Michelles Book Ends

2021-09-28T20:33:00.002-05:00

Hope to be back by the first of the new year..

Looking forward to reading and reviewing again....

2021-02-08T19:58:00.003-06:00

Temporarily Closed

Due to ongoing health issues I am taking a break from reading/reviewing. I hope to be back soon. Thank you to all who have supported this blog.

Michelle Shealy

Michelle's Book Ends

Feb. 8, 2021

"Deadly Weapon" (Jake Wolfe #5) by Mark Nolan

2020-09-02T15:24:00.002-05:00

"Once he'd left the shore behind, Jake glanced back at the city, and all of the buildings and vehicles. So many people going about their lives with no idea a strange and invisible medical threat could kill them without warning. His troubled mind felt overburdened by too many secrets."

Jake Wolfe and his Marine service dog, Cody, are back in the 5th installment of the “Jack Wolfe” series. A great tale full of suspense and action. Jake’s girlfriend, Sarah, is also back. A local veterinarian, and Jakes true love. Will they finally figure out where their relationship stands? Cody has a girlfriend, with a heartwarming scene for all.

Jake works for a secret branch of the government. Here’s where the story gets eerily like the year 2020. Unbelievable, based on facts that actually came true after the book had been written.

Jake is tasked with finding people and things that may unleash a deadly virus on San Francisco. Full of action and excitement as Jake follows the missions presented to him. Destroy it before it’s unleashed on the world.

Will the virus get out? Can Jake stop it in time? I love these characters. Well written, up to date on things going on in the world. An author that has done his research. The shock is still that the book was written before the outbreak of “Covid-19.”

A series that can be read as stand-alone books. I love this series. Can’t wait for more “Jake and Cody.”

Thank you Mark Nolan

Buy "Deadly Weapon" now on Amazon!

"Raven Rain" : A Johnny Delarosa Thriller (Delarosa Series Book 3)

2020-08-15T18:02:00.000-05:00

“And I waited in silent darkness. Seemed like forever but I’m sure it was less than a minute. I took a deep breath, making myself remain calm and focus my thoughts. I was alive, only unsure of what to expect next.”....

Johnny Delarosa is back in the third installment of the “Delarosa Thriller Series.” Once again, an action filled ride from start to finish.

Former football player, Stan Shelton, needs Johnny’s help. Someone is blackmailing the man who comes off larger than life to most others. He may not be telling all the truth, and that’s going to put Johnny and crew at risk.

Is Stan’s only crime hiring an escort? When a detective starts to investigate, Johnny is trying to beat him to the truth. The heat is on.

The past will also play a part for Johnny. Something he’d never forgotten, is coming back to haunt him. Clever twist. As always, the series draws you in and doesn’t let go until the very end. I always look forward to more “Delarosa” adventures. Well written characters, with a hard edge private investigator, former cop, Johnny is your man when you need someone to protect you.

Thank you David Stever

Buy "Raven Rain: now on Amazon

"Hell In The Heartland" Murder, Meth, and The Case of Two Missing Girls by Jax Miller

2020-07-28T16:01:00.004-05:00

Buy "Hell in The Heartland" now on Amazon: click here!

"I've driven the route between Vinita and Welch more times than I can count, more times than I've visited my childhood home. Each trip is slightly brighter and louder than the last, to a place where it takes time for my eyes and ears to adjust. Coming here, to where they were last seen, isn't something I'm able to resist. I'm drawn. Obsessed. Manic. Sometimes I come up the driveway and think of the five of them here. Danny, Kathy, Ashley, Lauria, and Jeremy. Sometimes I imagine I am them. But as my senses adjust to deep, dark country, I light a smoke there on the Freeman property and imagine that I am the killer or killers who struck the first flame. I blow out my match, adding a pinch of sulfur to the pastures surrounding in the same way as Ashely blew out her birthday candles."..........

This a true crime story. It’s December 30, 1999. Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible are having a girls birthday night sleepover at Ashley’s home. By morning the trailer has burned to the ground, and the girls are nowhere to be found. The rural Oklahoma town is left without answers.

Rumors abound. The clues useless. Years later, the author, Jax Miller, starts to look into this unsolved case. A horrific tale of secrets and crime, possibly covered up by the very people they were supposed to trust.? A mother who refused to give up. Families and friends and the rumors that followed for years, probably still do. Someone, somewhere had to know the truth.

The real question is where are Ashley and Lauria? Dead or alive?

The author takes you through this tragic line of events, and provides some ideas to what may have happened and why. A very interesting read. What I really liked was the author presented them as real. She presented their lives leading up to, and after the fire. The author did not sensationalize the story. The facts wore on her soul, and she wanted to help them find answers. From the first page, told with such detail, you feel yourself step into the story beside the author.

For more follow up please see the Facebook page: “Find Lauria Bible.”

Thank you Jax Miller, Netgalley, and Berkley Publishing Group.

#netgalley #hellintheheartland #jaxmiller

"Scars of the Past" A Wounded Warrior Novel (Oak Creek Book 3)

2020-06-12T11:04:00.003-05:00

"The email he'd read earlier, had been from Houston Miller, his former Platoon Leader. It swirled around his mind and filled his chest with excitement. A one year walk across the U.S. to raise awareness for the staggering veteran suicide rate. To fund a non profit organization that would focus on preventing the outrageous number of veterans committing suicide every single day. And Houston has convinced him, a leg amputee, to become part of the journey. It would start a new chapter of Reid's life and be his rite of passage."......

Reid was a soldier. Now he’s heading to Oak Creek to join his former soldier and friend, Houston, on an awareness walk for veterans. It’s called “Heroes Rise,”a veterans suicide awareness project. Along the way Reid is going to have to deal with his scars, as well as the scars of others. It’s a lost dog that puts him on a different path.

Keira has trust issues. She’s work as a teacher, and also volunteers at the local dog rescue. So when she meets Reid, the sparks fly. Are they both too damaged to have anything meaningful?

A wonderful, well told contemporary story. As a mother of a veteran, awareness to veteran suicide and PTSD issues is so important.

Will Keira and Reid bond over the rescued dog? Any story that has a dog in it is always a great read for me. There’s a little danger lurking, along with friendship and love.

This is the 3rd in the “Oak Creek” series, but a stand-alone. I really enjoy this authors work. Check out her first two in this series as well as her other work. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you BK Stubblefield

Buy "Scars of the Past" now on Amazon! click here

"Little Creeping Things" by Chelsea Ichaso

2020-05-08T15:39:00.001-05:00

"My whole life I've been told I knocked over the candle that burned down the place. But I don't remember doing it." I shut my eyes, letting the image of my playhouse crashing around me flicker in the darkness. "Maybe I'm not remembering because"-my fingers twist the edge of the bedsheet-"I did something horrible. Like everyone says."......

Cassidy was just 7 years old when she survived a fire that killed her little friend. Fast forward to high school and Cass is known as “fire girl”, unable to escape her tragic past. Did she really start that fire? They say she did.

Now in high school, others are cruel, especially the dead girls cousin, Melody. When Melody disappears, Cassidy feels she may be blamed for it. She enlists her closest friend, Gideon, to help her.

Just when Cassidy has it figured out, it becomes a very dangerous situation. Cassidy has secrets she can’t share, not even with Gideon.

Where is Melody? The story was very captivating. I wanted to know if Cassidy was really who she was portraying herself to be. A thoroughly suspenseful tale!

Thank you Chelsea Ichaso, Netgalley, Sourcebook Fire

#Littlecreepingthings, #Netgalley

Buy "Little Creeping Things" on June 2nd at Amazon: click here!

1 like

"No Way Out" A Molly Donovan Suspense Novel by Tower Lowe

2020-05-06T15:27:00.002-05:00

“Molly explained about the stroke. “Afterwards, I wanted my arm to be functional again. But I had a friend who taught me a new way to look at it. My goal is to live life fully with one arm. And it’s the same for you.”......

This romantic suspense starts with a murder, and a possible love interest for Molly. Someone murders her friend, coworker, Gloria, right there in the office.

Molly received a strange email from Gloria. Now she’s determined to find the who and the why someone would kill her friend.

Molly is dealing from some personal heartbreak, including a broken engagement. She meets Miguel the day of the murder. He has his own secrets. While she might like him, she’s determined not to get too mixed up with him.

They are going to work together to uncover Gloria’s secrets. Unfortunately, Miguel’s past may bring some shady characters into the story.

I found the story entertaining. Nothing too deep or serious to follow. Sometimes a book like this is just what you need. A nice distraction from the everyday life we are currently experiencing. A little romance and a little danger thrown in.

Molly is a strong character. I think the author could really take her places in the future. I don’t want to say that Molly has a physical disability, as much as I want to say she uses what she has to her advantage and strength. It doesn’t take from her character, it enhances it. You’ll have to read it to find out!

Thank you Tower Lowe

Buy "No Way Out" now on Amazon: click here!

"Who Did You Tell" by Lesley Kara

2020-04-26T13:30:00.003-05:00

"What goes around comes around. And now it's time. It's time to pay for what you've done"..............

Astrid is trying to start over. Leaving a hard life behind and trying to find her way in a sober life. She’s lost so much. She’s made awful mistakes.

Living with her mom and attending AA meetings, she’s putting forth the effort. Course she has her doubts she can do it. Someone else is doubting her as well. Someone is slowly tormenting her. Dropping clues to her past.

Who could know? Who did she tell? What will happen to her new life if her old life is revealed? A great psychological game of cat and mouse.

I enjoyed this book. Well written. The ending not obvious. Something I always admire in an author. Don’t make it so easy for me that I already know the ending half way through.

Will Astrid really be able to start over? She may have to pay for her last sins. Her stalker insists.

Thank you Leslie Kara, Netgalley, Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books.

Buy "Who Did You Tell" available on Amazon June 16th: click here!

#netgalley #whodidyoutell

The Night Police: Beyond The Line of Duty by Chris Berg and Paul James Smith

2020-04-26T13:00:00.003-05:00

The “Night Police” is based on true crime events, and real police officers. Dark, and at times quite disturbing. Written in a way that you can imagine the gore quite well. The story will definitely appeal to law enforcement officers, those that shared this life.

The story goes back and forth between events in the officers lives, to a night they meet up in their favorite bar. Bristol City is the setting for the crime ridden tale. A run down area full of drugs and decay. Also full of the "Night Police," cops that just want to make a real difference no matter what it takes to make it happen. Cops who have each others backs no matter what.

As these five meet for a night of drinking and reliving old stories, much about them is revealed. A shocking ending. While I found the stories very interesting, I think the people it will most appeal to is other police. I think they’ll understand the ins and out, and it will speak to them. A decent read though.

Thank you Chris Berg, James Paul Smith, Netgalley, and Book Baby

#Netgalley #thenightpolice

Buy "the Night Police" now on Amazon: click here!

"The Men of Holmby Hills: Aiden Book Two by Allyson Simonian

2020-03-03T15:49:00.003-06:00

"Now I'll receive the terms I want in our divorce. I should be happy. No judge in their right mind would reward a cheating spouse. Brianne and I had a prenup in place, but my terms were still generous. Given what's happened, though, I won't pay out a single dime. I won't reward someone who has betrayed me."......

In this contemporary romance we find Aiden and Brianne on the edge of divorce. Aiden, convinced that Bri cheated on him. A new factor arises in their splintered relationship when Aiden discovers that Brianne is pregnant.

Aiden is self centered and narrow minded. He can’t see past his flourishing business and his expensive lifestyle. The people who deal with him are probably at the end of their patience with him. Even Bri has had enough.

Aiden's attitude threatens his future of having a civil relationship with Bri. It also threatens his work and a major project he's working on. If something doesn't change, and soon, Aiden stands to lose it all.

A quick, fun read. You’ll want to keep those pages turning. Will Aiden and Brianne work it out? Whose baby is it? Can anything, or anybody, make Aiden see the error of his ways?

Thank you Allyson Simonian

Buy "The Men of Holmby Hills: Aiden" on Amazon: click here!

"Little Secrets" by Jennifer Hillier

2020-03-03T15:25:00.000-06:00

"They say if a missing child Sebastian's age isn't found within twenty-four hours of his disappearance, chances are he never will be. This is the first coherent thought Marin Machado has every morning when she wakes up. The second thought is whether this will be the day she'll kill herself."...….

This psychological thriller will take you on an unforgettable ride. As in Jennifer Hillier’s previous novels, her writing is outstanding. I’ve enjoyed several of them.

As a parent, one of Marin’s worst nightmares has come true. While shopping with her son, she lets go of 5 year old Sebastian’s hand for just a moment. Then he’s gone.

Marin and Derek are doing their best to hang on. They have money, homes, businesses, and fast cars. None of it will matter a year down the road. Marin keeps a small secret. She keeps a private eye on retainer. She’s never stopped looking for Sebastian.

Unfortunately, she finds that Derek is cheating. If she can’t get her son back, she can focus her rage on her husbands mistress. Marin will do things she’d never imagined she was capable of.

The story was a thriller from start to finish. Can she come to terms with their loss? Can Derek pull it together before Marin ends up doing something that could land her in prison, or perhaps a widow?

Well written, stunning amount of reality, loss, grief. Last, but not least, a lot of things are done out of love. What will the aftermath of all this tragedy bring?

Thank you Jennifer Hillier, Netgalley, and St. Martins Press.

Buy "Little Secrets" on sale on Amazon April 21st: click here!

"Snapshots" A Collection of Short Stories by Eliot Parker

2020-02-10T17:11:00.001-06:00

“As they crested over the embankment, they saw a terrible scene. Cutting through the dusk, the coruscating lights of police cars and an ambulance pulsed like red eyes.”....

“Snapshots” is a great title for this book. Each short story is a look into a moment in time for each of the characters. You will be drawn in immediately by the story, and the characters.

They were unique storylines. Endings you would not predict. I had previously read an Eliot Parker novel, “ Fragile Brillance.” He’s a very gifted writer. He knows just the right things that will pull you into the story.

From the creepy “Hands” to a baseball game with consequences, to a look at a couple and their choices. A little bit of love, a little bit of superstition, a little bit of crime. A great read overall!

Thank you Eliot Parker

Buy "Snapshots" now on Amazon: click here!

"Weapons of Remorse" by Chevron Ross

2020-02-02T08:23:00.003-06:00

"Six men are dead because of me, and the fact that my platoon survived because I shot those soldiers doesn't make me feel any better. Hardly a day passed since I got home that I haven't wondered about them. Who they were. What they were like. Whether they had wives and children and hopes for the future. If we hadn't been soldiers, if we'd met some other way, we might have liked each other, maybe even became friends. "...….....

This realistic tale involves the stories of several families, and how gun violence affects them. A Christian Fiction story that gets to the heart of the issues.

Hank, a former soldier, who feels he has blood on his hands. A cop, Laronda, who finds that using her gun will come with horrible consequences. Then there is David, a man who believes that all school shootings are hoaxes. Dan will have his 5 year old grandson stolen from his family. Is there any hope of his return?

Each of these families will have to find peace it’s their situations. I was unsure of the subject matter at first. Not my usual first choice. As the story went along, and the pieces became connected, I found myself wondering the outcome.

Is there an answer to end gun violence? The author had very interesting, and realistic ideas, as to how we could get a handle on this as a country as a whole.

As you read along you get a feel for how gun violence, the laws, and our rights, have been twisted or misused. No matter what your stance is on owning or banning guns, this is a reflective opinion of ways that could actually help and save lives, while preserving our 2nd amendment rights.

Thank you for the thoughtful read Chevron Ross.

Buy "Weapons of Remorse" now on Amazon: click here!

Currently Reading: Weapons of Remorse

2020-01-19T10:00:00.005-06:00

Thank you!

2020-01-19T09:48:00.001-06:00

Just a brief thank you to my readers. I just want to take a moment to let you know that I've not stopped reviewing books. I have taken on a job that takes up more time then any job I've ever had. Its put a slow down on the amount of books I can currently accept. I used to have 5-10 books ready to read and review at any given time. Now, to be fair to my authors requests, I'm only taking one at a time. Thank you for your patience. You can still send me an email at mmshealy@aol.com. If I have room, and you don't mind waiting a bit, please send your requests along.

"Accidental Activist: Justice for The Groveland Four" by Josh Venkataraman and Barbara Venkataraman

2020-01-08T14:38:00.002-06:00

A very interesting read. One of the authors, Josh, came upon the story of what was named “The Groveland Four.” Because of the fire it ignited in him, he took it upon himself to help find justice for their families.

I admire his drive and the fact he didn’t give up. There were dead ends and stone walls at many turns. That didn’t stop him. By publishing this, he also has educated others, myself included, about a piece of history. This story was not known to me.

He tells you the methods he used to achieve the things he did. Is there something or an event you feel needs attention, and perhaps it’s own justice? I’d recommend this book as a way to get a feel for the things you might need to get started.

Definitely an informative and interesting education of facts. I’m glad the author was able to do something for the families of “The Groveland Four.” They deserved justice, but it was not an easy road. Briefly, "The Groveland Four" involved the awful treatment and outcome of four young black men accused of raping a white woman in 1949. The evidence was pretty clear that this had not taken place. Still they were beaten, arrested, convicted, attacked by mobs. Homes burned. It would be 70 years before their families would find justice.

The world should have more people like the young man who authored this book, and didn’t take no for an answer. Thank you for the informative read.

Buy "Accidental Activist: Justice for The Groveland Four" now on Amazon: click here

"Please See Us" by Caitlin Mullen

2019-12-11T14:58:00.000-06:00

"Jane Doe #2 is newer- she's only been in the marsh for two days. If you got close enough you might still be able to smell the traces of her perfume on her skin or the scent of the last cigarette she smoked lingering in her hair. She is still that close to life, like a door she could almost walk back through. Jane Doe #1 has been here for two weeks now"...…..

Atlantic City. Once a haven for casinos and nightlife, it’s bright lights fading into the seedier side of the city. A tale told from the living and the dead.

There are dead bodies in the marsh behind the motel. They lay there waiting to be seen, begging to be seen. Needing to be found so that they may find their eternal peace.

Clara is a psychic, operating along the boardwalk. Clara is barely hanging on, and not overly gifted. Lily is back in her hometown, dissatisfied with her life and herself. She’s come home to start over. When Clara and Lily form a odd friendship, it could take them to dark places.

When a relative of one of the dead girls asks Clara for a reading, things take a turn for her. Her inner sight begins to strengthen, and gives her some unsettling pictures in her head. If she can just sort them out and make sense of them.

The story was riveting from the start. A resemblance to true crime made the story more eerie. The characters felt real, surrounded by the whispers of the dead. The women are there and you can feel them pleading to "Please See Us."

Thank you Caitlin Mullen, Netgalley, Gallery, Pocket Books.

Buy "Please See Us" on Amazon: Coming March 3, 2020

"Darling Rose Gold" A Novel by Stephanie Wrobel

2019-10-16T12:18:00.000-05:00

"My daughter should never have been left to fend for herself. A few years without me, and she winds up pregnant and abandoned. Our neighbors can grouse all they want about my controlling ways, my dubious mothering. But they don't understand how much she needs me, how lucky she is to have me here to run her life for her. I'll right this sinking ship in no time."

Patty abused her child from the beginning. Making her sick, taking advantage of her innocence, and a child’s love for their parent. Years go by and finally Patty is arrested for the abuse of her daughter, Rose Gold. Can Rose ever forgive her mother? Prison changes people. Not just Patty, but Rose as well.

The town is shocked that Rose would take her mother in when she leaves prison. Is there a secret reason these two are together again? Maybe they can move on from the past. Everyone is watching, including Rose's co-workers, the neighbors, old friends, even strangers at the grocery store.

Shocking, but with traces of familiarity to real cases in the news, mothers guilty of “Munchausen by Proxy.” Rose has suffered in ways that changes her view of the world. It changes the way most people would deal with everyday situations. Now that Rose is grown, how does she see this childhood?

A carefully planned twist that makes the story even more disturbing. Patty and Rose will find their lives changed forever. I found the book a fascinating read. As a parent, shocked by the behavior of a mother. Even though this book is a work of fiction, there are far too many real cases that have occurred. A riveting read you'll find hard to put down.

Thank you Stephanie Wrobel, Netgalley, and Berkley Publishing Group
#michellesbookends #netgalley #berkleypublishinggroup #darlingrosegold

On sale March 17, 2020 at Amazon: click here!

"HER" a novel by Britney King

2019-09-22T11:53:00.001-05:00

Buy "HER" a novel: on Amazon: click here!

“It’s a shame we feel the need to know every little thing. Because, and this is where I’d like to warn you, knowing every little thing is dangerous. Knowing every little thing is like asking for a cup of poison and drinking one tiny sip at a time. It will kill you slowly. But it kills you nonetheless.”

Ann is the perfect neighbor. Fabulous and popular, everyone likes Anne. She’s written a self help book. Ann throws great dinner parties and everyone wants to be her friend.

Sadie lives in the same neighborhood. Unfortunately for her, her life isn’t going along very well. Her husband left her, she’s lost her motivation.

Ann and Sadie meet. Ann takes her under her wing, and tries to get Sadie on track. The relationship is odd, and slightly overwhelming for both of them. Then there’s the little matter of people they know dropping dead. Sadie is so jealous of Ann and her life, would she kill to keep Anne to herself? Or were the deaths just a coincidence?

A twisted kind of stalker tale. Crazy storyline you won’t be able to put down. Sadie is so relatable. Everyone hits a low point in their life. Who better than to have a self help author as your friend?

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. My first time reading this author. I got interested in her books through a book email signup. You just never know where you’ll find a great author with a great book. I’ll be looking to read more from this writer.

Thank you Britney King

"San Diego Dead" A Jake Wolfe Novel by Mark Nolan

2019-09-08T10:53:00.001-05:00

Buy "San Diego Dead" now on Amazon: click here!

"However, it broke her heart to think the choice was being pressured by her boyfriend's double life. Of all the men she could have fallen for, why did it have to be Jake, a man with a dangerous past and deadly enemies who continued to hunt him down and might never stop?"...….

Jake and his military service dog, Cody, are back in the 4th book in Jake Wolfe series. This is one of my all time favorite series. These are stand alone reads, but you won’t be sorry to read them all.

Marine first, and now a lawyer, Jake has a few other secretive things that go on with the government. With Cody by his side, Jake heads off on a mission with a much needed vacation mixed in. The relaxation won’t last long when a run in with the local cartel puts people in danger. Desperate to get their missing package back, Jake will do whatever it takes to stop them.

This time Jake will have to depend on Cody more than ever. These characters are so well written. If there’s a dog as smart as Cody somewhere, I’d really like to have him. Vacation ruined, Jake does what he does best, protecting and serving his country. If Jake doesn’t get the package before the cartel, thousands of lives will be at stake.

This is not a quiet man and his dog story. This is a fully trained killer taking out bad guys with Cody by his side. Fast paced, exciting, with a little love on the side from Sarah, Cody’s Veterinarian. At times I’m unsure who she loves the most. Jake may want to get his life together pretty quick. Sarah is unsure of her place in it. Is it a mission, or is it the vacation he’s supposed to be taking with Sarah? Packed with action, suspense, and any book is better with a dog, especially one like Cody.

Thank you Mark Nolan

"Big Lies In A Small Town" by Diane Chamberlain

2019-08-29T11:56:00.002-05:00

Buy "Big Lies In A Small Town" on Amazon- Jan 14 2020: click here!

"This mural was supposed to be for the Edenton Post Office. But Anna Dale went crazy or something-I can't remember exactly what my father told me. She lost her mind while she was working on it, thus the finished product was never installed. My father's owned it for decades and he wants-wanted- to hang it in the foyer of the gallery."

In 1940 a young woman wins an art contest. Anna leaves New Jersey for a small North Carolina town, in order to paint a mural on a post office wall. What she finds will not be what she expected.

Now it’s 2018 and someone has come to the states woman’s prison to offer Morgan a deal. She can leave her prison sentence behind if she agrees to restore that mural for a late well known artist.

The story is told between Anna, and what she encountered during her time in Edenton, N.C., and Morgan’s current work on the mural. What Morgan does uncover, as she restores Anna’s mural, is a story covered up by lies, secrets of the past of this small town.

"Anna Dale, though...She'd been excited by the mural. She'd wanted to do a perfect job. Her heart had been in it then something happened. It must have been something truly terrible to turn this pretty girl into...what? A mentally ill artist who mysteriously vanished from the art world?"

What happened to Anna back in 1940? What will happen to Morgan when she discovers the truth? Why did the late famous artist, Jesse Williams, choose her of all people for this job? She was in art school when her life derailed, but not qualified in restoration. Morgan is on a deadline to have that mural restored. The pressure of having to meet the deadline is so strong. Much is at stake here.

I found the story captivating from the first chapter. With a few wonderful surprises written seamlessly into the story line. Unique weave of the past and the present. I loved the characters of both Anna and Morgan. Two strong women from different times. The book was better than I expected, which is always a wonderful thing.

Thank you Diane Chamberlain, Netgalley, and St. Martins Press
#netgalley #bigliesinasmalltown #dianechamberlain #st.martinspress

"No Longer Flighty Fanny" by Jessica Spencer

2019-08-26T11:06:00.002-05:00

Buy "No Longer Flighty Fanny" on Amazon: click here

"She fanned her anger. It became her shield and her strength. She blamed her mother for not bothering to caution her about the dangers that could befall a girl. She blamed her father for turning a blind eye and letting her gad about on her own. None of what happened was her fault! It was her parents and her sanctimonious sisters who were to blame! She took much better care of the strays she picked up."

This is the third book in the “Sisters by Marriage” series. I have enjoyed this change of pace from my regular genre of serial killers and the police who chase them. These are called “Clean Regency Romance” Books. There’s plenty of drama and family entanglements. Relationships are built and destroyed, as in any time of life. The books may be read in any order, and are clearly understandable from one to the next.

This story leads with a young girl named Fanny. Her home life is hard, and she seeks escape where she can. Unfortunately at a young age she was taken advantage of, and it will continue to damage her life. One of several evil men refuse to go away, and takes it upon themselves to ruin her reputation. Denying her any chance at happiness.

Fanny has found love, Andrew. Unfortunately Andrew gives into the rumors, and Fanny is forced to return to her family. There her father intervenes forcing her into an arraigned marriage. Andrew, heartbroken, also tries to come to terms with it. He sails away from London to Boston.

Circumstances change when Fanny becomes a widow, and Andrew decides to pursue Fanny once again. Does she still love him? He knows he was wrong. Andrew is going back to London to find out where they stand. Rumors persist and the damage has long followed her. Can she open her heart?

A very pleasant read. A step back in time.

Thank you Jessica Spencer

"A Stranger on the Beach" by Michele Campbell

2019-07-22T10:26:00.000-05:00

Buy "A Stranger on the Beach" on Amazon July 23rd: click here

"The night after I first saw Aiden on the beach, my twenty year marriage fell apart. I swear to God, nothing had one thing to do with the other. It was a total freaking coincidence, the worst coincidence of my life."...….

Caroline and Jason have built a beautiful beach house. Wanting to show it off, and mix business with pleasure. Caroline is hoping to give her career as a designer a restart. Jason’s not necessarily as committed to their twenty year marriage as Caroline.

Then he appears. Aiden. “A Stranger on the Beach,” just outside their new home. Is it a coincidence that Aiden comes into Caroline’s life at the same time as her life comes crashing down? As Aiden slides into Caroline’s life, he has no intentions of giving up what he sees as having hit the jackpot. A rich, lovely, beautiful woman. What’s not to love? The chip on his shoulder is going to be a heavy weight to bare.

Caroline may realize just how many mistakes she’s making with her choices, and Aiden. Allowing a stranger into her life may be regrettable. Not everyone has her best interests at heart. Her marriage isn’t something she just wants to throw away. Her judgment is clouded by heartbreak. If she does want her husband back, Aiden may have other plans.

The one night stand, told by both Caroline and Aiden, proves they are not on the save wavelength at all. It was pretty unnerving for Caroline. It could drive Aiden over the edge of a thin line he already walks. Their encounters are uncomfortable, even for the reader. You want to yell at them to get away from each other.

Someone may end up dead and someone has secrets. Maybe no one is telling the whole truth. It became a little predictable early on. It was still a suspenseful story from start to finish.

Thank you Michele Campbell, Netgalley, St. Martins Press

"Blindsided" by Kate Watterson

2019-07-07T13:15:00.002-05:00

"She had to get a grip on herself. There was no doubt about it. It had all been bad enough: her unplanned abrupt flight from Indy, the roundabout and unfamiliar route, the onslaught of the horrendous weather, and then having to place her trust in some strange man...but when the room had suddenly gone black, it had shaken her to the very core."....

Dirk murdered Cadence’s friend Melissa back when they were in high school. She made an accusation, but he wrangled his way out of it. Years pass, and an accidental run in with the accused killer starts a renewed fear in Cadence.

Is the killer stalking her now? Thinking she can put distant between her and Dirk, she is putting herself into more danger. Caught up in a blinding snowstorm and rescued by a stranger, can she trust him? Should she keep running? Where would she go in this storm? Has the killer followed her? All questions that will cause Cadence to doubt every move she makes.

From the other point of view, Mick has rescued a stranded woman and taken her into his home. She appears to be lying about things. Can he trust her? What is she running from? Are they both in danger now? Trapped in Mick’s home, a story unfolds giving the reader a view into their past. Can anyone really be trusted? Cadence and Mick will be “Blindsided” by the truth.

The book goes back and forth with a secondary storyline of those on the hunt for a killer. The man who murdered Cadence’s friend is out there somewhere. Will he be caught so that Cadence can return home safely? The snowstorm provides for a chilling backdrop to this story. I’ve always been fascinated by Mother Nature’s events.

The storms ends and the real danger begins. Someone has been in Cadence's home. An intense suspense from start to finish. I wasn’t sure who to trust. In the end a tad predictable. Well written, great characters.

Thank you Kate Watterson, Netgalley, and Crooked Lane Books.

Buy "Blindsided" on sale July 9th on Amazon! click here:
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