Lady Tremaine
I love a good reimagining and could not wait to dive into Lady Tremaine, a reimagining of Cinderella. Rachel Hochhauser did not disappoint with this captivating book! Taking on one of the world’s most famous fairy tales is a bold thing to do, and it paid off! Every young girl who grew up watching Disney or reading Cinderella dreamed that one day their prince would come. But what happens when Prince Charming is well, not so charming, and the evil stepmother isn’t evil at all. No, she is just a mother trying to survive and raise her daughters. Etheldreda has not had an easy life. She is twice widowed and left with the care of her two daughters, her stepdaughter, and a fierce and loyal peregrine falcon. Their home is crumbling around them, but Etheldreda throws herself into making a life for them. When a royal ball is announced, and only her stepdaughter is invited, Etheldreda throws her pride to the wind and does what she can to see that her daughters get an invitation as well. This book is dark, delightful, and gripping. I enjoyed the take on a mother’s love, survival, and the unraveling of secrets. I enjoyed how some of the characters learned that not all that glitters is gold! I had both the audiobook and the book and enjoyed the experience of both. The narration of the audiobook was very well done. The writing and vivid descriptions were fantastic, . Plus, there is some suspense at the end which got my heart rate elevated and put a smile on my face. I loved the message that women can save themselves. The old mama bear instinct when a mother will go head-to-head with any obstacle to protect her children. Imaginative, creative, dark, and wonderfully written. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tell Me Her Name
Gripping, dark, intriguing, and thrilling! Tell Me Her Name is the first book in the Margot Phalen FBI Series and this series is off to a great start. Margot is a FBI Special Agent who has a knack for getting criminals/killers to crack and reveal victims no one was aware of. She knows how to work with and zone in on killers – because her father was one! Her current case involves a killer who hunts for victims at child beauty pageants. As if that is not enough, she gets an alarming call from home; her partner Wes was to the last to see a teenage victim alive prior to her being murdered. I enjoyed both cases and how the author showed how Margot coped with both. One was professional and had her doing what she does best; the other hit closer to home and saw her experiencing a myriad of emotions. I enjoyed the blend of her personal and professional life. I also was intrigued by the investigation in this book. This was an enjoyable psychological thriller, and I enjoyed the myriad of twists and tiny reveals which led to the final scenes in the book. I enjoyed the pacing – this was neither slow nor did it move too fast. I also enjoyed it when the author threw in one twist that I did not see coming. I love it when that happens and it made the book even more enjoyable for me. Overall, an enjoyable psychological thriller which has piqued my interest and has me wanting to read the next book in the series. Apparently, there are previous books in another series featuring the main character. I have not read those books. Plus, this is a new series. So, if you are like me and have not read the previous books, you will do just fine. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours
I know that Nat Cassidy has a knack for writing books which I want to read! When I saw he had a short story collection coming out, I had to get my hands and eyes on it. I’ll admit, I am usually hit or miss when it comes to short stories. Lately, I have been warming up to them. As with most short story collections there are ones that I like, some that I don’t, and others I feel meh about. I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours was the exception to that rule. I actually enjoyed every single one of them- while enjoying some more than others! If you enjoy the horror genre and short stories, this might be the book for you. The ones I really enjoyed were Rest Stop, Run for Your Life, Generation, and Jubilee Juncture. But again, all were enjoyable; I just enjoyed the ones I mentioned the most. I found all of the stories to be imaginative, horrific, original, and entertaining! Thank you to Shortwave Publishing | Shortwave and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Storm Tide
Gripping, shocking, thrilling, tense, suspenseful, chilling, and hard to put down! Paul Doiron has written another on-the-edge-of-your-seat page tuner! Murder is the name of the game in Storm Tide. Paul Doiron has Mike Bowditch going through the ringer many times in the 16th book in his fantastic Mike Bowditch series! I love this series and was thrilled by the plot, the characters, the mystery, and the BIG change in Mike’s life! Someone is killing bad people in this book and Mike finds himself knee deep in the investigations while at the same time is facing a disciplinary hearing that will decide the fate of his career. If that is not enough, someone is stalking his pregnant wife, Stacey. To protect those he loves, Mike must work around the clock to catch a killer before it’s too late! This is one of my favorite series and I always get excited when I see there is a new book in this series coming out. Who knew I would love a book series about a Maine Game Warder who pushes the boundaries and takes chances. But I do love it! What I also love is the connection between the characters, i.e. the easy friendship and interactions between Mike and Charlie (Stacey’s father). I also adore the supporting characters, Mike’s wolf-dog hybrid, Shadow, and his friend Billy Cronk, and his family. I also love the vivid descriptions of the Maine wilderness, the tough cases, and the well thought out plots. I enjoyed the blending of Mike’s personal life with his professional life in Storm Tide. In this book, Mike is awaiting the birth of his first child, finds himself in hot water with the disciplinary board, and is being taunted by a killer who is taking out those who committed horrific crimes. This book is brimming with unease, danger, suspense, tension, and emotion. As with the other books in this series, I found this book to be wonderfully written, tense, atmospheric, thrilling, exciting, brimming with danger, and full of intriguing characters. I loved the suspense and this book had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages while hoping for the best. Plus, this book sees Mike and his wife Stacy facing a major change in their lives – becoming parents. This added depth to the story and saw Mike being more emotional than in the previous books. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
All the Ways You Break Me
All the Ways You Break Me is the gripping and emotional second book in Melissa Wiesner’s Sandy Harbor series. If you are a fan of second chance romance books, All the Ways You Break Me will be right up your alley! While this book will work nicely as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, All the Ways You Save Me as it was excellent and introduces readers to Sandy Harbor and some of the characters which are in this book! All the Ways You Break Me introduces readers to Josie and Ian, two characters who hit it off when they were teens but saw their romance cut short when Josie and her family left Sandy Harbor Island abruptly. It has been ten years since they have seen each other, but Josie is back on the island to be the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding. She never expected to see Ian’s sky-blue eyes again – but there he is and there she is, and….. I enjoyed how Melissa Wiesner used past and present storylines to show both characters in different times of their lives. This was a nice touch as there is not only romance in this book, but also a bit of a mystery as well. Why did Josie leave so suddenly all those years ago???? I enjoyed the tension, the chemistry between Josie and Ian, the angst, the plot, the supporting characters, and the uncovering of what happened all those years ago. With romance books it is all about the journey for me. I enjoyed the journey that Josie and Ian went on during this book. I rooted for both of the characters as they were both very likeable. I enjoyed meeting them when they were younger and seeing Josie being spunky and carefree, and Ian being supportive, kind, and fun. They came from different worlds, but when their worlds collided, everything felt right until…. It was also nice seeing them as adults. Seeing how life changed for them and what they were experiencing in their lives. One had a secret and one had questions, but both felt that same connection. But will that be enough????? Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
To His New Wife
Gripping, dark, twisted, menacing, suspenseful, and shocking! To His New Wife proved to be a fast and thrilling read which kept me guessing and turning the pages! Just when I thought I had things figured out, Willow Rose threw another zinger into the mix, and I was left rethinking my list of suspects! Emma thought she had her happily ever after when she married Benjamin. She is welcomed into his family and works for Benjamin’s father. Benjamin and his daughter lost his first wife tragically. But Emma is hoping to help them pick up the pieces. Then a note arrives! A note that appears to come from his first wife claiming that Benjamin killed her!!!! Emma is naturally shocked, full of questions, and left feeling uneasy after receiving such a note. What really happened to his first wife? Who is behind the letters? Who can be trusted? I thought Willow Rose did a great job of inserting doubt and fear into To His New Wife. I felt for Emma and her trepidation and fear jumped from the pages. Emma doesn’t know who is sending the notes, but they are getting under her skin. I thought this was depicted wonderfully in this book. Is his first wife dead or is she alive? If she is dead, why is someone sending the letters? So many questions swirled in my head while reading this book. I found this book to be an entertaining and suspenseful page turner which kept me guessing. I loved the tension and suspense. I also enjoyed the sense of unease and impending danger. Like Emma, I never knew who could be trusted in this book. This is the second book I have read by Willow Rose, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Lady Tremaine
I love a good reimagining and could not wait to dive into Lady Tremaine, a reimagining of Cinderella. Rachel Hochhauser did not disappoint with this captivating book! Taking on one of the world’s most famous fairy tales is a bold thing to do, and it paid off! Every young girl who grew up watching Disney or reading Cinderella dreamed that one day their prince would come. But what happens when Prince Charming is well, not so charming, and the evil stepmother isn’t evil at all. No, she is just a mother trying to survive and raise her daughters. Etheldreda has not had an easy life. She is twice widowed and left with the care of her two daughters, her stepdaughter, and a fierce and loyal peregrine falcon. Their home is crumbling around them, but Etheldreda throws herself into making a life for them. When a royal ball is announced, and only her stepdaughter is invited, Etheldreda throws her pride to the wind and does what she can to see that her daughters get an invitation as well. This book is dark, delightful, and gripping. I enjoyed the take on a mother’s love, survival, and the unraveling of secrets. I enjoyed how some of the characters learned that not all that glitters is gold! I had both the audiobook and the book and enjoyed the experience of both. The narration of the audiobook was very well done. The writing and vivid descriptions were fantastic, . Plus, there is some suspense at the end which got my heart rate elevated and put a smile on my face. I loved the message that women can save themselves. The old mama bear instinct when a mother will go head-to-head with any obstacle to protect her children. Imaginative, creative, dark, and wonderfully written. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tell Me Her Name
Gripping, dark, intriguing, and thrilling! Tell Me Her Name is the first book in the Margot Phalen FBI Series and this series is off to a great start. Margot is a FBI Special Agent who has a knack for getting criminals/killers to crack and reveal victims no one was aware of. She knows how to work with and zone in on killers – because her father was one! Her current case involves a killer who hunts for victims at child beauty pageants. As if that is not enough, she gets an alarming call from home; her partner Wes was to the last to see a teenage victim alive prior to her being murdered. I enjoyed both cases and how the author showed how Margot coped with both. One was professional and had her doing what she does best; the other hit closer to home and saw her experiencing a myriad of emotions. I enjoyed the blend of her personal and professional life. I also was intrigued by the investigation in this book. This was an enjoyable psychological thriller, and I enjoyed the myriad of twists and tiny reveals which led to the final scenes in the book. I enjoyed the pacing – this was neither slow nor did it move too fast. I also enjoyed it when the author threw in one twist that I did not see coming. I love it when that happens and it made the book even more enjoyable for me. Overall, an enjoyable psychological thriller which has piqued my interest and has me wanting to read the next book in the series. Apparently, there are previous books in another series featuring the main character. I have not read those books. Plus, this is a new series. So, if you are like me and have not read the previous books, you will do just fine. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours
I know that Nat Cassidy has a knack for writing books which I want to read! When I saw he had a short story collection coming out, I had to get my hands and eyes on it. I’ll admit, I am usually hit or miss when it comes to short stories. Lately, I have been warming up to them. As with most short story collections there are ones that I like, some that I don’t, and others I feel meh about. I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours was the exception to that rule. I actually enjoyed every single one of them- while enjoying some more than others! If you enjoy the horror genre and short stories, this might be the book for you. The ones I really enjoyed were Rest Stop, Run for Your Life, Generation, and Jubilee Juncture. But again, all were enjoyable; I just enjoyed the ones I mentioned the most. I found all of the stories to be imaginative, horrific, original, and entertaining! Thank you to Shortwave Publishing | Shortwave and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Storm Tide
Gripping, shocking, thrilling, tense, suspenseful, chilling, and hard to put down! Paul Doiron has written another on-the-edge-of-your-seat page tuner! Murder is the name of the game in Storm Tide. Paul Doiron has Mike Bowditch going through the ringer many times in the 16th book in his fantastic Mike Bowditch series! I love this series and was thrilled by the plot, the characters, the mystery, and the BIG change in Mike’s life! Someone is killing bad people in this book and Mike finds himself knee deep in the investigations while at the same time is facing a disciplinary hearing that will decide the fate of his career. If that is not enough, someone is stalking his pregnant wife, Stacey. To protect those he loves, Mike must work around the clock to catch a killer before it’s too late! This is one of my favorite series and I always get excited when I see there is a new book in this series coming out. Who knew I would love a book series about a Maine Game Warder who pushes the boundaries and takes chances. But I do love it! What I also love is the connection between the characters, i.e. the easy friendship and interactions between Mike and Charlie (Stacey’s father). I also adore the supporting characters, Mike’s wolf-dog hybrid, Shadow, and his friend Billy Cronk, and his family. I also love the vivid descriptions of the Maine wilderness, the tough cases, and the well thought out plots. I enjoyed the blending of Mike’s personal life with his professional life in Storm Tide. In this book, Mike is awaiting the birth of his first child, finds himself in hot water with the disciplinary board, and is being taunted by a killer who is taking out those who committed horrific crimes. This book is brimming with unease, danger, suspense, tension, and emotion. As with the other books in this series, I found this book to be wonderfully written, tense, atmospheric, thrilling, exciting, brimming with danger, and full of intriguing characters. I loved the suspense and this book had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages while hoping for the best. Plus, this book sees Mike and his wife Stacy facing a major change in their lives – becoming parents. This added depth to the story and saw Mike being more emotional than in the previous books. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
All the Ways You Break Me
All the Ways You Break Me is the gripping and emotional second book in Melissa Wiesner’s Sandy Harbor series. If you are a fan of second chance romance books, All the Ways You Break Me will be right up your alley! While this book will work nicely as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, All the Ways You Save Me as it was excellent and introduces readers to Sandy Harbor and some of the characters which are in this book! All the Ways You Break Me introduces readers to Josie and Ian, two characters who hit it off when they were teens but saw their romance cut short when Josie and her family left Sandy Harbor Island abruptly. It has been ten years since they have seen each other, but Josie is back on the island to be the maid of honor at her sister’s wedding. She never expected to see Ian’s sky-blue eyes again – but there he is and there she is, and….. I enjoyed how Melissa Wiesner used past and present storylines to show both characters in different times of their lives. This was a nice touch as there is not only romance in this book, but also a bit of a mystery as well. Why did Josie leave so suddenly all those years ago???? I enjoyed the tension, the chemistry between Josie and Ian, the angst, the plot, the supporting characters, and the uncovering of what happened all those years ago. With romance books it is all about the journey for me. I enjoyed the journey that Josie and Ian went on during this book. I rooted for both of the characters as they were both very likeable. I enjoyed meeting them when they were younger and seeing Josie being spunky and carefree, and Ian being supportive, kind, and fun. They came from different worlds, but when their worlds collided, everything felt right until…. It was also nice seeing them as adults. Seeing how life changed for them and what they were experiencing in their lives. One had a secret and one had questions, but both felt that same connection. But will that be enough????? Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
To His New Wife
Gripping, dark, twisted, menacing, suspenseful, and shocking! To His New Wife proved to be a fast and thrilling read which kept me guessing and turning the pages! Just when I thought I had things figured out, Willow Rose threw another zinger into the mix, and I was left rethinking my list of suspects! Emma thought she had her happily ever after when she married Benjamin. She is welcomed into his family and works for Benjamin’s father. Benjamin and his daughter lost his first wife tragically. But Emma is hoping to help them pick up the pieces. Then a note arrives! A note that appears to come from his first wife claiming that Benjamin killed her!!!! Emma is naturally shocked, full of questions, and left feeling uneasy after receiving such a note. What really happened to his first wife? Who is behind the letters? Who can be trusted? I thought Willow Rose did a great job of inserting doubt and fear into To His New Wife. I felt for Emma and her trepidation and fear jumped from the pages. Emma doesn’t know who is sending the notes, but they are getting under her skin. I thought this was depicted wonderfully in this book. Is his first wife dead or is she alive? If she is dead, why is someone sending the letters? So many questions swirled in my head while reading this book. I found this book to be an entertaining and suspenseful page turner which kept me guessing. I loved the tension and suspense. I also enjoyed the sense of unease and impending danger. Like Emma, I never knew who could be trusted in this book. This is the second book I have read by Willow Rose, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
