Book Review - He Said He Would Be Late by Justine Sullivan

 

He Said He Would Be Late by Justine Sullivan is about a woman who suspects her beloved husband is cheating on her. Liz Bennett knows that she is lucky to snag her husband, Arno. When they first met, Arno was wealthy, charismatic and attractive. He is a supportive husband to her and a devoted father to their daughter, Emma. He is an all-star employee and everyone loves him at the top banking firm he works at in Boston. He has a promising career and he is in line for a promotion.

In Liz’s mind, Arno is the perfect example of a great husband and he’s one of the reasons why she feels that she has the perfect life. Liz’s life comes crashing down when she sees a text on Arno’s phone with a kissy face emoji. Liz becomes anxious and her wildest imagination takes over. She is worried that her best days of her marriage are over and that her husband is cheating on her.

Liz’s anxiety and worries consume her thoughts and are affecting her sleep. She spends every waking moment thinking about the text and trying to decipher Arno’s behavior. Liz is trying to see if she can catch Arno in a lie. 

Liz tries to track down the mysterious woman that sent the text. Liz’s obsession with the text message has started taking over Liz’s life and infected all aspects of her sanity and mental wellbeing. She believes in her intuition and that she must find out the truth even if it means ending her “perfect” marriage.

 

The book was a thrilling roller coaster ride of answering the question of: is he cheating or not? As the story progresses, we see Liz unravel from a relatively sane person to someone who is consumed by anxiety, distress, and suspicion over her relationship with her husband. The reader is taken on a journey as we try to decide if Liz's instincts are incorrect or is there more to the text message that Arno received.

 

Liz was an interesting character. She was a flawed and relatable person. It was suspenseful reading about her inner turmoil. However, I wish there was more background information to her character and whether or not this is the life she really wanted. Liz went from a woman who was happy with her current life and then she became unbalanced and nothing brought her joy. At times, the story did get repetitive and didn’t progress much. I didn’t like that it ended abruptly and the reader was left to draw their own conclusion. I wish we could have known about the aftermath of what happened after Liz makes her discovery.

Book Review - Monogamy by Sue Miller

 

Graham and Annie seem like a golden couple to their friends and acquaintances. They been married for nearly thirty years and have a seemingly effortless devotion to each other. Graham is a bookseller who loves life. He is a big man who loves to entertain people and is eager to please. Annie is a photographer and is the more reserved one in the relationship.

After a six year lull, Annie is about to have her first gallery show. She was worried that her best years of her career has passed. The pair has two adult children; Lucas, Graham's son from his previous marriage and Sarah, who lives in San Francisco. Frieda was Graham's first wife and remains an integral part of the couple's life. While, Annie loves Frieda, Annie knows that she will be Graham's last and greatest love.

When Graham suddenly passes, Annie is lost because Graham had a strong presence in her life. She tries to figure out how to exist without him. While she is mourning Graham, she discovers a secret that makes her question if she ever truly knew Graham.

Honestly, I picked this book because of the cover. I thought it was quite beautiful and I didn't even bother to read the complete blurb for the book. I am sorely disappointed in myself for not taking the time to read the blurb because this book was an utter waste of time. This book was long winded and boring. I felt like there was absolutely no story and it was just rather pointless. I am genuinely surprised this book so many rewards and mentions as this entire book is a long drawn out conversation from someone you would ignore because they go into pointless details about everything.

Book Review - Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman

 

Joey Green returns to Beaufort, South Carolina to visit his ailing father who suffers from dementia. He offers to watch over his father while his stressed mother take a break. Marshall Green's short term memory has been severely affected by dementia but, his long term memory is still strong as ever. At times, Marshall's mind slips back into time and believes that he is still a boy growing up in Beaufort.

At first, Joey feels this father's slipping memory to be benign. But, when a murder occurs near their home Joey is worried about his father when his father's hallucinatory arguments hint to deadly secrets and scandals.

I thought the book was an okay read. There were moments that I felt were a bit ridiculous like when Joey's mother was yelling at him to make the police stop questioning his father. I felt that it was silly since Joey wasn't a lawyer or had any power to make the questioning stop. The scenes where the characters interacted with the police to be a bit farfetched. Towards the middle of the book, the pacing felt a bit off. That the characters discovered things and another character would reveal the same thing again. And then the killer's relationship with Joey seemed to come out of nowhere. That relationship from zero to hundred in a few days and almost with no interaction with each other.

Book Review - The Haunting of Rookward House by Darcy Coates

 

 

Guy is going through a tough time and had to move back home with his mother. He decides to thank his mother for taking him back in by cleaning up her attic. While cleaning her attic, he finds a deed for a house. He decides that he will clean and update the house and he will be able to sell it for a profit. He figured it would be a great opportunity for him and his mother.

When Guy visits Rookward House, he feels like he is being watched. However, Rookward House doesn't have any neighbors within its vicinity. The locals claim that the house is haunted but, Guy doesn't believe in ghost stories. He decides to spend a week at the crumbling estate to do repairs.  He figured nothing can go wrong during his weeklong stay. However, there is a reason why the mansion has stayed empty for years. There is something buried deep within the walls that's yearning to be free. Almost forty years ago, a woman tormented the family that lived in Rookward house. Her ghost clings to the house and now that Guy moved into her house, she has no intention of letting him go.

I enjoyed reading this story but, I felt like the ghost story was very predictable. This book along with her other works follows the same basic format. I didn't feel like there was a lot of spookiness to this book but, maybe shock/creepy factor. I did feel like the novel was a bit lackluster compared to the other books I read from her. Overall, I am still a fan of her novels 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 - A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

Photo Credit - Amazon

Lizzie Kitsakis is working late when she gets a call from an old friend. Lizzie knows long grueling hours are standard at elite law firms like where she is working, but she has her reasons for wanting to stay late. Until recently, she was working as a federal prosecutor which was her dream job. She had everything she wanted. She had her dream job and her devoted husband, Sam. That was until everything started to fall apart. Maybe the cracks in her life were already there but, Lizzie has been in denial for so long, she doesn't even know what's true anymore.

Lizzie barely keeps afloat with her marital problems and managing her new job.  The last thing she needs is another distraction. She receives a call from Zach Grayson, an old friend who is an inmate at Rikers. He is desperate for her help. His wife, Amanda has been found dead at the bottom of their stairs in their home. Zach is the primary suspect in her murder and he needs all the help he can get. As Lizzie begins to investigate, she realizes everyone is protecting their secrets and nothing is what it seems. Will Lizzie be able to help solve Amanda's murder? Will she be able to save her marriage?

The book is a fast-paced thriller with a few twists. A few of the twists are a bit predictable with enough clues to help you piece it together. The author leaves you wondering, what exactly constitutes a good marriage? We read about several different couples and their different dynamics. I devoured this novel in a few days and it was enjoyable to read. If you are a fan of crime thrillers or courtroom dramas, you will appreciate this book. I can't wait for more books by the author!

**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.**

Book Review - Members Only by Sameer Pandya

Photo Credit - Amazon

Raj Bhatt doesn't know where he belongs. He moved to America from Bombay as a child. He knew very few Indian kids. He is now a middle-aged man living happily married in California. He is mostly happy with life and is teaching at a university. It seems to him that his wife who is white is fitting in better than he does, especially at their tennis club. He loves their tennis club and what it means to be a part of it.

During one week, his life starts unraveling. During a meeting for potential new members, Raj notices that there is an African American couple on the nominee list. He always dreamed of a more diverse tennis club. To fit in, he makes a racist joke and the committee turns on him. He feels betrayed since he has put up years of prejudice. To make matters worse, a group of his students reports him as "anti-Western".

As a person of color and of Indian descent, I have often found myself in Raj's shoes too. I find myself sometimes stump on certain social situations. I can understand how he needs to fit in while honoring his heritage. I thought the book was a fun and engaging read. I couldn't help but, think about my anthropology professor from my college days who was also of Indian descent. I now realize that someone can look put together but, have a host of insecurities and issues that they keep to themselves. The book details events in a week and it was easy to see how one event can lead to a spiral of an unfortunate week. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

**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.**

Book Review - The Third Mrs. Durst by Ann Aguirre

Photo Credit - Amazon

Marlena Durst lives and survives her husband's shadow. He controls her every move and every decision she can make. He decides what she will wear, where she can go, who she can talk too, and even what she can eat. If Marlena disobeys his command, she has to pay the dire consequences. In their marriage, he holds all the power.

On the outside, it may look that Michael is a doting husband and Marlena is living the fairy tale life. However, Marlena has traded her freedom and safety for a gilded prison. As the days go by, it seems the only way to escape is by death.

I usually love reading revenge thrillers as they often have a few bombshells. However, this book had almost zero bombshells and most were predictable or barely worth a yawn. I didn't even care for any of the characters. I understood why Marlena did what she did but, I am not sure if I agreed with some of her plans. I did wish we did understand a bit more of Michael as a character. I didn't like that the book seemed to have a lot of violence for just a shock factor. While I am not a fan of this novel, I will still be on the lookout for other 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 - The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Photo Source - Amazon

After World War II ends, a group of people who have one thing in common decides to create a society for likeminded people in Chawton.  The group comes all walks of life -- a worker, a house servant, a young widow, a doctor, a movie star, and a lawyer.

One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen. Austen is one of England's most notable authors. Chawton is now home to a few residents and their crumbling estates. When Austen's legacy is threatened, the group decided to work together to preserve Jane's home and legacy.  Each of the members is struggling with their private struggles but, together they hope to create something that can outlast them.

The book started good but, then slowly towards the end I felt like the book started dragging. I must admit that I  have not read any of her books (but, I have read similar books and have enjoyed them) so, maybe that's why I didn't enjoy the book. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and I didn't like the ending. I didn't like some of the choices the characters made. I didn't understand the motivation behind their choices. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and everything tied up neatly in a bow. I wish that there was enough "mystery" and "delight" spread throughout the novel. I felt like this cozy read might be perfect for Jane Austen fans but, sadly, it wasn't for me.

**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.**

Book Review - Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sophie van Rijn is a volunteer for the Weather Bureau and she needs access to the highest point in her village for the most accurate readings.  Dierenpark an abandoned mansion that is on top of a cliff in the Hudson River Valley. Sophie knows this is the best option even though she doesn't have permission from the owners.

Quentin is the first Vandermark to return to the area in nearly sixty years. He intends to tear down the mansion in hopes to end the dark rumors surrounding his family. However, upon his return to the mansion, he is infuriated that someone has been trespassing on his property during his family's absence. The pair is at odds at each other but, Sophie seems to be able to reach his son. Will two be able to put their differences aside and help each other?

I was quite disappointed in this book and found both characters to be insufferable.  Quentin is in pain and seems to be taking out his cruelty on others and then is baffled when his son doesn't like him. Sophie is this "light"  that can do no wrong and because she is nice everything works out for her in the end. I was annoyed that one character was insulting other religions and I understand that they don't believe in religion but, I think that part was not needed. I thought the history of the Vandermark would have a more prominent role but instead, they spent more time going into detail on Sophie's love-filled cooking. I find that Sophie was all for doing the right thing when it benefits her and her needs. When her father was doing an illegal search in Vandermark's claim on the mansion or using the roof without permission she made no Biblical references to those behaviors. I am still baffled on how the two characters end up liking each other especially when Sophie seems hesitant until the end.

**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.**

Book Review - The Refuge by Ann H. Gabhart

Photo Credit - Amazon

Darcie and Walter Goodwin decide to join the local Shaker village when a new cholera epidemic hits their area. The Shaker village seems to be immune to the disease and once, the threat passes, the Goodwins will leave the community. During a routine trip into town, Walter is killed in a riverboat accident.

Darcie is devastated by the news and but, she has nowhere else to go. She has no family and money along with being pregnant with a child. The Shaker community is celibate people who believe in marital relationships to be sinful.  Darcie feels isolated and alone because of her pregnancy. However, when Darcie crosses path with Flynn Keller and his daughter, will Darcie be able to find her path to happiness?

This was the first novel I ever read about the Shaker community. I thought some of their ideas were a bit "strange" especially, the procreation portion and referring to our parents as "sister" or "brother". However, I also like many of their ideas, such as, providing a haven for everyone, being an inclusive community, and ensuring everyone having a role to play. I liked all the characters except for one of the characters, who tried to murder someone and nothing happened to her. I liked that each of the characters was flawed but, found someone else or a community to help bring out the best of themselves.

**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.**

Book Review - Processed Cheese by Stephen Wright

Photo Credit - Amazon

Graveyard is on his way to look for a job when a bag of money drops from the sky and falls into his path. Graveyard hurries home to his wife, Ambience to share in the good news. Together they go on a spending journey to have everything they always wanted. The owner of the money bag begins to search for his money and is willing to do whatever is necessary to get it back.

At first, I thought the character's names were a bit weird but, I thought I can just ignore it. But, when everything started having wack-a-doo naming, even the days of the week. I started losing interest in the novel very quickly. It took more effort to remember the weird names and what they meant. I spent more time trying to decipher the names than I was focusing on the novel. I couldn't even make it past a few chapters before I realized this book isn't for me.

 **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 Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr

Photo Credit - Amazon

When famed poet Hugh de Bonne is discovered dead in his bath one day, his cousin Robert Highstead is tasked with helping Hugh with his last wishes. Robert is a post-mortem photographer and has to transport Hugh's remains for burial in a chapel where his wife's remains preside. The chapel, Ada's folly was built by Hugh sixteen years earlier as a dedication for his late wife and muse. However, since her death, the chapel has been locked and abandoned but, fans of de Bonne visit the site.

Ada's niece refuses to open the glass chapel for Robert unless he does something for her in return. She promises that she will allow Hugh's remains if Robert records Isabelle's story of Ada's and Hugh's love story over the course of five nights.  As Robert listens to Isabelle's story, he discovers secrets that closely align with ones he has been keeping secret. 

I love a good horror story but, this one didn't deliver. The beginning of the novel was very slow and it took a while before I became interested in the plot. I felt like there were no spooky elements but, only a few predictable surprises and a case of one too many mistaken identities. The novel fell short as a ghost story but, it had a few twists and turns.

**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 Liar's Room by Simon Lelic

Photo Credit - Amazon

Susanna Fenton is living a lie. She is keeping secrets from her daughter and her friends. Fourteen years ago, she left her husband and her identity behind to keep her daughter safe. She works as a therapist helping people, hoping she put her past behind her.

A young man, Adam Geraghty walks into her office, insisting he needs help from Susanna. Susanna feels that Adam isn't being honest with her and he has a darker motive. She begins to fear that her secret has been discovered. Why is Adam asking Susanna for help? What are his true motives behind his visit?

The novel had a few twists and turns but, I didn't find the novel to be exciting. I didn't find any of the characters relatable and I felt that the novel moved very slowly. Overall, it wasn't a bad read but, it wasn't very psychologically thrilling.

 **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 - Dragonslayer by Duncan M. Hamilton + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

A long time ago, dragons once rule the lands and there was heavy demand for brave dragonslayers. However, the dragons have long died out and the need for dragonslayers died with them.  Guillot dal Villevauvais was once an illustrious famous knight of the King's personal guard and now, he a drunken disgrace.

When a quest to look forgotten power awakes a dragon, Gill is called upon to help slay the dragon.  He is astonished and worried when he called upon by Prince Bishop to kill the dragon  He is no longer the heroic person and must call upon his past experience to help guide him.  

On his way to the Capital, Gill comes across a young barmaid, Solene who is about to be burned as a witch by an angry mob. He had seen enough innocent people being punished wrongly and decides to save her. He soon discovers that Solene is a powerful mage but lacks experience and control. However, magic is considered to be forbidden but, Prince Bishop believes magic will help destroy the dragon and better the lives of the people. Together will Gill and Solene be able to defeat the dragon?

I love reading the "Lord of the Rings" novels. While this book has elements of a great fantasy novel, I felt like something was missing.  felt like there was a lack of explaining the world the characters lived in. There was no story behind the different cities and villages that would have helped add to the story. I did enjoy that the novel included the perspective of both the dragon and the human characters.  The novel did include a lot of gore, sword fighting, and adventure but, overall the novel wasn't for me.

 **Disclosure - I received a free unedited 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.**

Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (July 2, 2019)
Publication Date: July 2, 2019
Sold by: Macmillan
Language: English
ASIN: B07CRFSDLS

Author of one of BuzzFeed 's Greatest Fantasy Books of 2013

Do you have what it takes to be a Dragonslayer? In this epic, adventure fantasy series, an unlikely hero, Guillot dal Villevauvais, must overcome his disgraced past as a failed member of the King’s guard and hunt down a ferocious beast thought long extinct. A dangerous quest, led by the swordsmanship of Gill, the magical powers of Solène, a barmaid nearly burned to the stake, and the goodness of Prince Bishop. From the critically acclaim fantasy author Duncan M. Hamilton, this fast-moving series is a must-read for fans of epic, sword-and-sorcery adventures.

In his magnificent, heroic, adventure fantasy, Dragonslayer, Duncan M. Hamilton debuts the first book in a fast-moving trilogy: a dangerous tale of lost magics, unlikely heroes, and reawakened dragons.

Once a member of the King's personal guard, Guillot dal Villevauvais spends most days drinking and mourning his wife and child. He’s astonished—and wary—when the Prince Bishop orders him to find and destroy a dragon. He and the Prince Bishop have never exactly been friends and Gill left the capital in disgrace five years ago. So why him? And, more importantly, how is there a dragon to fight when the beasts were hunted to extinction centuries ago by the ancient Chevaliers of the Silver Circle?

On the way to the capitol city, Gill rescues Solène, a young barmaid, who is about to be burned as a witch. He believes her innocent…but she soon proves that she has plenty of raw, untrained power, a problem in this land, where magic is forbidden. Yet the Prince Bishop believes magic will be the key to both destroying the dragon and replacingthe young, untried King he pretends to serve with a more pliable figurehead.
Between Gill’s rusty swordsmanship and Solene’s unstable magic, what could go wrong?

You can purchase Dragonslayer at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Credit: Jason Clarke

Duncan M. Hamilton is the Amazon best selling writer of fantasy novels and short stories, including The Wolf of the North and the Society of the Sword trilogy. He has Master’s Degrees in History and Law, and practised as a barrister before writing full time. Duncan is particularly interested in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, from which he draws inspiration for his stories.

He lives in Ireland, near the sea, and when not writing he enjoys sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, cycling, and skiing.

His debut novel, ‘The Tattered Banner (Society of the Sword Volume 1)’ was featured on Buzzfeed’s 12 Greatest Fantasy Books Of The Year, 2013.

Duncan is a member of The Society of Authors, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). He is represented by DongWon Song of Howard Morhaim Literary.

      

WEEK ONE

JULY 1st MONDAY BookHounds EXCERPT 

JULY 2nd TUESDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

JULY 3rd WEDNESDAY J.R.'s Book Reviews REVIEW
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JULY 4th THURSDAY Lauren's Bookshelf REVIEW

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JULY 8th MONDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

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Book Review - Refuge at Pine Lake: A Pine Haven Novel by Rose Chandler Johnson + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

After a fire forces Robin Lancaster and her mother to move out of their condo, they decide to reevaluate their living arrangement. Robin decides to use the family's lake house to rearrange her priorities including finding love. Robin is a former kindergarten teacher but, she decides she wants to focus on her artwork. She hopes to rekindle her romance with Caleb Jackson, who is the area's top hunting and fishing guide. However, all of Robin's plans go awry when she finds out the cabin has been rented to a professor on sabbatical leave. 

Matthew McLaughlin is a widowed university professor and an acclaimed author from California. He comes to Pine Lake to heal after losing his wife in a car accident. He hopes that this sabbatical will help him revitalize his spirits and writing career. However, when he crosses path with Robin and her dog, he wonders if there is more to life.

At first, I wasn't very fond of the main characters. Robin seemed very involved in wanting to have freedom from her mother and to be able to pursue Caleb freely. However, she didn't take into account Matt's feelings and his need for privacy. On the same hand, Matt seemed to be gruff when they first met and then falls for Robin after a few homecooked meals. As the novel progressed, I did warm up a bit more to the characters and was hoping that they get their own happy ending. 

 **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.**

Refuge at Pine Lake
By Rose Chandler Johnson
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
March 6th 2019 by Chanson Books

Robin Lancaster, a twenty-six-year-old former kindergarten teacher, has her summer and her life all figured out. She’s ready to be on her own, writing and illustrating her children’s stories at her family’s beloved lake house. Once there, she intends to rekindle a romance with Caleb Jackson, the area’s top hunting and fishing guide, and bag him for herself.

Complications arise from the start when Robin finds out her mother has rented the lake house to a man they know nothing about.

Matthew McLaughlin, forty-year-old widowed university professor and author from California, shows up at Pine Lake in crisis. A sabbatical might be his only hope to save much more than his career. He needs a place of refuge. Sharing the lake house with a lighthearted young woman and her dog is the last thing on his mind.

Caleb Jackson has his own plans. He’s used to things going his way, but a man staying in Robin’s house presents unforeseen challenges. When paths unavoidably tangle for these three, hearts are on the line.

Goodreads│Amazon

About the Author

Rose Chandler Johnson is known for her heartwarming, inspirational writing. In addition to works of sweet contemporary fiction, her devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments won the Georgia Author of the Year Finalist Award in 2014.

In her novels, Rose brings to life fascinating characters with compelling relationships embracing family, community, and faith. In distinctive southern settings, Rose creates memorable stories that will stir your heart. Readers often say her writing warms the soul as it reaffirms belief in love and wholesome goodness. Don’t be surprised if you sigh with pleasure as you savor the final pages of her stories.
​
Rose has lived in a suburb of Augusta, GA for thirty plus years. Before retiring from Georgia’s school system, she taught English, French, and ESOL. Currently, she is an English instructor at a community college. In addition to reading and writing, Rose enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with her six children and her beautiful grandchildren.

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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 - Widows by Lynda La Plante

Photo Credit - Amazon

 After receiving news that their husbands have perished in a fire, Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli, and Shirley Miller must face life alone. The widows decided to work together and complete the heist that killed their husbands after Dolly discovers her husband's robbery plans. The widows train to pull off the perfect heist given this would be their first brush with breaking the law. During their preparation, they realize they need a fourth person to pull of their plan perfectly. They recruit a fourth person for their heist while trying to figure out who the fourth man  who abandoned their husbands. Who was the fourth man that left their husbands for death? Will the widows be able to pull off the heist?

The novel was a fun to read and interesting that the four lead criminals were all females. I like that each of the characters had a strong personality. And how they tried to overcome their husband's death while pulling a heist that none of them has experience with. I found the book to be a bit slow at times but I look forward to reading more books from the author.

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

Book Review - The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

As a loyal officer of the law, Alexander Moore must go undercover as a gambling wine merchant. He was hesitant to take the mission but as he owes the General Ford, he agrees to take on the mission to find the traitor. As the master of disguise, Alex manages to convince Johanna Langely that he is a rouge but they both feel that there is more to their friendship than they want to believe.

Johanna is the proprietress of a failing family inn and she is financially struggling. When she crosses path with the roguish but dashing Alex, she is afraid of letting her guard down and trusting him. But she sees that her younger brother, Thomas and her mother are taken with the kind Alex. Will Johanna be able to let down her guard and trust Alex? Will Johanna be able to save her family's inn? Is Alex willing to follow his heart and pursue Johanna or will he follow General Ford's directive instead?

The novel was an interesting read but I felt it moved a bit slow for my liking. While, I did like the characters and hoped that they would get their "happy" ending, I felt like something was missing. I did feel like Johanna's character was a bit lacking as she is often portrayed as a failure from causing accidents to not being at the inn when her family needed her. I would have preferred a strong and dependent female heroine. 

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

About the Book

Title: The Innkeeper’s Daughter

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: March 1, 2018

A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the Crown

 
Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue. . .until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.

Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

About the Author

Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit www.michellegriep.com.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of The Innkeeper’s Daughter and a $25 gift card from Barnes & Noble!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb72

Book Review - Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Livy Johnson decides she needs a fresh start after her relationship crumbles with her abusive ex. With her fresh start, she can mend her broken heart and follow her dreams while becoming her true self. As luck would have it, she comes across a listing for her grandmother's old home in the small community of Laurel Cove, North Carolina. Livy believes the distraction of restoring her grandmother's cottage along with the happy memories from her childhood will help heal her ailing heart.

Jack Bowdon, the owner of Bowdon's Supplies, is nursing a broken heart along with being afraid to open up his heart and love again. He crosses past with his childhood friend, Livy, and offers to help repair her home. He hopes to spend time with Livy will help cheer him up. Will Livy and Jack be able to repair their love lives? Will they be able to get over their past?

The novel was an interesting read. It was about two simple people who are trying to find themselves and love while being true to God. The story was a bit slow moving for me along with having a lot of fluff and being very predictable. I felt like the last 50 pages in the book was used to stretch the page count of the book. In my opinion, if the book had the same material, but across less pages, it would have been more enjoyable.

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

About the Book

Book Title: Someplace Familiar
Author: Teresa Tysinger
Release date: May, 2017

Artist Livy Johnson needs a fresh start. That’s what a broken heart and forgotten dreams can do to a person. On little more than a whim, she reclaims her grandmother’s old home in quaint Laurel Cove, North Carolina and vows to restore its original charm. When she literally collides with childhood friend, Jack Bowdon, Livy wonders if she’s back for an entirely different reason.

Jack can’t believe his childhood crush is back. As the owner of Bowdon’s Supplies, and once again the town’s most eligible bachelor, he offers to help Livy with repairs. Together they embark on the project – and an undeniable whirlwind romance.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they survive the destructive pain of their pasts and discover God’s grace waiting to renovate their hearts?

About the Author

Teresa Tysinger is a wife and mother transplanted from North Carolina to North Texas. When not working as the Director of Communications for a large downtown church, she writes charming southern romances inspired by grace. Her debut novel, Someplace Familiar, released this summer. She also is a contributing writer for the Fort Worth Moms Blog (part of the national City Moms Blog Network). A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Religious Communicators’ Council, and the Association for Women in Communications, Teresa has spent over a decade committed to telling stories of faith through written word. She loves coffee, caramel, and stories with happy endings.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Teresa is giving away a grand prize of a gift basket that includes a signed copy of the book, an Original Painting by Author’s Sister (artist Cyndi Browning), and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/ca5b