Book Review - Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel

 

 

The last time Maeve saw her beloved cousin, Andrea, was two decades ago when Maeve escaped the cult they were raised in. Maeve has worked hard to put her past life behind her and start a new life in New York City. She tries to keep everyone at arms length to prevent getting hurt again.

One day, Andrea appears in her life again. Maeve feels that she regain a part of herself that she was missing. She spends all of her free time at Andrea's remote Catskills estate. Maeve meets Andrea's wealthy work friends who disapproves of her single lifestyle. She is surprised to learn that Andrea made her fortune in the fertility industry after what happened in their past.  As Maeve spends more time with Andrea, she realizes that her cousin is trigger memories that Maeve fought hard to forget.

The only thing scary about this disappointing book is the cover. The book was boring and very predictable until the end. There wasn't a single likeable character in the entire novel. I found that ending could be seen a mile away and this book felt like torture reading until the very end.

Book Review - The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates

 

The Carrow House is the most haunted in the state and Remy is the tour guide for it. People are superstitious about the house but, Remy hasn't seen any proof of paranormal activity. A guest from her tour offers to host her and six other people in a two-week-long stay to document and research the paranormal activity at the house. Remy is excited about the opportunity because she always wanted to experience the sightings first hand.

On the first day there, the guests experience their first ghost encounter.  They are excited and can't wait to see more. However, a storm moves in and cuts off all contact with the outside world. Things quickly turn sinister when doors are opening on their own, ghostly apparitions are making more frequent appearances, and their seances go wrong. The spirit medium that is hired to assist with the seances, keeps night walking in a trance. When one of the guests dies under strange circumstances, they fear that the ghost of the original homeowner might be among them. However, the homeowner was a renowned serial killer. Will they be able to escape before it's too late?

I have read quite a few books by the author and I really enjoyed this novel. I thought it was equal amounts of spooky and creepy. I believe she borrowed elements from H.H. Holmes's story.  There were a few predictable moments as this book follows the same structure as her other haunted story novels. However, I still enjoyed reading the book and look forward to reading her other books.

  **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - One Little Lie by Colleen Coble + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jane Hardy is promoted to the new Chief of police in Pelican Harbor, Alabama after her father's sudden retirement. Jane barely has time to catch her breath when her father is arrested for theft and implicated in a murder. As Jane begins to investigate the wave of crime, she realizes that someone is after her family and they will stop at nothing to make sure that she and her father pay.

Jane and her father left a cult fifteen years ago but, Jane still searches for her mother who refused to leave with them. Reid Bechtol is a well-known investigating journalist who produces documentaries. His latest project is covering Jane's career. Jane is the first female Chief and she doesn't want to be the subject of his documentaries but, the committee who appointed her loves the idea.  Jane finds herself leaning on Reid but, Reid is trying to keep distance between them because of a secret. Will Jane be able to find out the truth while they work together to help prove her father's innocence?

 I have read a few of the author's books and enjoyed them. While the novel is the first book in the series, I felt like there were portions of the story that could have been more detailed. The plot was predictable but, had a few surprises. While I did enjoy the book, I felt like a lot was going on and felt like I was getting pummeled with details. For example, the part where seemingly out of nowhere Jane goes off to search for her mother during the middle of a murder investigation. I believe the author is trying to build the story for the next book but, I would have preferred if the book stayed more focused.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

One Little Lie
(Pelican Harbor #1)
By Colleen Coble
Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 352 Pages
March 3rd 2020 by Thomas Nelson

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth in this gripping new romantic suspense.

Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, but there's no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes she's facing someone out to destroy the only family she has.

After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane's career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid's calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.

Praise for the Book

“Colleen Coble always raises the notch on romantic suspense, and One Little Lie is my favorite yet! The story took me on a wild and wonderful ride.” —Diann Mills, bestselling author

"Colleen Coble once again proves she is at the pinnacle of Christian romantic suspense. Filled with characters you'll come to love, faith lost and found, and scenes that will have you holding your breath, Jane Hardy's story deftly follows the complex and tangled web that can be woven by one little lie.' —Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

(Affiliate links included.)

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About the Author

Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble (US only)

Ends March 25, 2020

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Book Review - Run Away by Harlan Coben

Photo Credit - Amazon

Simon had a perfect life. He was a beloved father, husband, and a successful businessman. All of that changes when his daughter, Paige becomes addicted to drugs and is dating an abusive man. She made it clear that she wants to be left alone. However, Simon is having a hard time letting Paige go.

He searches everywhere for Paige during his spare time. One day, by chance, Simon spots her in Central Park playing the guitar for the money.  As Simon approaches his daughter, he is confronted by her abusive boyfriend which leads to a physical altercation. A few days later, Simon and Paige is a suspect in her boyfriend's murder.

A retired FBI agent turned private investigator, a hit man, and private financial advisor whose world will collide together when they have nothing in common. The novel had a few twists I didn't see coming. However, I am not sure how believable some parts of the story is. For example, the mother keeping her daughter's location a secret from her husband.  Overall, it was an interesting read and I will be interested in reading more works from the author.

*Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

Photo Source - Amazon

Gwen Marcey is down on her luck when she accepts an temporary assignment in Pikeville, KY.  The quirky forensic artist was bought in to find the serial rapist whose victims and witness vanishes. There is also a snake handling church whose members all have accidental deaths. Gwen will have to race to find if there is a connection between the two cases. While, Gwen's cancer also returns and she is questioning her own longevity. Will she be able to solve the case and receive the money she desperately needs? Who can Gwen trust? Will the cancer or the murderers get to Gwen first?

The fast paced thriller kept me to the edge of my seat. It kept me guessing and wondering who is the masterminds behind the cases were and if they are connected. I couldn't put the book down when I first started reading it but towards the middle of the book, it  kind of lost its luster to me. The book had a lot of twists and the ending was interesting but I wasn't in love with the book because some parts of the books felt unbelievable.  Definitely a good read for any Gwen Marcey fans or if you like the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Girls by Emma Cline

Photo Credit - Amazon

 During the summer of 1960 in Norther California, Evie Boyd sees a group of older girls in a park and  is immediately taken by them. She longs to have their freedom, lack of rules, their carefree air and the way the demand attention without asking for it. When their worlds collide, the older girl, Suzanne takes Evie to the cult to meet the rest of the members. Among the decay, Evie is mesmerized by the exotic, carefree environment along with the Russell, the charismatic leader while longing to be in the presence of Suzanne. While, Evie is desperate for attention from Suzanne, she doesn't realize the darkness surrounding the group. Will Evie be able to make it out alive? 

This was Emma Cline's debut novel and it was a bit interesting. Personally, I wanted to like the book especially since it was appearing everywhere.  The story started off strong but slowly tapered off into boredom and unnecessary violence and sexual content. The ending of the book is  purely disappointing and quite frankly, makes no sense. Granted, the whole entire book had no purpose and you would not be missing anything if you skip this book.

**Disclosure - I received a free uncorrected pdf version of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Freedom's Child: A Novel by Jax Miller

Photo Source - Amazon

**May Contain Spoilers**

Freedom Oliver lives in a small town, keeps to herself, works at the local biker bar, and is known to get arrested for public drunkenness on a daily basis. However, what her friends don't know is Freedom is on the run from her secrets which is finally catching up to her. She was arrested for killing her NYPD husband, putting her two kids up for adoption, served time in prison, she is in Witness Protection, and has her husband's family is out for revenge against her. While keeping tabs on her family from afar, she learns her daughter has gone missing. Determined to rescue the daughter she never knew, she risks everything to find Rebekah. On her mission to save her daughter, she comes to realize she isn't the only one with dangerous secrets.

The fast pace novel is written from multiple point of views. It has a lot of twists and turns but towards the end it becomes unmemorable.  It went from being unpredictable and having the reader at the edge of their seats to saying "Oh, I saw that coming". It might seem like a book about revenge but it is actually a book about forgiveness and making amends.  Just because you made a mistake many years ago and it still haunts you, doesn't mean you can't try to right a wrong.

**Disclosure : I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**