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Sunday, April 21, 2019

Spotlight: Excerpt of Biker Baby by Penny Dee


Author: Penny Dee
(Kings of Mayhem MC #3)
Publication date: April 19th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

I was about to make a huge mistake.
And when I say huge, I mean, approximately ten inches’ worth of mistake.
But after the week I’d had, this was just what I needed. A night of big bad mistakes with a big bad biker. 

Honey Scott
Finding out your boyfriend is a cheating loser is a real buzz kill. Finding out you’re actually the other woman, is devastating. Call it temporary insanity, but I decide the best way to get over the loser I’d dated for two years is to get under a biker with tattoos, dimples and a hard body he knows how to use.
He’s going to make everything better with numerous mind-blowing orgasms. But just for one night.
Except one faulty condom means my one-night stand isn’t so one-night after all. 

Caleb Calley
After a night of insane sex, the beautiful blue-eyed brunette gave me the slip. And even with all the women on offer afterwards, I can’t get her off my mind. So when she turns up at the Kings of Mayhem MC compound I’m quick to give her a second night of amazing sex and crazy orgasms. But this time, I’m not ready to let her go.
There’s just one problem— she’s not interested. 
But if she thinks she’s going to give me the slip again, then she’s got another thing coming. I know she is keeping a secret from me but I don’t care what it is. I want her and I’m going to make her mine.
Biker Baby, book three in the Kings of Mayhem MC series.
Please note: you must be 18+ to read and due to the content there may be triggers.


—
EXCERPT:
“That bitch!” Autumn seethed, taking a sip of her hot chocolate. We were sitting on her couch, the one I would be sleeping on until I got my bed and furniture back. “I always knew you couldn’t trust the little thief.”
“Caleb seems to think he can get my things from her,” I said, leaning forward and taking my peppermint tea from the coffee table. I took a sip of the minty water and savored the sweetness on my tongue. It was the only thing I could keep down, and thankfully, it also calmed my nausea.
“I don’t doubt it, he seems very . . . capable.” She looked at me over her mug and I could see the twinkle in her eyes. “Did you tell him about the baby?”
I glanced away. “No.”
She gaped at me. “Honey!”
“I know. I should’ve told him but—”
“But—?”
“I got distracted!”
She gave me an unimpressed look. “That is the worst excuse ever. You got distracted? By what, his big cock?” When I glanced away again she tsk-tsk’d and shook her head. “You ho.”
I gave her a pointed look. “Speaking of hoes, how was your night?”
She shrugged it off as if it was nothing. “It was . . . you know . . . it was okay.”
She tried to sound nonchalant, but her voice raised an octave, so I knew she was lying.
“Just okay?” I eyed her suspiciously because she wouldn’t look me in the eye. “Oh my God, you like him!”
Again, she tried to downplay it. “Of course I like him, I let him inside my vagina. Three times, to be precise.”
“But you like like him! I can tell.”
She avoided making eye contact with me and busied herself picking at the cushion on her lap.
“Don’t try to deny it. I’ve been your best friend for too long. I know when you like someone.”
She sighed. “Okay, so I like him.”
“But?”
“I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t expect to like him.”
Autumn had trouble with commitment.
“So are you going to see him again?”
“Don’t try to change the subject,” she said, cocking an eyebrow. “We’re talking about you telling Caleb about the baby you’re growing in your womb.”
I bit my bottom lip.
“You know, maybe I don’t need to tell him,” I said.
Autumn looked at me like I was crazy. “You’re joking, right?”
“Why do I need to tell him? I don’t need some guy to help me with this. I’m quite capable of raising this baby on my own.”
“He’s not just some guy, he’s the baby’s father. And don’t you think he deserves to know?” Seeing the pained look on my face, she gave me an empathetic look. “Look, you of all people know how hard raising a kid by yourself can be.”
She wasn’t wrong. My childhood had been a disaster thanks to my hair-brained, selfish mother. It was the kind of childhood that made you not want to have children. I saw firsthand how easy it was to crush someone’s self-worth and confidence. My childhood was lonely. I grew up in a one-bedroom apartment in Vegas with a mom who was always out cruising the casinos and bars for her next meal ticket.
I spent most nights home alone, and on one of these nights, after watching a Martha Stewart show about cupcakes, I decided to learn how to bake. Mom wasn’t home to supervise or to tell me how to do things, and one time my eight-year-old self almost burnt down our tiny kitchen. But thanks to some fast thinking I was able to stop a disaster from unfolding. Although, the stench of burnt cake and wax paper was hard to get rid of. Not that Mom noticed when she got home hours later, reeking of booze and too drunk to care.
By the age of nine, I was an enthusiastic cupcake baker who knew her way around the kitchen. Money was tight. So I would use the walks home from school to wander through parking lots of the casinos looking for spare change so I could buy ingredients for my next baking adventure.
I was also really good at English, so at school I started my own essay writing service, selling five-hundred words for five bucks. Some weeks I made up to twenty-five dollars, which meant I could afford to buy some baking books and experiment with different recipes and ideas.
My mom made my childhood lonely and sad, but her abandonment gave me the love of baking, and as a result, a rewarding career.
And probably the best mothering skills in the world.
Because I wasn’t going to be anything like her.
I took another sip of my tea. “I want to tell him. I do. But I just don’t know how to do it.”
“Stop having sex with him would be a start.”
“I’m serious, Autumn. I don’t know how to bring it up.”
“So am I.” She gave me a stern look. “You need to go over there right now and tell him you’re having his baby.”

Author Bio:

Penny Dee writes contemporary romance about rockstars, bikers, hockey players and everyone in-between. She believes true love never runs smoothly, and her characters realize this too, with a boatload of drama and a whole lot of steam.

She found her happily ever after in Australia where she lives with her husband, daughter and a dog named Bindi.





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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Review: Act Like It by Lucy parker

Author: Lucy Parker
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of publication: November 2015

This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre's Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham

Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard's antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city.

Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man?

Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip. From fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.

Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?


Act Like It is the first book in the London Celebrities series.  The book features two London stage actors who must pretend to be in love in order to save the reputation of the play they are wok ring one.  The problem is that Richard and Laini can't stand each other.  

Normally, I love enemies to lovers stories.  They can be a lot of fun.  I was kind of disappointed when I finished this one.  My biggest issues with the book was the huge lack of chemistry between the two main characters.  Even when they first kissed, there were no sparks.  I did see how they came to like each other as friends, but there was zero spark.  The ending was cute, but for me, it was a stretch.  The other thing I wasn't a fan of was the fade to black love scenes.  The author spent so much time building up the the scene, then it switched to hours later.  I have heard that the later books in the series don't have this issue.

It's not a bad romance.  There were some funny moments and I did like the ending.  I just wanted more from the couple.



Friday, April 19, 2019

Blog Tour: Review of Before She was Found by Heather Gudenkauf

Author: Heather Gudenkauf
Publisher: Park Row; Original edition 
Date of publication: April 16, 2019

A gripping thriller about three young girlfriends, a dark obsession and a chilling crime that shakes up a quiet Iowa town

For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover—movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences.

Later that night, Cora Landry is discovered on the tracks, bloody and clinging to life, her friends nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girl like Cora—and why? In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted—not even those closest to Cora.

Before She Was Found is a timely and gripping thriller about friendship and betrayal, about the power of social pressure and the price of needing to fit in. It is about the great lengths a parent will go to protect their child and keep them safe—even if that means burying the truth, no matter the cost.


I am  always on the hunt for a good thriller.  I had high hopes for Before She was Found.   Three girls sneak out of a hosue and one ends up bloody, one runs away, and the other is rendered speechless. The beginning started out well and sucked me into the story.  But I have to confess, it started fizzling out for me about halfway through.  The book is told through multiple perspectives, diary entries and medical notes.  I think that may have been the biggest problem for me.  Too many voices got a little dull.  I felt for Cora the most as she had little self esteem and was picked on pretty ruthlessly.  But the rest of the characters pretty much blended together.  I didn't like the ending as it was a little too wrapped up in a nice bow and was fairly unrealistic.  It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't a thrilling thriller either.  I think fans of this author will enjoy this story.



Purchase Links




About Heather Gudenkauf


Heather Gudenkauf is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and Not a Sound.  Heather lives in Iowa with her family.

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Connect with Heather
Excerpts:
Monday, April 1st: The Lit Bitch
Tuesday, April 2nd: Lindsey Reads and Reviews
Wednesday, April 3rd: Jessicamap Reviews
Thursday, April 4th: Amy’s Book-et List
Friday, April 5th: Books & Spoons
Monday, April 8th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Tuesday, April 9th: What is That Book About
Wednesday, April 10th: Bookish Connoisseur
Thursday, April 11th: Thoughts on This ‘n That
Friday, April 12th: Lori’s Reading Corner

Instagram:
Monday, April 15th: @theunreadshelf
Monday, April 15th: @wherethereadergrows
Tuesday, April 16th: @bookstackedblonde
Tuesday, April 16th: @tarheelreaders
Wednesday, April 17th: @bookclubwithbite
Thursday, April 18th: @readingbetweenthe_wines
Thursday, April 18th: @ashareads
Friday, April 19th: @shereadswithcats
Saturday, April 20th: @readingwithmere
Sunday, April 21st: @love_my_dane_dolly_

Reviews:
Monday, April 15th: Where the Reader Grows
Tuesday, April 16th: Tar Heel Readers
Wednesday, April 17th: Sweet Southern Home
Thursday, April 18th: Asha Reads
Friday, April 19th: From the TBR Pile
Monday, April 22nd: Palmer’s Page Turners
Monday, April 22nd: @basicbsguide
Tuesday, April 23rd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Thursday, April 25th: Bewitched Bookworms
Friday, April 26th: Helen’s Book Blog
Monday, April 29th: Amy’s Book-et List
Tuesday, April 30th: Jessicamap Reviews and @jessicamap
Wednesday, May 1st: @downtogetthefictionon
Wednesday, May 1st: Jathan & Heather
Thursday, May 2nd: Books & Bindings
Friday, May 3rd: @bookishconnoisseur
Monday, May 6th: Thoughts on This ‘n That
Monday, May 6th: @booktimistic and Booktimistic
Tuesday, May 7th: Novel Gossip and @novelgossip
Wednesday, May 8th: Book by Book
Wednesday, May 8th: @wordsinpages
Thursday, May 9th: Kahakai Kitchen
Friday, May 10th: Girl Who Reads


Thursday, April 18, 2019

Review: Love and Pancakes by Lacey Black

Author: Lacey Black
Publisher: Lacey Black Books
Date of publication: January 2019

Marissa Grayson’s dream went up in smoke. A devastating fire has ripped apart her family’s bed and breakfast, leaving her off-kilter and scrambling to repair the damage. What she doesn’t need, or have time for, is Rhenn Burleski. Sexy, confident, and dangerous to her heart. A man who clearly knows his way around the female body and will leave the moment the sheets start to cool. Yet that doesn’t stop her from making a deal with the devil himself.

Work hard, play harder. That’s Rhenn’s life motto. An electrician by day, Rhenn turns it up at night, always with a different lady friend in tow. He makes sure they know the score: he’s not looking for anything more than one night of fun. However, he knows the second he meets the shy daughter of the bed and breakfast’s owner that his life is never going to be the same. As hard as he tries, he just can’t resist one taste.

What happens when their time is up and Rhenn must leave, returning to his old life? Will they be able to walk away, hearts unscathed, or will their time together prove to be nothing more than a fading memory?


Love and Pancakes is the first book in the Rockland Falls series.  This is Marissa and Rhenn story.  Marissa's life goes up in smoke when her family's bed and breakfast  has a fire.  Rhenn is hired to do all of the new wiring for the rebuild.  I thought this was a really cute love story. Both Rhenn and Marissa are relationship shy having dated cheaters in the past.  I loved how Rhenn made Marissa feel like she was the only woman in the room.  She had always lived in her sister's shadow and her confidence wasn't too high at first.  These two were made for each other.

The book was well written with fun characters.  The great aunt was really funny and made me laugh out load on multiple occasions.  I think this is a spin off series, but it worked fine as stand alone.  Marissa has 3 other siblings, so I'm sure there are more stories to come out of Rockland Falls.  The next book, Love and Lingerie, comes out soon, so stay tuned!


Wednesday, April 17, 2019

2 in 1: Afraid and Endurance by Jack Kilborn


Author: Jack Kilbon
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date of publication: April 2009

Welcome to Safe Haven, Wisconsin. Miles from everything, with one road in and out, this peaceful town has never needed a full-time police force. Until now . . . 

A helicopter has crashed near Safe Haven and unleashed something horrifying. Now this merciless force is about to do what it does best. Isolate. Terrorize. Annihilate. As residents begin dying in a storm of gory violence, Safe Haven's only chance for survival will rest with an aging county sheriff, a firefighter, and a single mom. And each will have this harrowing thought: Maybe death hasn't come to their town by accident . . .


Afraid is the first book in the "Afraid' series.  Out of the three I have read so far, this one was the mildest one in terms of violence.  Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty violent, but the gore factor is not as high as Trapped or Endurance.  I did like this one.  I was kept guessing and was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong in the end.  I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't ruin the plot.  I liked most of the characters and loved that I had a couple that I was rooting for to make it out alive.  I definitely recommend this one.

Author: Jack Kilborn
Publisher: Self
Date of publication: June 2010

The bed and breakfast was hidden in the hills of West Virginia. Wary guests wondered how it could stay in business at such a creepy, remote location. Especially with its bizarre, presidential decor and eccentric proprietor.

ONCE YOU CHECK IN...

When the event hotel for the national Iron Woman triathlon accidentally overbooked, competitor Maria was forced to stay at the Rushmore. But after checking into her room, she quickly realized she wasn't alone. First her suitcase wasn't where she put it. Then her cell phone was moved. Finally, she heard an odd creaking under the bed. Confusion quickly turned to fear, and fear to hysteria when she discovered the front door was barred and the windows were bricked over. There was no way out.

...YOU'LL BE DYING TO LEAVE

One year later, four new female athletes have become guests of the Inn. Will they escape the horrors within its walls? Or will they join the many others who have died there, in ways too terrible to imagine?

Endurance is the third book in this series and the one I have liked the least.  Have you ever seen the X-Files episode "Home"?  Were you completely grossed out by it?  If your answer is yes, then you should avoid this book.  I thought Trapped was at peak grossness level, but no, Endurance topped that one.  I'm not squeamish, but this one made me a bit nauseous as I read it.  I can't really say that I enjoyed it.  For me, it was a little over the top.  Maybe don't read this one on your lunch break.

The nice thing I can say about this series is they can all be read as stand alone books.  I read them out of order and found it really didn't matter.  I am looking forward to reading the fourth and latest book, Haunted House very soon,


Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Blog Tour: Review of Forgiven by Carrie Aarons



Today we are celebrating the release of a standalone title by Carrie Aarons. FORGIVEN is available for purchase now, and it is the second book in the Nash Brothers series! For a limited time, you can get the first book in the series, FLEETING, for 99 cents! You can follow Carrie for exclusive updates about the series.

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In a split-second, a car crash killed almost everything between them. Ten years later, can one accidental ride fix tattered spirits, uncertain futures, and broken hearts?

Lily Grantham has always done what she’s been told. The daughter of a senator, she grew up as the good girl of Fawn Hill, and carried that torch right on through to adulthood. Her only wild streak? Bowen Nash. She loved that boy since the day they laid eyes on each other, and it nearly ended them both. A decade later, and Lily still can’t move on. Even if Bowen has made it clear he doesn’t love her anymore. Bowen Nash never wanted the life he’s trapped in. Destined for baseball fame and the love of his high-school sweetheart, that existence vanished in the flip of an old pickup. Now, he’s stuck in the town that produced his worst nightmare. Pretending to hate Lily Grantham guts him day in and day out. But to protect her from the ultimate secret, it’s necessary to break his own heart each time they pass on the street. They’ve been fighting fate for as long as it’s been chasing them. And now, time is up.

My thoughts:

Forgiven is the second book in the Nash brothers series. This is Bowen and Lily’s story.  I really enjoyed this one. Bowen and Lily’s story is heartbreaking. It was fun watching them reconnect and admit they still had feelings for each other.  I can’t imagine having to stay away from “my person” for ten years.  I did think the reason was a little anticlimactic and unnecessary, but to Bowen’s credit he was a young kid.   The epilogue was sweet and hinted at Penelope’s HEA. I hope we get her story soon!  I definitely recommend this one as well as the first book, Fleeting.



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PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:


Author of romance novels such as Red Card and Privileged, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the stories she dreams up, and the yoga pant dress code, much better.
When she isn't writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in the suburbs of New Jersey with her husband, daughter and dog.
 

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Monday, April 15, 2019

Review: Hangman by Jack Heath

Author: Jack Heath
Publisher: Hanover Square
Datre of publication: June 2018

A 14-year-old boy vanishes on his way home from school. His frantic mother receives a disturbing ransom call. It's only hours before the deadline, and the police have no leads.

Enter Timothy Blake, codename Hangman. Blake is a genius, known for solving impossible cases. He's also a sociopath - the FBI's last resort.

But this time Blake might have met his match. The kidnapper is more cunning and ruthless than anyone he's faced before. And Blake has been assigned a new partner, a woman linked to the past he's so desperate to forget.

Timothy Blake has a secret, one so dark he will do anything to keep it hidden.

And he also has a price. Every time he saves a life, he takes one…


I never thought in a million years would I ever say I liked a character like Timothy Blake.  Why?  Because he is the most likable cannibal I have ever read about.  Yes, Timothy Blake is a cannibal.  He is also a brilliant puzzle solver and last resort for the FBI when solving hard cases. And despite being a sociopath, he's actually pretty likable.  He has an agreement with parts of the FBI that for every case he solves, he gets to have criminal up for execution.

I ended up really enjoying Hangman.  The mystery was good and kept me guessing.  Through flashbacks, we learn more about Timothy and how he came to be a cannibal and work for the FBI. He was a very sympathetic character.  As for the flesh eating part, those descriptions were kept to a minimum. So it wasn't really graphic.  The next book featuring Timothy comes out in a couple of months.  Stay tuned for a review.



Sunday, April 14, 2019

Blog Tour: Excerpt of The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma





by Nisha Sharma
Series The Singh Family Trilogy Book One
Genre Adult
Contemporary Romance

Publisher Avon Impulse
Publication Date April 2, 2019

Purchase Your Copy Today!
Amazon  |  Avon Romance  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Google Play  |  iBooks


Hemdeep Singh knows exactly what he wants. With his intelligence and determination, he has what it takes to build his own legacy away from Bharat, Inc. and the empire his father created. But when his brother calls him home, Hem puts his dreams on hold once again to help save the company he walked away from. That’s when he encounters the devastating Mina Kohli in the Bharat boardroom, and he realizes he’s in for more than he had bargained.

Mina will do whatever it takes to recover control of her mother’s law firm, even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage. Her newest case assignment is to assist Bharat in the midst of a potential takeover. It could be the key to finally achieving her goal while preventing her marriage to a man she doesn’t love—as long as her explosive attraction to Hem doesn’t get in the way.

As Mina and Hem work to save Bharat, they not only uncover secrets that could threaten the existence of the company, but they also learn that in a winner-takes-all game, love always comes out on top.
  

Enjoy this excerpt:

Deepak Singh was the fifth son of a fifth son. He was born in a village on the outskirts of Chandigarh, Punjab, India, and was fortunate enough to receive a boarding school education. His father was a police officer, as were his brothers, but Deepak wanted something different. He wanted something more. In his heart of hearts, he wasn’t a warrior like his brothers or the ancestors that came before him. He was a poet, and his poetry was code.
Deepak knew his obsession with code was sometimes difficult to communicate, which was why he needed his morning walks to clear his head and work on his messaging. He approached the carved wooden bench that overlooked the front gardens on his estate and took a seat. The sky was a blend of orange and deep blue already, and he settled down to watch the remainder of the sunrise. A gentle spring breeze cooled his weathered skin, and he let out a sigh. He needed to ask his wife to join him on his walks again so she could enjoy the scenery with him.
He took out the faded sepia picture of his family that he carried in his billfold and looked at the unmarred face of his youth. He remembered the two heavy red leather suitcases he carried, and the determined look on his wife’s face as they exited customs at John F. Kennedy International Airport for the first time all those years ago. He’d come to America to pursue his dreams, and in thirty years, Deepak had started the company Bharat, Inc., become a leading subject matter expert in image processing using deep learning, registered fifteen patents related to image recognition, and amassed a small fortune. He continued to live his life with Guru Nanak’s teachings in mind and raised his three strong sons the same way.
His sons. His joy. They also lived life with Guru Nanak’s teachings and wore their commitment to god in the form of a silver kara he’d given each of them as they entered manhood.
His youngest, Zail, was the most like him, and therefore the easiest for him to understand. They spent hours together in their tech lab situated in Silicon Valley. Zail wore his bracelet in silence and devotion.
His middle son wore his kara and his commitment to family like a badge of honor. Ajay was in line for CEO and he was a powerful leader. Deepak just wished he lived for more than just the business. Like Hem used to.
Hem. Hemdeep. His firstborn and the most complicated of all of his boys. Deepak rubbed the heel of his hand against his chest as a spike of pain shot through his heart. He’d always thought Hem would lead his empire when he was gone, but after their . . . disagreement, Hem refused to participate in the family business anymore. Deepak knew he was a part of the reason why Hem left, and even though he’d seen Hem over the last year and a half, their relationship was strained. All he wanted was his son’s happiness. If he couldn’t ensure that, then all of his money was worthless.
The pain returned in his chest, following a slight tingle. Carefully putting his picture away, he stood on shaking legs and began the slow trek back to the house. Hem would have to find his own away in business and in love. Deepak just hoped that his son wouldn’t lose sight of family in the process.

From THE TAKEOVER EFFECT. Used with permission of Avon Impulse. Copyright © 2019 by Nisha Sharma.


About Nisha Sharma

NISHA SHARMA grew up immersed in Bollywood movies, eighties pop culture, and romance novels. She credits her father for her multiple graduate degrees, and her mother for her love of Shah Rukh Khan and Jane Austen. She lives in New Jersey with her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dog Nancey Drew. You can find her online at nisha-sharma.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @nishawrites.
Website  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon




Saturday, April 13, 2019

Review: The Birthday Girl by Sue Fortin

Author: Sue Fortin
Publisher: HarperImpulse
Date of publication: November 2017

Dear Carys, Zoe and Andrea
Come and join me for my fortieth birthday adventure weekend, full of mysteries and surprises the like of which you can’t imagine.


When Joanne’s friends reluctantly accept an invitation to her birthday party, it quickly becomes clear that there is more to this weekend than they are expecting.
One of them is hiding a secret.
And Joanne is planning to reveal it…

A weekend away in a cottage in the woods sounds like fun – until no one can hear your cries for help.
Four friends.
A party to die for. 

Who will survive?


In The Birthday Girl, four friends go on a weekend getaway in a remote cabin.  Before the weekend is over, someone dies and the others are suspects.  Each of the remaining three have motive.  All four women had secrets. 

I usually enjoy mysteries where a group of people go out in a remote location and someone dies. I was hoping that this one would be enjoyable.  Unfortunately, it really wasn't.  None of the characters were likable. I couldn't even understand why they are all friends because they aren't nice to each other. Most of the book is told through Carys's prospective.  I found her annoying and kind of dumb.  She kept making stupid decisions and refused to see situational clues that were staring her in the face.  It got frustrating.  The reveal in the end was little surprising, but not exciting enough to save the book for me.  I think I have to finally admit defeat when it comes to this author.  This is the third book I have tried and ended up not liking.  I don't really recommend this one.



Friday, April 12, 2019

Review: The Splendor of Fear by Ambrose Ibsen

Author: Ambrose Ibsen
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Date of publication December 2018

Something stirs in the town of Newsom's Landing... 
Penny hates the outdoors, but when her boyfriend, Jared, plans a romantic weekend getaway in the woods, she decides to tag along. 

The pair drive to a remote Kentucky campground with a strange and sordid history. Within the confines of the Swan Creek State Park are the ruins of a town abandoned under terrifying circumstances in the 19th century. The town of Newsom's Landing had been the site of the last-known witch trial in US history, and the ghost of its defendant, the infamous Ellie Pomeroy, is said to still linger. 

Arriving on the anniversary of Pomeroy's murder, the pair find they have the entire park to themselves.  Or, nearly. Something else is stalking the woods—watching in the night, wandering through the ruins. It brings a plague of hallucinatory terror wherever it goes, and before long, Penny and Jared can't parse reality from nightmare. 

Lost in the woods, the pair are faced with a choice: Find a way to end the century-long curse, or be consumed by it—body and soul. 


The Splendor of Fear is a random audio pick from SCRIBD.  I have read this author in the past, so I knew I was in for a good ghost story. Penny and her boyfriend head out camping for a romantic getaway.  Upon arrival, they find that they are the only ones camping on this particular weekend as the town and camp grounds are deserted.  It seems every year at this particular time, the entire population of the town nearby abandons the area for the weekend.  After a few hours in the woods, the couple quickly learns why.

Have you ever watched one of those horror movies where the main characters go out for a hike or a camping trip and ignore the glaringly obvious signs that something is amiss before they step foot in the woods?  This story is like that one.  While it could have been really cheesy, I actually found it to be quite spooky and entertaining.  I appreciated the fact that the story only focused on Penny and Jared.  I didn't have to learn a bunch of names for characters whom I didn't care about before they were killed off.  I will admit that Penny did get on my nerves a bit.  She was a tad bit whiny about her  camping accommodations.  But, she redeemed herself in the end.  As for the ghost story, I'll leave the details a mystery as I don't want to spoil the reveal.   I definitely recommend this one, especially if you like a good old fashioned ghost story.




Thursday, April 11, 2019

Spotlight: Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson


Author: Claire Gibson
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publicatoin: April 2019

Three women are brought together in an enthralling story of friendship, heartbreak, and resilience. Set at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, this is an amazing debut novel.

Duty. Honor. Country. That’s West Point’s motto, and every cadet who passes through its stone gates vows to live it. But on the eve of 9/11, as Dani, Hannah and Avery face four grueling years ahead, they realize they’ll only survive if they do it together.

Everyone knows Dani is going places. With athletic talent and a brilliant mind, she navigates West Point’s predominantly male environment with wit and confidence, breaking stereotypes and embracing new friends.

Hannah’s grandfather, a legendary Army general, offers a stark warning about the dangers that lie ahead, but she moves forward anyway, letting faith guide her path. When she meets her soul mate at West Point, the future looks perfect, just as planned.

Wild child Avery moves fast and doesn’t mind breaking a few rules (and hearts) along the way. But she can’t outpace her self-doubt, and the harder she tries, the further it leads her down a treacherous path.

The world—of business, of love, and of war—awaits Dani, Hannah, and Avery beyond the gates of West Point. These three women know that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But soon, that adage no longer rings true—for their future, or their friendship. As they’re pulled in different directions, will their hard-forged bond prevail or shatter?

Beyond the Point is a heartfelt look at how our closest friends can become our fiercest battle buddies. After all, the greatest battles we fight rarely require a uniform.

Purchase Links

About Claire Gibson

Claire Gibson is a writer and journalist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Born and raised at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, she grew up captivated by cadets and always dreamed of writing a story that honored her childhood home and the women that inspired her there. Her stories have been featured in The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The Tennessean and Entrepreneur Magazine, among many other publications.

Find out more about Claire at her website, and connect with her Twitter and Instagram.

Instagram Features
Tuesday, April 2nd: Instagram: @oddandbookish
Tuesday, April 2nd: Instagram: @simplykelina
Wednesday, April 3rd: Instagram: @giuliland
Wednesday, April 3rd: Instagram: @shelovesthepages
Friday, April 5th: Instagram: @readwithkat
Saturday, April 6th: Instagram: @jessicamap
Sunday, April 7th: Instagram: @basicbsguide
Monday, April 8th: Instagram: @writersdream
TBD: Thursday, April 4th: Instagram: @jennblogsbooks

Review Stops
Tuesday, April 2nd: Peppermint PhD
Thursday, April 4th: Broken Teepee
Monday, April 8th: Jessicamap Reviews
Tuesday, April 9th: Iwriteinbooks’s blog
Wednesday, April 10th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Thursday, April 11th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, April 11th: What Is That Book About
Monday, April 15th: Literary Quicksand
Tuesday, April 16th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Wednesday, April 17th: Kahakai Kitchen
Thursday, April 18th: Comfy Reading