Synopsis

 

Alexa lives a sheltered life with her widowed father, feeling stifled by his helicopter parenting. When she secures a marketing job and apartment in New York City—much to her father’s and therapist’s concern—Alexa has high hopes of finally sneaking her way into adulthood. But her newfound freedom is cut short when her estranged twin sister Beth, after a long stint in a psychiatric setting, unexpectedly shows up at the doorstep of her tiny apartment.

Alexa too has spent time at the Weinstein Center. But she’s determined to lead a normal life now and soon begins to date a YouTuber client. According to Beth, something isn’t quite right with Curt, but Alexa shrugs her clingy sister’s warnings off. It’s Beth who’s crazy, after all . . . As the sister bond grows strained over Alexa’s relationship and career success, questions mount, and secrets unfold, revealing the wickedly dark shared history of the twin siblings. What exactly happened when the twins were only nine that set this vile trajectory in motion?

Things get more complicated, and one treacherous act threatens everything Alexa has been working toward. It will be on her—and Beth—to claw the way out of this situation.

 

 

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Book releases 1/4/22

 

Review

 

I do love a good suspense/thriller novel and this one definitely kept me interested wondering what twist might surprise us at the end. And that twist? OMG, while I kind of guessed it I didn’t have anything to back it up, just a feeling. Let’s just say it is one crazy ending and I the epilogue even left me wondering what else might come out regarding the characters.

This book alternates POV between Alexa and Beth, sisters that have had tragic events in their past. There are some chapters from Dr. Greer’s POV as Alexa’s psychiatrist. You can see the difference between Alexa and Beth’s personalities. Alexa seems to be “weak” and wanting to please everyone, while Beth has a harder personality and really isn’t very nice especially when Alexa is trying to take charge of her life and move past the tragedies of the past.

The book does highlight mental illness and how it affects everyone differently. I don’t want to spoil some of the plot twists, but Alexa’s mental illness treatment plays heavily into the whole story. It was interesting to see her interactions with Dr. Greer and what he knew (that we don’t find out until later) and how he treated Alexa and her thoughts.

I always wonder how authors can come up with these sorts of plot lines and appreciate that they do so that I can enjoy the suspense of what might happen next.

This is a debut novel and I think the author does a wonderful job and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

J. C. Bidonde earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Colorado and an MBA in Marketing from San Diego State University. She is a former blogger and used to work in television at ESPN and MTV. A longtime reader and first-time author, Bidonde dreams of writing her next novel from an Italian villa in Tuscany with her husband, two dogs, and cat.

 

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Goodreads Giveaway ends January 14th

 

 

Synopsis

 

Teddy Crutcher has won Teacher of the Year at the esteemed Belmont Academy, home to the best and brightest.

He says his wife couldn’t be more proud—though no one has seen her in a while.

Teddy really can’t be bothered with the death of a school parent that’s looking more and more like murder or the student digging a little too deep into Teddy’s personal life. His main focus is on pushing these kids to their full academic potential.

All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way.

It’s really too bad that sometimes excellence can come at such a high cost.

USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson…

 

 

 

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Review

 

This is quite a twisty tale told from multiple POV. Because of the multiple POV, we know for the most part who is doing what and who is involved in the deaths of the teachers, but we don’t always know the why. Plus, there are a few other mysteries floating around such as where is Teddy’s wife? Is she alive? Who is poisoning the students and staff?

This book is filled with many unlikable characters. I’m not sure too many of them had redeeming qualities. The school is filled with privileged students that don’t usually want for anything, faculty that are former students, and helicopter parents. All except for Teddy who feels somewhat snubbed and feels like it is his place to teach the kids a lesson, especially the ones that he thinks are cheaters, whether they truly are or not. As I said, not many likable characters.

The story has a fast pace and engaged me from page one. I was curious how things were going to turn out and as some truths were revealed, it was quite a jaw-dropper for me. We may know the truth, but is it really the whole truth? The characters don’t reveal everything at once, it is handed to us pieces at a time and just when you thought you might like a character, you are broadsided with another piece of evidence that could sway you the other way.

I have enjoyed this author’s books and this one is no exception. If you are looking for a psychological thriller, you won’t be disappointed.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Samantha Downing currently lives in New Orleans, where she is furiously typing away at her next thrilling novel.

 

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Title: PRETTY BROKEN DOLLS

Author: Jennifer Chase

Publisher: Bookouture

Pages: 302

Genre: Crime Thriller

 

 

Synopsis

 

In the thin light of the moon, the woman’s limp body hangs from the iron fence amongst the redwoods. Looped over the railings is the little gold locket her mother gave her when she turned sixteen. The picture of the girl inside smiles out at a future she’ll never see…

As day breaks over the fairground, Detective Katie Scott forces herself to take in another disturbing scene in front of her. A woman, the same age as her, found slumped in the carriage of the Ferris wheel, red lipstick dragged across her lips, her throat cut.

Katie doesn’t want to believe that the serial killer picking off women across the state has found their way to the small town of Pine Valley, California, but when her team finds a gold engagement ring hanging nearby, it’s a terrifying, but undeniable fact.

With a twisted killer on her doorstep, Katie knows if she doesn’t act fast, she’ll find more women left out in the cold like broken dolls. Her team hit dead end after dead end, but only she can see the vital link between the victims: a connection with Katie herself.

Katie has spent years pushing traumatic memories of her years in the military far out of reach, but she must confront them now or more innocent women will die. But as the killer circles closer and closer to Katie, what if the only answer is to give him what he wants? There must be another way…

Warning – This absolutely unputdownable thriller will keep you up all night! Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine, and Melinda Leigh better hold on tight for a nail-biting rollercoaster ride!

 

 

 

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Praise

 

5 Stars! “This is the first book in the series I have read – and I want more! Suspense up to the end, characters I enjoyed, and K9 units. Loved it!” – NetGalley

5 Stars! “As always this Jennifer Chase thriller just cries out to be read in one sitting. Here we see Katie get tangled up with a serial killer although it takes time before anyone takes her seriously. Great characters and a great story, I loved this book.” – NetGalley

 

 

Excerpt

 

PROLOGUE

 

The front door stood ajar. It bumped gently against the jamb in rhythm with the evening breeze. The screen remained wide open and was bent precariously around the aluminum frame. Pieces of broken glass from a shattered light bulb above had scattered across the porch, leaving behind a shadowy darkness draped across the front of the small house.

The neighborhood remained quiet; the light blue one-story cottage eerily so. No outside illumination or motion lights flooded the front area. The blooming climbing vines and perfectly manicured bushes were eclipsed by the darkness.

Headlights approached.

A small, dark vehicle pulled into the driveway. Waiting a moment before turning off the engine, a woman pushed open the car door and stepped out. The young redhead was dressed for the evening, in a sparkly blouse and tight black pants. Wavering a moment in her spiked sandals, she looked at the house in curiosity—and then in disappointment. Quickly grabbing a warm jacket from inside the car and slipping it on, she walked up the driveway.

“Jeanine, where are you?” she whispered and headed to the front door, ignoring the shattered light bulb on the step crunching under her feet. She knocked on the door. “Jeanine,” she said, more loudly, leaning closer to the opening. “We waited for you… you missed a great party.”

No response.

The front door pushed open, revealing a darkened interior.

“Jeanine?”

The woman hesitated but seemed to be pulled by an unknown force. She stepped over the threshold, not bothering to close the door, and moved through the living room. Confused by the darkness, she turned on a lamp sitting on a small table. The room lit up instantly. Everything seemed in place. The oversized beige couches with brightly colored throw pillows, the dark mahogany coffee table with neatly stacked magazines and books precisely centered appeared usual for Jeanine’s house. It was always neat and organized.

“Jeanine?” the woman said again. “Are you here?”

The woman walked around and checked the kitchen and small bedroom, but there wasn’t any sign of her friend. She eyed a piece of paper on the counter and decided to leave a quick note, scratching out that she had stopped by and asking Jeanine to call her when she got the message.

She suddenly noticed a strange high-pitched whistling noise coming from the other side of the living room. Curious, the woman moved closer to the sound. The back sliding door was slightly open. The crack was enough for the wind to invade and make a strange noise.

Her foot touched something. A tall turquoise vase that had been sitting on a shelf nearby was now lying on the carpet. It seemed strange to her that it had been knocked over. She bent down and picked up the vase, replacing it on the shelf.

She retrieved her cell phone from her pocket and tried calling Jeanine again. It rang numerous times and then went to voicemail where Jeanine’s upbeat voice said, “Hi, sorry I missed your call but please don’t hang up. Leave a message and I’ll get right back to you.”

The greeting was followed by a quick beep.

“Jeanine, it’s Mandy again and now I’m standing in your living room. Where are you, girl? Everyone was asking about you tonight. Hey, and you left your front door open. Call me.” She ended the call.

Mandy was about to head back to the front door to leave, but something stopped her—it didn’t feel right—and instead, she stood at the sliding door staring out into the large backyard where dense rows of pine trees and acacia bushes huddled around the house’s boundary. During the day, the property appeared green and lush, but now it looked gloomy and foreboding.

Mandy flipped on the outside light, but it only lit up the patio areas directly outside the house, and the extended wooded region still looked dark.

She pulled open the sliding door and the wind whipped through the house. It chilled her. Goosebumps scuttled up her arms. Worry now set in and she didn’t know what to do. Redialing Jeanine’s number, Mandy listened to it sound again and in unison heard the faint, far-off ringing of a phone somewhere in the distance.

She stepped outside, trying to decipher where the ringing was coming from. “Jeanine?” she said, noticing that one of the outside chairs had been toppled over and lay precariously on its side.

Moving off the stone patio and pulling her jacket more tightly around her, Mandy slowly trudged toward the trees, a bit wobbly in her shoes. She turned on the flashlight mode on her cell phone and moved forward.

She dialed Jeanine again. This time, she heard the distinct ringing of the cell phone coming from the trees—low at first and then it rang louder.

“Jeanine,” she said, with barely a whisper. Her voice sounded oddly distant.

Looking down, she saw where there were crushed weeds and small broken branches as if someone had walked back and forth recently. Still, she kept moving forward, into the trees, swinging her cell phone back and forth which only illuminated a tiny patch of ground in front of her, creating dense shadows outside its beam.

Her pulse quickened.

Anxiety escalated.

Something fluttering on a bush caught her eye. She leaned closer, focusing. As she moved the cell light beam nearer, it revealed a piece of white fabric with a mother-of-pearl button still attached.

Mandy gasped.

It wasn’t the fact that she had seen Jeanine wear that pretty white blouse on so many occasions, it was the droplets of crimson spattered across the fabric that shoved a spear of fear into her gut.

Thoughts of dread and horror-filled scenarios ran through Mandy’s mind. Urgently, she pushed the redial button on her phone again.

The sound of Jeanine’s ringtone rang in the darkness. This time it kept ringing and there was no cheerful message.

Mandy walked further into the dark realm of the trees, still hoping that there was a logical explanation. Stepping over old branches with loud crunching noises and sidestepping bushes just before reaching the back fence of the property, she managed to make her way to the sound of the ringing phone.

Everything went quiet.

Mandy stood a foot from the phone lying on the ground. It mesmerized her. She slowly bent down to pick it up. With a startled gasp, she stepped back, dropping the phone as she stared at her hand. It was covered in blood.

In a frenzied panic, Mandy ran past the phone and continued along the low wrought-iron fence. The flashlight feature dimmed and she couldn’t see where she was going. Slowing her pace, she glimpsed something white and moving slightly.

“Jeanine? What’s going on?” She spoke in a strained whisper.

Trying to catch her breath and calm her hammering pulse, Mandy approached. Her cell phone flashlight surged and shone brightly on the blood-soaked white silk blouse, now shredded from Jeanine’s right shoulder. She reeled back at the sight of her friend.

Mandy couldn’t tear her eyes away from the horror. Her throat constricted as her breath trapped in her chest. She staggered backwards, taking in the entire scene—unable to turn her focus away.

Her friend’s upper body was impaled on the iron fence penetrating from her back through her ribs, and her throat was slit open. Her head flopped down, lifeless eyes trained on the ground. Her long brown hair fell forward, some strands sticking to the blood seeping from her chest. Her arms hung at her sides, legs crooked, like a marionette waiting for someone to pull the strings. Blood still dripped from her body, sliding down her arms to her fingertips before collecting on the ground—the wet crimson almost matching her fingernail polish. The body was shoeless and Jeanine’s feet were dirty and bloody—as if she had been running through the woods barefoot.

It was the sight of Jeanine’s face that made her sob in terror. Caked in grotesque makeup, making her look like a caricature of herself—a hideous broken doll. Red lipstick drawn heavy around her lips, dark purples for blush on her cheeks, and dark blues for eye shadow made her look like a circus clown instead of her friend.

Beside Jeanine’s body, a necklace hung on the fence. It was a small locket that she always wore, which her mother had given her when she turned sixteen.

Mandy mouthed the word “Jeanine” but no sound escaped her lips. Realizing she still had her cell phone in her hand, she tried to dial 911 but fumbled a few times with the buttons before she heard the words, “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

 

 

About the Author

 

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with a deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.  She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

The relative calm at Offutt Air Force Base is shattered when commercial Flight 209 crashes down onto its runway. From the flaming wreckage, Major Tamika Smith must try to rescue survivors and make sense of the tragedy. But this isn’t just an isolated incident. In a time of national unrest and division, a cunning shadowy mastermind is tearing down the United States from the inside out, playing law enforcement like puppets. Soon, thousands are dying and there are precious few leads. Can Tamika and an unlikely collection of committed Americans stop the destruction in time to rescue a nation descending into chaos?

With heart-pounding action, compelling plot twists, and a rich tapestry of characters, The Wilkes Insurrection is the perfect blend of callous villains, iconic heroes, and political intrigue to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

 

 

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Excerpt

 

AN EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 3: THE CRASH

 

Major Tamika Smith is a Combat Search and Rescue Specialist at Offutt Air Force Base. When a commercial airliner is diverted to attempt an emergency landing, she swings into action.

She grabbed the handheld mic attached to the wall by an accordion cable. “Attention all crews.” And then, “Hey . . . shut the hell up!”

Quiet, finally.

Now, more calmly, she began. “Listen carefully . . .” She tried to balance her sense of urgency with the need for people to take a deep breath and focus. “We’ve got an inbound civilian 757 with two hundred thirteen souls on board. Two hundred passengers and thirteen crew. They blew a door at 34,000 feet and have lost significant hydraulic control. They’re trying to dump fuel, but we should assume that fire and smoke are in our future. They’ll be coming in from the northwest on Runway 12. Tough to guess about touchdown. The pilot will make sure he gets over the airfield. So let’s set up on Ramp B. Five minutes out. Obviously, this is not a drill.”

Air Traffic Control could have diverted the plane to Omaha or Lincoln, but Offutt had some decided advantages. In particular, its remote location reduced the likelihood of casualties on the ground. Her instructions would put the bulk of her team partway down Offutt’s main runway. Given the likelihood of fire, getting stationed close to the scene would buy them critical seconds to douse any flames and pull out survivors. But too far down the runway might make them roadkill in the wreckage.

“Washington—you need to call Commander Jessup. But he’s not going to be much help here until the press arrives.” At that point, his unique pain-in-the-ass skills might be useful. “If you really want to help, you can pair up with me.”

The look on the young captain’s face had equal elements of excitement and terror. Kind of like a teenage boy about to get to second base with his girlfriend for the first time. To his credit, he didn’t hesitate. “Major, I’ve done some training, but you’ll have to tell me what I need to do.”

Yelling above the sound of vehicles revving up, she kept her instructions short and to the point. “Grab some gear, Captain, and follow me. Keys are in the truck.”

They jumped into a vehicle and raced out on to the field, with Tamika directing him down the ramp toward the middle of the runway.

Putting on her equipment, she realized she better prepare him for what was coming. “Look, if this plane comes down hard, there’ll be shit everywhere. Plane parts, luggage, smoke, and probably body parts.”

That did not improve the look on Washington’s face.

“Just stay focused on our task and you’ll be fine. Part of the team will jump on any fires, but our assignment is getting people out and away to safety. As the plane goes past us, we’re going to go like a bat out of hell after it on the runway. Get as close to the fuselage as you can. Then stay with me. I’ve done this too many times before.”

Once in position, Tamika looked back down the runway, mentally tracing a line out toward the horizon. Dusk was settling across the prairie sky in hues of blue, red, and purple. Through the haze, she spotted the 757 with its wing and belly lights blazing. This was clearly not your typical approach. It looked like a boat bobbing across a rough ocean—first up, then down, now left, followed by steep right.

“Rev it up, Captain, it looks like he’ll be lucky to get it down somewhere on the field.”

On the radio: “Listen up—stay narrow for now. I don’t think they have much lateral control, and I don’t want any of us to get hit. Once he goes by, we can spread out based on how lucky he gets. Let’s make this count.”

The growl of the truck engines filled her ears.

In that instant, memories of enemy attacks crashed in. The smell of smoke, the feel of heat, and the cacophony of sounds associated with battle. Tamika’s ears rang with the crackle of her radio, the screams of wounded, and the continuing jackhammer sounds of machine gun fire.

Staring straight ahead, Tamika fought to stay in control. To push back the unwelcome memories that sometimes closed in around her.

“Major? Major Smith?”

“I’m here, Captain.” Adrenaline brought her back to the moment. “Just drive the damn truck when the plane goes by.”

With binoculars, Tamika could see the gaping hole in the right side of the fuselage as the plane shimmied back and forth across the approach vector. It crossed the outer boundary of the field, looming large as it sailed by.

“Go! Go! Go!” She screamed as the cavalcade of fire and rescue vehicles took off down the runway.

At the last moment before touchdown, the plane lurched down on its left side. It bounced once—and then broke apart. The mid-section flipped over and slid across the end of the runway. Both wings split off followed by a fireball. Sounds of destruction boomed across the field.

The initial strike had split the nose away from the main body of the plane. What looked like the first six or seven rows of the passenger compartment along with the cockpit slid all the way past the end of the runway but looked upright and relatively intact.

The main cabin, on the other hand, was in shambles. It went well off to the right side of the runway, settling upside down and facing backward. Smoke poured from gaps in the shell. The last ten rows of the plane had separated hard at landing and somersaulted into a ditch on the left side of the runway, surrounded by crushed debris from the tail.

“Let’s get some foam on that main cabin to the right,” Tamika yelled into her radio. “Crews one, two, and three, converge on the midsection of the fuselage. Four, you have the nose. Five, you’re on the tail section. Let’s move!”

She slammed down the radio and yelled at Washington, “Put us right next to that big hole at the front of the cabin. You’re gonna want your oxygen mask on.”

They screamed down the last stretch of runway then veered off into the sloped grass approaching what was left of Flight 209. As they swung around to the side of the plane, Tamika jumped out of the truck before it had rolled to a stop. She ran up to the opening with her heart pounding. She took a deep breath. Then leapt into the fire.

In that instant, she knew it would be for the last time.

 

The following excerpt is reprinted from ’The Wilkes Insurrection’ by Robbie Bach, released on October 12, 2021. Reprinted with permission of Greenleaf Book Group. Copyright © 2021 Robbie Bach. https://wilkesinsurrection.com

 

 

Trailer

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Robbie Bach is best known for founding and leading the team that created the Xbox. Today he is an entertaining storyteller and catalyzing voice who writes books and speaks to audiences on leadership, creativity, strategy, and civic issues.

During his twenty-two years at Microsoft, Robbie worked in various marketing and business management roles—including supporting the successful launch and expansion of Microsoft Office and leading the creation and development of the Xbox business.  Then as Microsoft’s President of the Entertainment and Devices Division, he was responsible for the company’s worldwide gaming, music, video, phone, and retail sales businesses until he retired in 2010.

He currently chairs the board of the Bipartisan Policy Center. He also

serves on the national board of governors for Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Magic Leap, an augmented reality company. He previously served as a board member of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Sonos Inc., Brooks Running Company, the Space Needle Inc., and Year Up Puget Sound. He is the co-owner of Manini’s, Inc., a gluten-free pasta and baking company.

In 2015, he published his first book, Xbox Revisited: A Game Plan for Corporate and Civic Renewal.  Published in 2021, The Wilkes Insurrection is his first novel.

 

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Synopsis

 

Jane is a Los Angeles nurse who grew up in a Christian cult that puts celebrities on trial for their sins. Daniel is a has-been actor whose career ended when the cult family members nearly killed him for flirting with her. Eight years after a romantic meet-cute in Battery Park, both search for someone to fill the gap they imagine the other could’ve filled if given the chance. Jane compulsively goes on dates with every self-professed expert in art, music, and food hoping they will teach her the nuances of the culture she couldn’t access in her youth. Daniel looks for a girlfriend who will accept the disabilities left from the cult attack. A loving woman will prove to Daniel’s blockbuster star brother, Steve, that he’s capable of a supporting role in Steve’s upcoming movie and relaunching Daniel’s career. When a chance encounter unexpectedly reunites them, Jane and Daniel not only see another chance at the love they lost but an opportunity to create the lives they’ve always wanted. The only question is whether their families will let them.

 

 

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Review

 

This book was nothing like I expected. Now I can’t tell you what I really expected, but I don’t think it was cults, self appointed judges, or the struggle of one woman to break free and find herself amidst everything.

Jane grew up in a very religious environment. One could say it was a cult yet she manages to finally break free of that life. But is she really free? She is going by a different name, is hiding from her family, and always looking over her shoulder. To me, that isn’t really free. But Jane isn’t really sure where her life should go ever since she turned down attending a music school based on influence from her family. There are some other events that happen that are revealed later in the book that might take you by surprise. I know I couldn’t believe it when I read about part of her past. You’ll have to read the book to decipher what I’m talking about.

The Vanguard is one of those groups that you do not want to get mixed up with either as part of the group or someone they have targeted. They think that everyone is immoral and needs to be punished for their sins. But why do they get to choose? And can you imagine if you ended up in the hot seat and were found “guilty?” While no one was ever killed, the punishment is not one that will ever disappear. While this group is intriguing, I can’t say that most would condone what they do and it is no wonder they are wanted by government agencies.

Then there is the Fletcher brothers, Steve and Daniel. Steve is a celebrity and Daniel is no slouch either, in fact they are often mistaken for one another. Daniel has demons he is battling as he struggles to find his way in life after an incident in the past. He definitely has PTSD and I felt for the guy when an episode would hit him and his reaction to the stressor.

I picked up this book because the description sounded intriguing but there is so much more going on than the blurb describes. Plus I think it gives away some things that aren’t revealed until much later in the book. Jane and Daniel are interested in each other and have been since a chance meeting in the park, but eight years passes until they meet up again and they both have baggage that can affect everything for them. Will they work through it? Will it tear them apart?

I felt like the characters were well written and there are a few twists and turns that kept me guessing regarding Jane and Daniel and the missing eight years. There is so much more than could happen and the author leaves it up to the reader to decide what happens in the end for Jane and Daniel.

We give this book 3 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Born a missionary kid in Kobe, Japan, and homeschooled on the American Great Plains as part of an evangelical community, Jaye Viner straddles many worlds and too many personal interests. As an “Ex-vangical,” she now worships her cats and spends a great deal of time at the salon maintaining her blue hair. She holds an MFA and MA from the University of Nebraska. Her debut thriller, JANE OF BATTERY PARK, explores what it means to come from one place and want to learn how to be from somewhere else. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

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Synopsis

 

Even the strongest of families aren’t immune to malice, betrayal, and deceit. Supportive, loving, and affluent, the Pierson family is delighted to celebrate the marriage of sensitive middle son Paul Pierson and his wife, Pamela. Everyone rejoices that Paul has finally recovered from the tragic loss of his beloved first wife and looks forward to Paul and Pamela’s new life together. But just as family members are celebrating his happiness, they start noticing that his beautiful bride may not be what she seems.

As the strain between siblings and spouses worsens, the Piersons discover that neither their money nor their considerable influence can keep the family safe from one woman’s malicious intent. When the true nature of this family member is revealed, each of the Piersons is confronted with the quandary of human conduct and moral responsibility.

Darkness and Grace is a compelling story of the classic struggle between good and evil, as well as the violent undercurrent running beneath the illusory serenity of a close-knit Midwestern family.

 

 

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A Note from the Author

 

Darkness and Grace was inspired by real-life events involving my family in the early 1990s. Each time I would discuss the true occurrences, people would comment, “This is a great story. You need to write a book.” After initial trepidation, I recognized this was not only a story worth telling, but it was one that comes to an author only once in a lifetime.

Originally published in 2007 under a pseudonym with the title Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace, this book is a work of fiction. To write the narrative, I employed aspects of historical fiction, using authentic news accounts, world events, settings, and descriptions involving entirely fictional characters. Darkness and Grace is of the domestic thriller genre in which familial relationships can prove to be far more dangerous than the world at large.

 

 

Review

 

I am always intrigued by stories that are inspired by true events and this is one that you might expect to see on 20/20 or Dateline. I know that this probably happens more than I realize, but I guess I lead a sheltered life where I don’t know anyone that has had to endure a gold-digging spouse and the aftermath of that relationship.

This is a close-knit family so I can only imagine how hard it is to watch one sibling be sucked into a life with a destructive spouse. Pamela seems to take her role as a gold-digger to a new level and Paul isn’t the first one this has happened to with her. Kay is Paul’s sister and while this is told from her point of view, we do see how the situation impacts everyone in the family and how they react to Paul and Pamela’s life. As always, there are red flags that everyone seems to ignore.

There is so much drama surrounding Pamela and perhaps that is the way that she likes to keep situations so that she gets what she wants in the end. However, the rest of Paul’s family isn’t going to let that happen. They have too much at stake including the family business.

This book made me cringe only because it goes against my moral compass when it comes to Pamela and her selfish attitude. I was disappointed that Paul didn’t stand up to her but perhaps he knew he got in too deep and was just trying to keep things peaceful for the sake of his daughter. There is a major twist at the end I didn’t expect and it was very surprising but looking back, we see how it all came about.

This story pulled me in and had me wondering what could Pamela possibly do next? The answers sometimes surprised me.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kathryn Schleich has been a writer for thirty years. Her most recent publications include the short story “Reckless Acts,” featured in After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology, and her story “Grand Slam,” published in The Acentos Review in May 2017. She is the author of two editions of the book Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images, which evolved from her master’s thesis. Her guest posts have been featured on the Women On Writing blog, The Muffin, and she writes for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. When she’s not writing, Schleich is likely volunteering in the education and arts communities in the Twin Cities, where she lives. Friends, family, good food, wine, and traveling are important aspects of her life.

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Paloma thought her perfect life would begin once she was adopted and made it to America, but she’s about to find out that no matter how far you run, your past always catches up to you…

Ever since she was adopted from a Sri Lankan orphanage, Paloma has had the best of everything—schools, money, and parents so perfect that she fears she’ll never live up to them.

Now at thirty years old and recently cut off from her parents’ funds, she decides to sublet the second bedroom of her overpriced San Francisco apartment to Arun, who recently moved from India. Paloma has to admit, it feels good helping someone find their way in America— that is until Arun discovers Paloma’s darkest secret, one that could jeopardize her own fragile place in this country.

Before Paloma can pay Arun off, she finds him face down in a pool of blood. She flees the apartment but by the time the police arrive, there’s no body—and no evidence that Arun ever even existed in the first place.

Paloma is terrified this is all somehow tangled up in the desperate actions she took to escape Sri Lanka so many years ago. Did Paloma’s secret die with Arun or is she now in greater danger than ever before?

 

 

 

 

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Review

 

This psychological suspense thriller has a lot packed into the pages and just might keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next.

The story alternates between 2002 in Sri Lanka at an orphanage where our main character, Paloma, resides, and 2020 in California. Paloma is in the home after being given up by her mother at birth. She is 12 and has basically won the lottery when a family comes in to visit the home and decides to adopt her and take her back to California to live with them. I enjoyed the back and forth because it gave us an insight into Paloma as a child and where she is now 18 years later. I’m just going to say I don’t think she is in a very good place in the present. She has taken in an undocumented man to help pay the rent until he discovers a secret of hers and blackmails her to keep it quiet. She is worried about how to handle the situation and it only goes from bad to worse when she finds him dead in the apartment and there is no evidence as to who did it or where his body went. The story gets wackier from there when a neighbor goes missing, the woman across the street seems to be stalking Paloma, and Sam, who seems like a good guy but is he?

There were so many surprises that were dropped on us throughout the book. Some I guessed, some I was quite surprised, others had me flabbergasted especially the ending! I think I probably saw that coming but you really don’t know until that last scene. I felt for Paloma because it felt like she was being gaslighted and she was to a degree. I can only imagine how Paloma felt and if she was going crazy especially considering she was on medication and drinking alcohol. That could make anyone second guess their actions. But it also made her unreliable as a narrator because we didn’t know if we could trust what she was saying or doing at various parts of the book.

Overall, a good read from a debut author. If you like suspense/thriller books you just might like this one.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Ratmalana, Sri Lanka

 

2002

 

The shadows from the torch Maya held under her chin made her smile look evil, like the devil mask hung in the assembly hall to ward off the evil eye.

We were all too excited to sleep, so Maya called all the girls to her bunk to tell us ghost stories. I didn’t really want to listen. I’m too old to believe in ghosts. But I didn’t want to be the only one in bed when everyone else was all the way on the other side of the dormitory.

Lihini grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I gave it a squeeze back. She loved ghost stories, which I didn’t really understand. Why would anyone want to be afraid on purpose?

“Relax, Paloma,” she mouthed. I usually got annoyed when people told me to relax. Like saying the words was enough to make me forget what was upsetting me in the first place. As though ghosts and demons would just go away if we simply relaxed. But Lihini was my best friend. I could never get angry with her. I scooted a little closer to her on the floor. There was no such thing as ghosts. It just made me feel safe to be near her.

Maya needed to hurry up. If we got caught out of our beds, we would definitely be scolded. Maybe even punished. They might even cancel the visit tomorrow.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. They would never do that. We hadn’t gotten many visitors to the orphanage in a few months now. Tomorrow was important. Everyone told us so-our headmaster Perera sir, Miss Chandra, even Miss Sarah, our English teacher. We were to be on our best behaviour and make sure we knew exactly what we were supposed to do or say. Miss Chandra supervised the rehearsal today. Everything had to be perfect, and we were so excited that none of us could sleep.

Of course Maya would decide this was the best time to make it all about her. Sometimes I wondered if she even wanted to be adopted. She needed to be more responsible than this. She was twelve now, same as me. It’s not like we were little children anymore.

“She walks slowly. Her feet are bare and dirty and covered in scratches. She wears a long, white dress.” Maya purposely made her voice into a throaty whisper so every one of us leaned forward, barely breathing.

I knew this story. Vana-Mohini, or Mohini, as we call it. We’ve all heard it a million times. We’ve all told it a million times. But I still held tight to Maya’s words.

“There’s blood under her nails, and they are long and sharp, like talons.” She made a sudden clawing motion, and Lihini leaped back, her hands over her mouth.

We all giggled nervously.

“And her long, black hair hangs over her face, like this.” The torch flickered as Maya messed her hair over her face so just her eyes glinted through in the dim yellow light.

“Mohini walks only in the night, revealing herself to people who are all by themselves. Help me. Help me, she begs.” Maya made her voice high and raspy now, like when the chalk slips when you’re writing on a blackboard.

“Some people say Mohini’s eyes are red. Red as blood. And when you look into them, you can see straight into hell. And if you stop to help her, she smiles, and before you know it-”

Maya dropped the torch and lunged forward, wrapping her hands around Lihini’s throat. Lihini couldn’t help it this time. Her small scream rang like an alarm through the dormitory.

I pulled Lihini away from Maya and put my arms around her. If I could have slapped Maya, I definitely would, but there wasn’t time.

“Haiyyo! Quickly, everyone, to bed before we get caught,” I hissed, getting Lihini to her feet and pushing her into her bunk.

Thankfully, the other girls followed.

We all lay very, very still for a few minutes. I could hear nervous panting echoing through the dormitory. Maya really did give everyone a shock. But thankfully none of the matrons came.

What on earth was she thinking? Getting us into trouble the night before Mr. and Mrs. Evans got here. Those were their names. Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Perera sir told us so we could memorise them. Evans-like when Miss Sarah told us about Mary Ann Evans, who went by George Eliot, who wrote The Mill on the Floss. I suppose I could understand why you would want to pretend to be someone else. But I could never, ever understand why someone wouldn’t want to go by the name Evans. It was beautiful.

I whispered it out loud.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans. I hoped they liked us. And me. I really hoped they liked me.

 

 

About the Author

 

Amanda Jayatissa grew up in Sri Lanka, completed her undergrad at Mills College, CA, and lived in the UK before moving back to her sunny little island. She works as a corporate trainer, owns a chain of cookie stores, and is a proud dog-mum to her two, spoiled huskies.

 

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Synopsis

 

Concepcion Chapa, an Army veteran, FBI special agent, and the orphaned daughter of two CIA agents, has lived a life of sacrifice for her country. When she learns that her parents may not be dead, just undercover, she allows herself to be recruited as a killer-for-hire for the CIA.

Faking her death and undergoing surgery to change her looks, Concepcion leaves everything behind—her friends, family, and country. Under the identity of Sofia Paltrini, she travels the globe doing the dirty work of the US government. But in a world of subterfuge and hidden motives, no one is quite who they seem. Concepcion is left not knowing who to trust and wondering if there’s a way to live a life for herself that’s beyond sacrifice.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

This is a mashup between Alias and Leverage – where the bad guys are taken out by professional hitmen and women. Now it probably is closer to Alias than Leverage since no one in Leverage dies, but the concept is the same in my opinion.

Concepcion is former military with parents that were spies in their own right. An unfortunate incident has her under scrutiny and placed into an undercover job for the US Government, doing what can’t be done by legitimate branches of the government, killing those that have been proven to be a threat to our security. Not only does she have to go undercover, but she is also subjected to cosmetic surgery to alter her appearance and a name change. I can’t imagine what that might do to someone’s psyche.

I found this to be a well-written journey for this woman and what she had to give up in her life. It showcases what these people do for the sake of their country. There is plenty of action, some romance, and also some sad moments that take Concepcion/Sofia and the reader by surprise. I saw the hardness in Sofia and doing what it takes to get the job done. But at times I saw a softer side when it came to her best friend Joelle, who assumes she is dead. There is also the neighbor that she becomes attached to learning to dance and enjoy good food.

This story takes no prisoners and there is a myriad of emotions that run through the story. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

ALICIA DILL is an Army veteran, journalist, public speaker, and award-winning author. Originally from Missouri, she joined the Iowa Army National Guard at the age of 17 and received a degree in journalism and international studies at the University of Iowa, and has a Masters from the University of Dubuque. Her first book, Squared Away, was a 2020 International Next Generation Indie Book Award winner and a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award.

 

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CRUDE AMBITION

 

by

 

Patricia Hunt Holmes

 

 

Categories: Mystery / Thriller / Women’s Fiction

Publisher: River Grove Books (Greenleaf Book Group)
Date of Publication: June 8, 2021

Number of Pages: 326

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

 

 

 

A Texas Reckoning

In the early morning hours after a law firm recruiting party at a beachside house on Galveston Island, a female summer intern is found lying on the floor, bruised, bleeding and unconscious.  Four men and one young woman attorney who were staying at the house know something terrible happened.

The woman attorney takes her to a hospital but the next day the intern disappears. All of them decide to keep silent, doing nothing about the incident in order to further their own career ambitions while the events of that night haunt the two women.  Time passes and then ten years later, crime and hubris bring the former intern back into their lives.  Only this time she has the power and the truth is finally brought to light, uprooting everyone’s plans.

From the power centers of Houston law and oil to the fracking fields of South Texas to the Jersey Shore and Washington D.C., this story chronicles the struggles of two ambitious young women in their quest for legal success and justice.

 

 

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Praise

 

“Crude Ambition is a great read.  It is an authentic look at big law in Houston and the Texas oil business.  Patricia Hunt Holmes weaves a story of ambition, greed, romance and revenge that kept me turning the pages until all the just desserts were served.” — Marc Grossberg, J.D., Author of The Best People: A Tale of Trials and Errors

“In Crude Ambition, Patricia Hunt Holmes shows she knows Texas in the way Grisham knows Mississippi—politics, environment, strong men and strong women, egos, oil, arrogance, influence and hunger for power.  I don’t think anyone could have nailed it better.” — Bill Sarpalius, Former U.S. Congressman, Author of The Grand Duke of Boys’ Ranch 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The journey of two women, Carolyn and Laura/Ann, hampered by the “good ol’ boy” network proves that goals can be obtained with hard work and dedication…and maybe a little bit of revenge.

This book elicited some strong emotions from me especially when it came to the misogynic attitudes of the men in this story.  Laura is an intern with Carolyn’s law firm and she is mentoring Laura. What she doesn’t expect is for a situation at a home in Galveston to go all wrong and for Laura to disappear. What happened to her? Is she still alive? We see Carolyn’s compassionate side because she knows something happened that shouldn’t have but she doesn’t know what to do or if she should say anything. I can understand because she is relatively new to the firm and rocking the boat could cause her to lose her job. But is it the right thing to do to stay silent against the men in the firm? Even when she asks her mentor his opinion, he tells her to keep quiet. What sort of precedence does that set for Carolyn and this law firm? For Laura, this event shakes her to her core and her life isn’t quite the same after that. We see her struggles and how she copes with the situation and the effect it has on her life.

This story has so many facets to it that it kept me intrigued especially when it involved different areas of the law including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Environmental Law and the Clean Water Act, and the oil & gas industry. In Texas, there is always a possibility of hitting oil or gas in your backyard. However, not all companies are ethical and we see that when they descend upon Carolyn’s hometown. I was drawn to the friendship between Carolyn and Cynthia. These two women are driven to become partners in the firm and will do what it takes to get there ethically unlike their male counterparts.

Speaking of the men…whew, the mentality of most of these men is mind-boggling. I’m not sure who was the worst because there were multiple contenders. Paul is a lawyer in the firm and his biggest client is Joe Bill. I think there could be a tie between these two as to who had the worst personality and outlook when it came to business and women. I felt bad for Paul at times when he had to try and figure out what Joe Bill was doing since he wasn’t the most forthcoming with his business movements. This might have actually been a slight blessing for Paul because he could have plausible deniability in some cases.

The book would not be complete without a romance storyline. Carolyn has two suitors including her high school boyfriend and a doctor that happens to be the brother of one of the other lawyers in the firm. I could sense her struggle with who to choose and why because these two men are polar opposites in where they are in their life. I think her final decision and the path that would be laid out from her choice was the best possible outcome.

There are a lot of moving parts to this book, but they all come together and I enjoyed the alternating POV where we see what is happening with Laura/Ann and how she is handling her life after her time in Houston. I cheered at the end when certain characters got what was coming to them and perhaps it should be a lesson to the reader that bad behavior will not be rewarded in the end. The author also pays attention to detail and researched the different parts of Texas that were represented.

Overall we give this 4 paws up and look forward to the next novel from this author and the social issue that it addresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patricia Hunt Holmes spent 30 years as a public finance attorney with a large international law firm, specializing in nonprofit healthcare finance and rural electric cooperative finance. Consistently listed in Best Lawyers in America, Texas Super Lawyers, and Top Lawyers in Houston, she was a frequent speaker at national public finance and health care conferences. Patricia has also served on the faculty of the University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Tennessee, and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She has written and published in the fields of intellectual history and law.

In addition to her legal career, Patricia has been a member and board member of several social service organizations throughout Houston, including the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast Women’s Initiative, Dress for Success Houston, the University of Houston Women’s Studies Program, University of Houston Law Review Board of Directors, is a Trustee of the Houston Grand Opera, and Houston Justice for Our Neighbors.

Patricia grew up in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey but has lived in Houston for over 40 years. She has two daughters, Hillary and Ashley, who have successful careers as an attorney and a geologist, and three adorable grandsons. She is an avid golfer and traveler.

Patricia holds a BA in English and History, an MA in History, and a PhD in Russian and South Asian History with honors, all from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and was an editor on the Houston Law Review.

 

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

 

TWO WINNERS:

1^st: $75 Gift Card to Murder By The Book bookstore

2^nd: $50 to Bookshop.org.

 

(US only, ends midnight, CDT, 8/20/2021)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily.

Or, visit the blogs directly:

 

8/10/21	Guest Post	Hall Ways Blog
8/10/21	BONUS Post	LSBBT Blog
8/10/21	Review	Book Bustle
8/11/21	Review	Missus Gonzo
8/12/21	Review	Tangled in Text
8/13/21	Review	It’s Not All Gravy
8/13/21	Scrapbook Page	All the Ups and Downs
8/14/21	Review	Julia Picks 1
8/15/21	Excerpt	Forgotten Winds
8/16/21	Review	Rainy Days with Amanda
8/16/21	Guest Post	The Book’s Delight
8/17/21	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
8/18/21	Review	The Clueless Gent
8/18/21	Author Spotlight	That’s What She’s Reading
8/19/21	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
8/19/21	Review	Reading by Moonlight

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

When a family obsessed with true crime gathers to bury their patriarch, horrifying secrets are exposed upon the discovery of another body in his grave in this chilling novel from the author of Behind the Red Door and The Winter Sister.

At twenty-six, Dahlia Lighthouse has a lot to learn when it comes to the real world. Raised in a secluded island mansion deep in the woods and kept isolated by her true crime-obsessed parents, she has spent the last several years living on her own, but unable to move beyond her past—especially the disappearance of her twin brother Andy when they were sixteen.

With her father’s death, Dahlia returns to the house she has avoided for years. But as the rest of the Lighthouse family arrives for the memorial, a gruesome discovery is made: buried in the reserved plot is another body—Andy’s, his skull split open with an ax.

Each member of the family handles the revelation in unusual ways. Her brother Charlie pours his energy into creating a family memorial museum, highlighting their research into the lives of famous murder victims; her sister Tate forges ahead with her popular dioramas portraying crime scenes; and their mother affects a cheerfully domestic façade, becoming unrecognizable as the woman who performed murder reenactments for her children. As Dahlia grapples with her own grief and horror, she realizes that her eccentric family, and the mansion itself, may hold the answers to what happened to her twin.

 

 

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The release date is August 17, 2021

 

 

Review

 

The Lighthouse family is not your normal type of neighbor. They are fascinated with true crime incidents; actually, I should say the mother is obsessed with these events and drills the details into her children’s schooling. I’m glad I am not a part of this family. However, a tragedy befalls their own family when Andy disappears. It takes four years before the truth is revealed and the ups and downs, twists and turns of the events might just surprise you as they did me.

All of the children are named after famous true crime events and their victims. The family is quite warped as you will find out near the end with the details surrounding Andy’s disappearance and then the discovery of his body. I never suspected the truth as it unfolded. I felt bad for Dahlia because Andy was her twin and she believed that he was still alive and would search for him in towns across the states in hopes of discovering some sort of digital footprint for him.

What actually happened was sad in the fact that children should never be exposed to these types of events. It does explain why the Lighthouse children were the way they were and what led them to the paths that they have chosen in life. The upside is that they inherited money at 18 and didn’t have to work too hard to find fulfillment through a job/career which could be a good and a bad thing.

While some might be able to discern the details and who the Blackburn Killer is, I had no idea. So you know, the Blackburn Killer is someone that killed women across the island over a span of about 10 years. The truth is discovered near the end of the book and it made sense once the facts were revealed.

I was engrossed in this book trying to discover the truth before it was revealed, but no such luck. I do think that this family needs some therapy after all was said and done! Perhaps they will find a better life now that the truth is out and any quirks they might have, such as Tate’s die-oramas that depict the Blackburn murders.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Megan Collins is the author of THE FAMILY PLOT, BEHIND THE RED DOOR, and THE WINTER SISTER. She taught creative writing for many years, and she is the managing editor of 3Elements Review. A Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee, her work has appeared in many print and online journals, including Off the Coast, Spillway, and Tinderbox Poetry Journal. She lives in Connecticut.

 

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