reecaspieces

Overview

Packed full of twists and tension, A Killer Motiveconsumed me until I’d turned the last page. The ending packs a wallop, and you won’t see it coming!” —Sarah Pekkanen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Reminiscent of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, A Killer Motivepulls true crime podcaster Stella Dixon—and the reader right alongside—into a deadly game… A twisty, compulsive, heart-pounding read!” —Daniel Kalla, bestselling author of High Society

You never know who’s listening.

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace.

Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.

In a bid to find new sponsors and keep making episodes, Stella goes on a local radio show. But when she says on air that if she had just one clue, she’d find Max and bring whoever hurt him to justice, someone takes it as a challenge.

A mysterious invitation to play a game arrives, with the promise that if Stella wins, she’ll get information about what happened to Max. Stella thinks it’s a sick joke…until Max’s best friend vanishes. And she’s given new instructions: tell nobody or people will die.

Desperate and unable to trust anyone, Stella agrees. But beating a twisted, invisible enemy seems impossible when they make all the rules…

Review

Well! This book is intense. It may be a bit far fetched in my opinion. But, I have to say the intensity is spot on!

To Stella Dixon, sneaking her teenage brother out of their parents’ house for a beach party was harmless fun—until Max disappeared without a trace. Six years later, Stella’s family is still broken, and she can’t let go of her guilt. The only thing that keeps her going is helping other families find closure through A Killer Motive, her true crime podcast.

This story starts off strong and keeps you on the edge of your seat (cliché, I know! But it is true). When Max goes missing at the beginning of this tale…you are hooked.

There are a lot of moving parts in this tale. Stella and her husband, Stella and her mom, Stella’s dad, Stella and her best friend…just to name a few. And no, Stella is not necessarily the problem. You will need to read this to find out.

This is narrated by a wonderful team: Amy Hall, Mel Benjamin, Nick Thurston, Bernadette Dunne, Carol Schneider. Talk about amazing…this group nailed everything about this book.

Need a fast paced thriller to get your blood pumping…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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Overview

For fans of Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code and Jacqueline Winspear’s The Consequences of Fear comes a gripping novel, set in post–WWII San Francisco, about a young female newspaper publisher and a story that could change the course of her city’s future.

In the jubilant aftermath of Japan’s surrender in World War II, San Francisco erupts in celebration. But for Sandy Zimmer, the thirty-two-year-old widow publisher of the Prospectnewspaper, the revelry masks a darker truth. In the chaos of the VJ Day Peace Riot, eleven deaths and six rapes take place.

Driven by journalistic integrity and battling her own instincts to maintain peace, Sandy directs her paper to investigate the riot. Her quest for truth pits her against formidable adversaries: her controlling civic-leader father-in-law, the newspaper’s resistant board, and authorities desperate to bury the scandal as they vie to attract the United Nations Headquarters to San Francisco.

Based on little-known historical events, An Unlikely Prospectfollows Sandy’s fight to find her voice in the male-dominated world of 1945 journalism. As she navigates power dynamics, gender roles, and the steep price of printing the truth, Sandy must confront her own transformation from a people-pleasing widow into a determined publisher willing to challenge the status quo.

Review

Based on little-known historical events, An Unlikely Prospect follows Sandy’s fight to find her voice in the male-dominated world of 1945 journalism. As she navigates power dynamics, gender roles, and the steep price of printing the truth, Sandy must confront her own transformation from a people-pleasing widow into a determined publisher willing to challenge the status quo.

There is a lot in this tale that is going to make you furious. I wanted to knock some heads together. And to be honest, not much has changed as part of “the good ole boy network” goes. Men still tend to believe men and not women, especially when it comes to S.A.

But Sandy, once she gets her backbone, comes through and does not let anything stop her. She grew on me and I admired the heck out of her towards the end of this book.

I don’t know if I would classify this as a WWII novel. (This is what it says on the cover) This is about the post war celebrations (and crimes) that occurred in San Francisco. This is also a bit redundant in places and a bit overly dramatic. But the story is what is fascinating. I loved the intensity and the way this novel made me think about things.

The narrator, April Doty, is good. But she is a bit too soft in some areas. I think I wanted her to get mad like I did 😜😂.

Need a novel that brings to light many issues past and present…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

A captivating, bold debut about a woman torn between a new flame and a rekindled love as she rebuilds her life. Jourdana Webber’s heartfelt, witty contemporary romance about chasing dreams and fighting for your happily-ever-after is perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Carley Fortune.

Elle Watson had it all—or so she thought.

From climbing the corporate ladder to substantial financial success, Elle’s life is a master class in ambition. So why is she standing in desperation at the edge of her New Orleans balcony ready to jump?

Blindsided by a betrayal at work and utterly burned-out, Elle says goodbye to the life she thought she wanted and tries to reclaim her happiness. (Because she was happy once, right?) She trades the corporate grind for a fresh start in Boston to pursue her long-abandoned dream of becoming a writer.

As her savings dwindle and deadlines approach, the last thing Elle expects is to fall for Boston’s most eligible bachelor, the magnetic Barrett Henry. With his piercing blue eyes and unapologetic dreamer’s charm, he’s both a distraction she can’t afford and a heartthrob she can’t ignore.

But then there’s the effortlessly suave Jude Ashford. Once collateral damage in her battle between ambition and love, he’s the man who knows her better than anyone and the person her heart can’t quite let go of. Caught in a whirlwind of emotions as her past and present collide, Elle must confront old wounds, new possibilities, and the hardest question of all: What—and who—is she willing to fight for?

Told through dual timelines and brimming with witty banter, emotional depth, and a cast of dynamic, relatable characters, Elle’s journey is an empowering story of love, loss, and finding the courage to embrace the unconventional life.

Review

Elle is living what we all wish we could probably do…leave our job and pursue what we truly want to do. Her grandparents left her a good nest egg. So, when she was blindsided at her corporate job, she left and didn’t look back. She decided to pursue her dream of being a writer.

Elle is someone who grew on me as the story unfolded. At first, I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow a backbone…but don’t worry…she does.

I love how this story wove itself around Elle’s love life, including her first love, Jude. I mean, yes it is predictable, but I enjoyed how the author created their love present and past. And believe me, their past is full of problems.

This novel hit me at the right time. I needed something easy, lite, funny but intense and dramatic. And this story fit the bill.

I enjoyed Stella Bloom’s narration. She truly became Elle to me.

Need an empowering tale of courage and going after what you want…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review

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Overview

From the author of The Lindbergh Nanny comes an evocative mystery about the 1920 murder of the gambler Joseph Elwell, featuring New Yorker writer Morris Markey and Zelda Fitzgerald.

At the dawn of the Jazz Age, Morris Markey arrives in New York to become a writer. Having served in France, he needs to be in a place so distracting he cannot hear himself think. New in town, Markey hovers at the edge of the city’s revels, unable to hear the secrets that might give him his first Big Story. Finally one night he spots Joseph Elwell, a man about town known for courting wealthy married women, with a glorious girl in a dress of silver and dollar green.

The next morning, Elwell’s housekeeper runs out into the street screaming that Elwell has been shot. Every door and window in the house is locked. Did the ravishing woman kill her paramour? At last, Morris Markey has his story.

To penetrate the glittering world of Joseph Elwell, Markey turns to the newly famous Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, who met Elwell the same fateful night he night. Bored while Scott is working on his next novel, Zelda offers to help Markey with his investigation.

Together, Markey and Zelda learn that there were many people in Elwell’s life who had reason to want him dead. And when a second man is found shot in his home in a very similar way, Markey begins to suspect that the truth may be more complicated―a story so dangerous that after he finishes it three decades later, he himself is found dead in his home, a single bullet through his head.

Mariah Fredericks’s third standalone novel based on a true story from New York City’s glamorous past, The Girl in the Green Dress is a truly standout historical mystery.

Review

Let me start with…I LOVE THIS COVER!

New in town, Morris Markey hovers at the edge of the city’s revels, unable to hear the secrets that might give him his first Big Story. But when Joseph Elwell’s housekeeper runs out into the street screaming that Elwell has been shot, Morris Markey has his story.

I love anything set in the Jazz Age add in a murder mystery and you have me hooked.

I enjoyed Morris and his tenacity. He is determined to get his story. Now, I did figure out part of this tale, but not all. This had me questioning all the suspects I had pegged for this crime.

I did feel this novel was about 50 pages too long. But the author nailed Zelda Fitzgerald. I have been a fan of hers for quite a while and Mariah captured her exuberance and her eccentric behaviors.

The narrator, Marnye Young, is excellent. There are a lot of male voices in this book and she nailed them.

Need a good mystery with some great characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

Uncle Dixon always told Rennie to tell the bees everything, but somewhere along the way, Rennie forgot. Now, with her life at its lowest, she begins to see the bees in a new light. Will she believe again in the magic of the hives, and will she listen as the bees try to guide her home? Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Margaret Renkl, and Rachel Linden.

It’s 1969, and the town of Spark Tennessee, is just as excited about the moon landing as the rest of the country. Rennie Hendricks is grieving and trying to heal from the unimaginable loss of her infant son. She had hoped a child would repair the cracks in her marriage to her husband, Tiny, but the tragedy has only served to illuminate his abusive character. Trying to relieve some of the financial stress that inflames Tiny’s anger, Rennie accepts a position cooking at the local diner. Hidden away in a kitchen making delicious food, she rediscovers the joy she finds in cooking for others, and as she spends more time with her new boss, she realizes there are more options for women than she thought possible.

One of the benefits of her new job is that she can bring meals to her beloved Uncle Dixon, the man who practically raised her along with her late Aunt Eugenia, a woman unkindly labeled as a witch by most of the town. What those people didn’t understand is that Eugenia was a healer and connected to power they couldn’t grasp.

Rennie thinks her elderly uncle is confused when he talks about communicating with his bees, but then she starts to see them glow, leading her toward safety time and time again. Could it be that these bees, discovered long ago by her Aunt Eugenia, are magical and trying to tell her something? And what about the new neighbor, Ambrose Beckett, who seems to understand the bees too. Is he being truthful about why he has moved to Spark, or is there more to him than meets the eye?

Hope-filled and infused with magical realism, Bees in June captures Rennie’s journey back to her true self, creating a rewarding life that the bees showed her was possible if she only believed in herself and the magic that surrounds her.

Review

Uncle Dixon always told Rennie to tell the bees everything, but somewhere along the way, Rennie forgot. Now, with her life at its lowest, she begins to see the bees in a new light. Will she believe again in the magic of the hives, and will she listen as the bees try to guide her home? 

I was afraid this was going to be “too sweet” for me. But I enjoyed Rennie. She is very timid at first but she comes into her own. And trust me, with the husband she has, she better or she is going to be a statistic.

This is a good book to read between some of your heavy books. This has some domestic drama, good friendships and strong family bonds.

This does have some interludes where the bees are talking. At first I was not a fan. But as the story moved along I liked the significance of their conversations. The bees are the magical realism and this added a good bit to this tale! And with the author’s note…heck I was researching bees 😜🐝.

This is narrated by Brittany Pressley; Michael Crouch; Seth Podowitz. I enjoyed this tag team of narrators.

Need a sweet, home town feeling drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

It was a passion neither could forget—until he did.

Tia Hightower isn’t sure how she went from being a powerful witch to fake dating her ex at a winter house party.

For eight years, she has refused to speak Henry Pearlmatter’s name unless it has been to curse it. Now, with their family businesses merged, she and her insufferable ex must pretend to be together to secure a wealthy warlock’s investment. Sharing a room—and a bed—with Henry is bad enough. Even worse is that Tia might have had a small potion mishap…and accidentally erased Henry’s memories of her.

Henry might not remember his ex, but it’s clear there’s still something between them. Whatever went wrong in the past, he intends to figure it out. Faking feelings for Tia isn’t exactly difficult, but one thing’s for certain: starlight carnivals and mulled-wine kisses can’t change history.

With the threat of Henry’s memories hovering over every stolen moment, their time together is running out. But a little bit of Christmas magic and the snow-melting heat between them have Tia wondering if it’s time to risk her heart once more, even if it’s with the warlock who once broke it…

Review

For eight years, Tia has refused to speak Henry Pearlmatter’s name unless it has been to curse it. Now, with their family businesses merged, she and her insufferable ex must pretend to be together to secure a wealthy warlock’s investment. Even worse is that Tia might have had a small potion mishap…and accidentally erased Henry’s memories of her.

This did fall a bit short for me. It is my first fall read of 2025 and this sort of hurt my feelings 😜🧙. I wanted a bit more. This story just seems a bit spastic, especially Tia. One minute she is insecure. The next she is a bada$$, take no prisoner kind of witch. And I just did not like the way she treated most of the people around her, most notably Henry.

That being said, I did like the little bit of Christmas sprinkled in through out this read. Christmas books are just around the corner so this just added a bit to the story.

This is narrated by Natalie Duke. I enjoyed her voices for everyone.

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

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

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