Library of Clean Reads

Friday, November 17, 2023

The Prime Suspect by Lauren Carr (Review)

A brand new series by Lauren Carr! Also, enter the giveaway to win $50 Paypal.

Book Details:

Book Title: The Prime Suspect (A Sam MacKade PI Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction, 430 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Oct 26, 2023
Tour dates: Oct 26, to Nov 30, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13

Book Description:

Two murders with one common denominator. Both victims betrayed Bryce Greyson. How could she not be the prime suspect?

Four years after Bryce’s cheating husband is gunned down, her boyfriend-stealing former roommate’s remains are found buried under a statue at her alma mater.

Declared the prime suspect by both detectives and the media, Bryce has no choice but to hire someone to clear her name.

Enter Sam MacKade, private eye.

To solve two murders, the former police K-9 officer and his canine partners must sift through the clues and the lies to reveal the true prime suspect.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I've been reading book series by Lauren Carr for quite a few years, so I was excited by this newly released Sam Mackade PI Mystery series. As is her trademark, Lauren Carr delivers a mix of multiple murder mysteries that somehow all nicely tie in by the end of the story. How she does it, I don't know, but it all comes together to bring a satisfying end.

Sam Mackade gets hired by Bryce Greyson, the prime suspect in two murders, one of her husband four years ago and the other of her university roommate sixteen years ago. Along with Sam's canine partners Cleo and Gus, Dutch Shepherds also known as Goody Two-Shoes and The Filthy Beast, both Sam and Bryce work to put together the clues to solve the mysteries. They also begin to form an attraction for each other, although compared to her other novels there is very little romance in this one.

Well, Cleo and Gus stole the show in this book, hands down! I just loved, loved their internal banter with Sam who knew them so well he could read their minds. They cracked me up. Carr understands animal behavior so well that she does an excellent job of developing these canine characters, so much so that they become beloved characters and not just afterthought pets in the background. Oh, and there's always a rival cat in the mix. Misha plays THAT part exceptionally well!

Right from the start, the readers quickly get pulled into the mysteries and it took me a while to get warmed up to the characters. I liked Sam. He is an introvert, feels more comfortable with animals than humans, and has trust issues because of a serious betrayal in his past. Bryce...well, I still don't know much about her. She started out displaying what seemed to be a meek character. She's described as "a geeky sidekick" but then she puts on her detective hat and seems pretty self-assured. I think her character could have been more developed. For me, she's not memorable enough as a character. When I think of Carr's other characters such as the Geezer Squad (a fantastic bunch), Chris Matheson, or Mac Faraday, I can easily picture these characters.

If you're a murder mystery fan, and especially a fan of Lauren Carr's fun dog characters, you'll enjoy this novel.

Disclosure: Although I'm participating in the book tour, I bought my own copy of this book and was not compensated in any way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon

Meet the Author:

Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author:

website ~ amazon ~ facebook

instagram ~ twitter~ pinterest

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Dec 7, 2023

THE PRIME SUSPECT by Lauren Carr Book Review Tour Giveaway

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Always Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende (Review)

This last book in the Goodbye, Orchid series is a satisfying ending to a memorable trilogy.

Book Details:

Title: Always Orchid (Book 3 Goodbye, Orchid Series) by Carol Van Den Hende
Category: Adult Fiction, 346 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Azine Press
Release date: October 24, 2023
Content rating: PG -13 (Mature topic: traumatic injuries)

Book Description:

He almost let her go. Her past could tear them apart. But a love like theirs is worth fighting for...

Phoenix Walker will never be the same. Nine months after a heroic act leaves him forever changed, he refuses to hurt Orchid Paige ever again.

Orchid is ready to forgive. Convincing her guy she still loves him, no matter his injuries, she works to rebuild their intimacy. But their move to her family's ancestral country unveils China's superstitions against people with disabilities. Worse, their friend's life has been upended by those prejudices.

Will Phoenix and Orchid find a way to beat the odds and turn discrimination into compassion?

Always Orchid is the riveting third book in the Goodbye, Orchid contemporary fiction series and can be read as a standalone. If you like relatable characters, surprising twists, and stories that pull on your emotions, then you'll love award-winning author Carol Van Den Hende's journey to unconditional acceptance.

Book Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Because this novel is the third and last book in the series, I decided to read the first book Orchid Blooming before diving into this one. I'm glad I did because the first book in a series is the best way to get introduced to the main characters. Having said this, the author does a great job of including the backstory from the previous two books in this one. I chose not to read the second book and this didn't affect my enjoyment of this one.

Nine months after Phoenix's accident, he and Orchid decide to give their relationship a second chance. Orchid is returning to China for at least another year and Phoenix has decided to go with her. Here is where this book shines: we see the lives of two people who love each other but need to adjust to the reality of living with physical and psychological disabilities. I appreciated the author's research into what life is like for those who suffer from traumatic injuries and need to rebuild their lives.

Orchid and Phoenix were great characters. I thought Phoenix was a bit too perfect, never showing anger at the dramatic and life-altering change he was experiencing. Maybe some of this was addressed in the second book. I loved the ending and it brought the various themes that ran through this trilogy to a satisfying and touching finale.

If you like stories of triumphing over adversities, cross-cultural relationships, altruism, forgiveness, and resiliency, you will find this trilogy satisfying and memorable.

Disclosure: Thanks to Book Sparks for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book

Amazon ~ Goodreads

About the Author

CAROL VAN DEN HENDE is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her novels Orchid Blooming and Goodbye, Orchid draw from her Chinese-American heritage and have won 30+ literary and design awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly Awards for Cultural Diversity and Disability Awareness.

Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named Carol’s books a most anticipated read. Glamour Magazine recommended her “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye, Orchid as a 2022 Bonus Book-of-the-Month and Orchid Blooming as a 2023 International Book-of-the-Month.

Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous hubby and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all.

Connect with the author on her website.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The Prime Suspect by Lauren Carr (New upcoming release!)

Today I'm spotlighting Lauren Carr's upcoming release! It's the first book in her brand new Sam MacKade PI Mystery series. Look for my review on November 14. In the meantime, check out the details and enter the giveaway for a possibility to win a $25 Paypal gift card.

Book Details:

Book Title: The Prime Suspect (A Sam MacKade PI Mystery) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction, 430 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Oct 26, 2023
Tour dates: Sep 5, to Oct 11, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13

Book Description:

Buy the Book:

(available for pre-order)

Amazon

Meet the Author:

Connect with the author:

website ~ amazon ~ facebook

instagram ~ twitter~ pinterest

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Oct 18, 2023

Enter here

Saturday, September 30, 2023

A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean (Review)

Julianne MacLean's latest release is perfect for readers who love well-written women's fiction.

Book Details:

Title: A Storm of Infinite Beauty by Julianne MacLean
Category: Adult Fiction, 300 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release date: September 12, 2023
Content rating: PG-13 for mature subject matter

Description:

From the bestselling author of Beyond the Moonlit Sea comes an atmospheric tale of how one woman’s search for the truth uncovers long-hidden secrets and rocks the very foundation of her world.

Scarlett Fontaine is a true Hollywood legend—a singer, actress, and beloved fashion icon. But Scarlett dies tragically at just thirty-six years old, leaving behind no children. Or so the story goes…

Gwen Hollingsworth is the curator at a museum dedicated to Scarlett’s life. She’s also the sole heir to Scarlett’s fortune as a descendant of the star. But all is not well in Gwen’s world. She’s dealing with a messy marital separation and is struggling to move forward. So when Peter Miller, a biographer, and photojournalist, comes to the museum with shocking claims about Scarlett—a life of exile in Alaska, a baby born in secret—Gwen’s whole world is turned upside down. Again.

Determined to uncover the truth, Gwen and Peter set out for Alaska together but soon find themselves on a path toward something far deeper and more meaningful than either of them ever expected.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty takes readers on a breathtaking journey from a lush vineyard in Nova Scotia to a rustic lodge in Alaska where old family secrets are revealed and the quest for true happiness begins.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

This is the first time I read a book by Julianne MacLean and it won't be the last. This was an interesting dual-timeline story with a great setting: Alaska, which almost felt like a character in this novel.

Gwen is the museum curator of her late relative, Scarlett Fontaine's legacy. Scarlett is a legendary Hollywood star who died young. Gwen is separated and mourning a loss so deep she can't seem to get past it. Her world is suddenly jarred when a writer shows up at her museum with shocking rumors about Scarlett. Gwen is pulled in to search the past to verify if any of it is true. As she discovers aspects of Scarlett's life she never knew, she begins to heal from her own trauma.

I love Scarlett's story which takes place in the 1960s. She is sent from Nova Scotia to Valdez, Alaska because she is pregnant and disgraced in her parent's eyes. In a rustic lodge in Alaska, among the majestic mountains and glaciers, and a couple who love her as their own daughter, Scarlett discovers herself and what she wants in life. The book opens up with a heart-wrenching prologue scene in the 1964 Great Alaskan earthquake, so that throughout the story it builds suspense as to what really happens to Scarlett on that day.

This is a novel about family, young love, deep loss, reconciliation, and change. The author succeeds in creating believable characters that I cared about. I researched the Alaskan earthquake after reading this novel and appreciated the author's notes at the end of the book. I love it when authors share their inspiration for a story and include a historical event that is little known.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty is perfect for readers who love well-written women's fiction. I, for one, will be reading more from this author.

Disclosure: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this review copy. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the popular Color of Heaven series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful,” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from the Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a business degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. She currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter. Readers can visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com for more information about her books and writing life and to subscribe to her mailing list for all the latest news.

Connect with the author: http://www.juliannemaclean.com/

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner (Cover Reveal!)

Last year I read Bloomsbury Girls and loved it. This upcoming spring (I know, I know...it's so far away!) author Natalie Jenner is releasing her third novel Every Time We Say Goodbye with one of the characters from that book. It's set in post-war Rome, one of my favorite cities in the world.

What was the author's inspiration for writing this novel? I'll let her tell you in this message to her readers:

A MESSAGE FROM AUTHOR NATALIE JENNER

Hello Dear Readers,

Every Time We Say Goodbye was the hardest book I will ever write, and the most rewarding.

It all started when I learned about the world-famous Cinecittà movie studio in Rome being used as a war refugee camp in the 1940s. People who had been stripped of everything—homes, possessions, even their most basic humanity—suddenly found themselves confined to life inside a “dream factory.” I decided to set my third novel during a very specific, very cool time in history—la dolce vita of mid 1950s Rome—while exploring the incredibly complex and haunting legacy of that city under German occupation during the Second World War.

I also wanted to know why Vivien Lowry, a character from my book Bloomsbury Girls, had been so angry all the time! I wondered if a woman could make the biggest mistake of her life and move past the regret in a way that benefitted her and the world around her. I never intended to write a dual timeline. I had been working on Every Time We Say Goodbye for nearly a year when the voice of a young female Italian resistance fighter codenamed la scolaretta—the schoolgirl assassin—suddenly showed up on the page one day. Having witnessed the bravery and sacrifice of so many to keep us safe during our world’s most recent challenge, I wanted to pay tribute to them. How fortunate am I, through the intimate and emotional power of historical fiction, to have the opportunity to do so.

I packed everything I could into this book: love and conflict, faith and religion, censorship and resistance, art and moviemaking, fashion and food, and cameos by favorite actresses such as Sophia Loren and Ava Gardner and characters from both The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls (I, myself am terrible at goodbyes!).

I hope, more than anything, that Every Time We Say Goodbye gives readers the entertainment, inspiration and food for thought that nourished me throughout its writing.

Best wishes,

Natalie

Thank you Natalie for giving us a glimpse of what promises to be another fantastic read.

And now for the cover reveal:

Isn't that a stunning cover! I just love it, and it makes me so eager to read the novel.

BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (May 14, 2024)
Length: (336) pages
Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook
ISBN: 978-1250285188

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls returns with a brilliant novel of love and art, of grief and memory, of confronting the past and facing the future.

In 1955, Vivien Lowry is at a crossroads in life. Her latest play, the only female-authored play on the London stage that season, has opened in the West End to rapturous applause from the audience. The reviewers, however, are not as impressed as the playgoers and their savage notices not only shut down the play but ruin Vivien's last chance for theatrical success. With her future in London not looking bright, at the suggestion of her friend, Peggy Guggenheim, Vivien takes a job as a script doctor on a major film shooting in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios. There she finds a vibrant moviemaking scene filled with rising stars, acclaimed directors, and famous actors in a country that is torn between its past and its potentially bright future, between the liberation of the post-war cinema and the restrictions of the Catholic Church that permeate the very soul of Italy.

As Vivien tries to forge a new future for herself, she also searches for the long-buried truth of the recent World War and the fate of her deceased fiancé lost in battle. Every Time We Say Goodbye is a bold and moving exploration of trauma and tragedy, hope and renewal, filled with dazzling characters both real and imaginary, from the incomparable author who charmed the world with her novels The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls.

(Every Time We Say Goodbye is linked to The Jane Austen Society, and Bloomsbury Girls by characters, but is a stand-alone novel.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Natalie Jenner is the internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls, which have been translated into more than twenty languages worldwide. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie has been a corporate lawyer and career coach and once owned an independent bookstore in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

Monday, August 7, 2023

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman (Review)

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, with its catchy title and witty heroines, was a gem!

Book Details:

Title: The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
Category: Adult Fiction, 464 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Romance

Publisher: Berkley
Release date: May 30, 2023
Content rating: PG-13 for mature subject matter (child prostitution, ill-treatment of the mentally ill)

Book Description:

A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an ‘old maid’ to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.

Lady Augusta Colebrook, “Gus,” is determinedly unmarried, bored by society life, and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister, Julia, who is grieving her dead betrothed, need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their friend’s goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband.

The sisters set out to Caroline’s country estate with a plan, but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle, Gus accidentally shoots and injures the ruffian, only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford, an acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago. What follows is a high adventure full of danger, clever improvisation, heart-racing near misses, and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan.

Back in London, Gus can’t stop thinking about her unlikely (not to mention handsome) comrade-in-arms. She is convinced Lord Evan was falsely accused of murder, and she is going to prove it. She persuades Julia to join her in a quest to help Lord Evan, and others in need—society be damned! And so begins the beguiling secret life and adventures of the Colebrook twins.

My Review

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, with its catchy title and witty heroines, was a gem! It was better than I expected, keeping me up late at night as the Colebrook twins became embroiled in dangerous adventures that highlighted their smarts and feminist views.

Lady Augusta and Lady Julia are two "spinster" twin sisters who, at the mature age of forty-two, are bored with high society and are too smart to sit back and do nothing when opportunities present themselves to help out women disadvantaged by their position or status. I love historical fiction with women who are ahead of their time. The sisters perform daring rescues, but the one that takes place in an insane asylum, as they were called back then, was an eye-opening read, as the author does not spare us the abhorrent treatment of its patients.

There is much to like about this novel. First off, it's witty, with a clever plot and memorable characters. There's a bit of romance too. It's well written with never a dull moment. And it's fun for a change to have the heroines be of a more mature age.

This first book in the series starring the Colebrooke sisters is off to a fantastic start. Don't let the page count deter you. I raced through this one and it turned out to be one of my best reads this year. If you like entertaining historical fiction with worthy themes, adventure, mystery, and heart-pounding rescues, you will love this book.

Disclosure: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book

Amazon ~ Thrift Books

Add to Goodreads

About the Author

Alison Goodman lives in Australia with her husband and their terrier, Buckley. Her latest book is The Dark Days Deceit, the final in the Dark Days Club trilogy which Alison calls Pride and Prejudice meets Buffy (or Georgette Heyer goes demon hunting!). She is happily learning how to dance the quadrille, hoist herself into boned stays, and handle a small sword...all in the name of research.

Alison is also the author of New York Times Bestsellers, EON and EONA (also known as The Two Pearls of Wisdom and The Necklace of the Gods). The award-winning fantasy duology is set in a mythical China and has sold into 20 countries, and translated into 12 languages.

Alison's other novels are the SF thriller, Singing the Dogstar Blues, and her wickedly dark adult crime novel, A New Kind of Death, which has just been re-released as a Kindle e-book. Her artist husband painted the cover, which is - Alison says without any bias, whatsoever - totally brilliant and the best cover she has ever had on any of her books.

Visit Alison's website at www.alisongoodman.com.au

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews (Review)

Book Details:

Title: Appointment in Bath (Somerset Stories, Book 4) by Mimi Matthews
Category: Adult Fiction, 298 pages
Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release date: June 27, 2023
Content rating: G

Book Description:

A chance meeting between the sheltered daughter and the forward-thinking son of rival Victorian families sparks a forbidden romance in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s fourth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series.

Shy and stammering Meg Burton-Smythe has spent the whole of her life living on the fringes of local society. She’s more comfortable with her daydreams than she is with people. But when a dashing, golden-haired hero rides to her rescue one morning, she dares to hope that her dreams might finally come true. There’s only one problem: her handsome rescuer is the son of her father’s sworn enemy.

Ivo Beresford doesn’t believe in clinging to the past. Freshly returned from a lengthy grand tour, he’s looking to the future, eager to spearhead the building of a new railway extension in Somersetshire. But an unexpected encounter with Meg Burton-Smythe, the isolated only daughter of his parents’ oldest foe, sets the past and the future colliding.

Resolved to put ancient grudges to rest—at least where innocent young ladies are concerned—Ivo encourages lonely Meg to embark on a secret friendship. After all, what harm can a friendship do? It isn’t as though there’s any danger of the two of them falling in love…

My Review

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I love reading Mimi Matthews' books because I know I will encounter a well-written romance with beautifully flawed characters whose personal dilemmas drive the story forward. I enjoyed Appointment in Bath but I did not love it.

Ivo Beresford and Meg Burton-Smythe, come from neighboring families who are considered enemies. Ivo and Meg become friends in secret and their feelings for one another begin to grow. This Romeo and Juliette theme could have produced some good angst and moments of real tension, but for me, it ended up flat. I felt that the internal and external conflicts were too easily resolved when there was potential for more stirring of the reader's emotions. As it was, nothing much seemed to be happening and the big climax didn't really happen.

This book didn't stand out for me as much as some of the other books I've read by Mimi Matthews. However, if you're looking for a clean historical romance, or a quick read, this one will do.

Disclosure: Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.

Connect with the Author:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST |

BOOKBUB |

ADD TO GOODREADS

Monday, June 12, 2023

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer (Review)

Having read a lot of time travel novels, I found this one to be quite original. A new favorite series!

Book Details:

Title: In This Moment (Book 2 Timeless Series) by Gabrielle Meyer
Category: Adult Fiction, 400 pages
Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release date: May 2, 2023
Content rating: G

Book Description:

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

As soon as I saw this book, I wanted to read it. Time travel with a twist? I'm in. So I promptly bought the first book When The Day Comes, and I loved it! And you know what, I loved this second book in the series even more. If there is a third book, based on the ending of this one, I know it's going to be even better, because, with each new book, the author adds a new element to the time travel plot. In case you're wondering, each book is a stand-alone novel with no cliffhanger endings.

Having read a lot of time travel novels, I found this one to be quite original. The main character Maggie simultaneously lives three different lives in three different time periods. She falls asleep in one time period and wakes up in another, but only until she turns 21 at which time she will choose which time period to continue her life for the rest of her days. This adds an element of suspense to the story because we become so invested in all three of her lives that we wonder how she will choose when she has so much to lose in her other lives! I loved this fantastical element of the story.

I must applaud the author for skillfully writing about Maggie's life in each time period with all the challenges Maggie faced. What impressed me was how in each time period, Maggie is authentically herself, yet also a woman of that particular era, understanding the societal expectations and what is to come because of her foreknowledge of the future, yet not being able to change history. There aren't many books that surprise me in the historical fiction genre but in both books, I was surprised at the strong emotions I felt and at the twist in the endings. So well done.

If you like time travel, time-slip, and time-crossing novels, with strong characterization, unpredictable plots, and good historical settings, this one adds novelty to this popular genre. Highly recommended for a fun satisfying read.

Disclosure: Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.ca ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Rakuten Kobo

Goodreads

About the author:

Gabrielle lives on the banks of the Upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing historical and contemporary novels inspired by real people, places, and events. The river is a constant source of inspiration for Gabrielle, and if you look closely, you will find a river in each of her stories.

When Gabrielle is not writing, you might find her homeschooling her children, cheering them on at sporting and theatrical events, or hosting a gathering at her home with family and friends.

Connect with the author: https://gabriellemeyer.com/

Friday, June 2, 2023

I Feel Your Stare: An Autobiography by Cheryl Gillespie (Review)

An autobiography of a Canadian woman who continues to overcome a crippling disease so she can lead her best life.

Book Details:

Title: I Feel Your Stare: An Autobiography by Cheryl Gillespie
Category: Adult Non-fiction, 242 pages
Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Fingertip Books
Release date: July 22, 2022
Content rating: G

Book Description:

Imagine yourself in a position of maneuvering through aspects of our everyday living we simply take for granted. Would we see our existence as a beautiful opportunity to explore and live our moments fully, or spend our time lamenting our perceived hardships? Throughout I FEEL YOUR STARE you will be transported to a place in time whereby Cheryl Gillespie’s descriptive scenes allow the reader a glimpse into a life of an individual assuming control of her future, and who excels far beyond the most hopeful of expectations. ~Mary McGinley

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

It's not often I read autobiographies, but when I do it's because a particular aspect of the person's life has grasped my attention. In I Feel Your Stare, it was the fact that Ms. Gillespie has suffered from a chronic illness since childhood that led to her blindness. And she is Canadian.

The author begins her story from childhood and it is filled with her memories of family events, life in the Maritimes (eastern Canada), her experiences at the School for the Blind away from her home, and the profound role her mother played in her life.

I enjoyed reading Ms. Gillespie's life story. It's easy to read because it feels like she is sitting in front of you telling her story. It's not a long autobiography since the author does not go into many details about some aspects of her life, but there is enough to learn that resiliency, determination, and courage are needed to overcome large obstacles and build a satisfying life no matter what the circumstances.

This book pulled at my heartstrings because as a mother myself, I know some decisions we make believing to be the best option for our children, are not always easy to make. The author recognized that her parents did the very best they could for her at a time when the Internet and online learning did not exist. I think this book is an ode to her mother, and the writing process a way to reflect and come to terms with the PTSD triggered by her multiple surgeries, hospital stays, and time away from her loving family.

One of the best lines from this book: We are all a little broken, that's how the light trickles in.

This autobiography shows us the impact of chronic childhood illnesses and how the love of family and friends, and one's own inner strength, plays a significant role in helping such children lead successful lives.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Amazon.ca ~ Goodreads

Rakuten Kobo ~ Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

In her home province of New Brunswick, Canada, Cheryl Gillespie, along with her cat Mattie, will often be found basking on the backyard deck beneath the warm sunshine, the very spot where many of the chapters for "I Feel Your Stare" were written.

A childhood diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, with associated blindness, coupled with physical and societal barriers, has proven only to strengthen her resolve. Following graduation from Fredericton High School, Cheryl advanced in her private studies through the Royal Conservatory of Music, attaining First Class Honours in piano, theory and history.

Today, well established in her teaching career, she takes pride in the education of her students, highlighted by a two-time provincial medal winner through Mount Allison’s Local Centre Examinations Department of Music. Through her active role within the Fredericton Music Teachers’ Association, Cheryl has built invaluable, longstanding friendships with her colleagues. In 1993, Cheryl was the recipient of the Stanley B. Cassidy Memorial Award, presented by the Fredericton Music Society, recognizing her dedication to excellence and personal achievements.

Cheryl’s first work for adults, "I Feel Your Stare" was preceded by her children’s book, "Tigger and Jasper’s New Home."

Thursday, March 16, 2023

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester (Review)

If you love WWII historical fiction and the fashion world, this book blends both very well. A very good read!

Book Details:

Title: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester
Category: Adult Fiction, 432 pages
Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, WWII Fiction
Publisher: Forever
Release date: January10, 2023
Content rating: PG-13

Book Description:

An unforgettable and “fascinating tale” of an orphan turned WWII spy turned fashion icon in Paris (Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye).

Alix St. Pierre. An unforgettable name for an unforgettable woman. She grew up surrounded by Hollywood glamor, but, as an orphan, never truly felt part of that world. In 1943, with WWII raging and men headed overseas to fight, she landed a publicity job to recruit women into the workforce. Her skills—persuasion, daring, and quick-witted under pressure—catch the attention of the U.S. government and she finds herself with an even bigger assignment: sent to Switzerland as a spy. Soon Alix is on the precipice of something big, very big. But how far can she trust her German informant…?

After an Allied victory that didn’t come nearly soon enough, Alix moves to Paris, ready to immerse herself in a new position as director of publicity for the yet-to-be-launched House of Dior. In the glamorous halls of the French fashion house, she can nearly forget everything she lost and the dangerous secret she carries. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realizes that only she can right the wrongs of the past …and finally find justice.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I've been wanting to read a novel by Natasha Lester and I'm happy to have read The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre. It was immersive, atmospheric, thought-provoking, and at times heartbreaking. Alix St. Pierre with the perfect name for the fashion world, but practically penniless, arrives in Paris ready to lead a new life. With her quick wit and determination, she works for the new House of Dior and helps launch it with her brilliant marketing strategies. But Alix is haunted by her past as a WWII spy.

The novel goes back and forth through several time periods which at times I found confusing because I read this as an ebook, which for me, made it cumbersome to quickly go back and forth in the book. However, despite this, and the length of the book, I found this novel captivating because it was not at all predictable. Alix is a feminist at heart, a survivor, fiercely proud but broken, at the cusp of an era when women who had stepped up to help with the war effort (many as spies) are now forgotten and expected to go back to housewife roles. It opened my eyes to what women lived through in the late 1930s into 1940s.

If you love WWII historical fiction and the fashion world, this book blends both very well. Best of all, we get to see the aftermath of the war through one woman's many transformations, hence the title. This was a very good read.

Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book for review via NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book

Amazon.ca ~ Barnes and Noble

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Natasha Lester was a marketing executive for L'Oréal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing. She completed a Master of Creative Arts and has written several novels including A Kiss From Mr. Fitzgerald, Her Mother's Secret, and The Paris Seamstress. Her sixth novel, The French Photographer, will be published in April 2019.

In her spare time, Natasha loves to teach writing, is a sought-after public speaker, and can often be found playing dress-up with her three children. She lives in Perth.

For all the latest news from Natasha visit:

www.natashalester.com.au

Twitter: @Natasha_Lester

Instagram: natashalester

Facebook: NatashaLesterAuthor

Monday, March 13, 2023

Chris Crossed Murder by Lauren Carr (Review and Giveaway!)

As soon as I read the title with its clever play on words, I cracked a smile. Carr has delivered another twisty and complex mystery in her fourth book in the Chris Matheson Cold Care Mystery series!

Book Details:

Book Title: Chris Crossed Murder by Lauren Carr (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4)
Category: Adult Fiction, 422 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery, Books in a Series
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Feb 22, 2023
Tour dates: Feb 22 to March 31, 2023
Content Rating: PG (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

Book Description:

It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.

With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

As soon as I read the title with its clever play on words, I cracked a smile. Not only is the title a good pun but this novel is the fourth book of one of my favorite series, the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Once again, Lauren Carr creates a good mystery within a mystery. How she can keep it all straight makes me marvel. For readers, the list of characters at the front of the book is helpful, especially for this one where there are also multiple aliases!

An unidentifiable body is found with Chris Matheson's federal agent badge on him. Who is this person and why does he have Chris's ID on him? As they dig deeper, they discover the body is somehow connected to one of Chris's cold cases, the murder of a young actress named Sky Belmont. The Geezer Squad gets busy looking for leads and using their know-how to help Chris solve this mystery. Carr ties all the loose ends by the end of the story except one unlikely escape that was never explained, but then again this is fiction. I loved the way it ends though! I suspected it because I caught on to some clues, and it was clever as a twist.

Of course, as in all her stories, the animals have their star moments. Sterling, Chris's service dog was a great detective. Chompers cracked me up. I'm still trying to warm up to Helen, Chris's wife. She annoys me with her sarcastic remarks and the snatching of papers out of Chris's hand on more than one occasion. I would have liked a quick review of the members of the Geezer Squad since it's been a while I read the last book. Apart from these small things, this was another entertaining read from a fun series.

I hope Carr has another book in the works with more cold cases to solve for Chris and his Geezer Squad. If you're looking for a mystery series with good themes of friendships, family, and team spirit, this is a good one. Start from the beginning, it's worth it.

Here are my reviews for the first three books in the series:

ICE: Book 1

Winter Frost: Book 2

The Last Thing She Said: Book 3

Disclosure: I bought a copy of this book and also chose to participate in this tour. I was not compensated, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com ~ B&N ~ BAM

BookBub
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

connect with the author:

website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ interest

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends April 7, 2023

https://gleam.io/jREk7/celebrating-the-release-of-chris-crossed-murder