Book Review - Rules For Vanishing Rules For Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

Photo Source - Amazon

Once a year, a magical road appears in the middle of the forest. Near the end of the road, the ghost of Lucy Gallow is waiting for new travelers. The game isn't for the faint of heart as losing can cost you everything. 

One year ago, Sara's sister, Becca disappeared. Sara knows that Becca went to find the ghost of Lucy Gallows. However, Becca is trapped on the road and unable to return to back to Briar Glen. Nobody believes that the tale of Lucy is real. However, Sara knows it's real and she is going to prove it.

Sara gathers her friends in the woods to search for Becca when the road appears in front of them. All they have to do is walk down the path. However, they soon learn that the path is filled with mysterious things and many of them are not from this world. They learn that following the path means following its rules and there will fatal consequences for anyone who breaks them. Will Sara be able to pay the toll necessary to find her sister?

The novel was an interesting and engrossing read. I like included "transcripts" of text messages and voicemails. However, I did find portions of the book confusing and the ending left me with a lot of questions. I am hoping that there is a sequel or this is made into a movie because it was a really interesting story!

  **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.**

Book Review - Charlie and Frog: The Boney Hand by Karen Kane + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Charlie Tickler just wants his parents to listen and pay attention to him. Francine "Frog" Castle wants to become the world's greatest detective.Together they work to solve unexpected mysteries in their school, Castle School for the Deaf. In their latest adventure, Charlie is accused of stealing a piece of the school's famous history. Charlie and Frog must solve the case before the cursed object lands in the wrong hands.

The novel was filled with fun and eccentric characters including Charlie's parents and grandparents. There was a few juvenile jokes about frozen underwear, missing remotes, and jellybeans. I love that the author showcased people who are deaf or hard of hearing along with including instructions on sign language. My favorite part was learning how to sign my favorite thing in the world (chocolate!). A must read for any child who likes a cozy mystery.

 **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.**

Title: CHARLIE & FROG THE BONEY HAND

Author: Karen Kane

Pub. Date: June 4, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 272

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

All Charlie Tickler wants is for his parents to listen.

All Francine (a.k.a Frog) Castle wants is to be the world's greatest detective.

So begins the friendship of Charlie and Frog, who soon become a crime-solving duo, restoring order to Castle-on-the-Hudson.

Charlie, the new kid at the Castle School for the Deaf continues to find unexpected mysteries in the sleepy town of Castle-on-the-Hudson with Frog, his new friend and crime-solving partner. Just when Charlie thinks everything has settled down, a piece of the school's famous history goes missing, and it's up to the Charlie and Frog to solve the case, before it's too late.

About Karen:

Karen Kane’s path to Charlie & Frog led her from a small village near Rochester, NY, to the bustle of Washington, DC. The people she met along the way inspired her writing with their warmth and humor, especially those in the Deaf community. Karen graduated from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When she’s not writing, Karen spends her days as a sign language interpreter at Gallaudet University or lost in the stacks of her local library. Charlie & Frog is her first novel. ​

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 lucky winners will receive finished copies of CHARLIE & FROG THE BONEY HAND, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2944/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/3/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

6/4/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt

6/5/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt

6/6/2019- Little Red Reads- Excerpt

6/7/2019- The Suburban Lifestyle- Review

Week Two:

6/10/2019- BookishRealmReviews- Review

6/11/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review

6/12/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

6/13/2019- Two points of interest- Review

6/14/2019- Owl Always Be Reading- Review

Book Review - The French Girl by Lexie Elliott

Photo Credit - Amazon

Six friends from Oxford University decided to spend a week together in a French farmhouse. It was supposed to be the perfect summer together. Severine is the girl next door who joins the friends for the week-long trip. The last night of the holiday, the friends get into a fight that tears their friendships apart. That was also the last night Severine was seen. Almost a decade later, Severine's body is found near the farmhouse. Each of the friends is under suspicions and no one can trust anyone. Who is behind Severine's murder? 

The novel was a fun read but, the plot was a bit predictable.  I didn't find anything to set this book apart from other books of similar genres. I wished the author included more details about Severine and why she is "haunting" one of the characters. Overall, a fun book to read but, a bit predictable.

**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 - Murder by Perfection by Lauren Carr + Giveaway

All Jessica Faraday wanted was to spend time with her partner, Murphy Thornton. For their date night, they were going to take a gourmet cooking course together. However, the chef, Natalie Stepford ends up dead and Murphy goes missing. Will the Thorny Rose detectives be able to solve the mystery?

Lauren Carr writes a classic whodunit novel that leaves reader guessing up until the very end. The plot line has many twists and leaves readers in suspense. A great and interesting book, I can't wait to read more of Carr's drama filled books!

**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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.** 

 
Book Details:

Book Title: Murder by Perfection by Lauren Carr
Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 3)
Category: Adult fiction, 322 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: May 31, 2018
Tour dates: Oct 8 to Nov 2, 2018
Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)

Book Description:

Perfection can be a fatal endeavor.

Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night. The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and business.

When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.

Buy the Book:

Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Watch the book trailer:

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Nov 10, 2018

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Book Review - The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Photo Credit - Amazon

Aiden Bishop is tasked with preventing Evelyn Hardcastle from being murdered at 11:00 pm. However, if he fails the day will restart and Evelyn will die again. Aiden must race against the clock and name the killer if, he wishes to escape. As he wakes up in a body of a different guest every day, he learns each host has a different personality and motive. Will Aiden be able to find out the killer within the eight days?

The novel had a very interesting premise. I like that the novel had elements of sci-fi, thriller, and mystery all wrapped in one interesting book.  While the book was a good and suspenseful read, I had a hard time keeping track of some of the minor details especially, when the future was altered. However, the book is definitely a fun read and I look forward to reading 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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Curse of the Ancients by Hawk MacKinney + Giveaway

Craige Ingram and Grayson MacGerald are a part of special elite SpecOps SEAL team. The duo is used to the sight and smells of a dead body. However, when Grayson and Craige are called into a police investigation with a victim found dead, something doesn't quite smell right. When Mihály Keaulescu invites Craige to once in a life search for ancient artifact, things might end up deadly. Will Craige be able to escape?

The book had an interesting premise but I found it very hard to get into. I felt like it had too much military lingo to be enjoyable. I also felt like I didn't understand how some of the scenes changed. The book is about an interesting topic but the writing style made it hard for me.

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

Book Details:

Book Title: Curse of the Ancients by Hawk MacKinney
Series: The Moccasin Hollow Series Book 3
Category: Adult Fiction, 278 pages
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Sage Words Publishing
Release date: April 2018

Content Rating: R (This book is rated R for explicit murder scenes.)

Book Description:

As Craige Ingram climbed the stairs of the derelict building, that peculiar stench of a dead body hit him. It was the same smell no matter where—SpecOps SEAL encounter gone sour, or in a vacant, roach-infested apartment. Inside, his SEAL buddy-turned head of Buckingham Parish Homicide’s Investigative Support Division, Grayson MacGerald, was huddled with the coroner next to a swollen decaying corpse that was days old and hardly more than oozing dead meat.

The PI inside Craige had a gut feeling that there was more to this than a dead body, and Craige’s Grannie always told him, “Trust your feelin’s.” But that was before Mihály Keaulescu set down two of his Black Falcon choppers on Craige’s Moccasin Hollow private airstrip in an uninvited stopover. It got worse. From his airstrip to Israel, to Turkey and a nightmare-dream of one-of-a-kind ancient artifacts that not only threatened the serene life Craige knew and loved at Moccasin Hollow, it would destroy the world.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Watch the book trailer:

Meet the Author:

With postgraduate degrees and faculty positions at several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem. In addition to his work in classrooms and laboratories, he has written numerous professional articles on chordate neuroembryology and authored several novels that reflect his southwest upbringing in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Moccasin Trace, a historical novel nominated for both the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award, details the family bloodlines of his protagonist in the Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series. Hidden Vault of Secrets and Westobou Gold, Books 1 and 2 in the series, have received national and international attention. Hawk is also writing a science fiction series, The Cairns of Sainctuarie.

Connect with the author: Website

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends on June 23, 2018

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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 Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the year 1986, Eddie and his friends had been regular kids. They ride their bikes and hang out around the community while avoiding the older bullies. They create a special secret code between themselves: small chalk stick figures that only they can understand with each of the kids having their own color. However, one day their secret code leads them to a gruesome murder with a missing head.  In the year 2016, Eddie is fully grown and left those childhood memories in the past. However, he receives a message in the mail with a chalk figure. He finds himself facing the demons of his childhood. What does the code mean? Who is sending the code? Is the code connected to the murder?

The novel alternates between past and present for Eddie. The readers are given A dark, thrilling novel that left me in suspense. It was an interesting read that kept me guessing until the end, even though some portions left me stumped. I felt like it shows how the things we regret affect us as we grow up and even how it affects our behaviors and reactions. A great read for a stormy day! 

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

Book Review - The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks

Photo Credit - Amazon

 When I first picked up this book and read this description: 

A novel of suspense that explores the complexities of marriage and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous wife and her obsession with her replacement.
You will assume you are reading about a woman about to enter a new marriage with the man she loves.
You will assume the first wife was a disaster and that the husband was well rid of her.
You will assume you know the motives, the history, the anatomy of the relationships.
Assume nothing.

Discover the next blockbuster novel of suspense, and get ready for the read of your life.

It answered nothing, but what the book was about, but left me with more questions than answers. However, I was pleasantly surprised how fitting that description is really. The novel starts out with two different points of view and the reader will make judgments of both of them. But as you start to get more into the book the more you realize, maybe you are wrong. What you assume is wrong. Who you think you know is wrong. Nothing you know is right.

The novel beautifully blends many suspenseful mini stories which will keep readers guessing how it all ties in together. An amazingly good read on a rainy just not on the train or you might miss your train stop!

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion**