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Showing posts from 2019

Little Bookshop on the Siene by Rebecca Raisin - BLOG Tour

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Happy New Year's Eve! It has been a wonderful 2019, with a ton of new great books to read. I can't wait to see what 2020 will hold!  If you are a lover of bookstores and stories about a heroine coming into her own, you will love Rebecca Raisin's new book,  Little Bookshop on the Siene .  The cover of the book is just beautiful!! I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for this book. It will be published on January 7th and in advance of its release, I wanted to share my thoughts on the book and some Q&A with the author. Review Sarah has the opportunity of a lifetime. She trades places with a friend in Paris to run her bookstore. When Sarah arrives, she finds the staff comes and goes as they please, customer service is nonexistent, and someone is stealing from the store. Sarah really comes into her own in this book. In the beginning she is mild and does not stand up for herself. She finds her strength throughout the book, gaining control not only of th

The GOD Game by Danny Tobey

Imagine you and your friends are asked to join a computer game called, G.O.D. If you do what the game asks, you are rewarded. If you refuse, you are punished. But its just a game, right? This is what the friends thought until things started happening in real life. How safe is this game, really? This book is a very interesting look into AI. I didn't realize until I read the author's bio that he is a lawyer and expert on AI. The knowledge showed in the book, but it was told in easy to understand terms. I am not extremely familiar with AI, but I did not have any difficulty keeping up. The story is told from the views of a group of teenagers and it brought out very interesting questions. Without giving too much away, the teenagers are asked to preform tasks and either be rewarded or suffer the consequences. It was interesting to think what I would do if I was in the same situation. The book is quite lengthy but don't let that deter you. It is an excellent book. It does have

Stories We Never Told by Sonja Yoerg

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Jackie is a professor of psychology. Her husband of two years, Miles, is a high school sports recruiter who travels a lot . That is an issue because Jackie wants to start a family. Jackie works at the same college as her ex-boyfriend of five years, Harlan. Jackie starts to notice things that are odd. Harlan brings a young colleague to dinner who Jackie works with. Jackie’s research data is tampered with. Jackie needs to figure out what is going on. This is a psychological thriller that is filled with twists and turns. I loved trying to figure out what was going to happen next. The story has a few flashbacks that add to the mystery. The flashbacks don’t come out in the main story right away but help explain things later in the story.  I also loved the hint of science in the beginning of the book. Jackie is working on a study in the book and it is explained in the beginning, going into some detail about how the study was conducted. It was not important to the overall story but I was in

Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison - BLOG Tour

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Welcome to this stop on the blog tour for the release of Good Girls Lie  by J.T. Ellison! This book will be available on 30December and it is one you will not want to miss if you love thrillers. The story has no shortage of twists and turns. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to participate in the blog tour. They provided the tour materials, but the review is my own. Review The setting of the book seems innocent enough. A teenage girl, Ash, has recently lost both of her parents and she leaves England to attend an elite all girls high school in the US. However, the school is full of secrets, despite the strict Honor Code, that requires all the girls to act in the best manner possible and report or self-report any indiscretions. It all begins to come apart when a teacher dies before classes even begin for the semester. This was not to be the last death of the semester.... I was enthralled with this book. Ash's past is complicated and her life on campus has n

Husband Material by Emily Belden - BLOG Tour

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Husband Material  is the first book I've read written by Emily Belden and I absolutely loved it! I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest feedback and blog post. I am thrilled to help spread the word about this book by being a stop on the book's blog tour.  Husband Material  is available in stores and online on December 30th and trust me you will not be disappointed in this book. Since I'm posting this before the book is published, I decided to include a excerpt to give you a glimpse into this book. Enjoy! Excerpt Well, that’s a first. And I’m not talking about the fact that I brought a date to a wedding I’m pretty sure didn’t warrant me a plus-one. I’m talking about grabbing a wedding card that just so happened to say “Congrats, Mr. & Mr.” on my way to celebrate the nuptials of the most iconic heterosexual couple since George and Amal. This—and a king-sized KitKat bar from the checkout lane—is what I get for rushing through the greeting c

No, We Can't Be Friends by Sophie Ranald

Sloane Cassidy and her husband, Myles are working through married life. They are renovating their home, while living in it, trying for a baby, pursuing successful careers, and trying to stay connected with each other. Sloane starts to feel distance from her husband and at first blames the stress of the renovation and trying for a baby. Then she begins to suspect Myles is cheating on her. Sloane starts digging and wonders what she will find. Can her marriage survive? Sloane's life is incredibly relatable.  She wants to expand their family while at the same time have a successful career. She is the half owner of a business and her partner just had a baby. I loved the scenes Sloane spends with her business partner and how they show the real side of new motherhood. I also loved Sloanes's strength throughout the story. She has so many stressors in her life but she rolls with them and faces each challenge head on. It is refreshing to read a story about a woman like Sloane. I

Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie

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Holly moves to the Village of Primm for her husband’s new job. She is immediately sucked into the PTA and having the perfect house. Her daughter begins kindergarten and Holly struggles to get her to the bus every day. She hits a school bus on the first day of school. Can Holly do anything right? Initially I was not interested in this book but once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I loved this book. I laughed out loud many times. I am not a PTA mom but with kids in school I get a taste of the things in this book. Holly is trying to do her best and the head of the PTA keeps pulling her in against her will. The timeline of the book is one week and the amount that Holly deals with is amazing. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a very lighthearted, quick read. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra

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This modern retelling of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, focuses two of the four March sisters, Meg and Jo. Meg has a beautiful family with her husband and their young twins. She lives near her parents farm and is known as the reliable one, always helping others and putting everyone else first. Jo is an aspiring writer working in the kitchen for a famous New York City chef. Jo, as the oldest, is expected to take care of their mother and be the mature one. As I was reading this story, I tried to relate it back to original version but I found myself enjoying to book so much more when I focused only on this story. It has been quite awhile since I've read Little Women , and while I recognized some elements, it was distracting to try to analyze what was new and what was true to the original story. I loved Jo but related much more with Meg. As a mother, I related with her worries and troubled relationship with her husband. It is so easy to lose your relationship with husband as y

In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn

On a snowy night everything changes for Finn. Her family and family’s friends get in an accident. Finn is killed and her family and friends must try to get help and survive the night. Finn stays as a spirit and watches everyone deal with the aftermath of the accident. I loved this story. Almost everyone is hiding something from the accident and Finn’s perspective helped me to see everyone. The mystery was if everyone would find out the full story. I thought the story was beautifully written. My favorite character was Finn because even though she could not change the outcome she tried to help and comfort her family and friends as much as possible. The story also had a large element of who would you save if you were in the same situation? There were two families and they had several times where they had to chose to do something to help one of their family members or the other family. Many people would like to think they would help every equally but is that always the case? And all acti

The Existence of Amy by Lana Grace Riva

Amy has a lot going on in her life and it is complicated by her OCD and depression. Daily things such as going to work cause Amy stress because she has to take public transportation and all the people and germs do not sit well with her mind. Amy has a reputation at work for being stand-offish and never going to social events. It’s not because she does not want to be friends but at the end of the day all she wants to do is go home where it is safe. Then her team need to make a trip to Australia, a several hour plane ride to a country Amy has never been to. How can Amy make this work? Can Amy make this work? I was very excited when the author herself reached out to me and asked if I was interested in a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review. I love new books and new authors so of course I said yes! I’m so glad I did. Amy has OCD and depression and the author writes about it in the perfect way. It is lighthearted but does not underestimate the seriousness of these conditions.

The Last Affair by Margot Hunt - Blog Tour

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I am thrilled to be part of the blog your for Margot Hunt's latest book, The Last Affair . Thank you to MIRA Books for the blog material I exchange for my honest review. Book Summary Gwen Landon—poster woman for perfect wife, mother, and suburban bliss—is found brutally bludgeoned to death behind her Floridian McMansion. Beautiful and beloved by her community, Gwen makes an unlikely victim. But just a scratch below the surface of her perfectly curated world reveals one far more sinister. When looking back over the six months leading up to her death, the question of, “who would do this?” quickly shifts to, “who wouldn’t?” Commercially successful food blogger and mother of three, Nora Holliday never imagined she would have the nerve, let alone time, to get involved an affair. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, she does whatever it takes to keep it all together. But when Nora runs into Gwen Landon's husband at a hotel in Orlando, his easy kindness and warmth proves too tempting

The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse

Nick’s wife passes away after a long illness that left her bedridden in a hospital. Nick spent every possible minute with her but they both know the end was near. After she passes, Nick must tell their teenage son, Oliver, who is about to leave for college and is not handling his mother’s illness well. Life must go in but what is the appropriate timeframe for Nick and Olly? This book started out slow for me but I’m so glad I kept reading. Nick struggles with his own feelings, helping his son, and dealing with his wife’s family. When Nick starts to move on, it shocks his son and his wife’s family. I enjoyed the portrayal of Nick and his new relationships. The book was set in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. As someone who grew up in a small town I can relate and felt for nick as he navigated these tough decisions. I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys reading about second chances and moving on after a loss. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Meant to be Yours by Susan Mallery - Q&A with the author

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New York Times bestselling author, Susan Mallery, has a great reason to celebrate. Her latest book, Meant to be Yours , is released today, October 22nd! I was thrilled to be asked to participate in her blog tour! This is my first blog tour so I was not sure what to expect but her publisher graciously provided a copy of the book, background information, and photos for me to use on the tour. All I needed to do was put together my unbiased blog post! I love spreading the word about books so this is amazing! I always enjoy hearing about authors and background on their books so I'm going to share a Q&A with Ms. Mallery to provide some insight into her writing and this book in particular. First, let me tell you a little bit about, Meant to be Yours . The following summary was provided by her publisher: In Happily Inc, love means never having to say “I do”… Wedding coordinator Renee Grothen isn’t meant for marriage. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, plan. But she never could

The Other Daughter by Shalini Boland

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Imagine your child was taken and years later you see a child that looks exactly like your missing child and the same age. How far would you go to prove she’s your child? This is the situation Rachel finds herself in when she sees a new child in town. Rachel is determined to prove Bella is her missing daughter, Holly. I was intrigued by Rachel throughout the book. The lengths she would go to to find her daughter is compelling for any parent but you had the feeling something was not quite eight. Even with my suspicions I did not expect the ending! This is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a thriller. I had a very hard time putting this book down! This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald

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Eva wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened the night before. She has been struck by lightening and her mother was murdered. Was Eva involved somehow? In Christina McDonald's second novel we explore Eva's memory loss with her as she struggles to remember what happened. I adored Eva. She had a traumatic experience in her past that shapes the way she feels about herself now and her relationships. I loved watching her gain her strength throughout the story. I liked Eva's mom, Katherine. Her story is revealed primarily in flashbacks and as the story comes to a close, the two women's stories combine in an amazing way. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed McDonald's first book, The Night Olivia Fell. This book has a very similar feel and pulls you in very quickly. It is a great book for everyone who loves a twist! Just when you think you have the story figured out, another twist appears! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Other Gloria by L.A. Villafane

The book opens with Gloria driving a car covered in blood and no memory of what happened. This draws you in right away. As Gloria's story continues you discover she has an abusive husband. In order to cope with her husband her mind takes her away during the abuse and the "other Gloria" takes her place. The author skillfully takes us on a journey with both Gloria's while she navigates her life and attempts to find happiness. I loved Gloria's devotion to her daughters and her strength as it developed through the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

All About Evie by Cathy Lamb

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This book grabs you from the beginning. It’s beautiful cover and exciting opening chapter pull you in. Evie loves book and her family. She can also see the future. She uses the premonitions to help save people but she is also haunted by premonitions about her own future that are not very bright. Evie is a very interesting character. She gives herself to help everyone either through her premonitions or helping them find new books in her bookstore. I love to read so this trait was extremely interesting for me. Evie has very interesting aunts that keep her on her toes and I loved them. They added so much to the story with their antics. This is a great book and I highly recommend it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Mother Knows Best by Kira Peikoff

Claire lost her son to a genetic disorder. Now her husband wants to try for another child but Claire cannot imagine bringing another child into the world only to have them suffer the same genetic disorder. She finds a potential solution but it means challenging science in a way that is against many people’s thinking, including her husband’s.  This is a very intriguing story. It is about the potential human impacts to the characters because of the experiment but is more of a psychological thriller and throws in a crazy character who is driven to serve her own interests. I enjoyed the book but felt it left a few items unfinished. The book is an excellent thriller and you will stay up late reading it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

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Anna and Morgan never meet but their lives are forever intertwined. Anna is an artist in 1939, who was chosen to paint a mural on the post office in a small town in North Carolina. She must relocate from New Jersey to develop and create the mural. Fast forward to 2018, Morgan, a young art student who’s life took a wrong turn. She is in jail when she receives the chance to be released early as long as she restores a mural in 3 months. The trouble is she does know anything about restoration. Morgan accepts the deal and plans to learn everything she can and do what needs to be done to meet the deadline. This story grabs you and makes is very hard to put down. Anna and Morgan reveal a little more of their stories with each chapter and you can’t wait to keep reading to find out more. You will not be disappointed with this book!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris

Cilka’s Journey is a follow up to the Tattooist of Auschwitz, however I read it as a stand-alone book. Cilka was a prisoner at Auschwitz and after the camp was liberated, Cilka was found guilty of helping the enemy and sentenced to another camp, very close to the Arctic Circle. There she spent several years trying to forget what she had done at Auschwitz while at the same time do what she needed to do in order to survive. It was heartbreaking to know camps like this existed. I felt for Cilka because even as she struggled, she always put someone else before her. She always looked for ways to help others. The story was fiction but based in facts. One of my favorite sections was at the end of the book where the author tells the real life details of Cilka. I think it is very important to tell stories such as Cilka’s. I loved this book. It tells Cilka’s story beautifully and focuses on the human element of these times. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

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Oh Becky. What trouble can you get into today? Becky Bloomwood, a former financial writer who LOVES to shop, is hosting Christmas this year. Never mind this will be Becky’s first Christmas hosting and everyone has different ideas on how to make the perfect Christmas celebration. Becky is determined to make everything perfect and everyone happy no matter what. On top of everything else, an ex-boyfriend appears. In typical Becky fashion she finds herself in hilarious situations and must find her way out of them. I have loved the Shopaholic series and Becky for years! I was so thrilled to receive an advanced copy before it is released on October 15th. While the last two Shopaholic books have been a bit of a departure as they were set in the US, Becky returns to the UK in this book. She is up to her same sticky situations when more boxes show up on her doorstep than she remembers buying and she hunts endlessly for the perfect present for her husband, Luke. I absolutely love reading what

My Name is Eva by Suzanne Goldeing

This is not the typical WWII story about what happens during the war. It tells Evelyn’s story about after the war. It is told from three main timelines, the present where Evelyn lives in a nursing home pretending she knows less than she does, the 1940’s after the war when Evelyn helped the survivors, and the 1980’s after Evelyn returns home. After the war was over things did not return to normal and Evelyn had to do unthinkable things to survive. Now she must find a way to keep her past a secret. It was very interesting to read about after WWII as many stories focus on during the war. I thought this was a good book but I struggled to get into the story at times. I almost gave up on the book but I’m glad I didn’t. I had to keep going to find out the secrets. I felt for Evelyn and her story and found myself laughing at her attempts to trick people into thinking she knew less than she did. It was not the book I was expecting but it was well worth a read.

The Girls of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane

Grace, Eva, Poppy, and Alice are nurses recently stationed at Pearl Harbor. They thought it would be a great time and felt lucky they were there. Then the shooting began and their lives changed forever. They were thrust into the war and the only choice was to survive. I have read many WWII stories and am very interested in this time in history. When I started reading the book it reminded me of the movie, Pearl Harbor, and I was a little disappointed because I had heard this story before. As I kept reading the nurse’s stories continue to the aftermath of the war. They are sent overseas while still dealing with the horror and immense loss of Pearl Harbor. I loved reading about the female view of WWII from the battlefield. I also loved reading about the characters as they grew both personally and in their jobs. I was fascinated by the book and highly recommend it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

29 Seconds by T.M. Logan

Sarah is a university professor and faces many of the worst trials women can face in the workplace. She is an excellent professor but unless she plays ‘nice’ with her male boss, her job is at risk. Her boss is known for sexual harassment and worse but is always protected by the university when a complaint is filed against him. On the way home Sarah does a heroic act and saves a little girls life. The girls father is so grateful he offers Sarah a deal that is good for 72 hours. All she has to do is provide a name and that person will disappear forever. What will Sarah do? How can she accept the offer but then again, as her boss makes her life and others lives worse each day, how can she not? How could she live with herself? This was a very intriguing story. It kept me interested throughout. I especially loved the ending. It was unexpected and I felt justice was truely served. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟