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: Housemaid's Secret

 

* Book 2 in the Housemaid trilogy * 

Millie is back. Her life is still a struggle. She has a boyfriend who wants more from her. But she's not ready to tell him about her past and thus keeps him at an arm's length. 

She accepts a new job as a housemaid - but it's strange. She can't quite wrap her head around her new boss. And then it all goes sideways.

My Thoughts: Another great read from Freida McFadden. Another twist that I didn't see coming. Her books are ones that I need to have a clear afternoon with no plans. Because I don't want to put the book down! It's hard to talk about this one without spoilers, but I'm so curious to see where the next book will take us.

Cover Thoughts: I still like it

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have trilogy for your public library's thriller collection! 

Holiday Book Review: All I Want for Christmas

 

Leah and her daughter can't wait for Christmas with her grandmother. But when her grandmother dies before Christmas, they're devastated not to have one last Christmas at the planation. Leah and her grandmother have talked about her inheriting the planation, but Leah's stunned to learn that she's only inherited half the house.

She wanted to give her daughter an amazing childhood. Leah wants Sadie to grow up as she did spending summers at the house. Leah's grandmother had a small museum on the property detailing the plantation's history of tobacco farming and slavery. Her grandmother also hosted events, which Leah hoped to continue.

Now, she's not sure what's going to happen. She can't afford to buy out her childhood friend. And he doesn't want to have the property open as a business. Her childhood friend is more than happy to buy her out and the money would help create a wonderful life for Sadie. But Leah's grandmother left the house to both of them for a reason. Can they figure it out before it's too late?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book about a single mom working to make life magical for her daughter. She's struggling at the moment, but I admire her determination. I think the plantation's history was handled pretty well - but I would have liked more details, especially about the slaves working the plantation. I loved the idea of a big family Christmas and everyone coming together around the food and fireplace. It seemed magical. I enjoyed the romance between David and Leah - but I really loved the moments between Sadie and David. A sweet holiday romance that will make you want to sit in front of the fire to read.

Cover Thoughts: Charming 

Source: Gifted

Cover Reveal: Magnolia Sisters

Title: Magnolia Sisters

Author: Alys Murray

Publisher: Bookouture 

Release Date: March 5, 2020

About the Book:

BOOK ONE IN THE HILLSBORO FLOWER FARM SERIES

Harper Anderson has a to-do list longer than the Colorado river, and fields of tulips to tend to at her family’s flower farm in Hillsboro County, California. It’s her dream to run the business with her sisters when their father retires, keeping up traditions that began with her great-great-grandmother.

That is, if there’s a farm left to run. Rich out-of-towners looking for a slice of country living are hiking up the prices in town and it’s putting her family out of business. So she has no time for the arrogant LA tech mogul who makes her an offer to use their farm as his sister’s wedding venue. No amount of money could make up for the destruction it would wreak on next season’s crop. The sooner Luke Martin is on his way, the better.

But Luke isn’t willing to go. He’s been looking out for his sister ever since their deadbeat parents left them to fend for themselves, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy. So when Harper’s newest farmhand leaves her in the lurch, he sees an opportunity to strike a deal. He’ll work on the farm for free if she’ll give him the chance to change her mind.

Harper and Luke each expect the other to crack first. What they don’t expect is the chemistry that sparks between them as they work side by side among the budding roses. But Luke’s presence is turning over more than the earth, and just as Harper is starting to let her guard down, he stumbles upon a secret that could spell disaster for the entire Anderson clan.

With her family’s happiness at stake, can Harper put her trust in a man who is worlds apart from everything she knows?

About the Author:

Alys Murray is an author who writes for the romantic in all of us. Though she graduated with a degree in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Master’s in Film Studies from King’s College London, her irrepressible love of romance led her to a career as an author, and she couldn’t be happier to write these stories!

Her debut novel, The Christmas Company, was the first original Christmas novel published by Hallmark, and it is currently optioned for a future Hallmark Christmas movie. Additionally, Alys pens screenplays for Lifetime. You can see her work most recently in 2019's Christmas in Louisiana, starring Jana Kramer, Percy Daggs III, Moira Kelly, Dee Wallace, and Barry Bostwick.

Alys loves connecting with readers, so if you want to get in touch, you can find her at http://www.alysmurray.com or on twitter at @writeralys.

Time for the BEAUTIFUL cover:

My Thoughts: I love it!

Don't you?

I would love to have a nice dinner at that table.

I can hear the laughter, taste the amazing good, a sip a generous glass of white wine.

It's Perfect!