Review: An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

This was a book that I originally passed on but then changed my mind. I have been seeing this book all over my Instagram and I caved under the peer pressure!

When I passed on it, it was mostly because my review schedule was really tight for August, but I had also been reading a ton of thrillers and I was kind of ready for a break. But as I said, I have zero self control sometimes so I caved and decided to review this one and fit it in when I could.

As luck would have it, I finished one of my August books suer early so I was able to fit it in sooner than expected, and I was happy that I could because the more I saw it on Instagram the more I wanted to read it!  Continue reading “Review: An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena”

Review: The Hawkweed Legacy (Hawkweed Prophecy #2) by Irena Brignull

When I was pitched this book, I thought this was the first in the series. I loosely read the summary and just assumed that it was the first one.

So let’s get this out of the way first—read the first book in the series before you read this book. It’s hard for me to write a review for this one because it’s very clearly part of a series and was meant to be read by people who had read the first book.

With that in mind, I could have backed out and said I would rather wait and read the first one before writing a review, but I made a commitment and I decided to read on and focus on the writing and world building rather than the bigger story. Continue reading “Review: The Hawkweed Legacy (Hawkweed Prophecy #2) by Irena Brignull”

Review: Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding (Her Royal Spyness #12) by Rhys Bowen

The Royal Spyness mystery series is one that has been gifted and recommended to me more times than I can count. I literally have three copies of the first book from my mom because she keeps forgetting that she already recommended it to me.

So clearly it’s a book that people want me to read. I just haven’t thought about it when I am looking for something to read. I am no stranger to Rhys Bowen’s books though. She writes beautifully and I love reading her stand alone books!

Finally, after all this time, I picked up a Royal Spyness mystery…..about twelve books too late!  Continue reading “Review: Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding (Her Royal Spyness #12) by Rhys Bowen”

Review: The House at Saltwater Point (Lavender Tides #2) by Colleen Coble

I like books with interesting mysterious titles. This book, in combination with the cover, said mystery to me. I love the dark, brooding colors and scenery on the cover of this book and in many ways, it reminded me of a more modern Mary Stewart novel, so I was eager to read it.

Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he?

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy. Continue reading “Review: The House at Saltwater Point (Lavender Tides #2) by Colleen Coble”

Review: Beautiful Exiles by Meg Waite Clayton

I watched this absolutely wonderful HBO miniseries called Hemingway and Gellhorn in 2012. I had major movie hangover after watching it. IMBD users didn’t seem to like it as much as I did, but for whatever reason this movie just resonated with me and I was fascinated by this couple I knew nothing about.

I knew that Hemingway was moody and an all around asshole but that he wrote beautifully. Full disclosure, I haven’t read a single Hemingway book—-but I’ve read enough Hemingway quotes to discern that he’s a brilliant writer.

The person I didn’t really know much about though was Martha Gellhorn. In the film she seemed like a cross between Lois Lane and a salty bitch—so naturally, I was intrigued by her. When this book came up for review, I was excited to read it, especially because it appeared to focus mostly on her. Continue reading “Review: Beautiful Exiles by Meg Waite Clayton”