Book Review: "Give It Back" By Danielle Espin

“It’s like I’m on a roller-coaster ride, but I’m not allowed to get off. I’m strapped to the seat, and within eyesight the unfinished twirl of the track swirls into the air.”
― Danielle Esplin, Give It Back

This new thriller started off strong but lost its spark for me midway and I couldn't get into the fictional sense of reality that the author tried to present.

The truth factor was so strong and had me playing detective from the word go but then it fishtailed into a less believable ending that had me pondering the reasoning.

I enjoyed the overall premise but the alternating times made it difficult to keep track with deletion of text messages that created a smoky fog.

Thank you to Danielle, the pub, NetGalley,and Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The End of October" By Lawrence Wright

If you've not picked this up yet don't let my review sway you because variety is the spice of life but let me tell you -I spent three long days- trying to complete this one because of what several other reviewers noted- It wasn't so much the research but the writing style lacked the substance to make it enjoyable and interesting as if felt contrived.

I understand writing is hard but when you focus solely upon your research you miss the important aspects for the readers such as character development, plot twists, setting and atmosphere which becomes stagnant and stale without such action.

I really wanted to just take a DNF but felt perhaps it was just my mood and not the book but after reading Roxane's review I realized it wasn't just 'me.' Thankfully she's much better at words than I so I'll leave a link of her review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3319017961?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1

It's worth noting that this was written prior to current stages of the pandemic so it was quite a roller coaster of emotions reading the author's insight and fictional portrayal with a ripe adage of anticipation.

The plot twists of lack thereof were hard to process with our Henry the protagonist and his higher status yet unable to provide security for his family or even get a gesture of a simple plane ride back home.

It was the underdeveloped characters and shifting POV's that had me perplexed with too much explanation by the author as to the why's and how's without regard to the pure pleasure principle.

Well onward we must go and I hope you find this well.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this E-read in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Hidden Valley Road" By Robert Koelker

Mental illness is a topic that needs to be discussed openly and honesty.

However, we need to be factual in noting that schizophrenia is not always a death sentence nor is it incorporating violence daily.

Nature v. Nurture is a topic for discussion as this family tries to cope with the disturbing sequence of events that occur upon them all.

The cognitive features need to be examined fully when discussing such an illness because schizophrenia not only affects men at a significantly higher rather than women but does so an earlier age with mind altering mental functions similar to alzheimer's disease and dementia.

With this noted the author does a good job in describing the characters, the setting, the atmosphere but focuses solely upon the violence and whether or not this is to sell books or entice readers I'm uncertain.

What can be noted is the discussion that will result because of this family's plight of terror and horror with the assistance of Oprah's Book Club. 

Upon reading this new work in its entirety I came across a few quotes that I'd like to leave here for you to ponder.

"What if the problem with Schizo patients wasn't that they lacked the ability to respond to so much stimuli, but that they lacked the ability not to?

What if they lacked the inhibition rather than over loaded brains?

Could isolation of a specific gene cause people to act out?

The idea that further research and DNA testing with gene mutation is also on board here.

Shank 2 Mutation of schizo gene found in all the brothers which was quite interesting genetically.

We may never know the full gene sequence but this book brings to mind the possibilities that may exist on the horizon and into the future.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this e-read in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Have You Seen Me" by Kate White

"The key to her missing memories could bring relief—or unlock her worst nightmares."

Ok, but look having tissues with dried blood in a coat pocket could be a sign of more than just dissociative disorder...

When her husband Hugh separates we've led on a weird and disturbing scenario that trauma may be the underlying issue with Ally.

That death of a young girl named JC left here paralyzed in fear and Ally seems to have internalized this fear as a young impressionable girl herself.

JC Long was a victim of a hideous death but being left for dead under a pile of leaves is a hell of a way to go.

The ending on this was just flabbergasting for me and I have more unanswered than answered questions causing angst at not knowing.

I love Kate White and her writing but this for me fell terribly short with the lack of character , plot, and action.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this audio in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "This Matter of Marriage" By Debbie Macomber

This was one of those books that you felt compelled to read because Debbie Macomber is the queen.

However, I must admit this rubbed me in all the wrong ways.

Women chasing men is not what I had in mind in terms of a new romance novel nor would I expect this same woman progressing so quickly into marriage.

It just felt cheapened and lack luster when you have a young lady that feels a need to date multiple men simply because she needs a man with zero attention paid to love.

Trying to win back an ex wife also wasn't very appealing as a main character in Steve. 

I truly didn't care for the plot that kept going in circles hoping for a spark that was never there and for me it just took too long to finally get settled.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this e-read but for me it simply fell short.

Book Review: "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" By Fred Rogers

There is nothing more meaningful than hearing how empathy, compassion, and love can unite and lead a nation.

The feeling you get when listening to Fred Rogers is one of complete comfort that propels readers to be moved to a higher plane in adjusting one's current state of being.

As I sit here in a structured state, forced into a stay at home order, unable to fully appreciate life it's a time to not only reflect but become re-connected to all that once brought happiness and smiles.

Fred is that person who never took the easy way but instead enlightened audiences of all ages to leading life in a more balanced and structured way.

This pandemic has brought back so much of what may have been once lost and in that way it's a blessing as it opens up an entire new way of thinking but also of being.

The audio book was a special treat because it shows his mindset at a time that may have been less hectic but also less violent.

While threats, intimidation, fear, bullying, intimidation and more are a daily offering in today's world -Fred reminds us all- to take a moment to enjoy the view.

Or as Fred notes,"Strengthen a parent and you strengthen a child."

There was so much inspiration, collaboration, and wonderful advice that you can't help but feel more vibrant and colorful at the end of reading this wonderful new work.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this audio in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "The Missing" By Daisy Pearce

A missing girl. A loving mother. A betrayed wife's jealousy.

Well this is one of those kind of books that starts off fresh, with gusto, packed full of turns but nothing ever becomes of it as we still wonder what happened to Edie.

Is she a runaway?

Has she been killed?

Will she ever be found?

Folks, the truth is Samantha carries a gun for a reason.

Now you don't have to think to hard on that reasoning but Frances Jane has gone to the grave and someone out there knows the truth.

What's up with this William -the son - which is a whole other interesting twister.

Well the storm is brewing-best be off-but hope you enjoy.

Thank you to Daisy, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review. 

Book Review: "Hidden Bones" By Vivian Barz

Imagine having a gift for seeing the dead? Kind of creepy but nevertheless it's unique.

Now imagine a chilly prologue with a corpse beneath a tree alluding to a previous work with a strong underlying tone that set the pace.

The deeply dark and disturbing scenery also helped solidify the case with Eric's murderous horrifying visions.

Locating the lost and uncovering the secrets is like opening Pandora's box because many of the locals aren't talkative.

What may become of this trio set up for justice is anyone's guess but it's a rapid fire design that's sure to entice the senses to the reader's delight. 

Thank you to Vivian, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Gone to Darkness" by Barbara Nickless

The Superior Gentleman elite club appear innocent enough and are quite exclusive until murders and gossip start circulating around four of its members.

YIKES...

These guys are kidnappers and rapists and not the type of club you want to join.

So, it's not far fetched to learn that they have killed without much remorse.

What's shocking is the fact that crime and conspiracy seems to surface at every angle burrowing in the pores of every corner. Threatening to bring down the detective lives with it.

Gone to Darkness is a fast edged non stop nightmare that is sure to keep everyone on their toes.

Book Review: "The Best of Friends" By Lucinda Berry

A myriad of complex issues are discussed in this powerful and moving new work by Lucinda Berry.

Topics such as gun violence, sexuality, drug use including adderall and add, and plenty of hopelessness.

Mothers of three teens are now suffering from the tragedy that came upon their boys. One is dead, the other is in a coma, with the third in fear of talking.

It begins with a party type atmosphere at Delta Tau House with Sawyer having drank too much for his own good.

Sawyer was a gifted photographer but all that was taken away in a moments notice upon being shot in the head.

Jacob has been accused of attempted suicide and now resides in a coma as he's officially been declared brain dead and his medical insurance won't cover his costs.

The question we all have is whether or not Jacob killed Sawyer before turning the gun on himself.

Caleb in the end has something significant to add to this hot mess and it's a shocker.
The entire ordeal was quite moving and hard to process but very well done.

Thank you to Lucinda, the pub, Netgalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Tomboy" By Lisa Selin Davis

"Lisa Selin Davis's Tomboy explores the history and imagines the future of girls who defy societal expectations based on their gender. Tomboy is a revealing dive into the forces that have shifted and narrowed our ideas of what's normal for boys and girls, and for kids who don't fall neatly into either category."

Growing up in the late 70's to early 80's in rural Pocono Mountains of Pa leads one to be more imaginative than ever because your nearest neighbor is 10 miles away and there's only a handful of year round residents.

As the only girl with 3 brothers I did what they did. If they climbed trees, played hockey, went ice fishing, played dodgeball/whiffleball, or tag football I was right up in there with the boys.

When it was playtime we didn't play with barbie's we pulled out the match box cars, rolled with the WWF action figures, or the transformers and we had a blast especially with accessories like the garages for the cars.

Hair cuts were like Dorothy Hamill's and I was taken not to the salon but to the boys barber down the road.

Clothes were the Garanimals from the 70's with matching colors (tops and bottoms) and if that didn't work you fussed out on the Jordache or Levi's jeans that weren't all that sexy but were made tough and rugged.

Heck shoes were Kangaroo's with pockets with god awful colors and your socks were knee highs with some funky colors.

It truly brings back memories to read the history behind the 'tomboy' image and the facts that girls still today dare to be different.

We need no explanation or reason we simply are and that's what makes us so Bad Ass.
Back in the day boys toys were used to promote exploration, problem solving, and independence while the girls were meant to be soft, nurturing, and lovely.

Women are more 'idea' oriented while the men are more 'data driven' however I'm not so sure I believe this theory expressed in this writing.
I've always been an empath so I express emotions, ideas, and thoughts more openly than others.

To have to settle for anything and not work hard isn't my idea of success.

As I write this I've fought for ten years to gain employment after raising a family solo and I'm still seeking FT work refusing to believe my work is done by simply raising kids.

The leave it to beaver June Cleaver days of staying home and keeping things tidy in the home without a career, a life outside the home, without communication with the outside world is no longer.

Today women can and often do have it all and it's about time the men raise the bar to our level.

Just look at the women in high positions of political authority such as Prime Minister of New Zealand and you'll understand why excuses are for the weak. https://news.yahoo.com/why-women-led-...
Women are showing their true colors in many avenues and it makes me proud to continue the legacy with or without employment in forging paths ahead.

Being a tomboy isn't a negative as it builds character, shows strength, and toughens us for the years ahead.

Keep on moving forward ladies -You Rock!

Thank you to Lisa, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Broken Flowers" By Kate McQuaile

Shell shocked!

This is one of those stories that you truly think is headed in one direction until the powerful twister uproots the entire story.

Broken Flowers was an excellent read -full of intrigue-suspense and action.

Widow Nan Brown was on her way to Ben Brown's wedding. Her son was getting hitched to Marie at Paradise Place.

All seems good and well until the truth comes knocking and Hugo is placed at the center of it all.

It seems there's more to a previous relationship between adults here and it may put the breaks on the entire show.

Alcohol and sexual ambitions run wild but rape is no laughing matter and it's soon apparent that this may be some serious allegations.

However, when the smoke and fog truly clears there's a death or two that will need some serious explaining and the perps are not who you think.

WOW!

I'm dumbfounded at how fantastic this was as the ending was out of this world.

Thank you to Kate, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "How to Save a Life" By SD Robertson

It's not hard to imagine with the current state of affairs during a pandemic why this book might touch so many people in so many ways.

Depression is not a light or airy topic yet for Luke Craven he's a man down on his luck after losing those he loved the most including both parents and his wife.

Now, he's on the verge of fragility when a freak accident changes his entire outlook upon life.

How to Save a Life is an uplifting and powerful read about the random act of kindness that turned into a life saving venture but sadly took a life.

How much is a life worth? What value does each life possess?

Is leading a valued life worthy of a second chance at life?
So many questions arise but one thing is for sure- how can you live your best life- is one the minds of many these days especially those under duress.

This is a heartwarming yet heartbreaking story to live every day to the fullest and appreciate every gesture no matter how big or how small.

What might seem minuscule to you may actually be a huge blessing in disguise and change the trajectory of your life or someone else's.

Never give up is part of the underlying sediment here and the author does a wonderful job showcasing that point of keeping with it and moving forward because health outweighs all else.

Iris gave her life to save his and he'll be darn sure he returns the favor or die trying.
Nora may be the end result of that effort and it signifies the importance of positivity.

Thank you to SD Robertson, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Dead Silence" By Wendy Corsi Staub

"No such thing as coincidence"...or even evil...

For me this book wasn't what I'd hoped but it's also part of a larger picture and much of what was provided is a tease to something more for us all to ponder.

The Angler was the most provocative and thrilling aspect of the book involving the kidnapped boy who was silenced.

Amelia is this investigative genealogist sent out to uncover the truths for these families and hooks up with another powerful man Detective Stockton Barnes.

Don't forget Amelia's husband Police Sergeant Billie and the original premise involving Mimi and her husband Aaron.

It's a lot of bouncing around with plots, story lines, time frames which became quite complex for those who never read this series prior.

'To pick up and go' wasn't in the works here.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" By Cho Nam-Joo

An interesting power struggle with women's rights, gender inequality, the Hoju system, abortion, and cultural divide in Korea.

This is a powerful read that showcases women's struggles for inclusion, acceptance, and power in a world that often closes the door and silences those seeking equality.

It's a world in which young women are not welcomed and boys are more favored to be accepted.

A world in which self sufficiency and independence comes with limits upon women.

During these times women's fetuses were being aborted because of being the wrong gender.

It was an enormous insight from a Korean women who had taken part of her own experience and mixed it into a wonderful new novel.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "My Mother's House" By Francesca Montplaisir

The complex underbelly of a world that grants exclusive rights to certain privileged members of society is examined more closely in this wonderful new work by Francesca Montplaisir.

It's a book that you must go into without any preconceived notions or ideas because it will set the plate up nicely for you and without much fanfare just plain hard truths.

In the end it was an illuminating image of a house on fire. Occupants that were imprisoned. Inhumanity and exclusion that resulted in racial divide.

Kidnapping, abductions, captivity is not an easy topic so go slow and proceed with caution.

It's truly a house of horrors in which secrets must be kept hidden.
Thank you to Bibliotheca for this copy in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "All Your Twisted Secrets" By Diana Urban

Choose someone to die among the six of you or else....

Ok, well a narcissist is on the loose and one of those selected is the culprit here.
Of course, the more I think about it this is one of those in which someone played a major role in the death of Maggie but it wasn't without its helper(s) own actions.

So, truly it depends on how one approaches this mystery but for me I lost interest in the character development and plot.

It wasn't as vivid and energetic as I'd hoped from the start but the premise was good just not the execution.

In the end, it's all about stopping others from hurting people.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "This Little Family" By Ines Bayard

Powerful! Heart Breaking! Riveting beyond words!
This was a hard story to read but one in which silencing voices gave away one's power.

Marie was sadly raped by a man she entrusted in her career to move mountains on her behalf.

Instead he violated her and took away her power and sadly she realized the truth was upon her.

In fact, she uncovered she was pregnant and couldn't possibly tell her husband but was fearful this could be her rapists baby.

How could she go on under these circumstances that have been forced upon her?

With empathy, compassion, and grace the author illustrates to us why speaking up and out is most important in our healing process.

How Laurent and Baby Thomas may be ok in this after all and how hope springs eternal.

It was a rough one to read but it spoke volumes for victims of abuse.

Thank you to Bibliotheca for this copy in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Ghosts of Harvard" By Francesca Serritella

"The spirit world gives us what we need, when we need it.."

Truth be told "visions confirm faith."
However, "it takes only an error to father a sin."

It was May 15th the day of the celebration of my birth as I read this amazing new novel by a talented young writer with plenty of the 'Harvard' accolades to her title. Quite impressive!

Francesca certainly has created a name for herself with a creative writing style that is heads above the rest.

"Ghosts don't haunt for a living." "We haunt them."

Oh, but I digress what if they do...what if they have a story to tell...what if they are trapped in gates at the Harvard yard.

Guess you didn't think of that...right?

Ok, look If you could go back in time to right the wrongs would you do it?
It all begins with Eric -some might call teacher's pet- while others note he was a Harvard student studying physics.

Everything seemed to be peculiar in nature yet he continued soldering on in silence.

Could Eric's paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis be the reason he committed suicide or could genetics play a very important role here?

Cady is searching for answers, for justice, for peace on behalf of her brother and their family.

Speaking of family it's quite a powerful dynamic isn't it?

When family is sometimes playing the wild card against you it's not so black and white but plenty of gray areas in between.

What is fascinating are the voices being heard ...

Voices from Whit James Whitaker- A WWI vet who died in war as an optimistic young soldier at his prime in life. He must've been a junior back in 30's at Harvard.

What has become of Robert Oppenheimer- a Literature Science expert having won the Nobel Peace Prize as a budding scientist -favored for developing the atomic bomb. He surely must be counted during this time of the early 20's.

Have you heard about Bilhah-the slave-during President Holyoke's time (1731-1769) who tried to pass her son off as white in Harvard?

Wow-so much history-so much culture-so many unanswered questions left blank.

Could Eric and the others all have been saved? Could history repeat?

Racial segregation, animal signs, paranoia, delusions, stalking, impersonations, hallucinations, conspiracies, spying, cyber bullying and more exists in this thriller but perhaps nothing is more significant than one answer-WHY? -How is it so many lives and so many past pieces appear connected yet can be easily edited to fit a single narrative?

Lies endure -truths die with every victim they encounter.

Now it's not surprising that there's plenty more to Eric's story.

In fact bullying was just the tip of the iceberg with Lee Jennings and the fact that the Professor Mikaela Prokop was involved is also not a shocker.

It's a man's world after all and so she's selected Eric to be her faithful devoted assistant.

Nothing wrong with that, Right?

Remember the family is concerned for knowledge and hungry for truth or so they say...

Mom seems a wee bit hyperinvolved who always fought for Eric's mental illness but dad may have been feeling something different.

After all it was determined to be a suicide but looks may be deceiving because sometimes in life we take things for granted. We are so caught up in the vision of simply winning. The allure of perfection. The novice idea that we can have it all at our finger tips that we push towards that freedom and that illusive disjointed idea.

Manipulation, jealousy, betrayal are the last things we'd think of when trying to better ourselves but life is fickle and often stranger than fiction.
This book is truly a work of exquisite art!

To be framed for years to come.

Thank you to bibliotheca for this copy in exchange for this honest review. 
I couldn't wait to gobble this one up the minute I came across the shelves and I'm so glad I did.

Book Review: "Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge" By Debbie Mason

Finding yourself amid the chaos.

How's that for starters? Now, if only we had a recipe for something sweet, romantic, and with a little spice so everything turns up nice...

Oh, wait, enter Hunter and his tough exterior with a woman whose been jilted by a miserable ex spouse, lost an important piece of her influential you tube career, and now takes on a fixer upper that she inherited in which she uncovers more than she bargained.

Well, there you have it but folks this is more about finding Abby than it's about heavy romance so be prepared.

This was a good read but Abby could be two sides of one coin depending on when you caught her and that hot and cold had me perplexed at times.

With the expected summer beginning with the kick off of Memorial Day weekend this will surely be a hit to take on those excursions while remembering those we lost who fought and died for our freedom to celebrate.

Book Review: "An Unfinished Story" By Boo Walker

Imagine losing your soul mate only to uncover his words in writing via a manuscript after he's passed.

This is Claire's story in which David has sadly passed away but not before leaving an unfinished novel.

Now the question is should she find someone who can finish it for him?
Who could possibly be up for such a monumental task?

Perhaps a man named Whitaker Grant whose failed marriage and midlife crisis has taken over his thoughts but not before questioning new beginnings.

As it turns out David had reason to keep certain things left unsaid.

The couple was infertile and an adoption may or may not have been the last spoken word.

Sometimes life happens the way it's meant to be but could this be the direct course life was supposed to have taken? Could there have been a reason things happened the way they did? What if life had played out differently?

Sometimes in life we must take the good with the bad because in the end both are strength building and character driven.

I loved this powerful dynamic of a story that truly makes one think about the importance of life, living, and the legacy one leaves behind.

The twist in the plot was quite an eye opener and perhaps we can't turn back the clock but we can move forward freely and without fear of failure.

A great new read that highlights the goodness of others.

Thank you to Boo Walker, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Her Perfect Life" By Rebecca Taylor

Everyone believes the grass is greener but truly all you need is some water from time to time.

Folks, we have here a story of perfection but is it really perfect?

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and sometimes an eye for an eye is needed to even up all sides.

With this one we see two women (sisters) who have lived lives they each thought was better than the other with two interesting timelines.

One with Eileen after revealing her sister Clare's sudden and unexpected suicide.

The other with Clare and the time frame leading up to the decision making process as well as the flawed life as a writer.

I first must note the interview with Rebecca Taylor in the end was quite interesting so make sure you don't miss out.

It was full of the writing process in determining ideas to put to paper and the Olympics with Michael Phelps and the two women supporting him was the basis for this writing.

Fascinating to read how it all came together for Rebecca as this is a first read for me with her novel.

There was plenty to interest the appetite in this one from thrillers to plot twists to characters full of colorful dimensional facets to their lives.

The masterful plot twist near the end was magnificent on several levels. 

The mother of the women has alzheimers but eventually spills the beans but not before doing some covering for Clare.

Clare and Eileen both had flaws and hardships to endure but came out of them with distinct individuality.

Clare's outcome was written by several reviewers as expected and probable but I suppose I'm a slow learner because it was unexpected for me.

Her death resulted because of this connection to Adam and what happened the night he was accused of driving drunk.

It's a shocker because that decision process in driving that day changed many lives.

The question that must be asked is do you feel confident that Adam was the sole driver behind the wheel? Could there be others involved?

Now with Eileen we question her ability to move forward after her cheating husband.

Give a girl a pen she rewrites the story her way.

No worries, Eileen is all good as a soon to be divorcee with some bright spots on the horizon and possibly a new romantic partner.

This ties it all up in the end to create a wonderful piece of fiction.

Thank you to Rebecca, the publisher, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Thicker Than Blood" By Mike Omer

Thicker Than Blood has arrived with Mike Omer showcasing his talent like never before!

Mental illness and schizophrenia is at the heart of it all in this delicious new thriller of darkness.

Imagine this sicko scenario in which a serial killer drinks the blood of his own victims.

However, this crime scene comes with a twisty new plot that has a similar modus operandi being performed.

I suppose the insanity defense may get you off but it won't hide the truth.
This was full blown excitement from the start that never let up.

Be prepared to have one hell of a reading journey with this wild and wicked new read.

Thank you to Mike Omer, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

A must read for 2020 is upon us all!

Book Review: "The Sunday Girl" By Pip Drysdale

"It was him or me."

Snap!! Things are going down with Pip Drysdale in this new heart pounding thriller.

"Some love affairs change you forever. Someone comes into your orbit and swivels you on your axis, like the wind working on a rooftop weather vane. And when they leave, as the wind always does, you are different; you have a new direction. And it’s not always north."

HelllOOOO!

A bad relationship -turned abusive-turned deadly with revenge!

If you're reading the "Art of War" you know shiite's going to hit the fan and soon.

So, don't worry about Taylor because she's about to get squared even with her ex Angus for placing a sex tape online.

She will have the last laugh as they say especially after he takes another gal on a ski trip adventure of a lifetime..

Besides the fact- Angus isn't Mr. Innocent here. Certainly not with his background porn, drugs, cheating, money laundering.

How was Taylor to know someone might get hurt and wind up dead?! Suicide! Yes! Suicide!!That's the ticket!

HIDE...Check your back....Watch the heck out !! Taylor's coming at ya!

Thank you to Pip, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Separation Anxiety" By Laura Zigman

Shelter in place. Allow life to happen unexpectedly. Take the good with the bad and learn from it all!

Well, there ya have it folks!

I'm not sure what more one can say as I missed the mark on the humor bit but did find the fact that a women in dire need for excitement and positive experiences has found some small joy in carrying a sheltie by her bosoms.

I mean if that's all it takes to get over a failing marriage, career, and child rearing empty nester experience than we should all grab the slings and go for it!

For me I just wasn't into this as much as I'd hoped for reason that are not far fetched. I tried my best to fall in love with it all but it just felt bland for me.

I do hope you find this well and enjoy.

Thank you to Laura, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review

Book Review: "The Good Stranger" By Dete Meserve

This was one of those books that you can't go into with two much of any one pre-planned idea(s) because you may be surprised at what is returned your way.

I'm one of those super speed readers so it's difficult at times to slow to a crawl if you pardon the pun because I'm someone who loves intensity, action, speed, the need to please type of thriller.

This wasn't so much a thriller as it was a nice women's fiction and so it threw me a curve as a reader expecting some mystery to happen.

It was a story about the kindness of strangers and how receiving such unexpected gifts can alter one's moods, one's direction, one's life.

It's Kate Bradley's job to uncover the person behind these thoughtful gifts but it's during a power outage and nothing more to utilize other than notes noting they are from," A Stranger."

So she embarks on this extended journey to uncover the face behind the acts but it's with some wee bit of danger as her life becomes threatened and recipients fight over gift cards.

Who knew a news reporter and her co-anchor could experience such a unique journey especially welcomed during these trying times for all readers to enjoy.

Thank you to Dete, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Love Letters from Montmartre" By Nicolas Barreau

Paris is known as the City of Love for a reason and Love Letters from Montmartre shows us why.

This was the sad story of a man in need after losing his beloved wife but finds the weight of his letters he's written have rebounding consequences with thoughtful reflection.

It's not easy to move forward in processing grief after losing such an esteemed member of the marriage such as a devoted and loving spouse.

Now Julien is a single father and widow is a spectacular look at how you fill that dash marker on your gravestone.

After all this was inspired by a walk inspired in a graveyard so reality speaks volumes here for this author.

I love the character development and the powerful connections exposed throughout the plot.

Thank you to Nicolas Barreau, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review:"Left For Dead" By Caroline Mitchell

The Love Heart Killer is in the house and he's coming for you!

Ok, breathe!

Look this is the new thriller, "Left For Dead" and it's title tells it all.

Yes, this mannequin looks like the dead but she's actually bleeding with a small heart shaped wound ergo why the Love Heart Killer is upon us.

Now if this don't chill the bones how about adding another mix with a creepy antagonist and a bull dog for a protagonist.

In reality this is actually a twenty year murder being addressed on two fronts, two perspectives, with one 'out of this world' outcome.

If you're a fan of Caroline you know she brings it and delivers the dark to the point you're deeply disturbed after reading -and this is why I love her so much.

What a gem!

Thank you Caroline, the pub, NetGalley,and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Convince Me" By Nina Sadowsky

OMG! This was truly crazy beyond belief with an ending that was alarming if not foul.

Good grief this starts off innocently enough with Justin being accused of a crime after a body of a young women was found in his possession.

That body belonged to a woman named Haley who he had an affair with but that's beside the point as he married Annie while his best man was Will presiding over the wedding.

What's not quite easy to comprehend is the notion that Justin may be responsible for Hayley's death and also a Ponzi scheme.

Now we all know that homicides often are framed to appear as suicides so one wonders could that be the case here.
Carol is besides herself playing the role of the distraught mother who simply wants to help her son get justice.

So it's alarming to uncover all this information about stolen technology and worse about drugs being exchanged because after all reputations are on the line and some will do anything to stay in the good graces of everyone involved.

YIKES>>>>

Thank you to Nina, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.