reecaspieces

Overview

Henry Wolff regularly climbs out of his upstairs bedroom window. The neighbors think it strange that a grown man enjoys a Tarzan like swing from the roof, but then again, they all think Henry is a little strange. Recently widowed, Henry is an emotionally challenged father being sued by his daughter for financial control of the estate. Henry must prove he is normal – not an easy thing to do when you are not. Henry is different, not quite normal, not quite special. Rumors explaining his behavior run from PTSD in Vietnam to losing his son to SIDS. But Henry has a special gift. In a town divided by the have and have-nots, Henry alone can inspire and touch even the most jaded lost soul. But when tragedy strikes, can he unite his own family?

Review

Henry is not exactly right, whether from Vietnam or from the death of his son, he is just not all there. One of his adult daughters is trying to prove he is unable to take control of the money from his wife’s estate. This rip in his family is about all he can take.

I loved, loved, loved Henry! He is not quite right in the head, but his heart is amazing. I was immediately taken in by Henry. He is determined for nothing to stop him and he goes about it the best way he knows how. He gets a job at the pharmacy. He starts help people out, the wrong way…. this gives his daughter ammunition.

This story is so heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. You want Henry to get what he deserves without all this hullabaloo. But, as we all know, life doesn’t work out the way we plan. Everyone needs to read this sweet read, just to get to know Henry. He is a character not soon forgotten.

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Overview

In pursuit of a Russian sleeper cell on American soil, a CIA analyst uncovers a dangerous secret that will test her loyalty to the agency—and to her family.

What do you do when everything you trust might be a lie?

Vivian Miller is a dedicated CIA counterintelligence analyst assigned to uncover the leaders of Russian sleeper cells in the United States. On track for a much-needed promotion, she’s developed a system for identifying Russian agents, seemingly normal people living in plain sight.

After accessing the computer of a potential Russian operative, Vivian stumbles on a secret dossier of deep-cover agents within America’s borders. A few clicks later, everything that matters to her—her job, her husband, even her four children—are threatened.

Vivian has vowed to defend her country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. But now she’s facing impossible choices. Torn between loyalty and betrayal, allegiance and treason, love and suspicion, who can she trust?

Review

Oh wow! This book is beyond intense! Vivian works at the CIA, specifically on Russian sleeper cells. She accidentally comes across some Russian agent’s pictures. One of the pictures just happens to be of her husband.

When I started this read, I was sure I would not like Vivian. I honestly did not think the author would be able to pull her off and not come across as stupid. But, this author did and did it in a big way. Vivian is smart, hardworking and absolutely not someone who should be taken in by a Russian agent. But taken in….oh she is! And with four children, how is she going to get out from under this.

Matt! Oh Matt! He is one cool customer! He plays his hand so smart and smooth. I had a hard time knowing what to believe. Then….THE ENDING! There has to be a sequel to this! It did not end right. I NEED TO KNOW! AND SOON!

This read is fierce! I agonized right along with Vivian. What are her choices? What will her next move be? Will she go to jail? Will Matt?

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review

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Overview

Riveting, chilling, and page-turning. Be prepared to stay up all night.” — New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline

For fans of dark and twisty psychological thrillers, Watch Me is a riveting novel of suspense about how far obsession can go.

Kate Youngblood is disappearing. Muddling through her late 30s as a creative writing professor at Blackwood college, she’s dangerously close to never being noticed again. The follow-up novel to her successful debut tanked. Her husband left her for a woman ten years younger. She’s always been bright, beautiful, independent and a little wild, but now her glow is starting to vanish. She’s heading into an age where her eyes are less blue, her charm worn out, and soon no one will ever truly look at her, want to know her, again.

Except one.

Sam Grist is Kate’s most promising student. An unflinching writer with razor-sharp clarity who gravitates towards dark themes and twisted plots, his raw talent is something Kate wants to nurture into literary success. But he’s not there solely to be the best writer. He’s been watching her. Wanting her. Working his way to her for years.

As Sam slowly makes his way into Kate’s life, they enter a deadly web of dangerous lies and forbidden desire. But how far will his fixation go? And how far will she allow it?

A gripping novel exploring intense obsession and illicit attraction, Jody Gehrman introduces a world where what you desire most may be the most dangerous thing of all.

Review

Kate is a novelist struggling to come up with her next number one. To make ends meet, she is a professor at a small college hoping to receive tenure soon. Sam is just a regular student with a good bit of talent. Kate wants to show him the ropes of the literary life. Little does she know, Sam has been watching her for years.

Kate starts out as a pretty strong, smart woman. However, I was a little shocked at how she allowed Sam to weave himself into her life. I expected a little more from her character. That being said, Sam….now Sam is a excellent stalker, which is why Kate allowed him to get so close, so very close. He does have a certain magnetism which attracts Kate and the reader!

This is your standard stalking novel. It has many twists and turns that keep the reader glued to the story. Standard is the operative word here. It is fast-paced and intriguing, but nothing new.

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.

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Overview

Impacted by the recession, twenty-four-year-old artist Gina McKenna is down to her last few dollars and days away from living in her car when a successful businessman buys a painting and commissions another. As their relationship evolves, she’s seduced by his charm and mesmerized by his luxurious lifestyle until she discovers he’s a drug kingpin. As her world turns upside down, she struggles to survive vicious brutality.

Miguel Lopez is a cocaine supplier with a weightlifter’s physique and “the rules do not apply to me” attitude. Maniacal and ruthless, he has no qualms about killing anyone who interferes with his distribution network, including Gina.

Dedicated to eradicating illegal drugs, DEA Special Agent Bobby Garcia spent months and hundreds of thousands of dollars working undercover to buy his way up a dealer chain to identify the moneyman. When his fourteen-year-old daughter overdoses on cocaine, he traces the blow to Lopez. As Bobby’s mission becomes personal, he makes emotional decisions, which negatively impact civilians and his job. Unable to let go, he risks his career to orchestrate the biggest drug sting in Southern California. What happens isn’t what he expected.

When a deputy district attorney meets Gina at a party, he is smitten. As his attraction grows, so does Gina’s involvement with the DEA’s case, of which he is the designated prosecutor. Mindful of his professional ethics, he tries to stifle his feelings.

Sex and violence permeate the twists and turns of this cautionary tale about choosing one’s friends well.

Review

Gina is a struggling author, just trying to keep from living in her car. She sets up in the park to sell her paintings (this is illegal, by the way). She spots two men in a scuffle. Needless to say!!!!! These two men change her life….and not necessarily for the better.

I started out enjoying Gina. She has a good, kind heart. Then she makes some stupid decisions. I understand why…she needs the money or she is going to be kicked out of her apartment. Gina lives in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA. Lots of rich and powerful people live here, including drug dealers! Her contact with this side of Laguna Beach lands her in some serious trouble.

This tale covers just about everything. It is suspenseful with a small side of romance. There are several places where the characters state the obvious and the story is predictable. But it moves at a rapid pace and keeps you entertained till the very end.

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

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Overview

Four suburban mothers and friends conspire to cover up a deadly crime in this heart-stopping novel of suspense in the tradition of Lisa Scottoline and Lisa Unger.

Alison, Julie, Sarah, Heather. Four friends living the suburban ideal. Their jobs are steady, their kids are healthy. They’re as beautiful as their houses. But each of them has a dirty little secret, and hidden behind the veneer of their perfect lives is a crime and a mystery that will consume them all.

Everything starts to unravel when Alison spots a nasty bruise on Heather’s wrist. She shares her suspicions with Julie and Sarah, compelling all three to investigate what looks like an increasingly violent marriage. As mysterious injuries and erratic behavior mount, Heather can no longer deny the abuse, but she refuses to leave her husband. Desperate to save her, Alison and the others dread the phone call telling them that she’s been killed. But when that call finally comes, it’s not Heather who’s dead. In a moment they’ll come to regret, the women must decide what lengths they’ll go to in order to help a friend.

Just Between Us is a thrilling glimpse into the underbelly of suburbia, where not all neighbors can be trusted, and even the closest friends keep dangerous secrets. You never really know what goes on in another person’s mind, or in their marriage.

Review

Four friends, with nice families, or so it seems. Heather apparently is being abused and it sends all these friends into high alert, as it should. They are constantly on the look out for new bruises and new ways to help her get out of this abusive relationship. But, how far will they go to protect Heather?

The story starts off pretty well. I was reeled in nicely. I liked all the characters in the beginning, then there is a phone call. This is when I began a split between me and the characters. These ladies are smart but they proceed to do something so stupid and out of character. It was almost a deal breaker between me and the book.

However, I am glad I finished the novel. I did have most of it figured out, that is, until the very end. Did not see part of it coming. I do enjoy being surprised and the author surprised me pretty good with the final twist.

Like I said earlier, these characters frustrated the devil out of me. This did taint the book for me at the first. (I rolled my eyes plenty). But, this a quick read with plenty of action and lots of emotion. And if you can’t trust your friends, who can you trust?

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review

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Overview

Half of all profits go to the Awesome Foundation for Library Innovation.

“This book is truly every librarian’s dream come true. After fighting budget battles over and over again, librarian Serenity has lost her library funding. What’s a librarian gonna do? How about ripping off the city that’s ripping off its citizens? Serenity begins helping herself to the funds that local politicians have been setting aside for their own personal “rainy day “. With the money she amasses she can build a library to thrill readers everywhere. Problem is, those politicians aren’t too thrilled to see their money disappearing and they plan to do anything to get it back. Why in the world are libraries always under threat? A funny, moving story of our most precious institutions under threat.” –Cayocosta72 Reviews

Review

Serenity is determined to keep her library afloat. She goes about this is in unconventional ways. With vodka in her cup and the help of the library’s mascot….a rat…yes a rat, she proceeds to do a lot more than she ever dreamed possible.

Quirky and with wonderful play on words, the author takes the reader on a trip through small town politics with many southern treasures. I enjoyed the setting and all the odd characters. I live in a small southern town and I think half the characters in this book live down the road from me. I could relate to all the politics and the great lengths Serenity must go through to get the library of her dreams.

The story does bog down in the middle. But because of the funny phrases, quips and adorable characters, it is an enjoyable read to the end!

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

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