Tag: book-reviews

Saltwater by Katy Hays

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Saltwater is an eerie saga of a wealthy family whose secrets go back generations. Within the beautiful backdrop of Capris in Italy, it tells the tale of deception, greed, jealousy and death. The family, dysfunctional yet able to put on an exceptionally good act until suddenly it all falls apart when another death occurs.

In 1992, Sarah Lingate, writer and wife of wealthy Richard Lingate was discovered dead on a cliff in Capris. Was it suicide or murder? At the time, her daughter, just three years old witnessed the aftermath of the terrible situation. Suspicion immediately fell upon the family/husband of Sarah, but wealth has its privileges but only while it lasts.

Through the years, the Lingates would make a pilgrimage to Capris to go to exclusive parties and make a show that they are still there and even more powerful than ever. Now, thirty years later, with Helen an adult who unfortunately had a miserable childhood and was basically kept hidden and found no joy from her life. She has befriended the family assistant Lorna and they have decided to hatch a plan to figure out what exactly happened to her mother all those years ago.

But something goes terribly wrong, and Lorna disappears. Helen begins to see the cracks in her family…her father, uncle and aunt. She will soon discover the mystery of the Lingate family and all that it encompasses, one tragedy at a time.

The story which is told by Helen, Lorna and Sarah is mystifying and shocking. Family corruption and selfishness will erupt for what? To save a name.

Saltwater is a suspenseful story in which you can’t imagine the twists and turns coming, but when they come, they are paralyzing! Such a good ride!

Thank you #NetGalley #BallentineBooks #KatyHays #Saltwater for the advanced copy.

The Little Lost Library by Ellery Adams

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In Ellery Adams latest book, The Little Lost Library, she truly has outdone herself! Between the intriguing story, a mysterious book within the book you will be writing the clues down yourself on paper to try and solve the puzzle! In my opinion this is her best Secret, Book, and Scone novel to date!

It all begins when Nora arrives to drop books of at an elderly woman named Lucielle’s very dilapidated mansion in Miracle Springs. They have had an agreement for quite a while that Nora would bring her books in exchange for some Lucille had in her house. Although Nora has never stepped foot into the house, only being allowed to enter the mud room where over tea, they would chat just a bit.

But unfortunately, on this visit, Nora discovers Lucielle has passed away, at first thinking from old age. The mansion known as Wynter Mansion was involved in a terrible scandal years ago and whatever happened, Lucielle never left the house again. When Nora is able to see the inside, she discovers it is filled with books and papers with practically nowhere to move. Lucille was a hoarder. Within all the mess Nora discovers Lucille has left her a very special book, The Little Lost Library. Why? She makes the decision to take the book before anyone else shows up.

As Lucille’s children two of whom left the area as soon as they were able and one who unknowingly to Nora lived in back of the mansion, swoop in to discover the secrets the mansion holds because they truly believe something valuable is hidden inside.

While the house begins to become decluttered Nora starts to read the book and realizes it is a book of clues she must somehow solve and put the pieces of the puzzle together. But more importantly, she begins to believe Lucille’s death was no accident. That’s when she and her boyfriend who is the Sheriff of the town and her Secret, Book, and Scone Society, her valuable, loving network of friends assist in finding out just what is going on.

Unfortunately for Nora, someone does not want her looking into this mystery. She finds herself in a desperate situation as well as fearing for her life. The more clues which come to light points to not only a terrible dark secret from the past but to someone who wants to hurt her.

What mystery does this mansion hold? More important who killed Lucille.

The Little Lost Library will have you riveted! The twists and turns and clues extremely exciting! And of course, the Society of Women once again remain strong for each other! As in every book there are suggestions from Miracle Books, Nora’s bookstore so keep a look out for any you might want to read!

Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ElleryAdams #TheLittleLostLibrary for the advanced copy.

American Housewife

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American Housewife is an interesting journey back in time to an era when a woman’s work was never done…. at home. Cooking and cleaning, having children, making drinks before the husband arrives home sums up what a “working woman” was expected to do in the 1950s. It didn’t matter if that is what she really aspired to do. The story which is witnessed through the eyes of a progressive 1950’s woman who notices the restlessness of some housewives which begins as an itch to being a husband’s trophy wife/cook/cleaner instead wanting to be treated as their husband’s equal.

Maggie Lane is a radio personality who has just been offered the job of hosting a TV show. The Maggie Lane Baking Show is her ultimate dream job. The problem is she’s not married and in this particular era you had to be married to discuss cooking topics to other women, but also know a thing or two about baking, both of which she knew nothing about.

But Maggie, who never really wanted to get married but is dating a very wealthy war hero who had been asking her to marry him for months, decides with his support to quickly marry and hesitatingly accepts the job.

But life as a married couple is quite the adjustment. With Maggie’s long hours and sudden popularity, her new husband’s horrible dreams at night and unwillingness to talk to her about them, they discover the beginnings of cracks in their already not so honest relationship. Her stardom begins to interfere with the marriage as well. You see, no matter what, it’s still a man’s world and Maggie is not a man.

As their problems grow deeper and although they try to hold each other accountable in their marriage and as Maggie who herself holds secrets from her past afraid to open up about, secrets we learn in flashbacks, is terrified that if she tells him he will divorce her.

Part of Maggie’s job is answering letters from viewers, mostly housewives. She does it with honesty as opposed to expectation. Through the letters she begins to understand the advantages she has and the rules some of these married women must follow and the burden they carry. She even sees it in her best friend who is desperately in love but fears she is not good enough for her boyfriend.

But when Maggie’s past becomes her present it could not only impact her career but more importantly her marriage which is already hanging by a thread. Being a 1950’s housewife should have been easy but for Maggie who always wanted more and will not stop until she’s succeeded in her dreams desperately must decide what to sacrifice as she sees her husband slipping away.

American Housewife is a wonderful impactful story about a woman’s past meeting her present a woman emerging as a celebrity in an era when most women were not even allowed to voice their own opinion. But, as women began to find their voice one word at a time, it certainly could be said it was the start of the feminist movement as housewives began to dip their toes into their backyard pools while becoming their own person.

Thank you #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing #AnitaAbriel #AmericanHousewife for the advanced copy.

Blood In The Water by Casey Sherman

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Author Casey Sherman who has compiled a long list of nonfiction New York Times best sellers, with one closest to his heart a book called A Rose For Mary about his aunt who was the final victim of the Boston Strangler, has once again delved into another true-life murder mystery case in the New England area in which a man on a fishing boat trip with his mother is found floating alone in a life boat no boat or mother in sight. Was this an accident or intentional? Well, it depends on who you ask. This story is tragic in so many ways as it shows a very dysfunctional very wealthy family and a past murder which opens their lives to chaos, greed and secrets with an ending you couldn’t make up.

Nathan Carman came from a very wealthy very dysfunctional family. But it was his grandfather who was rich and made sure his children knew it. Nathan as a child was diagnosed with Asperger’s and was bullied at school, had no friends except for his horse and kept to himself. At one point as a young child, he even ran away and was found states away from their Connecticut home.

He had a tumultuous relationship with his mother, a love, hate, jealous relationship. His parents divorced, his father in California he lived with his mother in Connecticut and was never really happy. He was though, the apple of his grandfather’s eye and was financially supported by him much to the dismay of his mother and her siblings.

Sadly, his grandfather was murdered in New Hampshire and Nathan was left to fend for himself even though he was bestowed a trust, but having never worked or had to manage money needless to say didn’t understand the concept of spending. So, Nathan decides to buy a fishing boat and fixed it up even though it was in fairly good shape. He had never had any interest in boats up until now.

And this is where we are introduced to Nathan on the first page of this very sad yet extremely mysterious story on a life raft in the Atlantic Ocean alone where he is picked up by a ship and his first question is where’s my mom?

But what the reader will discover is that this one sentence he uttered will not only lead him to being arrested by the police for the murder of his mother, a woman who was extremely wealthy in her own right but will also open the door to his past life and all that it encompassed. Nobody really ever knew the real Nathan Carmen.

The questions in the book to answer if we can… Did Nathan intentionally kill his mother? Did Nathan have other nefarious secrets? Did he know exactly what he was doing and plan murder. Sherman expertly takes the reader step by step into the evidence which seems to mount against Nathan. As the trial is set one can only wonder will he be found guilty with only circumstantial evidence? Will we ever know?

Blood In The Water is a wonderfully written true crime story which if it had been fiction no one would ever believe. But unfortunately, the story and all the mystery surrounding what happened is sadly true.

Thank you #NetGalley #Sourcebooks #CaseySherman #BloodInTheWater for the advanced copy.

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

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This Book Will Bury Me will exhaustingly haunt you making you crave more! The story, told by a young college girl who has suddenly lost her father will pull at your heartstrings as she tries to come to grips with the sudden loss but by also her sudden obsession with true crime. By doing this, she doesn’t have to think about her father as she falls into the rabbit hole of true crime murders and her father’s untimely death. What she does discover as she delves into these horrific murders is to her shock and surprise in the end, they somehow will help her heal and process loss. This is Jane Sharp’s own story.

Jane Sharp receives a call from her mother while she’s at college living her life happily with her friends and going to classes. Her father, her best friend she suddenly learns has died unexpectedly. As she goes home to bury him still unable to process the death, still unable to even come to grips with what all this means becomes lost in her thoughts and fears of the future. She doesn’t understand, she still feels him with her.

Depressed, angry and confused one night Jane is looking through internet threads and notices a group of true crime chatters talking about a mystery surrounding the murder of woman which has been unsolved in her area. She discovers the true crime site where sleuths exchange information and tips. She begins to do a deeper dive into the story and not only becomes obsessed with the case but with a group of other sleuth-hounds who begin to bond actually break the case wide open.

Still mourning her father’s death Jane decides against her mother’s wishes that she doesn’t want to go back to college and gets a job working at a coffee shop. She needs to figure out for herself how and why her father allowed himself to get to the point where he died.

When a second case comes to the group in which three college girls in Delphine, Idaho are murdered, her true crime partners and herself decide they are going to not only go visit the scenes of the crime but solve this murder themselves. Ah, be careful what you wish for!

As they move deeper into the case with no clear suspects, no clear evidence at the scene and a police chief unwilling to take their help, the group decides to gather their own information, some of which becomes terribly explosive and causes unnecessary harm to some people.

But something about this case does not feel right to Jane and although she can’t put her finger on why, she seems to believe there is more to this case than they are seeing. As they proceed and get closer to some answers they can hardly believe, and when they finally figure out the shocking reality of the case Jane discovers a book is being written and that is when she finally decides she must speak her truth and tell exactly what happened, and why.

This is when Jane finally discovers her much needed closure not only with this case and all it delivered to their true crime group but how it enabled her to let go of the anger for her father and to love him for himself and for just being him. This Book Will Bury Me is a fascinating, on the edge of your seat story with unimaginable surprises and an incredibly intense look at how true crime murders can be solved by amateurs. A must-read book!

Thank you #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #AshleyWinstead #ThisBookWillBuryMe for the advanced copy.

First Wives Shadow by Adele Parks

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First Wives Shadow is a twisted, diabolical psychological thriller which will make you gasp, be shocked and surprised with each and every warped turn. This can’t put down book is a creative heart palpitating adventure you will never want to end. The ending itself, the fireworks.

Emma is a wealthy single older woman who never married. An executive at a company and wealthy due to her hard work, she loves her life. Very routine oriented you could set your watch by what she does and when she wakes up every day. Although her two best friends are married with children, they are as close now as they were when they met years ago in college.

Matthew is a widower who lost his first wife Becky in a tragic accident. Although they seemed to not have much in common, perhaps that’s why the flirting began. After accidentally meeting at a convention where Emma was speaking, she finds herself attracted to Matthew. He is a photographer and although they do exchange numbers, they work and live and travel in different areas, so nothing happens. Until it does.

Their romance advances very quickly. Although Matthew is not afraid to talk about his late wife Becky, Emma believes he still has feelings for her. He brings her up subtly and she understands that is to be expected. For the first time in a very long time Emma is happy!

When her two best friends are introduced to Matthew one of them gets a bad feeling. This sadly causes a lot of stress and anger, but Matthew and Emma not only move in together but decide to marry against her friend’s wishes.

There’s something else going on with Emma. Strange occurrences begin to happen in her house where they are living. Things she can’t figure out such as finding items shattered, doors locked which were not supposed to be, and other unusual occurrences which make Emma feel like there might be something wrong with her. Unfortunately, with her friends alienated from her she starts to become paranoid and begins drinking a bit more than usual which concerns Matthew.

Emma starts to question whether she made the right choice in moving so quickly with Matthew and whether or not he truly has gotten over his first wife. Then things take an even darker turn one which neither of them will ever be able to come back from. That, I will leave the reader to discover, enjoy, and be shocked at.

First Wives Shadow has so many crazy, and I mean crazy moving parts with mysteries, and secrets some we don’t even discover until much later just as the reader will think they’ve figured out what’s going to happen and then be turned around in another direction and find yourself rattled. A great beach read, this is just another fascinating story in Adele Parks amazing devious style.

Thank you #NetGalley #MiraBooks #AdeleParks #FirstWivesShadow for the advanced copy.

Kate & Frida by Kim Fay

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Kate & Frieda is a wonderfully beautiful empowering story about two women who accidentally meet by correspondence in 1991. Who would have thought one woman living in Paris who mailed a letter to a bookstore in Seattle requesting a book would lead to a friendship which will last till eternity. Written by the author of Love & Saffron, another story I highly recommend (with tissues!), you will fall in love with Kate and Frida, these two women who root for each other who give advice to each other and yes who cry with each other as they go on separate life journeys together although having never physically met.

Kate Fair has just started a job at a local bookstore in Seattle when she opens a letter from Freda Rodriguez who is living in Paris. Frida has requested a book. They are close in age. And as Kate sends the book to Frida one simple sentence she writes opens the door to the start of a deep friendship.

Frida is in Paris hoping to become a war correspondent in Bosnia. Kate wants to be a writer but believes she has already failed as she did write a book and stares at it on her home shelf every day. As they correspond, they begin to tell each other stories of their lives things that are happening at this moment in time. Kate tells Frieda she seems to be experiencing terrible panic attacks. Frida tells Kate she desperately wants to go to a war zone and write about it but fears she won’t be good at it.

As Kate is falling in love with a coworker who is a serious writer, and her best friend, her grandfather begins to have issues, Frida goes to Bosnia. But Frida can’t seem to write because of the terrible atrocities she witnesses. She sends her work to Kate who believes it’s amazing. Both these women will begin to learn hard life lessons which they will share by letter. They give each other advice; they let each other vent. They learn so much about what their lives were before they met and the impacts on their present friendship.

For both, the journeys and each of their destinations in life and the consequences of the decisions will always be championed by the other. As they both question where their lives are taking them, they lift each other up although not physically near and give advice, love and solace.

Kate and Frida is an homage to any deep friendship anyone has ever had. A friendship where you can tell someone anything about a loss, feeling ready to give up, being scared or being in love. And because of one simple letter two women embrace an eternal friendship without even seeing each other in person. How fortunate is that?

Thank you #NetGalley #G.P.Putnam’sSons #KimFay #Kate&Frida for the advanced copy.

Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi

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Claire, Darling will startle you! Its story a combination of mystery, romance, childhood abuse but especially surprising secrets! You will fall in love with Claire and sympathize and empathize with her to get her happy ending.

Claire has never really been in love. She spent her childhood being abused by her mother a single parent, and narcissist, as well as being bullied by quite a few girls from school. But even though she had a turbulent childhood Claire has always been a hopeful romantic thinking someday…

So when she meets Noah an investment person and they begin to date she falls madly in love and so does he! The relationship moves quickly and they decide to move in together although in the back of Claire’s mind she continues to hear her mother’s terrible voice always making her feel as if she’s not worthy to be loved.

And then unbelievably Noah proposes to Claire! She never imagined her life could be so happy! She’s finally found the love of her life. Her happy ever after.

Until on their anniversary of meeting when she goes to Noah’s job to surprise him with a lunch and discovers there is no one there with that name. She is shocked and doesn’t quite understand. She’s called him there many, many times. She thinks it’s a mistake but suddenly realizes as she tries to call his cell phone and he doesn’t answer that something has gone terribly wrong. She’s being ghosted.

Then, she finds out the painful horrible truth about the man she loved. He has a girlfriend. A beautiful one and a very rich one. Why on earth did he do this to Claire? Was this a sick terrible joke? To hurt her as she has been hurt in her past.

Claire then begins to go down a terrible rabbit hole which she can’t get out of and starts to make irrational decisions she never thought she could imagine. Now, Claire feels like she must delve deeper into their relationship. She becomes obsessed.

Are there really any winners when lies are told? Claire’s abusive past suddenly merges with Noah’s horrible deeds. What good could ever come from this type of bad relationship. Well, none.

Claire darling is a story of emotions, heartbreak, innocence and revenge! It will have you on the edge of your seat as you learn the outcome and many other hidden secrets. Oh, Claire darling!

Thank you #NetGalley #BantamBooks #CallieKazumi #Claire,Darling for the advanced copy.

I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones

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I Would Die for You is a twisted psychological drama told in both the past and present. But what will really draw you in to the story are the secrets. And there are so many! The anticipation in this thriller is palpable from the first page and the ending astonishing!

It’s 2011, Nicole Forbes is living a great life in California trying to not only save the seals but is happily married with a young daughter. Although she is a transplant from London, England, she has lived in the states for many years. Her life is perfect.

Until a woman shows up at her door who seems to know her from her past. A past she has intentionally kept hidden from everybody. Rattled, Nicole still does not want to believe someone knows what happened back in London all those years ago but when her young daughter goes missing and she tells her mother when they discover her, she was taken by her aunt, Nicole’s sister, she becomes fearful because Nicole has no sister.

As her family starts to spiral Nicole must now decide exactly what she should expose to her husband. Her first instinct is to still continue to lie. But things begin to go from bad to worse when he starts to turn on her. As her fear for her daughter grows and as we see her life in flashbacks from her days in London, we begin to have the realization that something very bad happened in her family all those years ago.

It all began in 1986 when we discover Nicole had a sister named Cassie who was 16 and became obsessed with an upcoming rock band called Secret October. Her sister became infatuated with Ben Edwards the lead singer. But unfortunately, Cassie begins to make very bad decisions and heads down a terrible path. This begins the destruction, and dark secrets which pulls them apart. But what was it that happened?

Who is this woman? What does she want with her family and why now. Nicole knows one thing and that is she is here to destroy her life.  She needs to understand what is going on and why before her life as she knows it shatters. Her daughter is her life and heart. She will never let anything happen to her.

I Would Die for You will be the obsessive beach read you will need this summer. The story leaves the reader craving the satisfaction of being in on the secrets. And then when all is revealed well, the ending is to die for.

Thank you #NetGalley #MinotourPress #SandieJones #IWouldDieforYou for the advanced copy.

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

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Buckle up for the ride of your life in The Family Game! This book will have brides-to-be looking sideways at their soon to be in-laws. The story is an explosion of anxiety, shock, horror and mystery. The ending an amazingly surprising masterpiece.

When writer Harriet fell in love with financer Edward, who came from one of the wealthiest families in the United States, the Holbeck’s, although she had never met them, she never imagined what people with that kind of wealth would be like. Edward had kept them at a distance while they courted and yes, Harriet was curious as to why but was told there had been a bit of a rift. So, when Harriet and Edward got engaged and she received a call from his sister welcoming her into the fold she found herself agreeing unbeknownst to her (she is British and from England) that the meeting of the family would be on none other than Thanksgiving.

But right from the start she felt something was off. The family seemed very competitive and well, strangely odd. But she chalked it up to her own jitters until Edward’s father calls her into his office. Alone. And hands her a tape. Then explains to her she needs to listen to it and understand it and that he knows everyone makes mistakes and is well aware of her own hidden secret. Is this some sort of warning? How on earth could he know? What is on this tape? He also threatened if she told anyone including Edward about this revelation, he would expose her.

As she is on deadline, she puts the tape away and when she finally begins the process of listening to it, well, it’s time for another family gathering. This time it is called “Krampus” which has to do with a monster near Christmas time. Harriet and Edward attend without Harriet knowing the “rules of the game” and when she is picked to play, well it does not go well and turns out to be the most horrible experience of her life.

The tape which she reads in pieces is extremely disturbing and she can’t quite understand what is actually going on in the Holbeck family. She decides to do a bit of research and what she discovers is to say the least very, very disturbing and expanding over many years.

But Harriet and Edward must get through one last holiday, Christmas and Christmas Eve with the family. When she arrives at the estate in upstate New York, well once again she learns there will be a game on Christmas Eve and she must play, only this time Harriet knows she will be playing for her life. She somehow must try and outwit who she feels are a bunch of unhinged rich people. But what we shockingly discover is that there is much, much more to this family and the games they insist on playing.

The Family Game will have you on the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns. As for Harriet well, she must protect her own secret no matter what the cost. Who if anyone will survive the final family game? You MUST read this book to discover, and you will be happy you did.

Published by Ballentine Books