REVIEW: Kiersten Modglin has a new book coming out September 1st. It is called If You’re Reading This. Well, you all know by now that I am a big Kiersten Modglin fan and have been on her street team for over two years. She is the bomb! So, you know I’m going to read her new book and give you the scoop.

I think this new book has taken the spot of my favorite book by Kiersten!

I don’t read reviews before I write my own but, sometimes you can’t help but see a comment or two out there before you even get to pick up the book. I swear Ive seen the odd comment about this not being anything more that a excuse for a romance or not her typical book. Maybe, just maybe, this is why I like the book so well. It didn’t seem to be full of her normal twists and turns but, it was a continual slow burn until the end.

Y’all I loved this book! She could write 50 more like this and I would gobble every one of them up! This book was so full of raw pain. The pain that I’ve been through before and could relate to. Colbie loses the man she meant to spend the rest of her life with. His name was Phil.  Kiersten lost her father last year and I could feel her pain in this novel pouring out. It was nothing short of the feelings you have when you have lost a loved one. That alone makes this book a gem.

Her characters were fabulous. Her three best friends have helped her through the last year. Eric was her grooms best friend. James was her friend from early childhood and Miles was in the band that played the day of her wedding. These men took care of her and got her through. They each loved her and she wound up loving them. They were all the sweetest guys. Colbie’s sister was something else. She didn’t play a large part in the book. Thankfully! There was the only parent she had left and he was her stepdad, Jerry. I liked all of the main characters. Some of the side characters…not so much.

This book was a slow burn from beginning to the end. There was enough to this story that I kept turning the pages and couldn’t put the book down. I just had to know what was going on and what Colbie was questioning in her mind about Phil came to a head at the end. I would have liked the book to go on a bit longer. Hey, if someone thought this was an excuse for a romance book then I wanted all the romance!

The book is up for pre-order and if you are a fan like me you’re going to drop what you are doing and go put in an order! You are definitely going to want to read this book as soon as it hits your inbox or your mailbox. Happy Reading!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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SYNOPSIS: The day of their dreams was nothing short of a nightmare.

On the one-year anniversary of her wedding, Colbie Moore’s life looks nothing like it should. Still grieving the loss of the man she meant to spend her life with, Colbie prepares for a weekend away to take her mind off her heartache, but the simple plan results in much more than she bargained for.

A box of letters, meant for the bride and groom to open on their anniversary, is instead opened by Colbie and her three best friends—Miles, James, and Eric. And what it holds could ruin everything.

A mysterious note from a surprising sender shocks Colbie, propelling her down a dark path to discover the truth about the man she loved—his life and his death—before it’s too late.

Soon, Colbie begins to question everyone around her as the mystery unravels.
What was Phil hiding from her when he died?
What secrets are still hidden?

The closer she gets to answers, the clearer it becomes that someone has gone to great lengths to protect their lies.
And if she pushes any more, everything she has left could be exactly what she stands to lose.

Is it worth risking everything to truly know the man she’s already lost?
After all, she’s been warned…she might not be able to handle what she finds.

A heart-wrenching domestic suspense about love, loss, and deception from bestselling author Kiersten Modglin.

REVIEW: I am positively and absolutely a Karen McQuestion fangirl! I never knew until I ran into her books what a fabulous author she is. She has not just settled on on genre. This woman skips around and gives you a different genre once in a while. That puts her a step above if you ask me. Most authors master one genre and stay there. Karen has surprised me a few times by turning out a book in a different genre and let me tell you…she is a MASTER! I think she can write anything. A Limited Run is an example of that.

If you look up the genres listed for this book, you will find they are wide and varied. I’m going to make up my own genre. It is Parent, Sibling, and Human relationships with a little creepy thrown in. How does that sound? I could just make it Creepy Relationships but, that doesn’t hit it either. I really think Karen has come up with a new genre. There are several things I like about this book. Let me explain.

The timeframe of the book is modern day. I also goes back to a show that was on television probably back in the 1990’s that took place in a town called Haven in the 1940’s. The show was only on for two seasons but has gained a cult following. Most of the book took place in the town of Haven and I love going back in time and being able to enjoy life at a different time. That part of the book was right up my alley. A billionaire has taken an interest in A Little Slice of Haven also and has built a large warehouse that contains the town of Haven. The five main actors are invited back for 10 days to live in Haven. If they stay the whole time and stay in character, they will each receive $2,000,000.00. I woud do that! Wouldn’t you?

The characters are introduced as their modern day selves and then as they related to each other in the show. By the way, I have to tell you the show was about the Barlow family. This book was so interesting. I love how the town and show was all recreated. I did, however, wonder why Felix Worthington (the billionaire) wanted to recreate the town and then pay the actors to come back to recreate their roles. You have to read the book and get all the way to the end to find out why in the world he would want to spend all that money! 

This book was worth every minute I put into it. I had a few surprises along the way too! First, there is a character with the name Lauren Pisanelli! As you know that is my last name. I was tickled she used my name. Then as I read further along there was a character by the name of Phyllis Jones!! My maiden name. How awesome was that? That might be one reason I’m so in love with this book but, it truly is a fun book. I loved the town, the time period and the characters both The Barlows and the actors.

If you love to read books about another time period with a little suspense, a little romance and intrigue, you will love this book as much as I do. It comes out August 31, 2022 and if you read it, I would love to hear what you think about A Limited Run!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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SYNOPSIS: “A Limited Run is an incredibly gripping story, with a delicious edge of creepiness. I couldn’t stop reading it—easily one of my favorites this year! Another masterpiece from McQuestion!” – Freida McFadden, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author

When billionaire Felix Worthington invites the five cast members of the TV show A Little Slice of Haven to recreate their roles twenty-five years later, they’re initially skeptical. It’s an unusual request, even for a self-professed superfan like Felix.

For several of them, playing a member of the Barlow family in the small town of Haven in the 1940s was an experience best forgotten. Meri Wetzel, who played a loving wife and mother, has spent the last two decades avoiding her TV husband, Jeff. And the actors who played their children each have lingering resentments of their own.

But living in a recreated version of the town in a warehouse in Montana has its appeal, even knowing they’ll be filmed with hidden cameras as they improvise with other actors playing the townspeople. And the clincher? Two million dollars for each of them, provided they stay all ten days and remain in character the entire time. One by one, they set aside their hesitations and agree to the terms.

After all, with two million dollars they’d be set for life, and really, what could go wrong?

REVIEW: I have several SECRETS to reveal to you. Well…a few anyway! Secret number one: The Secrets We Hide by Patricia Sands is the first ever book that I have read of hers. Secret number two: It is not however the only book of hers in my kindle library. There are a total of FIVE! It’s not that I haven’t wanted to read her books, it was finding the time. When you’re a reviewer, you read by deadline and author request. My final secret I’m revealing today is that I am a sold, diehard fan of Patricia Sands. I absolutely and madly fell in love with The Secrets We Hide.

It took me a few short reading spells to get into the book. It was interesting from the get go but, I had a few things on my mind and a few projects taking up my time. Two days ago my husband announced he was going fishing. Yay! I’m spending the day reading. Well, I picked up my book and became spellbound with the story that Patricia wove for her readers. I couldn’t put it down. I read every chance I got for the next two days and finished the last half hour this morning.

The characters were people that I could look up to and admire. The main character was Kaito. He is a fellow that was born in Japan and when he was in high school his parents moved the family to Honolulu, Hawaii. His best friend’s family also moved there at the same time. Her name was Hana and after graduation they married. I don’t want to tell you a lot about the story because I want you to discover it for yourself. This book is like a beautiful flower that opens one petal at a time and reveals something new and beautiful to the story.

I will tell you that Kaito turned to Buddhism to guide his life. I learned a lot about their beliefs in this book. The book does not bore you with drab descriptions of the religion. The author makes it interesting and brings it alive. She does the same thing with the settings in the book. There are several locations that we learn about during the story. The main ones are Hawaii, France and Tokyo.

This story is so complex with love, family, loyalty, forgiveness and humanity. The plot is complex like anybody’s life. I didn’t want it to end. The Secrets We Hide was not just a great read, it was an experience. Well done Patricia Sands! I’ll be talking about this book for a long time.

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SYNOPSIS: The deep traditions and values of Kaito Tanaka’s Japanese heritage are severely tested when he returns home to Honolulu from duty in Vietnam to find his wife, Hana, in the grip of progressive mental health challenges.

As Hana’s condition worsens, Kaito’s life becomes absorbed in protecting and caring for her and their daughter, Kiana. Hana becomes increasingly reclusive while their daughter Kiana grows troubled and rebellious. A friend’s mysterious death followed by Kiana’s sudden disappearance cut deeply into Kaito’s soul. Meditation is Kaito’s drug of choice. Secrecy hides the truth from others but Kaito’s commitment to Hana is unwavering.

As years go by, Kaito begins to make an annual pilgrimage to a Buddhist retreat in Koyasan that renews his spirit. In the end, a serendipitous coincidence there opens the door to happiness – if he can allow himself to accept it.

“Set against lush backdrops in Hawaii, Japan, Corsica, and the south of France, this beautiful story of resilience perfectly balances the heartbreak and destruction of mental illness with the compassion and serenity of an unforgettable hero.” Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise Between Us.

REVIEW: Secrets and Lies by J.S. Ellis is the second book of The Secret They Kept series with The Secret The Kept being the title of the first book. I can’t help but think there is going to be at least one more book in this series. I felt like Secrets and Lies left me with a lot of unanswered questions. The first book brought overwhelming success hence book two and here’s hoping for a book three!

I really think you should read The Secret They Kept before you read Secrets and Lies. You won’t be sorry. I think you can read book two as a stand alone but, the background and introduction to the characters in book one will lend more richness to the story. I think you would lose a lot if you read book two first and then go back to book one. So, enhance your reading experience and read these books in order. 

The characters in these books are a little quirky. They may not be the kind of people in your group of friends but, their beauty and open lives will pull you in. Emily is the main character and is a lot like some of us. I don’t think she sees herself as beautiful and doesn’t always go the extra mile to take care of herself and her home. She was not always like this but, the things that happen in the first book and now the second one have changed who she is as a person. She is drawn to Lucien who is a stunningly beautiful man. Nobody compares. His coloring, clothes and the way he carries himself make him a stand out in any crowd. Emily is also interested in a detective that is prominent in the story. You have to read these books to understand how all of this fits. It’s quite interesting.

I have become a fan of J.S. Ellis. She writes great Psychological Suspense. I rarely know what is going to happen. She weaves such a good story and has characters that just draw you in that you really don’t realize what you are reading. You think you are reading a normal fiction book until the first twist comes your way. Then you just jump right in and fly along because you can’t wait to see what happens.

If you love Suspense, Psychological Suspense, murders that have gone unsolved, A love story or two or three along the way, domestic fiction, you name it, you’ll love this new series by J.S. Ellis.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Don’t forget to support the authors you love by leaving a review! 

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you! 

SYNOPSIS: Emily Clarke is still haunted by the events that unraveled a year ago.

Not having seen or spoken to Lucien, she is struggling to sell her home in Greenwich while using alcohol to help her cope.
Arriving home from the holiday, Emily finds a single red rose outside her door, is it Lucien trying to send her a message?

Then… the attacks begin.

The people she cares for are being attacked by a malicious culprit. With Lucien picking that moment to reappear, Emily can’t help but question his motives. Does he know who is behind the vicious crimes? Together, can they put an end to the rash of violence?

REVIEW: HOLY COW!!! Heavy Crown by Wendy Million is an unputdownable book. That’s the truth! Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down. Everytime my husband looked at me my nose was buried deep in my tablet. I could hardly look up to answer him. What’s for dinner? Duh, I don’t know. Do you want to go pick something up? No, you go. Do you mind if I go fishing? Nope. Are you ready for bed? Only if you’ll let me finish this book before the light goes out. Honestly, I was hooked.

Heavy Crown is the next book in the Bellerive Royals series. I have really enjoyed all of the books in this series but, Heavy Crown has to be the best one yet. Alexander Summerset is the next in line to become King of Bellerive. In the past books, I didn’t care much for him. He was an all work and no play sort of guy. He did try to take his brothers girl away from him when they ran into a bump in the road but for the most part he did not believe in love. He redeemed himself in this book.

I love the characters that Wendy has carved out for us in these books. As I look back, there are a lot of them that I did not like up front. As each book pulls out one of the Royals to highlight, we get to know them more up front and personal. You realize what drives them and what makes them who they are. I truly loved the Donaghey Series. It was so good but, I honestly have to say I love this Bellerive Royals series a little more. I can’t put my finger on it but, I feel like Wendy Million gets better with every book she writes.

Warning! Her books can be scorching HOT!! I like that every once in a while and I admit it is not a steady diet for me. I don’t find the scenes in her books obnoxious. They flow into the story and are not put there just to make them hot. They have a reason. They are a part of the story and have an illustrative purpose for being there. I would still encourage my best friend to read the books. You just can’t go wrong with a good story.

If you have not read any of Wendy Million’s books, jump right in. I suggest reading them in order for the fun they bring but, I think they would do well as stand alones. If you are a big Wendy Million fan, I would make sure you read this book pronto. What are you waiting for? Clear a day of your schedule and enjoy the best read from her yet!

SYNOPSIS: Alexander Summerset, future King of Bellerive, doesn’t believe in love. When a coronation clause has him seeking a wife, an arranged marriage suits him. His criteria is simple. She must be tolerable to him, and she must be good for the country.

Aurora Wilson followed her boyfriend to Bellerive after college and joined his family’s business. When she discovers him cheating on her, she flees their apartment, and the life that’s trapped her.

An unlikely and unexpected meeting stuns them both. For a man who doesn’t believe in love, he’s suddenly only got eyes for her.

There’s only one problem. He can only marry royalty or a native Bellerivian, and she is neither.

Don’t forget to support the authors you love by leaving a review! To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!