REVIEW: Six Years by Harlan Coben

Title: Six Years
Author: Harlan Coben
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: March 2013
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Harlan Coben, the master of domestic suspense, returns with a standalone thriller in the vein of #1 bestsellers Hold Tight, Caught and Stay Close that explores the depth and passion of a lost love . . . and the secrets and lies at its heart.

Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for . . . but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for more than a decade, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out.

As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart—and who lied to him—soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on carefully constructed fiction.

Harlan Coben once again delivers a shocking page-turner that deftly explores the power of past love and the secrets and lies that such love can hide.

My Thoughts: With Harlan Coben, I know I am going to get a story that’s hard to put down and draws me in, trying to guess what is going to happen next. The bad news is I’m usually wrong. The good news is I’m usually wrong. Just when you think you know what’s coming next, you get thrown for a loop with a twist you never saw coming. I love that. This book doesn’t disappoint in that area, either.

First of all, Jake was a great character, very well written, very easy to relate to and quick to like. I felt for him and the heartbreak he has been living with and admired him for trying to move on with his life after the woman he has always loved married another man. He definitely goes down the rabbit hole when he sees an obituary in the paper for the man that Natalie married. Against his better judgment, he decides to go to the funeral to get a glimpse of her. Imagine his surprise and mine, when he gets to the funeral to learn that the mourning widow is not the woman he once loved!

This story takes the reader on a roller-coaster of intrigue, mystery, lies and cover-ups as Jake begins to research to find the truth, which puts Jake’s life in danger from unknown parties. I felt like Jake can’t trust anyone. He is being lied to by people he has known for years and he has nowhere to turn for help.

My Final Verdict: Readers looking for a nail-biter of a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat will devour this one. The characters are very developed and easy to relate to. Readers who want stories with characters they feel deep empathy and compassion for will lose themselves in this story worrying about Jake and cheering him on. Readers who love to immerse themselves into stories that take them out of their minds and the distractions of daily life should give this one a shot. Well done, Mr. Coben, I look forward to more from you.

REVIEW: Mid-Life Ex-Wife by Stella Grey

Title: Mid-Life Ex-Wife
Author: Stella Grey
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Publication Date: May 2017
Genre: Memoir / Non-Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Nora Ephron meets Bridget Jones's Diary in Guardian columnist Stella Grey’s heartrendingly honest, witty memoir about her online odyssey to find real love in a virtual world.

Singers may croon about love being lovelier the second time around, but it can also be far more complicated. When Stella Grey’s husband leaves her for another woman, she fears she'll be unhappy and alone for the rest of her life. But daytime vodka-drinking and ice-cream are only short-term consolations. Realizing that she needs to take her future into her own hands, Stella dives into the world of online dating. What follow are 693 days of hilarious, depressing, and baffling encounters that unfold both in person and online. Stella quickly discovers that the more perfect a man appears on her screen, the warier she should be. It's a game of chance, with some players perfectly willing to lie to get what they want, whether that’s a lifetime of love or a very brief encounter.

Amid flirty emails, Skype chats, and awkward small talk over glasses of bad wine (which may or may not lead to awkward sex), Stella struggles to remain optimistic. To succeed, does she have to redefine the kind of man she’s looking for—or change the kind of woman she is? Funny, raw, and heartwarming, this book is a brutally honest account of the world of online dating—a world which so many of us are a part of, no matter our age—drawn from Stella’s hugely popular Guardian column, “Mid-life Ex-Wife” (and expanded with new material) about her search for a second chance at love.

My Thoughts: First time reading any of this author’s work and I absolutely loved it. I’m usually not drawn to non-fiction, though I do enjoy watching documentaries.

This author does a brilliant job of illustrating her experiences with on-line dating so vividly, I honestly felt like I was sitting next to her in a coffee-shop, having a chat with my friend, listening to her as she tells me about the wanker she met for drinks on Friday. It was wonderful as with each date, I was completely drawn in with sympathy, empathy, outrage on her behalf, laughter and tears.

Though this author isn’t the only one to experience the fun as well as the horrors of on-line dating, she takes it one step further and journals nearly 2 years of her experiences, offering sage and logical advice she learned the hard way. This book was a very fast read and I found it hard to put down.

My Final Verdict: Told entirely from the author’s point of view, each encounter offers a no-holds-barred honesty and some tongue-in-cheek humor that gives the reader a very enlightened impression of what finding “the one” online can be like. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for their happily ever after, especially if they are considering going on-line to find them.

REVIEW: Turbo Twenty-Three by Janet Evanovich

Title: Turbo Twenty-Three (Stephanie Plum #23)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: November 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: In the heart of Trenton, N.J., a killer is out to make sure someone gets his just desserts.

Larry Virgil skipped out on his latest court date after he was arrested for hijacking an eighteen-wheeler full of premium bourbon. Fortunately for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum, Larry is just stupid enough to attempt almost the exact same crime again. Only this time he flees the scene, leaving behind a freezer truck loaded with Bogart ice cream and a dead body—frozen solid and covered in chocolate and chopped pecans.

As fate would have it, Stephanie’s mentor and occasional employer, Ranger, needs her to go undercover at the Bogart factory to find out who’s putting their employees on ice and sabotaging the business. It’s going to be hard for Stephanie to keep her hands off all that ice cream, and even harder for her to keep her hands off Ranger. It’s also going to be hard to explain to Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, why she is spending late nights with Ranger, late nights with Lula and Randy Briggs—who are naked and afraid—and late nights keeping tabs on Grandma Mazur and her new fella. Stephanie Plum has a lot on her plate, but for a girl who claims to have “virtually no marketable skills,” these are the kinds of sweet assignments she does best.

My Thoughts: Another installment of Stephanie Plum and company and this series has run its course for me in terms of story-lines and character growth and development. I don’t see much more for Stephanie in terms of career opportunities or her relationships. What keeps me coming back is the mindless fluff this series provides for me. Hours of entertainment whereby I can enjoy a laugh out loud story without worrying about the details or if the story-line remains consistently accurate to the rest of the series.

I also keep coming back for Ranger, of course. Why he keeps coming back is beyond me, but I am glad he does. He has no problem conveying to Stephanie that he wants her in his bed, but for the umpteenth time, Stephanie manages to avoid temptation. I honestly don’t know why she puts up a fight. Joe Morelli is a decent guy, but their entire relationship has become boring to me. I know he loves her, but sometimes he comes across as a little condescending when he’s interacting with her. We all know Stephanie is a hot mess and the fact that she is still alive is beyond miraculous, but if I could see Joe, I suspect he is eye rolling to the extreme and, God Forbid, patting her on the head like she’s some precocious child that we tolerate because she’s adorable. Ranger is there for her. He lets her crash at his place when it isn’t safe for her at her own, he doesn’t mind when she wears his t-shirts or uses his shower gel, and he looks out for her, literally. He has her wired with GPS in just about every place you can think of. OK, that sounds a little stalkerish and is probably illegal to track someone’s whereabouts without their permission, but come on, she needs a freaking babysitter!

I also come back for Grandma Mazur. She can always be counted on to keep Stephanie and her mother on their toes. Their problem is they underestimate her so when she does something zany, they freak out. Honestly, they should be expecting the unexpected where Grandma Mazur is concerned. At least that way, they won’t be shocked or upset when she pulls one of her stunts.

I enjoyed the addition of Randy Briggs in this installment. He is usually a reprehensible character and that hasn’t changed really, but his interaction with Lula in their quest to become movie stars was highly entertaining.

My Final Verdict: If you are deep into this series, character growth and fresh storylines are expected and should be the rule. The storyline for this installment was pretty interesting with Stephanie helping Ranger, which also helps herself. As we find out, the ice-cream business can be pretty cut-throat. Fans of the series should enjoy the interesting plot, but don’t expect anything else new in terms of any resolutions to Stephanie’s same old, same old situation.

REVIEW: Straight To Hell by Michelle Scott

Title: Straight to Hell (Lilith Straight #1)
Author: Michelle Scott
Publisher: HQ Digital
Publication Date: October 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: The Devil Never Forgets a Deal

I, Lilith Straight, was the woman you always wanted to be. I was married to someone better looking than your husband; we lived in that house you always wanted. Within a year, however, all of that changed. My marriage dissolved, my house burned down, and my job hardly paid the bills. So when I was hit by a car and died, I thought my life couldn’t get any worse. Boy was I wrong.

Hell was not the place I imagined. It was worse. During my brief stay, I learned some disturbing truths about my family. Most worryingly my ancestor’s deal with the devil promising him every female descendent as a succubus.

So these were my options: Life on earth as a soul-sucking seductress. Or death and pass the succubus baton to my sweet little daughter. There was no choice. Welcome to hell on earth, Lilith. Mother, teacher, wanton she-demon.

My Thoughts: I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley and man, oh man, how fortuitous it was that I noticed this book and submitted a request to review it. Never having read anything by this author, I was not familiar with her voice or writing style, but after reading the description of this book, I couldn’t resist. Lilith Straight isn’t the type of woman I would seek out a friendship with. She even puts it quite eloquently, herself. She’s the woman the rest of us want to be. From the better looking husband and amazing home and money out the wazoo, the rest of us peasants can only stand on the sidelines and dream of that kind of life. But then everything changes for Lilith. She loses it all. Husband, house and money all go bye-bye. Can it get any worse? Lilith finds out first hand just how worse it can and does get. Lilith gets hit by a car and dies; oh and then she wakes up in Hell. Still not that bad, you say? Lilith finds out her ancestor made a deal with the Devil and her soul, along with the souls of every female descendant are in service to Hell as a Succubus. The fine print puts Lilith between a rock and a hard place when she learns that if she refuses her assignment, then her young daughter is up next.

This book was a lot of fun. Though Lilith is dealt a very bad hand, she tries to make the best of it, trying to find some balance between her succubus duties and her Mom duties, all while keeping it a secret from her friends and family. Throw in a sexy incubus that Lilith spends a lot of time with and a demon or two, Lilith has her hands full. In case you are wondering how demons shop, this book will show you and trust me, they don’t hit the racks at Ross or Nordstrom!

My Final Verdict: This book was highly entertaining. The plot flowed smoothly and the characters were interesting and easy to relate to. I liked Lilith immediately and couldn’t wait to see what she would do next. She struggles with authority and it will be interesting to find out what is in store for Lilith next.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Straight to Hell from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham

Title: Ghost Shadow (Bone Island, #1)
Author: Heather Graham
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: June 2010
Genre: Mystery / Romantic Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: There are those who walk among us who are no longer alive, but not yet crossed over. They seek retribution…vengeance…to warn. Among the living, few intuit their presence.

Katie O'Hara is one who can.

As she’s drawn deeper and deeper into a gruesome years-old murder, whispered warnings from a spectral friend become more and more insistent. But Katie must uncover the truth: could David Beckett really be guilty of his fiancée’s murder?

Worse – the body count’s rising on the Island of Bones, and the dead seem to be reenacting some macabre tableaux from history. The danger is increasing by the moment – especially as Katie finds herself irresistibly drawn to David, who may be responsible for more than just one killing….

My Thoughts: Not a bad story, overall, though the mystery felt contrived. I liked Katie and David and I'm hoping the rest of the books in this series are better.

What kept me engaged in this book and what will bring me back to this series is Bartholomew, the ghost. I found him to be the most engaging character in the story and the poor man has been dead a few hundred years! He was witty and charming and sometimes hilarious while being pompous and arrogant. I really liked how he has Katie's back, even though from Katie's point of view, it's an annoyance. I'm not quite ready for him to go into the light, but I feel bad for what he endured while he was alive and am rooting for him to get his reward and eternal peace.

REVIEW: Skinny Me by Charlene Carr

Title: Skinny Me (A New Start, #1)
Author: Charlene Carr
Publisher: Charlene Carr
Publication Date: September 2014
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Whirling from a life that's crumbling around her, Jennifer Carpenter devotes herself to the one thing she can control: becoming the ideal version of herself—a thinner version—no matter the cost.

She isn't always nice. She isn't always likable, but she's honest.

Skinny Me is an in-depth look at the complicated layers of insecurity and depression that can stem from seeking self-worth and beauty in the numbers on a scale.

This novel is beautiful, harsh, and truthful in its characterization of a woman who is flawed, yet inspirational.

My Thoughts: I ended up liking this story overall, but I have to be honest here and say, it was a real struggle to like it, much less finish it. I never warmed to the main character, Jennifer Carpenter, because in a story that features a woman who is down on her luck in all areas of her life should harvest feelings of empathy and compassion from the reader, I felt contempt. Why, you may be asking? The reason is because this character is not a nice person. She’s hostile and rude to everyone around her, even the people that truly care about her. She’s a downer to be around. She is insecure about her weight and though that is a big problem for most of us, it doesn’t give her the right to be hateful. A lot of us struggle with weight and seeking our self-worth from the scale or mirror but being nasty and rude to people isn’t acceptable. So, no, I didn’t like her.

The main reason I stuck with this story is because I was curious to see if her journey to lose weight would also lead her on a journey of self-discovery to work on what’s wrong on the inside and not just the outside. I did begin to empathize with her feelings of self-loathing and disappointment when she wasn’t seeing the results she wanted to and I admired her determination to stick with it.

My Final Verdict: Unfortunately, I wish I could say I was cheering Jennifer on until the finish line and she completely redeemed herself by the end of the book. Instead, I will say, she is headed in the right direction but has a long way to go. The best thing I took away from this book is that becoming the best version of yourself is always a work in progress. The journey is mostly up-hill and you will stumble and fall a lot, but the key is to never give up.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Skinny Me from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Echoes In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Echoes In Death (In Death #44)
Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: February 2017
Genre: Mystery / Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: After a party in New York, Lieutenant Eve Dallas rides home with her billionaire husband, Roarke, happy to be done with cocktails and small talk.

After another party, not far away, a woman retires to her bedroom with her husband—and walks into a brutal nightmare.

Their paths are about to collide…

When the young woman—dazed, naked, and bloody—wanders in front of their car, Roarke slams on the brakes just in time, and Eve, still in glittering gown and heels, springs into action. It’s been a long night for the tired homicide cop, and it’s far from over.

Daphne Strazza is rushed to the ER, but it’s too late for Dr. Anthony Strazza. A brilliant orthopedic surgeon, he now lies dead amid the wreckage of his obsessively organized town house, his three safes opened and emptied. Daphne would be a valuable witness, but in her terror and shock the only description of the perp she can offer is repeatedly calling him “the devil” . . .

While it emerges that Dr. Strazza was cold, controlling, and widely disliked—and that he treated Daphne like a trophy wife—this is one case where the evidence doesn’t point to the spouse as the first suspect. So Eve and her team must get started on the legwork, interviewing everyone from dinner-party guests to professional colleagues to caterers, in a desperate race to answer some crucial questions:

What does the devil look like? And where will he show up next?

My Thoughts: Once again J.D. Robb delivers another edge of the seat nail-biter story when Eve Dallas’s next case jumps in front of her, literally. This story has some disturbing content with the crimes committed, but once I got through that and just focused on Eve’s brilliant powers of deduction and the interaction between her and the Scooby gang, I found the story intriguing. I had a hard time figuring out the who and the why, but that’s OK. Eve and the crew do a much better job than I could.

Peabody can be annoying and a little over the top and sometimes she makes Eve’s eyes roll back into her head so hard, the reader feels it, but their relationship dynamic is wonderful to witness. They play off one another perfectly and sometimes Peabody will say something that renders even Dallas speechless. Peabody can be such a girl sometimes, but she has come so far in this series and after forty-four books of blood, mayhem and death, she’s owed a little leniency.

Roarke is brilliant as the civilian consultant we have come to know and love. I especially love his devotion and dedication to his cop and how he will rearrange the universe to make Eve his top priority. His care and concern for Eve is not something she was used to ever receiving from anyone, but after a few year of marriage, she is slowly adjusting and letting Roarke take care of her, which is also wonderful to witness.

Eve shows the same concern and devotion to her victims. It doesn’t matter who they were in life, saint or demon. In death, they are hers and she will fight for them, bring them justice, no matter the cost. Eve will give up her blood, sweat and tears to make it happen and that is what brings me back to this series over and over.

My Final Verdict: Though I have loved books in this series more than others, as a whole, this is a series I cannot get enough of. I highly recommend this series to fans of mysteries, suspense, police-procedurals and yes, even romance. Readers who love stories that draw them in and keep them plugged in with characters that really resonate and stories that keep the reader guessing will never be disappointed with this series.

REVIEW: The Curvy Girls Baby Club by Michele Gorman

Title: The Curvy Girls Baby Club (The Curvy Girls Club #2)
Author: Michele Gorman
Publisher: Notting Hill Press
Publication Date: August 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: As the co-founders of The Curvy Girls Club, where loving yourself is the only rule, can these friends practice what they preach?

Ellie is fresh back from her honeymoon and can’t wait to share her news with her best friends Katie and Jane. She's going to have a baby on Christmas day! To everyone’s surprise, mother-of-two, Jane, has news of her own… The women will be due a day apart, and Katie can’t wait to be an honorary aunt to the babies.

But as the months go on, everyone is finding it hard to keep their sense of humor, not to mention their self-esteem, in the face of swollen feet and pregnancy pants. Add a clingy mother-in-law, a career in cardiac arrest and a sex life that's making Mother Theresa look lusty, and soon the women's lives are as out of control as their bodies.

My Thoughts: One of my favorite go-to authors when I want a story with characters the reader can really relate to and a story the reader can completely immerse themselves in.

I really enjoyed the premise of these best friends who all fall pregnant at the same time. The ups and downs, the morning sickness, the swelling ankles, the expanding waistline, the food cravings, the emotional roller-coasters, meddling in-laws, unsympathetic bosses, the list goes on and on. Through it all Ellie, Katie and Jane have each other to support one another, celebrate the ups and sympathize with the downs.

This is a sequel to The Curvy Girls Club so I recommend reading that one first to get to know Ellie, Katie and Jane a little bit beforehand.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Curvy Girls Baby Club from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Troubled Spirits by Elizabeth Delisi

Title: Troubled Spirits
Author: Elizabeth Delisi
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC
Publication Date: August 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Description: When widow Laura St. Clair loses her eight-year-old son to a rare disease, she’s lost everything and has no desire to live without him. Desperate, she tries to reach the spirit of her son with a Ouija board she finds in his room amongst his favorite toys.

Laura is stunned when she actually makes contact with something. But what is it...a friendly spirit, or an evil one? Can the mysterious entity truly bring her news of her son? And if so, what will it expect from her in return?

My Thoughts: This book wasn’t what I was expecting. I was expecting a romance, but there really isn’t one. The main character is grieving the loss of her little boy when she discovers a Ouija board in her son’s room. For obvious reasons, I would have run from the room after smashing the thing to smithereens, but Laura doesn’t. Instead, she starts using it and very quickly makes contact with someone. The problem is Laura has no idea if the soul she is communicating with is benevolent or malevolent. If it were me, we would never find out because no good has come from messing around with items of supernatural power. Go watch The Exorcist, Jumanji, Hocus Pocus or The Mummy. Fortunately for Laura, what she discovers changes her life completely.

My Final Verdict: This was a short and very quick read and I found the story to be OK. The story held my interest and I liked the characters, though I had major concerns about Laura playing with a Ouija board.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Troubled Spirits from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Practical Passion by Elizabeth Delisi

Title: Practical Passion
Author: Elizabeth Delisi
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: April 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Julie Preston worked hard raising her younger sister, Emily, after their parents died, and creating a career. She gave up simple pleasures like love and relationships. So when a friend drags her to a singles bar, Julie’s ready for anything. She meets a gorgeous guy and they spend several passionate hours together. There’s real chemistry there, but Julie regretfully sticks to her promise: a one-night stand, no strings.

When Julie hires a tutor to help Emily pass English, she’s shocked to find Douglas Dean is the man from the bar. Seeing him in her house makes it hard to keep her hands off him, but he isn’t looking for a long-term relationship since he’s a singles bar patron. Right?

How many miles can Julie jog before she gives in and jumps him?

My Thoughts: Short story about a woman who learns that having responsibilities and working hard doesn’t mean you can’t have a life and find a little something for yourself along the way.

Julie Preston doesn’t know what it’s like to have a life, to pursue her dreams or to love and be loved in return. All of that changed when Julie’s parents died and she stepped in as guardian for her younger sister, Emily. Over the years, Julie’s primary focus has been building a career to support herself and Emily. Julie finally agrees to go out with a friend to a singles bar and even agrees that a one-night stand with no strings would be a good respite from her current day to day routine. At the bar, she meets a man who stirs up feelings she didn’t think she would feel. They have a passionate night, but Julie sticks to her guns that it will only be one night.

When Julie hires a tutor to help Emily, I was NOT shocked, though Julie is, the tutor, Douglas Dean, is the man from the bar. If you are going to have a one-night stand with a stranger, Doug is the kind of guy every woman should be lucky enough to find. A man who is attractive, smart, attentive and kind, Doug is exactly the kind of man Julie needs in her life. Now here is where I had an issue with the story. Julie fights her attraction and feelings for Doug, thinks if she takes off jogging every time he comes over, she will somehow purge those feelings from her. Yeah, right… Julie also decides that since she met Doug in a bar and they had a one-night stand, he can’t possibly be looking for a long-term relationship. Who cares, Julie? Up until you met Doug, YOU weren’t looking for a long-term relationship! You weren’t looking for ANY term relationship! Luckily for Julie, Doug has a plan and isn’t a quitter and Emily, isn’t a baby and thinks its way past time for Julie to have a life.

My Final Verdict: Despite Julie almost ruining this book for me, Emily and Doug save the day and Julie gets her happily ever after. I don’t like “big misunderstanding” plot devices that drag a story into boring blah blah blah and though it appeared that this was going to happen, thankfully, it didn’t. I recommend this story to fans of contemporary romance who enjoy seeing good people get their happily ever after, no drama and no long-suffering Wuthering Heights tragedy.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Practical Passion from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The 1st Victim by Tami Hoag

Title: The 1st Victim (Kovac and Liska #3.5)
Author: Tami Hoag
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: May 2013
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska return to investigate the death of a Jane Doe in New York Times bestseller Tami Hoag’s short story The 1st Victim.

New Year’s Day is a time for new beginnings, but Minneapolis homicide detectives Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska are focused on endings: specifically, the tragic end of their latest murder victim, an unidentified young woman discovered on the side of the freeway. Believed to be the victim of a serial killer, Kovac and Liska are determined to do the girl the small justice of returning her body to her family as they investigate her case, but it is no simple task matching the broken corpse to any of the scores of missing persons reports, especially when no one seems to be looking for her.

Meanwhile, recent widow Jeannie Reiser is frantic when she is unable to get in touch with her daughter, Rose, who, as an eighteen-year-old, is a legal adult rather than a missing child in the eyes of the law. Jeannie’s desperate attempts to get the police to believe her child is in trouble lead her closer and closer to the New Year’s Doe and to an evil even Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska may be unable to stop.

My Thoughts: The 1st Victim is a short story that introduces us to Doc Holiday, the serial killer who we get to know better in The 9th Girl and whose actions are a direct catalyst for Cold, Cold Heart.

As with most short stories, there isn’t a lot of time spent fleshing out or otherwise developing the characters and I normally don’t read short stories for that reason. But when they are part of a series, they are more a filler story, bridging a gap between books where the character development really happens. With some series, it’s a treat for the readers; a fix to get them through their DT’s of waiting for the next book.

I can’t say I loved this story but I did enjoy it and spending time with Nicki and Sam are always a treat. This story was more of a preview, of sorts, of what is coming down the road for Nicki and Sam. As homicide detectives, they have seen their share of the heinous and horrendous. They work perfectly as a team, always there for one another and having each other’s back. Their partnership is the kind we should all strive to have with our workmates. Tami Hoag does a brilliant job of creating characters that readers easily connect to and empathize with. Even the characters that the readers do not like are able to grab the attention of the reader, keeping them engaged throughout the story.

Unfortunately there are no happy endings or justice for the victim’s family in this book. The killer is just getting started and his reign of terror is far from over. I recommend this book to readers of mysteries, thrillers and police procedurals. The suspense isn’t as nail-biting as the author’s earlier books, but this is a short story and a good segue into the next book.

REVIEW: Hello From The Gillespies by Monica McInerney

Title: Hello From the Gillespies
Author: Monica McInerney
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: November, 2014
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: For the past thirty-three years, Angela Gillespie has sent to friends and family around the world an end-of-the-year letter titled “Hello from the Gillespies.” It’s always been cheery and full of good news. This year, Angela surprises herself—she tells the truth....

The Gillespies are far from the perfect family that Angela has made them out to be. Her husband is coping badly with retirement. Her thirty-two-year-old twins are having career meltdowns. Her third daughter, badly in debt, can’t stop crying. And her ten-year-old son spends more time talking to his imaginary friend than to real ones.

Without Angela, the family would fall apart. But when a bump on the head leaves Angela with temporary amnesia, the Gillespies pull together—and pull themselves together—in wonderfully surprising ways....

My Thoughts: Ah, yes the annual Christmas letter that we have all sent and/or received. Filled with news of how lovely our year has been, focusing and, often, exaggerating on the positive bits. For the past thirty-three years, Angela Gillespie has done just that. Until this year, after a conversation with her best friend, Joan, Angela unloads her thoughts and feelings about her family, marriage, life, everything into this letter. The good, the bad, and the ugly all go in, like an episode of Jerry Springer. Angela has no intention of sending it, but it feels so good to get it off her chest. In a way, it’s therapeutic. Without judgment, Angela can vent her fears and frustrations. Angela doesn’t count on her son having an accident and rushing him to the hospital, where she forgets about the letter sitting on her computer. Her husband, trying to be helpful and thinking he is doing a good thing, clicks send for her and Angela’s moment of truth goes out to over 150 recipients.

What ensues is a story of a family trying to come to terms with what has been revealed about them and the fallout they fear will happen as a result. It’s also a story about forgiveness and healing, making mistakes and being human and living life the best way we can with what we know and how we feel.

I really enjoyed this story. Ms. McInerney writes a story that flows smoothly with characters that are vibrant in their different personalities and lives. I was very curious for what would happen next and hoping for a happily ever after for all of them. Every single member of this family experiences a loss and I enjoyed how they each overcome it and grow from it.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who like stories of imperfect people living their best lives, the best they can, holding on to love and hope.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Hello From the Gillespies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Left Behind by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

Title: Left Behind (Left Behind #1)
Author: Time LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 2000
Genre: Christian Fiction / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: An airborne Boeing 747 is headed to London when, without any warning, passengers mysteriously disappear from their seats. Terror and chaos slowly spread not only through the plane, but also worldwide as unusual events continue to unfold. For those who have been left behind, the apocalypse has just begun...

My Thoughts: Very enjoyable story, though very frightening too. This was a re-read fifteen years after reading it the first time.

This story centers on the Rapture and the effect it has on four major characters who have been left behind. Rayford Steele is an airline pilot with a wandering eye who is frustrated with his wife's Christian beliefs and feels she puts her faith in Jesus ahead of her marriage. Chloe Steele is Ray's oldest daughter. Like her father, she doesn't share her mother's faith and has more important things to worry about than the tension brewing at home. Bruce Barnes is one of the pastors at New Hope Village Church, where Ray's wife worships. Cameron "Buck" Williams is a journalist for a weekly news magazine. After the Rapture, these four characters band together as born again Christians and form the Tribulation Force to prepare others who were left behind for the seven years of trials and tribulations that will come before Jesus's Glorious Appearing and the final defeat of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet.

Regardless of one's faith or belief, this story is a real nail-biter of intense suspense. The introduction of the Antichrist and the power he commands was frightening. I thought this story was very realistic too, as evidenced by the reactions and explanations people had regarding the disappearance of millions of people at the same time.

I highly recommend this story for people of all faiths and beliefs, as the Rapture and the rise of the Antichrist will affect everyone, one way or another.

REVIEW: Ice by Linda Howard

Title: Ice
Author: Linda Howard
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: November 2009
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: On holiday leave from the service, Gabriel McQueen is sent into a brewing ice storm to make sure that his father’s distant neighbor, Lolly Helton, who has fallen out of contact, is safe and sound. It’s a trip that Gabriel would rather not make, given the bitter winter weather—and the icy conditions that have always existed between him and Lolly. Arriving at Lolly’s home, Gabriel spots strangers through the windows—one of them packing a weapon—and kicks into combat mode. But once Lolly is rescued, the heat—and the hunt—are on. Snowbound, unarmed, and literally under the gun, Gabriel and Lolly must depend on each other to endure the merciless forces of nature and evade the ruthless enemy out in the blackness of the silent night—and out for their blood.

My Thoughts: As you can see, it has taken me quite a while to get to this book, mostly due to my reservations about the storyline. I had to talk myself into starting this one because I thought a story about two people trying to outrun killers in a deadly blizzard would hold no appeal for me. Fortunately, this story held so much more that wasn’t evident to me before I started reading.

There is major history between Gabriel and Lolly, and not the good kind. They have known each other since high school and though they have not kept in touch over the years, the memories they hold are far from fond. When Gabriel is asked by his father to go check on Lolly, Gabriel is less than thrilled. Gabriel’s a good guy, so he does and finds himself in the role of rescuer when he spots armed intruders in Lolly’s house. The story kicks up several notches when after the rescue is made, they have to figure out a way to get back down the mountain without being killed by the intruders or Mother Nature.

My Final Verdict: The story moves at an enjoyable pace. Without getting mired in the details and too much of a character’s inner monologue, which drives me up the wall, the author keeps the story moving with believable and relatable characters. Even the intruders are believable and realistic. I have to say several scenes had me tense with apprehension.

This story isn’t very long and though the author does a fabulous job of wrapping up loose ends, I did feel there were parts that were rushed. I had a hard time accepting that Gabriel and Lolly fell in love that fast, especially with their adversarial past. I’m not completely discounting it, however. Anything is possible in a situation where it’s kill or be killed. I’m just not convinced they are ready to make a life-long commitment. At least not yet. Perhaps if the story had run a little longer, I would have felt differently. For me, the story ended quite abruptly. I would have liked to have seen more of the relationship development and more interaction between Lolly and Sam. Readers of romantic suspense fiction will still enjoy this story and the edge of the seat action.

REVIEW: Apprentice In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Apprentice In Death (In Death #43)
Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: September, 2016
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible | BN

Description: Lieutenant Eve Dallas returns in a fast-paced new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb.

Nature versus nurture...

The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people were dead at Central Park’s ice skating rink. The victims: a talented young skater, a doctor, and a teacher. As random as random can be.

Eve Dallas has seen a lot of killers during her time with the NYPSD, but never one like this. After reviewing security videos, it becomes clear that the victims were killed by a sniper firing a tactical laser rifle, who could have been miles away when the trigger was pulled. And though the locations where the shooter could have set up seem endless, the list of people with that particular skill set is finite: police, military, professional killer.

Eve’s husband, Roarke, has unlimited resources—and genius—at his disposal. And when his computer program leads Eve to the location of the sniper, she learns a shocking fact: There were two; one older, one younger. Someone is being trained by an expert in the science of killing, and they have an agenda. Central Park was just a warm-up. And as another sniper attack shakes the city to its core, Eve realizes that though we’re all shaped by the people around us, there are those who are just born evil...

My Thoughts: As a reader, I am reaping the rewards of the imagination J.D. Robb has, though dark and twisted it might be. Her ability to take one moment and weave a complex and edgy story around it takes serious talent and skill. For me an active shooter case always fills me with terror and dread. It can happen anywhere to anyone with no warning. The only thing separating society from the monsters is our ability to use rational thought to problem solve our differences and make informed choices.

Unfortunately, not everyone follows this logic and reverts to monstrous behavior. When an active shooter incident happens in Central Park, Eve and her gang begin their investigation, having no idea just how heinous this crime is and how much worse it will get. Eve learns that not all the victims were random; some were deliberate and definitely connected. I was shocked to learn not only who the killer was but horrified at who the apprentice is and the reason behind the killings. Random or deliberate, it sent a chill down my spine thinking about how fleeting life is and how important it is to make every moment count. Tomorrow is certainly not guaranteed to anyone.

My Final Verdict: There isn’t a whole lot more that I can say about this series that hasn’t already been said. Each story packs a punch, but this one really hits hard. I love the methodical way Eve tackles the case. She is excellent at organizing her board and compartmentalizing the details for easier recall later on. Her team works together perfectly like peanut butter and jelly. The storylines ring true and relevant, the characters are realistic and it’s so easy for me to relate to them all.

Most importantly, the conversations Eve has with those around her are priceless. She comes across as impatient, bossy and grouchy, actually she isn’t coming across that way. She really is impatient, bossy and grouchy, for the most part and that’s what makes her such an amazing character. She has all of these flaws that should make the head-shrinkers at NYPSD recommend her removal from a position of authority, but instead the top dogs of NYPSD defer to her knowledge, experience and abilities to investigate the cases in a way nobody else can. She’s just getting started and we all can expect much more from our amazing cop.

REVIEW: Eyes On You by Kate White

Title: Eyes On You
Author: Kate White
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: June, 2014
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | Audible | BN

Description: From New York Times bestselling author Kate White, comes a riveting psychological suspense in which a media star must battle a malevolent enemy who may be disturbingly close to her.

After losing her on-air job two years ago, television host Robin Trainer has fought her way back and now she’s hotter than ever. With her new show climbing in the ratings and her first book a bestseller, she’s being dubbed a media double threat.

But suddenly, things begin to go wrong. Small incidents at first: a nasty note left in her purse; her photo shredded. But the obnoxious quickly becomes threatening when the foundation the makeup artist uses burns Robin’s face. It wasn’t an accident—someone had deliberately doctored with the product.

An adversary with a dark agenda wants to hurt Robin, and the clues point to someone she works with every day. While she frantically tries to put the pieces together and unmask this hidden foe, it becomes terrifyingly clear that the person responsible isn’t going to stop until Robin loses everything that matters to her . . . including her life.

My Thoughts: I first started reading Kate White’s books when I discovered the Bailey Weggins series. I found her stand-alone novels to be engaging, capturing my attention with the storylines and intriguing characters. Eyes On You doesn’t disappoint either.

We meet Robin Trainer after losing her job two years prior. She is at a party promoting her new book and her new TV show is gaining ratings and popularity. Strange and increasingly threatening events begin to happen to Robin, nasty notes, shredded photos, drugged food, even her makeup gets sabotaged, causing burns to Robin’s face.

This story leads the reader on a hunt for the perpetrator. Not just who, but why? Who hates Robin enough to scare her, terrorize her, hurt her and even want her dead? This story takes stalking to a whole different level as Robin realizes the person doing this is someone close by, someone she works with every day, someone she trusts.

My Final Verdict: This story is a very dark depiction of the lengths someone is willing to go to destroy another person, regardless of the reason. It was impossible for me to figure out who was behind the attacks and was surprised at the big reveal. The storyline kept me interested in the outcome and I found the characters to be realistic and relatable. Readers of suspenseful thrillers will enjoy this story.

REVIEW: Dying For A Date by Cindy Sample

Title: Dying for a Date (Laurel McKay Mysteries #1)
Author: Cindy Sample
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication Date: September, 2013
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: WOULD DATING BE THE DEATH OF HER?

Unsure if she is looking for Mr. Right, or Mr. Every Other Saturday Night, divorced mother of two, Laurel McKay reluctantly joins THE LOVE CLUB, a popular local dating service. Dressed to kill, she meets bachelor number one at a trendy restaurant. But the date is a bust, literally, when the guy decides Laurel is dessert, and she breaks his nose with her cell phone. It gets even worse when the man is found murdered the next morning, and Laurel has his blood on her clothes.

Despite her now being a person of interest to the police, Laurel bravely ventures out on date number two. When that unlucky bachelor disappears during dinner, Laurel’s only alibi is a bottle of Dom Perignon. The sexy investigating detective thinks she’s innocent and is worried she may be the next target. That’s more than enough motivation for Laurel to find a murderer determined to kill her social life––before dating becomes a dead end she can’t escape.

My Thoughts: Interesting story of single mom who goes on several dates ending with her dates being dead. Obviously, she is the prime suspect so she and a slew of interesting characters commit themselves to finding the real killer.

It was enjoyable and fans of the cozy mystery genre will enjoy it too, however I'm on the fence if I want to continue the series. I liked Laurel, but found her a little annoying at times and thought she put herself in harm's way too often for my liking.

REVIEW: Slaughtered by K.A. Lugo

Title: Slaughtered (Jack Slaughter #1)
Author: K.A. Lugo
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: October, 2018
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: The Texter

Fallen homicide detective, Jack Slaughter, closes the door on the home where his perfect family has been brutally snatched from him. Moving across the city, he works as a private investigator to fund his own investigation into what happened to his family—who killed his little girl, Zoë, and where is his wife, Leah?

Every three month for the last three years, Jack receives a simple text telling him where he can find his missing wife. There’s a body at each location, but none of them are Leah.

Jack hates missing person’s cases, but they’re his bread and butter. He only takes the case to find Carl Boyd's missing wife because the details of her disappearance closely match Leah’s. He hopes by finding Bonnie Boyd, he'll find his own wife.

The Butcher

Following the leads in the Bonnie Boyd case, Jack discovers someone has been killing women all over the city for the last three years, a fact Jack’s ex-partner and still best friend, Ray Navarro, has neglected to tell him. The city has a serial killer and officials haven’t been able to find a single lead on the person they’ve dubbed The Butcher.

Could Bonnie Boyd’s disappearance be linked to The Butcher? More important, was Leah one of The Butcher’s victims? Could he have gone so far as to murder a child? With every clue Jack weaves together, his own life unravels even more.

My Thoughts: K.A. Lugo hits a homerun with the first book in her debut series about a police detective who has turned his back on his badge and the justice system when his young daughter and family dog are found murdered and his wife has vanished without a trace. For the next three years, Jack receives texts from someone toying with him, telling him where his wife’s body is, only for Jack to discover that its someone else’s body, murdered in the most heinous way.

Jack takes on missing persons cases as a private investigator but still holds onto the hope that one day Leah will be found and he can finally get the answers he so desperately seeks and the peace that having closure will bring.

This story grabs the reader from the start and its one fast and intense ride, so hold on tight! Jack is a character you can’t help but empathize with and root for. His grief comes across sharp and painful. His reminisces about Leah make his pain all the more vivid.

This story held a lot of surprises for me and the unmasking of the killer leaves more questions than answers that I predict will be made clear in future installments. I really enjoyed the side plot of the missing person case Jack is working on, which was really interesting, as well. Jack’s quest for justice is far from over, but with the support of his former partner and best friend, he is on the right path.

My Final Verdict: There are some gruesome and graphic descriptions of murder scenes that the weak kneed reader may struggle with, but it’s relevant to the story. I highly recommend this to all readers and fans of thrillers, suspense and police procedural plots will enjoy the hard-edged and sordid backdrop of this story. The characters are realistic and believable. The plot and dialogue flow smoothly and fit the characters and their personalities.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Slaughtered from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag

Title: Cold Cold Heart
Author: Tami Hoag
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: January, 2015
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Dana Nolan was a promising young TV reporter until a notorious serial killer tried to add her to his list of victims. Nearly a year has passed since surviving her ordeal, but the physical, emotional, and psychological scars run deep. Struggling with the torment of post-traumatic stress syndrome, plagued by flashbacks and nightmares as dark as the heart of a killer, Dana returns to her hometown in an attempt to begin to put her life back together. But home doesn’t provide the comfort she expects.

Dana’s harrowing story and her return to small town life have rekindled police and media interest in the unsolved case of her childhood best friend, Casey Grant, who disappeared without a trace the summer after their graduation from high school. Terrified of truths long-buried, Dana reluctantly begins to look back at her past. Viewed through the dark filter of PTSD, old friends and loved ones become suspects and enemies. Questioning everything she knows, refusing to be defined by the traumas of her past and struggling against excruciating odds, Dana seeks out a truth that may prove too terrible to be believed…

My Thoughts: Really enjoyed this story about a woman who survives the unthinkable horror of being the next victim of a serial killer. Dana Nolan had a great life as a TV reporter living the dream. Then she is kidnapped and nearly killed by a notorious serial killer. Her will to survive and live enables her to overcome the horror but not without many scars on the outside and the inside.

She returns to her hometown to put her life back together but learns there are questions and dangers there as well. Dana’s best friend, Casey, disappeared right after high school graduation and has never been seen or heard from since. Dana realizes that in order to heal from her ordeal, she has to look to the past to find the answers to questions she cannot remember, which makes her also realize that she doesn’t know whom she trust.

The reader doesn’t meet Dana prior to her encounter with the serial killer so the Dana we know is one who is plagued with PTSD and nightmares. She isn’t the sweet and happy girl her friends and family remember. She speaks her mind, quite brutally at times and seems to have lost the ability to have feelings of empathy or compassion. So you can imagine the shock and dismay people feel when Dana starts asking blunt questions about Casey and her disappearance, unaware and probably not caring whose toes she steps on or who she offends.

I liked Dana, though I found her a little hard to relate to at times. I understood her anger and irritability, but it was still a little shocking at times. The author does an amazing job of weaving the past and present together, slowly peeling back layers into Dana’s past, without revealing too much too soon. When the killer is revealed, I can’t say I was too surprised, but more that Dana didn’t catch on sooner. The ending was typical nail-biting edge-of-your-seat intense that this author does so well.

My Final Verdict: Readers who enjoy intense storylines with a mystery to solve and a thrilling ride along the way will enjoy this offering. I also highly recommend it to everyone who enjoy a good story with damaged characters who survive against all odds to come out ahead.

REVIEW: Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen

Title: Relatively Normal
Author: Whitney Dineen
Publisher: 33 Partners Publishing
Publication Date: October, 2018
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Catriona Masterton's fiancé, Ethan, is Normal. He plans trips six months in advance and arrives at the airport a minimum of three hours early. He purchases life insurance, luggage insurance, and always opts for the extended warranty. He's responsible, reliable, and would make any woman a wonderful life partner. In other words, he's the exact opposite of the Masterton clan. Cat's mother has a kitchen gadget fetish, a father whose best friends are taxidermied field mice, and a super stoner man-child brother who lives--where else?--in the basement. Then there's Nan, her proud Scottish grandmother with a proclivity for profanity and mischief. What on earth will Catriona's Normal fiancé think when he comes home with her to meet her parents? What will he think when he discovers his soon-to-be in-laws invited Cat's ex to join them for Thanksgiving dinner? Find out in a laugh-out-loud journey of self-discovery, familial pandemonium, and love. A must read for fans of a true romantic comedy!

My Thoughts: Fun story about a woman who finds herself in the middle between what she thinks is normal and what is right. Cat believes she has found the perfect mate in Ethan. He is uber organized, reliable, responsible and dependable. He won’t break her heart and he isn’t weird like her family. He is the complete opposite of Cat’s family and she has avoided introducing him to her family until now. A trip home for Thanksgiving reopens doors to the past and Cat finds herself struggling to come to terms with not only who her family is, but ultimately who she is and what she wants. This story takes on a real interesting angle when Cat finds out her parents invited her high school sweetheart to join them for Thanksgiving. Cat’s grandmother also adds a lot of humorous twists to the story with her feisty nature.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. The author does an excellent job of creating appealing characters in a story that entertains on many levels. The story moves forward at an enjoyable pace, it held my interest and kept me engaged. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy stories about families and coming home.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Relatively Normal from the author in exchange for an honest review.