Category: Kimberly’s Review

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Kimberly reviews Highland Warriors by Heather McCollum

TITLE: Highland Warriors
SERIES #: Sons Of Sinclair #2
CHARACTERS: Joshua & Kara
AUTHOR: Heather McCollum
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/27/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Joshua Sinclair, second brother of the mighty Sinclair clan of Northern Scotland, has been raised by his father to love war above all else. Frustrated with the way his older brother, the new chief, is bringing peace to the land, he strikes out on his own as a mercenary on Orkney Island and spends months helping a powerful Norse chief beat back threats to his rule.

Kristin Muir, the daughter of a fallen Viking chief, is determined to help her exiled people survive and grow in number on the northern isle. As a young widow in her broken clan, she must find a man to help her start the next generation of warriors by getting her with child. When she watches the massive Sinclair warrior defeat four thieves bent on taking his life, she chooses him.

Joshua doesn’t question his good fortune when the beautiful warrior woman brings him back to a cottage sitting on the windswept land. Stormbound for days, they come together in explosive passion. But he’s furious when she disappears as soon as the storm dies out. When he arrives back at the Norse Chief’s castle to find Kristin a prisoner, being forced to wed the man who killed her father and stole their clan castle, his strategies put Kristin’s people and her very life at risk. Joshua begins to question the need for war and the basis of his entire life.

REVIEW:
The best way to describe Joshua is a diamond in the rough but the coal is cracking off this diamond. He wants peace. But then Kara walks into her life and she needs him to fight against her Clan Lord. A man Joshua knows well.

I loved Joshua. He was an alpha man but with such a good heart. He just wants to be done with the life he has led but now he also wants Kara. Kara was a bit harder to like. Once they warmed up to each other I warmed up to Kara.

I love the way Heather McCollum writes. She has a way of dragging me in from the first chapter. And I didn’t want to stop reading. I have never been a huge fan of Scottish Romance but have enjoyed a handful of authors and McCollum is one of them.

Can’t wait to read #3.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews How Y’all Doing? by Leslie Jordan

TITLE: How Y’all Doing?
CHARACTERS: Leslie Jordan
AUTHOR: Leslie Jordan
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/27/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Viral sensation and Emmy Award-winner Leslie Jordan regales fans with entertaining stories about the odd, funny, and unforgettable events in his life in this unmissable essay collection that echoes his droll, irreverent voice.

When actor Leslie Jordan learned he had “gone viral,” he had no idea what that meant or how much his life was about to change. On Instagram, his uproarious videos have entertained millions and have made him a global celebrity. Now, he brings his bon vivance to the page with this collection of intimate and sassy essays.

Bursting with color and life, dripping with his puckish Southern charm, How Y’all Doing? is Leslie doing what Leslie does best: telling stories that make us laugh and lift our spirits even in the darkest days. Whether he’s writing about his brush with a group of ruffians in a West Hollywood Starbucks, or an unexpected phone call from legendary Hollywood start Debbie Reynolds, Leslie infuses each story with his fresh and saucy humor and pure heart.

How Y’all Doing? is an authentic, warm, and joyful portrait of an American Sweetheart— a Southern Baptist celebutante, first-rate raconteur, and keen observer of the odd side of life whose quirky wit rivals the likes of Amy Sedaris, Jenny Lawson, David Rakoff, and Sarah Vowell.

REVIEW:
Leslie Jordan cracks me up. I have seen him on a number of shows and thought I might enjoy this book. I had no idea how much I would. Jordan has a distinct voice so as I read the story I could actually hear him.

What I think I enjoyed most was the way it was told. It was like sitting in a room with Jordan and hearing stories that just popped into his head. You could enjoy his laughter as he told the stories in his own way.

I really hope there is more to come. Based on these stories I am sure there is more in that crazy mind of Leslie Jordan’s and I can’t wait to read more!

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews A Wedding On Lilac Lane by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: A Wedding On Lilac Lane
SERIES #: Moonlight Bay #4
CHARACTERS: Ella & Dylan
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsay
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/27/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After leaving her old life behind and starting over for good, a former country star finds herself at odds with a handsome new man. But is he the enemy . . . or her only ally?

Musician Ella McMillan can’t believe she just walked away from her life. So long, boyfriend. Goodbye, country music career. Coming home to Magnolia Harbor could be a fresh start with her mom—until Ella discovers that her mother is getting married again. Now Ella’s been roped into planning an engagement party with the groom’s utterly gorgeous and infuriatingly buttoned-up son. Fortunately, they have one thing in common, even if they don’t agree on what to do about it . . .

Dr. Dylan Killough strongly objects to his father’s upcoming marriage. He’ll do almost anything to sabotage the engagement, andhe needsElla’s help. But despite her own feelings, Ella is determined to throw the perfect party and give her mother the wedding of her dreams. Between sampling party hors d’oeuvres and visiting romantic wedding venues, sparks are suddenly flying between Ella and Dylan-and Dylan is questioning everything he thought he knew about relationships. Now can he convince Ella that he believes in happily-ever-afters after all?

REVIEW:
I pick up a Hope Ramsey book anytime I see it so I didn’t even read the synopsis when I requested this from NetGalley. And then when I did I couldn’t help but laugh. Why? Because My high school sweetheart and I just got married…. 30 years after our break up. So this book was going to be right up my alley.

I really liked this story. The romance of the parents is sweet but the connection of Ella and Dylan who are trying to break up the upcoming marriage of their parents. But somehow it brings them close together and how now they each really do believe in love.

Ramsey is great at writing for “real” people. The characters are just like us and I love that about her writing.

Worth every page. Can’t wait for the next in the 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 Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale

TITLE: The Haunting Of Alma Fielding
CHARACTERS: Alma Fielding & Nandor Fodor
AUTHOR: Kate Summerscale
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/27/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
London, 1938. In the suburbs of the city, an ordinary young housewife has become the eye in a storm of chaos. In Alma Fielding’s modest home, china flies off the shelves, eggs fly through the air; stolen jewellery appears on her fingers, white mice crawl out of her handbag, beetles appear from under her gloves; in the middle of a car journey, a terrapin materialises on her lap. Nandor Fodor – a Jewish-Hungarian refugee and chief ghost hunter for the International Institute for Psychical Research – reads of the case, and hastens to the scene of the haunting. But when Fodor starts his scrupulous investigation, he discovers that the case is even stranger than it seems. By unravelling Alma’s peculiar history, he finds a different and darker type of haunting: trauma, alienation, loss – and the foreshadowing of a nation’s worst fears. As the spectre of Fascism lengthens over Europe, and as Fodor’s obsession with the case deepens, Alma becomes ever more disturbed. With rigour, daring and insight, the award-winning pioneer of non-fiction writing Kate Summerscale shadows Fodor’s enquiry, delving into long-hidden archives to find the human story behind a very modern haunting.

REVIEW:
I am so on the fence about this one. The story was interesting. I found the investigation interesting too. But the writing! Holy crud that is hard to read.

I love ghost stories. And I expected this to be more of the ghost story than an oversized article with facts.

Honestly, I am still trying to figure out what I just read.

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

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Kimberly reviews Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel

TITLE: Finding Ashley
CHARACTERS: Melissa Henderson
AUTHOR: Danielle Steel
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/27/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Melissa Henderson is leading a quiet life. Once a bestselling author, she now pours all her energy into renovating a Victorian house nestled in the foothills of rural New England. Six years ago, she lost her young son to cancer, and her marriage dissolved. She stopped writing. It was only when she bought the old house that Melissa found a purpose, and came alive as she made it beautiful again.

After a wildfire that threatens her home appears on the news, Melissa receives a call from her sister, Hattie. They were close once, but that was before Melissa withdrew from the world. Now Hattie, who became a nun at twenty-five, is determined to help Melissa turn a new page, even if it means reopening one of the most painful chapters of her life.

At sixteen, a pregnant Melissa was sent to a gloomy convent in Ireland to have— and give up—her baby, to spare the family shame. All these years later, Hattie feels compelled to embark on a journey that will change both their lives forever, and track down the child Melissa gave up.

Finding Ashley is a masterpiece of contemporary drama and tells a gripping story of the strength of the human spirit to chase an impossible dream. It is the story of two strong, brave women turning wrenching loss into reconnection, and a family reunited after bringing dark secrets into the light.

REVIEW:
Danielle Steel. Any fan of women’s lit knows this name. And Finding Ashley is one of the reasons she has lasted so long in this business.

In this story we read about two sisters who have both been through a lot but still believe they can find happiness and contentment. There are some tough moments in the story but Steel puts them there so we can see exactly what the sisters have gone through and what they continue to go through.

I have always liked Danielle Steel. There has never been a story of hers that I was disappointed in and this is the same. There is so much to these characters that we can find in ourselves or someone we love.

Another great read from Danielle Steel.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Girl On The Platform by Bryony Pearce

TITLE: The Girl On The Platform
CHARACTERS: Bridget
AUTHOR: Bryony Pearce
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/15/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A missing child. A single witness.

I am the girl on the platform.
When new mother Bridget catches her train home from London, she witnesses something terrible: a young girl is taken from the platform, right before her eyes.

No one knows where I am.
But no one is reported missing and with Bridget the only witness, she is written off as an attention seeker. Nobody believes her – not even her own husband.

Can you find me?
But Bridget knows what she saw, and becomes consumed with finding the little girl. Only she can save the child’s life… but could delving into the mystery cost Bridget her own?

A dark and absorbing thriller with the impact of memorable series like Broadchurch or The Missing, perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and Erin Kinsley’s Found.

REVIEW:
First let’s talk about Grace. What a “real” character she is. She just had a baby 7 months ago. She is suffering from postpartum. She is the breadwinner while her husband is a stay at home dad and her commute is killing her, she is tired, her mom is kind driving her nuts with all the ways Grace isn’t doing things right for the baby and, as a mom, I completely got it. Guilt for working and guilt if she didn’t work. Happy her hubby can stay home and also jealous.

Then she sees a young girl get kidnapped on a platform on the way home. But no one else saw it. Why not? Do the police even believe her? Can she trust her own tired brain?

And then the nightmares start. WOW! What a story is told through her nightmares and through her thoughts.

I wanted to read the book and then needed to stop at times to process what was going on with Grace.

This is a really good story. It keeps you wanting to read one more page and then another. There is so much going on and yet none of it is overwhelming. Really recommend anyone who enjoys suspenseful reads and wants to keep your mind guessing.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Turn A Blind Eye by Jeffrey Archer

TITLE: Turn A Blind Eye
SERIES #: Detective William Warwick #3
CHARACTERS: William Warwick
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Archer
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/13/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Turn a Blind Eye is the third installment in the gripping story of Detective Inspector William Warwick, by the master storyteller and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Clifton Chronicles.

Newly promoted to Detective Inspector, William Warwick is tasked with a dangerous new line of work, to go undercover and expose crime of another kind: corruption at the heart of the Metropolitan Police Force. Along with detectives Rebecca Pankhurst and Nicky Bailey, his team is focused on following Detective Jerry Summers, a young officer whose lifestyle exceeds his income. But the investigation risks being compromised when Nicky falls for Summers.
Meanwhile, notorious drug baron Ahmed Rashidi goes on trial, defended by Booth Watson QC, while William’s father Sir Julian and sister Grace lead the prosecution case. And William’s wife Beth, now a new mother to twins, makes a surprising new friend in Christina Faulkner–the ex-wife of William’s former rival, criminal financier Miles – who has not only turned over a new leaf, but also has a new-found source of income when Faulkner dies suddenly of a heart attack and she stands to be sole inheritor of his estate.
As the undercover officers start to draw the threads together, William realizes that the corruption may go deeper still, and more of his colleagues than he first thought might be willing to turn a blind eye.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is the third in the series but we have known these characters from other stories so it is like catching up with friends. In this one we are at the trial of Rashidi.

What I enjoyed about this is the trial part. Some of it got a bit wordy but the trials in England are so different than the trials in the USA. And it is kind of interesting thinking “they can do that there?” or “we could do that here.”

I like DI Warwick. And this time he has to investigate his own. No, he is not a police officer but they are all in the line of work to bring justice and now he has to investigate a young officer who just may be in more than he should be involved in.

Another good story by Jeffrey Archer.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Bookstore On The Beach by Brenda Novak

TITLE: The Bookstore On The Beach
CHARACTERS: Autumn Divac
AUTHOR: Brenda Novak
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/06/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

How do you start a new chapter of your life when you haven’t closed the book on the previous one?

Eighteen months ago, Autumn Divac’s husband went missing. Her desperate search has yielded no answers, and she can’t imagine moving forward without him. But for the sake of their two teenage children, she has to try.

Autumn takes her kids home for the summer to the charming beachside town where she was raised. She seeks comfort working alongside her mother and aunt at their bookshop, only to learn that her daughter is facing a huge life change and her mother has been hiding a terrible secret for years. And when she runs into the boy who stole her heart in high school, old feelings start to bubble up again. Is she free to love him, or should she hold out hope for her husband’s return? She can only trust her heart…and hope it won’t lead her astray.

REVIEW:
I am a fan of Novak’s. I won’t say I have read everything she has ever written but I have read books of hers that I really enjoyed. This was not one of them.

Honestly, there is just so much in this book that it becomes unbelievable. Yes, a family can have bad times when it feels like everything is on their shoulders but it really isn’t. In this book it is. I mean everything was thrown at the family including the kitchen sink.

I would have been happy with this book being much shorter. There was a lot in the middle that was filler, in my opinion. I liked the beginning and came back in for the end but the middle was just too long.

I really felt the connection between the mother and son. I felt each word of love she said to him as I have said the same to my son.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Path To Sunshine Cove by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: The Path To Sunshine Cove
SERIES #: Cape Sanctuary #2
CHARACTERS: Jessica & Rachel
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/30/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With the emotional pull of Debbie Macomber, Barbara Delinsky and Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne brings readers an uplifting, brand new story told with her trademark charm and heart.

She knows what’s best for everyone but herself…

With a past like hers, Jessica Clayton feels safer in a life spent on the road. She’s made a career out of helping others downsize–because she’s learned the hard way that the less “stuff,” the better, a policy she applies equally to her relationships. But a new client is taking Jess back to Cape Sanctuary, a town she once called home…and that her little sister, Rachel, still does. The years apart haven’t made a dent in the guilt Jess still carries after a handgun took the lives of both their parents and changed everything between them.

While Jess couldn’t wait to put the miles between her and Cape Sanctuary, Rachel put down roots, content for the world–and her sister–to think she has a picture-perfect life. But with the demands of her youngest child’s disability, Rachel’s marriage has begun to fray at the seams. She needs her sister now more than ever, yet she’s learned from painful experience that Jessica doesn’t do family, and she shouldn’t count on her now.

Against her judgment, Jess finds herself becoming attached–to her sister and her family, even to her client’s interfering son, Nate–and it’s time to put everything on the line. Does she continue running from her painful past, or stay put and make room for the love and joy that come along with it?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts This is a RaeAnne Thayne book so of course it is a great read!!! I might have had more than a passing fan feel to this book since my son has autism. Let me explain.

Jess comes back to Cape Sanctuary where she used to live. Her sister, Rachel, still lives there but their relationship is a bit strained. And while the world sees Rachel’s life as perfect there is a lot more going on. Rachel’s son has just been diagnosed with Autism and it seems her world is unraveling and when she needs her sister the most her sister hasn’t been there. And now Jess is back and Rachel hopes she will have the sister she desperately needs. But Jess doesn’t feel the same…. Or does she? Jess is becoming more attached especially to her nephew and the relationship with her sister is slowly growing.

Now, like I said I have a son who was diagnosed with Autism but thankfully a very high functioning child on the spectrum. I remember the feeling when I was told our lives would be changed and the first person I called was my sister. I couldn’t imagine having the relationship that Jess and Rachel have.

So the story was palpable to me and is so true to life. Thayne is a master at women’s fiction and high on my recommendation to strangers list but this will be the book I recommend at the same time I recommend Thayne.

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

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Kimberly reviews Triple M Murder by Carmen Cady

TITLE: Triple M Murder
SERIES #: Jack Calloway Thriller #1
CHARACTERS: Jack Calloway
AUTHOR: Carmen Cady
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/21/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A sadistic murderer. A grieving investigator with a dark secret. A desperate race to save lives and clear his name.

Jack Calloway, a private investigator, and criminal profiler witnessed the brutal murder of his family. Years later, driven by guilt and grief, he’s pulled to find justice. Called on by law enforcement agencies across the country, Jack’s on a mission to catch violent offenders. But when a serial killer from Jack’s antebellum past catches up to him in Seattle, he finds himself in a no-win situation. The killer has deliberately set Jack up to take the fall.

Now, he must work with a forensic expert—the woman he loved and pushed away, and a lead detective who can’t stand him. As if those aren’t enough problems—Jack carries a secret that could cost him everything.

Will Jack find this killer and clear his name before it’s too late?

REVIEW:
This book was just odd for me. It’s not that I didn’t like it but I wouldn’t say I loved it. The story is interesting. And I think it had a lot of potential. But there were some things I did not like.

First the good, I liked the suspense and it kept me interested to figure out the who-dun-it. I thought the romance of the story was done well and not over the top. I thought it was right to how people would feel who once had a connection but now have to work together.

Now the other part. First I hated, HATED, the way the women are portrayed in this story. I mean seriously the sexism in the story was distracting. If it had been set a different time it would have made more sense but it is not and women are not sex objects.

There were times it felt the author was saying 15 words for 3 to fill in pages. A number of things/people were overly explained for no reason.

I will read the next in the series to see if the first was overly written to explain the new characters but I am not sure how much of a fan I will be.

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

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Kimberly reviews Destroy Me by Karen Cole

TITLE: Destroy Me
CHARACTERS: Cat
AUTHOR: Karen Cole
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/18/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
SOME SECRETS ARE BEST LEFT BURIED…

Cat panics when she sees a photofit of a murder suspect flash up on the news. It looks exactly like her, and to make matters worse, the victim is her childhood best friend, Charlie.

The following day, the police arrive at her doorstep to question her. She hadn’t seen or spoken to Charlie in years, but could the secrets of their past finally be coming back to haunt her?

Desperate to find out who gave the police her description and to protect her five-year-old son, Cat investigates. She knows she is innocent and will stop at nothing to prove it. But some secrets are best left buried…

REVIEW:
2.25 Hearts Ok this is not the book for me. I really liked the concept. You are all over the news for murder but you know you didn’t do it so how can your picture be everywhere? And to make it worse the victim was your best friend? Sounds good, right?

Not really. I never cared about Cat at all. She was harsh and brash and just unlikeable if you ask me. And the pet thing was unnecessary and I have never liked when an animal is hurt.

There was so much potential with this story. If the character had been worth our worry maybe I would have liked it more.

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

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Kimberly reviews Danger In Numbers by Heather Graham

TITLE: Danger In Numbers
CHARACTERS: Amy Larson & Hunter Forrest
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/23/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the edge of the Everglades, an eerie crime scene sets off an investigation that sends two agents deep into a world of corrupted faith, greed and deadly secrets.

A ritualistic murder on the side of a remote road brings in the Florida state police. Special Agent Amy Larson has never seen worse, and there are indications that this killing could be just the beginning. The crime draws the attention of the FBI in the form of Special Agent Hunter Forrest, a man with insider knowledge of how violent cults operate, and a man who might never be able to escape his own past.

The rural community is devastated by the death in their midst, but people know more than they are saying. As Amy and Hunter join forces, every lead takes them further into the twisted beliefs of a dangerous group that will stop at nothing to see their will done.

Doomsday preppers and small-town secrets collide in this sultry, twisty page-turning thriller.

REVIEW:
I am a big fan of Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series and most of her other stories as well. So I am always happy to pick up a Heather Graham story. But this one was just ok for me.

I love the suspense part. And being from Florida I loved hearing all the places and lore of the state. Graham has a way of bringing you into her stories with the real history that surrounds the area she is writing about. But the romance was a bit dry in this story.

I do not know what it was but I guess I never connected with Amy or Hunter because I just wanted to get back to the meat of the story and be done with the fluff.

The religious part of the story I found interesting. I have never been fond of the cult stories but this had a bit of a different aspect to the story. The murder was one that you wanted to help Amy and Hunter find the suspect.

All in all a good story from Graham just not one of her best.

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