reecaspieces

Overview

A hijacked New York subway train, an anonymous killer, and a young man trapped by his hidden past converge in a breathless, breathtaking thriller

Do not turn off your phone
Do not get off the train
I know who you really are 

Fired and walked out by security on his first day at his new job in New York City, Ben Cross thought his day couldn’t get worse. But he couldn’t be more wrong. Getting on the 1 train headed uptown, Ben starts receiving text messages from an anonymous killer, showing that they’ve already killed someone, then pointedly killing another as they got off the train to prove they aren’t bluffing and to ensure Ben follows orders. But Ben wasn’t picked at random—he has a history that no one is supposed to know. 

At the same time, A NYPD detective, Kelly Hendricks, is on punishment duty with the transit police. The first one on the scene after the first murder, she gets on the train to find out what is really going on. 

Switching rapidly between Cross and Hendricks, as the hijacked 1 train heads from South Ferry to 181st, the secret to the killer lies in Ben’s own history—why he’s been targeted and punished.

Review

Fired and walked out by security on his first day at his new job in New York City, Ben Cross thought his day couldn’t get worse. Getting on the 1 train headed uptown, Ben starts receiving text messages from an anonymous killer, showing that they’ve already killed someone, then pointedly killing another as they got off the train to prove they aren’t bluffing and to ensure Ben follows orders. But Ben wasn’t picked at random—he has a history that no one is supposed to know. 

I enjoyed this unconventional thriller! I mean, a hijacked train in NYC! But the text messages that tried to get Ben to do what they wanted….oh boy! And don’t get me started on the cops!

Plus, the way this author wove the story around Ben. I was hooked. I really think I was more attached to Ben’s past. I really want to know more about that part of the tale. That needs to be the author’s next book! Ben is definitely a character I want to know more about!

Need a quick thriller that will have your emotions all over the place…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Quindlen is as observant and as wonderfully readable as ever, attuned to women’s lives and the nuances of their voices.”—Jennifer Weiner, The New York Times Book Review

A woman confronts the surprising results of an ancestry test and begins to question the meaning of family and friendship in this wise, tender novel teeming with life—from the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author of After Annie

No one knows you like your book club.

High school English teacher Polly Goodman can talk about everything and anything with the women in her book club, which is why they’ve become her closest friends and, along with her veterinarian husband, the bedrock of her life. Her students, her fraught relationship with her mother, her struggles with IVF—Polly’s book club friends have heard about it all.

But when they give Polly an ancestry test kit as a joke, the results match her with a stranger. It is clear to Polly that this match is a mistake, but still she cannot help but comb through her family history for answers. Then, when it seems that the book club circle of four will become three, Polly learns how friendships can change your life in the most profound ways.

Written with Anna Quindlen’s trademark warmth, humor, and insight into the power of love and hope, More Than Enough explores how we find ourselves again and again through the relationships that define us.

Review

High school English teacher Polly Goodman can talk about everything and anything with the women in her book club, which is why they’ve become her closest friends. But when they give Polly an ancestry test kit as a joke, the results match her with a stranger. It is clear to Polly that this match is a mistake, but still she cannot help but comb through her family history for answers.

Y’all know I love a good family mystery. But there are a lot of things going on in this novel, plus a lot of characters. And with all of that…there are a lot a dead spots too.

I did enjoy Polly. She is struggling with IVF, and this is mentioned WAY TOO MANY TIMES. But, she is doing her best. So, when she meets this young girl she is supposedly related to, it changes her life. Polly discovers a few things and learns quite a bit more than she expected.

This is a novel of friendship and overcoming things that life throws at you. It was just a bit slow and drawn out.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

Rebecca meets The Craft in this dark, atmospheric novel of one witch rediscovering her power while on the run from another willing to kill her for it. 

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Bane Witch!

Judeth Cole has always had certain uncanny abilities. But when she arrived at Solidago, her grandfather’s estate by the sea, she was forced to keep them secret. There she lived a harsh life under his rule and the haunting legacy of her late grandmother, Aurelia. Until the fateful day she ignited a fire with her magic. It was the last time she saw her family alive.

Seventeen years later, she’s living in Seattle as Jude Clark, and failing at life, when she makes a last detour through her favorite bookstore, selecting a book to read as she waits to die. But when she pulls it from the shelf, an invitation to her for a clandestine midnight meeting slips out.

Jude is quickly swept up into a world of secrets and magic, discovering a circle of powerful new companions led by the mysterious, enigmatic Arla. The source of their magic, Arla tells her, is an entity, trapped and bound, that they call The Fathom. But Jude swiftly realizes Arla wants this power all to herself, and that she’s willing to kill for it.

Terrified, Jude turns to Levi, the handsome bookseller who’s seen her at her worst. With his help, she begins a research journey that leads her all the way back to Solidago, the house she swore to never return to. Now, the Fathom threatening to break free and Arla on the hunt, Jude must finally face her past to save her future.

Ava Morgyn’s Only Spell Deep is a novel that takes readers on a journey into a dark, glittering world of magic, a place where power should never be caged and misplaced trust can have deadly consequences.

“Only Spell Deep is beautifully written and richly immersive, weaving a gothic atmosphere with supernatural tension in a story about reclaiming one’s power in more ways than one and unraveling generational trauma. Morgyn builds a world that feels both mythic and real, where gods walk among us and the most terrifying magic is the kind passed down through blood. This novel cast a lasting spell on me. I was all in.” – Katy Foraker, author of Memories, Lies, and Other Binds

“Only Spell Deep is a dark parable of feminine rage and power, blending horror, fantasy, and mythology seamlessly into the streets and hidden places of modern-day Seattle. With gorgeous prose, Ava Morgyn weaves a spell of her own and gives us a courageous heroine to root for.” – Alyssa Palombo, author of The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel

Review

Judeth Cole has always had certain uncanny abilities. But when she arrived at Solidago, her grandfather’s estate by the sea, she was forced to keep them secret. There she lived a harsh life under his rule and the haunting legacy of her late grandmother, Aurelia. Until the fateful day she ignited a fire with her magic. It was the last time she saw her family alive.

This started out pretty strong. And I was engrossed quickly. Then it just got weird and fell flat. The middle of this tale just did not go anywhere. But give it time, the ending is pretty intense.

I enjoyed Jude, up to a point. She has quite a lot of trauma and secrets in her past. So, this endears her to the reader. I mean…I couldn’t help but feel for her. Then she does some stuff to her friends and I would have liked to have jerked her bald headed.

I did enjoy the magic and the underground tunnels of Seattle. Pretty unique.

I have read only read one other by this author. I really enjoyed The Witches of Bone Hill .

Need a witchy tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.

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Overview

A buried relic. An angelic language. A choice between heaven and hell.

When archaeologist Hiram Donovan smuggles a polished disc of black obsidian out of an Iraqi monastery, he’s murdered—and the secret of the “showstone” vanishes with him.

Thirty years later, Harvard religion professor Cal Donovan learns the truth about his father’s death and discovers the stone is real, coveted by believers and fanatics who think it can unlock a lost “49th call” in the angelic Enochian language. Some see a key to paradise. Others, a gateway to something far darker.

From Elizabethan magus John Dee’s notebooks to modern‑day scryers and ruthless enemies, Cal is thrust into a race to find the showstone before it’s used to unleash catastrophe. Expose the secret, and risk the end of everything—or bury it forever.

Review

Well! This book had me down a rabbit hole!

From Elizabethan magus John Dee’s notebooks to modern‑day scryers and ruthless enemies, Cal is thrust into a race to find the showstone before it’s used to unleash catastrophe. Expose the secret, and risk the end of everything—or bury it forever.

Cal Donovan is an interesting character. And to be honest, I didn’t much like him. He is a an alcoholic and he cheats on his girlfriend…BUT, he is smart as a whip and he is determined to find out where this stone came from and why people are getting killed for it.

I have never read this author. He has quite a few books out there and let me tell you… I am about to read them all. It has been quite a while since I have read a book in this genre, archeological/religious relic mystery. I loved all the research this book had me looking up, including the angel language, and yes, that is real! Plus, it takes you all over the globe in multiple time periods. And I was researching all of it.

This is book four and as I said before, I have not read the others in this series and I did not feel lost at all.

Need a fast paced thriller that just might teach you something….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

Rome 1939
Arriving in Rome to work for the wealthy Montefalco family, Maddalena is homesick and alone. She finds solace – and love – in the beauty of the city, but as the war in Nazi-occupied Italy rages, she must make a devastating choice.

London, 1997
After her mother Maddalena’s death, Beatrice Fremont discovers a fragment of a painting and a letter that sends her on a hunt to Rome. Helping her is art dealer Jude Adler, who’s convinced they are looking for a lost Caravaggio. For Jude, this could be the find of a lifetime; but for Beatrice their search uncovers a shocking secret and the answer to a mystery kept hidden for years.

Review

I loved this author’s first novel The Porcelain Maker. I could not wait to dive into this one!

Beatrice discovers a lot after her mother’s death…debts, a letter and a fragment of a painting. This leads her to ask art dealer Jude Adler to help her discover the mystery surrounding these clues. And does this lead to some shocking secrets!

Y’all know I love a good family mystery. With this dual timeline and these characters, I was hooked. This even had me researching the painter, Caravaggio!

This story takes you through Nazi occupied Italy and then on to London in 1997. I love how this story melded together. And trust me….the nature of this painting and the history surrounding it will keep you on your toes!

Need a family drama with a mystery to keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

A sweeping, sensational novel of America’s first “It Girl,” whose dramatic journey to center stage echoes through the decades—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

“As stunning as the incomparable leading lady who inspired it . . . unputdownable, with a twist that will leave you breathless.”—Emily Giffin

At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York’s streets teem with change: electricity, automobiles, the brash young President Teddy Roosevelt—and the It Girls. As artists’ muses and working models, these independent young women soar to stardom not because of their pedigrees or inherited wealth, but because of their talent, charisma, and irresistible beauty. Pop culture is born, and in a world alight with Mr. Edison’s new bulbs, no one shines brighter than America’s sweetheart, Evelyn Talbot.

But the journey to stardom is not simple or straight. While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and face of her time. Enter a parade of powerful and power-hungry men, from world-famous architect Stanley Pierce, the visionary behind Manhattan’s mansions and iconic landmarks, to Hal Thorne, the shockingly wealthy railroad heir and premier “playboy” of high society. Each man promises comfort, glamour, security—even love. But fame and fortune are cruel teachers, and Evelyn learns that the only person she can rely on is herself.

When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a murder of passion declared “the Crime of the Century,” she is blamed for the acts of the men in her life. In the media frenzy that spirals around her, Evelyn realizes that to survive, she will have to write her own ending. But can this artists’ muse turned showgirl pull off the greatest act of her life?

It Girl is a breathtaking ride inspired by a singular artist and icon who captured the collective imagination of American society. Allison Pataki has crafted yet another unforgettable leading lady, a heroine who must find the power to change not only the world around her but her own destiny.

Review

While working as a shopgirl, the young Evelyn is recruited as a studio model and soon catches the eye of the preeminent artists of the age. When Broadway comes calling, Evelyn solidifies her status as the first self-made American female celebrity: the iconic Gibson Girl, the most sought-after figure and face of her time.

Well! I enjoyed this tale. I loved the time period and the myriad of characters, especially Evelyn.

Evelyn is thrown to the wolves so to speak. She is very naive and she is supposed to be. She is only 13—HER MOTHER LIED! But desperate times call for desperate measures. They are very poor and very hungry. But the stuff Evelyn encounters and has to deal with will make you want to come through these pages and yank someone bald headed! But, she learns and she grows and she becomes unstoppable!

Need a book based on a true leading lady which changes her destiny…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

My darlings . . . Not to be too Hollywood about this, but if you’re watching this tape, that can mean only one thing: I have shuffled off this mortal coil . . . and you two are going to need each other more than ever. You need to set aside your differences and look out for each other—just like you always used to.”

Poppy and Rose used to be close as sisters could be—until everything went wrong. Now in their forties, they haven’t spoken in years. But when their vivacious, glamorous, powerhouse of a mother dies, they are both faced with the shock of grief. However, their mother was not one to go shrinking into the night. No, their mother, Andrea, has left them a project to work on together: a sort of scavenger hunt through their lives, which she calls the A to Z of Everything.Her final wish: to heal the fractured relationship between her daughters that broke her heart.

A is for Ashes. C is for champagne. D is for Daddy Issues. But when they get to F for Forgiveness, can they make a start, even when they can barely look at each other?

With Andrea’s wicked sense of humor and wild stories from her acting career, she has left the quest in a series of boxes filled with letters, recordings, videos, mementos, and instructions.

From Liverpool to London and even Paris, the sisters follow the trail toward a glimmer of hope: despite loss, there is room for laughter, love, and healing—and for second chances.

Review

Poppy and Rose used to be close as sisters could be—until everything went wrong. Now in their forties, they haven’t spoken in years. But when their vivacious, glamorous, powerhouse of a mother dies, they are both faced with the shock of grief. However, their mother was not one to go shrinking into the night. She has left them a of scavenger hunt through their lives, which she calls the A to Z of Everything.

What a unique story!

I enjoyed this scavenger hunt. Not only are you taken all over the place from Liverpool to Paris, but you are shown excerpts of the lives of Poppy and Rose. The way this story is portioned out to the reader lets you see both sides of the situation and trust me your heart is with both Poppy and Rose. And no, I am not going to tell you about what happened…you need to read this to find out. The tasks given to these two women are to help them reconcile and to remember their past and what each one meant to the other. So, their story slowly unfolds and it is a delight.

Need a family drama that gives you all the feels…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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