The Hidden Girl (Agent Tori Hunter Series Book 3) — ARC Book Review

The Hidden Girl: An absolutely gripping mystery thriller (Agent Tori Hunter Book 3) by [Roger Stelljes]

The lights of her parents’ cabin just visible through the woods, the girl carefully curls up amongst the reeds, her knees pulled tight to her chest. Terrified, the only sound she makes is the pounding of her heart, but she hears the stranger searching… if she keeps silent, will she be safe?

When Agent Tori Hunter is urgently calledto the murder scene of Dan and Heidi Newman, she finds their throats slit, and Dan tied up: forced to watch his wife lose her life. Tori’s first thought is for their seventeen-year-old daughter Cara who is nowhere to be found. Will this popular young girl be the next victim?

A broken bracelet is the one clue left at the scene, but the team are running in circles until Tori finally tracks down Cara hiding in the woods. Sobbing, the devastated girl says all she remembers is a flash of a man’s face as she was chased through the forest…

Desperate to find the monster behind this crime, Tori pieces together the broken chain: and it leads her to an elderly lady living alone nearby. When the woman won’t speak to police, Tori senses that although it means breaking all the rules, introducing Cara will show this lonely soul what’s at stake. And once inside her house, Cara gasps when she sees a framed photo on display. It’s the man who chased her…

But then another local couple is murdered in their isolated home, another husband forced to watch his worst nightmare unfold. As more couples lose their lives, can Tori keep Cara, her one witness, safe from this vicious killer? And can she track him down before more innocent families are torn apart?

An absolutely addictive and mind-blowing crime thriller that will have you glued to the pages through each and every twist, until the final shocking conclusion. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Robert Dugoni and Lisa Jackson won’t be able to put this down.

No. of pages:- 396 pages

Date published:- will be published on 7th October 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Agent Tori Hunter is back with another case!

In a cabin situated through the woods, a couple, Dan and Heidi Newman were found brutally murdered–Dan’s throat was slit and he was forced to watch his wife getting murdered. The only survivor was Dan’s teenage daughter, Cara who fled the scene and was chased by the two men–one big, one small. When Agent Tori was asked to investigate the crime scene, she found this very similar to another murder case that took place twenty four years ago, with her own father as the lead investigator. The problem was the one who was responsible for those murders is safely locked in jail, Then another family gets murdered and Tori must find the killers before it is too late.

From the first chapter to the end, I was literally hooked into this book! The Tori Hunter series gets better and better and I was not disappointed with this book. I stayed up all night, waiting to find out who the killer is and there were so much unexpected twists and turns, with the thriller being fast paced, which makes a plus sign in the book!. I couldn’t simply put this book down ! I felt like I am watching some action packed movie that had kept me at the edge of my seat. Not only that–I felt like I was in a roller coaster ride with this book! Couldn’t wait to read more books from this series and very much looking forward to it!

I also like the personal touch in the book–the relationship between Tori and Braddock, which I will always root for them besides the excitement of catching the killer. There were many suspects that I couldn’t even predict who is the actual killer–normally, I would suspect who would be the killer. But in this case, it was totally unexpected. And the other thing–there’s so much suspense in this book that will leave you hooked.

Overall, this was a twisted, thrilling ride, that will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end!

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

Roger Stelljes

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Stuck in the library -The Night of Many Endings – ARC Book Review

I know I haven’t posted the blog for a couple of days so I am back!

The Night of Many Endings: A Novel by [Melissa Payne]

From Melissa Payne, bestselling author of Memories in the Drift, comes an emotionally rich, feel-good novel about hope, second chances, and seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.

Orphaned at a young age and witness to her brother’s decline into addiction, Nora Martinez has every excuse to question the fairness of life. Instead, the openhearted librarian in the small Colorado community of Silver Ridge sees only promise. She holds on to the hope that she’ll be reunited with her missing brother and does what she can at the town library. It’s her home away from home, but it’s also a sanctuary for others who, like her brother, could use a second chance.

There’s Marlene, an elderly loner who believes that, apart from her husband, there’s little good left in the world; Jasmine, a troubled teen; Lewis, a homeless man with lost hope and one last wish; and Vlado, the security guard who loves a good book and, from afar, Nora.

As a winter storm buries Silver Ridge, this collection of lonely hearts takes shelter in the library. They’ll discover more about each other, and themselves, than they ever knew—and Nora will be forced to question her brother’s disappearance in ways she never could have imagined. No matter how stranded in life they feel, this fateful night could be the new beginning they didn’t think was possible.

No. of pages:- 299 pages

Date published:- will be published on 19th October 2021

Publisher:- Lake Union Publishing

Genre:- Literary Fiction

Rating:- 3/5 stars

After reading Melissa Payne’s The Secrets of the Stones, I am excited to read this book. Secrets of the Stones captivated me so I had high hopes for this book as well.

Unfortunately, this book was simply OK to me.

Nora is working in the library and is struggling to deal with her brother’s sudden disappearance who is also a drug addict. When a snow storm hits the small town, she provides shelter for two people–Jasmine, a young girl and Lewis a drug addict along with Vlado and Marlene. The story is basically about these five people stuck in the library, learning about each other and how they all ended up becoming friends.

The thing I liked about this book is Payne’s style of writing. The vivid descriptions made the reader picture the vivid images in the reader’s mind which I enjoyed very much. However, the pace was slow and at times, it was a bit boring that I almost DNF the book. Each and every single character in the book–Nora, Marlene, Vlado, Lewis and Jasmine has flaws and some history with their family members that it was actually intriguing to read. Nonetheless, the ending was OK.

Overall, it was not really a bad book but it wasn’t as great as her book, The Secret of the Stones. Worth only thee stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Melissa Payne

As a middle child, Melissa Payne was born to tell stories. What started with blaming her brother for breaking the car window evolved to a graduate thesis that she desperately wishes she could rewrite to blogging on motherhood and marriage. Now she likes to create stories set in wild and beautiful places with characters in flawed and imperfect relationships, whether that’s between a mother and a daughter, friends or strangers. And imagining all of it with just a hint of the ethereal, a whisper of something beyond what we can see and a sense that it’s all for a purpose.

Hana Khan Carries on – Book Review

Hana Khan Carries On by [Uzma Jalaluddin]

From the author of Ayesha At Last comes a sparkling new rom-com for fans of You’ve Got Mail.

Hana Khan’s family-run halal restaurant is on its last legs. So when a flashy competitor gets ready to open nearby, bringing their inevitable closure even closer, she turns to her anonymously-hosted podcast, and her lively and long-lasting relationship with one of her listeners, for advice.

But a hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana’s growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival business. Who might not be a complete stranger after all…

A charmingly refreshing and modern love story, Uzma Jalaluddin’s tale is humorously warm and filled with gorgeous characters you won’t be able to forget. Now in development for film with Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios.

No. of pages:- 325 pages

Date published:- April 1st 2021

Publisher:- Corvus

Genre:- Literary Fiction

Rating:-

Hana Khan is twenty four years old, Indian-Canadian Muslim girl, interning at a broadcasting firm, runs her own podcast under a false name and her family is running a halal restaurant known as Three Sisters Biriyani Putine. But now, her family run business seems to be failing and on the verge of close down, when a competitor moves into the same neighborhood, opening a Halal restaurant. Aydin Shah is good looking, handsome and rich and Hana has to hate him…but what will happen if she falls for the enemy?

I must say, I really like the whole plot. The story is told mainly from Hana’s perspective. Being the daughter of Indian immigrants AND being a Muslim made Hana face many challenges in life. The story gets more and more complicated when her cousin Rashid along with her aunt Khawkab Kala known as Billi to Hana–Billi’s own tale as a runaway bride, the attack and Islamophobia that Hana and Rashid and Aydin faced (which is realistic) and how the whole community in Golden Crescent acted together and stood against racism was so good and realistic that I actually felt like I was also a part of that community.

The characters in this story are all likable. Besides Hana who I found as a courageous and brave woman, I found Rashid’s character quite funny and likable and I grew towards Khawkab Kala and Aydin. I found out that this book will be made into a movie that I can actually visualize young version Ranveer Singh as Rashid and Madhuri Dixit as Khawkab Kala (Hana and Aydin I am not sure but I think Anushka Sharma would be a perfect choice for Hana).

17 Times You Fell In Love With Ranveer Singh In "Dil Dhadakne Do" | Ranveer singh, Celebs, I love him

In fact, movie aside, other than Aydin’s father and the random racist dudes, all the characters in this book are likable and I felt like I was friends with each of these characters.

I must praise the author for addressing the Islamophobia very well, which sadly many Muslims living in western countries still face today. It felt scary and too realistic that these things happen still in this world. I do like how the author, despite the story being a work of fiction made the story as realistic as possible with the events.

Besides those things, I must say, the author’s writing style was truly engaging and since I listened to the audiobook, I would say the narrator did a good job as well. This is the first time I have read from this author and I am looking forward to read more of her books!

Overall, this is a funny, romantic story filled with rivalry and family drama that you will not want to put this book down! Worth five stars!

Uzma Jalaluddin

I am the author of AYESHA AT LAST, a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in a close knit Toronto Muslim community. My second novel, HANA KHAN CARRIES ON, out Spring 2021, is inspired by “You’ve Got Mail” and set in rival halal restaurants. I also write a funny parenting column for The Toronto Star, and my byline has appeared in The Atlantic. I live near Toronto with my husband and children. Learn more at http://www.uzmajalaluddin.com.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow – Book Review

A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by [Laura Taylor Namey]

Love & Gelato meets Don’t Date Rosa Santos in this charming, heartfelt story following a Miami girl who unexpectedly finds love—and herself—in a small English town.

For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela’s role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything—including Lila herself—fell apart.

Worried about Lila’s mental health, her parents make a new plan for her: Spend three months with family friends in Winchester, England, to relax and reset. But with the lack of sun, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town lacking Miami flavor (both in food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip for some feels more like a nightmare to Lila…until she meets Orion Maxwell.

A teashop clerk with troubles of his own, Orion is determined to help Lila out of her funk, and appoints himself as her personal tour guide. From Winchester’s drama-filled music scene to the sweeping English countryside, it isn’t long before Lila is not only charmed by Orion, but England itself. Soon a new future is beginning to form in Lila’s mind—one that would mean leaving everything she ever planned behind.

No. of pages:- 319 pages

Date published:- November 10th 2020

Genre:- YA

Rating:-

Anyone cares about scones or tea? Or with a slight tint of Cuban flavor in it? Well, this book is just for you!

Meet Lila, who moves to England from Miami after her abrupt break up with her boyfriend Andreas, her Abeula’s (grandmother’s) death and her best friend Stephanie leaving to Ghana. Lila’s passion is to bake and cook and while helping with the inn by working in the kitchen making Cuban break and meal. While in the kitchen, she meets Orion, a British boy and initially they become friends and soon turned into something more romantic.

So let’s start with the ones I like about the book

–The description of the Cuban food, desserts, breads all made me feel hungry towards the end of the book!

–Like the budding romance and friendship between Lila and Orion.

–I like how Lila slowly adjusted herself to the life in England, getting used to the British slang and the life in the countryside.

–The ending was really cure

–The writing was good and I leaned so much about Cuban food and some Spanish words.

Now the things I didn’t like about the book.

–The book started slow making it a little boring initially at first.

Overall, surprising, I actually enjoyed reading this book–though the book started slow, the book eventually developed by the middle of the book.

Worth four stars!

Laura Taylor Namey

Laura is a Cuban-American Californian who can be found haunting her favorite coffee shops, drooling over leather jackets, and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband, two superstar children, and her beloved miniature schnauzer/muse.

The Girl Across the Wire Fence – ARC Book Review

The Girl Across the Wire Fence: Completely unforgettable World War Two historical fiction based on a true story by [Imogen Matthews]

1944, Amersfoort Concentration Camp, Holland. Based on a true story, the unforgettable tale of two young lovers who risked everything to keep hope alive in the very depths of hell.

On a cold, dark day in a tiny Dutch village, Saskia and her boyfriend Frans watch as Nazi soldiers force thousands of prisoners towards Amersfoort Concentration Camp. Their hearts break as they see the desperate faces of innocent men and women and realise that the war is closer to them than it’s ever been before…

Saskia’s father’s shop is raided when the guards suspect that he is Jewish, and Frans is soon forced to enter the concentration camp every day to collect scraps of food as it’s the only way to feed the animals on his family’s farm. But despite the growing fear the couple feel, when a prisoner begs Frans to send a letter to his beloved reassuring her he is alive, they know they must risk everything to help him. They smuggle his letter out, right under the noses of the Nazis. And eventually they ferry hundreds of messages for prisoners, bringing them hope in the darkest moments of their lives.

But every letter Frans gets out of the camp puts him in even more danger.

And every reply Saskia manages to collect is a risk.

And then Saskia is led into Kamp Amersfoort and is forced to wear a yellow star.

Inside, she cannot ignore the pain of the other prisoners, and Frans knows she will be putting herself in more danger to help them – attracting the attention of the guards. The couple know they must act. Everyone says it’s impossible to escape the camp, but it’s the only option they have left. Their love has kept them together but is it enough to help them survive?

No. of pages- 240 pages

Date published:- will be published on 15th September 2021

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Rating:-

Many Holocaust books are based on true stories and this book is one of those stories–based in a Dutch concentration camp during the Nazi rule in Netherlands. This is a story between two lovers–whose life changed when the Nazis marched into Netherlands.

What makes this story truly a gem to read?

–This story is indeed a truly heartbreaking and emotional read. There were some tear jerking moments in the book and not only that–the love story between Saskia and Frans is so emotional and cute.
–The writing was intense and the author did a good job making the reader glued to the story and making the reader feel like they are a part of this ordeal.
–The fact that this book is based on the true story makes this book more precious and as usual, you wouldn’t believe that such brutality existed during that time–particularly the treatment towards the Jews.
–The story is told from the perspectives of Franz, Saskia and Theo. Franz visits the the concentration camp with the intention of feeding the cattle at the camp and gets involved in passing the letters between Theo and another girl named Anneliese.
–This is really a touching story–beware some parts will make you cry!

Overall, this is an emotional read, page turner and unputdownable that will make you cry till the end!

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

Imogen Matthews

Imogen Matthews writes novels based on untold stories about Holland during the German occupation in World War 2. Some stories she discovered by chance, others are based on her Dutch mother’s own experiences of hardship and survival during the Hunger Winter of 1944-45.

Her first novel, The Hidden Village, is set in the Veluwe woods, a beautiful part of Holland that Imogen has visited frequently over the past 30 years. It was in these woods that she discovered the story of the real hidden village which provided shelter in underground huts for Jews during WW2. Imogen retells the story of the hidden village with characters drawn from real life and from her imagination.

Within weeks of publication in 2017, The Hidden Village became an international bestseller, ranking highly in Amazon’s most-read book lists.

Launching on December 6, 2019: the sequel, Hidden in the Shadows, has the pace of a thriller yet is also a love story about two young people who are brutally torn apart and must find a way to be together against all odds.

Imogen lives in the University town of Oxford and likes to write outside, hidden away in the beautiful gardens of Oxford colleges or in a secluded spot at Waterperry gardens.

The Hidden Village and Hidden in the Shadows are published by Amsterdam Publishers, based in the Netherlands.
THe Hidden Village audiobook was recorded by BAFTA-nominated actor Liam Gerrard, and produced by New York based Essential Audiobooks.

First Girl to Die (Detective Morgan Brooke Series Book 4) – ARC Book Review

First Girl to Die: A completely gripping crime thriller (Detective Morgan Brookes Book 4) by [Helen Phifer]

Morgan shudders as she leans out of the window and takes in the familiar blonde curls and clear blue eyes of the fallen girl below. She knows this woman, and she realises with sickening certainty that her friend is now gone forever…

When Detective Morgan Brookes is called to the scene of a suicide, she’s devastated to recognise the young teacher sprawled out on the grass like a broken doll. She hasn’t seen Brittany for years. Not since the tragic death of Morgan’s high-school boyfriend ripped their friendship group apart. But when witnesses describe Brittany’s erratic behaviour and jumbled speech that morning, Morgan is convinced the fearless, life-loving girl she once knew didn’t jump of her own accord.

Traces of poison found in Brittany’s blood prove Morgan’s theory right, but no one can find the source. Then Morgan uncovers a distinctive jar in Brittany’s home filled with toxic herbs, and the sight of it turns her blood to ice. She has a jar just like it, a handmade gift from her aunt. Is this a coincidence, a set-up, or could the only person she’s ever trusted with her damaged past be capable of murder?

Then another woman from Morgan’s past is found, close to the scene of that fatal teenage party. Has Morgan been looking at this all wrong? Are these deaths connected to that deadly night? And how could someone from her own family possibly be involved?

With her aunt’s freedom and more innocent lives at stake, Morgan must dig deep into her painful memories for answers. Who else was there that night, and what exactly did they see? She must stop this twisted killer before any more of her old friends become new victims – but at what cost?

No. of pages:- 207 pages

Date published:- will be published on October 11th 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Wow! Just wow! I was patiently waiting for the Morgan Brooke series to come out soon and finally it came and boy, I was not disappointed at all!

Though I did not leave a favorable review on Book 3, I must say, Book 4 is so much better that I enjoyed it so much!

Detective Morgan Brooke was called to a school where her old friend from school, Britanny, after taking in the herbal tea and apparently muttering to herself jumps out of the window, dead. A few days later, Sienna, another friend of Morgan from school was found naked inside a cave in the woods, with no recollection of how she ended up naked in a cave although she too had taken the herbal tea as well. All these herbal teas are purchased from Morgan’s aunt Ettie who becomes the viable suspect. But Morgan believes that these things are connected to an incident that happened many years which involved the death of a student…

From the first chapter to the end was intense and intriguing that I was literally hooked from the beginning to the end.. This was actually an unusual homicide case and I couldn’t help wondering–is Ettie Morgan’s aunt the killer? Or is someone else responsible? And for what??? This book is such a page turner filled with unexpected twists and turns and the ending was a OMG moment!!! There were some funny parts in the book which was laughable and Morgan Brookes has become a favorite female protagonist in my book.

So I’ll summarize the whole book in one go

–intriguing, intense and a complete page turner
–fast paced, twisty with unexpected turns–a plus sign for a good thriller
–You’ll soon learn to love Morgan Brooke and her partner Ben (not love partner, work partner)
–AND love the plot

Overall, I give this book five stars!

Note:- If you really want to read this book, do you have to read book 1. I think I’ll recommend reading book 1 before jumping directly to book 4.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Helen Phifer

Helen Phifer is the #1 Bestselling crime and horror novelist of the Annie Graham, Lucy Harwin and Beth Adams series. Helen lives in a small town in Cumbria. Surrounded by miles of coastline and only a short drive from the beautiful Lake District. She has always loved writing and reading since the days she learnt how to in infant school. She loves reading books that make the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and make her afraid to go to the toilet, alone in the middle of the night. She is eternally grateful to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Graham Masterton for scaring her senseless in her teenage years. Unable to find enough of the scary stories she loves to read, she decided to write her own.

Her debut novel The Ghost House was released October 2013 and introduced readers to police officer Annie Graham. It went on to be an Amazon #1 bestseller in Canada. It reached #1 on the Amazon Contemporary Horror Charts in both the UK and the US, pushing her idol Stephen King off his #1 spot many times. She was thrilled when the second book in the series The Secrets of the Shadows managed to push The Ghost House off its #1 spot even if it was a little surreal. This was followed by The Forgotten Cottage, The Lake House, The Girls in the Woods and The Face Behind the Mask.

The Good Sisters is a standalone old, fashioned horror story which Helen admits scared her so much when she was writing it that she couldn’t write once it got dark. Set in an abandoned convent it will definitely give you the chills.

March 2017 saw the publication of Dark House, a gripping psychological thriller which introduced readers to the dangerous world of Detective Inspector Lucy Harwin. This was followed by Dying Breath and Last Light.

The Haunting on West Tenth Street is a supernatural thriller set on the streets of New York and features Homicide Detective Maria Miller.

Her brand new series featuring Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams is published July 16th 2019

The Courier – ARC Book Review

The Courier: The most gripping, page-turning psychological suspense of 2021 by [Holly Down]

A clever concept that has you gripped until the last page’ Hattie Brett, Grazia

She sees much more than you think . . .

Five years ago, Laurel Lovejoy had it all. The high-powered city job, the loving husband, the perfect daughter. Now, she is forty and alone, and working for a courier service. But she has discovered that being a delivery driver comes with a superpower: it makes her invisible. People accept her presence without question. They go about their lives, unaware of just how much she sees – how much she knows.

Laurel is particularly fascinated by the residents of Paradise Found, an exclusive gated cul-de-sac. She sometimes even finds her way there when she’s not working, using her days off to soak up as much information about the inhabitants and their lives as she can. Everyone needs a hobby.

Then one day Laurel sees something in one of the houses – something that blows her whole world apart, and will have devastating consequences for everyone involved . . .

No. of pages:- 320 pages

Date published:- will be published on 30th September 2021

Publisher:- Hodder and Stoughton

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 2.5 / 5 stars

OK….I am having mixed feelings about the book.

Five years ago, Laurel had a steady, high paid job. But an incident changed Laurel’s life–she lost both her husband and her daughter and now, she is working as a delivery person in a firm called Zippi. She then gets a chance to deliver parcels in a wealthy neighborhood and meets a man named Patrick. Then the story starts from here.

I feel there are more negative things about this book than positive things. Too much of repetition which seemed unnecessary to me in some parts, making this book boring and repetitive. The characters were flawed and I didn’t really like Laurel’s character much. Though there were some twists and turns, that were in most unexpected, the ending left me a bit confused. I thought, in my opinion, the ending was a bit sloppy, as if the author hurriedly finished off the book with this abrupt ending.

I feel in my opinion the plot was good. But the too much repetition of words made the whole story a bit boring with a sloppy ending made me not enjoy this book much. Worth only 2.5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Holly Down

Holly was born in Hull and studied PPE at New College, Oxford. In 2016 she took part in City University’s Novel Studio. Her debut novel, The Courier, is published by Hodder & Stoughton in September 2021. She lives in north London with her husband and two children.

Holly is represented by Daisy Parente of Lutyens & Rubinstein.

The Italian Girl’s Secret – ARC Book Review

The Italian Girl's Secret: An absolutely gripping and emotional WW2 historical fiction novel by [Natalie Meg Evans]

Italy, 1943. In the hills outside Naples, the silver moon shines brightly on a whitewashed farmhouse. An urgent knock on the door breaks the silence: and in that moment, one young woman’s act of incredible bravery changes the course of the war.

For Carmela del Bosco, a farm girl in a remote Italian village, sheltering an English spy is the most dangerous thing she could do. If she’s caught by the fascists it would be the end, especially for her beloved grandmother sleeping soundly upstairs. But taking in the pleading brown eyes of the man calling himself Sebastiano slumped at her door, and his terrible injuries inflicted by the Nazi occupiers, Carmela remembers how Nonna always taught her right from wrong. Risking everything, she hides him in a ruined tower on the edge of the farm.

Each day Carmela tends his wounds, and the passion that kindles between them is a light in the darkest time. Sebastiano has information that could end the war, and needs her help to send it. But tracking down fellow members of the resistenza in the mountains meansrisking her life and bringing danger to everyone she knows.

Carmela knows she must find the courage to do what’s right for her country. But if she leaves the farm, will she ever see her beloved nonna again? And will her sacrifice tear her away from the only man she’s ever loved, forever?

No. of pages:- 306 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date publisher:- will be published on September 10th 2021

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Rating:- 4.5/5 stars

Checklist

Is the historical fiction based on WWII? Check
Is it based about the brave women during WWII? Check
Did I enjoy the novel? Absolutely check!

Set in Naples in 1943, the story starts with a girl named Carmela who hides an English spy named Sebastiano who happened to be the half brother of Danielo. Italy is a fascist country and a firm Nazi supporter so if Carmela is caught, she will be sentenced to death. The story talks about this brave woman, who risked her own life to help the English spy .

I have to say, I really like the author’s style of writing. The vivid descriptions of the places in Naples and around Italy makes me as a reader feel like I am in the part of this story with Carmella. I really like the plot of the story and it always amazed me these brave young women like Carmella would risk their own lives to fight against the Nazis. As a result, the author did a good job writing this story beautifully. I do like the names of the dog and donkey–Renzo the dog. Overall, this story is captivating, emotional that will draw you the reader to the story! Another thing I liked about this book is the slow budding romance between Carmella and Sebastiano.

If you want to read a book based on WWII, I would highly recommend this book–will not leave you disappointed!

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

Natalie Meg Evans

Natalie is a RITA nominated, USA Today Bestselling author of six novels: The Dress Thief, The Milliner’s Secret (re-titled “The Girl who Dreamed of Paris”), The Wardrobe Mistress, Summer in the Vineyards, The Secret Vow and most recently, The Paris Girl. Look out for a heartwrenching WW2 inspired novel set in Italy, due out Autumn 2020.

Visit her website at https://www.nataliemegevans.uk

Natalie Meg Evans has had a varied career, first as an actor in London’s fringe theatre, then as a PR exec and company director and finally, dream achieved, as a full-time writer. She lives with two very lively dogs in rural mid Suffolk.

Natalie has collected numerous awards for her writing including the UK’s Harry Bowling Prize (2012). The Dress Thief was nominated for a coveted RITA Award by Romance Writers of America and it won the Greek Public Book award for the best foreign novel; also, the UK’s Festival of Romance readers award (where readers rather than industry professionals select and judge). The Milliner’s Secret was shortlisted for the same award.

Natalie was also nominated for the coveted Daphne du Maurier award and was named a finalist for a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award.

Natalie’s titles are available as Spoken Word. She loves to hear from readers.

His Loving Wife – ARC Book Review

His Loving Wife: A completely unputdownable psychological thriller full of suspense by [Miranda Smith]

I would do anything to protect my family. It’s my fault they’re in danger…

A year ago, someone broke into our home. He stood outside our bedroom, with our children asleep down the corridor, and knocked on the door.

But the worst moment came later, when I found out who had nearly destroyed my family, and why.

Now my husband has booked us a surprise vacation. In a beautiful cabin on the shore we will rest, talk, recover.

But I can’t relax. When I drive to the store, or stroll down the beach, I am always looking over my shoulder, my heart racing.

Because no matter how hard my husband tries to pretend, we both know it’s not over.

And I know he still doesn’t trust me…

Date published:- will be published on October 4th 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Psychological /Domestic Thriller

Rating:- 4/5 stars

A year ago, Kate’s life turned upside down when an intruder breaks into their house and stands in front of their room. Kate finds out who the intruder is and why he broke into their house.

Now, Kate’s husband, Andrew has booked a vacation and while the family is trying to enjoy their vacation, forgetting about the incident that happened a year ago, Kate is having a nagging feeling, when she hears the news that particular intruder has been released from jail…

The story divides itself between the Present Day, told from the Kate’s point of view and the months after the incident happened, with Kate and Andrew trying to rebuild their marriage and meeting a psychiatrist and at the same time, wondering why this person harmed their family. Initially, the first few chapters were boring but eventually, I got hooked into the story by the middle of the book. It eventually becomes a fast paced thriller and soon, unexpected twists and turns come to play! However, towards the ending, it got more intense and filled with suspense and the great twist at the end, you so did not expect that twist at all!!! I was then literally hooked into the story and then manage to finish the book, trying to reel from that ending! It was really good!

Kate is a likable character in my opinion and Andrew seemed to be some what a naive character in my opinion. The writing was good and intense and the suspense was there in the chapters, making this book a fast paced thriller. Overall, it was a fast paced thriller filled with unexpected twists and turns you didn’t expect…worth giving this book a shot!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion.

Miranda Smith

Miranda Smith writes psychological suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, complicated women and dark impulses.
SOME DAYS ARE DARK: March 2020
WHAT I KNOW: June 2020

Find out more at http://www.mirandasmithwriter.com.