12.29.2018 - She Lies in Wait

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Gytha Lodge for the opportunity to read the first in what I hope will be a great series of police procedures/mysteries.

In 1983, six friends go into the woods for a night of partying and camping out but only five are left by morning.  The missing, Aurora, the youngest of the group and the 14-year-old sister of one of the campers, was excited to be a part of the group, even when she knew she didn't quite fit in.  It was a night of drinking, drugs, sex, friendship, and jealousy - none of which Aurora had experience with.  When Aurora was discovered missing, there was a fruitless search and she was presumed dead.

Thirty years later, her body is discovered and DCI Jonah Sheens is in charge of the case.  He went to school with the group and had met Aurora.  Now he goes back to those group of friends to try and discover the truth of what happened that night.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - while I never got real vested into the friends' characters, I really liked Sheens and his new detective, Hanson, and enjoyed going along for the ride on their investigation.  The book is told in alternating timelines - from the 80s to the present - so we get to hear Aurora's voice which was an integral part of the story.

I can't wait to read the next in this series!

12.24.2018 - An Anonymous Girl

 thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekhanen for the opportunity to read and review their latest thriller - loved it!  I also liked their first book, The Wife Between Us.  This one also definitely deserves all the hype it is getting - don't miss it!

Jessica is just scraping by working as a make-up artist and trying to help her parents with the expenses of raising Jessica's sister who is disabled.  She sneaks into an ethics and morality study, hoping to make a few extra dollars.  The questions grab Jessica from the beginning and her answers grab the attention of the psychologist running the study, Dr Shields.  Soon Dr Shields offers more money for more testing and Jessica finds herself questioning who she can trust.  The story is told in alternating chapters between Jessica and Dr Shields, allowing us a glimpse into both sides of the story.

Enough said - this is a great ride and will keep you glued to the pages.  5 stars - highly recommended!

12.19.2018 - Just After Midnight

 thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine Ryan Hyde for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel - wonderful as always.  I'm just a sucker for her books!

Faith (perfect name of course) runs away from her husband and is controlling ways.  She takes refuge at her parents' California beach house while she decides what to do with her life.  One day on the beach, she encounters a 14-year-old named Sarah.  Sarah is with her grandmother and they are running away from problems of their own - Sarah's mother just died and her father sold off her beloved horse, Midnight.  Constance (another great name) is trying to get custody of Sarah but for now they are hiding out from Sarah's father.  Suddenly, Faith is forced to take Faith with Constance's blessing and stay out of sight.  They end up going to the stable area where Midnight has been sold and helping the horse's transition.

The world of dressage horses was certainly new to me but the main focus of this novel, like all of this author's, is the relationship between all these people.  As I read this book, I kept thinking to myself - how would I act in this situation?  Would I say those perfect words?  No.  But it's wonderful to read those perfect words and see everything come together in the end.

12.16.2018 - The Woman Who Kept Everything

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Jane Gilley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Gloria is a hoarder.  After the deaths of her foster mother and her husband, she started accumulating collections and couldn't bear to get rid of any of them.  Her son, Cleg, is neglectful and controlling, adding to her issues.  When Gloria burns herself, Cleg puts her in a nursing home for a period of time while he clears the house.  At the nursing home, she realizes that the way she has been living isn't living.  Her long-time friend, Tilsbury, who her son has tried to banish from her life, takes her on an adventure to a nearby town.  That makes her realize that she needs to really start living again.

While hoarding issues can't be fixed as easily as they are in this book, I felt that there were lots of good discussion issues in the debut novel.  The role of the elderly in society is getting pushed away, so many times by family members.  It's easier to put them away and move on with life than deal with the issues.  There were many social implications in this book as well, trying to help the marginalized.

But as Gloria goes through her transformation, she's a joy to behold and I enjoyed going through her adventures with her.

12.13.2018 - The Testament of Harold's Wife

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Lynne Hugo for the opportunity to read this book - really enjoyed it and love that cover!

Louisa lives on a farm in Indiana with her chickens and cat to keep her company.  She's trying to figure out how to exist after the death of her beloved grandson, Cody, who was hit by a drunk driver, and her husband, Harold, after that.  Her son, Gary, has turned to Jesus as a way of trying to cope and his relationship with his mom is fragile.  Louisa resents having his cult religion pressed upon her; Gary is worried for her safety and afraid of losing her too.

Louisa finally decides to pick up Harold's cause - to get revenge on the man who killed Cody and basically got away with it, as well as the sheriff who didn't help.  So she hatches The Plan.  Of course, no plan goes off perfectly and this one is no different.

I loved listening to Louisa's story - it's written as though she is talking to you.  She's feisty, opinionated and loves her animals.

12.9.2018 - Watching You

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Lisa Jewell for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - another great book from one of my favorite authors!  4.5 stars for a engrossing read that was hard to put down!

The book opens with a murder - but we don't know who the victim is - and interspersed in the book are police interview transcripts.  In a well-to-do neighborhood in England, neighbors tend to look out for each other but in this case, maybe a bit too much.  Everyone seems to be watching and it's hard to keep all those secrets private.

The characters are many - there is the handsome headmaster, Tom Fitzwilliam, who seems to draw women to him; his wife, Nicola, and son, Freddie.  Freddie dreams of being a spy and keeps track of the neighborhood with his camera.  There's Joey Mullen, newly married and moved back from the islands to live with her brother, Jack, and his wife, Rebecca.  Joey soon develops on infatuation with Tom.  Jenna is a student at the school Tom heads and is increasingly uncomfortable with some of his actions.  Jenna's mom has a mental illness and is convinced that people are spying on her.  What secrets do all these people have?

A fast-paced thriller - highly recommended!

12.7.2018 - For Better or Worse

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin/Mira Books, and Margo Hunt for the opportunity to read and review this book.  I totally enjoyed it!  Due to the subject matter (child molestation and murder), you'd never think it would tend towards the light side of reading but it does, so much that it's comical in certain instances.

On their first date, Will and Nat had a discussion about how to get away with murder.  Just classic bantering from two law school students.  Fast forward in time and we find Will and Nat married with an 11-year-old son.  Both are attorneys and Nat is a criminal defense attorney.  The knowledge of what happens to young victims on the stand comes to play when things turn personal.  Can they really get away with murder?  Will their marriage survive?

Lots going on here but this was a really good read for me and the ending was quite interesting.

12.4.2018 - Book Love

Many thanks to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and Debbie Tung for the opportunity to read and review this book - I loved it!

A graphic novel all about the love of books - what could be better?  I felt like I was talking with someone who understood, who got me, who was a kindred spirit in our love of books.  I laughed, I related - I loved this book!  Even though I read so much on my Kindle now, there is still nothing like a "real" book.  Even though I read this electronically, I have already pre-ordered the "real" book - every book lover will want this book.

Too bad it didn't publish before Christmas because it would be perfect for all book lovers on your list.  However, it will be my New Year's gift to myself!

Happy Reading!

12.4.2018 - Once Upon a River

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Diane Setterfield for the opportunity to read her latest work - it is an absolutely gorgeous novel.  I loved The Thirteen Tale and this book will captivate your heart as that one did.

On the banks of the Thames River in a distance era, there are small inns where storytelling is an art and the stories are passed down through the generations.  A new story is told on a dark winter's night when a half-dead stranger bursts into The Swan carrying what at first glance appeared to be a puppet but was actually a young girl who appeared dead.  But then she later came back to life yet didn't speak, adding to the mystery.  And who was the young girl?  Was she the kidnapped daughter of the Vaughn's?  The granddaughter of a local farmer?  Or someone else?

This tale of mystery and the supernatural, the folklore and the science all is told in such a beautiful fashion.  You will literally be transported back in time.  This is a rather long book but I didn't want it to end!

On sale today - don't miss it!