"Little Secrets" by Jennifer Hillier

Start pulling that string and you never know what is going to unravel and eventually, if you keep pulling, something will unravel. After all, everyone has secrets… even little ones.

Marin’s life has been in chaos for sixteen months; simply surviving after her son went missing at Seattle’s Pike Place Market just before Christmas. In the end, it was her fault and there are no leads. Someone dressed up like Santa with a child is not uncommon. And now, her husband Derek is having an affair with a much younger woman. Her best friend and long ago boyfriend, Sal, wants her to leave him or to let him “take care of him”.

Jennifer Hillier writes an engaging tale of kidnapping, lies, deceit, and desires with a satisfying ending.

When I requested this book, I looked at goodreads and marked it “Want To Read”. I knew I had to read it when I saw that it had no one or two star ratings! I looked at the author’s bio, it read “Jennifer Hillier writes about dark, twisted people who do dark, twisted things “. Looking forward to reading all her other books. 😊

Update: I checked out “My Year in Books 2019” on goodreads; her book was the highest rated of the 84 books I read last year.

Publication Date: April 21, 2020

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Psycological Thrillers, Kidnapping, Crime, Adultery
Cover: Good
Rating: 5 stars
Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!
#LittleSecrets #NetGalley

"The Family Upstairs" by Lisa Jewell

People are warped and twisted. And sometimes… they produce children who are even more so.

Lisa Jewell weaves a tale of greed, lust and sheer insanity in her latest thriller, “The Family Upstairs.”

Set in London, the book begins with Libby Jones, adopted as an infant, finally finding out who her birth family is. Unbeknownst to her, she is also inheriting a mansion worth millions of pounds. However, everything comes with a price… and this house is no exception.

Surrounded by mystery, the house has been vacant for decades. Years ago, the owners were found dead and their children missing… except for a baby upstairs who appeared to have been well cared for.

Meanwhile, in France, a destitute mother of two sees a reminder on her phone: The baby is 25. What the heck? Just who is the baby and what does she have to do with this homeless woman? You will have to read to find out more and discover the truth behind the mystery. It’s well worth the time!

The book winds up nicely and the ending is shockingly satisfying. However, there is an opportunity for a sequel. Hoping that’s what Lisa Jewell has in mind. I want to know what happens next!

Publication Date: November 5, 2019

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Adoption, Cults

Cover: Great

Rating: 5 stars

Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

#TheFamilyUpstairs #NetGalley

"Strands of Truth" by Colleen Coble

If you have ever considered sending your DNA in to one of those websites to find your family lineage/roots, “Strands of Truth” will definitely make you think twice!

A modern day tale of lies, deceit, kidnapping, adultery, and murder all entwined with DNA technology, “Strands of Truth” delivers mystery and intrigue.

The book begins with Harper Taylor leaving the doctor’s office after an embryo transfer. An orphan since her birth, she has long pined for her own family. Soon, though, strange things begin happening to her. She and Oliver, both her mentor and business partner, are attacked while diving. Oliver’s son, Ridge, has never liked Harper and believes her to be nothing more than a mooch and gold digger.

Harper has spent some time trying to figure out who her father was. She even enlisted the help of an online DNA site to see if there could be a DNA match to a sibling or father and was delighted to find a half-sister.

Soon, however, her joy turns to terror as attacks continue against her, Oliver, and her half sister.

What would you do for a family? What lengths would you go to to keep the family that you have? Colleen Coble explores this is “Strands of Truth”. She is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint! I recommend this and any book of hers.

Publication Date: September 10, 2019

Genre: Christian Fiction, Religious Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Science, Technology
Cover: Perfect
Rating: 5 stars
Source:  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#StrandsOfTruth #NetGalley

"Becoming Us" by Robin Jones Gunn

Having read several Todd & Christy books, I was super excited when I realized this book was a continuation of their life together.

Becoming Us (Haven Makers Book 1) by Robin Jones Gunn is a tale of friendship and forgiveness. It details not only how Todd & Christy become “us” with a new life away from his family, but also how Christy and her friends become a tribe.

This book made me yearn for my own DOE group. I have a tribe, although just four ladies. We are at that time in our lives, all busy with our own families, where we don’t have much time for each other. However, these are ladies I could call in the middle of the night and they would come. These are shoulders on which I have cried and those that I have supported.

Ladies need shoulders… a tribe for when we are angry with our husbands, our children and even ourselves. We need shoulders not only for life’s disappointments but also to share our triumphs. We need shoulders for dinners, movies, and weekend getaways.

I loved the “Welcome to Womanhood” party. I only wish this book came out a few years ago. The party is so sweet and endearing. Making your girls feel a part of a tribe rather than dirty, alone, ashamed, or ugly.

Most importantly, Robin reminds us to always live for your King of Kings!

Publication Date: May 7, 2019

Genre: Christian Fiction, Religious Fiction, Chick Lit

Cover: Perfect

Rating: 5 stars

Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

#BecomingUs #NetGalley

"The Long Call" by Ann Cleeves

If you are in the mood for an intriguing mystery/police procedural, British author Ann Cleeves’ “The Long Call” fits that bill! This is the first in a new series, Two Rivers, by the author in some time and it introduces Detective Matthew Venn.

Detective Venn has already had a rough day when he is called to a murder not far from the North Devon beach home he shares with his husband, Johnathan. Earlier, he viewed estranged father’s funeral from distance. He was not welcome because his parents belonged the Bretheren, a religious cult from which he was cast out several years prior.

As the investigation begins, a young lady from the Woodyard Centre goes missing. Everyone in the area wonders if the two events are related as this area has a very low crime rate. As Venn and his colleagues investigate the murder and kidnapping and grow closer to finding the culprit, several suspects emerge. It seems that the murdered man, the Woodyard, the Bretheren, and perhaps even Johnathan are tangled in the scheme.

This is the first book of Ann Cleeves I have had the pleasure to read, but it won’t be the last. Excited to find a new author with so many books from which to choose!

Publication Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Mystery, thriller, suspense, police procedural, crime, international mystery, detective

Cover: Perfect

Rating: 5 stars

Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

#TheLongCall #NetGalley

"A Bound Heart" by Laura Frantz

Laura Frantz’ “A Bound Heart” is the story of childhood friends Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall who grew up together on the charming and beautiful isle of Kerrera (off the Scottish coast).

Although they had many of the same opportunities as children, they lead quite different lives as adults; Magnus is Laird of Castle Kerrera and Lark is the Keeper of the Bees. Lark has always been quite fond of Magnus and was heartbroken when he returned a few years ago to the isle with a wife. So, she busies herself taking care of her elderly Granny and her beloved bees. She also has a flirtatious friendship with the handsome captain of the Merry Lass, Rory MacPherson.

The inhabitants of the isle soon learn that Magnus’ wife, Lady Isla, hates the isle and living there. She is mean, rude and often physically ill. Furthermore, she does not like “the help” to be seen (including Lark). Matters only worsen when she is unable to produce an heir. Lady Isla is desperate to have a child and dies after ingesting one of Lark’s potions. Lark is soon tried and found guilty or murder. Lark and Magnus’ trials and tribulations and ensuing love story comprise the rest of the book.

Both Magnus and Lark are Christians and Frantz reminds us that it is “better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman” and also that “husbands, love your wives.” She also reminds us that “the true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good!”

If you require a lovely historical romance, this is for you! Frantz describes the isle of Kerrera so beautifully you will feel as if you are there. This book is great for any age reader.

Hoping that this may become a series (although the cover did not designate as such). I would love to read more about their lives after the ending of the book.

#ABoundHeart #NetGalley

Publication Date: January 1, 2019

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Scottish

Cover: Stunning and absolutely perfect!

Rating: 5 stars

Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

"You Belong to Me" by Mark Tilbury

Those last three paragraphs! Wow… didn’t see that coming. That’s literally all you need to know.

When you feel like giving up because the chapters seem to be rehashing the same material over and over… keep on plowing through it. Don’t give up; it will be worth it! And when you are finished, let that last sentence sink in. Then give that title a little think.

Those of you who know me or who have read some of my other reviews know that I love me some justified revenge. Sometimes it’s fairly quick (Four Brothers) and sometimes it takes years (Remember… one of the best movies ever). Sometimes, two wrongs can make a right!

When I was close to the end, I almost thought that that there might be a part two. I hate those books that are written thinking that there will be two or three in the series (same story) and leave you hanging at the end of book one. Rest assured, you will be content when you read that final word.

#YouBelongToMe #NetGalley

Publication Date: February 4, 2019

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Cover: OK

Rating: 4.5 stars

Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

"The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek" (Harley Henrickson #1) by Liz Andrews

I’ll be honest, the reason I requested this book is because it is set in my backyard. While I like cozy mysteries, I usually only choose one when I need a respite from my favorite thriller genre. I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a cozy mystery, but it is so much more.

Notchey Creek is a town full of secrets. Seeminly idyllic, the town is stunned when a wealthy local history professor turns up dead. Lovable Harley Henrickson is determined to get to the bottom of his death but every corner she turns only brings up more questions.

Full of likeable characters, pet pigs, a rock star, and life lessons, this book is an excellent read. I did not expect the ending and I will be honest, I shed a tear.

I hope that this is the first of many Harley Henrickson novels. I plan to read them all!

#TheMistRisesOverNotcheyCreek #NetGalley

Publication Date: November 28, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Cover: Perfect
Rating: 5 stars
Source:  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!