BLOG TOUR: Flight by Laura Griffin

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Flight by Laura Griffin. This is the second book in The Texas Murder Files Series. I was provided with a free electronic copy for review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Laura Griffin for letting me be a part of this tour.

Title: Flight (The Texas Murder Files #2)

Author: Laura Griffin

Published by: Berkley

Released: March 30, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: When former forensic photographer Miranda Rhoads moves to the seaside town of Lost Beach, she's decided to make her living as a wildlife photographer and put crime scenes behind her. But her plans are quickly upended when one morning, she comes across a couple sleeping in a canoe, entwined in an embrace. Looking closer, she realizes the man and woman aren't asleep – they've been murdered.

Detective Joel Breda sets out to find answers – not only about the unidentified victims in the marshy death scene, but also about the aloof and beautiful photographer who seems to know more about his investigation than he does.

As they begin to unravel the motivation of a merciless serial killer, Miranda and Joel must race against the clock to make an arrest before the killer can find them first. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: It did not take much for me to want to read this book. The synopsis really did a great job of grabbing me and the story inside kept me reeled in. I really enjoy these kind of stories.

I loved the setting of this story. There's the calm and beauty of a seaside town mixed with the ugliness of murder. It seems like two things that shouldn't belong together, but they end up side by side.

I really enjoyed our two characters of Miranda and Joel. I liked how they worked together and I'm always a sucker when it comes to romance.

I also really enjoyed some of the secondary characters and would love for some of them to get stories of their own.

I think this can definitely be read as a standalone. You won't get lost from not having read the first one.

Laura Griffin is one of those reliable authors that you know will give you a satisfying story. It's not a risk to get one of Laura's books. I'm glad I got to read Flight. It was a story that kept me hooked.

Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA® Award winner as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Flight by Laura Griffin. Thanks so much Berkley and Laura Griffin for letting me be a part of it. If this book sounds like your kind of thing, I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.

SPOTLIGHT: Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry

 Today I have a Spotlight Tour for Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry! I featured this one on my blog earlier, but now we are celebrating it's paperback release. I really enjoyed this when I read it.

I did receive a free copy of the paperback from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers for letting me show it off again. There will also be a post on my instagram (later today) showing off the new paperback version. My instagram is @gotbookcitement

 

Title: Tigers, Not Daughters

Author: Samantha Mabry

Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

Released: March 24, 2020

Source: Copy provided by Publisher for Review

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis:  The Torres sisters dream of escape. Escape from their needy and despotic widowed father, and from their San Antonio neighborhood, full of old San Antonio families and all the traditions and expectations that go along with them. In the summer after her senior year of high school, Ana, the oldest sister, falls to her death from her bedroom window. A year later, her three younger sisters, Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa, are still consumed by grief and haunted by their sister’s memory. Their dream of leaving Southtown now seems out of reach. But then strange things start happening around the house: mysterious laughter, mysterious shadows, mysterious writing on the walls. The sisters begin to wonder if Ana really is haunting them, trying to send them a message—and what exactly she’s trying to say.
 
In a stunning follow-up to her National Book Award–longlisted novel All the Wind in the World, Samantha Mabry weaves an aching, magical novel that is one part family drama, one part ghost story, and one part love story. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Samantha Mabry credits her tendency toward magical thinking to her Grandmother Garcia, who would wash money in the kitchen sink to rinse off any bad spirits. She teaches writing and Latino literature at a community college in Dallas, where she lives with her husband, a historian, and a cat named Mouse. She is the author of A Fierce and Subtle Poison and All the Wind in the World. Visit her online at samanthamabry.com or on Twitter: @samanthamabry.

BLOG TOUR: The Trouble with Picket Fences by Teri Wilson

 I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Trouble with Picket Fences by Teri Wilson. I received electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Harlequin Special Edition and Teri Wilson for letting me be a part of this cute tour!

Title: The Trouble with Picket Fences

Author: Teri Wilson

Published by: Harlequin Special Edition

Released: March 30, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: She could teach him to turn lemons into lemonade 

All her life, Melanie Carlisle knew how to succeed in the face of failure. So when she finds herself pregnant—and her ex-boyfriend bows out, claiming he's not the "picket fence type"—Melanie is on her own. Now she has a house—with a picket fence she wants gone. Cap McBride is dealing with his own problems, what with a potentially career-ending hearing loss and his surly teenager. So the last thing he wants to do is get involved with a single pregnant woman. As for fences? The only thing he knows how to do is put them up!

Lovestruck, Vermont

Will this fence make good neighbors into something more in the latest installment of award-winning author Teri Wilson's Lovestruck, Vermont series? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Cute! Very Cute. There is a strong, strong case of insta-love in this, which depending on how you feel about that might influence your enjoyment level of this book. I usually do like relationships that take more time to come to fruition, but I didn't mind how quickly Cap and Melanie fell for each other. I think they had a sweet Meet Cute.

I liked both of our characters. I liked how they had situations in their lives that could have brought them down but they are trying to find the positives. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade is a theme that is brought up pretty consistently throughout this story. It's a good message. Look for the positives and all that.
I also like this little town of Lovestruck, Vermont. Very cute.

Overall, this was a sweet little read. I liked it. It gave me what I was expecting it to. If a cute romance is something that you love, I'd say give this one a read.

USA Today Bestselling Author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming romance with a touch of whimsy. Three of Teri's books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel THE BACHELOR'S BABY SURPRISE.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Trouble with Picket Fences by Teri Wilson. I hope it sounds as good to you as it did for me. Thank you to Harlequin Special Edition and Teri Wilson for letting me be a part of this tour.

Reading Right Now! (294)

 Yayy for the weekend! What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

 

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten -- I was very lucky and got a free copy of this for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Minotaur Books. This is exactly up my alley. It released March 23, 2021.

I'm only 50 pages in, but I'm definitely intrigued. I love creepy villages, secrets. I can't wait to see where this thing is going to go. It almost feels like it could be a movie or television show, it's pretty vivid.

The story is about a remote mining village whose residents all mysteriously disappeared in the late 1950's. The only ones left in the town were a woman stoned to death in the square and a baby that was left all alone. In the present day, we have a documentary film crew who travel to the village hoping to find out its secrets.

Behind the Throne (#1) by K.B. Wagers -- I've been eyeing this book for the longest time just because it looks like something I'll like. I actually had another book by this author that I was going to read, but then I found out that that book was actually a continuation of The Indranan War Series (this book is the first one in that series). I don't like reading things out of order.

So this is space. I'm a big fan of sci-fi. I'm 100 pages in. It definitely starts off with a bang, but I'm still unsure of a lot of things. I almost wish I could have seen Hail's adventure from the very beginning, how she ran away from home and became a gunrunner. That would have been cool.

And that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading? Happy Weekend!

BLOG TOUR: Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Allison Brenna for letting me be a part of this tour. There's nothing better then a book with some thrills.

Title: Tell No Lies (Quinn and Costa Thriller #2)

Author: Allison Brennan

Published by: MIRA

Released: March 30, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.

Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking and more death. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I am always in the mood for a thrilling read and Tell No Lies definitely delivered on that. The star of this story has got to be the case. It's not a background component of the story, but rather front and center. It had so many twists and turns and I had no idea as to where it was going to go. It kept me on my toes for sure.

I also love how we get to see the ins and outs of Quinn and Costa's lives. They are much more then just agents, we get to see them being people. I really enjoy their partnership and how they work off of each other. I didn't really get anything romantic in this one, but maybe there's still a chance.

Tell No Lies kept me entertained and interested the whole way through. I can definitely see myself reading more books in this series, but I don't think you'll miss anything if you jump into the series in a later book. This one read fine as a stand alone.

Mysteries and Thrillers are always fun. I'm always game for a police procedural. If this sounds good to you, I'd definitely say give it a read.

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan. Thanks so much to MIRA and Allison Brennan for letting me be a part of the tour! Look out for this one March 30th and be sure to add it to your list.

BLOG TOUR: Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and J.T. Ellison for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Her Dark Lies

Author: J.T. Ellison

Published by: MIRA

Released: March 9, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: At the wedding of the year, a killer needs no invitation 

Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedding. In the majestic cliff-top villa owned by the wealthy Compton family, up-and-coming artist Claire Hunter will marry handsome, charming Jack Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets.

From the moment Claire sets foot on the island, something seems amiss. Skeletal remains have just been found. There are other, newer disturbances, too. Menacing texts. A ruined wedding dress. And one troubling shadow hanging over Claire’s otherwise blissful relationship—the strange mystery surrounding Jack’s first wife.

Then a raging storm descends, the power goes out—and the real terror begins… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This book has definitely been on my radar. I've seen it floating around and couldn't wait to read it. The synopsis really caught my attention and I like the cover too. I've also read some stuff by J.T. Ellison before and enjoyed those books. 

This was a lot of fun in a dark, twisted kind of way. It had a lot going on with it. There are so many secrets, just so many, and I loved figuring out just what was what. I'm always a sucker for a good mystery thriller, and Her Dark Lies definitely kept me on my toes.

I loved the setting of the cliff-top villa on the Italian Coast. I love books with warm locales because I've been missing the warmth. I was really intrigued by all the pieces that were in play. I really enjoyed seeing where everything was going to go.

This book was a good time for me. It gave me what I wanted.

 

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. She lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison. Thanks so much to MIRA and J.T. Ellison for letting me be a part of the tour! If this book sounds like something you'd like, I'd definitely say give it a read.

BLOG TOUR: Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher. As soon as I saw this cute cover, I was in! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and Libby Hubscher for letting me be a part of the tour.

 

 

Title: Meet Me in Paradise

Author: Libby Hubscher

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: March 23, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Marin Cole has never:
Seen the ocean
Climbed a mountain
Taken a risk on love
....But if her sister's plan works, she just might do all three.  Ever since her journalist mother died on assignment, Marin has played it safe, refusing to set foot outside the state of Tennessee. Her wild-child younger sister, Sadie, has trotted the globe as a photographer, living off of art and adrenaline.

When Sadie returns from a tough assignment abroad and looks a little worse for wear, Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters' spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba. But her lifelong fear of travel is affirmed when Sadie misses the flight, Marin's luggage gets mixed up with another passenger's, and an episode of turbulence sends her hurtling into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the handsome stranger who stole her sister's seat.

For the first time in a long time, Marin has to step outside of her comfort zone as she explores the island with Lucas and learns what she's been missing out on. With each breathtaking new experience, Marin gets closer to her real self, the man she's falling for, and the heart-wrenching truth about why she's there in the first place. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Oh what fun! This book is the perfect escape reading. I'm a homebody, so I can definitely relate to Marin. I don't think I'm brave enough to throw things to the wind like she does, but I applaud her for doing it. This book was just a great vacation for the mind. I loved the tropical island vibes. I loved the warm weather vibes. I loved the adventure that Marin and Lucas went on. Plus, I'm always a sucker for a good meet cute moment.

I also love how it's a story of sisters that really packs an emotional punch. I wasn't expecting all that just by looking at the cover and synopsis.

This book had a lot going on with it and is definitely more then I expected it to be. It's fun and emotional. It will hit you with all the feels.

This is a great book to just experience. It's definitely going to take readers' on a journey that they won't regret.

 

Libby Hubscher is an author and scientist. She studied biology at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and holds a doctor of philosophy in molecular toxicology from North Carolina State University. Her work has appeared online and in textbooks, scientific journals, and literary journals. Her short story "The Unwelcome Guest" was long-listed for the Wigleaf Top 50 in 2018. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two young children, and a menagerie of pets.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher. Thank you Berkley Books and Libby Hubscher for letting me be a part of the tour! This is the perfect book to take you on a vacation, which we all need in these times of Covid.

Reading Right Now! (293)

 What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry -- This is definitely a fast read. I'm liking it okay. I don't necessarily agree with these two girls decisions. I don't really like the no big deal vibes they give to stealing. I think they should have been caught a lot quicker then is currently happening. Their car choice was not smart. Lucille, I just don't buy her all the way. She acts too tough girl, and then she judges Winona for the same kind of stuff that she does. Maybe it doesn't look as cool or attractive when you see someone else doing it. This might just be because I'm not young and carefree like these two are and I'm reading it from older, more judgemental eyes. This trip that they are on feels more like fantasy then real life. I don't really feel the urgency, the danger that I think Winona and Lucille should be feeling. 

This does have an abusive parent/abusive situation and reading those chapters really did make me feel uncomfortable. 

I've heard this is supposed to be a Thelma and Louise kind of thing. I'm thinking this might just turn out to be a meh read for me. I'm over 200 pages in.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust -- This is a slower read, but I'm interested. I like the kind of fairytale feel it has to it and I'm interested to see where it's going to go.

And that is what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: Silence Is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Silence Is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar. I received a free copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books and Layla AlAmmar for letting me be a part of this tour and giving me the chance to read Silence Is a Sense.

 

 

Title: Silence Is a Sense

Author: Layla AlAmmar

Published by: Algonquin Books

Released: March 16, 2021

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: A profound and life-affirming debut about migration, trauma, and the healing power of community. 

A young woman sits in her apartment in an unnamed English city, absorbed in watching the small dramas of her assorted neighbors through their windows across the way. Traumatized into muteness after a long, devastating trip from war-torn Syria to the UK, she believes that she wants to sink deeper into isolation, moving between memories of her absent boyfriend and family and her homeland, dreams, and reality. At the same time, she begins writing for a magazine under the pseudonym "the Voiceless," trying to explain the refugee experience without sensationalizing it—or revealing anything about herself.

Gradually, as the boundaries of her world expand—as she ventures to the neighborhood corner store, to a gathering at a nearby mosque, and to the bookstore and laundromat, and as an anti-Muslim hate crime shatters the members of a nearby mosque—she has to make a choice: Will she remain a voiceless observer, or become an active participant in her own life and in a community that, despite her best efforts, is quickly becoming her own?   

With brilliant, poetic prose that captures all the fragments of this character's life, and making use of fragments of text from Tweets and emails to the narrator's own articles, journals, and fiction, Silence Is a Sense explores what it means to be a refugee and to need asylum, and how fundamental human connection is to survival. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: Powerful and Emotional are words that come to mind when thinking about Silence Is a Sense. Our narrator spends a lot of time in her own head, observing the world around her, but not really taking part in it. She makes a lot of judgements about the people she views through her window. She is also mute. Traumatized from her experiences. She also starts writing for a magazine under a pseudonym about what a refugee really feels.

What I really liked about this story is that you come to see the refugees as different people rather then a mass. They are people that left their homes for different reasons, but they might come to a place where they still don't feel welcome and safe. It's a very important story in what it covers.

This is a very important story that is very powerful and beautifully told. I'm glad I got to read it and experience it. 

 

 

 

Layla AlAmmar is a writer and academic from Kuwait. She has a master's degree in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh. Her short stories have appeared in the Evening Standard, Quail Bell Magazine, the Red Letters St. Andrews Prose Journal, and Aesthetica Magazine, where her story "The Lagoon" was a finalist for the 2014 Creative Writing Award. She was the 2018 British Council international writer in residence at the Small Wonder Short Story Festival. Her debut novel, The Pact We Made, was published in 2019. She has written for The Guardian and ArabLit Quarterly. She is currently pursuing a PhD on the intersection of Arab women's fiction and literary trauma theory.

 

 

 

 Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Silence Is a Sense by Layla AlAmmar. Thank you to Algonquin Books and Layla AlAmmar for letting me be a part of this fun tour. This book is a good one, and I'd say, Read It!

BLOG TOUR: Fractals by Alicia Anthony

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Fractals by Alicia Anthony. I was provided with a free electronic copy for honest review. Thanks so much to Drury Lane Books and Alicia Anthony for giving me the chance to review this one.

Title: Fractals

Author: Alicia Anthony

Published by: Drury Lane Books, LLC

Released: March 16, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: From award-winning author Alicia Anthony comes a gripping novel of redemption and revenge, fueled by the traumas that shape us.

Seventeen-year-old Carly Dalton should’ve known Asher Thompson had secrets. Why else would he be in a truck stop bar in the middle of a school night? And she definitely shouldn’t have accepted his offer. But here she was, new school, new friends, same old problems. Now she sat in the police station, keeping secrets of her own, with nowhere to go and only one person left to care.

High school science teacher Asher Thompson only wanted to help. He first told himself that the night he pulled Carly, a rain-soaked teenager, from the floor of the local truck stop bar. Now, with the girl’s father dead and sister missing, he was doing it again, opening his home to her as a temporary guardian. But as Carly’s brutal present begins to crack open a door to Asher’s own painful past, he’s forced to choose … protect his student or save himself.

And Asher already knows … no good deed goes unpunished.

***
Fractals is an emotionally intense psychological thriller that explores the impact of trauma on our perception of right versus wrong. Readers of Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, and Alice Feeney will delight in the edge of your seat twists in this complex thriller.
Content Warning: This book contains elements of human trafficking which may be difficult for sensitive readers. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This book was not exactly what I was expecting it to be. I thought there were going to be romantic things going on. Student and Teacher. Now, the synopsis didn't really say anything like that was going to happen, but it kind of gave you that feeling that it could. Even though it didn't have a romance, it was a enjoyable thriller. I was interested from page one and I wanted to know what was going to happen.

This book covers some dark subjects, as noted in the synopsis, so if human trafficking is triggering, this might not be the book you want to read. It was tough to read because you know these kinds of awful things happen to real people. It's a dark truth that people don't tend to think about in their happy lives. There are mean people out there who take advantage of girls.

I can honestly say that Fractals kept my attention throughout. I liked the way that the story was told in duo perspectives. I liked learning about the lives and secrets of Asher and Carly. I like the protector relationship that formed between the pair, not romantic, but just kind of caring. I couldn't wait to see where everything was going to go and how it was going to be wrapped up. If this sounds like something you'd like, I definitely recommend giving it a read.

Alicia Anthony’s first novels were illegible scribbles on the back of her truck driver father’s logbook trip tickets. Having graduated from scribbles to laptop, she now pens novels of psychological suspense in the quiet of the wee morning hours. A full-time elementary school Literacy Specialist, Alicia hopes to pass on her passion for books and writing to the students she teaches.

A two time Golden Heart® finalist and Silver Quill Award winner, Alicia finds her inspiration in exploring the dark, dusty corners of the human experience. Alicia is a graduate of Spalding University’s School of Creative & Professional Writing (MFA), Ashland University (M.Ed.) and THE Ohio State University (BA). Go Bucks! She lives in rural south-central Ohio with her amazingly patient and supportive husband, incredibly understanding teenage daughter, two dogs, three horses, a plethora of both visiting and resident barn cats, and some feral raccoons who have worn out their welcome.

When she’s not writing or teaching, Alicia loves to travel and experience new places. Connect with her online at www.AliciaAnthonyBooks.com. She’d love to hear from you!

Thank you so much for checking out my post for Fractals by Alicia Anthony. Thanks to Drury Lane Books and Alicia Anthony for giving me the chance to read and review this one. It's an intense ride, but if you can handle it, then I definitely recommend giving it a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Hanover Square Press and Nadine Matheson for letting me be a part of the tour. I needed some thrills in my current reading life!

Title: The Jigsaw Man (#1)

Author: Nadine Matheson

Published by: Hanover Square Press

Released: March 16, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy provided by Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... 

When body parts are found on the banks of the River Thames in Deptford, DI Angelica Henley is tasked with finding the killer. Eerie echoes of previous crimes lead Henley to question Peter Olivier, aka The Jigsaw Killer, who is currently serving a life sentence for a series of horrific murders. 

When a severed head is delivered to Henley's home, she realises that the copycat is taking a personal interest in her and that the victims have not been chosen at random. 

To catch the killer, Henley must confront her own demons - - and when Olivier escapes from prison, she finds herself up against not one serial killer, but two. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I love thrillers. They are so fun to read. I also love police procedurals. I was also very excited to learn that this was the start of a new series. The Jigsaw Man was tense, gritty, and thrilling! I definitely enjoyed my time being introduced to DI Angelica Henley. This killer is not playing any games and he seems to be targeting her.

I definitely enjoyed the case and the chase. I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see where it would go next. It is a bit of a chunky book though, but I'm always excited for a longer book then a shorter book. I feel like I'm getting more.

This is not a thriller for the weak of stomach. There are a lot of body parts, a lot of gruesome discoveries. And we also have the baddie bad, The Jigsaw Killer! Terrifying.

This was a really fun read. If you like thrillers, then I'd definitely recommend checking this one out. It's a great start to a new series. I can't see what cases are going to come next.

Nadine Matheson is a criminal defense attorney and winner of the City University Crime Writing competition. She lives in London, UK.
NadineMatheson.com

Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson. Thanks so much to Hanover Square Press and Nadine Matheson for giving me the chance to read this book and be a part of the Blog Tour.

Review: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire

 

Title: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day

Author: Seanan McGuire

Published by: Tor

 Released:

Source: Library

 

Synopsis: When her sister Patty died, Jenna blamed herself. When Jenna died, she blamed herself for that, too. Unfortunately Jenna died too soon. Living or dead, every soul is promised a certain amount of time, and when Jenna passed she found a heavy debt of time in her record. Unwilling to simply steal that time from the living, Jenna earns every day she leeches with volunteer work at a suicide prevention hotline.

But something has come for the ghosts of New York, something beyond reason, beyond death, beyond hope; something that can bind ghosts to mirrors and make them do its bidding. Only Jenna stands in its way.

Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day is a new standalone urban fantasy novella from New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire.  (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was okay. I'm not sure if I'm the biggest fan of the novella format when it comes to stories. It just feels like the story is over right when it's getting started, which is what I felt with Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day. There's this sense of not being all the way satisfied because it's just too short.
The world presented in this was interesting, but a little on the complicated side. More than half of this novella is spent explaining how time for the ghosts work, how the witches come into play and the rules about them, plus the relationship between witches and ghosts. It takes a little bit to wrap one's mind around.

Jenna is working at a suicide hotline to earn her time when she can move on, which was a noble cause. There could be triggers for suicide in this, but it's more of a feeling for the people left behind. That feeling of loss that comes with losing someone who chose to leave. 

The first chapter of this book, the backstory, was just a weird little thing. Jenna's death was kind of ridiculous in a way. It was just very odd.

The second half of the book is what I was excited for. I was ready to get into the meat of the story, the action, but it was over as soon as it began. It was so abrupt that I didn't really feel satisfied. The story did have a definite ending for Jenna though, so I'm not really left wondering what happens next.

I don't know, I liked this well enough, but I was hoping for something a little more too. This could have been a whole book and I probably would have been more satisfied. It's a fast read, a quick one, so if it sounds interesting to you, I'd say read it.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3.4/5

Over right when it was just starting. 

 

Reading Right Now! (292)

 I'm starting some new books this Friday because I've finished (or just about finished as of writing this post) my reads I've been working on this week. So, what I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry -- I don't really know what this one is. I have a general idea of it being two girls coming from bad home lives who decide to run away together. I've heard Thelma and Louise vibes, but then also people being disappointed because it's not really Thelma and Louise. This was just a random library grab for me. I saw it on the shelf and picked it up. We'll see if I like it or not.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust -- I don't really know the details of this one either. I think it has some fairy tale kind of vibes. This book is for my Deck of TBR for a book with flowers on the cover. I'm hoping for good things with this one. It's very pretty.

So that is what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you reading this weekend?

BLOG TOUR: Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux. I received an electronic copy for free for review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Jude Deveraux for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Meant to Be

Author: Jude Deveraux

Published by: MIRA

Released: March 16, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: An inspiring new family saga by New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux

Two headstrong sisters are bound by tradition but long to forge their own path. 

It’s 1972 and times are changing. In the small farming community of Mason, Kansas, Vera and Kelly Exton are known for their ambitions. Vera is an activist who wants to join her boyfriend in the Peace Corps. But she is doing her duty caring for her widowed mother and younger sister until Kelly is firmly established. Kelly is studying to become a veterinarian. She plans to marry her childhood sweetheart and eventually take over his father’s veterinary practice.

But it’s a tumultuous time and neither sister is entirely happy with the path that’s been laid out for her. As each evaluates her options, everything shifts. Do you do what’s right for yourself or what others want? By having the courage to follow their hearts these women will change lives for the better and the effects will be felt by the generations that follow. Meant to Be delivers an emotional, smart, funny and wise lesson about the importance of being true to yourself. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I always love a story about sisters. I also really love family stories and family sagas, so this had so many things I wanted. We follow the family from 1972 to 1996. It's a story of where life will take you, and trying to figure out how to capture happiness. Vera and Kelly both think that life will go one way for them, but they are met with curveballs. They have to figure out just what direction they want to go in.

I liked this. It was a very poignant story, moving and relatable. It kept up a good pace throughout. We also follow the timeline of another character in the present day whose is important to what is going on.

It's a great new series from Jude Deveraux. This is an author that has a lot of stories. I'd definitely check this one out when it releases.

Jude Deveraux is the author of forty-three New York Times bestsellers, including For All Time, Moonlight in the Morning, and A Knight in Shining Armor. She was honored with a Romantic Times Pioneer Award in 2013 for her distinguished career. To date, there are more than sixty million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Thank you for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Meant to Be by Jude Deveraux. Thanks so much to MIRA and Jude Deveraux for giving me the chance to read this book and having me on the tour. Look for this one March 16, 2021!