Author: Kimberly

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Kimberly reviews Bewitch The Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

TITLE: Bewitch The Darkness
SERIES #: Guardians Of Eternity #18
CHARACTERS: Kyi & Locke
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/16/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The vampires and werewolves chosen to be the Guardians of Eternity believe they’ve conquered their latest threat. But as one of them will learn in this mesmerizing installment from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy, old lovers make the most ruthless new enemies . . .

Only one drastic mission can tempt Kyi away from the peaceful woodland where the dryads raised her: killing her mother. Xuria’s beauty masks a bone-deep evil that has enslaved fey for centuries with the help of a powerful stone. A hundred years ago, Kyi almost succeeded—until one meddlesome vampire destroyed her chance. With rumors that Xuria has emerged from her secret realm, Kyi’s determined to try again—despite the vampire who is now focused on destroying her.

Locke has been waiting over a century to avenge what he believes was Xuria’s death. Discovering the sorceress’s raven-haired fey daughter was the assassin is a surprise—until her story of Xuria’s treachery begins to ring true. Working with Kyi is one solution—and the relentless heat simmering between them is a hint that they may be fated as mates. But even a destined love will have to wait as they now struggle to defeat Kyi’s twin sister, who has a chilling plan of her own . . .

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Can I just say “It is Alexandra Ivy” and you will know it is a great book? Well you should. This is the 18th in the Darkness series. And as great as ever.

This time around we get Locke and Kyi’s story. Locke lost his mate a century ago when he believed his mate was killed but he learns what you know isn’t always fact. Xuria is still alive and Kyi is determined she will kill her this time around no matter what.

I really enjoyed Locke and Kyi and loved the suspense part of everything. I felt bad for both of them and hated Xuria but knowing I felt that connection makes the book even better for me.

You can never go wrong with Alexandra Ivy. She is really one of the best out there in Paranormal romance. Heck in any kind of romance since she does have other non-paranormal series.

All the books in the series can be read as a stand alone but I have no idea why the reader wouldn’t want the binge the whole Darkness series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Haunting Of Leigh Harker by Darcy Coates

TITLE: The Haunting Of Leigh Harker
CHARACTERS: Leigh Harker
AUTHOR: Darcy Coates
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/07/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes the dead reach back…

Leigh Harker’s quiet suburban home was her sanctuary for more than a decade, until things abruptly changed. Curtains open by themselves. Radios turn off and on. And a dark figure looms in the shadows of her bedroom door at night, watching her, waiting for her to finally let down her guard enough to fall asleep.

Pushed to her limits but unwilling to abandon her home, Leigh struggles to find answers. But each step forces her towards something more terrifying than she ever imagined.

A poisonous shadow seeps from the locked door beneath the stairs. The handle rattles through the night and fingernails scratch at the wood. Her home harbours dangerous secrets, and now that Leigh is trapped within its walls, she fears she may never escape.

Do you think you’re safe?

You’re wrong.

REVIEW:
Ummm, what? As a fan of paranormal shows (Travel channel fan) I was excited about this book. I thought “Ok. Cool. An old fashioned ghost story.” But I was wrong.

First the “ghost” does nothing of any major excitement in this book. So it would be scary to see doorknobs turning, things moving and even hearing “Hello” from a non-physical being but come on. I found no real scare to this book.

I had it figured out from pretty much the start.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn Monroe by Mike Rothmiller & Douglas Thompson

TITLE: Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy Killed Marilyn Monroe
CHARACTERS: Marilyn Monroe & Bobby Kennedy
AUTHOR: Mike Rothmiller & Douglas Thompson
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/08/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Bombshell: The Night Bobby Kennedy Murdered Marilyn Monroe tells the essential truth of the death of Marilyn Monroe at the hand of Robert Kennedy, Attorney General of the United States. Drawing on unseen police files, Marilyn Monroe’s private diary, and first-hand testimony, this book proves that Robert Kennedy was directly responsible for her death. It details Marilyn Monroe’s tumultuous personal involvement with him and his brother, President John Kennedy. The new evidence and testimony is provided by Mike Rothmiller who, as an agent of the Organized Crime Intelligence Division (OCID) of the LAPD, had direct personal access to hundreds of secret files on exactly what happened at Marilyn Monroe’s Californian home on August 5, 1962. With his training and specialist knowledge, Rothmiller used that unseen information to get to the heart of the matter, to the people who were there the night Marilyn Monroe died—two of whom played major roles in the cover-up—and the wider conspiracy to protect the Kennedys at all costs. There will be those with doubts, but to them, the lawman—who has advised the White House, the Pentagon, and international crime agencies—says the printed, forensic, and oral evidence are totally convincing. He insists: “If I presented my evidence in any court of law, I’d get a conviction.” Includes eight pages of black and white photographs.

REVIEW:
I, as many, have always loved Marilyn Monroe. And of course, as a fan, we know the stories. Was it drugs? The mob? The Kennedy’s? And if so which one? This book tries to prove it was Bobby.

Here is the thing. This book is all speculation. And while the idea of what happened that night and before that night is interesting I can only put it in the category of another conspiracy theory.

The writing was a bit choppy and scattered. The “evidence” is circumstantial at best.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Unheard by Nikki French

TITLE: The Unheard
CHARACTERS: Tess
AUTHOR: Nikki French
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/26/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘He did kill. Kill and kill and kill.’

Tess’s number one priority has always been her three-year-old daughter Poppy. But splitting up with Poppy’s father Jason means that she cannot always be there to keep her daughter safe.

When she finds a disturbing drawing, dark and menacing, among her daughter’s brightly coloured paintings, Tess is convinced that Poppy has witnessed something terrible. Something that her young mind is struggling to put into words.

But no one will listen. It’s only a child’s drawing, isn’t it?

Tess will protect Poppy, whatever the price. But when she doesn’t know what, or who, she is protecting her from, how can she possibly know who to trust . . . ?

REVIEW:
This is a husband and wife writing team that I have never read before. And I would have said I am not interested in reading again, however after looking at a number of different reviews I have read many saying “This is not the normal writings of Nicci French” so I may be willing to try again.

One of my biggest issues is the fact that this seemed like the same old all over again. Distressed mom who is no longer in love with her husband but they stay together because of the kids. It just seems that that storyline is the soup du jour right now. Every suspense has a young mom in trouble.

I never really connected with the characters and I prefer a book where I do not have a chance of figuring out the answer and this is not one of them.

I will try the French duo again just to be sure.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Sleigh Bells Ring by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Sleigh Bells Ring
CHARACTERS: Annie & Tate
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/26/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Celebrate the season with this sparkling holiday romance, perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Dorthea Benton Frank, and Nancy Thayer!

Ranch manager Annie McCade thought her twin niece and nephew could join her at the Angel View Ranch for Christmas with her absent employer being none the wiser. But when the ranch’s owner, Tate Sheridan, shows up out of the blue, Annie’s plans are upended. Soon she finds herself helping Tate make a Christmas to remember for his grieving and fractured extended family.

Sleigh Bells Ring is the latest heartwarming, festive Christmas story by New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Hey Hallmark!!! You need to be looking at this novel by RaeAnne Thayne. Everything about this story is perfect for a made for TV movie.

This is a story about two women who come home for different reasons. One to move on and one to help others move on. Brie is needing to move on from her father’s death decades ago and coming home to the family ranch. Annie wants to give her niece and nephew a wonderful Christmas on the ranch. But when Annie’s childhood crush shows up everything changes.

What a delightful read but then Thayne never disappoints and puts even more of her love into her Christmas writings.

Perfect book to enjoy this Holiday season.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Such A Good Girl by Willow Rose

TITLE: Such A Good Girl
SERIES #: Eva Rae Thomas Mysteries #9
CHARACTERS: Eva Rae Thomas
AUTHOR: Willow Rose
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/23/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FBI-profiler Eva Rae Thomas faces a devious plan in bestselling author Willow Rose’s blood-rushing thriller of murder and revenge.

A girl falls from the penthouse floor of an apartment in Washington, D.C.

Media Mogul Richard Wanton owns the apartment and is seen standing on the balcony when the girl falls.

He is accused of killing her, but the FBI is struggling to find enough solid evidence to convict him.

They have a witness, someone who was in the apartment when it happened, but she doesn’t want to talk to them.

She’ll only speak to one person, ex-FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas. The problem is, Eva Rae Thomas has no interest in talking to her.

As a matter of fact, she’d rather see this woman dead than have to face her.

But Eva Rae Thomas isn’t someone who can leave a case alone, especially not when she starts to ask questions and things aren’t adding up.

As she digs in deeper—with the entire world watching—she soon finds herself in too deep and realizes she can’t trust anyone’s motives.

But by then, it is too late, and the killer is already tracking her down.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I will be honest. I asked for all the books that Willow Rose recently put on NetGalley hoping I had found a new author. I got the first in this series and wasn’t sure about the writing. Then this one is #9. I will say I can tell the author has matured in her writing style and I appreciate that but I am just not sure that this author is for me.

Of the number of series I requested this is my favorite by Rose. I am just not sure that I would run out and pick up the books in the series I have not read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews Dark Tarot by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Dark Tarot
SERIES #: Dark #31
CHARACTERS: Sandu & Adalasia
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/09/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon  | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sandu Berdardi continues to exist only to protect his people. An ancient Carpathian, his entire long life has been dedicated to honor above all else. He knows his time has passed, especially since he has not been able to find his lifemate — the anchor to keep him sane in a world he no longer understands. But just as he truly starts to give up hope, a voice reaches out to him in the night and his world explodes into color.

Adalasia enters Sandu’s mind seamlessly, as if she has been a part of him forever. While she can see the shape of things to come in her deck of cards, her gift is both a blessing and a curse. The true course of Sandu’s quest remains unclear, with danger waiting at every turn. She cannot see everything the future holds, but she does know it is a journey they will take together.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts This is the 31st… YES! 31st! In the Dark series (part of the Carpathian series) and how this author keeps the books fresh and entertaining and wanting to read the next one as soon as the reader is done with this one is a mystery.

This story is filled with action, romance, sacrifice and travel. The story takes place in countless states in America and many countries around the world. Sandu has been in a few recent novels and I am so glad that we finally got his story. And Adalasia is perfect for him.

Feehan delivers the best in the series in a while and that is saying something. Feehan never disappoints.

While I would say that yes you can read this story as a stand alone (sorta) but I really recommend that you read the entire series so you understand the Carpathian dynamic.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly reviews The Wit And Wisdom of Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

TITLE: The Wit And Wisdom of Bridgerton
SERIES #: Bridgerton Collection
CHARACTERS: The Bridgerton Family
AUTHOR: Julia Quinn
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/09/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes a highly designed, colorful collection of quotes, wit, and wisdom from Lady Whistledown and the most memorable characters of the much-loved Bridgerton books, now a series created by Shondaland for Netflix.

A collection of the most dramatic, romantic, and memorable quotes from the charming characters of the Bridgerton world, The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton is the perfect gift for fans of the Bridgerton series and the groundbreaking Shondaland/Netflix adaptation. With her signature wink and nod, Lady Whistledown herself will act as readers’ familiar and trusted guide, introducing each character’s most memorable quotes.

Each chapter in the book will highlight a different character from the Bridgerton series and include a new introduction from Lady Whistledown, quotes from the character, and things other characters have said about them over the course of the entire series. Fans will get a 360-degree view of each of their favorite personalities, with new commentary and takeaways from Lady Whistledown.

From Daphne, to Simon, to Penelope, to Colin, fans will enter the Bridgerton world in a completely new way with a fresh and intimate perspective of each character. Readers will relive the twists and turns of the books, taking (or not taking) the advice on love, family, etiquette, and fashion from the most beloved and unforgettable voices from Bridgerton. With an introduction from the creator of the Bridgerton world and #1 NYT Bestselling author Julia Quinn, The Wit and Wisdom of Bridgerton is a highly designed keepsake and unique addition to the Regency-set series.

REVIEW:

What a fun read. The book is filled with wonderfully delightful quotes from each character and even what other characters had to say about them.

This is a great companion book to the series.

I will say it is hard to say much about this book because it is not a novel. It is a mix of each book in the series. But if you are a fan of the series via books or NetFlix this is a must have.

Personal Note: I can’t even tell you how many shirts I want to have made with some of these quotes!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Hollywood Horrors by Andrea Van Landingham

TITLE: Hollywood Horrors
CHARACTERS: Hollywood Well-Known
AUTHOR: Andrea Van Landingham
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The name “Hollywood” conjures up fantastical images of bright lights, glamorous dreams, and impossible riches. From its humble beginnings as a ranch sprawling northwest of Los Angeles in the late 1800s, Hollywood has spanned lifetimes as a factory of dreams, a dazzling place where all things are possible. This collection of stories takes you on a journey into the golden age, illuminating the space between the airy fantasy and the gritty reality of life in Hollywood. In a transient city where nothing lasts, thousands of stories have taken place in their time here. From the offscreen debauchery of the silent era, to countless dramatic and mysterious deaths, to the sinister past lives of world-famous LA landmarks, vestiges of Hollywood’s checkered past can still be found all over the city. With generations of Tinseltown’s luminaries living and working under the sunny guise of paradisal prosperity, their real stories reveal the sordid underbelly lurking directly beneath the surface. A dangerous collusion between the studios, the press, the mob, and the LAPD forms an impenetrable behind-the-scenes network of corruption, power and control, where the truth is always up for sale. A network in which the most glamorous and well-known figures are merely players in this elaborate charade. It’s magical and gritty, it’s ugly and dirty, it’s the land of dreams…it’s Hollywood.

REVIEW:
What an interesting book. To be honest, I was thinking the book was more about the actors of Hollywood and their death or murder. But it really isn’t. It is more about the corruption surrounding these well known actors.

Everyone hears about the scandal around Marilyn Monroe but little is known about corruption surrounding Elizabeth Taylor or Errol Flynn.

I really found this interesting and had to Google some of the information to get a better picture of what happened.

I really think anyone who enjoys real-life drama will enjoy this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Dead Sorry by Helen H Durrant

TITLE: Dead Sorry
SERIES #: Calladine & Bayliss #11
CHARACTERS: Calladine & Bayliss
AUTHOR: Helen H Durrant
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/17/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Looking for a brilliant best-selling crime mystery with great detectives?

THE PAST COMES BACK TO HAUNT THEM

Twenty-five years ago a schoolgirl was attacked by three bullies in her home where she lived with her grandmother.

Now, the mother of one of those bullies is found murdered on the Hobfield housing estate. Written on the wall in the victim’s blood is the word, “sorry.”

There is a link to the discovery of bones at an old house up in the hills — the home of the teenage girl who was attacked.

Detective Tom Calladine and his partner DS Ruth Bayliss have more than this puzzling case on their hands. Arch-villain Lazarov is threatening Calladine’s granddaughter and a valuable hoard of Celtic gold is coming to a local museum.

The pressure is on, and this time Calladine is cracking . . .

Discover an absolutely unputdownable crime thriller from a best-selling author.

If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Mel Sherratt, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will enjoy this exciting new crime fiction writer.

DEAD SORRY is book eleven of a new series of detective thrillers featuring DS Ruth Bayliss and DI Tom Calladine.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So here is the deal. I didn’t realize this was part of a series and then to realize it was the 11th in the series made it a bit difficult to read. I felt like I should have known the characters already but didn’t. That being said, the suspense of it can be read as a stand alone.

I hadn’t read anything by this author that I can recall so I was unfamiliar with the flow of the author. So when I thought I had it figured out and kept thinking “How do they not know?” I was pleasantly surprised to realize I actually didn’t know at all. And that makes me like a book

I think I would really enjoy this series and plan on reading more.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts