REVIEW:

All the Beautiful Lies by J. S. Ellis is the first book in what is going to be a trilogy. This story has an interesting premise and it’s one that I have not read yet. I did enjoy the book and am looking forward to the other two books that are to follow next year. I don’t think I’ll forget who these characters are before book two comes out.

We have Jeff Whittaker and his wife Emma. Jeff meets a man in a coffee shop who is a paid  Escort. Jeff hires Daryl to see if he can entice Emma to cheat on him. Daryl takes the job because he needs the money to pay for his mother’s medical expenses. 

I am not going to give anything away because I always want you to experience the book the same way I did. I will tell you that Ms. Ellis ended this book in a way that I don’t enjoy. She left me hanging so far in the air and a long time to wait. I totally understand why she did that because it worked! I was very involved in this book and now I have so many questions, I will definitely be reading book number two and three. She accomplished her goal and I will be returning for more. Bravo!

If you love a book about a devious husband and an unhappy wife, a husband’s unconventional quest to learn how far his wife will go, then All the Beautiful Lies by J. S. Ellis should be your next read. If Domestic Thrillers are in your wheelhouse, then this book has to be on your nightstand. Don’t plan on sleeping until you finish. 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.

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:

The escort, The husband and The wife. What do they have in common?

Daryl’s biggest priority was taking care of his ailing mother and a stack of medical bills. To ease the financial burden, he uses his looks and charm to his benefit and works as an escort. Then, he meets Jeff Whittaker at a bar and makes an unconventional request.

Entice his wife into cheating to see if she would.

Daryl takes the job because he needs the money, yet he fears what will become of Jeff’s gorgeous wife, Emma, if he reports good or bad news to him.

Then Emma gets attacked at her home.

Who attacked Emma? And What does Jeff want with Darly? Is it possible that Jeff Whittaker wants out of his marriage in a far more final than divorce?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J.S. Ellis, author of psychological thrillers and suspense  had published her debut psychological thriller in 2019 which was an instant success and received great praise from readers. She writes stories about obsession and betrayal. When she’s not putting her characters in uncomfortable difficult positions, J.S Ellis likes to relax with her husband and their fur baby, Eloise. They live on the sunny island of Malta.

Her novels are dark, suspenseful filled with mystery and intrigue.

In Her Words

The Secret She Kept

The Sisters: Short Story

The Neighbor’s Cat: Short Story

Theodore: The Neighbor’s Cat

The Rich Man

Psychological thrillers duology for fans of Gone Girl and Woman in the Window.

Runaway Girl: Short story

Lost and Found #1

Hide and Seek 2

You can follow J.S. Ellis

Join the mailing list https://joannewritesbooks.com

Website https://joannewritesbooks.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorJ.SEllis/

Instagram @ author_j.sellis

Goodreads http://bit.ly/2P8a9xx

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-s-ellis

Bingebooks: https://bingebooks.com/author/j-s-ellis

REVIEW:

Friends are Forever is book six of the Teton Mountain Series written by Kellie Coates Gilbert. Where We Belong is book one and I am sad to say the final book in the series is coming out in time for Christmas. I really hate to see these women leave my life.

I fell in love with this series from the beginning of the first book. The series is about four women that have been friends since high school and have always been there for each other. Charlie Grace, Lila, Capri and Reva have a tradition of meeting and catching up with each other on Friday evenings after the work week. I love these women and they make me miss my own friends from high school. Do you have friends like that? 

Reva has to make some life changing decisions in this book. I guess I’ll tell you that it broke my heart. I cried the ugly cry more than once while I was trying to read. It is a little difficult to read through tears that won’t stop. Reva’s decision rocks her friends to their core. Hard decisions come for Reva too. She is the Mayor of the little town of Thunder Mountain. Well, you know how I love small towns. 

The day I read this book, I walked around with a heavy heart. It is hard to know a series that you love is coming to an end but, when you find out the characters you care about so much are in as much pain as you, that makes it twice as hard. Yes, I know these are only fictional characters but, some of us have been through life changing decisions just like Reva is going through.

If you love small towns and wonderful characters that love one another like family, then this book is for you. You have time before this Christmas when the final book comes out to grab these books and start reading. Your heart will be warmed and you will feel better for reading about a kind of town and friendships that we often don’t see anymore.

Grab these books for your nightstand. I highly recommend the Teton Mountain Series by Kellie Coates Gilbert for your reading pleasure. 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.

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:

Some friendships last a lifetime… but what happens when life forces a change?

As mayor of Thunder Mountain, Reva Nygard has spent years guiding her town with a steady hand and an open heart. But when an unexpected family crisis calls her back to Georgia, she faces an impossible decision—one that will alter not only her future but the lives of those who love her most.

Her three lifelong friends—Charlie Grace, Capri, and Lila—are rocked by the news. As each woman navigates personal changes of her own, they lean on the friendship that has carried them through life’s highest peaks and deepest valleys. Yet just as they begin to find their footing, the town is shaken by unforeseen challenges, forcing Reva to decide if leaving Thunder Mountain is truly the right choice… or if some bonds are too strong to break.

Full of heart, laughter, and the kind of twists that only life in the Teton Mountains can deliver, Friends Are Forever is a powerful story about love, sacrifice, and the friendships that shape who we are—no matter where life takes us.

Perfect for fans of Robyn Carr, Sherryl Woods, and Nancy Naigle.

REVIEW:

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is the third book I’ve read by Christine Nolfi and it definitely is not going to be the last. I absolutely love her books and plan to do a lot of back reading in my near future. First, I have to tell you about this book because in my opinion it is fabulous! Fabulous because this author writes books with grit, heart, true feelings and substance. That’s the word, substance! She writes true literary fiction.

This book was one that drew me in immediately. The main character is Claire Shelton who works at an antique store. Her employers are two very unique and interesting men that I personally would have liked to have more of in this story. They are an important part of the story. Claire had a rough start in life and they took her under their wing and  taught her all about their trade making her a valuable employee.

Of course we meet Hanna in this book and it has been rumored that she has a secret library that is full of first edition books that are worth a ton of money that was gifted to her by her father. The rumor has never been confirmed. Most book lovers would love to be let loose in a library full of first edition, signed books. I think I would be afraid to even touch them. Wouldn’t you?

There is a lot of love and caring woven into the pages of this story. Hanna comes off as the stern mistress of the estate that has been in her family for years but there is a true love in her for the folks who work for her and their families before them. It has been a family affair. Just about the only way to get hired on as staff is to have a relative who has worked for Hannah or her family in the past.

If you like an author that can offer you a completely different story every time you open a book by them, then I suggest you read Christine Nolfi. Reading her books is like eating a fine box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. I highly recommend The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves for your next read.

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.

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:

An antiques dealer and an enigmatic heiress embark on a revelatory friendship in a haunting and hopeful novel about family ties, secrets, and belonging by the bestselling author of A Heart Like Home.

Cautious Claire Shelton, employee at a Maine antique shop, is surprised when she’s recruited to catalog the treasures of reclusive Hanna Reeves, sole descendant of the state’s most colorful shipbuilders and industrialists. Hanna’s retreat from society years ago is just one of many mysteries behind the walls of Rose Hill, her fabled estate.

Settling into Rose Hill’s carriage house, Claire finds Hanna, nearing eighty, to be a still-formidable woman. She’s demanding, judgmental, and protective of a mansion that is a veritable shrine to her ancestors. Then, diving into her work, Claire discovers a hidden library that is the stuff of legend among locals. An avid booklover, Claire is in heaven. More enthralling are Hanna’s leather-bound family journals that open Claire up to the past—and soon forge a rich and unexpected bond between two very different women.

A legacy is coming to light. All of Maine is talking. Because the revelations in the journals are enlightening enough to unite old friends, lovers, and families. And shocking enough to tear them apart forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Christine Nolfi is the award-winning and bestselling author of seventeen novels. Look for her 2025 release, The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves.

Other works include her 2024 release A Heart Like Home; A Brighter Flame, selected by She Reads as a best book club pick and The Passing Storm, cited by Publishers Weekly as “Tautly plotted, expertly characterized, and genuinely riveting” and gold medal winner in general fiction, International Book Awards.

Earlier works include The Road She Left Behind, a top book club pick by Working Mother and Parade magazines; the award-winning Sweet Lake Series: Sweet Lake, The Comfort of Secrets, and The Season of Silver Linings; Second Chance Grill, highly recommended by The Midwest Book Review and Treasure Me, recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards. The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge was cited by The Midwest Book Review as “Poignant and powerful, as much a saga of learning to survive, heal, and forgive as it is a chilling crime story, unforgettable to the very end.”

A native of Ohio, Christine now resides in South Carolina with her husband. Visit Christine Nolfi at the website of the same name.

There are stories we read for escape, and then there are those that challenge us to confront the complexities of memory, survival, and truth—The Bridge is a novel that does just that.

This is a book that you should consider reading!

Here are the book links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4kFfw0T

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217958910-the-bridge

Synopsis:
A War That Won’t Let Go. A Memory That Can’t Be Buried. A Story That Refuses to Fade.

In The Bridge, Alan Ramias delivers a multi-layered narrative that shifts between the immediacy of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and the quiet desperation of a grieving father seeking answers in a Chicago film studio. By weaving together gritty fiction, poetic fragments, and documentary realism, Ramias explores not only the brutal cost of war but the lifelong struggle to confront its aftermath. His characters, scarred both inside and out, navigate a world where survival often comes at the cost of silence, and the desire to remember is as painful as the need to forget. This novel leaves readers reflecting on the bridges we build to connect with the past—and the weight they bear.

Author Bio:
Alan Ramias served as an Army reporter in Vietnam, witnessing the war’s toll on soldiers and civilians alike. After returning home, he earned multiple degrees and spent decades consulting on corporate performance and human motivation for some of the world’s largest companies. His work has taken him across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, always with a focus on helping people navigate complexity and change. Now, returning to his original passion for storytelling, Ramias brings both personal experience and professional insight to The Bridge, crafting a narrative that lingers in both heart and mind.

I also love this picture of Alan back in the day…

REVIEW:

My favorite character ever in my reading life is Blossom created by Ashley Farley. I’ve been missing Blossom and she has made a comeback in her own series. I’m in heaven that I am able to spend time with her again. She is a heavenly devine character! The new series is called Soul Seekers and the first book is Return to Marsh Hollow. Each book in this new series will be a stand alone book featuring Blossom. 

This story is about Lydia Meyer. Her mother has recently died and she is heading home to the family estate on the Chesapeake Bay to take care of things. Lydia has not been back home since she escaped more than 20 years earlier. She finds she has a lot to deal with when she gets home including the circumstances of her mothers death.

If you have read any of Ms. Farley’s books in the past you know she packs them with interesting characters and there is always a lot going on. I can’t think of one book I’ve read by her that she hasn’t kept my interest from page one until I turn the final page. I’m always looking forward to the next book and the time I will get to spend in the world of her characters. 

There are several things that draw me to Ashley Farley books. One of them is that they most often take place in small towns or areas. In her series you will get to know most of the characters as friends. Her characters in each book are of a large range of ages and readers will be able to find the ones that they like who will draw them into the story. 

What more can you ask for in a story? Great settings, great characters, lots of things going on and always the most interesting story lines. I simply can’t wait to get more time with Blossom. I would love someone in my life that was like her. She is a true Guardian Angel put on this earth to help those that need her the most. Do you need a Blossom? If so, pick up this first book in the Soul Seeker series, Return to Marsh Hollow for your nightstand. 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 mother’s death. A daughter’s reckoning. A family’s darkest hour.

After her mother’s death, Lydia Meyer returns to Marsh Hollow, her family’s isolated estate on the Chesapeake Bay. She hasn’t been back in over two decades—not since she escaped the suffocating life her mother created. But when she arrives, strange things begin to surface. A vandalized house. A mysterious journal. A graveyard in the woods that haunts her dreams.

As Lydia begins to unravel the secrets buried within Marsh Hollow’s walls, long-suppressed memories rise to the surface—along with questions no one wants answered. What really happened to her father? Why did her sister disappear? And who is behind the powerful force determined to keep the truth hidden?

With the help of Blossom, a mysterious woman who appears just when Lydia needs her most, she must confront the past before it consumes her future. But some secrets don’t stay buried—and with every step closer to the truth, Lydia risks awakening something that was never meant to be found.

Can Lydia escape the shadow of her family’s legacy, or will uncovering the truth cost her everything?

REVIEW:

The First Hunt by Audrey J. Cole. First there was The Final Hunt and then there was The Last Hunt and now the prequel is coming out entitled The First Hunt. I was pretty excited to see a new one in the series was coming out but, yet I was a little bit leery about what I would be reading. I just didn’t know if a prequel could tell me anything I didn’t already know. I was willing to give it a try since the first two books I read were so awesome. They kept me glued to my seat!

The First Hunt starts out long before the other two books. I couldn’t really figure out who the characters were but, the book started out so well that I blindly went along for the ride. Oh boy, what a ride it was! In this book you get all of the bloody, grizzly, scary details of what exactly started this murder spree that went on so many years.

I’m going to have to tell you to strap yourself in because at the end of one of the chapters I had to put the book down. I looked up at my husband and said “Wow! Was that ever intense!” It had my heart pounding and I was scared out of my wits for Holly. You’re going to love Holly. She has a lot of spunk.

If you love Psychological Suspense and all that goes with it, then this book is for you. There were so many places in this book that my jaw hit the floor. I’m warning you now that this book is intense. You won’t have any trouble keeping your interest in the storyline. There is absolutely nothing like getting yanked into a book and held hostage until you finish the very last word!

I highly recommend this book! As it says in the synopsis, it doesn’t matter if you read it at the end or the beginning, Just read it! If your heart can stand it, binge read all three books. Thank you Audrey J. Cole for such an outstanding series. This one will be at the top of my Psychological Suspense series for a long time. It will be hard to beat. 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.

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:

When echoes of her sister’s murder reignite the darkest of hunts, no one in Seattle is safe.
Seattle, 1985—Crime reporter Holly Sparks is driven to obsession by her sister’s unsolved murder—a crime she’s convinced was the work of the infamous Green River Killer. But her investigation takes a terrifying turn when she uncovers a chilling truth: There might be two killers stalking the city, and one wears a badge.

Five years later, her bestselling true crime novel can’t erase the pain of her sister’s unsolved case. But when Holly’s violent ex-fiancé is let out of prison on parole, and murders mirroring the Green River Killer begin again, Holly fears the unthinkable: Is her ex-fiancé behind her sister’s death and a string of others? As the line blurs between hunter and hunted, she faces a deadly choice—uncover the truth or become the next victim.

Only the hunt will tell.

Read it first or last—just don’t miss it. A chilling standalone thriller inspired by true crime, The First Hunt plunges into a world where justice and survival collide, and monsters hide in plain sight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Audrey J. Cole is a USA TODAY bestselling thriller author. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her two children. Before writing full time, she worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for eleven years. She’s also a pilot’s daughter.

Sign up for her mailing list at https://www.audreyjcole.com/sign-up to receive free bonus content, promotions, and new release updates. Audrey can also be found on

Facebook: https://facebook.com/AudreyJCole

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreyjcole/

Bookbub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/audrey-j-cole

REVIEW:

Stevie Michelle Kimbrough wrote Ed the Zebra’s Wild Vacation about an actual event that happened in our area of Tennessee. If you have young children or grandchildren, you may want to pick up a copy of this book about Ed!

First of all, Stevie is my neighbor and I have seen some criticism that this book was AI generated. The story was not. The pictures were, and she is currently working with a local artist who is creating the pictures for a new version of the book. Although I don’t care for AI, in this case I don’t have a problem with it. Stevie is a natural storyteller and is the owner of a daycare. The kids love her!

The story of Ed and his escape from his owners is a real one that not only hit the local news media on a daily basis but was covered on the national news as well. They covered his sightings and whereabouts and asked for reports from viewers if they spotted Ed. EVERYONE was talking about Ed and worried that he may not return to his home safely. I wonder how many kids tuned into the news to find out where Ed was?

If you are looking for a unique story that has a happy ending to read to the children in your life, Stevie Michelle Kimbrough’s Ed the Zebra’s Wild Vacation is for you. I fell in love with it and had a warm, happy heart at the end. I’m sure most kids will love this story. This book definitely needs to be on the nightstand for your children!

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:

When Ed the zebra escapes his cozy home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he takes the town—and the internet—by storm! From racing cars on the interstate to relaxing near churches and barns, Ed explores it all with stripes, sass, and style. Based on a true story, Ed the Zebra’s Wild Vacation is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of adventure, freedom, and finding your way back home. Perfect for kids ages 3–8, this beautifully illustrated storybook captures the magic of curiosity, courage, and one unforgettable zebra.

REVIEW:

I Couldn’t wait to share this review with you. I just finished Growing the Circle by Barbara Hinske last night. It is book six in the Guiding Emily series that she is writing. I started reading her books when she was writing a series with multiple authors. I had the chance to read Tarts and Turnovers in another series and loved it. When she offered me Growing the Circle, I jumped on it. She has a good talent for pulling you in and giving you enough back information to keep you from being confused.

This story is about a blind woman named Emily and her guide dog Garth. Emily lost her sight in a hiking accident. She has done a good job of recovering and learning new skills in her life to allow her to have a normal family and work life. She is a very inspiring character. I liked the characters she developed for this story. Most of them are very kind, but we do learn how things can go very wrong for a blind person when someone inadvertently moves something that is important.  

The best part of the book if you are a dog lover is learning more about guide dogs and how they are trained to do their jobs. I enjoyed learning about puppy raisers. They are people that raise a puppy to be a guide dog for the first year of their life. The pups need to learn basic commands and they need to be socialized in public to go where most animals are not allowed. There is a two year wait for a guide dog because there are not enough puppy raisers. I would love to do that but, it would be spoiled rotten and not any good to a blind person.

I really can’t wait until I have time to go back and read the first five books of this series. I am so interested and invested already in these characters that I am looking forward to spending more time with them. 

If you love books with animals and people who overcome challenges in their lives, then the Guiding Emily series and Growing the Circle by Barbara Hinske are books that should be on your radar. They would make a great addition to your nightstand. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Just a couple of lines can be helpful.

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.

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:

It’s summertime, but the living isn’t easy. With Dhruv on paternity leave, Emily Main is busier than ever. When she hits an unexpected roadblock at work, can she turn her adversary into an ally?

Meanwhile, Dhruv and Stephanie discover that parenting a newborn is a challenge—and the baby isn’t the problem.

Sylvia interrupts her fun family vacation to take a stand in support of a stranger in need. Will her selfless act find her dancing her way to the love she thought she’d never find again? At the same time, Martha and Doug deepen their bond over a life-changing addition that surprises even their family.

Follow along as Emily and Garth embrace their expanding world.

REVIEW:

The review for Healing Hearts by Wendy Million has been rolling around in my head for a few days. This book was so good and yet I don’t know how I am going to be able to express my passion for this series that she is writing and this particular book. I am at a loss, so I am going to jump in and see what I can come up with.

This is book three in A Little Falls Small Town Romance series. The first book was Rival Hearts and book two was Mending Hearts. This series takes place in the small town of Little Falls and I absolutely adore small towns. It revolves around a family and some of their friends in town and each book is centered on a member of the family and who they are involved with.

I’ll tell you up front that the series is steamy romance. If you don’t like any of that then be warned. I don’t mind a little of it and in places that it is called for. I don’t care for it when it gets too graphic and I want to tell you that Wendy does a fine job of knowing where the line is and she doesn’t cross it.

Emily is part of the family and Trent is the love interest. Trent is known for being a bad boy in town and he is good looking. Emily knows that he is just a friend and seems to want to keep him in that category. Trent has different ideas. I’m going to let you figure out how it all works out with Emily and Trent.

Let me tell you that there are a few places in this book that made me cry. Literally! I don’t always cry while reading, but I did this time and more than once. So, consider this your tissue alert and have that box next to you when you start your journey of friendship with Trent and Emily. You’re going to need it.

Healing Hearts by Wendy Million was one of those books I couldn’t put down. I read every minute I could squeeze a page or two in until I got to the ending and I can’t wait for more. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure. It deserves the number one spot on your nightstand. 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:

I just made a deal with my dream girl.

We’re friends so what’s there to worry about?

I’m happy to be the one who picks her up after a bad date. When she needs help at home, I’ll be there–no expectations or questions asked.

She’s the strongest person I know, raising her son after her husband died.

I’m an ex con, with regrets a mile long. Loving her from afar has to be enough for me. I know I don’t deserve her.

But now we’re snowed in together on New Year’s Eve.

And she just asked me to get her pregnant.

I don’t want to lose her, but how can I say no when it’s all Emily wants?

I think I’m about to make a baby with my best friend.

This is a small town, steamy, best friends to lovers romance that deals with grief/loss and some mention of fertility issues.

💛 Return to Marsh Hollow is almost here—and we’re celebrating with a Goodreads giveaway!
20 lucky readers will win an e-book copy of this heartfelt Southern novel filled with secrets, healing, and a touch of the divine.

📚 Enter to win here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230897283-return-to-marsh-hollow

Ends June 9th—don’t miss it!

ReturnToMarshHollow #GoodreadsGiveaway #SoulSeekersCollection