authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Early 2024. Beware of spoilers! Title: Don’t Let Her Go Author: Willow Rose Series: Detective Billie Ann Wilde #1 Much thanks to Willow Rose, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was fine. A good mystery to pass the time, if not a terribly unique one. I feel kinda slimy saying child abduction and …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Murder at the Blarney Bash by Darci Hannah is filled with St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans. Readers will be delighted with shamrock sugar cookies, green icing, green beer, and Guinness cupcakes. The plot begins with leprechauns, something that the main character, Lindsey’s boyfriend, Rory’s Uncle Finn is obsessed with. He recently relocated with his daughter Colleen and their dog Bailey from Ireland to open a pub and bar, The Blarney Stone. As the characters are …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Fearless One by Lori Foster is another home run. Per usual, readers will not be disappointed in this story. The plot has adventure, suspense, and great characters. A bonus is that some of the secondary characters will be familiar to those who have read the first Osborn book or the McKenzies of Ridge Trail series. The plot begins with Memphis Osborne cleaning up after working on restoring the campground he bought. But to …
Title: The Framed Women of Ardemore House Author: Brandy Schillace Series: n/a ? Lacks focus but great characters Omg, I’m preparing this review and unexpectedly watching Schillace on the “Strange Experiments” episode of The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd (History Channel). How funny is that? Much thanks to Brandy Schillace, Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kali Luckhee for inviting me to …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Road to Redemption and The Amish Midwife’s Bargain by Patrice Lewis continues the story of the Kemp siblings. Both are books about forgiveness, hope, and how choices made can influence someone’s life. The Road to Redemption is the second book in the series. Thomas Kemp travels to the Amish community in Montana to redeem his life. He is ashamed of his criminal activities of the past. Now working as a bookkeeper, he meets …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Because I Could Not Stop for Death and I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower has her venturing into historical mysteries. These books have a unique portrayal of the famous American writer Emily Dickinson. Emily along with her maid, Willa, become sleuths and help to solve murders. But a bonus is having readers getting glimpses of how Emily thinks and what the culture of mid-19th century was like. Elise Cooper: …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Detective’s Deadly Secrets by Anna J. Stewart is sadly the last in the series. The hero is FBI Agent Eaman Quinn, someone readers should be familiar with. He is reunited with a former girlfriend, Lana Tate. She is searching for answers surrounding her late husband’s death but needs his help. Together they work the case and become reacquainted. Vanished is the second book in the Circle of the Red Lily series. It features …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Sniffing Out Murder by Kallie E. Benjamin, the pen name for Valerie Burns, is the first in a new series. This book is a delightful read that has humor and a riveting ‘who done it.’ Readers are introduced to the main character, Priscilla Cummings, who is a teacher by day and a children’s author by night. That is until she has found success with her first children’s book, about the adventures of her dog, …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Blaque Pearle by Tarris Marie intertwines crime, romance, and the ‘90s era. Much like her characters, the author also took a powerful journey, having to overcome Stargardt Disease, a genetic condition that caused her legal blindness and cost her a corporate job. The plot has deeply flawed but relatable characters who risk everything for love and family. The main female lead, Pearle Brown was an aspiring actress that got caught up in her brother’s …
Title: Simply the Best Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips Series: Chicago Stars #10 rough start, better after 40% Much thanks to Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book has a rough start. I was so scared it was going to be a disaster and I’d have to give one of my favorite authors a bad review. But I feel it finished …