authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Updated 10/2024 Recently someone asked me how she could get advance reader copies (ARCs) to read and review. She was probably expecting a short and sweet answer—go to site A, sign up, and give ’em hell—but it’s not that simple (and I’m not that succinct). I’m sure every reviewer’s story is unique, and I could only describe to her what I’ve experienced. I’m no expert by any means, but I did want to share what I told her, in case …
Title: Before He Vanished Author: Debra Webb Series: Winchester, Tennessee #6 Great mystery, irritating characters Thank you to Lisa Wray for inviting me to participate in Harlequin blog tours, and thank you to Debra Webb, Harlequin, and Netgalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I see Debra Webb’s name often, but I think this is the first time I’ve read one of her books. As with Allison Brennan, I just never got …
Title: House of Earth and Blood Author: Sarah J. Maas Series: Crescent City #1 Initial review: Based on first 60 pages: epic worldbuilding, inferior lead I would like to thank Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free excerpt of the first 60 pages (70 including front matter) in exchange for an honest review. I’m so fucking pissed right now. First reason I’m pissed—I should have known better than to read an excerpt. Especially …
Title: The Colonel and the Enchantress Author: Paullett Golden Series: Enchantresses #4 Charming and heartwarming, but pacing a little off Many thanks to the author, who provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Mary’s story (I think I say that for every book, lol), and overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were endearing, the writing style smooth and sophisticated, and the premise intriguing: A couple had to reconcile who they had …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper When You See Me by Lisa Gardner is a home run. This book has four female heroines stepping up to the plate, working together to solve a town’s murders. What makes it extra-special is that it brings together three characters: Boston Homicide Detective D.D. Warren, FBI special agent Kimberly Quincy and recovering torture victim turned vigilante Flora Dane. FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy and Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren have built a task force …
Book Review by Elise Cooper Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks is a cozy mystery with a different perspective. Some would think that a story with quilts could not make a good mystery, but Marks is able to stitch everything together. She is one of a few mystery authors who has a Jewish protagonist. The author explained why she used the quilt angle. “I have made quilts for twelve years. I decided to write about them, which turned into …
Title: The Third to Die Author: Allison Brennan Series: Mobile Response Team #1 A lot going on but not bad I would like to thank Harlequin MIRA for inviting me to take part in the blog tour, and also thanks to Allison Brennan and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Allison Brennan has been on my radar for years, but I never got around to reading one of her books. So …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A new series by Debra H. Goldstein, Sarah Blair Mysteries, is a fast-moving, intriguing plot set in the world of food. Readers should probably read the books in order, One Taste Too Many and then Two Bites Too Many. These first two books have the main protagonist, Sarah Blair, trying to defend family members of murder. First her sister is accused, and in the second book her mother. Sarah would rather catch bad guys …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower, is the first in a new series for the New Year. This spin-off from the wildly popular “Amish candy-Shop Mysteries” has some of the beloved characters including Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, and introduces some interesting others, some eccentric and some very appealing. The plot has matchmaker Millie Fisher just returning to Harvest, Ohio after spending 10 years taking care of her ailing sister. Millie is a widow …
Book Review by Elise Cooper Murder at Icicle Lodge by J. D. Griffo brings back the Ferrara women detective team. They are investigating a murder where the people of interest mount up. The four women are related and range in age from 65 to GenX. They are Alberta, her granddaughter Jinx, sister Helen and her sister-in-law Joyce with a supporting cast of police chief, Vinny; Jinx’s boyfriend, Freddy; Alberta’s boyfriend, Sloan; and Helen’s frenemy Father Sal. What makes these characters …