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Tag: bookworm

Book Review: the LOST HOURS by Susan Lewis

Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for a copy of this novel for review

Synopsis

A perfect marriage…

Golden couple Annie and David Crayce have it all. A loving marriage, three beautiful children and a thriving family business. Life couldn’t be better. Until the unthinkable happens…

A perfect crime?

A piece of damning DNA evidence has arisen, placing David as the prime suspect of a murder committed twenty years ago. Annie is sure David is innocent.

As the police investigate the cold case, so does Annie. Trawling through her old diaries, she begins to desperately looking for answers. But it all comes down to a few lost hours she can’t solve.

And Annie begins to doubt the one person she thought she knew best…

Her husband.

What I thought 💭 💭💭

I was into it from the beginning. It starts with a scene from 20 years ago. Then we’re in 2019 living the perfect life with Annie and David Crayce.

Imagine having the perfect life. The perfect husband. Three adorable children. Extended family that’s always there through thick and thin. Then one day your whole life comes to a halt and you’re questioning everything everyone does. This is what Annie had to go through.

We are pulled back and forth between the now and the crime that happened twenty years ago. There are quite a few secondary characters which puts you in a position of questioning all of them.

I loved Annie. She’s strong, vulnerable and determined to find the truth. David is a man who has changed his life from the wild past to the now perfect husband.

DS Rundle I was drawn too as well but I often felt that she was using her own past experience and comparing it to David Crayce. She was determined to prove him guilty.

This book is probably one of my favourite books from Susan Lewis. I became a fast fan of hers in a short time and am always looking forward to her books. She’s got a way with speaking to the reader. Getting us involved in the investigation and feeling what the characters feel.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I enjoyed it. I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you want to solve a cold case. This is a book which will help you play detective.

Can’t wait for the next Susan Lewis novel to be released.

Thank you again to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this copy for review.

Book Review: THE BONE CODE by Kathy Reichs

Synopsis

When a hurricane hits the Carolinas it uncovers two bodies sharing uncanny similarities with a cold case that has haunted Temperance Brennan for fifteen years.

The bodies that washed ashore in Charleston were put in a container, wrapped in plastic sheeting and bound with electrical wire, looking almost identical to those from fifteen years ago. With a growing sense of foreboding, Temperance flies to Montreal to convince her boss to reopen the case.

Meanwhile, a rare bacterium that can eat human flesh is discovered. Panic erupts as people rush to test themselves for a genetic mutation that leaves them vulnerable.

With support from her long-time partner Andrew Ryan, in a search that soon proves dangerous, Temperance discovers the startling connection between the murder cases – and that both the murders and the disease outbreak have a common cause…

Review:

Gets your attention from chapter one. But…

Temperance Brennan is a strong female character, but she’s arrogant and cold. I did not connect with her very well. I found her clinical towards other people. The only time she really seemed more “normal” was when she was working with her bones.

I enjoyed the book, but got a bit bored in the middle and I think it’s because I did not connect to the lead character.

This was my first read from this author and the title caught me. I enjoyed the first few chapters and was eager to see where things went, but I had to put it down because I had to get Temperance out of my head for a while.

I gave this book 3 stars.

Book Review: TAINTED BLOOD by Catherine Wiltcher and Cora Kenborn

Corrupt Gods Duet Book Two

Blurb: (taken from Goodreads)

Santi Carrera is the war I never saw coming.
A beautiful liar.
Ruthless.
Captivating…
The architect of my own undoing.

He twisted my loyalty into an ultimatum.
He chained me to his side with a vow of deceit.
I should despise him for all he’s done to me…
But behind those dark eyes, I see his pain.
I recognize his conflict because it’s ours to share.

Now, I’m a pawn in a new war.
Stolen by a stranger, I’ve been taken to a foreign land.
My fate rests in the fragile truce between our families.
They will tear this world apart to find me.
But he’s the only man who can save me.


*𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 2 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑒𝑡. 𝐵𝑎𝑑 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘 1, 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑜𝑛.
**𝑇𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑.

Review:

*TRIGGER WARNING: Human Trafficking/Brutality towards women

We pick up where we left off in the first book, with Thalia and Lola gone and Santi and the rest of the crew are clueless as yet.

With the realization of the disappearance of the girls, Santi’s feelings for Thalia is revealed. He will do anything to find his wife.

Action packed. Great dialogue. And of course romance.

We go on this journey with these cartel bosses to find the women they love. We see alliances being formed. Families bonding.

A story of love, family and revenge. A story of women rising from the ashes.

This is part two of the Corrupt Gods duet. Book one must be read to understand this book.

Enjoyed this duet.

Book Review: LEGACY by Nora Roberts

Synopsis

Thoughts of her lived in that angry and patient brain. But there was time, so much time yet. And there were others. Many others who would come before.

Adrian Rizzo is a beautiful young woman with a successful business, and a wonderful family and friends. She’s worked hard to build a happy life for herself. When she receives a death threat in the post, she puts it down to jealousy and tries to forget about it. But Adrian doesn’t realise that it’s more than just spite. Someone is very unhappy about her happy life and will stop at nothing to bring it all crashing down.

My Thoughts:

Well one thing is for sure. Nora Roberts never disappoints.

I loved this book. It took me a while to read because… life; but I didn’t want it to stop. It was page turning from the first chapter.

Another thrilling book with a strong female lead and just as strong secondary characters. Women may the target but they’re are certainly not weak and useless.

This is a story of family, friends, community. The book has three parts namely: Ambitions; Changes; Legacies.

A story of building yourself up. Taking control of your life. Doing what is best for you and your family. A story of grief and loss and pushing through the hard times.

Murder. Love. It has it all. A little doggie love story too. and some seriously smart attentive kids.

I rated this a thrilling ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for gifting me a copy for review.

Book Review: THE WHISPER MAN by Alex North

“If you leave a door half open, soon you’ll hear the whispers spoken.
If you play outside alone, soon you won’t be going home.
If your window’s left unlatched, you’ll hear him tapping at the glass.
If you’re lonely, sad and blue, the Whisper Man will come for you.”

Synopsis:

When Tom and his son Jake move to Featherbank, they’re looking for a fresh start.

But this sleepy village has a dark past – fifteen years earlier a serial killer haunted it’s streets. In the days before he struck, his young victims claimed to hear whispers in the night.

Of course, an old crime need not trouble Tom and Jake.

Until another boy goes missing.

And then Jake says he hears a whispering at his window…

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only reason I didn’t read it in one sitting was because it creeped me out at night and I love to read at night. So I opted to read it during the day, which helped a little bit.

It’s a story of a boy who is different. A policeman needing to close a 20 yr old case. A dad trying desperately to understand his son.

I loved the characters. I enjoyed the different POVs we got read. Well written.

Definitely on my recommend list.

The Whisper Man received 4.5 stars from me!

Book Review: Scoring the Keeper’s Sister by Delancey Stewart

I loved this book. I started with Scoring a Soulmate. I found it easy to read and funny. I couldn’t put it down. I especially loved that they kept doubting Mr. Match. I love that we are interacting not only with the main characters, but with Mr. Match himself.

I was in stitches. I was angry. I cried. I felt what the characters felt. I was apart of this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I have a feeling this is a series I am going to enjoy.

Synopsis

Soulmates don’t always start as friends. Sometimes they start as enemies. And sometimes they need cheese to help seal the deal…

ERICA:  Signing up for a matchmaking service was not my idea.

But when Andrew-the-Hand-Model dumped me, my brother suggested I try Mr. Match. And I figured it couldn’t hurt. As it was, I’d never get away from meathead moron soccer players (since my brother plays keeper for the South Bay Sharks and I manage PR for the team.) But Mr. Match is a moron too because he matched me with a guy I see at work every day. A guy who has a different girl on his arm at every turn. And a soccer player.

Fernando Fuerte, the “Fuerte Fire,” is one guy I can assure you is NOT my match. 

FERNANDO: Getting girls is not a problem.

Getting girls who care about something besides my status as the South Bay Sharks star striker, my salary, and my social status?

Yeah. That’s the problem. So when my buddy Max tells me he’s actually Mr. Match–the secret proprietor of San Diego’s hottest matchmaking app, I let him convince me to try it. 

And Erica Johnson is not actually a bad match–only she doesn’t seem to agree. And then there’s the small matter of her being in the middle of trying to save the team (and me) when the owner’s ex brings to light some, ahem, unsavory accusations about me…

And then there’s her enormous and disapproving twin brother…

And there’s something about cheese, too. 

But if I have my way? Erica will definitely be my match.

Book Review: Sleighing Mr. Right by Hope Ford

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Synopsis

Sleighing Mr. Right
An Alpha Older Man and Curvy Younger Woman Romance

Candy
I’m looking for Mr. Right and he needs to check off everything on my list.
I think I found him… that is until I find out there’s something he’s not telling me.
He lied to me because of my crazy list. But maybe what I thought was a “big no” is actually a “big yes.”
Now, I have to figure out how to make him my Mr. Right… instead of my Mr. Right Now.

Cane
I had given up on women. She had given up on Christmas. We both take a risk and find out we are exactly what each other needs.
But when I keep something hidden from her, something that is a “big no” on her list, she walks away.
If she gives me a chance, I’m going to prove to her that I want to be her man… her family… her forever.

This is a Steamy, Sweet, Short Story Romance. No Cliffhangers.
This is the first book in the Curves For Christmas Series.
If you love short romances with insta love, hot love scenes, and a sweet story, then this one is for you.

My Review

This was a cute short romance. Talk about insta love. I guess you just know when you’ve found the one. The characters were easy to love. Cane was the perfect gentleman and knew exactly what he wanted when he saw Candy for the first time. He went after it and fell instantly. Candy couldn’t help but tick off all the items on her list getting to know him. They were a match made in heaven. Until… she discovers his secret, one that she wasn’t prepared for.

Christmas time tends to make us all soppy and this little romance did exactly that for me. The author got me into the book. I’m a hopeless romantic, but I don’t always believe in love at first sight. This book makes you believe in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Really a quick read to get you into the holiday spirit and all warm and fuzzy about love and hope.

My Rating: 4 stars

Book Review: An Innocent Thanksgiving by Katy Kaylee

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

My Review:

Okay, so I decided to read this book without reading the blurb. All I knew was that the book was a “forbidden romance”, well I wouldn’t call it forbidden, I’d call it unconventional. Yes! OK! In real life I doubt that it would be considered okay, but let’s face facts, you can’t help for who you fall in love with. The heart wants what the heart wants!

20yr old Maggie, has a major crush on her dad’s charismatic artist HOT best friend, Cal. She’s been pining for him for 5yrs. Finally, on Thanksgiving evening she decides it’s time to act on her feelings. She seduces Cal and he does not resist, even after finding out that she’s a virgin.

5yrs later, on Thanksgiving, Maggie decides it’s time to spend Thanksgiving at home again, but this time she’s not alone. Running into his friend while on a shopping run, Cal is invited back to the Simpson (yes her name is Maggie Simpson – I couldn’t help but immediately think of the baby Simpson on The Simpsons) home to spend the holiday with them. He gets there and he sees Maggie for the first time in 5yrs, awkward! Then it’s time to reveal the truth of Maggie moving away.

Cal discover’s he has a daughter that is 4yrs old. He had no idea that Maggie had a child and that the child was his, because she never told him. Cal confronts Maggie and she cannot deny that Fern is his because the little girl looks like her father.

So why did I call it unconventional? Well, it’s a happily ever after story and quite frankly, it was not forbidden. So there’s a 25yr age gap and he happens to be her father’s best friend. But, like I said earlier, the heart wants what it wants. You couldn’t help but fall a little in love with the story. Cal immediately accepted his responsibility as a parent to the little girl he didn’t know about. He also, fell madly in love with Maggie despite her reservations about him and their future.

I also love the fact that this holiday romance was based on Thanksgiving. Usually around this time of year all you read is about Christmas romances and there’s plenty of that going around, so this was a little different. Katy Kaylee kept the reader turning the page. I did not expect Maggie’s parents to react the way they did. They were way to calm for me. I thought that maybe, just maybe, Mark (Maggie’s father) would blow a gasket and beat the living daylights out of Cal for using his daughter. But, no, Mark, was angry, but in a gentlemanly way. He didn’t resort to violence, he kept his hands to himself. Violet (Maggie’s mother) was a little too accepting, but you understand why when she explains it.

I really enjoyed this adorable little story. No this wasn’t a Romeo & Juliet type thing where people died. It was a simple story of love, regardless of what the age difference is.

My Rating

3 & 1/2 stars

Book Review: Her Secret Crush by Jolie Moore

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Synopsis

A Canadian girl with a hole in her heart, the Hollywood scion who can fix it, and the mountain keeping them apart…
Sabrina
Every day I watch Henry hike up the hill while I walk down. And every single day I want to run my fingers through his hair, wrap my hands around his biceps, stroke…his…dog.
I never say a thing, though, because guys like him don’t date girls like me who aren’t model thin, who have a ten-inch scar down the middle of their chest, who may die on him…

Henry
I’m in no position to start a new relationship. I have plans to open my own store. I travel all the time. My dog died…
But there’s something about the girl with the messy blond hair who eats lots of tacos and wears homemade knit hats…in a city where it’s never cold. I know I shouldn’t go after her…but after I fondled…her…dog, I couldn’t help myself.

My Review:

Uhmm… I was not into this book. The characters were so naive they behaved like tweens rather than in their late twenties, early thirties. The book was slow. I read it to finish it. NO ONE is that clumsy and they’re both are. The same stupid things happens to them all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Henry from the start, even though he was a bit dense, but Sabrina I couldn’t stand, she seemed weak.

I rated this book 2 out of 5.

Book Review: UNWRAPPED by Jax Hart

Synopsis:

He will pay.
I will make his Christmas hell and be the one waving him goodbye with my middle finger as he packs his bags and rolls out.
This roof isn’t big enough for the two of us.
Heck, neither is this town.
Or this country. Maybe the entire world.
Maybe the universe.
He packs an ego to match his size. His swagger is sexy as all hell. He smells like pine soap and new money… crisp. Sharp. Hungry.
My palms smack the tiled shower walls. Why? Why do I always want the bad ones? The ones who treat me like dirt and walk away without a second thought?
Not this time.
I won’t let it happen. If only I could find a way to get the man out of my damn head. If I don’t I’m totally scrooged.

My Review:

** spoiler alert ** This book! I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, I loved the story.

It’s a story with a backstory. Darren Prescott, CEO and millionaire goes back home to face demons of his past. He meets sassy Shiloh, who is looking for love at Christmas. Both characters growing up looking for love of family, end up crossing paths. They hate each other, but who doesn’t love a good enemies-to-lovers trope, it’s one of my favourites.

Before Dare returns home for Christmas, he meets a young girl, ten years old, in the system and reminds him of himself. Remembering his past, he makes a few calls and decides to do at least one good deed for Christmas and offers to foster her.

Shiloh and Dare, work hard to stay out of each other’s way, but Dare’s friends know better and helps fate along. Before long, their Christmas dreams come true. Of course not without a few bumps and misunderstandings.

This story really captured the meaning of Christmas. Dare even though he is a millionaire CEO now, does not forget his upbringing and the people who helped him get where he is now. He pays it forward by becoming a foster parent for Freddie, who absolutely adores him, even before she lives with him. The story is about hope, love and family and this is all we need at Christmas time.

My Rating: 5/5