As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall

January 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall
Jordan Manning series Book 1
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

When crime reporter Jordan Manning leaves her hometown in Texas to take a job at a television station in Chicago, she’s one step closer to her dream: a coveted anchor chair on a national network.

Jordan is smart and aggressive, with unabashed star-power, and often the only woman of color in the newsroom. Her signature? Arriving first on the scene—in impractical designer stilettos. Armed with a master’s degree in forensic science and impeccable instincts, Jordan has been able to balance her dueling motivations: breaking every big story—and giving a voice to the voiceless.

From her time in Texas, she’s covered the vilest of human behaviors but nothing has prepared her for Chicago. Jordan is that rare breed of a journalist who can navigate a crime scene as well as she can a newsroom—often noticing what others tend to miss. Again and again, she is called to cover the murders of Black women, many of them sexually assaulted, most brutalized, and all of them quickly forgotten.

All until Masey James—the story that Jordan just can’t shake, despite all efforts. A 15-year-old girl whose body was found in an abandoned lot, Masey has come to represent for Jordan all of the frustration and anger that her job often forces her to repress. Putting the rest of her work and her fraying personal life aside, Jordan does everything she can to give the story the coverage it desperately requires, and that a missing Black child would so rarely get.

There’s a serial killer on the loose, Jordan believes, and he’s hiding in plain sight.

The story follows Texas native Jordan Manning. Jordan’s an ambitious TV journalist who is compassionate, driven and determined to help solve the murder of Massy James. Sadly, the story of Masey Jones, a black teenager who has been missing for a few weeks is the focus story for Jordan.

I enjoyed the crime mystery mixed with journalism. I liked seeing behind the scenes as the story follows Jordan’s investigative journalism. She is set on exposing the injustice for victims as well as for the black community. Many times, she is so focused on getting the story that she forgoes eating.

A few things that I didn’t like about the writing is the very detailed backstory for each character mentioned. There were times in the book that were over detailed on unimportant situations and characters. Jordan has a lot of friends and in their introductions the story goes on long-winded tangents which overwhelmed the storyline with details that were not needed.

I admired Jordan’s strength, creative tactics and realness. She has a great and close relationship with her mother. She has a good circle of sister friends and reliable work associates. She is single but well aware that her lifestyle isn’t conducive to maintaining a healthy relationship. A late suggestion, if this is going to be a series saving some of the details of her friendships and her relationship with Thomas for a later book might have been well advised. This first book revealed everything about Jordan. As a reader I would have liked for the first book to focus on the storyline and provide some details about Jordan but leave a little mystery about her that’ll make me want to read the next installment of the series.

Jordan has a sense that something more is going on than anyone else realized. Another characteristic that I liked about Jordan is that she is willing to put herself where needed and she’s open to asking the hard questions to get the details of the story to the public. I was impressed with Jordan’s unique qualifications in having a degree in forensic science but at times she seems to cross the line in doing a detective’s job. This led me to believe that no one on the police force is capable of solving the case. Originally, the police wrote Masey off as a runaway. As the story intensifies the police are now under pressure to solve the case which leads to a questionable arrest per Jordan.

I admit, I lost interest as the story went along. It started to dwindle after the questionable arrest. There were so many people being introduced that it was confusing, and I didn’t care who the killer was, I just wanted to be finished because I knew probably wouldn’t remember them in the crowd. There may be some emotional triggers for some readers as this story does center around a missing 15-year-old girl (not disclosing specific triggers due to spoiler for potential readers), along with the mistreatment of the falsely accused.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline despite the drawbacks stated previously. This was still an entertaining read and I enjoyed watching Jordan as she went from scene to scene, following sources as she gathered details on the story while the wicked watched.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan, Eilidh Beaton (Narrator)

July 12, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan, Eilidh Beaton (Narrator)
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, HarperAudio (Publisher)
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A grand baronial house on Loch Ness, a quirky small-town bookseller, and a single mom looking for a fresh start all come together in this witty and warm-hearted novel by New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan.

Desperate to escape from London, single mother Zoe wants to build a new life for herself and her four year old son Hari. She can barely afford the crammed studio apartment on a busy street where shouting football fans keep them awake all night. Hari’s dad, Jaz, a charismatic but perpetually broke DJ, is no help at all. But his sister Surinder comes to Zoe’s aid, hooking her up with a job as far away from the urban crush as possible: a bookshop on the banks of Loch Ness. And there’s a second job to cover housing: Zoe will be an au pair for three children at a genuine castle in the Scottish Highlands.

But while Scotland is everything Zoe dreamed of—clear skies, brisk fresh air, blessed quiet—everything else is a bit of a mess. The Urquart family castle is grand, but crumbling, the childrens’ single dad is a wreck, and the kids have been kicked out of school and left to their own devices. Zoe has her work cut out for her, and is determined to rise to the challenge, especially when she sees how happily Hari has taken to their new home.

With the help of Nina, the friendly local bookseller, Zoe begins to put down roots in the community. Are books, fresh air, and kindness enough to heal this broken family—and her own…?

I honestly don’t know where to start, what to share and how to avoid spoilers. To say this is a busy story is putting it mildly. My mind is blown, my emotions and feelings are all over the place because there are so many reasons to smile, cry, worry and grin. There are parts where I could feel my eyes widen, my jaw drop and my breath stall in my lungs from suspense. There are so many details to all the personalities that star in this novel. The fact that I spent 11 hours listening over two and a half days, at work, late at night, right after breakfast, basically every chance I got tells you how involved I was in the story of Zoe and her little son, Hari. I didn’t know what to expect when I took a chance on this book. I’d never heard of the author before and that’s my loss. I am wowed by this novel.

The narrator has a voice I had to get used to. I did though and now I’ve come to believe that Ms. Beaton’s voice is absolutely perfect for the characters of Ms. Colgan’s characters, especially Zoe, the heroine, and Ramsey’s son, Patrick. The narrator has some other gems throughout but I’ll let readers, if they listen to the book, discover that charming point for themselves.

Here’s the problem with listening to a book instead of reading – I have no idea how to spell some of the names and I don’t want to get it wrong so I’m going to have to describe people through their roles or some such. Bear with me. Patrick is Ramsey’s youngest, Mary is the second oldest and the eldest son has a name I would probably spell wrong. Out of all the hero’s kids, I think Patrick is the most adorable, outgoing and just plain cute. His relationship and effect on Hari is one of the strong elements in the book and one of my favorites. The two were thick as thieves and a delight to read about. I believe Ms. Beaton’s narration was spot on for those two.

Mary’s character is a hard one. That child has issues – serious issues that caused me heartache on her behalf, and is involved in the few scenes that affected my emotions the most. Zoe’s influence is one of the paramount reasons that what happens to Mary is so powerful and important.

Ramsey’s eldest son isn’t quite as prominent as the other two, but Zoe’s gentle guidance took this sullen, internet-gaming young man and turned him into a person with confidence, goals and helped him discover a grand new passion through which he experiences success, joy and a possible path to a career. I liked that.

I think I’m writing this backwards. Zoe is the main character, a single mom of Hari, and Hari can’t speak yet. He’s 4 years old and hasn’t made a peep. Zoe’s love for him comes through loud and clear. He lucked out when he got Zoe for his mom. His dad, Jaz, not so much. Oh, he loves the little tyke, but … there’s a reason Zoe and he never got married. And yet, I didn’t dislike Jaz. He’s irresponsible, yes, but he truly loves his son and I consider that a redeeming quality.

When I first meet Zoe, the author paints a very scary picture. The heroine is in dire straits and things don’t look good. She gets a helping hand from Jaz’s sister and that’s how the whole story in Scotland starts up. True, when I first started listening to the story, I got a little confused about who was who in which chapter, but that confusion didn’t last long. There is a significant reason the author wants readers to meet certain players early on. Readers need to understand what is going on in Zoe’s life, why she takes the jobs that were offered sight unseen and they need to meet the people that mattered in that stage of her life. Here’s another unusual aspect of the book – it has four parts and each part has a ton of chapters. It’s like the author tells Zoe’s and Hari’s story in stages – as a crisis point or major plot twist puts the heroine on a new path, each path becomes a section of her life and that’s why I think the novel is formatted in this manner. It is different, that’s for sure.

When I listed the genre as contemporary fiction, I did not add romance to the list. There are romantic elements, yes, but the book doesn’t really focus on a romance between Ramsey and Zoe. That just happens as Zoe’s influence heals everyone in the house, and that includes the housekeeper. It was nice to see it happen but the focus, the whole story is about Zoe dealing with the hand life has dealt her. It’s showing a reader how she herself heals while she patiently works with all of the hero’s children, meeting each challenge as they come, with compassion, firmness, stubbornness, a gentle grace and love. However, Zoe’s interactions with adults prove to be a bit more challenging. The dialogue comes in fits and starts because she initially is extremely nervous, downtrodden and at the lowest point in her life. That’s at the beginning. By the end of the book, Zoe has come into her own, and she’s a woman a reader can cheer for, care about and be happy for. This novel is basically her journey towards being the strong, confident, and beloved woman she becomes.

Oh my goodness, there is so much more I want to say, to share, to really impress upon readers of this review that The Bookshop on the Shore is worth reading. I mean it. It’s not a fluff read because the author also tackles some hard topics, like what happens to a child that is emotionally traumatized and does things to harm themselves or others. It’s handled with competence, respect and love. Then there is the truth about what really happened to Ramsey’s wife. The townsfolk bandy about lots of rumors and conjectures but don’t believe any of them. The truth is a lot more tragic than any could guess. Yet, it also opened my eyes to what a wonderful person Ramsey is, in his own quiet, few-worded way.

I’ll stop here. I mean, I didn’t even get to mention the evil chicken, the possible sighting of Nessie, what triggered Nina’s contractions to go from 0 to 60, the storm, what happens with the books – see what I mean? This novel is amazing – it’s like a whole world and I felt like I was living it with Zoe. I don’t know if it’s because of the skill and talent of the narrator bringing Ms. Colgan’s words to life or what, but if readers haven’t discovered this heartwarming tale, and are fans of stories that engage a reader on a deeper level, then this book is a must read. Oh, and the HEA is as unusual as Zoe’s life. I couldn’t figure out if it was really a happy ever after or a happily for now. I guess you’ll have to read it and decide for yourself. It does satisfy though because it wraps up with a surprising twist that bodes well for all the people I’ve come to care about.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Nothing General About It by Maurice Benard

May 13, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Nothing General About It: How Love (and Lithium) Saved Me On and Off General Hospital by Maurice Benard
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Memoir, Non-Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Maurice Benard has been blessed with family, fame, and a successful career. For twenty-five years, he has played one of the most well-known characters on daytime television: General Hospital’s Michael “Sonny” Corinthos, Jr. In his life outside the screen, he is a loving husband and the father of four. But his path has not been without hardship. When he was only twenty, Maurice was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In Nothing General About It, Maurice looks back to his youth in a small town and his tenuous relationship with his father. He describes how his bipolar disorder began to surface in childhood, how he struggled to understand the jolting mood swings he experienced, and how a doctor finally saved his life. For years Maurice was relentless in his goal to be a successful actor. But even after he “made it,” he still grappled with terrifying lows, breakdowns, and setbacks, all while trying desperately to maintain his relationship with his wife, who endured his violent, unpredictable episodes. Maurice holds nothing back as he bravely talks about what it was like to be medicated and institutionalized, and of how he learned to manage his manic episodes while on the set of GH.

This naturally peaked the curiosity of many women who wondered whether or not it can cause harm and any woman who is considering a “top to bottom” overhaul for every member or those who are managing chronic illness will likely need to make some adjustments to the spine and extremities, heat and ice therapy, low-level laser therapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, massage, temporary bracing, and home strengthening exercise therapy. look at this site cialis prescription online Depression prevents you generico levitra on line from being proactive about your condition, doing things you know you should be to overcome anxiety. There are millions of men who are benefited from penegra pill. http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/10/24/virginians-can-expect-to-see-more-roundabouts-in-future/ viagra price This discount cialis pill disorder is faced only by men around. Nothing General About It is also an incredible love story about an enduring marriage that demonstrates what those vows—for better, for worse, in sickness and in health—truly mean. Maurice also pays tribute to the community that has been there for him through thick and thin, and ruminates on the importance of both inherited and created family.

A shocking, riveting, and utterly candid memoir of love, adversity, and ultimately hope, Nothing General About It offers insights and advice for everyone trying to cope with mental illness, and is a motivational story that offers lessons in perseverance—of the importance of believing in and fighting for yourself through the darkest times.

A man fighting his demons and so much more.

I’ve loved watching General Hospital for ages. I remember the old storylines and the intrigue…plus the hot scenes. I remember well when Maurice Benard showed up on the scene as Sonny Corinthos. I’ll never forget the scene where Sonny and Brenda are on the plane together and the chemistry leapt off the screen. Watching that was part of the reason I picked up this book.

Maurice Benard is a complicated man and it shows on every page. It’s like reading a story by an old friend. It’s easy to follow, plain speaking and written from the heart. I liked how the author peppered in stories from the show. Benard writes well and I couldn’t stop reading. It was heartening to read a story about someone who admits to their demons and how they’re dealing with them. He’s bipolar and needed lithium to control it. He’s blunt about his struggles and how he’s dealing. It gives hope to those who have such issues and shows you can be yourself while being true to yourself.

If you’re a fan of General Hospital, Sonny Corinthos or just want to read a great book about someone with human issues and how they’ve learned to deal, then this might be for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard

August 13, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Recent Historical Fiction
Length: Full Length (363 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In November 1944, eighteen-year-old June Walker boards an unmarked bus, destined for a city that doesn’t officially exist. Oak Ridge, Tennessee has sprung up in a matter of months—a town of trailers and segregated houses, 24-hour cafeterias, and constant security checks. There, June joins hundreds of other young girls operating massive machines whose purpose is never explained. They know they are helping to win the war, but must ask no questions and reveal nothing to outsiders.

The girls spend their evenings socializing and flirting with soldiers, scientists, and workmen at dances and movies, bowling alleys and canteens. June longs to know more about their top-secret assignment and begins an affair with Sam Cantor, the young Jewish physicist from New York who oversees the lab where she works and understands the end goal only too well, while her beautiful roommate Cici is on her own mission: to find a wealthy husband and escape her sharecropper roots. Across town, African-American construction worker Joe Brewer knows nothing of the government’s plans, only that his new job pays enough to make it worth leaving his family behind, at least for now. But a breach in security will intertwine his fate with June’s search for answers.
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When the bombing of Hiroshima brings the truth about Oak Ridge into devastating focus, June must confront her ideals about loyalty, patriotism, and war itself.

A different look at the way things were in Oak Ridge.

I picked this book up because it’s on the list of books we’re considering reading for the local reading group. I’d read The Girls of Atomic City and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this take on Oak Ridge. I’m glad I picked up this book. Really. I have some quibbles with it, but it’s a quick read and an interesting point of view on life at Oak Ridge.

One of my quibbles is with the characters. I didn’t really root for any of them. I didn’t see any of them–save for a secondary one–as someone I’d like to have for a friend. I did get emotionally involved in the story, so that’s going for the book. I wanted to clunk a couple of the characters on the head. But the thing is, some of the characters were rather immature. I get they were young when they arrived at Oak Ridge, the naivete, and in some ways negativity, made me want to skip pages.

Still, this is an interesting take on what the people went through in Oak Ridge. Racial bias, loose-lips-sink-ships, being wary of everyone…it’s vividly told.

If you’re looking for a book that’s different and involves the work at Oak Ridge, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

July 16, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (355 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Set in the 1950s against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s whirlwind romance and unforgettable wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb take the reader on an evocative sun-drenched journey along the Côte d’Azur in this page-turning novel of passion, fate and second chances…

Movie stars and paparazzi flock to Cannes for the glamorous film festival, but Grace Kelly, the biggest star of all, wants only to escape from the flash-bulbs. When struggling perfumer Sophie Duval shelters Miss Kelly in her boutique to fend off a persistent British press photographer, James Henderson, a bond is forged between the two women and sets in motion a chain of events that stretches across thirty years of friendship, love, and tragedy.

James Henderson cannot forget his brief encounter with Sophie Duval. Despite his guilt at being away from his daughter, he takes an assignment to cover the wedding of the century, sailing with Grace Kelly’s wedding party on the SS Constitution from New York. In Monaco, as wedding fever soars and passions and tempers escalate, James and Sophie—like Princess Grace—must ultimately decide what they are prepared to give up for love.

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This is a sweet romance set in Monaco, during the whirlwind courtship of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier. The author had me at the prince and princess. But once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down. I liked the characters and the story. Talk about getting swept away.

Sophie is an independent girl. She isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and also not afraid to fall in love. I liked how she didn’t just fall for James. She made him work for it. That’s wonderful. She’s very contemporary in a time where women weren’t as forthright. So it was refreshing to read her story.

James… I liked how he was drawn to Sophie. I like when the hero can stand up to and beside the heroine. I also liked how he was so smitten with her. He and Sophie are a good couple and I rooted for them.

I also liked how the story of Grace and Rainier were woven in. I felt like I was right there in Cannes and along on the junket with them. It’s a fanciful story.

If you want something that’s got a lot to make you think about, then this might not be the book you want. It’s not heavy. For me, that was perfect. I wanted a breezy read. I got it.

If you want a book that’s sweet, has a satisfying ending and will leave you wanting a bit more, then this is the beach read you need.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis

July 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full length (400 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Brooke Lemon has always led the life she wanted, wild adventures—and mistakes—included, something her perfect sister, Mindy, never understood. So when Mindy shows up on Brooke’s doorstep in the throes of a break-down with her three little kids in tow, Brooke’s shocked.

Wanting to make amends, Brooke agrees to trade places, taking the kids back to Wildstone for a few days so Mindy can pick up the pieces and put herself back together. What Brooke doesn’t admit is she’s just as broken . . . Also how does one go home after seven years away? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she’d shoved deep.

Soon the sisters begin to wonder: Are they lemons in life? In love? All they know is that neither seems to be able to run far enough to outpace her demons. And when secrets surface, they’ll have to learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

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Brooke Lemon left home seven years ago and hasn’t been back. When her sister Mindy shows up on her doorstep in the midst of an emotional breakdown, will Brooke be able to help her sister?

I was entertained by the plot, and the author’s humorous writing style. I enjoyed the characters. I loved their liveliness and the realness of their personalities. The children’s antics were a joy to read. I enjoyed following the individual growth of Brooke and Mindy and I also relished seeing the sisters growing in their relationship and watching the bond strengthen between them.

I liked Mindy and I can understand and relate to her overload of having an absentee husband and three active little ones. The reader gets to see Mindy’s breakdown but we also get to see her pick herself back up. The character I liked least was Brooke. I didn’t understand why she stayed away so long and why she felt that she couldn’t share her secrets with her sister. Mindy has a kind heart and they grew up close so I didn’t understand why Brooke felt the need to leave Mindy in the dark during a time when she needed family and the love of her sister. Brooke begins to see that her sister isn’t perfect. Mindy is a woman that plans and organizes when Brooke is the type of person that freelances life. Both in their brokenness will they be able to piece back their relationship?

I enjoyed the relationship between Mindy and Linc. Linc stepped up to the plate and understood his wife’s cry for help and took action. For some reason I didn’t care much for Brooke and Garrett’s relationship. I wanted them to be together but the fact they couldn’t get past their personal hurdles because of themselves didn’t make for a good fit in the storyline. They weren’t happy apart but couldn’t see their way to be together. Readers will definitely feel the attraction of Brook to Garrett because it is mentioned several times throughout the book.

I was pleased with Garrett and his dad’s rebuilding a son/dad relationship. Garrett’s kind heart and forgiveness was touching. I liked Garrett. Because of his childhood he could have been bitter and unforgiving but this wasn’t his outcome.

Despite the few dislikes I did enjoy the mix of family, rebuilding relationships, revealing secrets and romance made this an overall good read that I would recommend.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan

April 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks/Harper Audio
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (464 pages/audio 9 hours 34 minutes)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Zoe Maisey is a seventeen-year-old musical prodigy with a genius IQ. Three years ago, she was involved in a tragic incident that left three classmates dead. She served her time, and now her mother, Maria, is resolved to keep that devastating fact tucked far away from their new beginning, hiding the past even from her new husband and demanding Zoe do the same.

Tonight Zoe is giving a recital that Maria has been planning for months. It needs to be the performance of her life. But instead, by the end of the evening, Maria is dead.

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It’s not often you get a chance at a fresh start and that’s why Zoe Maisey is doing everything she can to be the perfect girl. She doesn’t want to be the one who destroys the second chance family after all. But what do you do when your past catches up to you?

Zoe was definitely my favorite character. She made a horrible mistake – one that cost three teens their lives – but she was young and I honestly think she was drugged or given alcohol she wasn’t aware of drinking. Despite all that, she really does feel guilty and has made solid efforts to become a better person. She knows that, even if she’s not at fault, she’s going to always be the first suspect due to her history.

The others didn’t make as much of an impression on me. Sam seemed to be a bit of an afterthought as he never really gets involved in Maria’s death. Tess isn’t too bad and I did like her more as we moved through the story, but she does make some questionable choices. Lucas’ relationship with Zoe is better than most step-siblings. You know he’s been through some tough things with how well he and Zoe get along, and it’s great that they had the support of the other in this. Chris bugged me from the very beginning, but I think a lot of that had to do with the way Maria was constantly micromanaging Zoe so that Chris wasn’t put out.

The idea of a second chance family – one where everyone gets a fresh start – is a good one. Maria and Zoe want to move past Zoe’s accident. Chris and Lucas want to move on from the death of Lucas’ mom. But what wasn’t great was Maria’s pushing Zoe to hide everything and maintain this ideal of the perfect family. Families aren’t perfect. Even the best ones are messy at times.

While I’m not generally a fan of novels told in the first person point of view, in an audiobook it seems to work better for me. Although, I did find myself talking back to the car stereo more often but I’m not sure if that’s because of the characters or the POV. The male narrator, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, had a soothing, pleasant voice and the way he voiced both Sam and Lucas was enjoyable. The female narrator, Penelope Rawlins, however, did a much better job of making you think that there were two separate narrators. It actually took me several alternating points of view before I realized there was one person for both Zoe and her aunt, Tess.

The Perfect Girl is an engaging story full of hidden secrets and lies of omission. Although it has a bit of a slow start, once the author gets the ball rolling, it doesn’t stop until the end. The ending was a bit of a cliché, but for once, I fully agreed with its use. Seemed like the perfect way to end it, in my opinion. I’ll be anxious to check out other books by this author soon.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

American Duchess by Karen Harper

February 26, 2019 By 2 Comments

American Duchess by Karen Harper
Published by William Morrow Publishing
Genre: Historical
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American Duchess. Perfect for readers of Jennifer Robson and lovers of Downton Abbey.

Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “The Wedding of the Century” to the Duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold.”

On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.

At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare,” but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. And when she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last…?
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From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence—at any price.

Billed as a novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt, American Duchess is more than a love story, it’s a story of duty, of searching, of destiny. This is a fictionalized account of the life of an actual person. Beginning in 1895, the story follows our main character to New York City to famed Blenheim Castle in Great Britain.

Consuelo agrees to an arranged marriage for the good of her family (or more correctly at the insistence of her mother). However, Consuelo will eventually consider her own good as well as the good (and rights) of women in general.

Parts of this story were wonderful – the emotional struggles of Consuelo at first, and then her struggle on behalf of others. Her goals are easy to understand and follow. Also, her links to some big names of the era add an additional, unexpected level of interest.

Some characters seemed a bit flat. The Duke (her husband) never manages to have a sympathetic moment in a span of years, for example. His life seems dedicated to social climbing. In other cases, Winston Churchill for example, are quite out of character here (Ms. Harper’s Churchill is not the man presented in his biography).

However, the backdrop always seemed completely perfect. This is largely a look at ‘high society’ and gives a wonderful look at the structure of lives, as well as the places the rich and famous live! I loved descriptions of balls, ballrooms, and the clothing and manners of the times. Plans for guests, decorations, the operations of a massive household, all find their way into this story. Ms. Harper gives us a wonderful and imaginative peek into the world of high society.

The pace is never fast, but it is always interesting.

Consuelo’s story is beautifully written and will really enthrall those who are interested in the time period, from turn-of-the century to a bit Into the second World War.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson

January 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment


Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (333 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

The danger isn’t all in your head . . .

Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When Corbin Dell, a distant cousin in Boston, suggests the two temporarily swap apartments, Kate, an art student in London, agrees, hoping that time away in a new place will help her overcome the recent wreckage of her life.

But soon after her arrival at Corbin’s grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own—curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey’s. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey’s place, yet he’s denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman’s old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London.
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When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves . . . until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment—and accidently learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? And what about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn’t sure. Jetlagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself . . . So how could she take the chance on a stranger she’s just met?

Yet the danger Kate imagines isn’t nearly as twisted and deadly as what’s about to happen. When her every fear becomes very real.

And much, much closer than she thinks.

Kate was always shy and a bit nervous but she got a whole lot worse when her boyfriend lost his head and locked her in a closet for daring to speak to or about other men. Blowing his brains out with a shotgun while outside the locked closet door put her in a panic and the shock shut her down. She didn’t come home for a while. Spending time in the hospital was safe. Once she was out, she spent most of her time at home. When her cousin from London is coming to Boston to a temporary job, he offers to exchange residences with her. She can stay in his apartment and he’ll stay in hers. She agrees but she’ll be sorry.

Mr. Swanson writes a good tension-filled suspense story. He probes the minds of those who think evil thoughts. Kate was unfortunate in her life but her cousin also had a back story. He thought he’d put it behind him, but it wasn’t true. He might have left his old friend behind, but his old friend wasn’t through with him yet…

As she arrives at his apartment, she notices a lady knocking on the door of the woman across the hall. She says she didn’t show up for work and isn’t answering her phone or emails. Kate is sure she’s dead, but she tells herself not to be silly. When the cops show up and want to search the apartment, she lets them in. Then she wonders if her cousin was the killer.

This is a twisted tale with two insane men at the center of the story. Corbin’s past comes back to life and Kate almost dies from it. The ending is violent and fast. Yet, when all is said and done, Kate still has a life and even a new love. The story is torturous but the ending is sweet.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Story of X by A. J. Molloy

April 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

X
The Story of X by A. J. Molloy
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (266 pgs)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/F, Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Forced Seduction, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Thistledown

A darkly seductive and passionate tale of secret societies, elaborate rites and sexual experimentation, in the tradition of the captivating classic Story of O and Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut.

Shy American student Alexandra Beckmann-‘X’ to her friends-arrives in Naples desperate for adventures beyond the sheltered life she has led. She is there to study the Camorra, an infamous Italian crime organization. But in the sun-soaked, ancient city streets, her research leads her to a man like no one else she has ever met.

Irresistibly handsome, Lord Marcus Roscarrick is an Italian aristocrat with a mysterious past. Yet, underneath his refined exterior, X senses a man who is well-acquainted with danger.

Soon they begin a passionate affair, and X is drawn into Roscarrick’s world-a world she never dreamed existed. But as she falls ever more deeply under Roscarrick’s spell, X must decide whether she dares to submit entirely to this shadowy realm of dark desire.

When X goes on a work study program to Italy, she goes looking for love but never dreams it will lead her head long into ancient mysteries best left alone.
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Alexandra Beckmann, otherwise known as X, is in Italy with her friend Jessica working on her thesis. Choosing to write about the mob is probably not the safest subject matter, but being steeped in all of Italy’s essences, it stirs her blood. X and Jessica meet an enigmatic wealthy man at one of the corner cafes and he pays for their drinks and food. X is transfixed by the allure of the mysterious Marcus Roscarrick. Wealthy, hot and eligible, X pursues him only to be rebuffed. Feeling like a fool, she heads off and resumes work on her thesis. Wandering the environs of Italy’s darkest corners, Roscarrick saves her when she gets into a situation over her head. The game is on.

From the first page, this story grabbed my interest. Here was a girl in Italy studying the mob. Talk about poking a bear with a stick! As X gets in deeper, you get a tour of the best and worst that Italy has to offer, both in experiences and travel destinations. As she becomes involved with Marcus sexually, hidden dimensions about the man, his past and whether their relationship can possibly go any further glued me to my chair. Was he in the Italian mob? How did he garner his fortune? What was that about a dead wife with a whole lot of money that he inherited? Lots of questions kept me guessing and that wasn’t even the best part.

Marcus is a member of a Mystery Religion based out of a Dionysian tradition. It is secretive and dangerous and in order for X to see him, she has to be initiated into the society. Fearful and upset, X is repelled by the idea, but can’t stand the thought of being apart fromMarcus. The Mysteries are a series of rites performed in secret locations that involve ancient knowledge, sexual situations and drugs. Leading her into this hidden world, Marcus tries to protect her even as they both get deeper into the intricacies of the Italian mob and the web of violence and intrigue that comes with it.

The Story of X is a compelling read that takes smoking hot sex scenes and pairs them with a Mystery religion so that the two are intertwined. BDSM elements including voyeurism, drugged orgies, multiple partners, public spankings, nudity and whippings are all a part of the initiation process. Not to mention a special tattoo as well. Marcus is a conflicted character with a lot of personal history to deal with and X has to navigate some seriously shark infested waters if she is going to be with this smoking hot billionaire.

Overall, this book was such a different BDSM twist that it had me guessing the entire time. Part mystery, part erotic romance, this story was unique enough that I could not put it down. Everyone hears about the fun parts of Italy, but what about the slums and crime ridden parts? This author did a great job of letting me see the good, bad and ugly while still keeping me riveted to the passion between the characters and what was at stake if the initiation didn’t take place.

For a hot read with some biting dialog, nicely rounded characters and a tour of Italy that reads like the most interesting travel brochure ever, put this one on your reading list.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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