Book Review - Billy Summers by Stephen King

 

Billy Summer is the best for hire killer in the business. He will only take a job if the target is a bad guy. Billy wants out of the business but, he needs to complete one last job. Billy is a decorated war veteran who is known for his sniper skills. He is also a pro at vanishing after the job is completed. Will Billy be able to complete his last job?

This was my first time reading any of King's books but, I am familiar with his writing from movies and made for TV series. I thought the book was an okay read as I was expecting the novel to be a horror book since, I usually think of him as the "king of horror". The book was thought-provoking read providing a lot of "what ifs" but, I also felt like the book dragged on for a bit.  When all the fluff was removed, the story line was pretty straight-forward and predictable and almost ripped straight from the headlines. Personally, I do not care for Donald Trump as a person but, I felt like King's constant reference to him was like a dog with a bone to pick. While I am in no rush to run out and read another one of his books, I might pick up one of his horror books in the future.

Book Review - The Lying Room by Nicci French

 

Neve Connolly is having an affair with her boss, Saul. She thought it was just a fling and something she could have just weathered. It was an escape from her marriage of twenty years. She is tired of the same married routine with her husband and her distant children. One morning, Neve receives a text and decides to visit Saul. When she enters the apartment, she sees Saul has been brutally murdered. She realizes that the apartment is filled of traces of their affair and all the lies she carefully constructed is about to come apart.

Neve decides to scrub every trace of her existence from the apartment. She feels everything can return to normal. However, she feels that she is missing something.

An investigation into Saul's death is opened. This brings Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Hitching to Neve's doorstep. Neve tries to stay on step ahead of the police but, she finds herself caught in her own web of deception and going down a darker path.  As Neve tries to stay ahead of Hitching, she realizes that he isn't the only one watching her.

I had really high hopes for this book but, it was dreadfully boring. It was so slow and didn't really care for any of the characters, especially, her annoying daughter. I didn't like they included so many mundane details that it just made the book boring. They included all these details but, important details appeared out of nowhere. It made me feel like I was missing something. I had hard time believing in the cops, it felt like they were always one step behind. The story didn't feel believable at all. I think I might skip their books the next time.

Book Review - The Other People by C.J. Tudor

  

Gabe is driving home one night and he is stuck behind a rusty old car. As he stares ahead willing traffic to move faster, he sees a little girl's face appear in the car's rear window. The girl mouths "daddy" to him. He realizes it's his five-year-old daughter, Izzy. After their faithful momentary meeting, Gabe never sees his daughter again.

Three years later, Gabe spends his days and night going up and down the highway searching for his daughter. He refuses to give up hope because that would mean admitting that his daughter is dead. He receives help from an unlikely ally and discovers the car he last saw his daughter in. The car was found abandoned with a body inside. Gabe must come to terms with the day Izzy disappeared and his past.

Fran and her daughter, Alice also spends a lot of time on the road. Unlike Gabe, they are running from people who want to hurt them. It's because Fran knows the truth behind Izzy's disappearance. She knows that if they catch her, they might not make it out alive.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. I wish the author gave more details about certain things and characters. I didn't really care for some of the supernatural bits of the story. While the story took a bit to get going, I found the book to be an enjoyable read.

 **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 - The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong

Photo Credit - Amazon

Twenty-six-year-old Yu-jin wakes up to a strange smell and a phone call from his brother asking if everything is okay because he had a missed call from their mother. Yi-jin shortly discovers her murdered body in their apartment and he is covered with her blood. Yu-jin suffers from seizures his most of his life and has trouble with his memory. He recalls his mother calling his name but, he is unsure why she was calling his name. Yi-jin begins to uncover what happened that night and he learns the truth about himself and his family.

The novel was a suspenseful read but, a few parts were a bit slow. I was surprised at the ending but,  I wondered if there was more that could have been done with the story. Overall, it was an interesting take on the mind of a psychopath and I would read more books by 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 extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review: Furyborn (The Empirium Trilogy) by Claire Legrand

Photo Credit - Amazon

Rielle Dardenne is hiding a secret from her kingdom and her loved ones.  However, when her beloved best friend, Audric is ambushed, Rielle is willing to risk everything to protect him. Rielle is exposed to be one of the prophesied queens; but she must prove that she is the queen of light and not the queen of blood. Rielle must perform seven elemental magic trials and if she fails, things will take a turn for the worse.

Queen Rielle is a fairy tale to Eliana Ferracora. She is a bounty hunter for the Undying Empire, who is trying to survive. When her mother suddenly vanishes and Eliana must join forces with the rebels to find her mother. At the side of the rebels, she realizes evil and how terrible the Empire treats its citizens.  How is Eliana and Rielle related as their story intersect? Will Eliana be able to save the rebels from the Undying Empire?

I found the novel to be an interesting and thrilling read. It was fun to read about two strong female leads. However, I found it hard to like Eliana. She act like she was invisible but she was consistently overtaken by Invictius and the general from Red Crown. I didn't like that she tried using her sex appeal to get out of a situation instead of trying to formulate a plan. While, Rielle to rely on her internal strength and convictions instead of using her sex appeal. I can't read to read the next installment of this book.

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

Book Review - Treacherous Trails by Dana Mentink + Giveaway

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Ella Cahill is working hard to support herself and her sister who is living with a disability. The last thing she needs is more drama in her life. When taking care of one her horses, she passes out and wakes up accused of murder. Her brother's best friend and former marine, Owen Thorn believe her but someone is trying to keep them both quiet. Who is trying to hurt Ella and Owen?

This book went right into the drama and the murder aspect. Some readers might prefer being eased into the storyline but I enjoyed that the novel started that way. I liked that the book was action packed but I wish the "murderer" was a bit more of a mystery. However, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to reading more from the author.

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

About the Book

Title: Treacherous Trails
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Inspy Romanctic Suspense
Release Date: March, 2018
Falsely accused…
Can she escape the real killer?
In this second installment in the Gold Country Cowboys series, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name. Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her. But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a two time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Holt Medallion winner. She is a national bestselling author of over thirty five titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House. Dana was thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the Jeanne Robertson Comedy With Class Competition. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, teen bear cubs affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo, Junie, the nutty terrier, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, Cornbread Mix, and Cowboy Caviar Salsa!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca46