reecaspieces

Overview

Elisabeth Parker comes to California from Massachusetts in 1849 with her new husband, Nate, to
reunite with her father, who’s struck gold on the American River. She soon realizes her husband is
not the man she thought—and neither is her father, who abandons them shortly after they arrive. As
Nate struggles with his sexuality, Elisabeth is forced to confront her preconceived notions of family,
love, and opportunity.
She finds comfort in corresponding with her childhood friend back home, writer Louisa May Alcott,
and spending time in the company of a mysterious Californio Don. Armed with Ralph Waldo
Emerson’s Self-Reliance, she sets out to determine her role in building the West, even as she comes
to terms with the sacrifices she must make to achieve independence and happiness.
Prospects of a Woman is a fresh, authentic retelling of the West that explores women’s contributions
in California and shatters the stereotypes of the typical hard-boiled novel of the West that has
captured the American imagination for over a century.

Review

Elizabeth has married Nate and they have struck out for California. They want to find Elizabeth’s father and create a new life. However, it does not magically happen the way Elizabeth expects. Nate does not turn out to be the man she thought he was and Elizabeth must rely on her own intellect to survive.

You talk about a book I wanted to throw across the room…THIS IS IT! I was so frustrated with Elizabeth on so many levels. And the repetition by the author! It was repeated multiple times about Elizabeth not liking ants. And apparently, Elizabeth is sex craved…another fact mentioned multiple times!

If you like westerns you may enjoy this one. However, this story fell a little short for me. And I hate to post a bad review. I hate to damage an author’s hard work based on my opinion. And this is only my opinion.

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

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About the Author:

Born and raised on the American River in Sacramento, Wendy Voorsanger has long held an intense
interest in the historical women of California. She started her career in the Silicon Valley, writing
about technology trends and innovations for newspapers, magazines, and Fortune 100 companies.
She currently manages SheIsCalifornia.net, a blog dedicated to chronicling the accomplishments of
California women through history. Her debut historical novel, Prospects of a Woman will be published
in October 2020 (She Writes Press); an excerpt entitled “Shifting in California” won 1st place in the
California Writers Club short story contest and is published in the Fault Zone: Shift: An Anthology of
Stories.
She earned a B.A. in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and
an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a member of the Castro Writers’ Cooperative, the
Lit Camp Advisory Board, and the San Mateo Public Library Literary Society.
In addition to being an author, Wendy has worked as a lifeguard, ski instructor, and radio disc jockey.
Wendy lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

Links

Author website: www.wendyvoorsanger.net

Additional website: Sheiscalifornia.com

Facebook: Author Wendy Voorsanger

Instagram: @authorwendyvoorsanger

YouTube book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RDfTJXFdfo&feature=youtu.be

About The Book: 

We all have our reasons for being who we are―but what if being someone else could get you what you want?

After a devastating betrayal, a young woman sets off on an obsessive path to justice, no matter what dark family secrets are revealed. What she doesn’t know―she isn’t the only one plotting revenge.

An affluent daughter of privilege. A glamorous manipulative wannabe. A determined reporter, in too deep. A grieving widow who has to choose her new reality. Who will be the first to lie? And when the stakes are life and death, do a few lies really matter?

Bestselling and award-winning author and investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers another twisty, thrilling cat and mouse novel of suspense that will have you guessing, and second-guessing, and then gasping with surprise.

Review

Ellie is a news reporter. She is trying desperately to take down a drug company. This drug company is lying and they are killing women due to their negligence. Ellie is not going to stand for it. Then, her news station assigns her an assistant, Meg. Ellie is not a fan….at all!

Ellie is a great character. She is tough and smart. Plus she is out to see justice done. Then there is Nora. Nora is a pharmaceutical rep. She is iffy. As a reader…you can’t quite put your finger on why. Then there is Meg…oh Meg is an odd duck for sure. Finally, there is Gabe…or is it Guy?

Wow! Talk about completely twisted. This book is twisted all around itself and you are guessing who is who and what is what. You think you know who this person is….but you don’t! Now, I did figure out bits and pieces. But when the whole picture came together, that was an “AH HA!” moment!

Need a good guessing game! Y’all! This is it! Now, you can’t take your eye off the ball or you will miss something. Pay attention!!!

Grab your copy today!

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

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About The Author:

Hank Phillippi Ryan is the bestselling author of eleven award winning novels of suspense. National reviews have called her a “master at crafting suspenseful mysteries” and “a superb and gifted storyteller.”

Her upcoming domestic suspense thriller THE MURDER LIST is a Most Anticipated Book of Summer 2019 from Criminal Element. AJ Finn calls it “a fireworks display of a novel–explosive, exciting and likely to leave you gasping.” BA Paris says: “A cracker of a read!”

Her first psychological standalone, TRUST ME, is an *AGATHA AWARD* nominee. It was named a Best Book of 2018 from REAL SIMPLE Magazine, BookBub, PopSugar, Bustle, CrimeReads and The New York Post. Mary Kubica says: “Dazzling!” and Lisa Gardner says “Mesmerizing!” The Booklist STARRED review says “..it’s a knockout. First-rate psychological suspense.” 

Her thriller SAY NO MORE is a Library Journal BEST OF 2016. And a nominee for the AGATHA AWARD, the DAPHNE award, and the MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD! Associated Press calls it “stellar” and Publishers Weekly calls it “thrilling” “unflinching” and “gratifying.”

Her 2015 book, WHAT YOU SEE, is a Library Journal BEST of 2015, an ANTHONY and AGATHA Award nominee, and a Top Pick!, dubbed “exceptional suspense.” It received a starred review from Library Journal which says: “Readers will find themselves racing to the finish!” 

Her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, which says, “Drop everything and binge read!” 

THE WRONG GIRL won the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award, and is a seven-week Boston Globe bestseller and Anthony Award nominee. 

THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star, the Sacramento Bee, Suspense Magazine, and The Boston Globe, won the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was the only novel nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Shamus and Daphne awards for Best Novel of 2012.

Her first four mysteries, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning PRIME TIME, feature Charlotte McNally, a Boston television reporter. FACE TIME was a BookSense Notable Book, and AIR TIME and DRIVE TIME were both Anthony and Agatha Award nominees for best novel of 2009 and 2010. They are now available in all new editions.

Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston’s WHDH-TV. In addition to 36 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank’s won dozens of other honors for her ground-breaking journalism. 

Her work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. She’s been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine, working with Hunter S. Thompson, Richard Avedon and Richard Goodwin.

Hank is a founding teacher at Mystery Writers of America University and served as 2013 president of national Sisters in Crime. She blogs at Jungle Red Writers and Career Authors.Learn more about Hank at www.HankPhillippiRyan.com

Social Media:

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hankpryan

Twitter: @HankPRyan

Book Blurbs: 

“Hank Phillippi Ryan is at the top of her game. THE FIRST TO LIE is a masterfully twisty tale full of all my favorite things: interesting women, family secrets, and well-plotted revenge. Start reading early, because you will tear through the pages of this breathless, keep-you-up-all-night thriller.”—Jennifer Hillier, award-winning author of JAR OF HEARTS and LITTLE SECRETS

 “The First to Lie is a twisty, winding road of deception and secrets that starts with a bang and ends with an explosion. Put this one on your list because Hank Phillippi Ryan is at the top of her game.”—Samantha Downing, USA Today bestselling author of My Lovely Wife and He Started It

“With flawless pacing and impeccable character development, Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers yet another powerful, relevant story of deceit, betrayal, and the extent to which someone will go to right the wrongs they have suffered. The First to Lie is a magnificent, intricately plotted thriller that will have you questioning everyone’s motives until the stunning ending.”—Samantha M. Bailey, bestselling author of Woman on the Edge

Overview

In the late 1800s, three sisters use witchcraft to change the course of history in a Hugo award-winning author’s powerful novel of magic amid the suffragette movement.In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.
But when the Eastwood sisters — James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna — join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote — and perhaps not even to live — the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.
There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.
For more from Alix E. Harrow, check out The Ten Thousand Doors of January.

Review

Juniper, Agnes and Bella are three sisters. They have been apart for several years. But, fate and circumstances have brought them back together. These three begin a witch’s movement and it turns out…they may not be the only witches around. Good, bad or ugly, these three suffer through some evil sorcery. Will they survive?

Now! This book is a great read for the Halloween season. You just can’t go wrong with witches, spells and battles. Plus, this story is full of history and I love the folk tales thrown in. Very unique indeed. The only reason for the 4 star rating is I just felt the story is a little too long. I think there is too much explaining in places. But, that is minor. The characters and the time setting really keep you turning the pages.

Grab this Halloween read today!

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

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Overview

Owen Pick’s life is falling apart. In his thirties and living in his aunt’s spare bedroom, he has just been suspended from his job as a teacher after accusations of sexual misconduct—accusations he strongly denies. Searching for professional advice online, he is inadvertently sucked into the dark world of incel forums, where he meets a charismatic and mysterious figure.

Across the street from Owen lives the Fours family, headed by mom Cate, a physiotherapist, and dad Roan, a child psychologist. But the Fours family have a bad feeling about their neighbor Owen. He’s a bit creepy and their teenaged daughter swears he followed her home from the train station one night.

Meanwhile, young Saffyre Maddox spent three years as a patient of Roan Fours. Feeling abandoned when their therapy ends, she searches for other ways to maintain her connection with him, following him in the shadows and learning more than she wanted to know about Roan and his family. Then, on Valentine’s night, Saffyre disappears—and the last person to see her alive is Owen Pick.

With evocative, vivid, and unputdownable prose and plenty of disturbing twists and turns, Jewell’s latest thriller is another “haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read” (Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author).

Review

Saffyre has been in psychotherapy for several years. When her therapy ends, she feels like there should have been more to it. She never did actually tell the therapist her trauma. So, Saffyre watches from afar, her therapist, Roan, and his family. She discovers many secrets and actually becomes a friend of Roan’s son. And things are not as they should be.

Well, I will be honest. When I first started this read, I really thought it was going to be a DNF for me. But, the further I went along the more I became hooked. Now, this is not my favorite Jewell novel. It is way too slow of a start. But, Saffyre is a unique character which captures your heart. She is the reason I kept going. And I am very glad I did.

This story just keeps twisting around and you just keep guessing. But, toward the end…you realize one of your guesses is right! You must read this to find out! And the creepy neighbor, Owen. He is a weirdo!

Slow burn….but very much worth the effort! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

Review

Mae and her family always celebrate Christmas with friends at a cabin in Utah. Mae has made some mistakes and she is hoping this year at the cabin will open up her eyes to what makes her happy. Little does she know the universe has a plan!

Mae is a young lady with plenty of flaws. I enjoy that in a character if the author can pull it off. Christina Lauren does an excellent job with Mae. Mae makes bad decisions. Heck, she makes terrible decisions. But, her sarcastic wit and her loving nature makes it all workout.

This is not my favorite book from these authors. It was a little monotonous is spots. But, it is still a laugh out loud novel. This author team always has some huge comical relationships and their characters crack me up.

Need a good, comic relief book for the holidays. This is it! Grab your copy today.

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About The Book: 

It’s been almost two years since investigative reporter Jack Logan and television producer Taylor Parks brought down the Institute—the secret facility responsible for indoctrinating a generation of America’s political and media power players. Their lives are just getting back to normal, and Jack and Taylor have settled into married life with their young son, Evan.

But soon a series of bizarre, seemingly random murder/suicides captures Jack’s attention as a disturbing pattern emerges. Could someone be intentionally causing people to become homicidal? At the same time, Taylor is producing a story about a class action suit against a national insurance company that has reached the Supreme Court.

As Jack and Taylor start to suspect that their stories are connected, they realize there is something far more insidious at play that could not only directly threaten them—but the very future of the country…

Review

Jack is an investigative reporter. His attention has been captured by a series of, what seems to be, random murders. But, jack realizes there is a disturbing pattern forming.

Jack’s wife, Taylor, is also working a story. These two soon realize their stories are linked together. And the evil lurking in their mists may threaten the future of their nation.

Some of these characters are pure evil! I do not want to meet any of them any time soon. Plus, there is a great amount of intrigue and suspense. I was captivated from the start!

This story is action packed! I have not read the first book in this series and I did not feel like I missed much. The author did a great job keeping the reader clued into the backstory.

Do not miss this one! Grab your copy today!

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

About The Author:

L.C. Shaw is the pen name of internationally bestselling author Lynne Constantine who also writes psychological thrillers with her sister as Liv Constantine. Her husband wonders if she is actually a spy, and never knows which name to call her. She loves to procrastinate by spending time on social media and, when stuck on a plot twist, has been known to run ideas by her silver Labrador and golden retriever who wish she would stop typing and play ball with them. Lynne has a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and her work has been translated into twenty-seven foreign languages. https://lcshawauthor.com/

Social Media:

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lcshawauthor

Twitter: @LCShawAuthor

BOOK SUMMARY:

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Unger returns with her best novel yet. Reminiscent of the classic Strangers on a Train, Confessions on the 7:45 is a riveting psychological thriller that begins with a chance encounter on a commuter train and shows why you should never, ever make conversation with strangers.
Be careful who you tell your darkest secrets…
Selena Murphy is commuting home from her job in the city when the train stalls out on the tracks. She strikes up a conversation with a beautiful stranger in the next seat, and their connection is fast and easy. The woman introduces herself as Martha and confesses that she’s been stuck in an affair with her boss. Selena, in turn, confesses that she suspects her husband is sleeping with the nanny. When the train arrives at Selena’s station, the two women part ways, presumably never to meet again.
But days later, Selena’s nanny disappears.
Soon Selena finds her once-perfect life upended. As she is pulled into the mystery of the missing nanny, and as the fractures in her marriage grow deeper, Selena begins to wonder, who was Martha really? But she is hardly prepared for what she’ll discover.
Expertly plotted and reminiscent of the timeless classic Strangers on a Train, Confessions on the 7:45 is a stunning web of lies and deceit, and a gripping thriller about the delicate facades we create around our lives.

Review

Selena has just caught her husband having an affair with the nanny. She watched it all on the nanny cam and she has no idea how to handle it. Selena is so torn. She has two young boys and she is terrified to rip their lives apart. She ends up spilling her problems to a stranger on the train on her commute home. Then the stranger texts her…how did she get her number. And then the nanny disappears! And Selena’s life completely falls apart.

I am going to have be really careful or I will give something away. Let’s just say…no one is who they seem to be. This story begins one way and ends in a complete tail spin. You talk about wicked and twisted! This novel takes you on a ride you will not soon forget. I have not read a Lisa Unger book in quite sometime. Boy! Have I missed out!

You do not want to miss this one! Grab it today! It is a must read!

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

About the author

Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of eighteen novels, including CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 (Oct. 2020). With millions of readers worldwide and books published in twenty-six languages, Unger is widely regarded as a master of suspense. Her critically acclaimed books have been voted “Best of the Year” or top picks by the Today show, Good Morning
America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, IndieBound and others. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.

SOCIAL:
Author Website: https://lisaunger.com/
TWITTER: @lisaunger
FB: @authorlisaunger
Insta: @launger
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18445.Lisa_Unger

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