authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: Steel Resolve Author: B. J. Daniels Series: Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy #1 Generic tale with more suspense than romance and underdeveloped MCs I would like to thank B. J. Daniels, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was a solid piece of work, but it lacked personality. It was well plotted and moved at a steady pace that didn’t let me get bored—though it slowed, sometimes a …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is a delightful cozy mystery that will put a smile on readers’ faces while they try to solve the who done it mystery. As with all the books in the series, murder seems to find Bailey and she enjoys her role as an amateur sleuth along with her “hot” boyfriend Deputy Sherriff Aiden Brody. She divides her time between New York, where she films a cable TV show, and …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper One Small Sacrifice by Hilary Davidson is a procedural mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very last chapter. Each thread of the detailed plot unveils one surprising revelation after another. With the compelling characters this story contrasts how good people can go astray with horrible people that have no conscience. The early chapters set the pace for the rest of the book with war photographer Alex Traynor apparently getting away with murdering …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Summer Country by Lauren Willig is a very potent story. It allows readers to transport themselves into the minds of the characters during the 1850s in Barbados. What Willig does best is to bring a story to life through heartfelt characters. This engaging tale of Victorian values has love, lies, jealousy, and rebellion. The story is powerful enough but Willig infuses into it a mystery surrounding the Peverills and Beckles sugar plantations. The …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Night Before by Wendy Walker is a first-class psychological thriller with a lot of twists. Interestingly the premise begins with on-line dating that creates a tension-filled, suspenseful mystery. The plot delves into childhood memories, family relationships, secrets, lies, and betrayals. The story alternates between three time periods. The day of Laura Lochner’s blind-date, the day after, which has her sister, Rosie Ferro, searching for her, and a few months earlier with Laura in …
Double Exposure by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of the TV series, “Smallville,” brings to life a unique storyline. Set in the 1960s to make the story believable, they explore the question, what if Hitler did not die in the bunker, and is still alive? The plot begins with a KGB Russian agent, turned CIA asset, smuggling a film canister over the Berlin Wall. Because the East Germans shot the agent as well as the canister the CIA …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Tightrope is a fabulous mystery, typical of what readers have come to expect from Amanda Quick also known as Jayne Krentz. This action based plot has secrets, betrayals, Hollywood actors, circus characters, spies, gangsters, and a sweet romance, although the focus is more on the suspense than the romance. The plot has Amalie Vaughn putting the past behind her, especially the recent attack from the Death Catcher, a serial killer who targeted trapeze artists. …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Charmer in Chaps by Julia London is a heartwarming novel. This relationship story emphasizes the need for a little more acceptance in society today, as both the main female and male characters struggle with handicaps. Luca Prince has grown up without a care in the world or so it seems. He is part of Texas’ high society where his family is regarded as one of the wealthiest in the state. Contrast that with …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Living Lies by Natalie Walters brings to life the characters with an emotionally charged story. With thrilling suspense, threads of romance, and important messages about removing the stigma of mental health and depression this book seems to have it all, including an action-packed crime mystery. The crime revolves around murder, drugs, art, and dealing with mental health issues. Lane Walton, widower at the age of twenty-eight, journeys back to her hometown in hopes of …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Murder in Midtown by Liz Freeland brings to life New York in the early 1900s. Besides a good mystery, readers will be enlightened about the different social issues during that era. The plot begins with a fire breaking out at a publicity house. It is the one Louise Faulk works at while waiting to see if she has passed the exam to become a NYPD police officer. As the investigation of the charred ruins …