BLOG TOUR: My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Park Row and Kimberly Belle for letting me be a part of the tour. The paperback copy doesn't release until March 8, 2022, but I believe the digital copies will be out December 28, 2022.

Title: My Darling Husband

Author: Kimberly Belle

Published by: Park Row

Released: March 8, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Bestselling author of DEAR WIFE and THE MARRIAGE LIE, Kimberly Belle returns with her most heart-pounding thriler to date, as a masked home invader reveals the cracks in a marriage.   

Everyone is about to know what her husband isn’t telling her… 

Jade and Cam Lasky are by all accounts a happily married couple with two adorable kids, a spacious home and a rapidly growing restaurant business. But their world is tipped upside down when Jade is confronted by a masked home invader. As Cam scrambles to gather the ransom money, Jade starts to wonder if they’re as financially secure as their lifestyle suggests, and what other secrets her husband is keeping from her.

Cam may be a good father, a celebrity chef and a darling husband, but there’s another side he’s kept hidden from Jade that has put their family in danger. Unbeknownst to Cam and Jade, the home invader has been watching them and is about to turn their family secrets into a public scandal.

With riveting twists and a breakneck pace, My Darling Husband is an utterly compelling thriller that once again showcases Kimberly Belle's exceptional talent for domestic suspense. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I am always up for a thriller, and My Darling Husband caught me with that synopsis. It just sounded so terrifying. A masked intruder breaking into your home, holding you captive, and then demanding a ransom for your husband. It's the stuff of nightmares. You always think you're safe in your home, but what happens when you're not?

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I was turning pages from start to finish. I had to know what was going on, what was going to happen, was Jade and her kids going to be okay? The kidnapper/hostage taker was always one step ahead. I needed to know why!

This did a great job as a thriller. I was hooked from start to finish. I'd definitely recommend doing grabby hands for this one.

Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of five novels of suspense. Her third, The Marriage Lie, was a semifinalist in the 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Mystery & Thriller, and has been translated into a dozen languages. Before turning to fiction, Kimberly worked in marketing and nonprofit fundraising.

Thank you so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle. Thanks so much to Park Row and Kimberly Belle for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely add this one to your list.

BLOG TOUR: The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Jacquelyn Mitchard for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this tour!

Title: The Good Son

Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard

Published by: MIRA

Released: January 18, 2022

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads    Amazon

 

Synopsis: What do you do when the person you love best becomes unrecognizable to you? For Thea Demetriou, the answer is both simple and agonizing: you keep loving him somehow.

Stefan was just seventeen when he went to prison for the drug-fueled murder of his girlfriend, Belinda. Three years later, he’s released to a world that refuses to let him move on. Belinda’s mother, once Thea’s good friend, galvanizes the community to rally against him to protest in her daughter’s memory. The media paints Stefan as a symbol of white privilege and indifferent justice. Neighbors, employers, even some members of Thea's own family turn away.

Meanwhile Thea struggles to understand her son. At times, he is still the sweet boy he has always been; at others, he is a young man tormented by guilt and almost broken by his time in prison. But as his efforts to make amends meet escalating resistance and threats, Thea suspects more forces are at play than just community outrage. And if there is so much she never knew about her own son, what other secrets has she yet to uncover—especially about the night Belinda died? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This book caught my attention, and I enjoyed the ride that it took me on. The synopsis really made me interested in this story. It presents such a complicated situation. What would you do if your son was a murderer? That is what Thea is having to grapple with. It's a very emotional story dealing with some heavy topics.

The middle of the book got a little slow, but overall, it did keep my interest.

There was also a mystery element to the book that offered some intrigue.

The strongest part of this book is who it deals with emotion. Thea's emotion when it comes to her son. Having to realize that her baby killed someone else's baby. The emotion of the community when he's released from prison after three years. The emotion of Belinda's mother, who will never get her daughter back.

I'm glad I got the chance to read it. It dealt with some very hard topics in a heart wrenching way.

Jacquelyn Mitchard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels for adults, seven novels for teenagers, and five children’s books. These include The Deep End of the Ocean, the inaugural selection of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club. She is also a professor of creative writing whose short stories, articles, essays and book reviews have been widely published. A native of Chicago, she now lives on Cape Cod with her family.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Good Son by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Thanks so much to MIRA and Jacquelyn Mitchard for letting me read this one, and having me on the tour. If this is a book you've had your eye on, I'd definitely say put it on your list.

Reading Right Now! (321)

 I am a bad blog updater, I apologize.

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

Gods, Monsters. and the Lucky Peach by Kelly Robson -- I just started this. It is a tor.com novella. It's science fiction. That's all I really know. I'm 30 pages into it, and I'm not exactly clear on what exactly is going on. I figured I'd read this one because it is short, I like science fiction, and it is due at the library on Saturday. We'll see what I think of it.

What I Just Finished

 

Bridge of Souls (Cassidy Blake #3) by Victoria Schwab -- This took me longer than it should have, but it was a me thing. I really enjoyed this book, I've really enjoyed this series. I think this is the last one, which makes me sad. It ended nicely, kind of where it all began in a way. This was very fast. It was also a fun spooky travel adventure. I liked learning about all the spooky places in these cities. Good book.

 

And that's What I'm Reading Right Now! and what I just finished. What are you reading?

BLOG TOUR: An Accidental Odyssey by K.C. Dyer

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for An Accidental Odyssey (ExLibris Adventure #2) by K.C. Dyer! I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and K.C. Dyer for giving me the opportunity to go on this adventure, and participate in this tour.

Title: An Accidental Odyssey (ExLibris Adventure #2)

Author: K.C. Dyer

Published by: Berkley Books

Released: December 14, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads      Amazon

 

Synopsis: When an unexpected phone call derails a young woman's wedding plans, it sparks an epic adventure around the modern-day Mediterranean.

Gianna Kostas is on the cusp of a fairy-tale life. Sure, she's just lost her job, but she's about to marry one of New York's most eligible bachelors. On her way to taste wedding cakes, though, things go sideways. Shocking news sends Gia off on a wild journey halfway around the world in pursuit of her ailing--and nearly estranged--father.

In Athens, she learns Dr. Kostas, a classics professor, is determined to retrace Odysseus's famous voyage. This is a journey her father is in no condition to take alone, so Gia faces a tough decision. When an unexpected job offer helps seal the deal and quash the guilt Gia feels from her disapproving groom-to-be, the journey is on. But as Gia adventures--and eats--her way around the Mediterranean, she discovers that confronting epic storms and ripped surfer dudes might be the easy part.

Along the way, as she uncovers family secrets, finds heartbreak, and learns more about a certain archaeologist with a mysterious past of his own, Gia discovers that fairy-tale endings might be messy and complicated, but they can happen anywhere. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I had a lot of fun reading this one. The synopsis really sucked me in, and the story didn't disappoint. I love a book with travel and adventure, and An Accidental Odyssey has just that.

I enjoyed Gia attempting to reconnect with her dad through this journey. He hasn't always been the best dad, but it was nice to see them form a relationship.

I really liked all the travel aspects, especially the food. It all sounded delicious.

By undertaking this journey, Gia really discovers a lot about herself. I really enjoyed seeing her journey. 

I had a good time reading this book. It was just the reading escape I needed. Plus, I loved reading about a warm place while I'm here in December.

kc dyer resides in the wilds of British Columbia where she likes to walk in the woods and write books for teens and adults. Before An Accidental Odyssey, her most recent novels for adults were Eighty Days to Elsewhere and Finding Fraser, both romantic comedies published by Berkley. For teens, kc's most recent work is Facing Fire, a sequel to the acclaimed novel, A Walk Through a Window, published by Doubleday.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for An Accidental Odyssey (ExLibris Adventure #2) by K.C. Dyer. Thanks so much to Berkley Books and K.C. Dyer for letting me be a part of this tour. I'd definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it a read. It's a good time.

BLOG TOUR: The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby

 I am excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Park Row and Polly Crosby for letting me be a part of this tour!

Title: The Women of Pearl Island

Author: Polly Crosby

Published by: Park Row

Released: December 7, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Set on a secluded island off the British coast, The Women of Pearl Island is a moving and evocative story of family secrets, natural wonders and a mystery spanning decades.

When Tartelin answers an ad for a personal assistant, she doesn't know what to expect from her new employer, Marianne, an eccentric elderly woman. Marianne lives on a remote island that her family has owned for generations, and for decades her only companions have been butterflies and tightly held memories of her family.

But there are some memories Marianne would rather forget, such as when the island was commandeered by the British government during WWII. Now, if Marianne can trust Tartelin with her family's story, she might finally be able to face the long-buried secrets of her past that have kept her isolated for far too long. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was a welcome surprise of a read. I'm always drawn to books that involve family secrets. I just love the journey of discovering everything and finding out what has been hidden.

I also loved the setting of this family island. It's been in Marianne's family a long time and it's pretty much deserted. There's just something really compelling about that kind of setting.

This story switches viewpoints between Marianne and Tartelin. It also switches in time periods. I really enjoyed how it was all put together and done.

This book really grabbed my attention. I had to know what happened. I liked it and would definitely read more from this author.

Polly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast and now lives in the heart of Norfolk. She won the Curtis Brown Creative's Yesterday Scholarship, which enabled her to finish her debut. She received the Annabel Abbs Scholarship at the University of East Anglia and is currently working on her second novel.

Thanks so much for checking out by Blog Tour Stop for The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby. Thank you to Park Row and Polly Crosby for letting me be a part of the tour. I'd definitely recommend picking this one up if you see it, especially if you want a little Historical Fiction in your life.

BLOG TOUR: Once Upon a Cabin by Patience Griffin

 I am very excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Once Upon A Cabin (Sweet Home, Alaska #2) by Patience Griffin. I received a free electronic copy for honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Patience Griffin for letting me be a part of the tour.

Title: Once Upon a Cabin (Sweet Home, Alaska #2)

Author: Patience Griffin

Published by: Berkley

Released: November 30, 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads     Amazon

 

Synopsis: Two sisters from Texas find themselves exiled to Alaska . . . and thrown into the arms of two very different men.  

Tori and McKenna St. James have been living comfortably on their trust funds in Dallas. But their uncle Monty, keeper of the purse strings, decides to push them out of their comfort zones by requiring them to spend one year in Alaska or lose their inheritance. Initially the sisters are stunned, but they aren't willing to back down from the challenge.  

Tori is sent to a primitive homestead outside the tiny town of Sweet Home. She had been prepared to forego fashion magazines and lattes, but not electricity and running water! Will her rugged wilderness guide, Jesse Montana, teach her to survive, or send her fleeing back to civilization? Meanwhile, outdoorsy McKenna is stuck within the concrete walls of an Anchorage bank. Her sexy boss Luke McAvoy is tasked with teaching her the business but what he’s really doing is tempting her. Not that she’s the type to fall for a stuffed suit like him.  

Tori and McKenna find much needed solace with Sweet Home’s Sisterhood of the Quilt. Will this crafty group of women be up to the challenge of teaching two outsiders how to sew—and perhaps how to love? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: As soon as I saw the cute dog on the cover, I wanted to read it. The whole premise of it grabbed me even more. I thought this was a cute book and I enjoyed reading it.

We get two sisters in this, which means two romances. I wasn't expecting that when I picked it up.

I enjoyed watching these two rich girls having to "rough it" in Alaska. I mean, Tori has to do a little more roughing it then McKenna. Then we get the two men who are going to teach them how to survive their new situations.

I just thought this was fun. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed it.

Award-winning author Patience Griffin has been writing and sewing her whole life but didn’t discover her love of quilting until her late thirties. She decided the best way to acquire her first quilt was to make one for herself. At nearly the same time, she started commuting three and half hours a day for her dream engineering job. To pass the time on the long drive, she got hooked on audiobooks—especially books with love stories. Within a couple of years, she was writing stories of her own. It was no surprise to her family and friends when she combined her love of quilting, her small town roots, and her obsession with Scottish romances into novels. She has gained some recognition with her September 11th Story Quilt which has toured the country as the property of the Pentagon. Her first book, To Scotland with Love, received a Publishers Weekly *starred reviewed, won the New England Readers’ Choice award and Golden Quill for best first book and was also a double RITA® finalist. Patience’s Kilts and Quilts series takes place in small town Scotland and set around a group of quilters. She loves to write about home, heart, and community.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Once Upon a Cabin by Patience Griffin. Thanks so much to Berkley and Patience Griffin for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for something cute to read, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.

BOOK REVIEW: Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (#1) by Elle Cosimano

 

Title: Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (#1)

Author: Elle Cosimano

Published by: Minotaur Books

Released: 2021

Source: Electronic Review Copy through Netgalley / Physical Copy from Library

 

Synopsis: Finlay Donovan is killing it...except, she’s really not. A stressed-out single mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: The new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written; her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her; and this morning she had to send her four-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an incident with scissors.

When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet. She soon discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.

Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moments, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from award-winning Elle Cosimano. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This book was a wild ride, and I enjoyed it. It was entertaining from start to finish. The whole time I was reading this, I was just curious how Finlay was going to get herself out of this not safe, not smart predicament. The lure of money mixed with bad decision making, got her into one big mess.

I had a fun time with this. It was a page turner. Something was always happening that just sunk Finlay deeper and deeper into this hole. I did think things were going to go differently when Vero showed up, but then she surprised me.

Finlay also has two men who have popped into her life. I liked both of them, but it did feel just a little jarring when Nick is introduced. He came on so strong from the first, which didn't feel the most natural. I mean, Julian is pretty quick to fall for her too, but the way he was introduced just didn't feel as forced. I'm not sure who I'd pick. There's definitely some challenges when it comes to one of them.

I mentioned Vero before, but I really enjoyed her and Finlay's team dynamic. Finlay is lucky to have her. I mean, I question their choices, but they made a good team.

This book also ended with a tantalizing lure, so I'm curious to see where things go in the next book.

I received a free electronic copy for honest review through Netgalley and checked out a physical copy from my library.

 

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Finlay, this is not a good idea.