My Book Reviews

Category: Psychological

The Second Wife by Miranda Rijks

The Second Wife by Miranda Rijks

Release: May 16, 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kindle

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She married the man she loved. Then she met his family.

Tamsin has recently married renowned composer Robin Featherstone. Robin is much older, but Tamsin doesn’t care – she’s in love.
And she knows Robin loves her too, even if he is very close to another young woman – his assistant, Mia.
But Robin’s ex-wife and grown children aren’t happy. They’re sure Tamsin is a gold-digger and Mia is an opportunist.
Then, when Robin dies suddenly, the family realizes their worst fears. Tamsin stands to inherit everything. But when they read the will, its contents are beyond shocking.
As Mia and Tamsin are pitted against each other, only one thing is clear. The family will go to any lengths to stop either of them from inheriting even a part of Robin’s estate.
Isolated in the family mansion, fearing for their lives and distrustful of each other, Tamsin and Mia are determined to stand their ground. But then a dark family secret is revealed which may engulf them all…

The Second Wife – the stunning psychological thriller from the author of The Visitors, The Arrangement, The New Neighbour.

About the Author:

Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden center. She’s been writing all of her life and has a master’s in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter, and black Labrador.

Miranda is the author of psychological thrillers. This will be her fourteenth novel published with Inkubator Books.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The Second Wife Review:

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The first thing that struck me about the story is the character’s relationships. I loved reading about Mia and Tamsin and their scenes together more than the suspense. While the two don’t start on the best note, seeing how they interacted after Robin’s demise was interesting. I thought the author wrote their dynamics wonderfully. Moreover, the plot felt fresh, and you didn’t know how it would progress or how the characters would react to the situations.

Secondly, I enjoyed the cast of characters. Whether it be Mia, Tamsin, David, Claudia, or Brooke, each person feels as if they are hiding some secrets, and it was fun to see some of their backstories revealed. I especially enjoyed Mia’s backstory and the scenes with the Detectives. David, in particular, intrigued me because I didn’t know his true intentions. I didn’t realize how my feelings towards some of them changed throughout the story.

Thirdly, I liked the twists. Some notable moments are when they announce Robin’s will or even the twist in the end. You think the author has revealed everything to the story, but towards the very last page, the author reveals another surprising connection that I did not expect.

Perhaps the only downside is I predicted who was behind it well in advance. But, I wasn’t sure of the culprit’s intentions, and it was interesting to see how everything fit together. Moreover, the story gets a bit slow towards the middle, and I wish there had been more twists.

Other than that, I loved this book. The author is becoming one of my favorites, and I cannot wait to read what suspenseful thriller she will write next. Overall, “The Second Wife” is an exciting addition to the author’s portfolio, and I enjoyed it.

Book Tour Schedule:

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Second Wife by Miranda Rijks Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

May 29, 2022
Free From Sin by Karen Ann Hopkins

Free From Sin by Karen Ann Hopkins

Release: February 22, 2022
Format: Paperback, audiobook, eBook
Publisher: Karen Ann Hopkins
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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FREE FROM SIN is a gripping psychological crime thriller/mystery story about the intertwining lives of three unlikely women in the hills of Kentucky, and the explosive results when a troubled teenager has her day of reckoning.

Sheriff Sadie Mills navigates the challenges of single motherhood while solving crimes in the rural community of Possum Gap, Kentucky. The recent trailer shootings in her jurisdiction have her on edge, and the new coroner, a Yankee transplant from the east coast, is still adjusting to life in the wilderness when all hell breaks loose. Cases stemming from an out-of-control hillbilly clan, sex trafficking, and a murder in the nearby Amish community collide, and Sheriff Mills finds herself in a race to stop a serial killer before they strike again.

Lucinda Coblentz is a devoted wife, mother, and member of a strict religious order. Her kind and generous ways make her the perfect target of a master manipulator and has put her beloved family in grave danger. Can she make matters right before it’s too late?

About the Author:

Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats. Karen’s main job is home schooling the kids, but she finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lived in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.

Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse’s name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen’s steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, she found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Karen is currently working on her Amish mystery series, Serenity’s Plain Secrets, along with the YA paranormal/fantasy series, The Wings of War and the YA contemporary Temptation series. Karen is also excited to announce the Temptation series has been optioned for TV by Pilgrim Studios and is available on Audible.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads | BookBub

Free From Sin Review:

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“Free From Sin” is a gripping mystery novel that stood out for me because of how emotionally invested I got in the characters.

The first thing that struck me was how the author wrote the characters. We get the story from three perspectives, Charlie, Lucinda, and Sadie. Each of them brought something fresh to the plot, and my heart went out to Lucinda. I loved how protective she gets over Charlie, despite how James cautions her. Also, I initially loved Lucinda and Charlie’s bond and wondered how things would progress with Charlie blending in the Amish community while admiring the bishop’s son, Marvin. Even characters like Dillon gave me the creeps. The first half of the story shined because of Lucinda and Charlie.

However, the book’s second half surprised me because it took it in another direction. The story turns darker, and I find myself rooted more in Sadie’s storyline as she investigates the murders with Russo. The author speeds the pace towards the end, and I had moments where I couldn’t believe what some of the characters did. While it is not a direction I would have hoped for, I admire the author for executing the story this way. Some of the highlights of the tale are when Charlie makes a run or her scenes with Vivian. Moreover, I enjoyed how the author balanced the story’s tone with each character’s perspective. We have the gritty crime fiction scenes with Sadie, Lucinda’s peaceful and tranquil Amish life, and the exciting suspense with Charlie.

Perhaps the only minor criticism was unnecessary characters in the canvas like Darcy, Martha, and Geraldine. Overall, “Free From Sin” is a gripping thriller, and I look forward to revisiting Sadie on her next case!

Giveaway details:

1 winner will win a $50 Amazon GC, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Free From Sin by Karen Ann Hopkins Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
Jazzy Book Reviews-Excerpt-2-21-2022
BookHounds-Excerpt-2-22-2022
Lady Hawkeye-Excerpt/IG Post-2-23-2022
boozybook blog-Review/IG Post-2-24-2022
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog-Excerpt-2-25-2022

Week Two:
@reading.late.into.the.night-Review-2-28-2022
Take A Look At My Bookshelf-Review-3-1-2022
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review/IG Post-3-2-2022
@curlygrannylovestoread -Review-3-3-2022
@coffeesipsandreads-Review-3-4-2022

March 6, 2022
Bluebird At My Window by H. Noah

Bluebird At My Window by H. Noah

Release: February 15th 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: H. Noah
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

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When faced with trauma, how would you react?

Would you survive, succumb, or lose yourself to your own meaning of justice?

Ann was only seventeen when she died. She tried to be a dutiful daughter, to pray, to repent. But it wasn’t enough. Her mother, Diane, didn’t mean to kill her but when she found Ann consorting with devils, she had no choice. She believed the angels-that in the end, the water would save them both.

But every choice holds weight.

One death, and Arthur is thrown back into the work he wanted to leave. Again, One death, and Richard must face the reality of his choices. One death, and Maddie and Marie are confronted with the hardest parts of love.

If only good intentions were enough to keep them from the carnage of their own decisions . . .

A dark contemporary fiction drenched in blood, this debut novel from H. Noah has an intricate true crime feeling with psychological depth.

Content Warning

The following book centers around processing trauma. Please be aware that it will touch upon such topics as violence, sexual assault (not overly descriptive), racism, microaggressions, misogyny, incest, and homophobia. This book also focuses on mental health and will cover depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation, hearing voices, religious fixations, delusions, self-harm, and drug abuse.

And this book is dark due to the topics covered.

This is not a horror or thriller meant to scare you. Please be kind to yourself and put the book back if you are not in a good place to read any of the things mentioned above.

Author Bio:

H. Noah,Queer Writer (They/Them)

I’ve been a massage therapist, social worker, poet, teacher, and more. I’ve lived in Alaska, Maine and many places in-between. Still trying to find a forever place but currently traveling the US.
Degrees
B.A. – Criminology
M.S. – I-O Psychology
Extra
Book, Video Game, Horror Movie, and Board Game Fanatic. Who enjoys long walks, my two pets, and an air of mystery.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | TikTok

Bluebird At My Window Review:

“Bluebird At My Window” surprised me because of its subject matter and how the author tackled the forms of trauma.

The story immediately captured my attention when we learned of Ann’s death right from the beginning. What intrigued me about the story is how the author wrote the characters. You form a connection to each of the characters and feel for them because, in their opinion, they firmly believe that what they are doing is right. I was surprised that even Diane was mesmerizing, as, in any other story, I would have disliked the character. Similarly, Arthur, Marie, Richard, and Maddie also drive the story well. I enjoyed Arthur’s role as he became obsessed over Ann’s case and wondered how he would reflect on the events. Moreover, I loved the bond between Marie and Maddie. Initially, I thought how Maddie’s character would have relevance to the tale, but the author makes her prominent.

Moreover, there are many triggers like assault, trauma, misogyny, and violence, so this book is not for everyone. Yet, I thought the author handled the subject matter well in line with the plot. There are also shocking, suspenseful moments, like the courtroom scenes and Arthur and Marie’s events post that. It was fascinating to see how Ann’s murder caused a ripple effect on all these characters, and some moments will give you goosebumps and chills.

Perhaps the only criticism I have of the tale is that it was bumpy initially—the author shifts between the characters of so many people that I took time to adapt. However, after the first few chapters, I was glued to the tale.

Overall, “Bluebird At My Window” is a raw, gripping, and engaging read that deals with the

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on thBluebird At My Window by H. Noah Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
Rockstar Book Tours-Kickoff Post-2-7/-2022
@jaimerockstarbooktours-IG Post-2-7-2022
Mythical Books-Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post-2-8-2022
Writer of Wrongs-Excerpt or Guest Post-2-8-2022
The Momma Spot-Excerpt or Guest Post-2-9-2022
BookHounds YA-Excerpt or Guest Post-2-9-2022
Daily Waffle-Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post-2-10-2022
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-2-10-2022
The Girl Who Reads-Review-2-11-2022
Jazzy Book Reviews-Review-2-11-2022

Week Two:
Take A Look At My Bookshelf-Review-2-14-2022
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog-Review-2-14-2022
Adrienne Woods-Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post-2-15-2022
Karen Dee’s Book Reviews-IG Spotlight-2-15-2022
Sadie’s Spotlight-Excerpt or Guest Post/IG Post-2-16-2022
@coffeesipsandreads-Review-2-16-2022
Two Points of Interest-Review-2-17-2022
Two Chicks on Books-Excerpt or Guest Post-2-17-2022
Momfluenster-Review-2-18-2022
Dr Roha Tahir-Review-2-18-2022

February 19, 2022
The Couple at Number 9 A Novel by Claire Douglas

The Couple at Number 9 A Novel by Claire Douglas

Release: August 2nd 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Source: NetGalley
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

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“Tense, twisty, fraught with emotion and packed with secrets, The Couple at Number 9 is Claire’s best thriller yet.”–Gilly MacMillan, bestselling author of What She Knew

The internationally bestselling author of Do Not Disturb and Just Like the Other Girls delivers a heart-pounding psychological thriller about a couple who inherit what seems to be their dream home, until they make a horrifying discovery–and the danger begins.

The Victims . . .
When pregnant Saffron Cutler moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations, the last thing she expects is builders uncovering human remains. The remains of two bodies, in fact.

The Investigation . . .
Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried at least thirty years. Saffy has nothing to worry about–until the police launch a murder inquiry and ask to speak to the cottage’s former owner. Her grandmother, Rose.

The Witness . . .
Rose is in a nursing home and Alzheimer’s means her memory is increasingly confused. She can’t help the police, but its’ clear she remembers something.

The Killer . . .
As Rose’s fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched.

The Truth . . .
What happened thirty years ago? Why did no one miss the victims? What part did her grandmother play? And is Saffy now in danger?

About the Author:

Claire Douglas has worked as a journalist for fifteen years, writing features for women’s magazines and newspapers, but she’s dreamed of being a novelist since the age of seven. She finally got her wish after winning Marie Claire’s Debut Novel Award for her first book, The Sisters, which became a bestseller.

She is also the award winning author of seven stand alone thrillers, THE SISTERS, LOCAL GIRL MISSING, LAST SEEN ALIVE, DO NOT DISTURB, THEN SHE VANISHES, JUST LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS and her most recent, THE COUPLE AT NO. 9, which is a number one Amazon bestseller and reached number three on the Sunday Times bestsellers list. Her books have sold over 500,000 copies in the UK and have been translated into twenty languages

She lives in Bath, England, with her husband and two children.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The Couple at Number 9 A Novel Review:

Wow! Where do I begin with this one? “The Couple at No. 9” is terrific and the first mystery thriller I loved reading in 2022.

There is just so much happening in the tale that there is never a dull moment. Let’s begin with the characters. I loved all the characters and thought they brought something fresh to the table. On the one hand, we have Saffy, who is pregnant and discovers dead bodies in her garden. Then, you have Lorna, Saffy’s mom, who I adored because she is flaky and comical, but a pivotal character too, who joins her daughter for the investigation. Throw in Theo, who is also investigating another case and wants to find the truth. As if this is not enough, we also get a parallel story from years back about a woman and her feelings for another woman. The author beautifully weaves an intricate plot that keeps you guessing what is happening and how all these characters somehow connect.

Moreover, I loved the author’s style of writing. This book is the perfect example of what I expect in a mystery thriller. The author throws in shocking twists and turns that you don’t see coming at all. Also, the author surprises you again when you feel that the plot is over. Yet, in the end, you are satisfied with how everything turned out, and everything seems to fit appropriately. Lorna turned out to be my favorite character because of her personality. Initially, you don’t take her seriously, and it is surprising how important she becomes in the story. The author also develops the characters wonderfully, and I enjoyed the bond between Lorna and Saffy.

Overall, “The Couple at No. 9” is an incredible suspense mystery thriller that I highly recommend.

January 13, 2022
The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks

The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks

Release: December 10th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK, Amazon US,

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A small community. A deadly secret.

Until recently, Isobel has always loved The Close. A quiet road of large houses tucked away in the beautiful English countryside, it seemed like the perfect place to live.

Then, six months ago, a young man was killed in a mysterious hit-and-run incident. The police investigated but no one was charged.

It’s left a bad feeling in this little community, a feeling that someone knows more than they are saying.

So when new neighbour Linette arrives, Isobel thinks it’s the perfect chance to make a fresh start, to repair relationships and rebuild her community.

But someone else has a very different plan, and bad things start to happen.

When there’s another death, Isobel realises her home, her marriage, and her family are all in terrible danger. She is certain that what’s happening is connected to the hit-and-run. But how? What really happened on the night of the fatal accident? And above all, who is Linette and what does she really want?

The New Neighbour, the stunning psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Visitors, The Only Child, The Arrangement.

About the Author:

Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.

Miranda is the author of psychological thrillers. This will be her fourteenth novel published with Inkubator Books..

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The New Neighbour Review:

“The New Neighbour” is the latest psychological thriller from one of my favorite authors of this genre, and it did not disappoint.

I have read quite a few books by the author, and what stands out from her writing style is the atmosphere she created. For some reason, this book unnerved me more than the others because of the setting. Like Isobel, I also felt something was wrong with the neighborhood where everyone kept to themselves. The author paces the story wonderfully and keeps you guessing when Linette moves in. I had no idea where the story would go and was shocked when the death counts started to increase of people that I did not expect.

Similarly, I enjoyed Isobel in the lead and thought the author portrayed her uneasiness realistically. Some moments that shocked me were when Thomas acts like a pig, the feud with Josie, or Isobel finds Linette spying on her. The author also writes the family dynamics well, where you see Isobel’s life with Mike starting to crumble and how she takes out the pressure on her children. Moreover, some surprising twists and revelations came out of the blue and added nicely to the storyline. Josie was also a memorable side character who spiced the story.

Perhaps my only criticism of the tale was the chapters focusing on Linette. I would have instead the author focused only on the plot from Isobel’s side, as Linette seemed to digress the story in parts. Moreover, I found some additional characters unnecessary, like the Quinns and Bashir.

Apart from that, I enjoyed reading “The New Neighbour” and found it a brilliant addition to the author’s portfolio.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

December 22, 2021
Stalker Stalked by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Stalker Stalked by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Release: September 17th 2021
Format: Paperback
Publisher: All Due Respect
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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Lexi Mazur is a depressed, alcoholic, pill-popper whose only joy has become her reality TV shows, often fantasizing that the people on TV are a part of her world. After her boyfriend Steve leaves her, she fixates on the show Socialites and its star Magnolia Artois, following every facet of the girl’s life on social media in the hopes of befriending and becoming more like her.

But stalking isn’t new to Lexi. She ultimately won over her ex Steve by following and manipulating every minute detail about him so he’d fall for her. In fact, she landed her other ex-boyfriend Jeremy in the same way. Being a pharma rep, she’s used to manipulation to get doctors to buy her drugs, along with the perk of saving pills for herself.

But what happens when the stalker gets stalked?

Recently, Lexi has felt someone watching her: in her apartment in Queens, at her job. At first, she thinks her mind’s playing tricks, but the watcher is behaving just like she would. And soon they begin leaving threatening clues like she starts to do to Magnolia once her obsession grows more dangerous. Is it one of her exes out for revenge? Her only real friend from childhood who she’s always had an unhealthy rivalry? A detective who may have figured her out? The reality star Magnolia trying to turn the tables? Or even someone she might not know?

Lexi learns the only way to beat her stalker is to use her own stalking prowess to outsmart them at their own game. But has she finally met her match?

About the Author:

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of THE ANCESTOR, THE DESIRE CARD, SLOW DOWN and THE MENTOR from St. Martin’s Press. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the 2018 Prix du Polar. ORANGE CITY, his first sci-fi novel, is forthcoming in 2021 along with his YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in the anthology DIRTY BOULEVARD, The Millions, Vol 1. Brooklyn, LitReactor, Necessary Fiction, Fiction Writer’s Review, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, Essays & Fictions, The New Plains Review, and others. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series (guerrillalit.wordpress.com). He lives in New York City. Follow him at LeeMatthewGoldberg.com and @LeeMatthewG http://www.leematthewgoldberg.com/

His favorite authors are classic writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, Emily Bronte, W. Somerset Maugham and Raymond Chandler. For modern authors, he’s been influenced by Jay McInerney, Bret Easton Ellis, Denis Johnson, John Irving, and Paul Auster.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Stalker Stalked Review:

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“Stalker Stalked” is a unique psychological thriller that stands out from the rest, and the story intrigued me.

I always love the author’s story-telling style because of how personal he gets with the characters. The leads in his stories are not people you would consider role models because they have a lot of flaws and make mistakes. Yet, you get drawn into their lives because of their actions and wonder how they respond to situations. Lexi is no different in the story. I found her odd yet mysterious as soon as she started stalking Magnolia. Similarly, even Magnolia is sizzling, and you wonder what she does as shock value being part of the socialites.

Moreover, the author also builds the suspense very nicely in some chapters. Certain parts that stood out for me were when the creepy Zebra stalks Lexi or the pretense of someone in the shadows, and the black box left on the doorstep. As the story progresses, it was also interesting to see how Lexi’s relationship with the supporting cast, like Pria and her mother, affects her actions and impacts her relationships.

However, there were a few minor issues with the story. For instance, I felt like I was reading parallel subplots, one focusing on the mysterious entity that unnerves Lexi and the other with her obsession over Magnolia. Also, the story is very creepy in some chapters but feels light-hearted in others.

Nevertheless, I feel like it is a good attempt by the author to try something different in the genre. Overall, “Stalker Stalked” is a very out-of-the-box psychological thriller because of its unique characters, and I liked reading it.

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Stalker Stalked by Lee Matthew Goldberg Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours .

Book Tour Schedule

Nov. 2nd – Robyn Reads1
Nov. 6th – Noor The Bookworm
Nov. 10th- Joannas Bookshelf
Nov. 19th – Lindzanne 1 Bookworm
Nov. 23rd- Tammy Reads
Nov. 24th – Novels and Latte Book Club
Nov. 29th –Nat Reads
Dec. 1st – Subakka Bookstuff
Dec. 2nd – Shooks Books
Dec. 3rd – Tashia Reads
Dec. 5th – Rajivs Reviews
Dec. 13th –Rozier Reads and Wine
Dec. 16th –Books Love And Understanding

December 5, 2021
The Girl Downstairs by Iain Maitland

The Girl Downstairs by Iain Maitland

Release: 21st November 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK, Amazon US

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Rosie is homeless and winter is closing in. So she can’t believe her luck when a total stranger, Mr. Adams, invites her to stay.

But Mr. Adams has a secret. He has chosen Rosie because she reminds him of someone very special from long ago. Maybe she can even help him recapture that distant happiness.

Of course, she might need a little encouragement, but that’s fine…

What he doesn’t realise is that Rosie has a secret too, a secret that will have horrifying consequences for them both.

So instead of the heaven he had hoped to find, Mr. Adams finds himself fighting to escape the special kind of hell created by… the girl downstairs.

The Girl Downstairs – the stunning psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, K. L. Slater, Miranda Rijks.

About the Author:

Iain Maitland is the author of three previous psych thrillers, The Scribbler (2020), Mr Todd’s Reckoning (2019) and Sweet William (2017), all published by Contraband, an imprint of Saraband. Mr Todd’s Reckoning is coming to the big screen in 2023.

Iain is also the author of two memoirs, Dear Michael, Love Dad (Hodder, 2016), a book of letters written to his eldest son who experienced depression and anorexia, and (co-authored with Michael) Out Of The Madhouse (Jessica Kingsley, 2018).

He is also an Ambassador for Stem4, the teenage mental health charity. He talks regularly about mental health issues in schools and colleges and workplaces.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

The Girl Downstairs Review:

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The first aspect of the story that struck me was how disturbing the main character, Mr. Adams is. The author describes him in such an eerie manner some of his thoughts unnerved me. Mr. Adams seems to have a violent streak when you notice his strange dreams and how he feels like attacking his neighbors, aka “The Lumps.” At a certain point, even Mr. Adams cannot feel like he cannot trust his thoughts. I thought the author did a brilliant job depicting the psychology of this volatile character, especially when he obsesses his feelings for Rosie. I was also curious to know more about Mr. Adams’s wife and daughter on what happened to them.

However, while I enjoyed the story, I thought the author could have paced it faster, especially in the first half. The pacing meanders in the first half, taking some time for our characters to interact with Rosie.
The story gets intense in the second half once Andrew Lumb gets more prominent. From then on, I could not put the book down and wondered how our lead character would cover his tracks. On a side note, I also liked Widow Woman and how she somewhat becomes a pivotal character in the second half. Yet, the ending also felt a bit rushed. Had the book been more polished, this would have been amazing!

Nevertheless, I think this is a great book to pick up if you are in the mood for a slow-burn mystery and love detailed visualizations of the characters and their persona. I still enjoyed reading it mainly because the author portrayed Mr. Adams and kept you guessing his intentions.

Overall, “The Girl Downstairs” is a creepy book that might only please a specific audience as it is unique for its narration style.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Girl Downstairs by Iain Maitland Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

December 4, 2021
Remember Me ? by Amanda Rigby

Remember Me ? by Amanda Rigby

Release: November 18th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Source: Netgalley
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Kobo

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A perfect life…

Paul Henderson leads a normal life. A deputy headteacher at a good school, a loving relationship with girlfriend Jenna, and a baby on the way. Everything seems perfect.
A shocking message…
Until Paul receives a message from his ex-fiance Nicole. Beautiful, ambitious and fierce, Nicole is everything Jenna is not. And now it seems Nicole is back, and she has a score to settle with Paul…
A deadly secret.

But Paul can’t understand how Nicole is back. Because he’s pretty sure he killed her with his own bare hands….
Which means, someone else knows the truth about what happened that night. And they’ll stop at nothing to make Paul pay…
A brand new psychological thriller that will keep you guessing till the end! Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, Nina Manning, Shalini Boland

About the Author:

Amanda Rigby is the writing partnership of Amanda Ashby and Sally Rigby. Amanda and Sally have been friends for many years and agree about everything (except musicals). They bring to the partnership different skills. Sally, with her concise writing style, can write the first draft, while Amanda, with her imagination, can bring it to life. They hadn’t realised how much fun it would be to join forces, and they intend to continue writing together, alongside their individual books.

Amanda is the author of many young adult, middle grade and romance novels. You can check out her books here www.amandaashby.com

Sally is the author of the Cavendish & Walker UK crime fiction series, and the Detective Sebastian Clifford series. Details of her books and a free novella can be found on her website www.sallyrigby.com

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Remember Me ? Review:

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“Remember Me” is a twisted psychological thriller that I could not put down.

This book hooked me right from the first chapter, as we learn that someone Paul thinks he killed has come back to his life. The author sets up a brilliant premise, which is hard to put down once you start reading.

Moreover, I loved how the author wrote Paul’s character. As you read the story, you realize that you cannot trust Paul’s version of the events, as you don’t know if they happened or if he dreamt or imagined them. Yet, you still feel for Paul’s character when you realize how immaculately Nicole manipulates him. The author also adds many shocking moments that unnerved me. Some of the highlights were when Paul finds the letter on Nicole’s grace, the note he sees with the gold necklace, or when Jenna gets accused of shoplifting.

Similarly, I also liked Jenna and felt the author gave her equal importance too. She deals with many changes in her life as she expects the new baby, and the last thing she needs is to find out about Paul. I liked how the author interweaves her into the plot. Similarly, even Daniel and Bridget’s storyline was an exciting addition. I thought the author’s inserts, titled “Cellar of Horror,” also gave the book an intriguing touch.

The only minor criticism I have of the story is that the pacing slows down at times. For instance, once we establish what is happening with Paul in the first half, nothing drastic happens much except the messages. It would have been nice if the author added a bit more twists.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Overall, “Remember Me” is a stylish psychological thriller that will slowly grab you and not let go.

November 1, 2021
Forgive Me by Kateri Stanley

Forgive Me by Kateri Stanley

Release: May 26th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Darkstroke Books
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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A secret video tape. A painful truth. A quest for revenge.

Investigative journalist, Susan ‘Stripe’ McLachlan, is constantly hounded by eager documentarians for interview requests about the Night Scrawler murders. One of the victims of the mysterious serial killer was a member of her own family, her father.

At the peak of her career, her services are sought by Isaac Payne who commissions her to write an article for his website. Usually, her projects delve into more uncomfortable, questionable topics, but there’s a deep, almost hauntingly familiar pull about her new client that intrigues her.

As she learns more about Isaac, Stripe digs up fresh secrets about the murders, arousing her suspicions. After an awkward confrontation, she wakes up in Isaac’s bed — with a chain around her ankle.

Isaac shows her harrowing footage on an old VHS tape. The contents hits close to home…closer than Stripe ever imagined. Now, she has to wrestle with her own moral compass and unpick the truth from the web of lies that turn into a crescendo where memories created from misery and suffering cannot be silenced.

Will Isaac ever lay the past to rest? And how will Stripe cope with the revelations that challenge everything she has ever known?

About the Author:

Kateri Stanley is a published writer, from the West Midlands in the UK. She has a Brummie accent. She’s a dark fiction lover of any genre. Stanley has a degree in Arts and Humanities.

She loves eating chocolate and cheese, watching films, telly and game cut-scenes. She has FINALLY become a cat-mom to 2 feline beauties!
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Forgive Me Review:

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Oh my goodness! What did I just read? “Forgive me” is probably one of the most twisted stories I have read in a while and gave me goosebumps!

Firstly, kudos to the author for writing such a smashing debut novel. This book has SO many twists and turns that genuinely shocked me! Initially, the story struggles between the past and the present, and I feared it might get too confusing to keep track of. But the author does a great job of connecting all the past and present events beautifully (even though you might not understand it initially). Moreover, I loved how the author narrated the perspective of one of the characters from the first-person point of view, which gave this book an eerie touch.

Secondly, the story wouldn’t be memorable without the two main leads, Stripe and Issac. Isaac! Where do I start with him? Probably one of the most twisted, disturbed, yet dynamic and heartbreaking characters I have come across lately. I cannot describe the various emotions the author made me go through as I read his backstory. At the same time, Stripe (I love her name) is a good protagonist as she tries to get out of the complex situation.

Thirdly, I loved how the author managed to pack so much in the tale. Usually, if I feel a book is trying to cover a lot, I feel apprehensive. But, this book has a tragic love story, twisted science experiments, a serial killer, secrets, lies, deceptions, drama, and heartbreak all rolled into one.

Overall, if you love reading suspense thrillers, you HAVE to check out this fantastic book! “Forgive Me” is one of the best books I have read this year on the genre.

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Forgive Me by Kateri Stanley Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
BookHounds YA-Guest Post-10-25-2021
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-10-26-2021
The Momma Spot-Guest Post-10-27-2021
@curlygrannylovestoread -Review-10-28-2021
The Phantom Paragrapher-Guest Post-10-29-2021

Week Two:
Lifestyle of Me-Review-11-1-2021
Coffee and Wander Book Reviews-Review-11-2-2021
The Book Review Crew-Review-11-3-2021
Zainey Laney-Review-11-4-2021
@coffeebooksandmascara -Review-11-5-2021

October 26, 2021
Walking Among The Trees by Frank M. Oliva

Walking Among The Trees by Frank M. Oliva

Release: June 22nd 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Sage’s Tower Publishing
Source: Suzy approved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, TBD

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After notifying the bishop that a young girl possessed by an invisible demon must be exorcised immediately, Father Nathaniel Kerrigan is shocked when the bishop insists he perform the ritual. Panicked, Kerrigan calls on his old friend and trusted mentor, Monsignor Carmichael, to convince the bishop he should use another priest instead.

But when Kerrigan claims he wants out because he has no experience with the preternatural, Carmichael fears there is much more at stake than Kerrigan’s letting on. As Carmichael drags Kerrigan on a dark and painful journey through a secluded nature preserve, it soon becomes clear the real reason Kerrigan is so desperate to avoid the confrontation is that the demon inside the girl has a window into his hidden past.

About the Author:

Frank Michael Oliva is a practicing attorney and law professor from Long Island, New York. As a teenager, he worked as a receptionist at the rectory of his local parish and developed a close relationship with one of the priests, a former English teacher.

Their philosophical conversations about the nature of good and evil left a lasting impression on Frank and inspired him to write his first novel, Walking Among the Trees, nearly two decades later. When he isn’t busy working or writing, Frank can be found spending time with his wife and twin children, reading, or playing video games..

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Walking Among The Trees Review:

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“Walking Among the Trees” is a gripping, haunting, suspense thriller with a touch of horror that will unnerve you, and I enjoyed reading it!

The author makes the book atmospheric from the first page, and I got “Exorcist” vibes while reading this book. The standout of the tale is the main character, Nathan. I started getting creepy vibes as soon as Nathaniel Kerrigan met Monsignor Carmichael, who spoke about Marianna. Frankly, the scenes between Kerrigan and Carmichael were one of the main highlights of the tale. I loved reading about their conversations, which also included the settings of the roses and the crows.

Moreover, the author gave multiple layers to Kerrigan, and I was curious to read more about his past and what happened during the war. Speaking of the war, I also enjoyed how the author flashbacks the story between the past and present, where we learn more about Guzman and Campbell. Honestly, the story stands out because of Kerrigan’s growth and his fight to not fear the actions he must take, rather than the event itself.

Some of the memorable scenes in the book are when Kerrigan sees Marianna, when she starts bleeding, or when Kerrigan tries to help the young girl, but she lashes out at him. Similarly, There were even small details, like when they smell the scent of cigarettes, and infected bedsore, which gave me goosebumps because of how eerie it is.

Furthermore, I love stories where there is a surprising twist in the end. The author shocked me with a twist that I did not see coming, which made the story and the characters memorable.

Overall, if you are in the mood for a suspenseful horror tale that will psychologically disturb you, you should read “Walking Among the Trees.”

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Walking Among The Trees by Frank M. Oliva
Blog Tour hosted by Suzy approved Book Tours.

My Book And Plants-Oct. 10th
Coffee Books Dogs-Oct. 12th
Amy Lynn Lifestyle-Oct. 13th
Rajivs Reviews-Oct. 13th
Hooked by Books-Oct. 14th
Joannas Bookshelf-Oct. 18th
The Mary Reader-Oct. 25th
Subakka Bookstuff-Oct. 30th
We Break For Books-Nov. 2nd
David L Morgan-Nov. 11th
Lexi Java-Nov. 12th
Carol Doscher-Nov. 20th
Geaux Get Lit-Nov. 22nd
Reecas Pieces Books-Nov. 30th

October 14, 2021