"Don't Look for Me" by Wendy Walker

Molly disappears during a terrible storm while driving home from her son’s high school football game (in another town). Her car is abandoned on the side of the road with her cell phone inside. A few days later, a note is found in a nearby hotel room telling her family that she has left and “don’t look for me”. After an exhausting community/police search, no trace of her can be found. The search is called off and everyone goes back to their lives as best they can.

We are taught from an early age to be polite to strangers, our elders, teachers, law enforcement. But we are also taught not to get in the car with someone we don’t know; don’t be lured away from the playground with candy or the promise of petting a puppy. When do you cross that line from being polite to being more concerned about a situation and being rude if necessary? 

 

What would you do? Would you continue to look or obey her wishes and let her go? After all, her entire family is still reeling from her youngest child’s death a few years ago. A death that was her fault.

 

“Don’t Look for Me” by Wendy Walker is a twisted tale of lies, deceit, hatred, anger, obsession, and guilt. The story unfolds as a witness comes forward after the search for Molly has ended. Everyone believes that the witness is simply after the reward money; one million is a nice nest egg. Nicole, Molly’s daughter, does not believe that her Mother would just walk away from their family even though they have all treated her very badly as they blame her for Annie’s accidental death. Nicole decides to meet with the eyewitness to determine if she might just be telling the truth.

 

As Nicole tries to track down exactly what happened the night her mother disappeared, she finds that no one in the town is telling the truth and they all have something to hide.

 

This story made me quite uncomfortable sometimes. But aren’t those the best kind? The ones that make us ugly cry, ache for something more, make us uncomfortable? That doesn’t mean it was not a good book, it was. Some of the dialog/scenes just disturbed me.

 

As for me, I can tell you what I would do. My husband, daughter, sister, niece, or someone else I love disappears… you’d better hide well if that is your intent because I am never giving up!

 

Publication Date: September 15th 2020

Format: eBook

Genre: Thriller, mystery, suspense

Cover: Perfect

Rating: 4 stars

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

#/DontLookForMe #NetGalley 

“Evil Thing” by Serena Valentino

I do not want to feel sorry for Cruella, yet here I am saying to myself, “It’s no wonder she turned into a puppy-stealing, dog-murdering, canine-fur-coat-making, maniacal villain and sovereign of Hell Hall””

“Evil Thing” by Serena Valentino explains just how the sweet young girl turned into the evil, penniless Cruella De Vil. The author also explains her trademark black/white hair, black slip dress, red lipstick and heels, fur coat, and jade earrings. Oh, those earrings!

This is the 7^th book in the series. Although it is not my favorite in the series (I have read a couple of the others), it is fun to read especially if you are a fairy tale or Disney fan. In all fairness, Cruella is not my favorite villain, either. I specifically like that these are not just rehashings of the classic fairy tale or beloved Disney movie, but the fresh, backstory of the villain. These are all standalone books, but the author does recommend reading in order.

I especially love these covers; they look great on a bookshelf. Her tagline for the series if perfect, “Evil is made, not born.” In these cases, she is undeniably correct; life plays a huge part of who we are and what we become!

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

Genre: Fairy tale, fantasy, young adult, retelling, fiction

Cover: Perfect

Rating: 4 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!

#EvilThing #NetGalley

"The Girl From Widow Hills" by Megan Miranda

We have all seen those iconic pictures on the news, magazines and book covers, and social media: the fireman carrying the baby after the Oklahoma City bombing, Jaycee Dugard, Baby Jessica, Madeleine McCann. But do we ever stop to think about how their lives changed? Not by the event that catapulted them into the news, but by being in the limelight forevermore. And not only their lives, but the lives of their spouse, children, parents, and/or friends. Just about the time things may return to some semblance of normalcy for them, the ten; twenty; or even thirty-year anniversary creeps up on them and they are thrown into the media again. It is never ending. 

“The Girl from Widow Hills” by Megan Miranda delves into just what happens to someone who is thrust into the limelight and how it affects everyone involved.

Arden Maynor, the girl from Widow Hills, was only six when she was swept away during a flash flood while sleepwalking. Miraculously, she was found three days later by a member of a search party; she was clinging to the inside of a storm drain. What happened to her during that time? How had she survived? How did she receive the odd injuries?

Flash forward almost twenty years. Arden has changed her name to Olivia, moved from Kentucky to North Carolina, and managed to create a life separate from that event. She lives in a remote area with only one neighbor nearby. Strangely, she remembers nothing from the event other than being found.

However, with the twenty-year anniversary looming in the back of her mind, and the recent death of her estranged mother, she begins sleepwalking again. She feels like someone is watching her, hears strange noises, and also has more night terrors. She awakens late one night in her yard and stumbles over a body. A body that she later finds is connected to her past as Arden Maynor.

The story is told with a mixture of current events and old transcripts, interviews, and press conferences from 2000 and shortly after. Loved the mixture that gave the reader background info.

“The Girl from Widow Hills” is a great thriller that kept me up late into the night to find out just what happened to Arden when she was six and what was happening to her now.  As with Megan Miranda’s books, she weaves a excellent story and ties everything up satisfyingly at the end.

Publication Date: June 23, 2020

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Psychological Thrillers, Family Secrets

Cover: Perfect

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!

#TheGirlFromWidowHills #NetGalley

"The Caretakers" by Eliza Maxwell

Sisters! If you’ve got one, you know what I’m talking about. As for me, I ruined mine’s life when I was born. She continually tried to get rid of me. Seriously. Locked me in the refrigerator back in the olden days when they locked when closed (you couldn’t just push them open from the inside). Apparently, I fit inside perfectly. She pushed me down a hill in a cardboard box into rush hour traffic. Told me Indians were in the barn and waiting for darkness to come scalp me. Anyway, you get the point. Sisters can be huge pains in the you know what.

Don’t want to lead you astray. This book is not a comedy. Sisters can be many things.

Tessa Shepherd has just made a mistake. A big one. She filmed a documentary about a murderer who was wrongly accused. After her film helps to get him released, he kidnaps the daughter of the police officer who convicted him and implies that Tessa knew the plan all along. She is hounded by the press but cannot call the one person she needs to share her side of the story with… her twin sister. They have not spoken in years.

Tessa’s mother dies suddenly. During the reading of the will, she and her sister find that their Mother was not who they thought she was. They now own a once beautiful, magnificent home that is now ruined and decaying.  A home where her Mother’s entire family was murdered when she was just a baby.

In an attempt to hide from the press and the murderer, Tessa goes there only to find that the caretakers are two elderly sisters. One of them does not want her there and they don’t seem to be telling Tessa the truth about her family. Tessa vows to get to the bottom of the story, but will she be able to find the truth about her family before time runs out?

“The Caretakers” was a great story that blended old, family secrets with new ones and had a touch of the supernatural. Great imagery of the old house, forest and care taker’s cottage. It had some good twists and turns while getting to the end.

Oh, and by the way, it’s all good now. We laugh about my sister’s attempts to strike me from her life. She is my best friend.

Publication Date: April 14, 2020

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Psychological Thrillers, Kidnapping, Family Secrets, Supernatural
Cover: Perfect

Rating: 4 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!

#TheCaretakers #NetGalley

"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!

“Something In the Water” by Catherine Steadman

“Something In the Water” by Catherine Steadman is a tale of love, greed, betrayal, mystery and murder. All those things that make a great book!

Erin is a documentarian and she has thought of a great idea… interviewing three inmates who are getting ready to be released soon. She will interview them inside prison, film their release and interview them after. During this process, Erin and Mark finally get married and take a dream honeymoon to Bora Bora. However, while deep sea diving, they find a mysterious bag that changes their lives forever… and not in a good way.

Spoiler Alert! If you have neither started the book nor finished, get it, read it and come back later for the review!

I loved this book. It had a great beginning and I was hooked from the first sentence. It kept me entertained and I have never pondered the difference between flotsam and jetsam so much. 😉

In the end, my only issue was that I was not 100% sure about the wreck and when Mark became involved. I think that he was tangled up in the mess from the beginning. He was an experienced diver and it was quite coincidental that they just happened upon the wreck, he found the bag, and he dove to the wreck alone. In the final chapter, Erin is pondering how everything happened and she recounted the huge blow up with Mark the night they slashed the wedding cost. I also thought it odd at the time that they cut the wedding expenses so much but still went to Bora Bora for two weeks. I think I know why; he was involved from the get go!

Also, he had not seen Hector since before the wedding. He was busy planning something for all that time and his persona changed quite a bit. I think that deep down Erin knew that there was something “off” with Mark and that is why she chose not to tell him about the baby.

I loved how all three of her interviewees became a part of her life, especially Eddie. I still wonder if Eddie might have been involved somehow in the whole mess or was he just somewhat of a father figure/helper to Erin. He obviously liked her since he assisted her in the sale of the diamonds and the ensuing coverup of Mark’s murder.

Perfect ending… “You can’t save everyone. Sometimes you just have to save yourself.” Erin proved that she had what it took when it came to saving herself and her unborn child. The book wrapped up satisfyingly, and I wonder if there might be another that would include a few more details and Erin’s “other favor” for Eddie.

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

Genre:  Mystery, Thriller

Cover: Perfect

Rating: 4 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!

#SomethingInTheWater #NetGalley

"Everything We Give (Everything #3)" by Kerry Lonsdale

Warning: Spoiler Alert! If you are reading this and have not read the first two books in the series, stop and read those first! If you have read the first two, I don’t give anything away about the third.

“Everything We Left Behind” ended with Lacy walking up to James on the beach, giving him a business card and telling him “I believe you know someone who might need this… He’s been looking for me.” I was quite surprised when "Everything We Give”, which wraps up the Everything series, began with Ian (Aimeee’s husband).

This book is Ian’s story. Chapters about his childhood and youth are interspersed throughout chapters of his current life. We learn why he is the way he is, but most importantly, we learn why he may be looking for Lacy.

This third book is as good as the first two and wraps up the series neatly!

"In Places Hidden (Golden Gate Secrets Book #1)" by Tracie Peterson

Caleb Coulter, an attorney in San Francisco, is known for his character and deep faith. The decision to defend his friend Patrick Murdock, who he believed to be falsely accused of murder, came easy for him. However, it seems to be a decision that may have cost him his life.

Headstrong Camrianne Coulter travels to San Francisco in an attempt to find her brother Caleb as their family has not heard from him in three months. Along the way, she makes friends with two other young ladies traveling to San Francisco and agrees that it would benefit them all if they stayed together at her brother’s home and pooled their resources to live and search for Caleb.

The trail seems mostly cold by the time she arrives, but with she and her friends begin their investigation which leads them to take a look at the pollical corruption abounding in the city. Caleb’s business partner, house servants and even Patrick are not honest with her and she begins to feat that she will never find Caleb, dead or alive.

Several beautiful biblical truths/stories are woven throughout the book: we are all the same in the eyes of God, God is always waiting for you to return to him no matter how far you may have strayed, God has a plan for each of us, and The Prodigal Son. My favorite, though, was trust God, no matter your circumstances!

One of my favorite lines in the book was “Camri refrained from pointing out the celebrating Christmas didn’t make one a Christian.” Isn’t that the truth! Sometimes we all need to be reminded of that.

I can honestly say that I have never read a Tracie Peterson book that I did not like and this one is no exception. It was interesting and well researched. I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series to find what happens with her two friends, Judith and Kenzie and how their mysteries are resolved. The second book in the series, “In Dreams Forgotten” will be published on July 3, 2018 and tackles Judith and the hunt for her long-lost aunt.

Publication Date: April 10, 2018

Genre:  Christian Fiction, Romance, Mystery,  Historical

Cover: Perfect (and beautiful)!

Rating: 4.5 stars

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

"One Among Us" by Paige Dearth

This book gave me nightmares… my mind knows these cruel, brutal monsters are real in our world, but my heart does not want to believe it. It does not want to believe that anyone could do these things to a child. The book is about a young girl who is kidnapped at eleven years old and held as a sex slave (along with several other children). Later, she is sold to a ruthless pimp.

I’ll be honest. I quit reading the book for a few days. I just could not stomach it. I picked it back up because I wanted to know, no, desperately hoped, that the characters would be OK in the end. Some were, some were not.

Heed the 18 and up warning! I can say that I will not read any more books by this author. She writes about those things of which she is knowledgeable. I just cannot read another.

Publication Date: December 12, 2014

Genre:  Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Murder

Cover: Perfect

Rating: 4 Stars

Source:  I won this book through Goodreads First-Reads. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!

"After Anna" by Lisa Scottoline

"After Anna" by Lisa Scottoline

We all have defining moments in our lives by which we measure time. Some are good… some not so much. Before marriage, after marriage; before children, after children; before a divorce, after a divorce; before the child you have not seen in almost 17 years returns to your life and after.

Maggie, Anna’s Mother, is estatic when Anna contacts her. She has not seen Anna since she was six months old. Not since she had a breakdown and was hospitalized; during which her husband returned to France with Anna. French courts, lies and her ex-husbands wealth kept Maggie from seeing Anna or even receiving a photograph all this time. After the death of Anna’s father, step-mother and step-brothers in a plane crash, she wanted to reconnect with her mother and soon moves in with her.

Soon, Maggie’s idyllic life with her husband, Noah, and 10-year-old step son Caleb begins to fall apart. Anna, now a multi-millionaire, spends lots of money without asking and stays out late without calling to let anyone know where she is. When no adults are watching, she mistreats Caleb. Soon, she begins to accuse Noah of inappropriate behavior and even files a Protection from Abuse against him.

But who do you believe? Who do you trust? Your husband of two years or your new found 17-year-old daughter? And where do you turn when that daughter turns up dead on the porch of your husband’s new rental house and all evidence points to him as the killer?

Lisa Scottoline’s novels are always, well-written, fast-paced and full of twists. “After Anna” was no exception.

Publication Date: April 10, 2018

Genre:  Suspense, Thriller, Mystery

Cover: Great

Rating: 4 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!

#AfterAnna #NetGalley

"Out of the Ordinary (Apart from the Crowd Book #2)" by Jen Turano

"Out of the Ordinary (Apart from the Crowd Book #2)" by Jen Turano

Gertrude Cadwalader is employed by Mrs. Davenport as a companion, but she is so much more: model of Mrs. Davenport’s strange hair and clothing designs and returner of stolen goods. Mrs. Davenport is not a thief, not really, as she doesn’t keep the things she steals, but tasks Gertrude with returning them. This setup works pretty well until Mrs. Davenport swipes some things during a party on board the Sinclair yacht. Later, Gertrude is caught by the Sinclair matriarch while trying to return those items.  Things become a bit tricky as Gertrude is friends with the Sinclair heir, Harrison, who happens to be quite handsome.

I loved the setting of the yacht and the part of the story that takes place on it.

I also loved the theme of “God doesn’t expect His children to live ordinary lives, but extraordinary ones.” Such a great reminder to hand your “life over to God, trusting Him to lead the way to the path of extraordinary.”

I won’t lie, I would have loved a bit more of Mrs. Davenport and her mystery. It played such a small part in the story and unfolded rather quickly.

Also, I was surprised to find this is the second book in the series as the print copy had no number on the cover, spine or cover page (it did say “Apart From the Crowd”).

This is my first Jen Turano book, but it won’t be my last. She is an excellent Christian Fiction writer and the book was first-rate.

Publication Date: November 7, 2017

Genre:  Religious, Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance

Cover:  Lovely (would have enjoyed  seeing Gertrude in one of Mrs. Davenport’s outlandish outfits… perhaps on the back.)

Rating: 4 stars

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

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

What do two murders committed over 100 years apart have in common? Kaine Prescott races to find out before she is the next victim.

After her husband Danny’s “accidental” death, Kaine believes she is being stalked and gaslighted. Determined to make a change and escape San Diego, she buys the local “fixer-upper” haunted house in Oakwood, Wisconsin after only seeing an online advertisement as Oakwood was the home of her great-great-grandmother, Ivy.

It seems, however, that the stalker has followed her to Oakwood and the house on Foster Hill. Strange things begin happening and Kaine feels like she is losing her sanity. Unlike the San Diego police force, the Oakwood police don’t believe that she is merely suffering from PTSD and imagining the odd things going on in her life.

Kaine makes quick friends and soon discovers that the house on Foster Hill was the site of a murder that involved Ivy and a missing infant many years ago. She feels a kinship with Ivy as they both understand that grief is “a high currency to pay for loving someone.”

Kaine learns everything she can about Ivy and learns that Ivy was an oddity in Oakwood. Ivy assisted her father during postmortem examinations and even kept a death journal so that everyone she knew who died would never be forgotten.

“The House on Foster Hill” is an excellent mystery.  Throughout the book, the characters learn that no matter the circumstances, there is always hope. Heaven is the future and “there is no despair in eternity, in God’s presence, in His perfection. There is only hope. He is my hope.”  

 

Publication Date: November 21, 2017

Genre:  Thriller, suspense, mystery, Christian fiction

Cover:  Perfect!

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

Rating: 4 stars

"A Christmas Return" by Anne Perry

A cannonball in a Christmas pudding? That is just how “A Christmas Return” by Anne Perry begins. Mariah Ellison receives this odd, anonymous gift a few days before Christmas. However, a card arrives with the last post of the day. It is from Peter Wesley; the grandson of a friend with whom she has not seen for some time… Rowena Wesley. A friend whose husband, Cullen, died under mysterious circumstances twenty years ago after he suddenly refused to represent a man accused of the rape and murder of a fourteen year old girl.

Mariah agrees to assist Peter as “it was something, at her age, to be needed-not to be taken in as a matter of kindness. An overdose of charity could kill something inside you.” The ensuing story is the tale of Mariah and Peter attempting to track down the murderer.

This was a quick, easy read and was not gruesome. It had some great moments, although none better than cutting into a Christmas pudding and finding a cannonball. For example, “… over a lunch of Welsh rarebit. There was always something extraordinarily comforting about melted cheese on toast.”

Very enjoyable, especially with the Christmas tie in and Anne Perry reminds us that “because of Christmas, love never dies’” This was my first Anne Perry book, but it won’t be the last.

Release Publication Date: November 7, 2017

Genre:  Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Crime, Women Sleuths, British

Cover: Perfect

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!

Rating: 4 stars

"Cherished Mercy" by Tracie Peterson

 

 

 

I love Tracie Peterson and have read many of her novels; I was looking forward to reading “Cherished Mercy”, which is the third and final book in her Heart of the Frontier series. She tackles lots of tough issues including the treatment of natives by the government, murder, rape, racism and adoption.

The book begins with Mercy Flanagan receiving a letter from a family friend requesting that she come to her aid as she is having a difficult pregnancy and could use her assistance as a healer, housekeeper, and baby sitter. Mercy struggles with the decision. She wants to help her friend, but does not want to leave her family. To travel to her friend, Eletta, would mean traveling to an area in Oregon where the native people are clashing with the white people who are invading their land. Some natives are peaceful, but many are not. Not only is this frightening, but Mercy also has a history with Native Americans. She survived the Whitman Massacre and was taken captive along with her sisters as a child. They were treated horribly and abused, but all survived.  However, the vivid memories haunt Mercy as does her sister’s child… a child that was adopted by Eletta at birth.

Mercy chooses to assist her friend, Eletta. Along the way she meets many natives and Adam, Eletta’s Brother-In-Law. The local tribe seems friendly enough, but rumors or massacres are running rampant. Will there be peace in the Rogue River Valley? If so, will Mercy survive it?

“Cherished Mercy” was a great read and an excellent reminder of how important prayer is in our daily lives.  It also reminds us that “faith isn’t faith unless it’s tested” and  God always has a plan! The book is a reminder of how important peace is and that we must fight for it.

I have not read the first two books in the series, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment. The author gave just enough tidbits about the first two so that everything made sense. She also researched the well and gave excellent descriptions of life in that era and the Oregon area.

Release Publication Date: September 5, 2017

Genre:  Christian Fiction, Romance, Western, Frontier, Historical

Cover: Perfect

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

Rating: 4.5 stars

 

 

"Persons Unknown" by Susie Steiner

"Persons Unknown" by Susie Steiner is the second book in the DS Manon series.  This police procedural focuses more on the relationships between the characters and less on police activities.

This book begins with Manon moving her family from London to Cambridgeshire so that her adopted son, who happens to be black, can live without being persecuted by the local police at every turn. Her sister, Ellie and nephew Solly move with her. Manon is now solving cold cases rather than working as a homicide detective.

The transition does not go as smoothly as planned, as Fly, Manon’s son, is not adjusting well to life away from familiar territory and friends. Oh, and surprise, Manon is expecting. I, along with Fly, wonder why this sudden urge to procreate so soon after adopting Fly.

Soon, this is the least of her worries. The victim of a local murder turns out to be none other than Ellie’s ex-husband and Solly’s father. To make matters worse, Fly is the prime suspect. The ensuing story is Manon’s attempt to prove Fly’s innocence and find the true killer.

Several nice twists and a good ending. Solid four stars. I have not read the first book in the series, “Missing, Presumed” but that in no way affected my enjoyment of this one. Several key elements were reiterated so I did not feel like I had been left behind. I look forward to finding out what happens to Manon, Fly, Ellie, Solly and the other characters in future books.

Release Publication Date: July4, 2017

Genre:  Mystery, thriller, suspense, crime fiction, noir, detectives

Cover: OK

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

Rating: 4 stars

"The Return" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

What does true love look like? We tend to think of it as Prince Charming coming to sweep us off our feet or true love’s kiss awaking us from “The Sleeping Death.”  True love or agape love is sacrificial love. What does that look like?

In “The Return” (Amish Beginnings #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher tackles true love and several controversial topics: jealousy, Indian raids, kidnapping, racism, hatred, bigotry and vengeance.
Several children are kidnapped when an Indian raiding party attacks homesteads in Pennsylvania. We discover how they were treated, how those left behind felt and how some involved became bitter and angry and turned to unlawful methods as an outlet for that anger. We learn that “Vengeance is a dangerous master to feed. Its appetite has no end.”

But we also learn that people can change and about kindness, forgiveness and love… true love. A character in the book risks his life to right a wrong not once, but twice. He defends and helps those who cannot help themselves at great risk. Throughout the book the characters grow and learn that no matter what, they belong to the Holy One even when they belong to no one or no group on Earth.

This is the third book in the series. Not having read the first two in no way hindered my enjoyment/understanding of this book. There were a couple of references to prior events, but those were explained. The author also included a cast of characters and short note explaining the time line at the beginning of the book.

Solid 4.5 stars for this excellent reminder that “God doesn’t answer our prayers because we wish Him to. And he doesn’t dislike the people we dislike either. That would amount to making God in our own image.”

Release Publication Date:  August 1, 2017

Genre:  Christian fiction, Amish, Mennonite, Indian, romance

Cover: Perfect!

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

Rating: 4.5 stars

“Everything We Left Behind” by Kerry Lonsdale

 “Everything We Left Behind” by Kerry Lonsdale is Carlos/James’ story. It picks up right where the first book of the series “Everything We Keep” left off with Carlos coming out of his fugue state. He remembers nothing of the last six and a half years… not his marriage, wife or children. It is as if the last six and a half years never happened.

I did read the first book, but if you didn’t, don’t fret. I think you would be OK. You would miss tiny details (and a great book), but the author fills you in on the large picture of what happened in the first one. It was well written and was interesting till the end (read it in less than 24 hours). I figured this book was going to end one of two ways… wrong again. Lots of twists and turns and a very satisfying ending.

There were a couple of heartbreaking scenes with Carlos/James and his son. He does not remember being a father or his sons. He was quite smart and loved his sons enough as Carlos to attempt to assist himself if he ever did emerge from his fugue state. He kept extensive journals and spoke to his older son so he would know what to do if Carlos, at some point, did not know him.

Release/Publication Date:  July 4, 2017
Genre:  Romance, suspense
Cover: Great.
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!
Rating: 4 stars

"Everything We Keep" by Kerry Lonsdale

“On our wedding day, my fiancé, James, arrived at the church in a casket.” What an opening… I was hooked!

Instead of walking down the aisle in her wedding gown, Aimee is sitting in the same church, looking at the same flowers attending her fiancé’s funeral. There would be no wedding or children. They would not open a new art gallery or new restaurant together; all their hopes and dreams as a couple would be buried that afternoon.

Just two months prior, Aimee’s fiancé James disappeared while on a business trip in Mexico. He simply went missing during a fishing trip… simply falling off the boat when other’s backs were turned.

Outside the church, Aimee is approached by a physic who tells her “I have information about James’ accident”...  “James is alive.” Aimee ignores her, but she keeps turning up in expected places dropping clues along the way.

Sometimes she hears his voice, “Let’s get out of here” and she feels like James is still with her. She was not allowed to view the body as it had been in the water for weeks. Is she losing it or was James’ death not a mere accident. Is he even dead?

“Everything We Keep” by Kerry Lonsdale is Aimee’s search for the answer to James’ death. Well written and intriguing it kept me interested till the end. A few bits that were not hard to figure out, but a great read nonetheless. Great ending and an excellent debut novel.

The sequel, “Everything We Left Behind”, comes out tomorrow, July 4, 2017! Can’t wait to see how the story ends!

Release/Publication Date:  August 1, 2016

Genre:  Romance, suspense

Cover: Great.

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

Rating: 4 stars

"A Twist in Time (Kendra Donovan #2)” by Julie McElwain

Kendra Donovan is smack dab in the middle of a massive dilemma. Should she continue to try to return home to 2015 or remain in 1815. Both choices have benefits and disadvantages.

In 2015, she is a member of the FBI and is quite the accomplished, independent woman. Oh, and of course in 2015 she can vote and interview witnesses and/or suspects without a man or chaperone present! Should she remain in 1815, she is romantically involved with the handsome, wealthy Marquis of Sutcliffe, Alec. However, she is considered quite the oddity due to her peculiar behavior. And she must adhere to all the rules of the Ton.

I do love a good time travel romance and “A Twist in Time (Kendra Donovan #2)” by Julie McElwain is just that! Lady Dover has been savagely murdered and Alec finds himself the primary suspect. It is up to Kendra to clear his name.

I enjoyed the details of London life in 1815. However, they were not so thorough as to bore the reader. Excellent mystery with lots of twists. Occassionally, it was a bit hard to keep up with the titles… lots of Dukes, Marquis, Countesses, etc., but not so much that I did not enjoy the book.

I have not read the first novel in the series, “A Murder in Time” but plan to soon! This novel stands on its own and not having read the first did not seem to hinder my enjoyment of the second. A few tidbits of info were interspersed throughout so that did not happen.

Release/Publication Date:  May 2, 2017

Genre:  Thriller, suspense, crime, murder, romance, mystery, time travel

Cover: Perfect.

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

Rating: 4 stars

"The Breakdown" by B. A. Paris

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust? B. A. Paris explores this quandary in her latest thriller, “The Breakdown”.

Cass’s life is just about perfect… handsome and loving husband, lots of friends, new job and a great house. The only scar on her idyllic life is the recent death of her mother, from dementia, which left her wealthy. Unbeknownst to Cass, her mother tucked away lots of money and lived a very frugal life. Oh, and her best friend and husband only tolerate each other.

Que a stormy night and a shortcut through a dark, twisting, wooded road. Cass takes said shortcut against her husband’s warnings. As she passes a lay-by, she sees a car. She does not really want to stop; it’s dark, raining and just darn right scary outside. As she pulls by the car, she sees that it is a woman. So, she pulls in front of the car. She waits for the motorist to put on her flashers, honk, get out or otherwise signal that she needs assistance. After some time, Cass goes on. She gets home, goes to bed and forgets about the incident until news of a murder on the very road she traveled last night jolts her out of her happy, perfect life.

Cass instantly feels guilty. Could she have helped? Could she have saved her? Would she have been murdered too? Then her mind jumps to the next logical question… did the murderer see her? She instantly becomes anxious. She begins forgetting things. She thinks someone is watching her and starts receiving calls from someone who does not speak. Then, she starts hallucinating. Is she going crazy or does she have dementia like her mother? Why is this happening to her? She just wants to have a baby and return to her normal life.

Does Cass find out what is going on? Does she find out who the murderer is before the murderer can drive her crazy? You must read the book to find out. It is a great read… I devoured in less than 24 hours. I really like this author and have not read her debut novel, “Behind Closed Doors”, but plan to soon.

Release/Publication Date:  July 18, 2017

Genre:  Thriller, suspense, crime, murder

Cover: Perfect.

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

Rating: 4 stars