authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: Dark Ride Author: Angela Smith Series: n/a A solid effort but needs work The author asked me to read and review her work, and I was happy to oblige. She provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. When Adrienne Fuller witnesses a horrific incident of vehicular homicide, she prays the perpetrators didn’t notice she’d witnessed the crime—but they did, and weren’t about to leave a loose end. Luckily for Adrienne, one of the perps …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams combines romance, secrecy, and suspense. As with all her books she concentrates on a mystery, the murder of a rich playboy, and social issues, class conflicts. Intertwined within the plot are complex relationships that connect all the characters. The setting plays an important role in this novel, just as it had in William’s blockbuster novel, A Hundred Summers. Both take place on an island with an obvious clash …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Prince by Katharine Ashe is the fourth and last book in the “Devil Duke series.” With each new book, she outdoes herself. The latest is always better than the last. As with most of her books, she writes how nothing on the surface is what it seems to be. Both the hero and heroine hide their identity, she her gender, and he his background. He becomes a portrait painter so no one will …
Find an interview with the author HERE Elise Cooper: You are pretty single-minded about achieving your goal to become a doctor even though the social norms emphasized women lacked the physical and moral nature to be physicians or surgeons. But it is obvious you could not do it without Ziyaeddin Mizra who is your greatest supporter and advocate. Thanks for the interview. EC: So why do you want to be a surgeon? Libby: The human body is absolutely fascinating, especially …
Title: Lost Innocence Author: Jannine Gallant Series: Siren Cove #2 Well constructed but I didn’t care for the characters Thank you to Jannine Gallant for reaching out and asking for a review, and thank you to Lyrical Press/Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to give this work three or four stars. Structurally and mechanically, it’s excellent. There were some minor typos which I trust will be corrected for the final …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley is the third book in the Memphis Cold Case series. Any series set in Memphis must eventually delve into its famous resident, Elvis Presley. Bradley combines a riveting mystery with some fun facts about the Elvis Week that includes a tribute contest. Homicide detective Rachel Sloan must endure interviewing an Elvis impersonator, Vic Vegas, who wants her to look into the death of his friend, another impersonator that happened …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd is a sprint read, a fast-paced page-turner. Those who liked her Virtue Falls novels will love this first book of a new series. It does not have the paranormal element or much romance, but the mystery is action-packed. The novella is an introduction to the book, explaining Kellen’s time in Afghanistan, how she sustained the injury for a medical discharge, and how she recovered. In addition, the novella …
Title: Last Shot Author: Daniel José Older Series: n/a Just my overall thoughts. If you want to avoid spoilers for the book, there are minor ones here, so beware. I liked this book more than I thought I would, but it wasn’t perfect. My favorite aspect: two-year-old Ben Solo, of course, as well as Han’s awkward, uncomfortable approach to parenting, marriage, and overall commitment. He loves his family but he just doesn’t know what the hell to do with them. …
Title: Jilliand Author: Clare Gutierrez Series: n/a Lots of heartbreak, lots of passive voice I would like to thank Clare Gutierrez, River Grove Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I kind of had a minor breakdown while reading this. This is what I wrote at the time: This was a different kind of romance, and not the kind I like. I’m sorry, I didn’t finish it. My heart couldn’t …
Title: Mornings on Main Author: Jodi Thomas Series: n/a mostly about theme but the story and characters grew on me Not gonna lie, I approached this book with reluctance. Another quilting/knitting/sewing mainstream wannabe literary novel? That trend started over a decade ago and largely died off two or three years ago. Another story about a small town with a quaint little B&B and a family dealing with a heartbreaking illness that’s slowly sucking the life out of the matriarch/patriarch? Another …