Review: The Crash

Tegan is eight months pregnant. She has money trouble, but she's supposed to be coming into a windfall of money. But that falls through. She decides to drive to her brother's house for a little R&R.

But she's not able to leave before the storm hits. Her car swerves on the road and hits a tree. With all the snow coming down, she's terrified that no one will find her. But a man in truck comes to her rescue. She's injured and would like to go to a hospital, but the roads are too bad. 

Luckily her rescuer has a nurse for a wife. Tegan's hoping that her ankle isn't terrible and that she can make it to the hospital tomorrow. Will the snow let up or will she be stuck there?

My Thoughts: This was a similar read to the author's other books - lots of twists and turns. I love her books because you never know what to expect. I read this in one sitting - because I needed to keep turning the pages. This one ended really well. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: My Library

Why I Read this Book: This author is a new favorite

Library Recommendation: A must have author for your public library's collection. 

Blog Tour: Twelve Secrets

 

About the Book:

I should hate you. I should want you dead for what you did to my sweet, blue-eyed boy. But you’re the only person who can give me the answers I need. What really happened the night you killed him?

It’s twenty years since my teenage brother was murdered and my mother took her own life with a broken heart. I buried myself in writing to numb the pain, but when the police knock at my door and tell me my brother’s killer has just been found murdered, my heart stops dead: the killer had letters from my mother written just days before she died.

My mother believed someone else was there that night. As the police search my home, my head races with a million questions. Did my mother really kill herself, or did someone get to her before she could find out the truth?

Under the guise of writing an article, I press old friends and neighbours for answers. But why do they dodge my questions? What are they so afraid of? Is there anybody in this small town I can trust?

I pore over my mother’s letters late into the night until I discover a family secret that turns my blood to ice. Everything I thought I knew about the night my brother was murdered is a lie.

As I get closer to the truth, another body drops. Someone in this close-knit town will stop at nothing to keep their secrets. Can I find them before another innocent life is taken?

A twisty, pulse-racing new crime thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni and Kendra Elliot.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this British book - it reminded me of Broadchurch. There were so many twists and turns. There were multiple perspectives. I love how the characters tied everything together. I felt terrible for Ben has he death with grief and guilt for the death of his brother - only to feel the same emotions at the death of his mother years later.  This small town had lots of secrets - and not just about the death of the boys. I'm looking forward to the next Ben Harper book. 

About the Author:

Robert Gold is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Ben Harper series, which includes Twelve Secrets, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick, Eleven Liars and Ten Seconds. Originally from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Robert Gold began his career as an intern at the American broadcaster CNN, based in Washington DC. He returned to Yorkshire to work for the retailer ASDA, becoming the chain’s nationwide book buyer. He now works in sales for a UK publishing company. Robert now lives in Putney and his new hometown served as the inspiration for the fictional town of Haddley in his thrillers.

Review: The Housemaid

 

* First Book in a trilogy * 

Mille's out of prison and out of a job. When she lost her job, she lost her apartment. Millie's been living in her car. She needs to find a job pronto - or risk going back to prison. She stumbles across a job opportunity where she would work as a housekeep as a live-in maid. She thinks it's a dream come true.

But her boss, Nina, is nothing like she seemed in the interview. She's moody, jealous, makes giant messes, and lies. Millie thinks she's losing her mind with the whiplash. Can she last long enough to create a life for herself?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I read it quickly, unable to put it down. There were twists and turns that I never saw coming. Just when I thought I had a handle on the story, everything changed.  I don't want to say too much without spoiling things. If you slept on this book like I did - go forth and pick this one up immediately!  I can't wait to read book 2. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: A must have trilogy for your library.

We are passing this author's books all around the library. And there are so many people waiting to read her books. 

Review:Shelter in Place

In Portland Maine things change very quickly when three shooters enter the mall with the intent to kill as many people as possible. Some are saved, some injured, and some perish. Eight minutes later, the shooters died themselves.

Those who lived will be forever reminded of this day, no matter how much they try to suppress the memories.

Year pass and life begins to return to normal. But one personal wasn't satisfied with the outcome that day and she's determined to finally make things right. She has her targets in mind, the one who called 911, the one who became a cop, and the one that shot her brother. She's not finished yet, but they will be.

My Thoughts: The shooting took place in the first chapter and ended quickly. Somehow I didn't realize this, but the book gripped me from the start and never let go. I needed to know what happened to the characters; how they survived the aftermath. I love how they lived their dreams, followed their passion, and tried to make a difference in the world. I enjoyed the romance, the friendship, and the families. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what happened. Shelter in Place is the type of book that stays with you long after you've stopped turning the pages.

Cover Thoughts: I love it after reading the book. I didn't understand it before, but it's great.
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have for public libraries.

Mysterious Saturday Review: Driving Heat

* Book 7 in the Nikki Heat series * 

A promotion brought Nikki Heat to the rank of Captain. When Heat's psychologist turns up murdered on her first morning, she's surprised to see Rook's on the surveillance video going into the office. He won't tell her why he was at the office. Heat doesn't appreciate being kept in the dark, especially when she feels it will help her case. Files were stolen from the office and she's worried about them falling into the wrong hands.

In order to make her team run smoothly, she jointly promoted Roach to run the case. But even Raley and Ochoa are trying to one up each other for the permanent promotion.

Throw in the fact that Nikki's getting cold feet about the wedding and tension between her and Rook escalates. This investigation brings out the worst in all the relationships in this book. Can they work together and solve the murder before the murderer comes for one of them?

My Thoughts: As a huge fan of the show, I'm happy when more Richard Castle books come out. This one wasn't my favorite - mostly because all the characters were at each other's throats and I didn't enjoy that type of tension. The overall mystery pushes to book forward with lots of suspects, clues, and dead ends. I love the tidbits that overlap the TV show and the book.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you're a fan of the show, read these books!

Adult Review: She Went All The Way

Lou Calabrese writes screenplays. In fact, she just wrote a powerhouse script that shot her ex-boyfriend to instant fame. Immediately afterwards, he broke up with her after 10 years relationship and married his co-star.

Now Lou is in Alaska on her way to a film location with a star Jack Townsend. She and Jack have never gotten along. It could have something to do with the fact that the line he changed a blockbuster movie became his catch phrase.

She's not the only one who doesn't like him. In the helicopter, Lou's stunned to see the pilot pull out a gun and point it at Jack. The pilot confesses that he's been hired to kill the action. Instead, Jack and Lou fight for their lives as the helicopter crashes. They manage to escape, but winter in Alaska with a storm on the way isn't the best place to be. Can they find their way back to safety without killing each other?

My Thoughts: I love Meg Cabot - so it's no surprise how happy I was to find a book I hadn't read in a used bookstore. Of course I loved this book; it read like an action movie with more romance than usual. It was amazingly good.

I loved the Hollywood plot line -seeing the screenwriter mix with the actors. I loved the banter between Lou and Jack - even in times of complete danger. I enjoyed the survival story in the wildness while they fought for their lives from the bad guys. 

Plus the story line with their parents was sweet and charming. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - but doesn't covey the action of the story
Source: Purchased

Final Thoughts: Lots of action and danger plus romance = perfect combination.

Mini Review: The Scam

 * Book 4 in the Fox and O'Hare series *

The Con: Take down Evan Chase for money laundering through his casinos.

The Plan: Reel him in as a partner and then flip the switch, double crossing the bad guys to get Evan Turner to turn towards Kate and Nick for help.

The Wrinkles: Evan Turner gets interested in Kate - too interested. And the entire plan goes South FAST

My Thoughts: I adore this series. It's like watching an episode of White Collar or Leverage - lots action and danger. Plus the sexual tension is classic Evanovich. I liked how Kate's father took care of things for his friend in times of trouble. 

This adventure was Hawaii Five-O crossed with Ocean's Eleven and White Collar. And it was perfect. 

Final Thoughts: It's the perfect escapism read. I'm hooked on these books.