-
Review: For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
I absolutely loved Samantha Downing’s first novel, My Lovely Wife. In fact, I even read it twice because I thought it was such a great read and my book club loved it too! Her second novel He Started It, just didn’t grab me like the first one. I haven’t read it yet but the description just didn’t sound as exciting or interesting as My Lovely Wife sounded when I first heard of it. But when I saw this one was coming out—her third thriller—the description sounded so excellent and I just couldn’t pass up! I love novels about darker academia and this book sounded like it would be a perfect…
-
Special Feature: False Witness by Karin Slaughter
Summer is in full swing and I generally see two book genres in everyones beach bag—romances and thrillers. I usually try to alternate between a romance and a thriller when I head to the beach or pool, and if you are looking for some hot thrillers for the summer, this latest novel from Karin Slaughter should be on your list if not already in your bag! Slaughter has written a number of thrillers and mysteries and almost every single one of them has been met with much acclaim and False Witness is no different! So many fans and early reviewers have raved about this book and with good reason! It’s…
-
Review: The Stranger Behind You by Carol Goodman
Carol Goodman is an author after my Gothic heart. I haven’t read any of her other books before this one, but when this one came up for review I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it because it had this decidedly Gothic feel. Not to mention a lot of fans have called her the modern day Daphne du Maurier. I love books with a Gothic feel, especially murder mysteries so I was super excited to read this one. Goodman has written other novels that by all accounts are atmospheric and moody so I was really looking forward to this one. I also loved that it had a modern component…
-
Review: The Hollywood Spy (Maggie Hope #10) by Susan Elia MacNeal
I fell in love with Maggie Hope long ago and watching her journey through these last 10 books has been so fun as a reader. We have seen her go from nervous secretary, to spy, through PTSD, and heartache. As we enter the 10th book in the series ,she is in many ways unrecognizable from the first book. As a reader you really get a sense of how the war changed her character and I think that’s what really makes this series shine. I haven’t always loved the direction that Maggie’s character has taken or choices that she has made but for me that’s what makes her so real and…
-
Special Feature: Murder at Sunrise Lake by Christine Feehan
Romance and paranormal fans will no doubt recognize Christine Feehan’s name. Feehan is an established author who has penned a number of beloved novels and series (roughly 80 books) and she is also a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over. This highly anticipated standalone novel, boasts murder, suspense, and a bit of romance. By all accounts, this new novel will take some of Feehan’s fan by surprise as it’s a little different from her usual genre but knowing that she has written a number of successful books and series should put readers fears at ease. I have actually not read anything by Feehan before but this one…
-
Special Feature: Mocha, She Wrote (A Bakeshop Mystery #13) by Ellie Alexander
If you are looking for a cozy mystery series, you really don’t need to look any further than Ellie Alexander! In my mind there are few better than Alexander when it comes to small town mysteries featuring food. She has such a talent for writing interesting characters and readers will surly get a feel for life in Ashland Oregon! As an Oregonian myself it’s so great to see cities and towns in books that I am familiar with! I love supporting local authors and Alexander is no exception. I have read a few of the books in this series as well as her other series featuring Sloan Krause. Alexander live…
-
Special Feature and Excerpt: A McKenzie Sisters Mystery Series
I have really enjoyed MK McClintock’s books that I have read in the past and seeing her new McKenzie Sisters mystery series is coming out soon, I just knew I had to participate in the book tour! Sadly I couldn’t fit in the books to read but I was able to secure a post about each of the books as well as an excerpt from them to share with you guys! If you enjoy historical fiction but are wanting to try an author that’s off the beaten path, then McClintock is it! This series features strong heroines and is set in the American West! McClintock has written other novels set…
-
Re-Share Review: We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin
Last year my book club picked up this unique book. I had seen a lot of praise for it and it was often called ‘THE thriller to read if you only read one this year’. What I loved about it was that each character was so impossibly flawed and damaged. Not just emotionally but physically too and I loved watching how that unfolded and impacted the story. It wasn’t a perfect read for me and it earned a three star review from me which puts it firmly in the ‘good’ category when people ask me if I liked it. But what I think is so important about this book and…
-
Special Feature: A Rogue’s Company (Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery #3) by Allison Montclair
The Sparks and Bainbridge series is relatively young in its inception. I read the first two books but couldn’t get this one in this month—though I do plan on reading it later on this year. The series, overall, has been solid with loads of four and five star reviews flooding Amazon and Goodreads (mine among them!). Montclair is a talented writer when it comes to murder mysteries but one of the things I enjoy most about her books is the way that the mystery unfolds. It’s always thought out and polished. Since this series is still new, the author does a great job catching new readers up to speed with…
-
Review: A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1) by Ashley Weaver
I have really enjoyed Ashley Weaver’s Amory Ames books so when I saw she was coming out with a new lady detective series and with a heroine by the name of Electra (Ellie for short), I knew this was going to be a great, great read! Clearing my schedule, I added this one to my early summer reading list and I am so glad that I did! The Amory Ames series has been fun and I have liked the books I have read, but this book felt so much more complete for some reason (I will get to my thoughts on that in a minute!). Historical mysteries are my favorites,…