Category: Kimberly’s Review

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Kimberly reviews The Goodbye Man by Jeffrey Deaver

TITLE: The Goodbye Man
SERIES #: Colter Shaw #2
CHARACTERS: Colter Shaw
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Deaver
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/12/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A thrilling new Colter Shaw adventure by the master of suspense, Jeffery Deaver.

In pursuit of two young men accused of terrible hate crimes, Colter Shaw stumbles upon a clue to another mystery. In an effort to save the life of a young woman–and possibly others–he travels to the wilderness of Washington State to investigate a mysterious organization. Is it a community that consoles the bereaved? Or a dangerous cult under the sway of a captivating leader? As he peels back the layers of truth, Shaw finds that some people will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.

All the while, Shaw must unravel an equally deadly enigma: locating and deciphering a message hidden by his father years ago, just before his death–a message that will have life-and-death consequences.

REVIEW:
Colter Shaw is a bumbling idiot (that may be a bit strong but still) with a heart of gold and I adore him. Somehow he figures everything out but the laughs he gives me along the way are worth the read in and of itself but the mystery of what is happening is a good read as well.

Shaw reminds me of Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben’s series. There is humor in the way that Shaw does everything and yet he comes up with the answers.

This series is great for a humorous read with a bit of mystery and who-dun-it. A great beach read.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf

TITLE: This Is How I Lied
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Nola
AUTHOR: Heather Gudenkauf
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/12/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone has a secret they’ll do anything to hide…

Twenty-five years ago, the body of sixteen-year-old Eve Knox was found in the caves near her home in small-town Grotto, Iowa—discovered by her best friend, Maggie, and her sister, Nola. There were a handful of suspects, including her boyfriend, Nick, but without sufficient evidence the case ultimately went cold.

For decades Maggie was haunted by Eve’s death and that horrible night. Now a detective in Grotto, and seven months pregnant, she is thrust back into the past when a new piece of evidence surfaces and the case is reopened. As Maggie investigates and reexamines the clues, secrets about what really happened begin to emerge. But someone in town knows more than they’re letting on, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried deep.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Maggie found the body of her best friend as a teenager and now, 25 years later, is a police detective assigned to the cold case of her friend Eve and her sister, Nola.

There are a lot of twists in this story and a lot of suspects. I have to say I was surprised at who-dun-it which is usually good for me (I enjoy when the author can trick me) but in this instance it was more of a “hmmm ok I guess”.

But that being said the build up to the end was really a fast page turning read. The characters are all interesting and full of personality and all have their reasons as to why.

Very good read.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck

TITLE: The Wedding Dress Christmas
SERIES #: The Wedding Collection #3.5
CHARACTERS: JoJo & Buck
AUTHOR: Rachel Hauck
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
December comes to quaint Hearts Bend, Tennessee, with a blanket of white and the glitter of Christmas lights.

For JoJo Castle there is no place like home. Her onetime love of adventure ended when her life in the big city came crashing down. Now that she’s home, she never wants to leave again.

Country music sensation Buck Mathews has charmed the world with his smile and his music. However, news of his mother’s illness brought him home to Hearts Bend for the holiday season.

Working with her cousin Haley in The Wedding Shop, JoJo has no aspirations of love. But when her high school crush returns to town, her buried feelings surface.

Busy with his career, Buck hasn’t had time for family and friends, much less love. Seeing JoJo in The Wedding Shop reminds him there are things more important than his career.

But JoJo and Buck have opposing life goals, and there’s no middle ground. Can love, especially the kind that touches hearts at Christmas, overcome her fears and his quest for greatness?

With the help of a very special wedding dress, there just might a Christmas miracle.

REVIEW:
This is a short story of about 150 pages. I don’t think I have read anything by her before but this sounded like an interesting read. There is a bit of a Christian romance feel to this. There seems to be a bit of the Divine intervention in this so don’t go looking for a hot read. This falls more under the sweet romance of two people who have always had feelings and finally manage to find each other’s hearts.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes by G.K. Chesterton & Jacques Futrelle

TITLE: The Rivals Of Sherlock Holmes
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: G.K. Chesterton & Jacques Futrelle
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/18/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Enthralled by the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Victorian readers around the world developed a fascination with eccentric detectives and bizarre crimes. Featuring an international array of authors and characters, this compilation of 16 short stories showcases the best of the mysteries inspired by the Baker Street sleuth. Their heroes range from famous figures like G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown and Maurice Leblanc’s Arsene Lupin to lesser-known but equally captivating characters.
“The Problem of the Stolen Rubens,” by Jacques Futrelle, centers on Professor Van Dusen, also known as The Thinking Machine, whose superior mental powers and dispassionate approach resemble Holmes’. Robert Barr’s “The Absent Minded Coterie” presents French detective Eugène Valmont, a cultured and elegant gentleman . . . but a rather poor investigator. “The Murder at Troyte’s Hill,” by Catherine L. Pirkis, “The Ninescore Mystery,” by The Scarlet Pimpernel author Baroness Orczy, and “Cinderella’s Slipper,” by Hugh C. Weir, feature a Victorian novelty—a detective heroine. Holmesians and other lovers of old-time mysteries will thrill to these tales of dark deeds and their discovery.

REVIEW:
As a fan of Sherlock Holmes and ACD’s work I just had a hard time with this writing. ACD wrote Sherlock Holmes to be mentally introverted. He saw things and understood things others could not. And it seems hard for me to imagine there were “rivals” of Holmes that possessed the same attributes.

I will be honest and say I skimmed over a few of the stories. I would start them and just couldn’t bring myself to read every word but I did skim it so I would know where the short story went.

Others I enjoyed for lack of a better word. I had to put aside my fandom of Holmes and ACD and read them for themselves which at times was difficult.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Night Vanishing by Dick Wybrow

TITLE: The Night Vanishing
SERIES #: Painter Mann #2
CHARACTERS: Painter Mann
AUTHOR: Dick Wybrow
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/16/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After the events of The InBetween, dead private investigator Painter Mann goes to New Orleans to find clues about the identity of his murderer.

Instead, he becomes embroiled (you gotta watch out for getting embroiled, it can sneak up on you) in case involving two-headed monsters, voodoo witches and hundreds of missing ghosts.

He’s also being “hunted” by the Ghost Wranglers, a popular cable TV show determined to find the ghost PI known as Painter Mann.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is an interesting story. The concept is a different one. Painter Mann is dead but still investigating just like he did when he was alive.

He is working on a case but also dealing with a paranormal investigation team (Think Ghost Hunters).

I probably would have given this story 4 instead except I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and there was a bit I didn’t understand.

I would probably try the next in the series just to see if it’s worth it.

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

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Kimberly reviews The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

TITLE: The Country Guesthouse
SERIES #: Sullivan’s Crossing #5
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Owen
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/07/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A summer rental, a new beginning…

Hannah Russell’s carefully crafted plans for her life have been upended without warning. When her best friend died suddenly, Hannah became guardian to a five-year-old named Noah. With no experience at motherhood, she’s terrified she’s not up to the challenge. She and Noah need time to get to know each other, so she decides to rent a country house with stunning views on a lake in rural Colorado.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by the owner, a handsome man who promises to stay out of their way. But his clumsy Great Dane, Romeo, has other ideas and Noah immediately bonds with the lovable dog. As Hannah learns to become a mother, Owen Abrams, who is recovering from his own grief, can’t help but be drawn out of his solitude by his guests.

But life throws more challenges at this unlikely trio and they are tested in ways they never thought possible. All three will discover their strengths and, despite their differences, they will fight to become a family. And the people of Sullivan’s Crossing will rally around them to offer all of the support they need.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers an emotional and triumphant novel about the fierce power of a mother’s love.

REVIEW:
Another sweet romance from Robyn Carr. This story focus’s on Hannah and Noah. When Hannah’s best friend dies she leaves her most precious gift to Hannah…. Her son Noah. And in this story we watch them both heal together from the loss of someone who meant the world to them.

Owen is a good guy who is dealing with his own grief but he has his own helper, Romeo, who steals the scenes he is in. But then I love dogs if they are written well into a story and Romeo is.

Another great story from Robyn Carr. *Check out Carr’s series Virgin River as a Netflix original series*

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Virgin River by Robyn Carr

TITLE: Virgin River
SERIES #: Virgin River #1
CHARACTERS: Melinda & Jack
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/22/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Netflix Original Series!

Welcome back to Virgin River with the book that started it all…

Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against a backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad, she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to reenergize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving—the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she’s made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.

But a tiny baby abandoned on a front porch changes her plans…and former marine Jack Sheridan cements them into place.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release of Virgin River. I have read a few from this series but didn’t start from the beginning so I was happy to see the release. It is now a series on NetFlix and the show is great which made me want to start reading the books from the series that I have not read so I understand the show a bit better.

I was not disappointed reading this even though I had seen the NetFlix show. As always the book is better but not by much. They did a phenomenal job with the show. But Robyn Carr is a great author and drags you right into her world.

Visiting Virgin River is always a pleasure and the start of the series is no exception.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Lion, The Leopard And The Wolf by Eliza March

TITLE: The Lion, The Leopard And The Wolf
SERIES #: Enchanted Mountain #1
CHARACTERS: Mac, Adam & Trent
AUTHOR: Eliza March
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/07/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Macalister Cameron’s fantasy comes to life when she’s snowbound in Fantasy Lodge with two incredible men vying for her attention.

“What if your romantic fantasy became possible? Two gorgeous hunks, one dark and surly, the other blond and bright, lived to please and fulfill you? What if you burned with passion and only these two alpha males could satisfy you? What if you found out they had a dangerous secret, and it included you?”

REVIEW:
When I requested this book I figured it was erotica but this is nothing but sex. There is no story behind it. It is like a modern day cheap porn. No story just get to the sex and in this case with it being three of them there is a lot of sex. M/F sex and M/M sex and of course M/M/F sex.

If you are looking for a quick read with not much more than sex this is the one for you.

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

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Kimberly reviews Under A Firefly Moon by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Under A Firefly Moon
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #4
CHARACTERS: Cheyenne & Wyatt
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/21/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Blue Hollow Falls may be a small Blue Ridge Mountain town, but it’s big on love–and second chances . . .

When former barrel racer Cheyenne McCafferty left the circuit, she left her past behind too. Now, as part owner of Lavender Blue farm, she’s content rescuing and rehabbing horses, and growing a new business. She’s only got one regret: letting go of Wyatt Reed. When he professed his love, she was too young and foolish to know her heart. After that he disappeared. But when his beloved horse turns up on the auction block, Chey makes a bid and wins more than she bargained for . . .

Chey believed she was ready to face Wyatt again, to explain herself. But seeing the man he’s become, she’s unsure. Gone is the quiet, gentle boy she knew. In his place is a rugged, confident adventurer who’s seen the world. Yet the longer Wyatt sticks around, the clearer it is that the feelings of their youth aren’t so easily dismissed now that they’re adults. In fact, the timing may be just right to make the dreams they’ve shared under a firefly moon come true . . .

REVIEW:
Donna Kauffman is one of my favorite authors and this is just another example as to why. This is a very quick read even though it is about 300 pages.

In this latest Blue Hollow Falls novel Chey and Wyatt meet back up Years ago they were teenage friends until Wyatt admitted his feelings for Chey and the friendship splintered. But now they are adults and life is different.

I have always loved Kauffman and her writing style. I love the way she writes her characters. They are so “real”. You want to be their friend. And being as I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains I can picture every scene she writes of this beautiful area of the country.

Donna Kauffman is always worth the read.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Pivot By Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy & Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Pivot
CHARACTERS: Meri, Melanie & Michelle
AUTHOR: Kat Martin, Alexandra Ivy & Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/31/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As girls, they bonded over broken homes and growing up in foster care.
As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . .

MERI
When Meriwether Jones takes her young daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches Spokane, she’s out of gas, money, and ideas. Luckily, ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse, and they seem like the answer to each other’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret–and Ian is in danger of losing his heart . . .https://books-n-kisses.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#edit_timestamp

MELANIE
That secret explodes when Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors and responds by ramming them with her car. The last thing she expects is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to appear and rescue them both. Now she has no choice but to trust him as they investigate the truth about a conspiracy of dirty, drug trafficking cops–and the truth about their relationship . . .

MICHELLE
After a rough youth, Michelle Peach was finally content in Portland–until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her mentally unstable mom on a blackmail spree that Michelle has to stop. The last person Michelle wants to see is her ex, Evan Boldon, a former marine turned sheriff. But Evan misses the woman who walked away instead of letting him help years ago. This time he’s not asking permission; he’s going to put a stop to the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends–and win her heart for good.

REVIEW:
You can not go wrong with Rebecca Zanetti or Alexandra Ivy but to put them together makes it all the better. And Kat Martin is a great third to the anthology.

As a fan of Zanetti and Ivy there wasn’t a chance that I wouldn’t like this and I was right. Seeing familiar characters was great.

And meeting new characters (to me) from Kat Martin was great as well.

Highly recommend this anthology.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Phantom Echoes by B.D. Wilson

TITLE: Phantom Echoes
SERIES #: Ghostlines #1
CHARACTERS: Holden
AUTHOR: B.D. Wilson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/30/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Being a psychic doesn’t mean you have to believe in Ghosts.
Unfortunately for Holden, his best friend refuses to accept that.
Holden can read the history of an object just by touching it. It’s been a struggle most of his life and every time he’s tried to use it for a beneficial purpose it’s gone horribly wrong.
But when his best friend convinces Holden to step in for a paranormal investigation, it turns out hauntings are as real as psychics. Sticking with the investigation risks landing him in the hospital again. Leaving means abandoning the ghosts who are repeating the night of their deaths over and over forever. Can he really walk away when he might be the only one who can help?

REVIEW:
This was a short story that honestly could have been longer and may have been more interesting. The concept is great. And who doesn’t like a psychic suspense? But being so short we don’t get to know the characters enough.

I believe I would have enjoyed this being a full story instead of a short story.

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

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Kimberly reviews Vendetta Road by Christine Feehan

TITLE: Vendetta Road
SERIES #: Torpedo Ink #3
CHARACTERS: Ice & Soleil
AUTHOR: Christine Feehan
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan pushes the limits in her next novel in the Torpedo Ink series.

Isaak “Ice” Koval is on a club mission when he sees a woman who stops him dead in his tracks. Soleil is a sweet, sexy, girl-next-door type. She’s an innocent who should be nowhere near the rough-and-ready world of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club. But Ice knows Soleil belongs with him—and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

After a life of drifting from one thing to the next, Soleil Brodeur is determined to take control of her life. When her breakup with her manipulative fiancé turns ugly, Soleil searches out the stranger who offered her a lifeline and ends up in a Las Vegas biker bar where she meets a gorgeous, dangerous man straight out of her most secret fantasies.

High on adrenaline, she finds herself falling faster than she thought possible. But Soleil knows little about the territory she’s stumbled into, and even less about what it really means to be Ice’s woman.…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I want to preface this with I am comparing this to other Christine Feehan books and not what I would have given any other author having read this book. I have read a lot of Feehan books and for some reason this one just didn’t do it for me.

It was almost like this book was rushed and had a bit too much sex. The sex in Feehan’s books is always good. It always is hot and written to entice. But the other part of the book just didn’t meet the standards of other books written by her…..

Now with that being said… As I said I am comparing it to Feehan books and not other authors. Comparing it to other authors would have brought the review numbers higher. Feehan is one of the best.

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