Special Feature: THE SECRET OF CLOUDS by Alyson Richman

I am thrilled that I have this book up for review next month, but I wanted to get the word out to my readers so that they didn’t miss out on what is sure to be a wonderfully moving novel!

Internationally bestselling author Alyson Richman’s captivating new novel, THE SECRET OF CLOUDS (Berkley Hardcover; February 19, 2019; $26.00), is a touching story about a mother’s love, a teacher’s promise, and a child’s heart.

When an immigrant family leaves the Ukraine for New York after the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, they carry the burdens of their past along with them. A son is born with a rare heart defect, and his health is too fragile for him to attend school. When a devoted teacher is sent to tutor him at home, she is determined not to let his happy days of childhood pass him by – and soon, she learns the impact that one child can leave on her own life.

Richman’s story is in part inspired by her son’s first babysitter, who lived in the Ukraine following the Chernobyl disaster. She spoke with Richman about her first-hand experiences, which informed Richman’s realistic, devastating depiction of a little-discussed tragedy.

One of Richman’s dear friends, who is a teacher, also inspired the novel when she shared how she once tutored a child who was too sick to attend school, and realized a decade later what a lasting impression this student had on her life.

THE SECRET OF CLOUDS is a novel that will make readers examine what it means to live life with a full heart. Continue reading “Special Feature: THE SECRET OF CLOUDS by Alyson Richman”

Winner: WHY KILL THE INNOCENT (Sebastian St. Cyr #13) by C.S. Harris

And the winner of the paperback copy of WHY KILL THE INNOCENT by C.S. Harris is…..

Caitlin

The winner will be notified via email.

Thank you to everyone who entered and a huge thank you to the author for making this giveaway possible!

Review: More Than Words by Jill Santopolo

Jill Santopolo was an author that I wanted to read long before this book! I received an ARC of her THE LIGHT WE LOST a couple years ago and I just couldn’t fit it into my review schedule.

I still continue to eye THE LIGHT WE LOST whenever I am looking for something to read. It sounds like such a beautiful story, but for some reason, it just never makes its way onto my nightstand.

Then MORE THAN WORDS came up for review and I wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass me by a second time. I have heard people rave about her books so I was excited to start this one. Not to mention the cover is elegant and interesting so that was an added bonus. Continue reading “Review: More Than Words by Jill Santopolo”

Review: I Invited Her In by Adele Parks

I immediately recognized the name Adele Parks when the book came across my desk for review. I haven’t read any of her books, but it was a name that I had seen before. I had meant to pick up one of her books long before this, but for some reason I just never did.

I decided to remedy that and read her latest thriller, I INVITED HER IN. I liked that this book was not only a thriller, but one that featured two female best friends but late in their friendship.

It didn’t sound like it was going to be one of those ‘I just met this girl and we are friends but she turns out to be crazy’ books. This plot sounded a lot more in-depth and multifaceted than that traditional troupe. Continue reading “Review: I Invited Her In by Adele Parks”

Excerpt: An Abiding Fire by M. J. Logue

How do you solve a murder when you are one of the suspects?

1664, London

Life should be good for Major Thankful Russell and his new bride, Thomazine. Russell, middle-aged and battle-scarred, isn’t everyone’s idea of the perfect husband for an eligible young woman but the moment Thomazine set eyes on her childhood hero, she knew they were destined for one another.

But Russell, a former Roundhead, now working for the King’s intelligence service, was never going to have a simple life in Restoration London.Unable to shake suspicions of his Parliamentarian past, someone seems hell-bent on ruining his reputation — and his life.

Whispers about his sister’s violent murder follow him and accusations of treason abound. When more deaths occur Russell finds himself under suspicion. He is ready to escape from the capital, but Thomazine is determined to find the truth and clear the name of the man she loves.

But who is the real killer and why are they so keen to frame Russell? More importantly, will they succeed? And has Thomazine’s quest put them all in mortal danger? Continue reading “Excerpt: An Abiding Fire by M. J. Logue”