REVIEW:

Nola Nash graced us with a new book in The Traveler Series. It is titled Watcher and was released November 30, 2023. I wish life did not throw so many curves my way in the last several months as I wanted to read this one a while ago but, I finally made it. 

I will have to say it took me a while to get into this book. That is totally my fault. Again, things get in the way. I am so glad that I was able to sit down and concentrate on this story. It is so jammed packed with history. If you are a history buff, you should consider putting this book on your tbr pile. I wasn’t a good student of history but I like to learn about it in fun ways. So, I started this book looking for more of the modern times like the Traveler had in it. Sadly, that did not happen. When I got over my pouting, I enjoyed the story that Nora was presenting me with.

The book starts out in 404 BC during the battle for Athens. That is when I started looking for the modern part of the story. Didn’t happen and I am not exactly sure when the book ended. I do think the way she left it that we are in for another installment to this Series possibly called Oracle. I guess we will have to wait and see as I haven’t talked to Nora in a while but, I do hope she is busily working on that book. I want to know what happens to Shelby and Benny!

If you are a history buff and haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend that you read these books starting with Traveler. You must read them in order. It will make more sense. If you are one of those people that like to stretch yourself and read things you haven’t read before, this is the perfect series to stretch your wings. I think this is the perfect series to do that. I really enjoyed this series so far when I open my mind and just go on the journey with the characters. You’ll love Shelby! She is quite the character. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

SYNOPSIS:

“A very entertaining read that carried me right to the end. My Life in Ruins meets The Mummy.” –Edward J. Leahy, author of Past Grief

Destiny doesn’t care if you want it or not.

Having made the time jump to her destiny, Shelby Starling finds herself, along with Benny, in the midst of the battle for Athens in 404 BC. While Apollo might have provided clothing for the time period and the ability to understand languages, he also tossed in some riddles for good measure in the form of a cloth with a single word on it and the Victorian Traveler Elijah Faircloth’s journal that seems oddly useless in ancient Greece.

It soon becomes clear that winning the war against Sparta wasn’t their destiny as the god had led them to believe. Instead, they’ve been sent on a hunt for a traitorous and womanizing Greek general, Alcibiades, whom Apollo wants to punish for lifetimes of atrocities against humanity.

With little choice, since destiny will not relent until it’s fulfilled, Shelby and Benny are made Watchers with the ability to make the time jump on their own in search of the slippery Traveler Alcibiades. Following their target through history and all over the world to some strangely familiar times and places, the reason for Eli’s journal becomes more obvious as the true identity of its author becomes clear.

Will Shelby, with Benny’s steadfast help, be able to bring her Traveler back to Apollo or will he continue to slip through her fingers? Will her connection to the magnetic general bring them too close for her to turn him over to the gods to pay for his crimes?

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REVIEW:

Jessica Ryen Doyle approached me to review Family Tree, a book that she had written. I was hesitant because I have a backlog of books I still need to get to. She assured me that I would love her book. I took her word for it and jumped in as soon as I finished the book I was on. I love helping new authors.

This book is a steamy romance but, then again it is so much more than that! It deals with unplanned pregnancies, gay relationships and in vitro fertilization, and sexual abuse of children. When I started this book I thought it was going to be a typical romance. It is but, Ms. Doyle makes you think about things you may not have given a lot of thought to before. She makes you feel things you may not have wanted to feel.

Some people will be offended by the love scenes in this book and how explicit they are. They are there for a reason. One you are shown that it can just be another outlet without much feeling behind the act and two you are shown what something can mean when love is behind it and it takes real work to get there. We have all found ourselves in the position we hear so much on the news we are hardened to it. 

The characters in this book are used to make you understand someone who has experienced abuse and what it has done to that person in the long run. You also get to know someone that doesn’t put much thought into how they approach that part of their life and what the consequences might be or how it might affect someone else. The characters learn to appreciate other people’s position. They learn to love in every sense of the word.

Jessica Ryen Doyle was correct when she said I would love her book Family Tree. I hope that she will write more books because the thought and sensitivity put into this book was beyond what you normally get in a romance story. This book brought out all the feelings. If you love a book that makes you feel and feel differently than you might have before, then I encourage you to find a copy and read it. Until next time…Happy Reading!

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

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

SYNOPSIS:

Mia Anton is a twenty-five year old entertainment reporter and owner of the popular website, The Blogger. She falls in love with one of her assignments, Johnny Tree, a hot Hollywood actor. But, Johnny has a dark past and he’s reluctant to share. As Mia tries to navigate difficult situations that arise in her life, she wonders if Johnny can go the distance. Or, is their relationship doomed from the start?

As Mia mines the complex issues of love and loss, her own notion of a family tree changes in ways she could never imagine.

A modern-day romance, Family Tree will tug at your heart as you quickly become absorbed by Mia and Johnny’s story.

Readers of Molly McAdams, Tracey Garvis-Graves and Tammara Webber will find this book hard to put down.

REVIEW:

The Guest by B. A. Paris was my first book by this author. I have heard nothing but good things about her books. This won’t be the last one I read of hers but, I was a tiny bit disappointed. Well, let’s put it this way, I am more mad at myself than disappointed. I should have known who the murderer was all along. I’ve told you how bad I am about figuring these books out but, this one was a giveaway right in your face. When you read it, let me know if you figured it out before the epilogue.

I did enjoy The Guest. I spent a rainy day with my nose buried so deep in my tablet that I wasn’t very good company. I was engrossed due to a lot going on and several catastrophes. The author kept me turning those pages until well into the night. 

The characters were all so interesting and their development was very satisfying. They seemed to have a lot of life changing things going on in their lives. The main characters, Iris and Gabriel come home to find one of their friends has taken over their home. Gabriel is on leave from his job due to burnout and now their friend Laure has separated temporarily from her husband Pierre and come to stay. She is the “guest”. There are others. Their daughter and neighbors down the road who all play a big part in the story.

I always wondered what an unreliable narrator was. This book is a prime example of that. I believed everything I was told only to find out that I got it all wrong. If you love a book that takes you on a ride and dumps you off scratching your head and wondering what the heck was I thinking, then this is a book for you to put in your tbr pile. I would! Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

SYNOPSIS:

New York Times bestselling author B. A. Paris captivated psychological thriller readers everywhere with Behind Closed Doors. Now she invites you into another home full of heart-pounding secrets, in The Guest.

Some secrets never leave.

Iris and Gabriel have just arrived home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their closest friends, Laure, is in their house. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense as she oversteps again and again: sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris’ clothes, even rearranging the furniture.

Laure has walked out on her husband—and their good friend—Pierre, over his confession of an affair and a secret child. Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive of their friends, but as Laure’s mood becomes increasingly unpredictable, her presence takes its toll.

Iris and Gabriel’s only respite comes in the form of a couple new to town. But with them comes their gardener, who has a checkered past.

Soon, secrets from all their pasts will unravel, some more dangerous than they could have known.

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REVIEW:

One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan was a phenomenal read. I could not put this book down! I am behind in my reading and that is certainly part of it but, this book literally kept me turning the pages. The story development was the key here. The story kept changing and building and I simply had to know where it was going.

The character development was complex. You thought you knew a character and then they did a 360 degree turn. In this book we have a husband that is accused of drinking and killing a man that was skateboarding in the parking garage of his building after the New Year’s Eve celebration. He swears he was not drunk and simply didn’t see the man until he ran over him and killed him.

This is a tightly woven plot and Hank reveals to us clues along the way that we can’t rely on. You have to discern what you are going to believe. I’m very bad at that. I always think the narrator is reliable and sometimes they are not. I am easily yanked back and forth while reading and wonder what in the world hit me when I am done. Sometimes, I’m exhausted when I close the cover on the book. I think that is why I love these stories so much. I can’t figure them out and always think this might actually be the one. Not so with Hank Phillippi Ryan!

If you find yourself fascinated with crime stories that you can’t solve, you will surely enjoy One Wrong Word! Until next time…Happy Reading!

SYNOPSIS:

A heart-racing new psychological thriller from USA Today bestselling and multiple award-winning author, Hank Phillippi Ryan.

One wrong word can ruin your life. And no one knows that better than savvy crisis management expert Arden Ward. Problem is, she’s now forced to handle a shocking crisis of her own. Unfairly accused of having an affair with a powerful client, Arden’s life and dreams are about to crash and burn. Then, Arden is given an ultimatum. She has just two weeks to save her career and her reputation.

Is Cordelia Bannister the answer to her prayers?

Cordelia needs Arden’s help for her husband Ned, a Boston real estate mogul. Though he was recently acquitted in a fatal drunk driving accident, his reputation is ruined, and the fallout is devastating not only to the Bannisters’ lives, but the lives of their two adorable children.

Arden devotes her skill and determination—and maybe her final days on the job—to helping this shattered family, but soon, revelations begin to emerge about what really happened the night of the accident. And then—another car crash throws Ned back into the spotlight.

This case is Arden’s final chance to protect her own future and clear her name. But the more she tries to untangle the truth, the more she’s haunted by one disturbing question—what if she’s also protecting a killer?

Gossip. Lies. Rumors. Words like that can hurt you. And Arden knows the reality. Sometimes one wrong word can kill.

At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

REVIEW:

The Stranger by Kiersten Modglin is absolutely brilliant! Bravo, Kiersten, you’ve done it again. I say that because of two reasons. One, I can never figure out who did it and two, I thought I did many times during the reading of this book, however, I have to sadly say I did not figure it out. I do not know how the mind of this author works. She is sweet as pie but more twisted than a pretzel.

This book takes place during a terrible snow storm amid the holiday season. The two main characters find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere. Walker picks Tibby up while driving through the storm. She is walking after being tossed out by her boyfriend. Nice guy. Walker is a nice guy but Tibby has a problem trusting anyone. I love the back and forth with these two.

Throughout this book the paragraphs rotate between Tibby and Walker. You get to hear their thoughts. There are also paragraphs that are titled “BEFORE”. It is while reading those sections that I thought I knew who the bad person was. I was pretty confident until I wasn’t. Then it was back and forth until my head took a spin. If you’ve read any of Kiersten Modglin’s novels you’ll know what I mean. The endings always take me on a ride I wasn’t prepared to take.

I don’t know if I can say I liked any of the characters. I hated one and then the other because I kept thinking I knew who the bad person was although my thinking kept changing on that matter. I felt like they were playing cat and mouse with my brain. Well, they weren’t but Kiersten was!

If you like psychological suspense, murder and mayhem, you will like this book. There are several things going on that will keep your mind busy. Notice I didn’t say out of trouble. I could have been a weather forecaster during this book. My predictions were all so wrong. If you’re looking for a challenge with figuring out a book, this is a book for you. Until next time…Happy Reading!

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

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

SYNOPSIS:

Never trust a stranger…
But, late at night and trapped in the middle of nowhere during a terrible snowstorm, Tibby and Walker have no choice.

With roads shutting down and cell towers out, running into each other and deciding to travel together could either be their saving grace or worst mistake. When they’re forced to take an unexpected detour and seek refuge in a roadside motel, the storm quickly becomes the least of their worries.

A disturbing discovery in the motel, the questionable actions of the mysterious owner and fellow guests, and a news report about a missing couple in the area set the scene for a terrifying night, but the worst is yet to come.

Each stranger holds a secret…but which one should be trusted?

From million-copy bestselling author Kiersten Modglin comes a fast-paced, heart-pounding thriller filled with secrets, lies, and hairpin twists and turns as dangerous as the icy roads the story is set upon.