Category: Review Sunday

Posted on

Kimberly reviews He Will Get You by Charlie Gallagher

TITLE: He Will Get You
SERIES #: Maddie Ives #5
CHARACTERS: Maddie Ives
AUTHOR: Charlie Gallagher
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/10/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A KILLER WHO LOVES TO WATCH THE RESULTS OF THE HAVOC HE WREAKS
DETECTIVE MADDIE IVES FACES HER WORST NIGHTMARE.
Lance Askew is a career serial killer. He lives for it.
THE FIRST VICTIM
Alice Oxley runs her own café. An older man has become a regular over the last month. He likes to people watch. He doesn’t say much.
When he does speak. It comes from nowhere, he waits until she is very close: ”Your son is dead. I killed him.”
Her boyfriend is dead too. He says he left them under the photo on the stairs, the one where they’re all smiling together.
He drinks in her reaction then breaks the spell: “Go!” he rasps.
She runs home to see what he has done.
THE SECOND VICTIM
Michelle Rice pushes open her garden gate. It makes a squealing sound – it always has. It is how Lance Askew knows she’s home. He can barely contain himself. He is waiting for her.
Soon she will see what he has done.
A THIRD VICTIM IS IDENTIFIED.
Another family are about to have their lives ruined.
Maddie Ives and Harry Blaker are the detectives who must stop this killer. And he is far from finished.
ONE OF THEIR OWN IS THE NEXT TARGET

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the 5th in the series but I have not read any so I could tell that I was missing something in the background of the characters but that did not take away from the suspense. But it did take a way a bit from the characters.

This story is a bit different. We actually know “who-dun-it” but we are not exactly sure the motive. And Lance Askew is a sick man. He likes to watch the mayhem he causes. He wants to see the devastated family. He wants the cops to keep looking for him while he enjoys his game. He was almost cringe-worthy.

I had a bit of a hard time with the murders. I like a good suspense book but have never been into the gore, I guess you could say and this book really kind of has that. There is so much detail I sometimes skipped over the details of the murder. The psychological side was a bit unnerving but intense which left me wanting to know why.

I think you need to be into the genre to enjoy it.

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

Posted on

Kelly reviews Harrow The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

TITLE: Harrow the Ninth
SERIES #: The Locked Tomb #2
CHARACTERS: Harrowhawk Nonagesimus
AUTHOR: Tamsyn Muir
NARRATOR: Moira Quirk
RUN TIME: 19 Hours & 51 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: August 4, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Harrow the Ninth, the sequel to the sensational, USA Today best-selling novel Gideon the Ninth, turns a galaxy inside out as one necromancer struggles to survive the wreckage of herself aboard the Emperor’s haunted space station.
She answered the Emperor’s call.
She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend.
In victory, her world has turned to ash.
After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman’s shoulders.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath — but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.
Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor’s Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts
#1 These book covers are EPIC!! I need to find a good way to display them on my bookshelves!!!!!
#2 This book is all over the place! You need to make sure that you are paying attention to what is happening or you may find yourself lost.
#3 OMG!! Did…. Is that…… WOW!!! Okay this is good.
#4 What the heck?
So those were my thoughts as I read/listened to Harrow the Ninth! Tamsyn Muir is an excellent storyteller even when I am super confused and have no clue what is happening. There is always a method behind her madness and chaos.
I thoroughly enjoyed Harrow the Ninth. But I must tell you that you do need to read Gideon the Ninth first.
Moira Quirk does another amazing job bringing all these crazy complexed characters to life! I really enjoyed having her read this story to me.
I am super excited for the final installment in this trilogy. I have a feeling the Alecto the Ninth is going to be beyond epic!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Edelweiss & Tor Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Posted on

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Candy Cane Crime by Amanda Flower

TITLE: Candy Cane Crime
SERIES #: Amish Candy Shop Mystery #5.5
CHARACTERS: Charlotte & Luke
AUTHOR: Amanda Flower
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A candy-striped caper . . .

Christmas is coming all too quickly for Harvest, Ohio’s famous chocolatier, Bailey King. Thanks to her new cable TV show, her shop has more candy orders than she can handle this holiday season. Fortunately, her beloved Cousin Charlotte is happy to take the Candy Cane Exchange off Bailey’s to-do list. After all, Charlotte has come to Harvest from her conservative home district to find her future outside of her family’s influence. What better way than by taking on the English task of pairing the sweet notes everyone is exchanging with a peppermint treat, just in time for Christmas Eve delivery? But when Charlotte discovers some of those delicious missives are for her, suddenly she’s staking out the festive postbox, hoping to catch her secret admirer in his intriguing tracks . . .

When Charlotte sees something underhanded going on beneath the merrymaking, she enlists the help of Sheriff Deputy Luke Little to find out if her unknown correspondent is none other than the town’s biggest suspect. And the surprising truth about her suitor’s identity has her contemplating leaving her Amish roots behind forever . . .

REVIEW:
Ok I will be honest, I grabbed this book because of the adorable pig on the cover. I mean it’s a piglet!! But I am really glad I did.

The story is very sweet. The “mystery” isn’t a who-dun-it type mystery. This is part of the Amish Candy Shop series so there is a sweet romance but nothing that goes too far beyond the sweetness of the candy shop.

Sweet story wrapped around the holiday.

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

Posted on

Kelly reviews The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

TITLE: The Haunting of Hill House
AUTHORS: Shirley Jackson
NARRATOR: Laura Miller
RUN TIME: 7 Hours & 27 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: Originally Published in 1959
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Hill House has sat empty for many years and many have said that it should be burned to the ground.
Let me start by saying the book is WAY different then the tv series. Some of the characters are the same and a few events are the same but other than that way, way different. So if you are planning to read this based on the TV series you have been warned.
The book dives into the past more and some events that lead to Hill House being haunted. But even with that the story is a little slow to start. It takes a bit for the story to really pick up steam and get to the good parts. But I can see why this has been a fan favorite for so many years. I am glad that I picked up the original version to see what inspired the TV series (which I loved).
Disclaimer:
I purchased this audiobook from Audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.


Posted on

Kelly reviews The Bright And Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill

TITLE: The Bright and Breaking Sea
SERIES: Captain Kit Brightling #1
CHARACTERS: Kit Brightling & Rian Grant
AUTHORS: Chloe Neill
NARRATOR: Danielle Cohen
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 55 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 17, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chloe Neill brings her trademark wit and wild sense of adventure to a stunning seafaring fantasy starring a dauntless heroine in a world of magic and treachery.
Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte’s fleet. Her ship is small, but she’s fast–in part because of Kit’s magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for.
Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn’t know him or his motives–and she’s dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who’s been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia.
Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall.

REVIEW:
Pirates, magic and mayhem..
Such a wonderful start to a new series for Chloe Neill. The Bright and Breaking Sea follow Captain Kit Brightling and her crew. Captain Brightling is tasked with saving a member of the Crown. The task includes sharing the leader role with Viscount Rian Grant. The success of the mission will depend on how well these two can and will work together.
I listened to The Bright and Breaking Sea on Audio. Danielle Cohen is a new narrator to me. I thought she did a wonderful job narrating this book. I will say that there was a time or two when she said a word that caught me off guard. But only because that is not how I pronounce them. But I had to remind myself that this story takes place in New London.
I am very much looking forward to the next adventure in the Kit Brightling series! If you are looking for an adventure romance who’s main character is awesome I would suggest picking up this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts

Posted on

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews One Charmed Christmas by Sheila Roberts

TITLE: One Charmed Christmas
CHARACTERS: Catherine & Rudy
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/29/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An enchanting new Christmas novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts, brimming with hope, love and humor.

Catherine Pine is hoping her Christmas is a bit more jolly than last year’s. That one was her first without her husband, and with her kids and their families absent this year, she’s worried. But things change when her good friend invites her on a Christmas cruise to lift her spirits. Suddenly every day is an adventure and she’s making a bunch of new friends, including the lovable Sophie Miles.

It’s like a gift from Santa when Sophie and Catherine meet the charming Dr. Rudy Nichols, a perfect match for hypochondriac Sophie. But he comes with a two-legged lump of coal, his guard-dog daughter. And then there’s chocolatier Trevor March, who’s also interested in the scrumptious Sophie. Can he convince her that chocolate is the perfect cure for what ails her? Who knows what Santa has in store for these holiday travelers? Anything could happen this charmed Christmas!

REVIEW:
Another great holiday read by Roberts. The thing I enjoyed was all the different romances happening but not only a lot of romances but a lot of age ranges too. Young to old fall in love or fall in love again and this brings that to light.

I enjoyed the characters very much and enjoyed learning who and why each character was the way they were and why they deserved to fall in love during the holiday season.

A great story to put you into the Christmas spirit. Grab a warm blanket, a cup of cocoa and this book and your holiday season will have begun.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Wolf Untamed by Paige Tyler

TITLE: Wolf Untamed
SERIES #: SWAT #11
CHARACTERS: Diego & Bree
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/24/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Paige Tyler brings you the latest in her sexy, pulse-pounding SWAT series

SWAT werewolf Diego Martinez has always had a protective side, so when he meets a newly turned teenage werewolf, and the kid’s intriguing mother, he readily offers to help Brandon learn what it means to be a werewolf. He also readily falls for for Brandon’s mother, Bree, and the attraction is mutual.

But as SWAT’s biggest case starts to converge with Bree’s family, Diego and Bree find themselves in danger they could never have imagined. It’ll take everything they’ve got to discover the truth and keep each other safe.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts The story is fine but it is so similar to the others in the series that I think I might just need to take a break from this series. This is #11 in the series and I feel that the author can only do so much with the same type of storyline eleven times (more so if you count the other series’).

There is a lot happening to Diego and Bree in this story. There were times I wished I had a commercial break so the characters could take a breath. The romance is just as jam-packed. Yes, we know they are meant to be together for they are soulmates and I liked that the relationship never seemed to falter in the belief they were meant to be together and they could accomplish anything as long as they are together.

If you are a first time reader of this series then it would probably be very enjoyable but for a reader who has read most if not all of the series it needs to be changed up.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Daylight by David Baldacci

TITLE: Daylight
SERIES #: Atlee Pine #3
CHARACTERS: Atlee Pine
AUTHOR: David Baldacci
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s search for her sister Mercy clashes with military investigator John Puller’s high-stakes case, leading them both deep into a global conspiracy — from which neither of them will escape unscathed.

For many long years, Atlee Pine was tormented by uncertainty after her twin sister, Mercy, was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Now, just as Atlee is pressured to end her investigation into Mercy’s disappearance, she finally gets her most promising breakthrough yet: the identity of her sister’s kidnapper, Ito Vincenzo.

With time running out, Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum race to Vincenzo’s last known location in Trenton, New Jersey — and unknowingly stumble straight into John Puller’s case, blowing his arrest during a drug ring investigation involving a military installation.

Stunningly, Pine and Puller’s joint investigation uncovers a connection between Vincenzo’s family and a breathtaking scheme that strikes at the very heart of global democracy. Peeling back the layers of deceit, lies and cover-ups, Atlee finally discovers the truth about what happened to Mercy. And that truth will shock Pine to her very core.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I love the writing style of Baldacci.

For years Atlee has wondered what happened to her sister, Mercy and finally she is going to get some answers. But finding answers also has her finding herself causing a problem in the arrest of a wanted man. And now she has to right the wrong she caused. Leading to a global search.

Any fan of suspense/crime thriller will LOVE this book. There is so much going on and it is non-stop. This could easily be turned into a movie with all the ins and outs that happen.

Baldacci has a way of writing that pulls you in and leaves you wanting more. At time I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen.

Great book.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews All That Glitters by Danielle Steel

TITLE: All That Glitters
CHARACTERS: Nicole Martin
AUTHOR: Danielle Steel
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Danielle Steel’s dazzling new novel, a young woman must overcome tremendous adversity in her quest to find herself and achieve real happiness.

Nicole “Coco” Martin is destined to have it all. As the only child of doting and successful parents, she has been given every opportunity in life. Having inherited her mother’s stunning beauty and creativity, along with her father’s work ethic and diligence, she has the world at her feet. Her graduation from Columbia is fast approaching, and with it the summer job of her dreams working at a magazine. Between work, leisurely weekends at her family’s home in Southampton, and spending as much time as possible with her best friend, Sam, life couldn’t be better—until tragedy strikes. Coco’s beloved parents are killed in a terrorist attack while on vacation in France.

Now devastated and alone, Coco must find a way to move forward and make her way in the world without the family she loved. Determined to forge her own path and make her parents proud, Coco pursues her dreams, dazzled by exciting opportunities that come her way. Her goals are to think outside the box—and always play by her own rules. As she finds herself drawn to charismatic, fascinating men, each relationship will teach Coco new lessons, some delightful, some painful. She will come to realize what matters, and how strong she truly is—and in the end, she will discover herself.

Richly exploring one woman’s poignant journey through life, All That Glitters is a compelling tale of challenges, heartbreak, discovery, and triumph, a powerful reminder that all that glitters is not the essence of life. And what is truly worth having was right there in our hands all along.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I love Danielle Steel. I have been reading her books off and on for decades. Sometimes she is exactly what I need to read and other times I have a bit of a hard time. This one was one of the latter.

I had a hard time liking Coco. While I realize she has had a lot to deal with but slutting around is not the way to handle it. And it seemed like she changed men with the snap of a finger but for no reason.

I liked the relationship between Coco and Sam but wish the ending was a bit different instead of so stereotypical (trying not to have a spoiler).

Let me just say that I am basing my review against other Steel books and what/how I know she can write and giving it less stars than I have for her in previous books. But that being said Steel is head and shoulders above many other authors.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Nothing Good Happens After Midnight by 12 different authors

TITLE: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
SERIES #: A Suspense Magazine Anthology
CHARACTERS: Various
AUTHOR: Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Kevin O’Brien, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Joseph Badal, D. P. Lyle
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/17/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The sun sets. The moon takes its place, illuminating the most evil corners of the planet. What twisted fear dwells in that blackness? What legends attach to those of sound mind and make them go crazy in the bright light of day? Only Suspense Magazine knows…

Teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, Suspense Magazine offers up a nail-biting anthology titled: “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.” This thrilling collection consists of thirteen original short stories representing the genres of suspense/thriller, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, and more.

Readers’ favorites come together to explore the mystery of midnight. The ‘best of the best’ presenting these memorable tales, include: Joseph Badal, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Jeffery Deaver, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Shannon Kirk, Jon Land, John Lescroart, D. P. Lyle, Kevin O’Brien, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Take their hands…walk into their worlds…but be prepared to leave the light on when you’re through. After all, this incredible gathering of authors, who will delight fans of all genres, not only utilized their award-winning imaginations to answer that age-old question of why “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight”—they also made sure to pen stories that will leave you…speechless.

REVIEW:
12 authors all with one rule… Write about “late night” or “midnight”… that is what Jeffrey Deaver put to 11 other authors and, of course, himself.

Some authors are my go-to authors already (Deaver, Graham) and some I do not recall I have ever read before so this was a great mix of authors to enjoy the ones I knew and find new-to-me authors.

Because these are short stories (what Deaver calls magazine stories) there was just not enough time to get to know each character from each story. There were a number of stories I wish had been a full length novel and some I was happy with just the way they are.

A great collaboration of authors and a lot of great quick reads to have on hand.

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

4 Hearts

Posted on

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Joy To The Wolves by Terry Spear

TITLE: Joy To The Wolves
SERIES #: Red Wolf #1
CHARACTERS: Brooke & Josh
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/29/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Meet the shifters of the Red Wolf pack…

Close quarters make for a cozy Christmas…

As Christmas approaches, red wolf shifter Brooke Cerise unexpectedly inherits an antique shop in Portland, Oregon. But when a missing reindeer calf turns up on her property, she becomes embroiled in a kidnapping case and the primary suspect of far-too-intriguing shifter Detective Josh Wilding.

Josh doesn’t intend to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, but Brooke gets under his skin from the moment they meet, and he can’t help his instinct to protect her. These red wolves are both on the hunt for love, but there’s a mystery to solve before they can enjoy their holiday happy-ever-after.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So the good first. This story is cute. Plain and simple. Brooke is a red wolf that comes to town because her aunt left her an antique store. She seems a young reindeer in front of her store and brings it in. The town can’t wait to see it and Brooke gets to know the wolves of the area in a light hearted way.

Josh comes off as a bit of an ass but finally I warmed up to him. But I will say it took a while. And I never really understood why he was being an ass to Brooke.

And the treasure hunt is worth the read in and of itself. BUT…

Now the bad… After all the books Terry Spear has written this seemed stiff. A lot of it just didn’t flow and the conversations were unrealistic, that may seem weird about a paranormal.

Still a good read and a nice add to the Holiday Paranormal Romance genre.

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

Posted on

Kimberly reviews Swept Away by Skye Jordan

TITLE: Swept Away
SERIES #: Wildfire Lake #3
CHARACTERS: Chloe & Xavier
AUTHOR: Skye Jordan
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/16/20
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The steamy conclusion to Skye Jordan’s Wildfire Lake series.

I knew the day we met, Chloe Hart wasn’t a woman you fuck and forget. She’s the kind of woman men dream about–hotter than sin and sweeter than sugar. Her last lover scarred her heart, and despite our wicked chemistry, she’s got me locked in the friend zone.

She can try to ignore the heat between us, but I’m not going away. I transferred here to support my goddaughter through her teens after her father–my partner–was killed in the line of duty. And this kid is as good at finding trouble as Chloe is at sidelining me.

When Chloe’s ex shows up for the lake resort’s first big retreat, things shift on a dime. Without a second thought, I step in, publicly claiming her as mine.

It seems like a harmless lie in the moment, but when one lie creates another, which creates another, the truth unravels, threatening everything I’ve come to love.

REVIEW:
I love Skye Jordan. There is something about the way she writes and her characters are always wonderful. This is Chloe’s story and she is not looking for love. I mean I felt she didn’t even want it if it was standing in front of her waving its arms. Xavier and Chloe have been friends but it’s a romance so come on your know there will be more!!!

Sure some of the scenario is the same… friends to lovers to soulmates… but that is ok. The way Skye writes it is worth the read.

I love the relationship between Xavier and his teenage God-daughter, Piper.

You can count on Skye Jordan having hot men, strong women, sweet romance and steamy sex scenes and all of that and more are part of this great story. A must read!

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

4 Hearts