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Book Review: Her Last Holiday by C.L. Taylor  @callytaylor @TLCBookTours

Her Last Holiday
by C.L. Taylor 

Amazon  / B&N / HarperCollins / GP/ Apple / BookBub

 

You come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don’t expect to die.


Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat in Gozo that went terribly wrong.

Tom Wade, the now infamous man behind Soul Shrink Retreats, has just been released from prison after serving his sentence for the deaths of two people. But he has never let on what happened to the third suspected victim: Jenna.

Determined to find out the truth, Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat – the first since his release – and finds herself face to face with the man who might hold the key to her sister’s disappearance. The only question is, will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna’s secrets to stay hidden?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

To men like that we’re either sluts or lesbians. Limited vocabulary. Tiny brains that match their tiny penii.

 

… she’s been reprimanded several times at work for saying something tactless to another member of staff.   She doesn’t mean the words to come out the way they do but she can’t always stop herself. She does try though. Yes, Frances. She hears her mother’s voice in her head. You are very trying.

 

It’s a conundrum she can’t solve – how she can be such a great teacher but such a terrible conversationalist.   She can command a classroom like no one else… but when it comes to social interaction with anyone over eighteen she either manages to insult them, misunderstand them or else she finds herself in such an awkward conversation that he only recourse is to feign a coughing fit and swiftly leave the room.

My Review:

 

I lost sleep over this one as I couldn’t seem to put it down until my eyes refused to stay open, and as I was so deeply engaged and entrenched in their tale, I continued on with the characters in my sleep. The multi-layered storylines were cunningly textured and maddeningly paced while fraught with danger and taut with tension as more issues, twists, and concerns continued to be unearthed rather than solving the mystery we started with.

 

I was sucked into an oddly disconcerting vortex as I’ve never been so enthralled by such an overwhelmingly toxic and obnoxious group of characters who were unfailingly annoying and capricious yet also bizarrely intriguing. There wasn’t a one I would choose to share air with yet I couldn’t wait to learn their secrets. Multiple theories were devised and cast aside as I perused this twisty tale but I never came close to guessing the outcome. C.L. Taylor has mad skills and devilishly strong word voodoo as well as a new fangirl for her bookish cult. I have added her entire listing to my TBR.

I was provided with a review copy of this riveting missive by TLC Book Tours and HarperCollins.

 

About the Author

C.L. Taylor is a Sunday Times bestselling author. Her psychological thrillers have sold over a million copies in the UK alone, been translated into over twenty languages, and optioned for television. Her 2019 novel, Sleep, was a Richard and Judy pick. C.L. Taylor lives in Bristol with her partner and son.

Find out more about her at her website, and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

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Book Review: Life’s A Beach by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @rararesources  @BoldwoodBooks

Life’s A Beach
by Portia MacIntosh

 

 

Sun, sea, and inescapable exes…

Peach is excited to hear that her sister, Di, is getting married. Of course, she would have preferred her little sister to be engaged to someone she’s known longer than a week – and the fact that his name is Charles doesn’t bode well – but who is she to judge?! Afterall, her own love life is non-existent, and who doesn’t love a destination wedding…?

Whisked away to the gorgeous Italian coast, Peach assumes her role as chief bridesmaid and, despite her reservations about the groom, she tries to ensure everything goes to plan.

But weddings are never straightforward affairs… throw in some unexpected guests in the form of ex-boyfriends and one-night stands, and soon enough there is more drama than a reality tv show.

Can Peach keep the show on the road, or might she end up in a whirlwind romance of her own…?

Escape to the stunning Italian coast with bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald and Mhairi MacFarlane.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My dad somehow thought he was sparing me by explaining the inner workings of Naked Wednesday to me so that I could find somewhere else to be moving forward, and when he started trying to explain what was special about Friday nights, I stopped him. I told him that once we were all back from the wedding, no explanation necessary, he just needed to tell me when he wanted me to make myself scarce. No details required. Please, God, spare me details.

She isn’t twenty-eight at all, she’s thirty-one, the same as me. It seems almost silly, to lie about just three years, but I think Van might be playing the long game with that one. I get the feeling she’s going to be twenty-eight for a long time – for as long as people will believe her or medical advancements will allow.

I had a big birthday last year, and Van lives in LA, so she couldn’t come. She sent a stripper in her place. They called him Magic Spike. He was a Viking themed stripper, because of course they exist. He had a terrifying weapon – in more ways than one.

I must have checked my room four times when I was packing to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind, but I don’t feel like anyone has truly invented a suitcase that can safely transport a holiday romance back to reality.

My Review:

 

I doubt anyone could claim to have solved or foreseen the well-contrived secrets to this enjoyable and amusing tale, as there were several clever twists and blind alleys to navigate. And I delighted in them all as I smirked my way through this fun and wittily penned dance of exes. The premise was bright and shiny as were the wily plotting and wry humor. The characters were an enticing yet not totally likable bunch from the outside looking in, but things were not always as they seemed as several participants of a lavish destination-wedding holiday were walking a crooked path of denials, half-truths, and hidden agendas. There were frequent surprises and some will they/won’t they tease and tension to keep us guessing.

About the Author

 

Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of over 15 novels, including My Great Ex-Scape and Honeymoon For One. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real-life experiences.

Social Media Links –

Newsletter sign up: http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter

https://portiamacintosh.com/

https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia

https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh

http://instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor

http://bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh

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Book Review: Silenced For Good by Alex Coombs @AlexCoombsCrime

Silenced For Good
by Alex Coombs

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP

 

Detective Hanlon is addicted to violence. She likes the rush, the danger, the losing control…

When Hanlon is suspended from the force for assaulting a suspect, she escapes to the remote Scottish island of Jura, home to the mysterious Corryvreckan whirlpool.

But wherever Hanlon goes, violence is sure to follow.

As soon as she checks into The Mackinnon Arms, Hanlon senses something isn’t quite right about the staff at her home for the week.

Sure enough, within days of arriving, the body of a member of staff is found floating in the sea. While police believe she was claimed by the local whirlpool, Hanlon isn’t so sure.

As she pieces together the evidence, dark secrets begin to unravel. Can Hanlon work out what is going on before another floating body is found…?

The start of a gripping new crime series, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Bryndza, and Lisa Regan.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

She wasn’t exactly friendless in the Metropolitan Police, but it surely felt that way. She was like a wounded lioness in a pack; the others had smelled her weakness and were moving away from her. Hyenas were circling in the distance.

 

About twenty or so people were sitting, in various stages of undress, watching a widescreen TV with rapt attention. There was a lot of wrinkled flesh on offer. The baby boomers were not going gentle into that good night. She stared at what was going on in horrified disgust… The Mackinnon Arms hotel was obviously the centre for some sort of ageing island swingers group.

 

It stood on a street corner as a tired old prostitute might, soliciting trade, and not doing very well. Its sign was peeling; a chalkboard advertised ‘Exotic Dancers’ on Saturday afternoons. A poster said, ‘Food available’. In the Rob Roy that sounded more like a warning than a promise.

 

She watched his face redden; it happened from the base of his neck upwards like mercury rising in a thermometer. His normally pale face was flushed and she didn’t think it was from exertion.

 

The flat was sparsely furnished with cheap furniture. As well as the smell of the cannabis, there was a strong smell of poverty. The carpet was threadbare, the sofa had been fixed with duct tape. The armchairs were of the sort that old people were sometimes discovered dead in.

My Review:

 

This crafty wordsmith is flawless. I am totally enamored with and ensnared by his impressive word voodoo. The man has mad skills! His use of metaphors and descriptions was cleverly creative, vivid, and easily pulled keen visuals to mind. Plus, I cannot get enough of his complex and enigmatic kickass chick character of DCI Hanlon. I know it was mentioned in an earlier book but I honestly don’t recall her first name, everyone just calls her Hanlon, as does she when she introduces herself. She is deeply flawed and tough as steel-toed boots, yet still human and able to feel the occasional prickles of unease at how others relish her misfortunes and are enjoying her downfall, although she is surprisingly comfortable in her own skin. I will most likely always be striving for her level of self-acceptance. I adore her but wouldn’t want to have her laser focus honing in on me.

About the Author

Alex Coombs studied Arabic at Oxford and Edinburgh Universities and went on to work in adult education and then retrained to be a chef. He is the author of the highly acclaimed DCI Hanlon series.

Social Media Links –

Newsletter sign up: http://bit.ly/AlexCoombsNewsletter

Website – http://www.alexcoombs.co.uk/

Twitter https://twitter.com/AlexCoombsCrime

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlexCoombsCrime

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Book Review: The Borrow-A-Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar @KileyDunbar  @rararesources 

The Borrow-A-Bookshop Holiday
by Kiley Dunbar

Amazon  / Apple / GP/ Kobo

The Fully Booked Bookshop Café invites literature lovers to run their very own bookshop … for a fortnight.

Spend your days talking books with customers in your own charming bookshop and serving up delicious cream teas in the cozy café.

Bookworms, what are you waiting for? Your holiday is going to be LIT(erary).

Apply to: The Fully Booked Bookshop, Down-a-long, Clove Lore, Devon.

Jude Crawley should be on top of the world. She’s just graduated as a mature student, so can finally go public about her relationship with Philosophy professor, Mack.

Until she sees Mack kissing another girl, and her dreams crumble. And worse, their dream holiday – running a tiny bookshop in the harbor village of Clove Lore for two weeks – is non-refundable.

Throwing caution to the winds, Jude heads down to Devon, eager to immerse herself in literature and heal her broken heart.

But there’s one problem – six-foot-tall, brooding (but gorgeous) Elliot, who’s also reserved the bookshop holiday for two weeks…

As Jude and Elliot put their differences aside to run the bookshop, it seems that Jude might be falling in love with more than just words. Until she discovers what Elliot is running from – and why he’s hiding out in Clove Lore.

Can Jude find her own happy ending in a tiny, tumbledown bookshop? Or is she about to find out that her bookish holiday might have an unexpected twist in the tale…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Mack looked legit, like a young Indiana Jones, only more anaemic and homely, you know? Who’d have thought under all that gabardine and paleness there’d beat the heart of a scumbag?

 

Just knowing he’s next to me helps me switch off my brain which has been delivering a long lecture with PowerPoint slides all evening, entitled, ‘An illustrated history of all the completely obvious ways gullible, naive Jude was manipulated by Dr Mack the snake’…

 

I’ve never been anywhere apart from here… Except for in books; I’ve been twice around the globe and halfway across the galaxy in books.

My Review:

 

This was a light and fun tale that was cast with a bevy of oddly enticing and eccentric small village characters that kept me grinning and fully engaged as I read their descriptions and interactions. This was only my second time reading this talented scribe and I easily fell into her words and enjoyed her storytelling, dialogs, and the endearing main character Jude’s inner musings. Oh, how I adored Jude!

 

The storylines and writing style were evocative, cleverly amusing, shrewdly paced, and easy to follow while laced with relevant real-world problems. The narrative was unpredictable and scrolled smoothly and believably and dealt with several rather serious issues while remaining unfailingly entertaining due to Ms. Dunbar’s adroit word skills. I will be chasing this author until the day I die for more of her clever arrangements of words.

 

And, score! I picked up a new entry to my Brit word list with cutpurse, which the omnipotent Mr. Google informed me, is a pickpocket.

About the Author

 Kiley Dunbar writes heart-warming, escapist, romantic fiction set in beautiful places.

Kiley also works as a senior lecturer, teaching creative writing at the Manchester Writing School. One Winter’s Night is shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel Award 2021.

‘Kiley Dunbar Author Book Page’ on Facebook
website and newsletter: http://www.kileydunbar.co.uk/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI8wM4Fmkbyg4S_XGSnfUCA

https://twitter.com/kileydunbar

https://www.facebook.com/KileyDunbarAuthor/

 

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Book Review: The Survivors by Jane Harper @janeharperautho @MacmillanUSA

The Survivors
by Jane Harper 

Coming home dredges up deeply buried secrets…

Kieran Elliott’s life changed forever on the day a reckless mistake led to devastating consequences.

The guilt that still haunts him resurfaces during a visit with his young family to the small coastal community he once called home.

Kieran’s parents are struggling in a town where fortunes are forged by the sea. Between them all is his absent brother, Finn.

When a body is discovered on the beach, long-held secrets threaten to emerge. A sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

She was four years younger than him and shy to the point that he wasn’t even sure he knew what her voice had sounded like.

 

… it must have been good fun, Kieran thought, otherwise why did they do it every weekend? But it was interesting looking back how the good fun had sometimes felt a lot like hard work… It had all seemed so important at the time, Kieran thought as he stood on the beach now. Life and death.

 

He had fed Audrey and read to her from a picture book that hinted heavily on its front cover that it would unlock her genius potential. Instead, it had sent her back to sleep, which in that moment seemed like an even better result. They should have put that on the cover.

My Review:

 

This was one of those slowly unwinding tales that kept me feeling a bit uncomfortable, on edge, impatient, tense, and unable to put my Kindle down without feeling annoyed at the intrusion.   I was hooked from the beginning and full of nagging suspicions as at one time or another, almost every character seemed a bit off and capable of something dreadful. The writing was cleverly realistic with deeply flawed yet enticing characters while shrewdly plotted and cunningly paced to drive me mad in brain itching increments. It was brilliant.

About the Author

Jane Harper is the internationally bestselling author of The Dry, Force of Nature, and The Lost Man.  Jane is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, and has won numerous top awards including the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year, the Australian Indie Awards Book of the Year, the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel, and the British Book Awards Crime and Thriller Book of the Year.

Her books are published in more than 36 territories worldwide, with The Dry in production as a major motion picture starring Eric Bana. Jane worked as a print journalist for thirteen years both in Australia and the UK, and now lives in Melbourne.

 

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Book Review: When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown @adjackson68 @TLCBookTours

When Stars Rain Down
by Angela Jackson-Brown

Amazon  / B&N / Thomas Nelson / GP/ Apple / BookBub

Paperback: 386 Pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 13, 2021)

This summer has the potential to change everything.

The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt can sense a nameless storm coming. She hopes this foreboding feeling won’t overshadow her upcoming eighteenth birthday or the annual Founder’s Day celebration in just a few weeks. As hard as she works in the home of the widow Miss Peggy, Opal enjoys having something to look forward to.

But when the Ku Klux Klan descends on Opal’s neighborhood of Colored Town, the tight-knit community is shaken in every way. Parsons’s residents—both Black and white—are forced to acknowledge the unspoken codes of conduct in their post-Reconstruction era town. To complicate matters, Opal finds herself torn between two unexpected romantic interests, awakening many new emotions. She never thought that becoming a woman would bring with it such complicated decisions about what type of person she wants to be.

In When Stars Rain Down, Angela Jackson-Brown introduces us to a small Southern town grappling with haunting questions still relevant today—and to a young woman whose search for meaning resonates across the ages.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My pastor, Reverend Perkins, said just this past Sunday that if this heat was a clue of how hot hell was going to be, we should all be lining up to get rebaptized.

 

You ain’t got the good sense God gave a billy goat. You think them Kluxers is scared of the likes of you? Get somewhere and be still.

 

Do you know when folks say they saw stars when someone kissed them, and it always sounded silly or downright crazy? Well, I promise you, when Cedric kissed me, it was like the heavens opened up and all the stars rained down to the earth.

 

All of their faces looked like the worst kind of storm clouds. It was like what was going on outside with the rain and the wind had entered into our little house. I felt drenched with the emotions we were all feeling.

My Review:

 

I tumbled right into this book and was so deeply immersed in this clever author’s words that every time my eyes were forced from my Kindle I was momentarily stunned to realize I wasn’t in Georgia. I kid you not, my skin is so fair I am practically an albino but while reading this absorbing missive I was an exhausted seventeen-year-old black girl residing in the segregated and rural Deep South during 1936 while living in fear of the KKK.   I was entranced, enthralled, and riveted to the sharply-honed and tension-filled narrative.  I sobbed when Opal was devastated and felt her elation and losses as keenly as if they were my own. Angela Jackson-Brown is a masterful storyteller with serious word voodoo. Somehow, five stars just doesn’t feel like enough, ten seems far more accurate.

I was provided with a review copy of this powerful piece of literature by  TLC Book Tours and  Thomas Nelson publishing.

About the Author

Angela Jackson-Brown is an award-winning writer, poet, and playwright who teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. She is a graduate of the Spalding low-residency MFA program in Creative Writing. She is the author of the novel Drinking From A Bitter Cup and House Repairs.

Connect with Angela

Website | Twitter | Instagram

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Book Review: The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton  

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton 

 

Amazon / B&N / GP/ Kobo/ Apple

At the end of the nineteenth century, three revolutionary women fight for freedom in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s captivating new novel inspired by real-life events and the true story of a legendary Cuban woman–Evangelina Cisneros–who changed the course of history.

A feud rages in Gilded Age New York City between newspaper tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. When Grace Harrington lands a job at Hearst’s newspaper in 1896, she’s caught in a cutthroat world where one scoop can make or break your career, but it’s a story emerging from Cuba that changes her life.

Unjustly imprisoned in a notorious Havana women’s jail, eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisneros dreams of a Cuba free from Spanish oppression. When Hearst learns of her plight and splashes her image on the front page of his paper, proclaiming her, “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba,” she becomes a rallying cry for American intervention in the battle for Cuban independence.

With the help of Marina Perez, a courier secretly working for the Cuban revolutionaries in Havana, Grace and Hearst’s staff attempt to free Evangelina. But when Cuban civilians are forced into reconcentration camps and the explosion of the USS Maine propels the United States and Spain toward war, the three women must risk everything in their fight for freedom.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

It feels as though we are waiting to die here, growing mad minute by minute, our bones aging, the life leeching from us.

 

My debut was far from a splash, more like a slow drizzle, and now at twenty-five, unmarried and living with my mother’s eccentric sister, I am hardly marriage material.

 

In my current attire, everyone makes a concerted effort not to make eye contact with me as I pass by them. My appearance provides the perfect opportunity to work as a courier because no one, least of all the wealthy and privileged citizens of Havana, wants to confront the human face of this war.

 

It’s impossible to feel victorious when the “victory” leaves your country in ruins.

My Review:

 

I must confess other than knowing where it is on the map and the lore of their famous cigars, I am woefully ignorant about Cuba, Cuban history, and Cuban culture. I wore Mr. Google out while I read this tome and was astounded at how much of this story was actually true or based on true events.   The author must have researched thousands of hours and brought history to life. She often walked a fine line to avoid being overwrought, as there was agony in every character’s storyline, so – much – agony. This was an informative as well as a challenging read for me and she implanted me so deeply within the narrative, I was struggling along with the characters. There was no shortage of despair, fear, misery, abuse, deprivation, and horrific conditions. The writing was highly descriptive as well as emotive and heart-squeezing and was intermittently paced yet quite eventful and busy. I need a spa day and a vat of wine to recover.

Chanel Cleeton is the USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick for Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family’s exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London, and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

 

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Book Review: Primrose Park (Love Heart Lane #6) by Christie Barlow   @ChristieJBarlow @rararesources 

 

Primrose Park
(Love Heart Lane #6)
by Christie Barlow 

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP

Vet Molly has always been career-driven and focussed on caring for her animals, but when she meets a gorgeous Mystery Man at a conference and their connection is off the charts, well, one night off work won’t hurt anyone…except the next morning he’s vanished and all Molly knows about him is his first name.

Three months later, back in Love Heart Lane, everyone loves the story of Molly’s amazing one-night stand.  It’s so unlike her! But when Mystery Man turns up walking his dog through Primrose Park and their night together seems to mean nothing to him, Molly needs her friends and neighbors more than ever. And especially when she’s left with the most unexpected of surprises…

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

‘Darling?’ Molly raised an eyebrow. ‘I know. Her name isn’t very fitting, is it? But it’s better than my son’s name for her … Effin.’ ‘Effin?’ Molly looked perplexed. ‘Will that effin dog ever shut up!’

 

My Review:

 

I continue with my adoration for Christie Barlow with this sweet and perplexing tale that had generous helpings of several genres combining for an amusing read. There were loads of family drama in this predominantly women’s fiction and small-town romance blend with welcome sprinkles of humor and a cute canine throughout. I enjoyed the insightful and shrewdly paced character development, although I wasn’t sure I was going to appreciate the main character of Cam as he was blowing hot and cold and needed to save up for the surgery to have the stick removed that was precariously wedged up his backside. I feared it was to be a terminal condition for the faltering man, although it thankfully seemed to magically work loose for a miracle cure. I will gladly return to Love Heart Lane for more juicy tales of the oddly enticing and curiously appealing residents.

 

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane, and Foxglove Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada & Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organizations to improve their well-being.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_barlow/?hl=en

Website www.christiebarlow.com

Twitter @ChristieJBarlow

Facebook page Christie Barlow author

 

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Book Review: My Little Girl by Shalini Boland @ShaliniBoland @Bookouture 

 

My Little Girl
by Shalini Boland 

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP / Kobo

Your daughter is missing. Did someone close to you take her?

Seven-year-old Beatrice has gone missing. Her mother Claire’s whole world has been turned upside down in just one moment and she can’t stop shaking. She’s desperate to find her precious daughter, but nothing about the day she disappeared makes sense…

The mother-in-law: Jill was meant to be looking after Beatrice. She says she didn’t take her eyes off the little girl but her version of events doesn’t add up… Claire has never got on with her, so why should she trust her now?

The husband: He should have been with their only child. Instead, he changed the plans without telling Claire. She didn’t think there were any secrets between them, but maybe she was wrong?

The first wife: Laurel has always been jealous of Claire’s family. Has her husband’s ex-wife taken her daughter?

Which one of them is lying? And who really knows where Beatrice is?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally addictive psychological thriller will keep you guessing all the way to the final shocking twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, and The Wife Between Us.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I feel my cheeks grow warm under her gaze. It’s as if I’m back at school in assembly where we’re all being scrutinised by the headteacher for some misdemeanour and you still feel guilty even though you’ve done nothing wrong.

 

I feel as though I’m speaking from a long way away. Like I’m not even here. All these words and acronyms sound so official, like something out of a TV crime drama. Why are they now part of my real life?

 

Laurel’s voice is on a register that could cut through double glazing.

 

The room deflates. You can hear it, the sudden shrinking of sound, the shrivelling of hope.

My Review:

 

This was my first experience in reading this author and I found her writing easy to follow with the suspense intriguing and held taut, although the family drama was center stage with bold choices made with her characters. The main cast of players wasn’t generally likable most of the time while being true-to-life damaged, realistically and deeply flawed, and prone to poor decisions.   While they were bordering on obnoxious and greatly annoying me, they were also human and struggling with an extremely stressful and agonizing situation.

I reacted the strongest to the least likable personality of Claire, as she was arrogant, angry, and petulantly lashing out and systematically accusing everyone. Claire had me cringing and wanted to tell her to shut her pie hole and take a handful of Xanax to chill out enough to be civil. The grandmother was rather ditzy and unfocused and prone to tunnel vision and moronic choices, yet she was well-meaning and kind-hearted, although I doubt the merchants in her area would agree. The husband was the biggest disappointment, what a milksop, he needed some foot to derriere therapy, and my toes were tapping and itching to volunteer. The author was certainly doing something right to have me so deeply invested while antagonized yet also terminally curious with her maddeningly paced tale.   She fooled me but good as I didn’t puzzle this one out until right before the identity of the abductor was revealed. Shalini Boland is as sly as she is insightful.

About the Author
Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children, and Jess their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer-songwriter, but now she spends her days writing suspense thrillers (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).
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Book Review: Vampire Man (The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant #6) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Vampire Man
(The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant #6)
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Amazon  / B&N / GP / Apple / Kobo

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, comes a standalone Paranormal Romcom about second chances.

CAN THIS EVIL VAMPIRE CHANGE HIS WAYS?

Just a few short years ago, a medical miracle turned this ancient evil vampire into a human baby. Just a small setback in Mr. Nice’s plans for world domination, right?

Wrong. Because now a slight problem with the transformation has left him aging five times faster than a regular human.

Sure, he’s happier and stronger than he ever was in his past human life (These vitamins do wonders!), but if he wants to live, he’ll have to find a vampire willing to turn him. Fast!

Of course, none of them are crazy enough to do it. Not after the hell he put the vampire world through, including the vampire king.

“Will no one give me a second chance? I’m only a little bit evil now!”

Then, just when all hope is lost, he walks into a library and meets the new head librarian. She might be the only vampire on the planet who has no clue who he is.

Can he convince her he’s a good man, one who deserves to live forever? Because she’ll only turn the man who’s destined to be her mate.

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

My most recent coven was founded by yours truly, the New Orleans Spicy Gumbo Society. I am quite proud of the name since we refer to humans from that region as spicy gumbo. They are quite flavorful.

My Review:

 

This is my first time delving into this popular series and while I swear it isn’t on purpose, but it does seem to be my fate to pick it up an amusing series near or at the tail end of the tale.   I don’t read a lot of paranormal as I’m just far too lazy for all the worldbuilding and strange rules, but I didn’t seem to mind it so much as Ms. Pamfiloff layers hers with extra servings of clever irony and caustic humor – such as chocolate being a narcotic for vampires and used as a weapon against them.   Although I would be a poor soldier in an army against them as I would be tempted to eat my ammo.

This was a quick and lighthearted read that had me smirking my way through the clever digs, snarky observations, and witty inner musings of Mr. Nice as he schemed and considered his master plan of World Domination! Now I’ve done it, I’m going to have to amass the rest of the series and start it from the beginning.

About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author with over a million books sold worldwide. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake, and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

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