My Book Reviews

Category: Psychological

  • The Stranger In The Mirror by Liv Constantine

    The Stranger In The Mirror by Liv Constantine

    The Stranger In The Mirror

    The Stranger In The Mirror by Liv Constantine

    Release: July 6th 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

    __

    __

    A diabolically twisty, psychologically unsettling novel about a woman with no recollection of her past.

    Addison’s about to get married, but she’s not looking forward to the big day. It’s not her fiancé; he’s a wonderful man. It’s because Addison doesn’t know who she really is. A few years ago, a kind driver found her bleeding next to a New Jersey highway and rescued her. While her physical wounds healed, Addison’s memory never returned. She doesn’t know her real name. Or how she ended up injured on the side of a road. Or why she can’t shake the notion that she may have done something very, very bad . . .

    In a posh home in the Boston suburbs, Julian tries to figure out what happened to his loving, caring wife, Cassandra, who disappeared without a trace two years ago. She would never have left him and their seven-year-old daughter Valentina of her own free will—or would she?

    As these two lives intersect, The Stranger in the Mirror hooks readers with riveting drama, told with Liv Constantine’s hallmark blend of glamour, tense psychological thrills, and jaw-dropping twists

    About the Author:

    Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Together, they are the bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Last Time I Saw You, The Wife Stalker, and The Stranger in the Mirror (coming July 2021). Their critically acclaimed books have been praised by USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Lynne and Valerie are national and international bestselling authors and their books have been translated into 27 languages, are available in 32 countries, and are in development for both television and film. Visit them at www.livconstantine.com.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Stranger In The Mirror Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “The Stranger in the Mirror” is an exciting psychological suspense thriller about am an amnesiac woman whose life turned upside down when someone from her past comes into her life. I enjoyed reading this!

    I recently read “The Wife Stalker” by the author, and I enjoy the style of storytelling. The author has a beautiful way of writing psychological thrillers, and I was very excited to read this book! The author does a great job of maintaining the suspense. There are quite a few twists and turns that I did not anticipate. As Addison doesn’t remember her past, you feel that things would become clear once Julian and her storyline merged. Yet, the author brings you shocking revelations and hidden secrets that you never expected.

    Moreover, the author wrote all the characters nicely. I enjoyed Addison in the lead and the various emotions she goes through once she finds clues about her past. Similarly, Julian is a complex character with many layers, and I loved how the author wrote him. The author also adds some tense moments that gave me goosebumps, like when Cassandra hears the voices and gets scared for her life.

    However, I feel like there were characters who could be more involved in the story. For instance, I enjoyed Blythe’s role and loved how she has her storyline in the book’s first half. However, the author pushes her to the backburner later. Similarly, I feel it would have been great if we had chapters from Valentina’s perspective as well, as she also gets impacted by the events that transpire in the tale.

    Overall, “The Stranger in the Mirror ” is an excellent addition to the author’s works, and I enjoyed it!

     

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Stranger In The Mirror

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Stranger In The Mirror by Liv Constantine Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

  • The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine

    The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine

    The Wife Stalker

    The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine

    Release: May 19th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
    Source: Amazon
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

    __

    __

    Breezing into the upscale seaside paradise of Westport, Connecticut, gorgeous thirtysomething Piper Reynard sets down roots. And is opening a rehab and wellness space and joining a local yacht club. When she meets Leo Drakos, a handsome, successful lawyer, the wedding ring on his finger is the only thing she doesn’t like about him. Yet as Piper well knows, no marriage is permanent.

    Meanwhile, Joanna has been waiting patiently for Leo, the charismatic man she fell in love with all those years ago. She wants  Leo to come out of his  severe depression that has engulfed him. She’s thankful when Leo returns to his charming, energetic self. And starts paying attention again to Evie and Stelli, the children they both love beyond measure. But Joanna is in for a shock to discover that it’s not her loving support  the reason for his renewed happiness. It’s something else.

    Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute. He’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children.

    Devastated Joanna determines to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets . . . but when she confides to her therapist that she fears for the lives of her ex-husband and children, her concerns as  paranoia. Can she find the proof she needs in time to save them?

    About the Author:

    Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Together, they are the bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Last Time I Saw You, The Wife Stalker, and The Stranger in the Mirror (coming July 2021). Their critically acclaimed books have been praised by USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Lynne and Valerie are national and international bestselling authors and their books have been translated into 27 languages, are available in 32 countries, and are in development for both television and film. Visit them at www.livconstantine.com.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Wife Stalker Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “The Wife Stalker” is a twisted psychological thriller about a woman who comes to town with a mysterious past and another woman determined to reveal her secrets. This book was a guilty pleasure reading at its best, and I loved it!

    This book is the first one I read by the author, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The story is relatively short, and you can read it in one sitting, but it would be hard to put down once you start. The author writes the plots and the characters so simple yet so compelling that you immediately form solid emotions for each of them.

    Right from the beginning, I was rooting for Joanna because of what she learns about Piper. I loved how the author narrated the story from Joanna and Piper’s perspective on the incidents. There are moments when I was not too fond of Leo for the way he treated Joanna. I also loved Stelli and all the moments when he is rude towards Piper. Frankly, Stelli is adorable and was probably my favorite character in the book.

    Moreover, those who know me know that I love stories with shocking endings. This book completely threw me off in the end with a surprising twist that I did not see coming at all! I think the ending made the story memorable and made me appreciate the storyline even more.

    However, after finishing the book, looking back, I realized there were one or two inconsistencies. I can’t mention anything without spoiling it, but I will only say that I was surprised by Piper’s behavior in certain scenes looking back.

    Nevertheless, “The Wife Stalker” was a gripping psychological suspense thriller, and I enjoyed reading this book.

  • Ruby Falls by Deborah Goodrich Royce

    Ruby Falls by Deborah Goodrich Royce

    Ruby Falls

    Ruby Falls by Deborah Goodrich Royce

    Release: May 4th 2021
    Format: Hardcover
    Publisher: Post Hill Press
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

    __

    __

    Like the chilling psychological thriller The Silent Patient, Deborah Goodrich Royce’s Ruby Falls is a nail-biting tale of a fragile young actress, the new husband she barely knows, and her growing suspicion that the secrets he harbors may eclipse her own.

    On a brilliantly sunny July day, six-year-old Ruby is abandoned by her father in the suffocating dark of a Tennessee cave. Twenty years later, transformed into soap opera star Eleanor Russell, she is fired under dubious circumstances. Fleeing to Europe, she marries a glamorous stranger named Orlando Montague and keeps her past closely hidden.

    Together, Eleanor and Orlando start afresh in LA. Setting up house in a storybook cottage in the Hollywood Hills, Eleanor is cast in a dream role—the lead in a remake of Rebecca. As she immerses herself in that eerie gothic tale, Orlando’s personality changes, ghosts of her past re-emerge, and Eleanor fears she is not the only person in her marriage with a secret.

    In this thrilling and twisty homage to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, the story ricochets through the streets of Los Angeles, a dangerous marriage to an exotic stranger, and the mind of a young woman whose past may not release her.

    About the Author:

    Deborah Goodrich Royce’s first novel, Finding Mrs. Ford, debuted in 2019 to rave reviews. She divides her time between the Northeast and Florida, where she writes, reads, watches a lot of movies, and spends time with her family.

    Deborah serves on the governing and/or advisory boards of the Avon Theatre, the American Film Institute, New York Botanical Garden, the Greenwich International Film Festival, the Greenwich Historical Society, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, the Preservation Society of Newport, and the PRASAD Project. She and her husband have restored more buildings than she can count, including the Ocean House Hotel, and the Deer Mountain Inn.

    Deborah holds a BA in French and Italian from Lake Erie College and an honorary doctorate from the same institution. In an earlier life, she was an actress in film and television and a story editor for Miramax Films. Ruby Falls is her second psychological thriller, and she owes a debt of gratitude for its inspiration to Daphne du Maurier and Alfred Hitchcock.https://deborahgoodrichroyce.com/

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Ruby Falls Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “Ruby Falls” was a psychological thriller that I just could not put down, and it made me reminisce about the classic Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock movies.

    The author did a terrific job of maintaining the suspense of the story. I got engrossed with the story right from the first page, as we learn about Ruby’s life with her new husband, Orlando. I adored Ruby and rooted for her throughout the tale. She has a fascinating history, and you immediately root for her as she tries to balance her newly married life with her professional career. Similarly, Orlando is one of those people you love to hate, and the author wrote him in a deliciously evil manner. Right from the get-go, you sense that he has an ulterior motive for the strange way in which he behaves towards her. I also loved Dottie as the mysterious clairvoyant who knows about Ruby’s past. Even Howard was adorable, and I wished he were more prominent in the tale.

    There are many exciting twists and turns that I did not see coming, and they made the book memorable. I loved the moments when Ruby searched for her cat and found something shocking or when she deciphers the mysterious letter from her father. Furthermore, I always enjoy a story with a surprising twist in the end, and this book did not disappoint! The climax shocked me and was one I did not see coming from a long shot. The author executed the entire story perfectly, and I loved reading every bit of it!

    Overall, “Ruby Falls” is a gripping psychological thriller, and I highly recommend it if you are a fan of the genre.

    Book Tour Schedule

    Ruby Falls

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Ruby Falls by Deborah Goodrich Royce Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours.

  • Guilty by Sadie Ryan

    Guilty by Sadie Ryan

    Guilty

    Guilty by Sadie Ryan

    Release: April 21st, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Spellbound Books
    Source: Zooloos Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon UK,  Kindle

    __

    __

    Two Strangers.
    A Chance Meeting?
    One Moment that will change their lives forever.

    Lindy once had the world at her feet. An adoring husband, two beautiful daughters,, and a successful career.
    In a split second, a tragic accident causes Lindy’s world to come crashing down around her.

    Mia, a personal fitness trainer and glamorous wife of a local tv personality, seems to have everything.

    Slowly Lindy learns more about Mia’s ‘perfect life and becomes convinced that they are each other’s saviors.

    Due to growing obsessions and the lines that shape reality getting blurred, Lindy’s and Mia’s lives get dangerously intertwined as personalities merge..

    Nobody with a conscience can survive, can they?

    A breathtaking psychological thriller that will keep you up all night. –Fans of Samantha Downing, Lucinda Berry, and Teresa Driscoll will devour this twisty thriller in one sitting

    About the Author:

    Sadie Ryan is the author of three books. Her latest, Guilty, came out in April 2021, a psychological thriller. She loves animals and lives in leafy Cheshire in the North West of England with her daughter and rescue dog. When not writing, she spends her time reading, gardening, walking her dog, or watching old black and white movies.

    When asked where she gets her ideas from, she says, ‘From observation, inspiration and lots of wicked thoughts.’

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

    Guilty Ryan Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “Guilty” is a lovely psychological thriller where a woman deals with an abusive husband on one side and an obsessed fan on the other side, and I enjoyed reading it!

    What I enjoyed about the story is how the author manages to shift the personality of the characters. The author writes the story in a gripping manner where you think you know the characters, but they tend to surprise you. In the beginning, I was disturbed by Lindy and her obsession with Mia. I wondered how far Lindy would go and what her intentions were. Poor Mia! I felt terrible for her in the book.

    On the one hand, she has someone like Lindy who is following her every move. On the other hand, she has a husband like Ricky who tortures her. Ricky is one of those characters who I despised with a passion. The way he treats Mia because of his ulterior motives was despicable. As you notice from my rant, I was utterly immersed in the storyline and the characters and had no idea what they were doing.

    Moreover, as the story progresses, you learn more about the character’s backgrounds and change your perception. The author also moves the story nicely that leads to a chilling climax. This book had one of those endings that had me speechless, and I recollect how the characters behaved in certain scenes. Some of my memorable moments include when Mia and Lindy take the bus and plan their next move or when Ricky meets Lindy for the first time. After reading this book, I am interested in picking up some of the other’s previous novels.

    Overall, “Guilty” is an entertaining book if you’re in the mood for a gripping psychological thriller.

    Book Tour Schedule

    Guilty

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Guilty by Sadie Ryan Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

  • The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

    The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

    The Good Sister

    The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

    Release: April 13th, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo

    __

    __

    Sally Hepworth, the author of The Mother-In-Law, delivers a knock-out of a novel about the ties that bind two sisters in The Good Sister.

    There’s only been one time that Rose couldn’t stop me from doing the wrong thing, and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

    Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights, and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life, and disrupting her routine can be…dangerous.

    However, when Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She needs to find a father. Simple.

    But, Fern’s mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past in this quirky, rich, and shocking story of what families keep hidden.

    About the Author:

    Sally Hepworth is the bestselling author of six novels, most recently The Mother In Law (2019). Also, her forthcoming novel, The Good Sister, will be available in early 2021.

    Sally’s books have been heralded “enchanting” by The Herald Sun, “smart and engaging” by Publisher’s Weekly, and New York Times bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin have praised Sally’s novels. As “women’s fiction at its finest” and “totally absorbing.”

    Sally’s novels are available worldwide in English and have been translated into 20 languages.
    ​
    Also, Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and three children.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Good Sister Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    I loved this story so much! It is easily one of my favorite mystery thrillers of 2021!

    “The Good Sister” is the first book I read of the author and definitely won’t be the last one! The author spins the tale in a deliciously captivating manner that makes it hard to put down. Also, the storyline progresses between Rose’s diary entries (from the past) and Fern’s present storyline. My heart went out to Rose in the diary entries, particularly in how their mother treated her. Moreover, the diary entries give the story an extra edge because you hate the mother from reading it. But, you never know who is telling the truth as both the sisters have different perspectives on what happened.

    Similarly, all the characters are charismatic and mysterious, and memorable. Fern is adorable! She is quirky, weird, direct, and you don’t know how she will respond to people. I loved her conversations with Wally/Rocco and Carmen. Moreover, the way she meets Wally is simply adorable, and you cannot help but love their friendship. Yet, you don’t know if Fern has a dark side and could snap at any minute. The author keeps you guessing as to who is telling the truth and who isn’t. The storyline is so gripping because it makes you understand how two sisters, growing up in the same environment, can have different viewpoints of life and how the situations shape them differently.

    Overall, “The Good Sister” is a fantastic psychological thriller, and I highly recommend it is if you are in the mood for one.

     

  • The Other Couple by Cathryn Grant

    The Other Couple by Cathryn Grant

    The Other Couple

    The Other Couple by Cathryn Grant

    Release: December 6th, 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher:  Inkubator Books
    Source: Damppebbles blog Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon.

    __

    __

    They planned a dream vacation. They got a trip to hell.

    Maggie and Brad are on vacation at Lake Tahoe when they meet another couple, Skye and Joe. The four-hit it off so well that Maggie invites their new friends to share her beautiful lakeside rental.

    What she doesn’t realize is Skye and Joe aren’t just some random couple. They have been watching Maggie and Brad, have chosen them carefully….

    And now, when they discover that Maggie has a secret that could destroy her marriage, they start turning the screws, pushing their own sinister agenda. But have they chosen their victim wisely? Or does Maggie also have a dark side?

    As the pressure builds, what should have been a dream vacation begins to look more like the inner circle of hell. Before it’s overall, four will be changed forever – and at least one of them will be dead…

    About the Author:

    Cathryn Grant writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and ghost stories. She’s the author of twenty-three novels.

    She’s loved crime fiction all her life and is endlessly fascinated by the twists and turns and the dark corners of the human mind.

    When she’s not writing, Cathryn reads fiction, eavesdrops, and tries to play golf without hitting her ball into the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and two cats.

    Cathryn is the author of The Good Mother, The Assistant, and other psychological thrillers. The Other Couple will be Cathryn’s fifth novel with Inkubator books.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon

    The Other Couple  Review:

    “The Other Couple” is an addictive psychological thriller surrounding four people and how their time together leads to blackmail and murder.

    The author knows how to make the characters personal to the reader. She alternates the story between the four perspectives, which keeps the plot fresh. Moreover, I also liked the snippet entries of Brad’s blog and the responses/comments he gets to those posts. While you don’t feel like this is essential initially, the author puts them for a reason, which you realize at the end. 

    Moreover, the storyline and the characters intrigued me. It was gripping to see how each of the characters reacted to various situations. Poor Maggie! I thought she was the most enigmatic character in the tale. On the one hand, she stresses about her relationship with Brad, and then she also has to deal with Joe and Skye. I also liked the angle of Maggie and Darren.

    Similarly, Skye is also strange and intriguing. The author wrote her well because you don’t know what her intentions are. At times, she is indifferent to the character, and sometimes, she is overly friendly with them. At the same time, Joe is one character you love to hate. Brad is the person you feel sorry for in the story, and I felt empathetic towards him. 

    Furthermore, the author maintains the pacing very nicely, where you don’t know what will happen to the characters. However, there were some minor parts that I felt were a bit off. For instance, why would Maggie and Brad keep Skye even after Joe went missing? They don’t even know her that well and should have suspected something was not right. 

    But, apart from that, I enjoyed reading this book. Overall, “The Other Couple” is a gripping psychological thriller that I enjoyed reading. 

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Other Couple

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Other Couple by Cathryn Grant Blog Tour hosted by Damppebbles blog Tours. 

  • Keep Me In Sight by Rachel Blackledge

    Keep Me In Sight by Rachel Blackledge

    Keep Me In Sight

    Keep Me In Sight by Rachel Blackledge

    Release: October 15, 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Independently Published
    Source: Rockstar Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Rachel’s website

    __

    __

    A night she can hardly remember. A night she will never forget.

    It’s about Dan.

    These three words jolt Brynn back to the big boozy night she spent with her boyfriend Dan. The same night his ex, Erin, showed up. Erin says something terrible happened that night. Dan says he never touched her. Trouble is, Erin has evidence to prove it.

    Brynn can vouch for him though. She was there that night that they can hardly remember, but will never forget. While Brynn pieces together her fractured memories, lost that night at the bottom of a bottle, facing the horrifying possibility that maybe Dan isn’t completely innocent. Maybe he’s guilty as charged.

    But as Brynn inches closer to the truth, she begins to wonder: Who is the predator? And who is the prey?

    Gloria knows the answer. She’s a psychic who turned her back on her ability after she failed to prevent a terrible tragedy. As her painful past floods back to her, can she learn to trust her gift again before it’s too late? Or will her painful past hold her back from saving someone’s future . . . and quite possibly their life.

    This addictive and suspenseful thriller explores the fault lines between broken memories and shattered trust, and will keep you up well past your bedtime.

    About the Author:

    Rachel is an American expat, living abroad since 2008. She lived in Sydney Australia for a number of years, Italy, Switzerland, and has sailed over 11,000 nautical miles, crossing the Indian Ocean three times and sinking only once. She hung up her foul weather gear after the birth of her son. And writes thrillers now instead.

    She’s the proud granddaughter of two World War II fighter pilot war heros. Richard ‘Blackie’ Blackledge was a WWII B-17 heavy bomber pilot. Post war, he became a successful writer. And George Jensen flew the dreaded B-29 superfortress. They both lived on well into their 90s.

    “I lost two special friends, and the world lost great men, but they’re both with me still, sending me pearls of wisdom from the great beyond, telling me over the roar of the engines to: ‘Pick up the pace or you’ll get your butt blown off!’

    “Okay, maybe that’s not them. But it’s still good advice.”

    Rachel lives in Singapore with her husband, baby boy, and rescue pup named Jessica Shadow Shady Lady Lauro.

    Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

    Keep Me In Sight Review:

    This turned out to be a twisted psychological thriller that I could not put down.

    This book starts off very well. We are immediately thrown in the lives of Brynn, Erin and Dan. Brynn is completely wasted on the night where she remembers Dan and Erin leaving together, and tries to get the truth as to what happened.

    After a bang introduction with Nikki and James, the author nicely entangles Gia in Erin’s lives and provides twists and turns for the readers. Gia is wonderful in the lead as the psychic and it was interesting to see how she deals with her abilities after what happened with Melissa. I also liked her relationship with her mother and her friendship with Nikki.

    Similarly, the author does a brilliant job in maintaining the suspense toggling between Gia and Erin. She adds many twists and turns as the cat and mouse game starts between the two. I was at the edge of my seat when Jack disappears and Gia panics over what happened to him. Another memorable scene was when Gia finds herself in a hit and run. But the best part is when Gia confronts Brynn and Erin and you don’t know what will happen. Brynn’s storyline is also very interesting as she investigates about Dan and his past.

    Looking back, there are a few minor loopholes which I felt could have been corrected. Also, I liked Dan a lot as a character and wished we got a bit more of his back story and his perspective. It would have been nice if we got a little less of Brynn and bit more of Dan to balance out their perspectives. Nevertheless, after reading this book, I definitely want to check out the author’s previous novels.

    Overall, this was a gripping page turner.

    Giveaway:

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

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Book Tour Schedule

    Keep Me In Sight

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Keep Me In Sight by Rachel Blackledge Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

     
    Week 1:

    Two Chicks on Books-Interview-10-5-2020
    JaimeRockstarBookTours-Instagram Stop-10-5-2020
    BookHounds-Interview-10-6-2020
    BookHounds YA -Instagram Stop-10-6-2020
    Simply Daniel Radcliffe-Review-10-7-2020
    Gimme The Scoop Reviews-Excerpt-10-8-2020
    Gimme The Scoop Reviews-Instagram Stop-10-8-2020
    Jennifer Keathley YA Author & Reader-Review-10-9-2020

    Week 2:

    Becky on Books-Review-10-12-2020
    Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-10-13-2020
    Rajiv’s Reviews-Instagram Stop-10-13-2020
    Pine Enshrined Reviews-Review-10-14-2020
    The Phantom Paragrapher-Review-10-15-2020
    The Phantom Paragrapher-Instagram Stop-10-15-2020
    Lifestyle of Me-Review-10-16-2020

  • Forgotten Toys by Ashley Laino

    Forgotten Toys by Ashley Laino

    Forgotten Toys

    Forgotten Toys by Ashley Laino

    Release: September 16, 2019
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Shadow House Press 
    Source: Random Things Tours
    Find it at:  Amazon UK, Kindle

    __

    __

    When you look in an empty pool, you don’t usually expect to see a body at the bottom.  But in a a small town in eastern Pennsylvania called Pikesville one summer, that is exactly what happens.
    Pikesville is quaint community.  But, the  disappearance of a local teenager Jenna Hayes poses a problem for the community . As a result, the town goes topsy-turvy. Further, the brutal murder of Jenna at the bottom of the town’s abandoned pool devastates the town.. But to Sarah Moore, Jenna was just a girl whose name she heard around sometimes, in some circles.
    What does this have to do with her? She is dealing with her own issues, anyway. But when Sarah’s sister, Chloe, goes missing, Sarah must uncover a murderer before he gets to her, too, or before it’s too late.

    About the Author:

    Ashley Laino has currently resides in Bangor, Pennsylvania with her husband and two adorable cats. Her other works include the psychological thriller “Forgotten Toys.” When she is not writing, she enjoys running, reading, and watching weird documentaries on Netflix.

    Twitter | Goodreads

    Forgotten Toys  Review:

    Forgotten Toys is a gripping psychological thriller with a strong plot, and I enjoyed it!

    Firstly, I really enjoyed the main mystery theme of the missing girls. The author throws in a few red herrings and adds twists and turns where you don’t really know who the killer is. Sarah seems to do a better job than the police force as she investigates the cause of Chloe’s disappearance. Some of the scenes are pretty graphic and shocking, which gave the story an edge. The author wrote the story in a nice and simple manner that was easy and quick to read.

    There are also a few side plots which I enjoyed in addition to the mystery. Mainly, I was invested on Sarah’s relationship with her mother. Both of them share a toxic relationship and I supported Sarah. Her mother is a very difficult character to like and I hated the way she never listened to her daughter. Similarly, the author wrote the characters in such a manner that made them stand out, and make you strongly react to them.

    I also found Sarah’s struggles with her weight issues interesting. In many suspense thrillers, the authors usually focus primarily on the plot. However, I liked how this story spent considerable time to focus on Sarah’s bulimia and other personal problems.

    However, the story felt a bit short and I wished it had been longer. While I loved the way the author wrote the story, I felt there was room for more details. Moreover, the author introduces characters like Tyler and Bridget, who have a lot of potential. However, once the story progresses, the characters get pushed to the side and are forgotten.

    But overall, this was a quick, yet gripping thriller and I enjoyed it a lot.

    Book Tour Schedule:

    Forgotten Toys

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Forgotten Toys by Ashley Laino Blog Tour hosted by Random Things Tours.

  • The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan

    The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan

    The First to Lie

    The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan

    Release: August 4th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Forge Books
    Source: SuzyAP Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

    __

    __

    We all have our reasons for being who we are―but what if being someone else could get you what you want?
    After a devastating betrayal, a young woman sets off on an obsessive path to justice, no matter what dark family secrets are revealed. What she doesn’t know―she isn’t the only one plotting revenge.
    An affluent daughter of privilege. A glamorous manipulative wannabe. A determined reporter, in too deep. A grieving widow who has to choose her new reality. Who will be the first to lie? And when the stakes are life and death, do a few lies really matter?
    Bestselling and award-winning author and investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers another twisty, thrilling cat and mouse novel of suspense that will have you guessing, and second-guessing, and then gasping with surprise.

    About the Author:

    Hank Phillippi Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of eleven award winning novels of suspense. ” Her 2020 book is THE FIRST TO LIE.

    Her newest domestic suspense thriller THE MURDER LIST is a USA Today Bestseller, an Anthony, Agatha Award and Mary Higgins Clark award nominee and a Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2019 from Criminal Element.

    Hank’s first psychological standalone, TRUST ME, is an *AGATHA AWARD* nominee. It was named a Best Book of 2018 from The New York Post.

    Her thriller SAY NO MORE is a Library Journal BEST OF 2016. And a nominee for the AGATHA AWARD, and the MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD!

    Her 2015 book, WHAT YOU SEE, is a Library Journal BEST of 2015, an ANTHONY and AGATHA Award nominee, and a Top Pick.

    Also her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014.

    THE WRONG GIRL won the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award.

    THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star.

    Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston’s WHDH-TV. Hank’s won dozens of other honors for her ground-breaking journalism.

    Her work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. Also, she’s been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine, working with Hunter S. Thompson, Richard Avedon and Richard Goodwin.

    Hank is a founding teacher at Mystery Writers of America University. She blogs at Jungle Red Writers and Career Authors.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The First to Lie Review:

    Oh my goodness! What a rollercoaster of a ride this story was.

    Click to view on Instagram

    Where do I begin? There is just so much happening the entire time where you cannot skip a sentence. On one side you have Ellie who is investigating Pharminex. Then you have Meg who focuses more on Ellie than her work, making Ellie uncomfortable. After that comes Nora, the sales rep of Pharminex who needs to ensure that the new hot drug is sold. You think you have the story set, and then a new POV arrives whose name is Brooke! And then Lacey takes another storyline! These multiple POV keep the story completely entertaining. I loved it!

    Moreover, each character is distinctive in their personalities where you get the feeling that something is not right. While it took me some time to adjust to the story because there are so many characters, the plot picked up in an amazing manner! After a while, the twists and turns start dropping like crazy and they are wild! Your mind seriously goes for a toss as you get immersed and shocked with each surprising twist. Of course, there are some scenes which you know would never fly in reality. But the story is so entertaining and gripping that I was turning the page like crazy to find out what happened next.

    This is definitely one of those stories that you pause and take in after reading it. Altogether, it’s definitely a memorable read and a story that will stick on to you for a while. Overall, this is one of the best psychological mystery thrillers I have read this year!

    Book Tour Schedule

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan Blog Tour hosted by Suzy Approved Book Tours. 

    Sept. 30th –  Bryant Park Books
    Sept. 30th –  Coffee Books Dogs
    Sept. 30th –  Minsta Books
    Oct. 1st-  Jayme Reads
    Oct. 1st-  Idaho Girl Reads
    Oct. 2nd- Texacali Books 
    Oct. 2nd-  Book N Cats N Coffee
    Oct. 5th –  Read With Jill And June
    Oct. 7th –  Colleens Reading Adventure
    Oct. 8th – Rajivs Reviews
    Oct. 8th –  Book Mama 789

     

  • The Trapped Daughter by Jay Kerk

    The Trapped Daughter by Jay Kerk

    The Trapped Daughter

    The Trapped Daughter by Jay Kerk

    Release: 22 September, 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Jay Kerk Books
    Source: Lolas Blog Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

    __

    __

    Have you ever been trapped somewhere? I have.

    Have you ever found that the world does not believe you? I did.

    Moreover, I have been betrayed by the people I trusted the most. Also, they coil around me like snakes, lulling me with whispers about protection and safety and for your own good.

    For instance, they offer up pills like sweets, promising me relief. Just take the meds and everything will be fine, Belle – the meds, Belle, the meds.

    Though, everything will not be fine, and it never will be.  For one thing, Justice is gone from the world. I have been wronged by Gabe, the man I loved most, and when I turned to others for backup, they sided with him because he’s a star. When I ran to my father for safety, he locked me up in his great big mansion and threw away the key. Now I drift like the ghost Gabe pretended I was, my bare feet tasting the coldness of rich tiles, my breath turning to ice.

    Gabe isn’t real, they tell me. They insult me, they spit at me, then smile and pretend that they wish to help. Meanwhile, Gabe is out there, luxuriating in all that I won for him, and I suffer and burn.

    About the Author:

    Jay Kerk uses his medical background and clinical experience as a physician to research and create disturbing psychological thrillers. Also, his main driver is his fascination with the human mind and its vast capabilities, and he loves complex situations that test and challenge reality.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Trapped Daughter Review:

    This was a twisted thriller that plays with your mind and keeps you guessing, and I enjoyed it a lot!

    Click to view on Instagram

    Initially, I thought this was a simple story where the father has locked the daughter at home for something she did. However, as the story progresses, you see the manipulations and dark secrets of the characters. Moreover, the storyline is not as straightforward as I presumed, and contained various twists and turns. After a point I actually got confused as to who was telling the truth. Similarly, the climax is amazing and contains a shocking twist I never expected which made the story very memorable.

    To be honest, in the beginning I did not like any of the characters that much. In fact, they were characters I loved to hate (except Belle). I was creeped by Richard for peeping on Belle while she takes a bath, and at Marie for lying to Dr. Rosetti. Even Gabe was a creep for the way he treated Belle. However, as the story progresses, the characters get complex and you start to feel for them. I loved the scene where Belle talks to Gabe and tries to convince Richard that he was in the house. It was also interesting to see the various attempts Belle makes to escape from home.

    But, the only issue I had with this story is how it toggles between the past and present. As the author shifts the storyline within the chapter, between paragraphs, it was confusing shifting the focus between the past and present. Also, some of the scenes felt repetitious where Belle keeps talking about Richard and Marie conspiring against her.

    Apart from that, I loved everything about the story and found it memorable!

    Giveaway

    There is a tour wide giveaway for the bookstagram blitz for The Trapped Daughter. Two winners will each win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Trapped Daughter

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Trapped Daughter by Jay Kerk Blog Tour hosted by Lolas Blog Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    5 October
    – Cover Lover Book Review
    – Meandmybooks
    – Comfy Chair Books
    – C.C.C.villacorta
    – Currant7 Recommends,
    –  Robert Chats

    6 October
    – Kellyatx
    – Rajiv’s Reviews
    – Westveil Publishing

    7 October
    – Jypsylynn
    – Nicole_book_nook
    – Candid With Courtney

    8 October
    – The Hidden Bookshelf Club
    – Meandmybooks
    – Book Lover in Florida
    – Currant7 Recommends

    9 October
    – Bookswithmollyahern
    – Chelseas.bookshelf2
    – Hijabi_reader
    – C.C.C.villacorta
    – Robert Chats

    10 October
    – Mel’s Shelves
    – Meandmybooks
    – Nicole_book_nook
    – Damsel in the Bookland

    11 October
    – Barbs book club
    – Dreamz74
    – Candid With Courtney
    – Book Lover in Florida
    – Robert Chats