Tropical Girl Reads

The Wife- Book Review

Hey all! Just finished Shalini Boland’s The Wife, which will be released on 8th September 2020! Here’s my review!

The Wife: An unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist by [Shalini Boland]

Zoe fainted on her wedding day, and she never knew why. She’s always felt sure something bad happened. Ten years later, she’s going to find out what…

It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Zoe was sitting in her hotel room, in her perfect white dress, looking forward to the moment when she would make kind, handsome Toby her husband.

Then, there was a blank.

They said she must have fainted, overcome with emotion. But nothing felt quite right afterwards. Did something happen in that missing time?

Now, Toby and Zoe have two beautiful children and a perfect life. They’re planning their ten-year anniversary party for their family and friends. The invitations have been sent, the food ordered. They’re going back to the grand hotel where they got married.

But as the anniversary gets closer, it becomes clear not everyone is looking forward to celebrating. Zoe catches Toby lying about where he’s been. One of her best friends seems to be ignoring her. And someone is spreading stories that might stop the party from happening at all.

Zoe is increasingly sure that she doesn’t have the full story. But does she want to know the truth, if it will destroy everything?

No. of pages:- 292 pages

Date published:- 9th September 2020

Genre:- Domestic Thriller

Shalini Boland is the million-copy, USA-Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers: ‘THE GIRL FROM THE SEA’, ‘THE BEST FRIEND’, ‘THE MILLIONAIRE’S WIFE’ (optioned for TV by Legendary Studios), ‘THE SECRET MOTHER’, ‘THE CHILD NEXT DOOR’, ‘THE SILENT SISTER’, ‘THE PERFECT FAMILY’, ‘THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL’, ‘THE OTHER DAUGHTER’ and ‘ONE OF US IS LYING’.

THE WIFE is now available to pre-order!

Her titles are published by Bookouture, Grand Central (USA) and Tantor.

Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing psychological thrillers (in between school runs and endless baskets of laundry).

She is also the author of two bestselling Young Adult series as well as a children’s WWII novel with a time-travel twist.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC! The review is completely based on my honest opinion.

Zoe fainted on her wedding day with no recollection of what really happened a moment before she fainted. Ten years later, Zoe and her husband, Toby are happily married with two children and are about to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary and they will be celebrating it at the very same hotel they had their wedding. But soon, while the wedding preparations is under way, Zoe feels odd–her best friend is seemed to be ignoring her and Toby seems to be hiding from her on something. And Zoe keeps seeing a woman who seemed to look like her sister Dina, who mysteriously disappeared ten years ago. And there’s a secret that would threaten to ruin Zoe’s happy life if it was have revealed…

Truth to be told, I have always wanted to read Shalini Boland’s books but this is the first book I have read from this author. The story is completely told from Zoe’s perspectives, switching between Present Day and the Past so as a reader we would get to know the life before and after. The story is filled with twists and turn and the writing was good as well. The thriller was actually fast paced. The ending was however a bit expected as I have expected that type of ending. I truly enjoyed reading this book and this book actually kept me up all night!

Overall, this is a fast paced thriller and it is actually really a good book! Worth four stars!

The Stepdaughter – Book Review

The Stepdaughter: An addictive suspense novel packed with twists and family secrets by [Georgina Cross]

It’s a normal afternoon when I walk out the patio doors of our kitchen to check on Mia, my stepdaughter, who is swimming in our backyard pool. But she’s gone. My heart stops when I see the back gate is open, her pink, fluffy towel lying folded on a chair. I was just feet away. Why didn’t I hear her scream? Who took our little girl?

My husband can’t understand how I could have let his daughter disappear. And when the police come asking questions, I wish I could wind back time to that normal afternoon when I was cooking lasagna for my family, Mia’s favorite. I can tell the officers don’t believe me: they’ve cast me as the evil stepmother.

I just wish I could understand the messages I’ve found from my husband on Mia’s phone: I’m so sorry, I still love you. And why his wedding ring is found at the bottom of the pool after Mia disappeared. He never told me it was missing. What else is he hiding?

But the detective keeps asking me where I was during those ten minutes when Mia vanished. And I can’t tell her my secret. From the way she’s looking at me, I know she thinks I did something to my stepdaughter. Mia and I haven’t always been that close and sometimes she drives me nuts, just like any normal teenager, but I would never hurt her.

I just need you to believe me.

A twisty novel packed with unputdownable suspense about the power and damage of secrets we hide. Perfect for anyone who was totally hooked by The Mother-in-Law, Kerry Fisher and Big Little Lies.

No. of pages :- 302 pages

Date published:- will be published on September 2nd 2020

Genre:- Thriller

Georgina Cross is the suspense author of The Stepdaughter (September 2020) and Book 2 (January 2021) with Bookouture. And Book 3 with Ballantine, Penguin Random House (late 2021).

She is represented by Rachel Beck with Liza Dawson Associates with her suspense fiction appealing to readers of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Georgina has been writing since she was a child. Notebooks & floppy discs filled with stories: adventures growing up in New Orleans and tales from Malaysia & England where her family lives. After graduating from Louisiana State University, she enjoyed a career in marketing & communications and founded Susie’s Wish non-profit which sends patients with life threatening illnesses to the beach. She spends time with her husband and their combined family of four sons watching plenty of scary movies and basketball tournaments.

Author website: http://www.Georgina-Cross-Author.com
Twitter: @GCrossAuthor
Facebook: GeorginaCrossAuthor
Instagram: GeorginaCrossAuthor

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for this book in exchange for my honest opinion about the book!

Vanessa Tanner seems to be living in a perfect glamorous life in Huntsville and her stepdaughter, Mia Tanner is a talented swimmer with hopes of joining into Olympics. Then one day, Mia goes disappearing while swimming at the backyard of the house and at the same time, their neighbor’s house, Julia Campbell’s house goes on fire. All eyes point to Vanessa as people blame for Mia’s disappearance and Detective Angela, who is in charge of Mia’s disappearance suspects Vanessa. But Vanessa, despite not really getting along with Mia and trying very hard to become a good mother to her insists that she has nothing to do with Mia’s disappearance…

The story is so good that I finished this book in one go! A real roller coaster ride type of thriller, quiet fast paced with so many twists and turns in each chapter that will send your mind reeling. The story itself is realistic, particularly the stepmother-stepdaughter relationship between Vanessa and Mia. I was so hooked into the story that I didn’t even know that I finished the book that fast! This is the first time I am reading from this author and is probably her debut book so I must say, she really did a good job with this book! The book is well written, fast paced and did a good job of making the reader getting engaged into the story!

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book–a fast paced thriller with unexpected twists and turns you will not see coming. Quiet unputdownable that will make as a reader to want to read more. Looking forward to read more books by this author! Worth five stars!

If this book interests you, you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon! This book will be released on 2nd September 2020.

One Left Alive – Book Review

Hey all! Here’s a book review for today–One Left Alive by Helen Phifer

One Left Alive: A heart-stopping and gripping crime thriller (Detective Morgan Brookes Book 1) by [Helen Phifer]

She knelt down by the side of the first girl. She had to force herself to breathe as she lifted the soft white cloth covering the girl’s beautiful face…

When the body of a woman is found hanging from a tree in her front garden, rookie Detective Morgan Brookes is first on the scene. But Olivia Potter is past saving. And when her husband and daughters cannot be traced, Morgan knows there is more to this tragedy. And then she finds them. Lying huddled together in the dark basement, each of their faces covered with a small cotton cloth, their bodies cold to the touch.

But as Morgan kneels beside the family, she realises that one of the girls is still breathing. As she holds Bronte’s fragile hand in hers, begging her to hold on, she vows to find out who has done this.

Every day Morgan wakes at 4.25 a.m., her old insomnia now mixed with a new fixation on the case. But every clue about the murdered family leads to a dead end. Until, trawling through old files, she discovers a link to a cold case from years ago. Another family was murdered in this house, and the killer was never caught.

When Morgan returns to the scene of the crime to discover more about this forgotten case, she finds another body. With Bronte still unconscious in hospital, Morgan must act fast to solve this case and lay two families to rest, before the killer returns for the girl left alive…

A chilling and gripping crime thriller that will have fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Patricia Gibney glued to the page.

No. of pages :- 332 pages

Date published:- Will be published on 1st September

Genre:- Thriller

I live in a small town called Barrow-in-Furness, England and have done since I was born, it gets some bad press but it really is a fab place to live. We are surrounded by beaches and very close to the Lake District where I tend to spend at least one of my days off from work, sitting in a coffee shop in Bowness-on-Windermere or checking out the second hand shops. I have always loved reading and writing and started my writing journey back in my twenties after reading a book I thought was not that good, it inspired me to see if I could write my own. I also love to read scary books but after I devoured every Stephen King and James Herbert book there was along with many more I decided that there weren’t enough of the books out there that I love to read so I set out to write The Ghost House.
I am a member of the Crime Writers Association and the Romantic Novelists Association.
I love tattoos, scary films, listening to my IPod shuffle when I’m writing, coffee, cake, chocolate, wine. My five almost grown up kids and my three year old granddaughter.

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for the copy of this book!!! This review is completely based on my honest opinion.

In a nutshell, Morgan Brooke, a rookie and a first timer, comes across a body hanging on a tree in front of a house and she was the first on the scene. The woman’s name is Olivia Potter and she was dead for a while. And while investigating the house, Morgan and her boss Ben discovers the other family members down in the cellar–both the father and the younger sister are bludgeoned to death and the other daughter, Bronte barely survived and is in coma. With the secrets surrounding the house, including another murder that happened in the very same house some forty years ago, Morgan starts investigating the crime, as a first timer working along side with Sergeant Ben.

This is the first time I have read from this author and I was not disappointed at all. I was so hooked into the story. The writing was great and the author did a good job showing the inside of the character’s lives–Morgan’s insomnia and her relationship with her alcoholic father Stan and Ben dealing with the death of his wife Cindy. It was actually gripping, emotional and was a thrilling ride as I read the story. Characters in this book are quiet favorable. The writing was good and the ending was good as well, though I kind of expected that type of ending. I also like how some parts of the story are realistic–Morgan being a new member of the team was finding a bit difficult to cope up with the crime, all those turmoil and emotions she is going through that threaten to wreck her and at the same time trying to maintain a brave face in front of the colleagues was a bit realistic to me.

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book–totally unputdownable, a thrilling adventure and really a great story with a great plot line! This book is the start of the Detective Morgan Brooke’s series so I can’t wait to read more!! This book will be published on Amazon on 1st September 2020 so you can pre-order your copy now! Worth four stars!

The Broken Girls – Book Review

Hey all!!! Yesterday I finished The Broken Girls by Simone St James so here is my review of the book!!!

The Broken Girls: The chilling suspense thriller that will have your heart in your mouth by [Simone St. James]

1950 – At the crumbling Idlewild Hall school for unwanted girls, four room-mates begin to bond over dark secrets and whispered fears – until one of them mysteriously disappears . . .

2014 – Journalist Fiona Sheridan can’t get over the murder of her sister twenty years ago, near the ruins of Idlewild. And when another body is found during renovations of the school, she begins to uncover horrors that were meant to remain hidden – and a voice that won’t be silenced.

No. of pages:- 354 pages

Date published:- March 20 2018

Genre:- Ghost Thriller

Simone St. James is the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two prestigious RITA® awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She writes gothic historical ghost stories set in 1920s England, books that are known for their mystery, gripping suspense, and romance.

Simone wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school. She worked behind the scenes in the television business for twenty years before leaving to write full-time. She lives just outside Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.

I have always wanted to read this book in a long time and was finally glad I got the book!!!

So in a nutshell–the story is divided into 1950 and the present day, 2014. In 1950, four girls, Katie, Cece, Roberta and Sonia are sharing a room together at the boarding school Idlewild in Barrons, Vermont, the boarding school that the girls despise. Then one day, one of the girls goes missing. The police and the headmistress think that the girl had runaway with a boy but the girls suspect foul play…

Fast forward to present day, Fiona, a freelance journalist visits Idlewild, as on the grounds of the abandoned now boarding school, her sister’s body was found, brutally murdered. Though the murderer is safe behind the bars, Fiona couldn’t still get over with her sister’s murder even after many years have passed. Then the abandoned place was bought by a wealthy family and while digging, they find the body of a girl in the well…

My first question:- is any of you all are a fan of horror stories? Have you watched horror movies? Well, my personal favorite horror movies are the Asian horror movies…

Anyway my point is this book is also like a horror story with a hint of thriller in the background. I was hooked into the story that I simply couldn’t put this book down–in other words, I can understand why there is so much hype about this book–the book is simply unputdownable. I really felt as if I am in some part of the horror movie. The book is well written, author actually did a good job of keeping the reader at the edge of the seat. The main character of the book is Fiona Sheridan, a journalist who is dating a police officer Jamie whose father Garett was the one in charge of her sister’s murder case at the time. The story was told from Fiona’s perspective and the 1950’s version was told by the four girls–Katie, Cece, Roberta and Sonia. Those four girls are all head stronged girl with different varying personalities, all having a reason of being in Idlewild, popular boarding school for girls who are “uncontrollable” i.e. the immigrant girls, the daughters that deemed shame and embarrassed by the parents. As such, all those characters to me are likable in my opinion as I feel sorry for them. I particularly felt sorry for Sonia as I realized that she was actually a Holocaust survivor and had come to America on the hopes of better life.

Last but not least, amid the thriller going around in the story, with the discovery of one of the girl’s remains and Deb’s murder, I like the ghost part of the story particularly the legend that is connected with the Idlewild school and the story about a girl named Mary Hand. In fact, reading parts about Mary Hand, especially when Katie and the others girls and Fiona witnessed her brought a chill into my spine!

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book–was so hooked into the story, really loved it! For anyone who likes to read a good horror thriller story, this book is for you!

Worth five stars!

All The Missing Pieces – Book Review

Hey all! A Book Review today! All the Missing Pieces by Julianna Keyes and here is my honest opinion about this book!

Reese Carlisle hates her life.

Three years after her father’s arrest for one of the largest embezzlement schemes in history, twenty million dollars is still missing, and the world believes she knows where it is.

Two years after her brother’s death, they still think she killed him.

One year later, she’s still hiding.

When the loneliness is too much, she seeks out strangers for one dark night, no questions asked. She makes up a name, puts on a disguise, and tries to forget.

One night she meets a new man. She tells him her name is Denise, she’s a dental assistant, and she loves dogs. He tells her she’s smart, she’s pretty, she’s funny. Things she hasn’t heard in too long.

Things that are too good to be true…

Date Published:- will be published on 21st September 2020

Genre:- Suspense

Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts andseveral places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping andwhite water rafting, but nothing thrills–or terrifies–her as much as the blank page. She loves Chinese food, foreign languages, baseball andtelevision, though not necessarily in that order, and writes sizzlingstories with strong characters, plenty of conflict, and lots of makingup.

Thank You Netgalley and Julianna Keyes for giving me the unedited version of this book! This review is completely based on my honest opinion.

Reese Carlisle hates her life. Three years ago, her father was arrested for the biggest embezzlement in the history reportedly stealing 220 million dollars. The 200 million dollars have recovered the the 20 million is still missing. The media has tainted Reese’s image, labeling her as a liar, whore and after her brother’s death, murderer and many believe that Reese knew where that 20 million dollars was. But Reese live in a secluded life style, volunteering at the Food Bank and occasionally going on dates, under a different name.

Then on one of those dates, posing as Denise, she meets the stranger. Then comes the climax of the story.

The plot line actually intrigued me–it sounded so interesting. The first few chapters were a bit boring but then eventually it got interesting and I got so hooked into the story that I simply couldn’t put it down!!! The book became more like a cat and mouse chase, the stranger and Reese aka Denise, and we wonder why this stranger is so interested in Reese. The story is completely told from Reese’s perspective so as a reader we wonder if she is actually hiding something, or simply an innocent victim being in the wrong place at the wrong time or perhaps an unreliable character. I also liked the developing friendship between Reese and Rodney at the Food Bank–thought it was cute. There were twists towards the end of the book though to me, the ending was a bit predictable. There was an unexpected twist at the end and the family secrets that came to unravel towards the end of the book. The sex parts in the story is not that of a big deal–usually reading sex parts sometimes made me uncomfortable but in this case, it was OK. The author’s writing style was good, doing a great job of making the reader hooked into the story and join the wild ride with Reese.

This is the first book I have read from this author. Julianna Keyes is known for writing romantic novels and this is her first thriller/romantic book. I must say, she did a good job with this thriller, as I really enjoyed reading this book. Worth four stars!

If you want to read this book, you can pre-order the book now on Amazon and this will be released on 21st September 2020!

Rating:-

Favorite TV Shows

So today, I thought I would post something different. I am going to go away from book reviews for a while and post something unrelated to books. Anyways besides reading books, I love watching some of my favorite TV shows though I haven’t watched any TV shows in a while. Thought I would share some of my favorite TV shows I used to like!

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory TV Show: News, Videos, Full Episodes and More ...

I fell in love with this show the first time I saw this and got addicted to this show! My favorite character in this show is Sheldon Cooper because he can be equally funny and annoying at the same time!

2. Criminal Minds

Being a lover of thrillers, Criminal Minds is no exception. Though some episodes were disturbing to watch, nevertheless, this show has been one of my favorite shows and I was so sad that it got ended!! My favorite character is Spencer Reid as like Sheldon, he is smart, annoying in a funny way.

3. Gossip Girl

I used to be obsessed with this show, when I was in US back then but I kind of got tired of watching this show after Season 3, though I resumed watching again when the producers announced Season 6 was the Finale. My favorite character in here? Blair Waldorf. Mean, loyal friend–I mean you would hardly find a friend who is mean and loyal at the same time.

4. Law and Order SVU

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 20) - Wikipedia

This show will never get bored with me. I love this show and would try to watch this whenever I can. Favorite character here? Olivia Benson

5. Supernatural

Supernatural: The 20 Best Episodes | Den of Geek

I used to love this show and watched endlessly until Season 6 and I got bored with it. However, this show will remain one of my favorite shows. Favorite character here? Dean Winchester.

6. Gilmore Girls

Amazon.com: Watch Gilmore Girls: The Complete First Season | Prime ...

I loved this show!!! I watched every episode of this show and I really loved this and would be in the list of my favorite shows. Have you watched the latest one? My favorite character in Lorelai Gilmore.

7. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Volume 1: Taking Over the Tipton | The Suite Life Wiki | Fandom

Don’t laugh–but this Disney TV show happened to be one of my favorite TV shows.

Anyway, so that’s all for today!

The Wife’s House- Book Review

Hey all! Another book review today–The Wife’s House by Arianne Richmonde. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the unpublished version of the book!

The Wife's House: An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller by [Arianne Richmonde]

The perfect house or the perfect lie?

The moment my husband showed me Cliffside—a sleek and modern glass home perched on the edge of the jagged Big Sur clifftops—I fell in love. And right there and then I made a pact with myself. I am never leaving this house.

But when my husband was killed on the perilous roads leading up to the house, weeks after we moved in, I had a decision to make—leave the home I love and start a new life or stay and shut myself off from the world? I am never leaving this house.

As I pieced together my shattered life, my mind began to play tricks on me. Footsteps along the beach, leading to my home, then blood-red flowers left on my doorstep with a note that read Looking at you. So I retreated back to the safety of my glass refuge once again. I am never leaving this house.

But now, as I stare out of the towering windows of my perfect home, I know there is someone out there staring back. I know that they are watching my every move, waiting to make me pay for my past mistakes.

No. of pages: – 338 pages

Date published:- August 24th 2020 (will be published)

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Arianne Richmonde is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the psychological thriller, THE WIFE’S HOUSE (released by Bookouture Aug 24, 2020) and suspense and romance. Her Pearl series has sold more than half a million copies worldwide. Her stories are always character-driven and full of unexpected twists and turns.

When not writing about the passions and fragilities of human nature, she loves to spend time with her husband and their animals, including a femme fatale Husky with one blue eye and one golden eye. Arianne’s a chocaholic and sometimes sneaks off to sunny, exotic locations, all in the name of research.

For updates on new releases, sales and giveaways please sign up for her Newsletter by going to: https://bit.ly/2ZoRQVx (copy and paste to your browser). Or join her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorArianneRichmonde/ or send her an email ariannerichmonde@gmail.com – she loves hearing from readers and will always reply.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the unpublished version of the book! This review is a complete honest review of mine.

In a nutshell, The Wife (the name is a mystery) is a widow, grieving for the death of her husband Juan, who died in a car crash. She lives in Cliffside, a beautiful wow looking house on the Big Sur in California, all by herself, even though she has family living back in England. The Wife is feeling lonely and vulnerable living in the house, thinking that someone is actually stalking her. The one day, the triplets, Kate, Dan and Jen enter into the house, claiming that Cliffside used to be their house, with a tale that the house was sold to pay for their mother’s cancer treatment. The Wife naively and foolishly invite the triplets to live with her, feeling sorry for them. Then the story starts.

Initially, I was a bit bored with the beginning that I honestly was going to stop reading. However, as I read on, the story starts getting interesting and intriguing, with unexpected twists and turns in each other, with the introduction of the triplets by the middle of the book. Then I simply, couldn’t put the book down, wanting to really find out what is going to happen next!! This book was like a roller coaster ride, filled with lies, secrets, deceit, between the Wife and the triplets, the secrets that are uncovered by the end and the most unexpected twist towards the end, that made your heart beat faster and your thoughts reeling! Though it was slow paced in the beginning, it eventually came to a climax and I must say, I was reading this book as if I was watching a thriller based movie. Perfect for the movie I should say and kind of reminded me a little of the Korean movie that won the Oscars The Parasite though the story plot line is entirely different. The writing was good, it got really good towards the middle and end, the dark secrets uncovering. The Wife to me was somewhat an unreliable character, on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and addicted to the pills that you actually question if she was playing with the reader’s mind or if she is actually genuine as the story was told from the Wife’s perspective. I also liked the ending. I also like the descriptions that the author used to describe the house on Big Sur, that make you feel like you are in that house, with the house overlooking the woods, the house entirely a bit see through (though it was a bit creepy to me) so that made the reader feel like they are with the character. And to me, the story was not very realistic to me as I said this was more like a scene from a thriller movie.

Overall, this is actually a good thriller, worth reading and will keep you up all night to a thrilling adventure. This book will be published on August 24th 2020 so you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon if you are interested! An absolutely unputdownable thriller. Worth four stars!

Vector Illustration Concept Of Giving Four Stars. Royalty Free ...

The Last To Know- Book Review

Thank You Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this book! This review is completely based on my honest opinion.

American journalist Rose Kynaston has just relocated to the childhood home of her husband, Dylan, in the English village of his youth. There’s a lot for Rose to get used to in Hurtwood. Like the family’s crumbling mansion, inhabited by Dylan’s reclusive mother, and the treacherous hill it sits upon, a place of both sinister folklore and present dangers.

Then there are unwelcoming villagers, who only whisper the name Kynaston—like some dreadful secret, a curse. Everyone knows what happened at Hurtwood House twenty years ago. Everyone except Rose. And now that Dylan is back, so are rumors about his past.

When an archaeological dig unearths human remains on the hill, local police sergeant Ellie Trevelyan vows to solve a cold case that has cast a chill over Hurtwood for decades.

As Ellie works to separate rumor from facts, Rose must fight to clear the name of the man she loves. But how can Rose keep her family safe if she is the last to know the truth?

No. of pages: – 289 pages

Date Published:- August 11th 2020

Genre:- Psychological Suspense

After spending a decade as a broadcast journalist for the BBC, Jo Furniss gave up the glamour of night shifts to become a freelance writer and serial expatriate. Originally from the United Kingdom, she spent seven years in Singapore and also lived in Switzerland and Cameroon.

As a freelance journalist, Jo worked for numerous online outlets and magazines, including Monocle and the Economist. She has edited books for a Nobel laureate and the palace of the Sultan of Brunei. She has a Distinction in MA Professional Writing from Falmouth University.

Jo’s debut novel, All the Little Children, was an Amazon Charts bestseller.

Rose Kynaston, an American journalist moves to England with her husband Dylan and their son Adel from Kenya to start a new life in Dylan’s childhood home and town, in Hurtwood. The crumbling mansion is occupied by Gwendoline, Dylan’s mother who seemed to be suffering from dementia. While Rose is trying to get used to living in a small village, she discovers how much the villagers seemed to despise the name Kynaston, a rumor about a soccer player who seemed to have committed suicide some twenty years ago and how Dylan’s father is responsible for the apparent suicide. And now that Dylan has returned back, those rumors seemed to have resurfaced once again. Then one day, while doing an archaeological excavation, human skeletal remains are found on the hill and the local police sergeant, Ellie vows to solve the case. Rose meanwhile is determined to clear her husband’s name.

Initially at first, the book was a bit slow paced but soon, it got it’s momentum, towards the middle, with the discovery of skeletal remains. There were so many suspects with Dylan being the main suspect and as a reader, you would hope that Rose was right to defend and clear her husband’s name. The secrets, the twist towards the end was something that was unexpected. I actually started liking the book by the middle and I was hooked into the story.

The story was told from Rose’s perspective mostly, with her sheer determination to investigate more about the alleged soccer player who committed crime. She is a journalist and she would do anything to save her husband and clear his name. I really like Rose’s determination and she became a favorable character to me. The story itself is somewhat realistic. Gwendoline’s dementia problem was outlined well in the book. I must say the book was well written although as I said, the first few chapters were a bit boring to me.

Overall, this is a good psychological thriller and also a quick read although at the beginning, to me it was a bit slow paced. Worth four stars in my opinion! If this book intrigues you, you can buy the book from Amazon!

The Best of Friends Book Reivew

An unthinkable tragedy forever changes a group of teens and turns family against family in this edge-of-your-seat thriller that begs to be read in one sitting.

Best friends Lindsey, Kendra, and Dani endure every parent’s nightmare when a tragic accident befalls their teenage boys, leaving one dead, another in a coma, and a third too traumatized to speak.

Reeling from the worst night of their lives, the three mothers plunge into a desperate investigation of the bizarre incident. How could something so horrible happen in their wealthy Southern California suburb?

They soon discover that the accident was just the beginning, and troubling discoveries lead to chilling questions: Do they really know their children? Do they even know each other? As more secrets surface, a fog of doubt and suspicion threatens to poison their families, their friendships, and the whole community.

With the illusion of happiness and safety long gone, these women must now confront the hazards of heartbreak, the consequences of jealousy, and the dangers of living double lives.

No. of pages :- 281 pages

Date published:- will be published on August 18th 2020

Genre:- Domestic Thriller/Psychological Fiction

Dr. Lucinda Berry is a former clinical psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. Now, she spends her days writing full-time where she uses her clinical experience to blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche.

If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases, visit her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter at https://lucindaberryauthor.com/

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Mercer for the unpublished version of the book! This is the complete honest review of the book.

Dani, Lindsey and Kendra had been best friends since childhood and continued to carry on with their friendship through adulthood and even after they got married. Their teenage sons, Caleb, Jacob and Sawyer also continued with this tradition of friendship as well. However one traumatic night changes the entire lives of those mothers–one was shot dead, one fell into comatose and one was too traumatized to talk about what really happened that night. Each of them are struggling with this traumatic event, how they are dealing with the situation and eventually, secrets of what happened that night soon comes into the light…

I really like the pace of the story. The writing style was great and the author did a good job keeping the reader into the story. The situation at which these characters in the book are facing is really realistic–the emotions that a mother is going through when her son is dead, or worse being in coma for weeks seems real to me. The drugs, sex and all the things that teenagers nowadays do are realistic so the author did a good job outlining them in a realistic way. The story is told from the perspectives of the three mothers–Kendra, Lindsey and Dani so we know what each of them are going through with this terrible event, the emotions and sufferings they are faced with, the thought of their sons keeping a secret, the anger, the shame, all those feelings that each of the characters are feeling so the reader would get to know about each of the characters. It was also heartbreaking to read as well and how this event could also lead to a catastrophe in both their married life as well.

This is the first book I have read from this author so I was not disappointed at all. This book is a roller coaster ride, filled with emotions, friendships, trust issues and a heartbreaking story that will keep you hooked into the story. You can pre-order your copy now on Amazon as this will be released on August 18th 2020. Worth five stars!

Rating Five Stars. Motion Graphics Stock Footage Video (100 ...

The Fifth Avenue Story Society – Book Review

Hello all!!! Another book review for today, The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck!

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories. Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed. Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud. Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids. Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage. Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire. When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to reveal their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers. Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

No. of pages:- 400 pages

Date published:- February 4 2020

Genre:- Women’s Fiction/ Christian Fiction

Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She is a Christy Award Winner and a double RITA finalist. Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Club. She is also the recipient of RT’s Career Achievement Award.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, was filmed for an original Hallmark movie. The Wedding Dress, The Wedding Shop and A March Bride have all been optioned for film.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, and a former sorority girl, Rachel and her husband live in central Florida. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

Visit her at http://www.rachelhauck.com or http://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck

I listened to this book through the audio book, through Scribd. I have wanted to read this book

The story consists of five characters–Jett who is a professor at NYU struggling with the fact that one of his favorite authors Gordon had a ghost writer, as he was working on a book about Gordon’s life, Lexa, who is dreaming of becoming a CEO but her boss always keep her underemployed, Chuck who is an Uber driver who desperately wants to see his children but cannot due to restraining order made by his ex-wife, Ed, who is writing a memoir about his wife Esmerelda and Coral Winthrop, the heiress of a multimillion cosmetic company and who recently made headlines after she ran away from her own Royal Wedding. Each of them gets an invitation to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society. The five characters eventually meet together and soon, friendship grows between the characters and then romance too…

This story is mainly about the friendship, companionship and how each of these five characters support each other. Each of the characters has some sort of secret that they have managed to bury it themselves that as a reader, you are curious to know what those secrets really are and I must say, many of the characters in the story are quiet favorable though I found Jett sometimes annoying. The story was interesting, the author doing a great job, drawing the reader closer into the story. This story is told from the perspectives of these five characters so as a reader, we know what they are really struggling against. Jett and Lexa used to be married, Jett and Chuck met each other while being in a holdup cell. The story is well written and engaging. This is also a Christian Fiction and mention of God was in the story by the middle of the book, through Coral’s perspectives. The story itself is realistic.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book–I really loved the story, as it was engaging, entertaining and heart warming story that any one could enjoy. Worth Five Stars!

The Fault in Our Five Stars. Art imitates life, life imitates art ...