The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

 

My thoughts

I listened to the audio of this book along with reading it. I was not as happy with the person who narrated for Alice but the one for Jenny did great. Alice's narrator just seemed to list each sentence instead of making them flow smoothly. 

This is my first book to read by this author. I will be looking for more now. This was a very scary and very emotional story. My emotions were all over the place by the time I finished it. In a good way though.

When Alice and Tom head out for a trip to Canada to see the Olympics little do they know how much their lives will change. In the next few weeks they will help a young couple who seem to be struggling.

 

Simon and Jenny are on the road. Running away from things they would much rather forget ever happened. Jenny is pregnant and only eighteen years old. They seem to be so in love. 

When Alice and Tom give Blue and Ocean a ride the kids seem very grateful. They are young and seem deeply in love. What could go wrong?

When Alice sees a newspaper article with Blue and Ocean's pictures. They are wanted for murder. The murder of Ocean's, who is really Jenny, mother and stepdad. Blue is the name Simon had. Now what does she do? How can she tell Tom they are helping out two people wanted for murder. Cold blooded murder. 

These four go on a road trip no one wants. Simon seems quick tempered with others except Jenny. He is more kind and gentle with Jenny. But along the way to wherever they are going a list of beat and hurt people are left behind. Simon was fully capable of murder but Alice thought Jenny seemed way to scared and meek to be a killer. Could she be so wrong about a young lady?

When all of this comes to a head you get the real story. I never liked Simon. He just didn't seem like a good person to me. Though he did love Jenny. No doubt about that. Jenny I liked. I felt sorry for her. I felt she had more on her plate than just being pregnant and running. I had a feeling about her and what happened to her. I was right....

This book is a good thriller. No mystery as you know right up front who is who and what they are capable of doing. Except you might find out that one of these four does have a big secret. One may be more than they seem.

I loved how this book ended. It pretty much left no loose ends. It was one that I didn't want to put down. 

Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillanaudio for this ARC.

4.75 stars 

About

The open road beckons.
A chance for them to reconnect.
Then they make a fatal mistake.

It’s the summer of 1976 and Alice and Tom set out on the remote Canadian highways in their new RV, hoping to heal their broken hearts after a devastating tragedy.

They’ve planned the trip perfectly, taken care of every detail. Then they meet two young hitchhikers down on their luck and offer them a ride. But Simon and Jenny aren’t what they seem. They’ve left a trail of blood, destruction, and madness behind them.

Now Alice and Tom are trapped, prisoners in a deadly game, with nowhere to turn. As the tension builds, the lines blur, and the question becomes, In whose heart does evil truly lie? What secrets are Jenny and Simon hiding? And who will live another day?

A chilling, twist-laden ride to the final page, THE HITCHHIKERS is that rare novel that will break your heart as well as hold you in suspense. The author of the classic thrillers STILL MISSING and THOSE GIRLS has delivered her next breathtaking novel.

The Last Witch by C. J. Cooke

 

My thoughts

This is possibly the best book I've read about Witches and Witch trials. It is a bit emotional in so many ways. Also based on actual facts. This really happened. Back in 1485 women were accused of being witches and burned alive. All it took was for one person to accuse them.

The saddest part of this to me is how other women would believe the lies told. How they would sit in judgement of their fellow women as a bishop brought these women to trial. Said the horrible things he said. How "women" are born evil. Born witches. Born sneaky and liars. He truly hated women. I have to wonder what he truly thought about his own mother. How can anyone have faith in the things preached when it seems to me that all religions love to point fingers. Sit in judgement of others. Condemn people to hell for all eternity. Just who do they all think they are? This is why I do not believe in any organized religion. 

In this book you meet seven women who are accused of being witches. All except one had someone accuse them and they were able to face their accusers. One, the main character Helena Scheuberin, had no one to face. She did not know who her accuser was. Not at first. These women were of many ages. Even in one case a six year old child was burned with her mother. Helena was accused because she stood up to this awful bishop. Heinrich Kramer was his name. Seems he hated women something awful. He also had a terrible infatuation with male body parts. If you read this book do not skip the Author's Note. Explains so much and shows how researched this book is.

This is truly a good book. Yes it keeps you on edge in many places. Has you holding your breath. Shedding tears. But it's really so good. I didn't know how awful organized religion has always been until I read this. How a person can claim to be godly and do the things this man did and tried to do.

This is a good story. A story based on actual events. Even most of the names are real. This author did a magnificent job in this story. Her research is impeccable. Her writing is not to be beat. If you love a good witch trial story grab this one. You won't be disappointed. 

@cjcooke, @berkelybooks @netgalley

5 stars 

About

Will she be damned by flame… or cursed by magic?

Helena Scheuberin should be doing what every other young wife is keeping house, supporting her husband, bearing his children. But when her husband's footman, Leopold, with whom she was having an affair, is found dead, Helena is accused of killing him. Worse, she is accused of being a witch.

Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged from her bejewelled life of comfort into a world of terror. When a cursed witch totem is smuggled into the prison, the prisoners attempt to use it to conjure escape. But the totem is the severed hand of a murdered woman, and Helena's life is in danger both inside and outside the dungeon.

Does Helena risk her life and the lives of others by standing up to a man determined to paint her as the most wicked of all? Or is the world beyond this one the real threat?

Based on a real-life event, this historical horror offers a jewel-bright portrait of female power in a period of wide-spread female disempowerment, a thrilling addition to the canon of witcherature and silenced voices from the past.

The Hidden Daughter by Soraya Lane

 

My thougths

Another winner for Soraya M. Lane.

This book takes you through three generations. It's very heart wrenching and promising all at once. A love story for the ages. Two love stories actually. Both interconnected and both just as touching.

When Charlotte's grandmother calls her and tells her there will be something delivered to her Charlotte has no idea how much her life is going to change. Charlotte is a Chef at a very prestigious hotel in London. It's her last night and she is making a special dinner for her co-workers. She is also to be met by Mia. Mia is the woman who is bringing her a delivery. Meant for her grandmother but accepting for her. 

In 1950 things were a bit different for females. In Norway a young couple meet and fall deeply in love. Oskar and Amalie. They met at the hotel Oskar's parents own. Oskar is from a very rich and influential family. Amalie's family have no money. They are hard workers but of very meager means. When Amalie finds herself in the family way she is frightened. Not of how Oskar will react. How his family will take it. How her family will take it.

Charlotte and Harrison meet when Charlotte goes to Norway to check out another Chef's position. This time at a brand new hotel that has not even opened yet. Harrison designed this one and the owner wanted Charlotte as the head Chef. Of course they meet and fall head over heels in love. But things are not so smooth.

You get to know the characters in this story well. You may not like some, at least one, at first. But most are great. The two love stories are perfection. Yes the one between Amalie and Oskar is so sad. The love between Charlotte and Harrison is not perfect either. This is one of those books that you have to put down so your eyes can recoup. At least I did. I cried so much reading this story. Sad tears and happy tears. Some angry tears too. It's just a great story that will keep you filled with so much hope for both couples. For all the family members.

I can't wait for the nest book. I've been wanting to know Hope's story and if you've read any of this series you know who Hope is.

Thank you Bookouture and Soraya Lane for this ARC. 

5 stars. 

About

Norway, 1951: ‘I need you to know how much I love you, Amalie. I never wanted us to be parted, and I will do whatever it takes to come back to you and our baby. Please wait for me.’

London, present Everything in Charlotte’s life is about to change. As she clutches a small box in her palm containing a diamond ring and a Norwegian crest, she knows she must return home to be reunited with her beloved great-grandmother Amalie and her Norwegian family.

Accepting her dream job as a head chef at Norway’s most prestigious hotel, Charlotte is welcomed by the hotel’s head designer, Harrison. For years, Charlotte sacrificed everything for her career. As she tours her new surroundings with Harrison, she soon starts to see a way of focussing on her heart too.

But when Charlotte takes the box to Amalie, everything Charlotte thought she knew about her family changes in an instant. As Amalie clutches the ring that she thought had vanished forever, she reveals a tragic love story and a precious secret that stayed buried for years.

When Charlotte discovers the huge sacrifice Amalie made to keep her family safe, will it give Charlotte the strength she needs to follow her heart? Or will she leave Norway forever?

An utterly heart-warming and stunning story about the importance of following your heart and never being afraid to find your new beginning. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

Alchemised by SenLinYu

 

My thoughts

This book is getting so much attention. I've read how devastating it is. How it will rip your heart out. How utterly sad it is. I saw none of that myself. It was good but not earth shatteringly sad or heartbreaking or devastating. Things did happen to give me emotion. But overall it was just a very interesting read. A very LONG one.

This book is a dark romance with a lot of war. Not that it's really that graphic with either. No big love scenes to give you the chills. No big war scenes to make you cringe. But enough of both to keep you reading. To keep your attention. 

There is a lot of, what I call, the walking dead. The male main character, Kaine, is dead but can be brought to complete life again. Or so they say. The female, Helena, was a healer with other gifts. They fell in love and it was so obvious that was going to happen. It was a good love story. A bit gory though. 

This book is in three parts. Part one happens actually after part two and part three is right where it should be. The order takes nothing away from the story. It it what it is. You'll either love it or not. It's very long and one I could put down easily.

 I also listened to the audio and have to say the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, did a fantastic job. She was able to change her voice so each character was done to perfection. I enjoy it when that happens. 

Overall this is a good story but a bit to long. A bit gory in some places and there are a lot of dead people running around. Read it if you dare.

Oh and I didn't read any of the Harry Potter books so it being a fanfic of that was in no way important to me. I don't think it makes or breaks this one.

3.75 stars. 

About

In this riveting dark fantasy debut, a woman with missing memories fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy — and the man tasked with unearthing the deepest secrets of her past.

"What is it you think you’re protecting in that brain of yours? The war is over. Holdfast is dead. The Eternal Flame extinguished. There’s no one left for you to save."

Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner—of war and of her own mind. Her Resistance friends and allies have been brutally murdered, her abilities suppressed, and the world she knew destroyed.

In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia’s new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers, whose vile, undead creatures helped bring about their victory, holds Helena captive.

According to Resistance records, she was a healer of little importance within their ranks. But Helena has inexplicable memory loss of the months leading up to her capture, making her enemies wonder: Is she truly as insignificant as she appears, or are her lost memories hiding some vital piece of the Resistance’s final gambit?

To uncover the memories buried deep within her mind, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in this new world. Trapped on his crumbling estate, Helena’s fight—to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self—is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own . . . secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

 

My thoughts

This is the best sequel I've read in, well possibly, forever. It cleared up a lot. It lets you get to know some of the secondary characters from the first book. And you get to see just how strong Hannah really is. How much her relationship with Bailey has grown. Her feelings for what Owen did. And how she comes to feel about Nicholas.

This book really does pick right up where the first one, The Last Thing He Told me, ended. You won't feel lost in any way and no it is not a standalone. You must read the first book. 

Hannah and Bailey are coming to grips with Owen disappearing. Hannah is trying in every way to keep Bailey and herself safe. Getting to know Bailey's grandfather Nicholas too. And his son. Bailey has family that she didn't know anything about. Their life is fairly peaceful five years after Owen's sudden disappearance. They have no idea where he is. 

Nicholas died. That changed everything. 

Then a text comes for Hannah. "Get out of the house. Now." Hannah doesn't give it a second thought. She has planned for this day and planned well. She grabs what she needs, texts Bailey, and leaves. Now they are about to begin a whole other kind of life. One that should possibly, hopefully, make them stop having to run. Stop having to worry. 

The rest of this story is an excitement you won't believe. Told from several people and gives you so much insight into what is happening along with what did happen. Back when Nicholas's daughter and Owen's wife was struck and killed. How it changed everything. What lengths Owen was willing to go to in order to keep Bailey safe. The animosity that Nicholas feels toward Owen for taking his granddaughter away. To not get to know her. 

Is Nicholas willing to help Hannah though.? Help her find the way for a life without fear? From the start to the finish this book keeps you turning the pages. I didn't want it to end but had to know what happened too. Maybe there will be a third, though I honestly can't see any being as good as this one.

This author takes her story to a whole new light. The descriptions make you feel the intense hostility. The love. The loss. The beauty of walking up to a party that will change a family forever. One way other the other. The story is truly beautiful even through the most intense parts. From the US to France and a few more places you take this journey with Hannah, Bailey, Nicholas, and Owen. 

I loved most all of these characters. My favorite being Hannah. She's one strong woman. She knows what she wants and she fights for it. I also loved Nicholas after getting to know him better. Maybe found a soft spot for Owen and why he ran. And Frank. Frank who was best friends with Nicholas. As much as an organized crime boss can have a best friend.

Well done. So well done. 

Thanks to Scribner for this ARC. 

Five huge stars. 

About

Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Apple TV+ show, The Last Thing He Told Me.

Five years after her husband, Owen, disappeared, Hannah Hall and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have settled into a new life in Southern California. Together, they’ve forged a relationship with Bailey’s grandfather Nicholas and are putting the past behind them.

But when Owen shows up at Hannah’s new exhibition, she knows that she and Bailey are in danger again.

Hannah and Bailey are forced to go on the run in a relentless race to keep their past from catching up with them. As a thrilling drama unfolds, Hannah risks everything to get Bailey to safety—and finds there just might be a way back to Owen and their long-awaited second chance.

A gripping, rich, and deeply moving novel about the power of forgiveness, The First Time I Saw Him picks up right where the epilogue for the “genuinely moving” (The New York Times) The Last Thing He Told Me left off, giving listeners the eagerly awaited and absolutely exhilarating sequel to Dave’s global blockbuster.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

My thoughts

OMG this book was so good. I didn't want to put it down. I had to read it before I can read the next book in this series. 

When Owen goes missing his wife Hannah, and his daughter Bailey, are left with the fallout. The many questions. And it seems the lies. The cover up. Hannah takes Bailey to Austin, TX on a whim. Their lives are never the same after this. So many unanswered questions but also so many are answered. Or figured out. 

This book will grab you and hold you. It holds your heart. Makes you want to know what it is that Owen is hiding and how Hannah will deal with it. How Bailey will learn to live without her father. She's lost her mother already. She seems to dislike Hannah. Until she sees that Hannah has her best interests at heart. That Hannah really cares more for her than anyone. And that Hannah is not going to leave her. 

Hannah and Bailey find a life that they never ever saw coming. But where is Owen. What happened to make him leave them. What kind of secret can possibly be worth leaving your family for???

I can't wait for The First Time I Saw Him. The much anticipated sequel to this book....

About

Before Owen Michaels disappears he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child and wants nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a U.S. marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

The Devil's Advocate by Steve Cavanagh

 

My thoughts

I read this book and held my breath in many places. The awful things going on made my skin crawl. It's sad but it is happening every day in this country now. In this state. I live in AL and have no doubt there is so much corruption and unlawful things going on. I wish things were different but it's at the very top so that may take a good long time. 

This book takes us to a small town close to Mobile, AL. A young black man is on trial for murder. His life hangs in the balance. A very corrupt prosecutor has every intention of seeing this young man go to his death for a murder that he, the prosecutor, knows he didn't commit. He loves to see people die. He lives for that. He's a very sick man. And he is getting away with it. Over and over. AL is a death penalty state. 

When Eddie Flynn and his gang go to Alabama to take on the defense of Andy Dubois they are heading into the midst of one of the worst places in AL. They are going to find so much corruption and evil. Andy is a young black man. He was friends with the young lady, Skylar Edwards, who was murdered. She left work and hitched a ride. She thought she was safe with the man she got the ride from. It was her last day alive.

This case takes you through a lot of bigotry and violence. Through several murders, some covered up and others left to be found. Warnings for Flynn and his associates. Things look very bleak for Andy. 

With the New York attorney and the other people with him maybe Andy stands a chance at least. Andy has been beaten. He's been starved. Glass put in his food. Awful things happened to him. He signed a confession under duress. They told him he could go home. See his mother. That no harm would come to her. 

This was a bit hard to read because of all the things that happened. But it was realistic for a small town in AL. At least the way I've seen it or heard about things in this state. There is corruption in all areas but I have no doubts that in small southern towns where bigots live it's worse. 

Eddie has his work cut out for him. And the jurors. 

Thank you to Atria for this ARC. 

4.75 stars rounded up to 5.  

About

This high-octane legal thriller from the international bestselling author of Kill for Me, Kill for You will “make your palms sweat and your blood run cold” (The Times, London) as it follows a highly successful lawyer who is hiding a deadly secret.

He’s won every trial…because he’s behind every murder.

Ambitious District Attorney Randal Korn lives to watch prisoners executed. Even if they are not guilty.

An innocent man, Andy Dubois, faces the death penalty for the murder of young girl. Korn has already fixed things to make sure he wins a fast conviction. The one thing Korn didn't count on was Eddie Flynn.

Slick, street smart, and cunning, the former con artist and now New York lawyer has only seven days to save an innocent man against a corrupt system and find the real killer.

In a week the judge will read the verdict, but will Eddie be alive to hear it?

The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh

 

My thoughts

This book should have been a DNF for me but I trudged on and finished it. The last fourth was pretty good. Filled with more action. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a pretty good job. I think she may have done better but still. Sometimes an audio makes me enjoy a book more. Not in this case. 

This was a book about witches and pirates. Actually pirate witches. I found it to be very slow to start. I also found the main character's use of the C word way to much. Every page it seemed. I may have exaggerated a little but still. It was way overused. C word as in women's private part. I hate that word in and of itself and then the author has the main female character using it extensively. Ruined that part of the story. 

To me this book could have been shortened and been better. It took forever for the captive and the main witch, Ben and Alys, to finally admit they had feelings for each other. Alse Ben was not a tortured captive. He was just that, a captive. No enslavement involved. Not in the sense of being a slave anyway. He was pretty much allowed to roam around most of the time. He was kept in Alys's cabin, though shackled, and not abused. 

The pirate women escaped from men who wanted to hurt them. Keep them from using their powers. Maybe if they had been allowed to use it they would have faired better. I mean when they used their witchcraft to defend themselves they were left helpless. Weak. Unable to do much. So they were not exactly a danger to anyone. Yes they could do damage but the aftermath was them needing to recharge. Rest...

I just did not enjoy this book and it's part of a series. It ended on a cliffhanger. Not one that will have me wanting to read the next book though. Sorry but I just have to be honest. I didn't enjoy this book. It seemed repetitive in areas. To much so. I dreaded picking it back up to continue. And this was an audio book. 

Thank you #Harlequinaudio for this ARC.

2.5 stars... 

About

From a world where women are forbidden to use magic and the only freedom is found on the Caribbean high seas comes a swashbuckling romantasy from USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh.

Condemned as a witch, sentenced to die, Alys Tanner uses her innate magical power to flee Puritanical New England. Stealing a ship, Alys becomes captain of The Sea Witch, leading its all-female, sorcery-wielding pirate crew. But the colonial British navy is in hot pursuit. The navy fights for a choke hold on the Caribbean and will destroy anything they cannot control, especially witches.

When Ben Priestley, a headstrong naval navigator, is inadvertently captured by the lady pirates, dangerous truths are revealed. A quest that could turn the tides against the navy’s might ignites a reluctant partnership between the by-the-books prisoner and the fierce witch pirate captain. While they brave backstabbing pirates, perilous tropical islands and monster-filled seas, Alys and Ben’s mistrust grows into unexpected desire as they battle an enemy that will stop at nothing to rule the waves.

Spellcaster by Jaymin Eve

 

My thoughts

This is my first Jaymin Eve book and I highly look forward to book two. This is a good fantasy, paranormal, enemy to lover book. It has a lot of the best things going on. A bunch of witch's in college. Black magic. Monsters. Parties. What could possibly go wrong?

I read and listened to the audio. The audio was great. Both narrators did a great job. Pulled me right in and they used their voices to bring the characters to life. 

Spellcaster is exactly what the title implies. A college where witches and warlocks go to learn how to control their witchcraft. Their many powers. Where they meet each other and make lifelong friendships. And there is a lot going on. All different types of magic. 

The main character, Paisley, is the youngest of five. In her early twenties, 22 to be exact, she starts the academy where her siblings go and her father is a teacher. She just came into her powers and has to learn how to use them and what exactly she is capable of. She makes friends with someone who is being bullied right off the bat. Good for her. Bullies in any school is horrific. There are actually four girls in their group who become the best of friends. 

Logan is a powerful warlock who is starting Weatherstone Academy also. But he's not starting out as a freshman. And he is there to teach others while taking classes also. His family use to be best friends with Paisley's family. Now they only want to destroy the Hallistars. But Logan it seems has a soft spot for Paisley and won't let anything harm her. 

This book pulled me in and kept me reading/listening all the way through. It's so well written and makes you feel the emotions of the characters. I felt as though I was there on the campus. Like the monsters were right in front of me. And the tension between Logan and Paisley is so strong. Each of the secondary characters are great also. Each play an important role in what is going on at Weatherstone.

Secrets are about to be revealed but it looks like we have to wait for the sequel. I was not happy about that but it is what it is.... Wonderful book. I can't wait for the sequel now.

Thank you Harlequin Books and Harlequin Audio for the ARCs. 

4.75 stars 

About

From the bestselling author of the Shadow Beast Shifter series, Jaymin Eve, comes an all-new, intense enemies-to-lovers romantasy with steamy heat, magical creatures, fast pacing, and stakes that will keep you hooked. Dive into a world where love is as dangerous as power—and nothing is ever as it seems.

Welcome to Weatherstone College…

Don’t walk the halls late at night.
Don’t disturb the ancient magic.
And don’t, under any circumstances, ever trust a spellcaster.

When my magic bloomed at twenty-two, the last thing I expected was to receive an acceptance letter to the most prestigious witch college in the world. It’s not that I don’t have magic. It’s just…unpredictable. But with Weatherstone a part of my family legacy, I’m determined to live up to their expectations.

A task that’s almost derailed on my very first day when I come face-to-face with Logan Kingston, the son of my father’s enemy. I’m warned to avoid the powerful spellcaster at all costs, but apparently Logan did not receive the same memo. The more time I spend around him, the more I crave his unsettling attention, and as hate flirts with obsession, I’m left wondering if there’s another side to the decades-old feud between our fathers.

On top of that, Weatherstone is not at all like I expected. Built on the ancient blood of necromancers and battle, the magic here is as unpredictable as mine, and I sense a dark energy stalking my footsteps. When a monster attacks me, I have no choice but to turn to the strongest warlock in our school: Logan.

After all, to fight a monster, I’ll need a monster.

Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger

 

My thoughts

This is an author I am always happy to read. I've read a few of his books but this is my second Cork O'Connor and I intend to get through them all. Krueger is my favorite male author. His books are inspiring and so realistic. Make you think about things...

This is the latest O'Connor book and to me his best yet. Of course I do have a few to read, but still...

You meet Cork and his family. His time being a cop. His guilt over possibly sending an innocent man to prison. I have to admit it seems he did everything in his power to not do it. He truly didn't believe he was guilty. But a confession is a confession. 

This one deals with a woman being murdered in her home. Chastity was brutally murdered. Her mother was at the scene and had a knife in her hands. Her husband was missing. Her baby girl was screaming in another room. Aphrodite, Chastity's mother, was in shock. But could it be her that had done this? Or was it the missing husband? Or could this have been a stranger's doing?

This book is very good. I didn't figure out who the killer was and I do usually have it or a pretty good idea who. The descriptions are beautiful and as usual Krueger did an excellent job of pulling me right in. I didn't want to put this one down and read in from one night to the next. It's that good.

There are several characters but it's easy to keep them separated. Hints to child abuse and or sexual abuse to a child by a parent or parents. 

Thank you Atria Books for this ARC.

Five big stars. 

About

The New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor Mystery series—a “master class in suspense and atmospheric storytelling” (The Real Book Spy)—continues with Cork O’Connor revisiting a case from his past and confronting mysterious deaths in the present.

A few nights before Halloween, as Cork O’Connor gloomily ruminates on his upcoming birthday, he receives a call from his son, Stephen, who is working for a nonprofit dedicated to securing freedom for unjustly incarcerated inmates. Stephen tells his father that decades ago, as the newly elected sheriff of Tamarack County, Cork was responsible for sending an Ojibwe man named Axel Boshey to prison for a brutal murder that Stephen is certain he did not commit.

Cork feels compelled to reinvestigate the crime, but that is easier said than done. Not only is it a closed case but Axel Boshey is, inexplicably, refusing to help. The deeper Cork digs, the clearer it becomes that there are those in Tamarack County who are willing once again to commit murder to keep him from finding the truth.

At the same time, Cork’s seven-year-old grandson has his own theory about the the Windigo, that mythic cannibal ogre, has come to Tamarack County…and it won’t leave until it has sated its hunger for human blood.

Island Endgame by Rebecca Hodge

 

My thoughts

I read both of this author's previous books and loved them. It had been a minute since she wrote one and when I saw this one I had to have it. Like the previous two... It is so good. Part mystery and a lot thriller. This author is becoming a favorite of mine. 

When Kenzi arrives on the island things start out kind of different than she expected. There was no one to meet her. She had to walk a distance to get to the camp. There were no cabins for campers either. Seemed more like a deserted island. Then she met Chris and his dog Skagit. Chris was the owner's son. He was the same age as Kenzi's nephew Tim. Tim had died and Kenzi blamed herself. She was a nurse and could not save him from a drowning. 

When Kenzi meets the other staff and learns how the camp operates she relaxes a bit. She meets everyone and they go to work. Then things start going south. A hostage situation. Looking for gold. A couple of deaths. Yes this one has some edge of your seat thrills. You don't have to guess who did it either. That is obvious from the moment you meet them. But the struggles to survive this attack is hard. Learning a bit about the other workers and becoming close friends makes it even harder. 

This book was so good. From start to finish you won't want to put it down. You learn about this island and the few people there. I adored them all myself. Not the unwanted visitors but the ones that worked there. The mother and son. The dog. One smart pup there.

It's well written and the descriptions will let you see everything. You'll feel like you are walking the woods. The trails. The water's edge. Gasping when someone is hurt. Holding your breathe when the final showdown comes...

Thank you BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

4.75 stars. 

About

An isolated island. A grieving nurse, struggling to heal. Three desperate fugitives taking hostages.
Can she outwit them and survive?

Guilt-ridden over the drowning death of her nine-year-old nephew, Kenzie Adams flees her nursing job at a major city hospital to work at a primitive but picturesque island summer camp. Hopefully a few low-stress months away from the city will help steer her life back on course. But before the campers arrive, Kenzie’s second chance takes a turn to real-life terror. Three determined fugitives invade the island to search for a rumored treasure, and they threaten to kill Kenzie and the staff, including the caretaker’s young son.

Their captors have a plan … until Kenzie seizes an opportunity to escape. But with no weapons, no communications with the outside world, and mounting danger from increasingly desperate men, she’ll have to tap into unexpected strengths to save everyone before the captors deliver on their ultimatum—find treasure or die. Kenzie must learn to trust herself again, or she’ll relive her greatest nightmare, failing to save yet another child.

I Know How This Ends by Holly Smale

 

My thoughts

I wasn't sure about this book initially. I didn't know what to expect. It was an audio and from an author I have not read before. I was so pleasantly surprised. I hated having to put this one down. Sometimes life just gets in the way of a good book. A good story. One that captivates you. This is one such story. I highly recommend this one. 

This one will be in my top twenty for the year. 

Margot Wayward was hurt deeply by her fiance. After being together for ten years he cheated on her with her best friend. One of her best friends that is. She had four. They were so close, but she didn't see it coming. I'll say right here that I would never have forgiven her. It was just as much her fault as it was his. Even if she is being treated badly. Well I think she deserves it. She did the one thing that best friends are not suppose to ever do. Cheat with your friends boyfriend/fiance. No exceptions. No excuses. No matter what. But it happened and set Margot on a course of action to check out men before they could hurt her. A list. She would go on a date and then decide what potential they may or may not have. She set a goal of twenty dates. Always meeting at her favorite Italian restaurant. 

When Margot meets Henry everything changes. Henry worked at the restaurant and was date seventeen. Not a planned date exactly but still he was number seventeen. He had observed each date and what went on. He saw what Margot was doing. He saw how awful some of these men were. Even one being married with children. 

This is a love story between Margot and Henry. All the ups and downs. The scary parts. The tender parts. I absolutely adored Henry. And Winter, his little girl. Henry was a waiter and had been going to medical school until his wife got cancer and passed. He became a single dad. A widower. Henry put his heart out there for Margot and she aggravated me to pieces when she would bolt. She had fears yes. Very understandable. But Henry was such a nice man. 

Margot has visions. She can see her future with Henry. At first she doesn't realize it's him. When she does though she's all in. Until she gets scared. And Margot has quite a bit of fear in her. 

This story will make you laugh, cry, scream, hold your breath. It has all the feels. It's a true love story and oh my the ending really held me. Parts of this story made me cry so hard. It's just that good. 

Thank you Harlequin Audio for this ARC. 

Five big stars.    

About

If you knew how your life would turn out, what would you change now?

The second brilliantly uplifting and page-turning novel from the multi-million bestselling author of Geek Girl and Reese's Book Club Pick Cassandra in Reverse.

Margot Wayward is in manically gleeful self-destruct mode. Following the implosion of a ten-year relationship, she’s wilfully derailing her successful career, joyfully taking down men on dating apps, and living in total chaos.

Until one day, when Margot has a vision of herself with a man she’s never met before. She doesn’t believe in fate. But when Margot meets single-dad Henry, the vision comes true: exactly as she’d foreseen it.

As her future continues to reveal itself, a glimpse at a time, Margot realises she knows exactly what’s going to happen, and when. And there’s nothing she can do to change any of it.

So Margot has to decide how to live, how to love again, and how to be herself… Because if you can’t change your destiny, how on earth do you live your present?

All This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan

 

My thoughts

This author is one I automatically read. Sometimes her books grab me and I can't let go. Other times they are ok and I can put them down. This one is a just ok for me. It was good. It wasn't a could not put down. 

The audio was good. The narrator did a great job. She even sounded like a male in parts. Made me believe there was more than her narrating. 

The story is about an author. A debut author on tour. The many hotels she stays in. The many fans she has. The many people she meets. What happens in the places she tours. And the things that happened in her past. The things she can't seem to let go of. Can't stop blaming herself for. Things that were not her fault. 

You get to know her very well. You meet everyone she meets and read about the things that she fears. Her past. Even though she was just a child for the most part. How her mother treated her. I didn't like her mom. Even in the end I just could not make myself like the way she treated Tessa. I believe she could have protected her and showed her unconditional love at the same time. 

You get to know Tessa's children and husband. The ups and downs of being a wife and mother while on the road/in the air, touring. How hard it is. How much you miss your family. How easy it is to possibly almost lose trust in someone you love so much your heart hurts. 

This book is well written and was good. I did figure out who the blackmailer was but it didn't take away from the story. I felt like the first half of the book was a bit slow. Though it did have a lot in it. A lot to set you up for what was coming maybe. But also it was just a bit too much. 

I liked all the characters in this book. Tessa was so likable. She was quite silly at times but also afraid. She didn't want to lose her family. She needed family so bad. 

I have to admit that the chapters at the end gave me a few chuckles. For the most part I didn't really feel many emotions while reading this so that was good. I was glad Tessa was able to reconnect with someone that I can't name. 

Thank you #StMartinsPress, #Minatour, and MacmillianAudio, for this ARC. 

3.75 stars 

About

Debut sensation Tessa Calloway is on a whirlwind book tour for her instant bestseller, All This Could Be Yours. In a different city every night, Tessa receives standing ovations from adoring fans while her husband Henry and their two children cheer her on from their brand-new dream house.

But there's a chilling problem with Tessa's triumphant book tour—she soon realizes she is being stalked by someone who's obsessed not only with sabotaging her career, but also with destroying her perfect family back home.

Tessa fears the fallout from an impossible decision she once made—what felt like a genuine deal with the devil—appears to be coming due. And she’s realizing that every high-stakes bargain comes with a high-stakes price. If Tessa can't untangle who's threatening to expose her darkest secrets, she'll lose her career, her family—and possibly her life.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon

 

My thoughts

This author always delivers a good thriller. This one is her latest and it's so good. This book was a true edge of your seat thriller. 

There are five female narrators and one male. They all did a good job of bringing this book to life but the females, with the exception of Charlene's pov, sounded the same to me. I honestly could not tell them apart. The male was just ok. I felt he dragged out his part a bit to much. He did pull you into the scenes though. Just took his time about it. 

When Stella Dixon's younger brother goes missing she blames herself. She let him sneak out for a night of partying on the beach. She dedicated herself to finding out what happened to him. Stella and her best friend started a podcast that involves helping people find loved ones. It's Stella's goal to find out what happened to Max through this podcast. Finding clues and possibly help. 

Stella and her husband have been married five years. After Max disappeared they got married. Before that fateful night they were dating. There are a few secrets between them. There marriage becomes strained when Stella starts getting emails from someone claiming to have knowledge about Max. Also Max's best friend has gone missing. If Stella doesn't do as she's told Kenji will suffer great harm. Possibly death. But is Kenji truly still alive? Is Max alive after all this time? Will Stella find one or both? Will she survive this. Can her marriage survive?

This book is well done. Well written and keeps you guessing. I did guess who the serial killer was. It just seemed obvious to me. I was hoping I was wrong.

The story takes you through the mind of a serial killer and the woman they decide to destroy. What could have happened to stop this person before now? Probably nothing....

Thank you Harlequin Books and Harlequin Audio for the arc. 

4.25 stars... 

About

You never know who’s listening.

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace.

Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.

In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.

A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new instructions: tell nobody or people will die.

Desperate and unable to trust anyone, Stella agrees. But beating a twisted, invisible enemy seems impossible when they make all the rules…

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

 

My thoughts

I've not read Divine Rivals or Ruthless Vows. I will asap though. I had no idea this was a prequel to them until I read a few reviews. I loved this book. It was both heartbreaking, interesting, and magical. It was filled with so much. A fantasy, romantasy, fiction, and so much more. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I also shed a few tears while reading this. Especially in the last Act. It has five Acts and each is better than the last. Told from Matilda and Vincent's POVs. 

This book takes you through three realms. Matilda is a goddess. She has powerful magic. She lives in the underworld but can go to other worlds. There are doors that take her. She meets her father after losing her mother. He is from the upper world. He is not a warm sort. He is a brute in my opinion. 

Matilda meets Vincent through his dreams. As children. She helps him in many ways with the nightmares he has. When they finally do meet face to face though the story really reaches a whole new plateau... I loved reading about them. About the tension between them. The love blossoming. Vincent is human. A mortal. Vincent will age and eventually die. Matilda will not. 

This book is stunning. It's written in such beautiful detail that you will feel it in your heart. It brings out emotions. Hopes. You root for Matilda. For Vincent. You get involved with Vincent's world and love the people there. His brother. It's just a great story. One I will most likely want to read again. After I read the first two that is. 

Thank you #StMartinsPress/SaturdayBooks for this ARC. 

About

Born ​in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods often kill each other to steal power and alliances break as quickly as they are forged, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry words and letters through the realms, but she holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest of allies to ensure her survival. And to complicate matters . . . there is a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met in the waking world.

Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life―begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. When his request went unanswered, Vincent moved on, becoming the hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda. That is, until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him.

As Fate would have it, Matilda and Vincent were destined to find each other beyond dreams. There may be a chance for Matilda to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, but at immense sacrifice. She will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved.

Gone In The Night by Joanna Schaffhausen

 My thoughts

This series has been so good. All of the books have been great and this one is too. It is a bit of a touchy subject though.

I was cringing throughout a lot of this story. From all the murdered men to why they were murdered. While I do believe they all deserved it we can't just take justice in our own hands. Can we? If you were abused, either beat by a spouse or sexually assaulted by a predator, wouldn't you want to get even? If you could. If you could get away with it. I think most of us would. If we are honest. At least in the cases of the women in this book I can see it happening. While I don't condone violence I also believe in justice and in so many cases there is no justice. Especially when it comes to defending a child who has been violated. A slap on the wrist maybe. If that....

Annalisa and Nick are married. Expecting a baby. Annalisa is a PI now but things are slow as no one seems to want to hire a pregnant women to investigate anything. When her brother asks her to visit him in prison, where she put him, she is a little dismayed. But she goes. She listens to what he has to say. She meets with this guy named Joe. Joe who has spent thirteen years for the murder of a man and claims he is innocent. Annalisa takes the case. You will learn all about what he did or didn't do. You get to know Joe. You also get to know the women from Ruby's Place. A home for abused and battered women and children. You get to know them well.

This book is hard in places. It deals with abuse. It deals with child sexual abuse too. Very young girls. It's heartbreaking to know there are people in this crazy world who would do such horrendous things. To know that they do it and get away with it. This is the story of abused women and how Annalisa and Nick solve a serial killer case. 

Thank you #StMartinsPress/MinotaurBooks for this ARC.

4.75 stars. 

About

Detective Annalisa Vega hasn’t forgiven her brother for his role in a murder, and he hasn’t forgiven her for turning him in, so she’s surprised when he asks her to visit him in prison. Turns out, he has a possible case for her: one of his fellow inmates, Joe Green, may be innocent of the murder that landed him behind bars.

Joe is doing hard time for killing his ex-wife’s lawyer, but an anonymous letter sent to the prison warns that the eyewitness in Joe’s trial made up her story. With her private investigation business foundering, Annalisa is desperate enough to start poking around into Joe’s meager case. She immediately finds two problems: One, the eyewitness definitely lied about what she saw the night of the murder, and two, Annalisa’s husband Nick was the cop who arrested Joe in the first place.

Faced with correcting Nick’s mistakes, Annalisa digs deeper into Joe’s past and discovers he has two ex-wives with nothing good to say about him. The women may have orchestrated an elaborate frame to put Joe in prison, but one wife has completely disappeared since then. Did Joe somehow kill her? Or is he the real victim? Annalisa’s search for the truth tests the bounds of her marriage, her family, and her own sense of justice. Meanwhile, a devious killer keeps sending men to a watery death in the vastness of Lake Michigan. If Annalisa doesn’t figure out the truth about Joe soon, her husband might be next.