reecaspieces

Overview

The 10th Winner of the 2019 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, Awarded by Barbara Kingsolver

“What a read this is, right from its startling opening scene. But even more than plot, it’s the richly layered details that drive home a lightning bolt of empathy. To read At the Edge of the Haight is to live inside the everyday terror and longings of a world that most of us manage not to see, even if we walk past it on sidewalks every day. At a time when more Americans than ever find themselves at the edge of homelessness, this book couldn’t be more timely.”
—Barbara Kingsolver, author of Unsheltered and The Poisonwood Bible

Maddy Donaldo, homeless at twenty, has made a family of sorts in the dangerous spaces of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. She knows whom to trust, where to eat, when to move locations, and how to take care of her dog. It’s the only home she has. When she unwittingly witnesses the murder of a young homeless boy and is seen by the perpetrator, her relatively stable life is upended. Suddenly, everyone from the police to the dead boys’ parents want to talk to Maddy about what she saw. As adults pressure her to give up her secrets and reunite with her own family before she meets a similar fate, Maddy must decide whether she wants to stay lost or be found. Against the backdrop of a radically changing San Francisco, a city which embraces a booming tech economy while struggling to maintain its culture of tolerance, At the Edge of the Haight follows the lives of those who depend on makeshift homes and communities.

As judge Hillary Jordan says, “This book pulled me deep into a world I knew little about, bringing the struggles of its young, homeless inhabitants—the kind of people we avoid eye contact with on the street—to vivid, poignant life. The novel demands that you take a close look. If you knew, could you still ignore, fear, or condemn them? And knowing, how can you ever forget?”

Review

Maddy has been living on the streets of San Francisco for quite a while. She is comfortable and has her own friends which she considers family. She witnesses a murder of a young homeless boy and now suddenly, the life she knows may be taken away.

Maddy is such a strong character and I immediately was drawn into her world. She is a quiet young lady and she is very intelligent. She reads a situation and knows just how to get out of it. Plus, she has a wonderful dog named Root.

This is a very unique and vivid read. I expected this story to be more about the murder but instead I read about another side of San Francisco. I love anything set in this wonderful city. But, I learned a great deal about how the other half lives.

Need something different…this is it! Grab your copy today!

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

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Overview

In Kaya McLaren’s What’s Worth Keeping, during one unforgettable summer, three generations of one family receive the best gift of all time: a second chance…

The day her doctor says the one word that no one wants to hear, Amy Bergstrom discovers a secret that her husband of 25 years has been keeping from her. Now that the months of treatment and surgeries are behind her, she escapes her claustrophobic life seeking healing, peace and clarity in an ancient forest in Washington State, a forest that holds memories of her childhood summers.

After dropping off his daughter at Amy’s Aunt Rae’s horse ranch in the mountains of New Mexico, Officer Paul Bergstrom visits the fixer-upper he had bought years ago as a place to retire with his family. Although it appears fine on the outside, the inside is a disaster―just like his marriage. When he finds himself with more off-duty time than he expected, he lovingly repairs his dream home, building the future he so desperately wants.

Witnessing her mother’s health crisis had been terrifying enough, but learning the cause was genetic leaves Carly with the sense that all of her dreams are pointless. With the help of her eccentric great aunt and a Clydesdale named T. Rex, Carly just may find her faith in her future again.

Amy, Paul, and Carly discover that love and family are worth keeping in this powerful, emotional, and hopeful novel.

Review

Amy is struggling to heal herself mentally and physically after her cancer diagnosis. Carly, Amy’s daughter, is in such pain watching her mom suffer and then realizing her life might take the same path. Then there is Paul, Amy’s husband. Paul is a homicide detective and he also has PTSD. He is at a loss on what to say or do to help Amy recover.

Wow! What a fantastic, powerful novel. This is a tale not to be missed. But it may not be for everyone. If the wounds are still raw…this story is going to open them up full blast.

This is a heavy, emotional read and I loved everything about it. It is about healing and coming together when your world is falling apart. This is a book which I will think about over and over again. I never reread…but I just might have to reread this one.

Do not miss this one…add it to your list today!

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

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Overview

The USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair returns with another delicious, twisty novel—about a grand estate with many secrets, an orphan caught in a web of lies, and a young woman playing a sinister game.

1988. Beth Soames is fourteen years old when her aunt takes her to stay at Raven Hall, a rambling manor in the isolated East Anglian fens. The Averells, the family who lives there, are warm and welcoming, and Beth becomes fast friends with their daughter, Nina. At times, Beth even feels like she’s truly part of the family…until they ask her to help them with a harmless game—and nothing is ever the same.

2019. Sadie Langton is an actress struggling to make ends meet when she lands a well-paying gig to pretend to be a guest at a weekend party. She is sent a suitcase of clothing, a dossier outlining the role she is to play, and instructions. It’s strange, but she needs the money, and when she sees the stunning manor she’ll be staying at, she figures she’s got nothing to lose.

In person, Raven Hall is even grander than she’d imagined—even with damage from a fire decades before—but the walls seem to have eyes. As day turns to night, Sadie starts to feel that there’s something off about the glamorous guests who arrive, and as the party begins, it becomes chillingly apparent their unseen host is playing games with everyone…including her.

Review

Give me an old house with a mystery and I am hooked. Raven Hall is the perfect setting for this story. It is a large manor with a past and secrets.

Sadie is an out of work, struggling actress. She receives a good job to work at this unique house. She is to play a dinner guest. Sadie is excited, to say the least. But, it does not go the way she plans.

This story is told in two different time periods. In 1988, Beth is an orphan taken in by the Averells. Beth and Nina Averell become quick friends but there is something wrong. Beth is asked to do something weird. She is asked to impersonate Nina on several occasions.

Then the story rotates to Sadie in 2019. When Sadie arrives at the manor she is excited about this new job. But, she quickly realizes everyone is not who they are supposed to be and something is very wrong.

This is a twisted tale and it just keeps the reader guessing all the way through. The setting and the characters are perfectly created to go along with this puzzling story. Do not blink or you will miss something!

Grab your copy today!

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

About the Author

Emma Rous is the USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair. She grew up in England, Indonesia, Kuwait, Portugal and Fiji, and from a young age she had two ambitions: to write stories, and to look after animals. She studied veterinary medicine and zoology at the University of Cambridge, and worked as a small animal veterinarian for eighteen years before starting to write fiction. Emma lives near Cambridge in England with her husband and three sons, and she now writes full time.

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About The Book:

From the USA Today bestselling author comes a gripping thriller about a divorce attorney who’s about to discover her own marriage is based on lies when she’s arrested for murder.

Attorney Olivia Sinclair is shocked when she receives an anonymous video showing her husband Richard sleeping with someone else. After years of handling other people’s divorces, she thought she could recognise a marriage in trouble.

She angrily throws Richard out of the home they share. But days later she’s arrested—for the murder of his mistress.

Olivia knows she’s innocent but, with all the evidence pointing at her and an obvious motive, she must find the real killer to clear her name.

She may be used to dealing with messy divorces, but this one will be her most difficult case yet. Olivia’s husband has already betrayed her—but would he set her up for murder?

A gripping and unputdownable thriller for fans of Gillian McAllister, Alafair Burke and A Killer’s Wife.

Review

Olivia has received an anonymous email with a video of her husband having an affair with his secretary. Then…the secretary is discovered murdered. And all the evidence leads straight to Olivia. Olivia is arrested and becomes very involved with proving her innocence. On top of all of this…Olivia’s relationship with her daughter is deteriorating.

I enjoyed this story! It is multilayered and intense. Plus, Olivia is a fabulous character even if she is a little bit gullible. And to tell you the truth, this novel takes you on an emotional ride! I swear…I was mad, sad, distressed then mad all over again.

I did have the culprit figured out from almost the very beginning. I usually do not mind figuring out the villain that early when the book is well written. And this one is…GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

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

About The Author: 

Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which features a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret released to critical acclaim in March 2019, and House of Lies, the third book in the series, released on March 4, 2020. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn walking in the woods with her dogs or visiting historical cemeteries in search of story ideas.

http://www.terrylynnthomas.com/

Social Media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrylynnthomasbooks/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/terrylynnthomasbooks

Twitter: @TLThomasBooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/terry-lynn-thomas

Overview

From the author of the international bestseller The Light Over London and The Whispers of War comes a poignant and unforgettable tale of five women living across three different times whose lives are all connected by one very special place.

Present day: Emma Lovett, who has dedicated her career to breathing new life into long-neglected gardens, has just been given the opportunity of a lifetime: to restore the gardens of the famed Highbury House estate, designed in 1907 by her hero Venetia Smith. But as Emma dives deeper into the gardens’ past, she begins to uncover secrets that have long lain hidden.

1907: A talented artist with a growing reputation for her ambitious work, Venetia Smith has carved out a niche for herself as a garden designer to industrialists, solicitors, and bankers looking to show off their wealth with sumptuous country houses. When she is hired to design the gardens of Highbury House, she is determined to make them a triumph, but the gardens—and the people she meets—promise to change her life forever.

1944: When land girl Beth Pedley arrives at a farm on the outskirts of the village of Highbury, all she wants is to find a place she can call home. Cook Stella Adderton, on the other hand, is desperate to leave Highbury House to pursue her own dreams. And widow Diana Symonds, the mistress of the grand house, is anxiously trying to cling to her pre-war life now that her home has been requisitioned and transformed into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. But when war threatens Highbury House’s treasured gardens, these three very different women are drawn together by a secret that will last for decades.

In this sweeping novel reminiscent of Kate Morton’s The Lake House and Kristin Harmel’s The Room on Rue Amélie, Julia Kelly explores the unexpected connections that cross time and the special places that bring people together forever.

Review

Emma has been hired to recreate the old gardens at Highbury House. She is determined to restore the garden to its historical magnificent with accuracy. During her research she discovers several mysteries surrounding the house and the garden. The more she uncovers the more tragic the tale becomes.

What a unique and interesting read. I loved the way the author connected the characters and the time periods. Sometimes this can be a problem in a novel. But Julia Kelly creates such an uncommon story surrounding the garden, the house and the characters that I could not put it down.

I have been a fan of this author for a quite a while. I always enjoy learning something new. And Julia Kelly introduces me to something new in every novel.

From 1907 to 1944 to present day, this is a beautiful, tragic tale about love, loss and family. Do not miss this one!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review

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About The Book:

From the award-winning author of The Scamp, Jennifer Pashley is back with a searing literary noir about what it means to live on the margins of society and what happens when no one is watching…

Pearl Jenkins is a nobody. She was a woman who lived as a hermit in the woods. One day, she’s nowhere to be found, and all that’s left behind is a pool of blood and a child no one knew existed, raised completely off the grid and in the grip of Pearl’s manic paranoia.

Kateri Fisher is used to being an outsider. Now, she’s the only female detective in the tiny upstate New York town of Spring Falls, where everyone knows everyone, but no one will talk. It’s fitting that she takes the case that no one else wants. But as Kateri struggles to navigate the harsh rules of a new town while trying to learn the truth about the Jenkins family, only one thing becomes clear: neither she nor Pearl are as invisible as she first thought. Someone’s always watching.

Review

Pearl has come up missing. Her house is full of blood but her body is no where to be found. Kateri has been called to the scene. Then she discovers a little girl, Birdie, locked in a closet. No one knew Birdie existed. She is possibly the only witness to Pearl’s disappearance. Then…Birdie is taken. But, Kateri is not going to stop till she discovers the truth.

I enjoyed Kateri. She is a smart, no nonsense detective with flaws. I enjoy strong women characters and Kateri is definitely a good one.

Then there is Shannon. He has had a terrible life. His father is in prison because he tried to kill Shannon and his mother in a fire. Shannon is struggling to leave the past behind come into his own. Then tragedy strikes…again.

This is a story which captivates and keeps you reading. As a matter of fact, it moves so quickly you can read it in one sitting.

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

About The Author:

Jennifer Pashley is the award-winning author of two short story collections, States, and The Conjurer, and a novel, The Scamp. Her stories have appeared widely in journals like Mississippi Review, PANK, and SmokeLong Quarterly, and she has been awarded the Red Hen Prize for Fiction, the Mississippi Review Prize for fiction, and the Carve Magazine Esoteric Award for LGBT Fiction.

https://www.jenniferpashley.com/

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Pashley-213436240077758/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jenniferpashley

Twitter: @pashtastic

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Book Blurbs:

“Pashley’s seamless, yet meticulous writing pulls the reader into the bleak world of rural upstate New York…Atmospheric and dark, yet emotionally compelling, The Watcher is simply phenomenal on all counts. Jennifer Pashley is nothing short of a rising star.” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All is Not Forgotten and Emma in the Night

“The Watcher is a taut literary thriller about desperation, desire, and what people are capable of when they’ve got nothing left to lose. Pashley’s masterful prose makes your heart ache and your pulse pound for every single character populating this chilly, unforgiving—and unforgettable—world.” —Layne Fargo, author of Temper

“The characters in The Watcher will rip your heart out…There is hope at the heart of this novel, and also redemption and justice. You’ll find yourself reading faster to discover what happens next and slowing down to wallow in the beautiful prose. Pashley writes about the people on the fringes of society with clear-eyed compassion and grace. It’s a gift.”—Tiffany Quay Tyson, award-winning author of The Past is Never

“Do not miss this dark and gorgeously told mystery that combines both the literary and noir. I was completely enthralled…You will not be able to turn away from The Watcher.”—Vanessa Lillie, Amazon bestselling author of Little Voices and For the Best

Overview

From the author of the “fast-paced, heartbreaking, and hopeful” (Kristin Harmel, author of The Room on Rue Amélie) The Light After the War, a riveting and heartfelt story of a young woman recruited to be a spy for the resistance on the French Riviera during World War II. 

Paris 1943: Lana Antanova is on her way to see her husband with the thrilling news that she is pregnant. But when she arrives at the convent where he teaches music, she’s horrified to see Gestapo officers execute him for hiding a Jewish girl in the piano.

A few months later, grieving both her husband and her lost pregnancy, Lana is shocked when she’s approached to join the resistance on the French Riviera. As the daughter of a Russian countess, Lana has the perfect background to infiltrate the émigré community of Russian aristocrats who socialize with German officers, including the man who killed her husband.

Lana’s cover story makes her the mistress of Guy Pascal, a wealthy Swiss industrialist and fellow resistance member, in whose villa in Cap Ferrat she lives. Together, they gather information on upcoming raids and help members of the Jewish community escape. Consumed by her work, she doesn’t expect to become attached to a young Jewish girl or wonder about the secrets held by the man whose house she shares. And as the Nazis’ deadly efforts intensify, her intention to protect those around her may put them all at risk instead.

With Anita Abriel’s “heartfelt and memorable” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author) storytelling, Lana’s Waris a sweeping and suspenseful tale of survival and second chances during some of the darkest days of history.

Review

Let me start by saying…this cover is gorgeous!

Lana’s husband has been shot by the Gestapo right in front of her. The stress of seeing the love of her life brutally murdered causes Lana to lose her baby. She is determined these deaths will not go unanswered. Lana joins the resistance and heads to the Mediterranean Coast. She is determined to save as many Jewish children as she can and to find the Gestapo agent responsible for her loss.

Lana is a character I should have loved more than I did. I was not a fan of her stubbornness. It made her look stupid and a little selfish, in my opinion. But, that did not stop me from enjoying this read.

I definitely loved the setting of the Mediterranean. I don’t think I have read a book set in WWII with this as a backdrop. Made it a very unique read. I also loved Guy Pascal. He is moody and he has some mysterious history.

Such a unique and intense read! Grab your copy today!

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

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Overview

Three generations of women in the Ferrari family must heal the broken pieces of their lives on a trip of a lifetime through picturesque Italy from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst

Workaholic, career-obsessed Francesca is fiercely independent and successful in all areas of her life except one: family. She struggles to make time for her relationship with her teenage daughter, Allegra, and the two have become practically strangers to each other. When Allegra hangs out with a new crowd and is arrested for drug possession, Francesca gives in to her mother’s wish that they take one epic summer vacation to trace their family roots in Italy. She just never expected to face a choice that might change the course of her life. . .

Allegra wants to make her grandmother happy, but she hates the idea of forced time with her mother and vows to fight every step of the ridiculous tour, until a young man on the verge of priesthood begins to show her the power of acceptance, healing, and the heartbreaking complications of love.

Sophia knows her girls are in trouble. A summer filled with the possibility for change is what they all desperately need. Among the ruins of ancient Rome, the small churches of Assisi, and the rolling hills of Tuscany, Sophia hopes to show her girls that the bonds of family are everything, and to remind them that they can always lean on one another, before it’s too late.

Review

Francesca is a workaholic like her father was. She is very successful in her advertising career. However, she struggles tremendously with her relationship with her daughter, Allegra.

Francesca’s mother, Sophia, is determined to keep her family together and happy. She knows the girls just need to get away and reconnect. Sophia decides a summer in Italy is just the thing.

Talk about taking you on a trip to Italy. This book takes you all over the place and I felt like I experienced everything the characters did. The author did a fabulous job with this setting.

I did feel the story moved a little slow in spots. But, the setting and the characters really kept me entertained, especially Francesca’s fall down the steps! You will have to read this to find out!

This is a tale which is about healing relationships and realizing what is important. Plus, with the backdrop of Italy, just makes it a wonderful escape!

Need an escape to Italy! This is it!

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

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