authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: A Murderous Relation Author: Deanna Raybourn Series: Veronica Speedwell #5 I adore this series My profuse thanks to Deanna Raybourn, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. No major spoilers, but I might have let a few minor ones slip through. This book was awesome. If I hadn’t had a prior commitment last night, I’d have inhaled this book in one day. After reading the very first …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Princess Plan by Julia London is a good murder mystery, along with a royal romance. This first in the series delves into the Victorian Age culture and expectations. The story opens with Prince Sebastian, the future king of Alucia coming to England to secure a trade deal and find a bride that will bring influence to this small kingdom. Able to secure an invitation of a masquerade ball held in the prince’s honor, …
Title: Penny for Your Secrets Author: Anna Lee Huber Series: Verity Kent #3 Better than I expected! I would like to thank Anna Lee Huber, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. In the past I haven’t liked the Verity Kent series as much as the Lady Darby books, but surprisingly I enjoyed this one more than the previous two. Admittedly, it had a slow beginning. I understand narratively …
Title: All Fired Up Author: Lori Foster Series: Road to Love #3 Meh Thanks to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour, and thanks to Lori Foster, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a cute story. Not riveting but not terrible either. My overall feeling was an amicable “meh.” A little too cheesy for my taste. Mitch was a nice guy if rather …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters is a story with a lot of mystery and action blended with some romance. As the chapters progress so does the suspense. The story starts out with an intense scene where the main heroine, Vivian DeMarco, finds her boss lying on the floor and just minutes away from death. Readers might remember her from the previous book, Living Lies, but in this novel, she more than redeems herself. She …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension, that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This story never lets up from beginning to end. A psychopath, Mara Phillips, has a vendetta against the main character, Kellen Rae. She has escaped a maximum-security facility for the criminally insane. This psychopath targeted Kellen, her husband Max, and their daughter Rae who still has a maturity level beyond her …
Title: Mariana Author: Susanna Kearsley Series: n/a The end ruined the whole thing So I finished the audiobook last night, and I was left feeling so unbalanced and unsatisfied that I was quite worked up. And got more worked up the longer I thought about it. I free-wrote a rant that didn’t make much sense, and, recognizing that, I didn’t post it anywhere and let it rest. I did not rest, however. I got the ebook from the library and …
Title: A Bad Day for Sunshine Author: Darynda Jones Series: Sunshine Vicram #1 Don’t repeat your mistakes, Jones I would like to effusively thank Darynda Jones, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for letting Christmas come early by allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. When a new Darynda Jones book drops out of the wild blue yonder directly into my lap more than six months before its due to be released, there’s only one …
Book Review by Elise Cooper Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard is the second in the series about the McKade brothers. This action packed romantic suspense delves into family, friendships, second chances, and personal growth, with many twists and turns. The plot begins with Harper Reynolds who is attempting to heal her mind and soul by photographing nature scenes instead of crime scenes. Unfortunately for her as she is taking telephoto pictures of a Grizzly Bear, she inadvertently captures a …
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper An Unorthodox Match by Naomi Ragen has a basis for this novel, the insular world of the Jewish community; yet, any denomination can fit into this beautiful love story. The powerful and moving plot considers how faith, love, forgiveness, and acceptance are all intertwined. Issues sensitively explored include hypocrisy, bigotry, family dysfunction, the stigma of mental illness, and the economic hardships confronting men who choose to be studious religiously, instead of earning a living. …