctive personalities that made up a great community, I would love to live in a place like Little Rock Marina! 

Guy is Nell’s love interest and there was a bit of a mystery surrounding his past and there was also an additional mystery that threw me for a loop. You basically get a little bit of everything here, there’s romance, humor, warmth, family secrets and a lovely setting that serves as a backdrop. This was such a delightful read, I enjoyed every single page and it reminded me why Barlow is one of my favorite women’s fiction writers.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

Review: The Other Girl by Erica Spindler

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Goodreads|Amazon|Author Website
Release date: August 22, 2017

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

From the NYT bestselling author comes a chilling new thriller about a ritualistic murder of a college professor that sends a small town cop back into the trauma she thought she’d put behind her.


Officer Miranda Rader of the Hammond PD in Louisiana is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis—but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from Jasper, just south of Hammond, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to leave the girl she used to be behind and earn respect in her position as an officer.


However, when Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the gruesomeness of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills her to the core: a faded newspaper clipping about a terrible night from her long-buried past. Then another man turns up dead, this one a retired cop, and not just any cop—Clint Wheeler, the cop who took her statement that night. Two murders, two very different men, two killings that on the surface had nothing in common—except Miranda. 14 years ago.


And when her fingerprints turn up at the scene of the first murder, Miranda once again finds herself under the microscope, her honesty and integrity doubted, her motivations questioned. Alone again, the trust of her colleagues shattered, Miranda must try to trust the instincts she’s pushed down for so long, and decide what’s right—before it’s too late. 

Review: 

Somehow Erica Spindler has stayed off my radar before now and looking at her back catalogue I’m not quite sure how?! She writes the exact type of books that pull me in and the premise of The Other Girl has many of the elements I love, I’ll definitely be reading more of her work in the future. 

I totally devoured this book, I would’ve easily read it in one sitting but had to force myself to put it down because it was so late when I started it. It was one of those effortless reads where the pages just keep flying by and before you know it you’ve finished! There are some flashbacks to 2002 and a night where Miranda had a terrible ordeal but the bulk is told in the present. The pacing was spot on, things move quickly and I was so eager to find out what had happened previously and what would happen next. Here’s what’s weird, at least for me. I predicted like ninety nine percent of the twists and instead of being annoyed and disappointed like I usually would be I wasn’t bothered in the slightest. This was so entertaining that I just kind of brushed it off and patted myself on the back and kept reading. So bizarre but I think it just speaks to what a fantastic storyteller Spindler is. 

This was a tense, addictive and suspenseful read that kept my attention, I was pretty glued to my Kindle throughout.  Miranda had an interesting and heartbreaking backstory and I was rooting for her the whole time. She was a well drawn character and the secondary characters were also multidimensional, I especially liked her partner Jake. I didn’t totally predict the ending and I was satisfied by how things came together, again Spindler has a new fan in me and I’ll be adding some of her earlier work to my TBT list! 

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

Blog Tour: Buried Secrets by T. J. Brearton @BreartonTJ @bookouture

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Goodreads|Amazon US|Amazon UK
Release date: August 18, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

What if your dream home became your worst nightmare?


Newlyweds Brett and Emily Larson have just moved into a new home deep in the countryside, and are overjoyed when Emily finds out she’s pregnant. 


Then they discover human bones in their garden.


As the police start to investigate, three things become clear:


The bones are recent.

They are not here by accident.

They are a message.


When the police put three photographs of known criminals on the Larsons’ kitchen table, the couple realize the danger may be closer to home than they think. 


As the situation escalates, can Brett and Emily keep one step ahead to protect themselves – and their unborn child?


Fast-paced, compelling and full of twists, this heart-pounding thriller will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Robert Dugoni and Linwood Barclay.

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Buried Secrets!


Review: 

Oohh this book ended up being different than what I had expected but I mean that in a good way. I had assumed it would focus on either a cop narrating the story or have a killer as the focus but it was actually told in two separate narratives and not from a cop OR a killer. The first is Brett and Emily a young, newlywed couple who have just moved into a new home. When they decide to start a garden they find human bones and their lives take an unexpected turn. The second follows Jimmy Russo, a man who finds himself in jail when his portion begins due to a past transgression he thought he escaped. I kept trying to figure out how these storylines would merge and I definitely didn’t predict exactly how, or when they would. 

The first half of Buried Secrets starts out on the slower side as Russo tries to figure out how to get himself out of jail and back with his wife and baby daughter while Emily and Brett deal with the aftermath of the bones being unearthed. While I found both storylines interesting and engaging, I was more drawn to Russo, both his character and his specific story. There was just something endearing about this rough around the edges man that got under my skin and captured my attention. 

By the last quarter of this book I was well and truly hooked as the storylines converged in unexpected ways. It became tense and very action packed as crazy things started to happen and they didn’t stop until the very end. It’s so strange how the discovery of human bones set off a series of events that I never saw coming, this one kept me on my toes. If you’re looking for a different type of thriller told from a unusual perspective, you may like this one.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

About the Author: 



 

 

 

 

 

T.J. Brearton is the author of eight published novels of crime fiction, including detective thrillers, police procedurals, psychological suspense, and one paranormal crime story. His eBooks have been best-sellers on the Amazon kindle fiction Top 100 list. He lives in the Adirondacks with his wife and three children where he writes full time.

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