Lowcountry Lost by T. I. Lowe #audiobookreview #bookreview @recordedbooks

Overview

Avalee Elvis prides herself with being able to fix just about anything … except her past. Unable to put the puzzle of her life together, she pours heart and soul into making neglected places whole again. As the owner of Lowcountry Lost, Avalee spends her days in hot-pink Carhartt overalls and a tool belt reclaiming Lowcountry properties. Making them beautiful again releases the deep sigh that soothes the hurt she holds.

Avalee’s latest project takes her to tiny Somewhere, South Carolina, a long-abandoned town. She ignores its ghostly folklore but can’t miss the shock of hearing the familiar Irish brogue that materializes on the job site—the voice of the man she never wanted to see again. 

Rowan Murray is a structural engineer hired by investors to oversee the redevelopment of the quaint downtown Avalee is bringing back to life. Once upon a time, he was also the man who knew Avalee better than anyone else—or so he thought. Six years ago, neither of them was prepared for the tragedy they would face together or what would happen in its wake. But as they work together to complete the rehabbing of Somewhere, their broken pieces and the pain that nearly consumed them begin to lose its grip, and both begin to wonder if it’s not too late for a restoration of their own. 

From the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias comes a story of loss and abandonment, forgiveness, and the beauty of undying love.

Review

This story is full of great characters and gives you all kinds of emotions.

Avalee’s latest project takes her to tiny Somewhere, South Carolina, a long-abandoned town. This is where she runs into her ex husband, Rowan. He is a structural engineer hired by the investors. This throws a kink into Avalee’s life and brings back all of her bad memories of the lost.

Avalee has struggled in her life with her many miscarriages. So to see her ex husband has brought back all that they went through. But, this may just be what she needs to finally heal.

I found this tale sweet and delightful. There were places that I felt were a bit monotonous but this is minor.

The narrator, Zura Johnson, is new to me. I will be on the look out for more!

Need a sweet, enjoyable read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Cy Williams by Gary Williams #nonfiction #audiobook @newbooksplease

Overview

This is a baseball book. It is for the common fan and aficionados. It has a central figure, a unique player, and record-setting slugger named Fred “Cy” Williams.

From Notre Dame University and with a professional degree in architecture, we follow Cy’s path to the “Big Leagues”, 19 years with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. This book explains how Major League Baseball (MLB) is different today compared to the 1910s and 1920s, two of the most exciting and “gold-gilded” decades of baseball. It is about the biggest change ever created in the game…not a rule change…when in 1920 MLB went from using a dead ball to a live ball in games. It was a manufacturing change. The new ball traveled faster and farther. Early on it was called the “rabbit ball”.

Cy’s long career from 1912 to 1930 owned a unique balance of years in each era, with only one other position player nearing his years and balance. You will see how MLB changed through Cy’s statistics as well as through other players of the day.

To suggest that Cy Williams is the most unique slugger in MLB history may seem like a strange claim. After listening to the book, you will have a better understanding of why the claim has validity. It is based on the combination of how many years he played in both eras, on what he accomplished in setting MLB and National League (NL) home run records and other unique records, on his speed in the outfield, on how he got into the game, on the handicap he faced, and on what he gave to the game regarding ethics and dedication. Some things centerfielder Cy accomplished back then are remarkable even today.

Review

I always like to listen to books about baseball in the off season. So, this one definitely intrigued me.

I had never heard of Cy Williams. I found his life very interesting, especially since he was an architect. He also had some rare experiences in baseball.

I also enjoyed learning about baseball during the early 1900s. Lord, how times have changed.

All of that being said, there are quite a few parts that drove me a bit batty. This really does need a good fact checker. Plus, the listing of all the stats…and this happened quite a few times…just made me hit fast forward. Yes, I know baseball is game of math and statistics, but this could have been moved to the end of the book or cut down.

The narrator, Ward Paxton, I could listen to all day!

Need a book about a baseball player that had a unique career…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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The Hidden by Kiersten Modglin @dreamscapeaudio

Overview

When Sophie Thatcher wakes up in a room she doesn’t recognize after a night she can’t remember, she assumes she had too much to drink and went home with a date.

Except… the date is nowhere to be found.

No one is.

The space she finds herself in is completely nondescript—the walls bare, fridge empty. And just when she thought things couldn’t get bleaker or more confusing, she realizes the doors are locked from the outside.

Trapped inside an unfamiliar place and faced with a clock counting down to a mysterious deadline, Sophie tries desperately to recall the hours missing from her memory and formulate a plan to escape, but each attempt proves more futile than the last.

Hidden away from the world and unable to contact the people who would care that she’s missing, Sophie has two questions ringing in her mind: Who would bring her to this place? And why?

When she’s joined in her personal prison by someone she never thought she’d see again, everything changes and the idea of her being a random target instantly vanishes.

Whoever brought Sophie to this place has plans for her and, if she can’t figure out a way to escape before time runs out, her fate may be to remain hidden forever.

Ominous, dark, and completely disturbing, this pulse-pounding thriller from the twisted mind of million-copy bestselling author Kiersten Modglin is unlike anything you’ve listened to before.

Review

Sophie just woke up. She is in a strange room. She thinks she has had a one night stand. She just can’t remember. Then she realizes…she can’t leave.

When I first started this book, I thought it was going to be a bit like a science fiction…Like an alternative universe. But this is where you trust your author. The intensity just kept building and I just kept reading. Of course it wasn’t an alternative universe, it was just a wicked psycho and you don’t want to miss it.

Kiersten Modglin has become one of my favorite thriller writers. Now, this is not my favorite but it is still full of intensity and creepiness.

The narrator, Gail Shalan, is perfect with this drama. And it is full of drama!

Need a twisted thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar @harlequinbooks #bookreview #historicalfiction

Overview

Noelle Salazar has an unerring instinct for writing tough women with big hearts . .  . The Lies We Leave Behind is a globe-spanning wartime journey filled with pathos and heart!” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

For fans of Kate Quinn and Beatriz Williams, this sweeping story follows a fearless nurse who must leave love behind when duty calls her back to the front.

Somewhere in the Pacific, 1943. Kate Campbell is a nurse who bravely flies back and forth from the front to rescue wounded soldiers, amid long days, harsh conditions and often dangerous weather. Driven by a deep personal need to help in the war effort, she is conflicted when an injury results in her reassignment to the relative comfort of the English countryside.

Love has never been part of her plan, but despite herself, she falls for an officer with three bullet wounds, startling blue eyes and a wicked sense of humor. For the first time, Kate sees a future far from the horrors of war and hate. But before she can pursue it, a secret from her past calls her to duty, and she’ll have to travel back into danger one more time to rescue a part of herself she’d left behind. But will she make it back? And will that future still be waiting for her if she does?

Review

Y’all! This book is in the top 5 of the best books I have read all year. I have read every book by this author and this one is…hands down…my favorite!

This story follows Kate. She is a flight nurse in WWII. She starts out in the Pacific theatre. She ends up breaking her leg and she gets sent home to NYC to recoup. When she returns to her commission, she is sent to the English Countryside. She ends up meeting a wounded soldier, William Mitchell.

Romance is just part of this story. There is Kate’s past. This slowly unfolds throughout this novel and it is not what you think. And when her past catches up with her…oh Lordy…you need to read this to find out.

I loved the dual timelines, the mystery, the intensity and the drama! Do not miss this one!

Need a fantastic book which will give you intensity and emotions…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White #bookreview @wmmorrowbooks

Overview

“A pure delight from start to finish! Williams, White and Willig are in top form in this clever, engrossing whodunnit with a heart.” –Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of The New Couple in 5B

Agatha Christie meets Murder, She Wrote in this witty locked room mystery and literary satire by New York Times bestselling team of novelists: Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White.

There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle’s guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for literary Americans, finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists. 

The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book together, but the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don’t quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious. 

Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death? 

A crafty locked-room mystery, a pointed satire about the literary world, and a tale of unexpected friendship and romance—this novel has it all, as only three bestselling authors can tell it! 

Review

There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. The three suspects are…Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction.

Now this is not your usual “3 W’s” book. This is pretty humorous in places. I especially liked the police interviews in the first half of the book. Several of these made me laugh out loud.

Then, there are the characters. Now, I was not a big fan of any of them until towards the end, and by then, I loved them all. Their friendship and their banter will have you grinning!

Add all this together with the wonderful setting of Scotland and you have a pretty enjoyable read.

Need a quick, fun read about murder…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Lie Like The Devil by Birgitte Märgen #bookspotlight

Overview

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LIED?

The first lie: MONSTERS DON’T EXIST.

When the body of a man is discovered in the Boston Common, Martina finds herself entering a horrific nightmare. She discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the resurgence of ancient methods of persecution being carried out by a Puritan-indoctrinated serial killer who believes the devil walks among us.

The second lie: YOU WOULD KNOW A MONSTER IF YOU SAW ONE.

After the first victim is dismissed as gang-related, Martina fears there is more to the murder than meets the eye. Her instincts are soon proven correct when another victim is found, her body displayed in the same gruesome manner. But Boston has dark secrets of its own. Now, the threads of the past are unraveling once again as history repeats the sins of our fathers. A time when religion reigned and the word of God was the ultimate persecutor.

The third lie: YOU CAN SAVE EVERYONE.

Just as Martina and her partner, Neil, discover the dark rituals have a link to the past, the tables are turned, and they are pitted against time to stop the “Wingmaker” before he strikes again. Martina’s faith will be tested as she fights her own demons and more bodies continue to mount. Can she stop the killer, or has the next victim already taken flight?

About the author

Birgitte  Märgen is a Swedish-American writer. She lives in the mountains with her family.

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The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers #historicalfiction @tantoraudio

Overview

Before she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, a journey that will delight both historical fiction fans and lovers of America’s most beloved chef, revealing how the war made her into the icon we know now.

Single, six foot two, and thirty years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America’s first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The Secret War of Julia Child traces Julia’s transformation from ambitious Pasadena blue blood to Washington, DC file clerk, to head of General “Wild Bill” Donovan’s secret File Registry as part of the Office of Strategic Services.

The wartime journey takes her to South Asia’s remote front lines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge-and love with mapmaker Paul Child. The spotlight has rarely shone on this fascinating period of time in the life of (“I’m not a spy”) Julia Child, and this lyrical story allows us to explore the unlikely world of a woman in a World War II spy station who has no idea of the impact she’ll eventually impart.

Review

Julia McWilliams took a job working for America’s first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The wartime journey takes her to South Asia’s remote front lines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge-and love with mapmaker Paul Child.

I never knew this about Julia Child. She was a strong, amazing woman! Julia’s life was truly an adventure. There were quite a few places that she got herself in a mess. But she definitely was a trailblazer! The historical research that went into this read is superb.

That being said, I did zone out a time or two during this audiobook. It has some slow spots. So, this is more of a 3.5 star read. You got to round up right??

The narrator, Candace Joice, did a really good job, especially with Julia’s voice.

Need a good tale about a real person…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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The Time Keepers by Alyson Richman #audiobook #historicalfiction @rbmediaco

Overview

An unforgettable novel that captures the power of longing, loss, and love, The Time Keepers transports us from 1979 suburban New York to war-torn Vietnam, revealing that sometimes the most unexpected friendships can save us.

Two women from different worlds, Grace and Anh, are indelibly changed when a runaway boy is found on a street in their small Long Island town. Brought together by the love of this child displaced by war, the women find friendship and healing from their own painful pasts when their lives intersect with a mysterious wounded Vietnam vet. The vet, Jack, works at the Golden Hours, a watch store that mends timepieces—and might even mend damaged souls. 

Richman interweaves the journeys of these wonderfully diverse characters who will grip, fill, and break your heart—only to bring them together with the care and precision of an expert watchmaker, one piece at a time. Inspired by the true story of a Vietnamese refugee who entrusted the dramatic account of her escape from Vietnam to the author, and also that of a wounded veteran, Richman sheds light on those whose lives were forever impacted by the devastation of that war.

Review

Two women from different worlds, Grace and Anh, are indelibly changed when a runaway boy is found on a street in their small Long Island town. Brought together by the love of this child displaced by war, the women find friendship and healing from their own painful pasts when their lives intersect with a mysterious wounded Vietnam vet. The vet, Jack, works at the Golden Hours, a watch store that mends timepieces—and might even mend damaged souls. 

I almost always love a dual timeline. And this one is no exception. The Vietnam war era…oh Lordy…it will break your heart.

Anh’s tale is tragic and as she struggles to overcome and make her way in America, you truly see her strength. And same for Grace, except in a different way. She has such a good heart and she is not going to let anything stop her! These two ladies develop a bond that changes both their lives!

Oh, I so loved this narrator, Caroline Lennon. She had such warmth to her voice.

Need a story of love and loss…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Leave the Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bublitz @atriabooks #bookreview

Overview

The acclaimed author of the “tour de force” (The New York Times Book Review) Before You Knew My Name returns with a fresh suspense novel about a woman haunted by a serial killer and the ghosts he left behind. 

Ruth-Ann Baker is a college dropout, a bartender—and an amateur detective who just can’t stay away from true crime. Nineteen years ago, her childhood friend was murdered by suspected serial killer Ethan Oswald. Still tormented by the case, Ruth can’t help but think of the long-dead Oswald when another young girl goes missing from the same town. And when she uncovers startling new evidence that suggests Oswald did not act alone, she is determined to find his deadly partner in crime.

Embarking on a global investigation, Ruth becomes close to three very different women—one of whom might just hold the key to what happened to the missing girl. And her childhood friend, all those years ago.

From an author who “pushes the boundaries of crime fiction in all the right ways” (Alex Finlay, author of The Night Shift), Leave the Girls Behind is another spine-chilling thriller that will linger long after you finish the last page.

Review

Ruth has just discovered that another child from her hometown has disappeared. Ruth’s childhood friend went missing when they were very young. And this has made a huge imprint on her life. She has never let this case go. So, when this young girl comes up missing, Ruth starts to investigate and she discovers that the man accused of harming her friend may have had an accomplice.

Boy! Ruth is a bit damaged. And this endears me to her. But you see the train wreck coming…or at least you think you do!

I love when a story has me all over the globe and Ruth does not give up. She ends up in Australia and then Oslo. She is bound and determined to find out what she needs to know.

Well! This tale has a few twists and turns. It is a bit of a slow burn but that just enhances the drama!

Need a story which will have you wondering who did what…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger @randomhouse #bookreview

Overview

Detroit, 1960. Lila Pereira is two years old when her angry, abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum. Lila never sees her mother again. Three decades later, having mustered everything she has—brains, charm, talent, blond hair—Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila unapologetically prioritizes her career, leaving the rearing of her daughters to her generous husband, Joe. He doesn’t mind—until he does.

But Grace, their youngest daughter, feels abandoned. She wishes her mother would attend PTA meetings, not White House correspondents’ dinners. As she grows up, she cannot shake her resentment. She wants out from under Lila’s shadow, yet the more she resists, the more Lila seems to shape her life. Grace becomes a successful reporter, even publishing a bestselling book about her mother. In the process of writing it, she realizes how little she knows about her own family. Did Lila’s mother, Grace’s grandmother, die in that asylum? Is refusal to look back the only way to create a future? How can you ever be yourself, Grace wonders, if you don’t know where you came from?

Spanning generations, and populated by complex, unforgettable characters, Like Mother, Like Mother is an exhilarating, portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit, and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.

Review

Grace is a character that I was a bit ambiguous about. I didn’t really feel sorry for her but I understood her needs. I am sure this is a design by the author. I did feel her sisters were cold and distant, like her mom, Lila.

Lila is a strong woman. Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. But she had a terrible childhood. She was told her mother died in an asylum and she was abused by her terrible father. So, I believe she could not mother her children the way most mothers do. But her husband was able to step in a take up the slack. Needless to say, Grace wanted more.

There is quite a bit that I enjoyed about this tale. I enjoyed the hunt for Lila’s mother. And no, it is not what you think. I also enjoyed Lila. No, she is not the mother she should have been. But, I truly believe her past is the reason why.

Need an intricate family tale which will have you passionate for all involved…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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