Had it not been for an invitation from the Publisher, I probably would’ve have scrolled right by this ROM COM with the cartoon cover-it didn’t appeal Had it not been for an invitation from the Publisher, I probably would’ve have scrolled right by this ROM COM with the cartoon cover-it didn’t appeal to me-but now I understand it and although it fits with Lark’s career- it’s a bit misleading! DON’T let it fool you-this is one SPICY ...more
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman Narrated by Joe Morton 8 hours, 13 minutes at 1.0 speed 5 hours 29 minutes at 1.5 speed
Whew! Let me gather my thoughtsWorst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman Narrated by Joe Morton 8 hours, 13 minutes at 1.0 speed 5 hours 29 minutes at 1.5 speed
Whew! Let me gather my thoughts!
T.J. Newman has managed to deliver her third electrifying, heart racing ADRENALINE THRILLER and you had better have your tissues handy-first for shredding , and then to wipe up your tears!
The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters, using 7️⃣ levels.
Level 7️⃣ is considered a Major Accident, with only two on record: Fukushima and Chernobyl.
There has never been a Level 8️⃣- UNTIL NOW
It was the Perfect Storm. The Captain of the Coastal Airlines 757 has suffered a widow maker heart attack at 35,000 while the First Officer is in the lavatory. There isn’t time to declare an emergency or warn the passengers and the flight attendant in the cockpit is unable to reach the radio to call for help for the 295 souls on board.
The plane begins to NOSE DIVE toward the Clover Hill Nuclear Power Plant.
When the WORST CASE SCENARIO happens to humanity-the BEST of humanity is what pulls us through.
This is the story of HEROS-the ordinary people of Waketa, Minnesota which is GROUND ZERO for this catastrophic event with global implications.
You will root for Steve Tostig, Joss Vance, Dani Allen, Ethan Ross and President Dawson (to name a few) as they make difficult, gut wrenching decisions and risk life and limb.
AND, you will cry for the VICTIMS.
I was GRIPPED from the opening sentences and I paired my reading with the audiobook and finished in ONE TENSE SITTING! Joe Morton’s narration was smooth, and I enjoyed the CB (Citizen’s Band) radio transmissions that were peppered throughout. If you listen to AUDIOBOOKS, I can highly recommend this format!
Both of T. J. Newman’s books will soon be a major motion pictures-Falling from Universal Studios, and Drowning from Warner Bros. And I can easily see this book translating to the big screen as well.
AVAILABLE NOW!! Don’t Miss It!
Thank You to both Little, Brown & Company and Hatchette Audio for the gifted copies provided by NetGalley and NetGalley Shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts!...more
Jolene Garcia is a local TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona, who splits her time between covering general interest assignments and working on special proJolene Garcia is a local TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona, who splits her time between covering general interest assignments and working on special projects. Her most recent interview was with Larry Lemmon, “America’s true conservative voice”- and a controversial radio talk show host who was best known for his stance on pushing for a border wall, even before Trump did.
When word gets out about a death at Lemmon’s radio station, KFRK, Jolene and Nate Thompson, her photographer, rush to the scene-hoping to be able to report the facts first.
This could be a career-making story.
When the body is identified as Larry Lemmon, Jolene hopes that because she conducted his final interview, it would give her and her station an advantage. But as she chases the story, she finds herself always one step behind her nemesis, JJ, who reports for a rival station.
Colleagues and those with different political views, were just a few of the people who might want Lemmon dead. But who actually followed through with his murder?
Emmy Award winning reporter Cristina Estes is a Tony Hillerman Prize winner for this debut in the “Best First Mystery set in the Southwest” category-but I had a few problems with it.
It is chock full of facts past and present about my home State- Arizona, highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Mostly the last two, but I guess that is what reporters see more of)
It is also so loaded with facts about how reporting has changed over the years from just reporting a story and competing for ratings, to competing for clicks on Social Media, and racing to be the first to “tweet” a breaking story.
So much so, that the story often reads more like an expose on the “cut throat day in the life of a journalist”- than as fiction-and the over abundance of facts took me out of the story, and slowed down the pace. Maybe those interested in this career might enjoy this more?
Also, a negative for me-that POLITICS played a big role in the narrative.
One thing I can say- when I found out what Lemmon did to get himself killed-I agreed with the PERP who declared that Lemmon got what was coming to him. ...more
If you are familiar with my favorite song from the Musical “Chicago” it describes this book perfectly. As I reached the climax of this book, I could hIf you are familiar with my favorite song from the Musical “Chicago” it describes this book perfectly. As I reached the climax of this book, I could hear the thundering crescendo of the “Cell Block Tango” playing in my head…..
“HE HAD IT COMING”
Wednesday 11:30 AM Police, Fire or Ambulance?
A man has been hit by a car at the corner of Williamsburg Road and Cook Avenue. Several witnesses have called it in, but nobody can describe the car that hit him. It happened too fast, and it happened in the pouring rain…
Police are appealing for help in identifying the man.
THREE women are watching the news when they recognize the hand of the man being loaded by stretcher into the ambulance that has raced to the scene.
The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Marla, Sonya, Athena, and an unnamed FOURTH narrator.
At least ONE woman knows the “truth about the accident”.
Nicole Trope has delivered another delicious tale of REVENGE which plays out with quick chapters which allow you to convince yourself “just one more”! Her stories are fun-you can usually read them in one sitting as she keeps you guessing!!
And, this one is AVAILABLE now!
A buddy read with my friend, Susan! Be sure to watch for her amazing review for additional insight!
Thank You to Novel Suspects for sending me a gifted copy! It’s always fun to find a book in the mail, and it was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
Pull up a barstool and settle in with a drink, suggests our narrator…Elliott Chase.
He has a story to share, unlike any you have heard before….
He assuPull up a barstool and settle in with a drink, suggests our narrator…Elliott Chase.
He has a story to share, unlike any you have heard before….
He assures us, that although it’s a story about seven people trapped on a beautiful but isolated, private Greek Island called Aura, that it ISN’T an “Agatha Christie” whodunnit with a baffling crime, and a clever solution. It’s more of a “why dunnit”-a character study of sorts.
Aura is the Greek Goddess of the “morning air” or “breeze” which doesn’t even begin to describe the Aegean winds that sometimes batter this group of Islands known as the Cyclades, in the Southern part of the Aegean Sea.
Winds which are referred to as “to menos” which translates to “the fury” in English-Winds that cut the Islands off from one another when they come out of nowhere, and begin to blow furiously.
The tale he shares is actually more of a tragic love story, although someone is murdered-and Elliott will share the details of both…
Hell also hath no FURY, like a woman scorned…so the title of the story is a bit of a double entendre, and this time the FURY of both will catch up with all of them, and this Island.
His story begins with the beautiful Actress who owns the Island, Lana Farrar, a reclusive ex-movie star.
Joining her this Easter, will be her son, Leo, her husband Jason, her two best friends, Kate and Elliott, and her two faithful employees, Nikos and Agathi.
Shared from the first person POV of Elliott, it’s easy to become CAPTIVATED by his narration, as if you really are two strangers sitting on bar stools listening to his reluctant confession over drinks.
But as the story unfolds over five “Acts” (after all, he is a playright) you will discover that Elliott may like to embellish a bit-as all great storytellers do…
With short, snappy chapters, you can easily read this story in one sitting! I was engrossed from the first page, and had to find out which parts of this tragedy were TRUE.
The cameo appearances from characters in past books was also a fun touch as is the cover-a popular Greek symbol known as the “Evil Eye”!
I was thrilled when Celadon books offered to mail me an early copy in exchange for an honest, EARLY review.
And, I am even more thrilled to share how much I enjoyed this!
From Wikipedia: Film noir (/nwɑːr/; French: [film nwaʁ]) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly t From Wikipedia: Film noir (/nwɑːr/; French: [film nwaʁ]) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American film noir. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key, black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography. Many of the prototypical stories and much of the attitude of classic noir derive from the hardboiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the United States during the Great Depression.
This is so much more than a “coffee table” book with GORGEOUS photos from Classic Films. ...more
As German bombs fall over 1940’s London, Reginald and Millie Thompson make the difficult decision to send their daughter to America, after finding herAs German bombs fall over 1940’s London, Reginald and Millie Thompson make the difficult decision to send their daughter to America, after finding her sitting on the living room floor, playing Solitaire with a gas mask covering her face. Up until that afternoon, they hadn’t realized that she had taken to doing this whenever she was home alone.
To keep Beatrix (Bea) safe, she would live with the Gregory family who split their time between Boston, and their private Island in Maine, until the end of the war in 1945.
Gerald and Nancy have two boys, William who was just a bit older, and Ethan who was just a bit younger, and the entire family would embrace her warmly, making her feel conflicted about which place feels more like HOME as the War rages on.
But, without a say in the matter, she will dutifully return to London, when the War does finally come to an end.
This lovely, poignant story, gives you a glimpse of Beatrix’s life from the viewpoints of everyone in both her London and American families, with all of their thoughts and conversations, relayed in the third person POV.
The passage of time is quietly marked ONLY in the lower right hand corner of pages, with the current year, printed in BOLD face type.
Time will jump forward, Post War, filling us in on the lives of the two families who SHARE Bea’s heart, through the year 1965, with an epilogue from 1977.
I was completely immersed in this story, always eager to return to it, whenever time allowed.
I found myself conflicted by a decision made toward the end of the book, but was happy with the ultimate outcome.
Though set during WW2, this impressive DEBUT, is much more fiction than history. No statistics are provided on how many families opened their homes to children from Europe or how many children crossed the Atlantic in search of refuge. We also didn’t learn how the families and children were matched.
So, if you tend to shy away from historical fiction-don’t let the genre stop you from picking this up! It is a strong, character driven story that can be enjoyed by EVERYONE who reads family sagas.
I admit, I may have missed out if Celadon hadn’t mailed a copy with an invitation to read it. The book was wrapped in plain brown paper, and twine, with an airmail stamp from 1942 on it. Along with the book, I received a recipe card for Mrs. G’s blueberry muffins.
Celadon always find a creative way to market a new author, and are very selective about the books they choose, publishing only twenty to twenty-five books each year, so when a book from them arrives it always feels like Christmas morning! I know I am in for a treat!
AVAILABLE NOW! (highly recommended if it sounds like something you might also appreciate! )
4.5 ⭐️
As always, THANK YOU to Celadon for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
I have to admit-I had not heard of “the ghoul boys” Ryan Bergara & Shane Madej, until receiving their DEBUDo you want a little SNARK with your SPOOKY?
I have to admit-I had not heard of “the ghoul boys” Ryan Bergara & Shane Madej, until receiving their DEBUT book, in the mail! (Where have I been? They have over 5 million highly engaged fans, and 1.4 billion views!)
They are the web hosts of seven spooky seasons of the UNSOLVED franchise- BUZZFEED UNSOLVED SUPERNATURAL and BUZZFEED UNSOLVED TRUE CRIME- available on YouTube, Amazon, and Hulu. which explore the history behind many famous haunted haunted locations in the USA (and a few abroad) and unsolved crimes.
50% of the content of the book is brand new for fans, but just about ALL of it was brand new to me!
The book is divided into 9 sections, and each location is accompanied by an eerie PHOTO and their “trademark humor” interspersed with the accounts of what has transpired in the places being discussed:
Use it as a guidebook of spooky places to visit (or avoid!) as you travel, take it along to read from if you want to scare your friends around a campfire, or read it during the spooky Halloween season. ...more
He swerved, but he clipped the hindquarters of the dog. After getting out to make sure that the dog was ok, he thought he saw someone in the woods. BuHe swerved, but he clipped the hindquarters of the dog. After getting out to make sure that the dog was ok, he thought he saw someone in the woods. But, he had been drinking and already didn’t have the best relationship with the Cops…so he didn’t report what he saw…
Now, over the course of EIGHT days, we will learn about what happened at the Bondurants-both the CRIME and it’s AFTERMATH, told through the multiple POVs of the parents- who will do anything to protect their own…
EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRUTH
Because Social Media, Power and Influence, Race and Prejudice, do shape the OUTCOME-and the truth, isn’t always enough, anymore.
ONE murdered teen-Eden Perry
TWO words, that will cause everything to spiral out of control.
THREE suspects- Hannah, Jack and Christopher.
And, once these TWO WORDS, have been said, this SLOW BURN, CHARACTER DRIVEN plot takes off, like a roller coaster car that has reached the top of its climb, and has now started plummeting down its hill.
I personally PREFER Crime and Suspense novels which feel authentic to the over the top variety, so this highly anticipated 2023 novel, is everything that I hoped it would be!
But, just because I said it’s NOT over the top, DOESN'T mean that you won’t find some twists and surprises between its covers!
It reminded me of a Kia Abdullah novel, in that regard. Or, “No Hiding In Boise” by Kim Hooper.
And, it landed on my favorites shelf-for books read in 2022.
A buddy read with DeAnn and MarilynW. Be sure to check out their reviews for additional thoughts!
4.5 ⭐️ rounded UP! AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to Celadon Publishing for the physical copy and adorable bookmark that I received in the mail. Celadon is a division of Macmillan founded in 2017, which only publishes a highly curated list of twenty to twenty-five new titles a year, and focuses and discovering and nurturing talent.
I look forward to their selections each year!...more
Told in 5 parts-four time jumps-between the years of 2002 and 2010-this is the story of a seven year old boy named Jonah, who recalls the memori3.5 ⭐️
Told in 5 parts-four time jumps-between the years of 2002 and 2010-this is the story of a seven year old boy named Jonah, who recalls the memories of a twenty two musician who disappeared without a trace after a gig with his band, Dog Radio.
Much to his mother Helen’s dismay, Henry has become one of the 650,000 Americans who go missing each year- a number greater than the populations of Denver or Seattle.
We are privy to what happened after the gig, through flashbacks from Henry’s soul-not at rest because of his violent death.
The case had gone cold, until Jonah begins having night terrors, and insisting that he also has another mom, and a dog.
His mom Lucie’s determination to find an answer, will lead her back to the small town of Aurora Falls, where Jonah was conceived-the town that Henry disappeared from.
Could Jonah be the reincarnation of Henry Bird?
Helen’s dog, Charlie, who was her son Henry’s dog, does seem to recognize him-even in a different body. And, how does Jonah know the things that he knows?!
I was expecting “speculative fiction” with a focus on exploring rebirth and reincarnation, and a much darker story-but although the story does touch on this topic-the book reads more like an”Hallmark movie” than the psychological thriller that it is marketed to be.
It IS enjoyable enough, but it was not the book I was hoping to read.
Now that you know what you can realistically expect from this-you can determine if it’s a book for you! Available on July 5, 2022!
Thank You to HarperCollins for the gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
They lived high above the rest of the World, in a cool, damp town between mountains which is covered by thick clouds every evening from dusk un3.5 ⭐️
They lived high above the rest of the World, in a cool, damp town between mountains which is covered by thick clouds every evening from dusk until morning.
And, sometimes overnight, mothers would disappear into these clouds, never to be seen or heard from again-
This is the affliction that set this town apart from ELSEWHERE.
Girls grew up, both anticipating the next phase of their lives-marriage and motherhood-and fearing that the motherhood they so look forward to, might seal their fate, as one who disappears.
Strangers sometimes visit-but they are expected not to stay-and those who reside in this town, do not leave it-ordering the supplies that they need from Mr. Phillips.
Conceptually, I loved the idea of this novel!
I am always in awe of the minds of authors who write speculative fiction-and sometimes I am completely captivated by these imagined realities and other times, like this time, not quite as much.
Told in 5 parts, the book wasn’t quite resonating with me, as a woman who has never wanted to have children of my own. Being a daughter wasn’t quite enough, and I considered setting this aside several times, realizing that although the writing was beautiful and emotive, that the book wasn’t really a fit for me, personally.
But, although I didn’t enjoy this as much as MANY other reviewers, I CAN appreciate the author’s talent.
The last two parts, (the last 50 pages) bring the story full circle in a satisfying way, which DID have me thinking about the book, when the last page was turned-and that is always a positive thing!
Check out the amazing reviews of those in the group that read this with me-Susan, DeAnn and MarilynW…
A big thank you to Celadon books for the gifted copy that arrived by mail. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit on a jury for a murder trial?
Well, get ready to be seated in the jury box for the trial of GabrieHave you ever wondered what it would be like to sit on a jury for a murder trial?
Well, get ready to be seated in the jury box for the trial of Gabriel Soto, accused of murdering Melina Mora.
There are no witnesses and there is no murder weapon.
Throughout this legal thriller, we will get snippets of the events which touched the lives of the jurors we meet, causing them to bring to the deliberations, certain biases and beliefs, which may shape the verdict.
“YOU DON’T PICK A JURY-YOU ARE LEFT WITH ONE”
This ENLIGHTENING view into our legal system is the STRENGTH of the novel.
***
Sandy Grunwald, is an ambitious young prosecutor, sleeping with a reporter, who has her sights set on a Political career.
That is about all of the character development that we get.
This is the book’s WEAKNESS.
We watch her in court, trying to manipulate the witnesses with quick thinking, using what little evidence she has to secure a win-but we don’t spend much time with her outside of the courtroom.
The story would have benefited from more BALANCE between court case and story.
Although I felt like I was supposed to be rooting for Sandy-I didn’t get to know her well enough and I never felt a connection.
I always enjoy the “back and forth” banter between opposing counsel in legal thrillers, but this trial took 258 pages before the State rested its case.
With ONLY 51 pages left, we are treated to some VERY surprising twists, and the truth about what really happened on the night in question…
BUT-It just took too long to get to this part.
Will a last minute witness change everything? Or once again expose the flaws in our justice system?
No doubt that debut author, Robin Peguero, a prosecutor with many other admirable accomplishments, knows his stuff-and I look forward to seeing what’s next from him as he grows as an author.
Thank You to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
“ Come as you are, as you were As I want you to be As a friend, as a friend As an old enemy Take your time, hurry up Choice is yours, don't be late Take a r“ Come as you are, as you were As I want you to be As a friend, as a friend As an old enemy Take your time, hurry up Choice is yours, don't be late Take a rest as a friend As an old Memoria, Memoria” - Nirvana
This story is a SLICE OF LIFE, from the 90’s Seattle grunge scene, vividly described through the beautiful prose of author, Jennifer Haupt.
In the mid eighties, four bands from Seattle had attained Global success-Nirvana , Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. Grunge, an alternative rock genre fusing elements of punk rock with heavy metal was born-a sub-culture in itself.
Zane, the front man for the (fictional) band, the “BiPolars” was hoping to be the next Kurt Cobain, or Eddie Vedder. His best friend, and biggest groupie, Skye, was planning to move to Los Angeles with him so he could pursue his dreams, while she would help with album cover Art, and draw and sell Picasso-esque portraits on the Venice boardwalks.
Then tragedy struck.
Skye’s older sister, Lauren suffers a fall off a dock, and doesn’t recover. As Zane comforts Skye, the two cross the line from friends to lovers, forever altering their friendship.
Ten years later, after promises were broken and dreams forgotten, Skye, now a single Mom to Montana (Tana) is living in Albuquerque, N.M. She has a wonderful support system in her boyfriend Aaron, and his mother, Enola who treat both as family.
But another tragedy in Seattle will force Skye to confront Zane, and their history together. Can they face the truth of who they are and how they really feel about each other, and finally be the parents that their daughter needs them to be?
Sometimes you need to go back, in order to move forward.
This book is their story.
If you enjoy character-driven literary fiction, this book is for you!
Don’t worry-it doesn’t read like YA, nor does it delve deeply into the Seattle grunge scene-those are just the backdrops for this moving family drama. And, everything about it, rings true.
I wasn’t familiar with the author’s work prior to reading this, but I have every intention of reading “In The Shadow of 10,000 Hills” (published in 2018) now that I have discovered her work.
This title is AVAILABLE NOW!
I would like to thank Jennifer Haupt for my gifted copy! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
Kirsten thought that Henry was in N.Y. Flora thought that Adam was on his way home.
So, how did these two seemingly unconnected busine3.75 rounded up!
Kirsten thought that Henry was in N.Y. Flora thought that Adam was on his way home.
So, how did these two seemingly unconnected businessmen end up murdered together in an abandoned warehouse in Austin?
The Widows are left with more questions than answers and each believes that the other’s husband is the one responsible for getting the other man killed.
And why has a hitman been hired to kill Kirsten? And, why is Flora being framed?
Will the two Widows become allies or adversaries when the secrets begin to spill?
The book started out strong for me, and I was immediately hooked!
BUT, at about the halfway point, I had a strong suspicion about WHO was responsible and I was correct about the person though I didn’t have all of the details right. Until this point there were many possibilities but after it, I never doubted my choice again.
And, the ending got a little bit OTT for me-especially the very LAST chapter-which in my humble opinion should just be cut.
But, with that being said-I cannot believe that with 19 published books, three of which were nominated for Edgar Awards, that I had never before read this author!
It could take me awhile to get caught up!
Be on the lookout for DeAnn’s amazing review to find out if she and I felt the same way about this one or not…
Thank You to Grand Central Publishing for sending me a physical ARC of this book which is on sale on July 6, 2021
It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
After 29 year old Sunday Brennan wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital following the crash of her car into a barricade she is forced to return home4.5 ⭐️
After 29 year old Sunday Brennan wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital following the crash of her car into a barricade she is forced to return home to her family in NY. She needs them, but until she returns home, she doesn’t realize that they need her too, with the family’s Irish Pub ☘️ on the brink of Financial ruin.
But, going back won’t be easy.
She fled five years ago, quickly and without explanation, leaving behind not only them, but her fiancé, and high school sweetheart-Kale.
They all have questions-BUT-is she ready to give them answers?
The story unfolds through the eyes of almost every character involved: Sunday-her brothers Denny and Jackie-her father, Mickey, and even Kale....and his WIFE...Vivienne.
The transitions from character to character were creative and seamless. Each chapter ends with a conversation, and the conversation is picked up in the following chapter by a different POV.
Although, when I finally found out why Sunday left everyone behind, I thought it was an overreaction to the event that precipitated it, I was rooting for the family to pull together and save the Pub!
I savored this book.
It’s been awhile since I have spent time with characters that I will miss-but I will miss the Brennans!
This was a completely engaging DEBUT by author, Tracey Lange, and I am so happy that I received a gifted copy by mail from Celadon…It was truly my pleasure to offer a candid review!
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