Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen #bookreview #audiobook #audiblebookreview @macmillanaudio @stmartinspress #smpinfluencers

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

This program is read by Kate Mara, best known for her roles in hit TV shows like A Teacher and House of Cards, as well as films such as The Martian and Chappaquiddick.

New from the #1 bestselling co-author of The Golden Couple and The Wife Between Us!

“I’m a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen’s books, and Gone Tonight is her best yet.”—Colleen Hoover

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it’s been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Ruth Sterling thinks she knows her daughter. Catherine would never rebel, would never question anything about her mother’s past or background. But when Ruth’s desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth’s carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Review

Ruth and Catherine have only had each other. But, Catherine now has an opportunity to move away to start a new career. Ruth is desperate to stop it. And this crusade of Ruth’s ends up bringing down the house of cards she has carefully built around her and her daughter.

This is a story in which I have to be careful. I do not want to give anything away. But, nothing is as it seems. And Catherine is slowly beginning to realize quite a few lies surrounding her mother. Be careful…what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!

Talk about an intricate tale, with a kick, and a twist and another twist, then a turn…I loved this story! This story just builds and builds to this fabulous climax…and I just wonder if the author has a plan for a sequel. It is set up perfectly for one.

Kate Mara is the narrator and OH MY GOSH!!! She is excellent.

Need a story which will have you wondering what will happen next…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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The Shadow Girls by Alice Blanchard #booktwitter #bookreview @minotaurbooks

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

Someone is playing deadly games. Lieutenant Luke Pittman lies in the hospital in a coma after being attacked by one of their own. Veronica Manes, Burning Lake’s most respected modern-day witch, is dead, her murder left unsolved. Natalie Lockhart has become embroiled in a case with threads that become increasingly difficult to untangle.

Now, a new horror is uncovered, one that shocks the town as never before, and the dark, shadowy path forward for Natalie is paved with challenges that haunt her past—Veronica’s unsolved case. Her sister’s traumatic murder. The long-lost disappearance of her old best friend. Natalie’s obsession with finding the truth leads to a twisted, elemental struggle between good and evil—and nothing will ever be the same again.

The woods have secrets.

The trees are carved with curses.

Review

Natalie has stumbled upon a crime in which no one knew it happened. She has discovered a possible serial kidnapper and killer in her jurisdiction. This sends Natalie into an obsession of finding the truth. She is not to be stopped.

Natalie is a character that I enjoy. She is damaged but she pushes through everything to get to her final outcome. Does she always do it right? No. But she always has good on her side.

I have not read all the books in this series. I have read The Wicked Hour. And this one falls on the same level as that one. This story takes a bit to build and just didn’t hit the right notes for me at the right time. That being said, it is a good mystery and I do enjoy Natalie. I just wanted it to move quicker with more intensity.

Need a good police thriller…THIS IS IT. Grab your copy today.

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

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The Hidden Life of Aster Kelly by Katherine A. Sherbrooke #booktwitter #bookreview #audiobook #audiblebookreview @dreamscapeaudio

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

After winning a prestigious fashion-design contest in 1948, Aster Kelly flees the world of modeling in New York and arrives in Beverly Hills to claim her prize: a design apprenticeship with Fernando Tivoli. But Fernando has no such job available. He’s busily preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime—proving to Galaxy Studios that he is the perfect couturier for their A-list stars. The moment he meets Aster, though, he knows she’s the missing ingredient he needs and asks her to be his stand-in model for Lauren Bacall, promising to mentor her if he wins the contract.

Aster and Fernando quickly become entangled with Hollywood insiders—Aster with the head of Galaxy Studios, Fernando with up-and-coming star Christopher Page—and their friendship becomes essential as they navigate a glamorous and complicated existence where what’s real must often be hidden and no one is quite what they seem. As Aster’s ambitions grow and she faces a crisis and Fernando’s future is threatened by the judgmental Hollywood machine, Aster makes a decision that changes the trajectory of their lives forever.

Twenty-five years later, despite knowing little of her mother’s time in Hollywood, Aster’s daughter, Lissy, is poised to become a Broadway star. But when the musical gets off to a rocky start, Lissy makes a rash decision of her own in an attempt to save the show. And when long-buried secrets blindside them both, mother and daughter are forced to question everything they thought they knew.

Review

Aster Kelly has won a very prestigious design contest. She leaves New York to be an apprentice for the famous Fernando Tivoli. She falls for all the glamour of old Hollywood. And Fernando falls for an up and coming Hollywood star, Christopher Page. But, life is very difficult for these two because of the stigma of their relationship. When Aster finds herself pregnant, these three devise a plan.

This story is told in two different time periods. One is Aster at a young age and the other is her daughter, Lissy as she struggles to be a Broadway star. And then the secrets start to come out! I loved Aster, Fernando, Christopher and Lissy. These four are amazing and their tale will keep you consumed for hours!

This story captured me from start to finish. I listened to it in one day. And no, I did not see the twist coming. And you will have to read this to find out. And believe me, there are quite a few twists and turns!

I enjoyed another book by this author, Leaving Coy Hill. So, y’all check both of these out! I am definitely putting Katherine A. Sherbrooke on my “lookout list”!

The narrator, Emily Beresford, is one of my new favorites. She was Aster for me!

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

Need a good tale with fabulous characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos #booktwitter #audiobook #audiblebookreview @recordedbooks

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

In the tradition of Craig Johnson and C. J. Box, a compelling new series set in the high desert of Nevada featuring Sheriff Porter Beck.

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, north of Las Vegas. Born and raised there, he left to join the Army, where he worked in Intelligence, deep in the shadows in far off places. Now he’s back home, doing the same lawman’s job his father once did, before his father started to develop dementia. All is relatively quiet in this corner of the world, until on old, retired FBI agent is found killed. He was brutally tortured before he was killed and clues at the scene point to a mystery dating back to the early days of the nuclear age. If that wasn’t strange enough, a current FBI agent shows up to help Beck’s investigation.

In a case that unfolds in the past (the 1950s) and the present, it seems that a Russian spy infiltrated the nuclear testing site and now someone is looking for that long-ago, all-but forgotten person, who holds the key to what happened then and to the deadly goings on now.

Review

A retired FBI agent has been brutally tortured in Porter Beck’s county. Clues at the scene open up a mystery dating back to the 50’s and the nuclear age. Now, Beck is tied up in an old Russian espionage case that hits a little close to home.

This story has a lot of moving parts. But, keep up because you do not want to miss a trick!

Now, when this story began, it had a terrible torture scene. I thought…hmm…not sure I can do this. But, there was just something about this tale which kept me wanting to know more. I was transported to Russia, the dessert of Nevada and back again. Then there is a big, ole twist at the end. I did not see THAT coming!

The narrator, James Babson, did a very good job. I will be looking for him!

Need a good, intricate thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Night Candy by Max Tomlinson @oceanviewpub #booktwitter #bookreview

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

1970s San Francisco: the sights, the sounds, the serial killers

As the ’70s draw to a close in San Francisco, things do not bode well for the city—or for ex-con PI Colleen Hayes, whose daughter Pam, in a tragic turn of events, has lost her baby. Pam leaves San Francisco, and Colleen, who moved there to reunite with her, starts to wonder what she’s doing in the Bay Area.

Meanwhile, a serial killer given the name “Night Candy” is targeting sex workers, both male and female. The situation doesn’t improve when Colleen’s friend and ally—SFPD Inspector Owens—is arrested for the murder of his ex-wife, who was found burned in a fire the same night the pair had tried to rekindle their love. Could Owens have really done what they say? Even Colleen has her doubts.

But there are people depending on her: Owens, who needs help finding his ex-wife’s real killer, and a trio of sex workers Colleen keeps her eye on—especially with Night Candy on the loose. Then, one of the three girls is next to disappear. If anything is to test Colleen’s resolve, December 1979 seems to be it.

Perfect for fans of Steve Berry and Harlan Coben

While all of the novels in the Colleen Hayes Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:

Vanishing in the Haight
Tie Die
Bad Scene
Line of Darkness
Night Candy

Review

Inspector Owens and his estranged wife are going to give their marriage one more try. But their night turns deadly and Owens is arrested for her murder. But, his good friend Colleen, knows there is something not right and she doesn’t stop until she knows the truth.

I love the setting of the 1970s. And the author did a great job with the clothing, the cars and the whole feel of the 70s. I also found Colleen a fantastic character. She is a strong, no nonsense type of gal. And she takes no crap off these men! Plus, she is smart and it shows!

This story weaves a great mystery with a kick. The twist and turns are exciting. I love how the author entangled the story around Inspector Owens and then contorted all the pieces together. And this book hit me at just the right time. I needed a good thriller to get lost in and this one fit the bill!

Need a good tale with a twist or two or three…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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La Vie, According to Rose by Lauren Parvizi #booktwitter #bookreview @luauthors @suzyapbooktours

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

A heartfelt novel about self-discovery, grief, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to start over.

Rose Zadeh pleases everyone, except herself. Memories of her late Iranian-immigrant father, who valued hard work and family, keep Rose in a dead-end job as a Silicon Valley copywriter, and tethered to her guilt-trippy mom and needy sisters. As much as it would disappoint her father, Rose needs an escape. Voilà! A mandated vacation gives her the chance. Three weeks on a long-dreamed-of trip to the City of Light.

Instead of landing in a Parisian fairy tale, Rose falls under the spell of a charming and possibly dangerous expat and encounters an old family friend keeping a surprising secret. With the aid of a French self-help guru, Rose really believes she’s blossoming. Until an unwelcome reminder of home proves that finding herself will require more than a change of scenery.

From Paris’s cobblestone streets to Provence’s sun-soaked hills, Rose embarks on a journey of adventure, betrayals, and even amour. For the first time, the directions she follows are up to her.

Review

Rose has never missed a day of work. She has accrued many days of vacation. Now her boss says she MUST take a vacation. Rose really does not want to leave her safety net. But, she takes a leap of faith an books a 3 week trip to Paris. Needless to say, this changes her whole outlook on her life!

I adored Rose. She has tried her whole life to please everyone. Now, she has decided to please herself. And boy does she do it big! She takes off on her dream trip…TO PARIS! She ends up tangled up in more family drama. She thought she had left that at home AND a possible art theft. So, needless to say, her trip is definitely memorable.

I enjoyed so much about this tale. The characters and the setting create a wonderful story which will stay with you for several days!

Need a book about finding oneself…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the author for a honest review

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The New Mother by Nora Murphy @stmartinspress #bookreview #smpinfluencer

Posted on July 23, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

From Nora Murphy, author of The Favor, The New Mother is both relatable and nerve-wracking, sympathetic and bone-chilling— a fresh new twist on motherhood and murder in suburbia.

Isolated. Lonely. Tired. It’s hard being The New Mother. Sometimes it’s murder.

Nothing is simple about being a new mom alone in a new house, especially when your baby is collicky. Natalie Fanning loves her son unconditionally, but being a mother was not all she wanted to be.

Enter Paul, the neighbor.

Paul provides the lifeline she needs in what feels like the most desperate of times. When Paul is helping with Oliver, calmed by his reassuring, steady presence, Nat feels like she can finally rest.

But Paul wants something in return. It’s no coincidence that he has befriended Nat—she is the perfect pawn for his own plan. Will Nat wake up in time to see it?

Review

Natalie has just had sweet, little baby boy. But he is colicky and never sleeps. She decides to take a sabbatical from her job and stay home. Enter her neighbor Paul. Paul understands everything that Natalie is going through. After all, he is a stay at home dad. He worms his way into Natalie’s life…but it is not all that it seems.

Natalie is a character which got on my nerves in places. She is very obsessive about her baby and refuses to have anyone help, including her husband. So, she sort of reaps what she sows. But Paul is the creeper. He knew exactly which buttons to push to make sure Natalie never knew of his plan.

This story could have been a very good read. But the author just kept on and on about breast feeding and new mother issues. Yes that is part of the plot. But I felt it was a bit excessive. And the ending is pretty abrupt. However, it is a slow burn and the intensity just keeps building. Plus, it is a very creative tale!

Need an unusual thriller…this is it. Grab your copy today.

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

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The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene #audiobookreview #audiblebook #bookreview @dreamscapeaudio

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

Cheyenne Ashby knows the dark and disturbing history of her hometown of Blue Cliff, Virginia, all too well. It’s why she left. Growing up deep within the woods with her eccentric mother, Constance, she was raised on the unusual customs and generational superstitions linked to the local legend of an evil entity that haunts the forest. 

Five years ago, the bodies of three children were found in the woods. It was a man—not a mythical beast—named Jasper Clinton who was convicted of these heinous crimes. For five years the town breathed just a bit easier with a real-life monster behind bars. But when another child goes missing, Cheyenne and Natalie are determined to discover the truth and uncover the town’s dangerous secrets rooted in its terrifying past. 

The two women must confront the reality of the superstitions they always believed in and their town’s complicated connection with who—or what—lives in the woods. In the tradition of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware, Katherine Greene’s debut thriller is a dark descent into the sinister traditions and customs of a small town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Review

Cheyenne has returned home. She has been notified by the local authorities that her mother, Constance, has gone off the deep end, AGAIN. She soon discovers another child is missing and her mother is knee deep in her superstitions and false beliefs.

I really enjoyed this read. I did figure out who the killer is, but that may have been designed by the author. The setting of the woods in the Appalachian mountains and the weird superstitions just added to the mystique.

This was almost a 5 star read for me. The only issues I had were the different narrators or the points of view. This is told from Cheyenne and Natalie’s points of view and a lot of the time it was unclear when your narrator changed. But, this was a minor inconvenience.

The narrator, Angie Hickman, is wonderful. She did a great job with the intensity.

Need a good, creepy read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale #bookreview @harlequinbooks #booktwitter

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK
“A Time-Twisting Delight” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club June ’23 Pick)

If you had the power to change the past…where would you start?
Cassandra Penelope Dankworth is a creature of habit. She likes what she likes (museums, jumpsuits, her boyfriend, Will) and strongly dislikes what she doesn’t (mess, change, her boss drinking out of her mug). Her life runs in a pleasing, predictable order…until now.

  • She’s just been dumped.
  • She’s just been fired.
  • Her local café has run out of banana muffins.

Then, something truly unexpected happens: Cassie discovers she can go back and change the past. One small rewind at a time, Cassie attempts to fix the life she accidentally obliterated, but soon she’ll discover she’s trying to fix all the wrong things.

“A great read-alike for The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore, and The Boys by Katie Hafner.” —Booklist (STARRED)

Review

Cassandra has lost her job and her boyfriend all in one flick. So, she decides to rewind time and fix it. So she does…it doesn’t work out the way she wants it to. So she does it again…and again.

I am in the minority on this one. I found parts of this story monotonous and I was not a huge fan of Cassandra. Now, she did redeem herself in the end. And yes, she is on the spectrum. But that does not excuse all of her behavior. I will be honest, it took me about 50 percent into this book to really decide if I was going to finish it or not. But, it does get better. So, stick with it!

Cassandra changes a bit in the middle of the book. She becomes more forgiving and accepting. She also has some family drama that reveals itself and this makes her more endearing to the reader. So, this book is not all that it seems. It is about acceptance, family and being true to oneself. So, don’t give up!

Need a good family drama and other stuff…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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American Black Widow by Gregg Olsen #truecrime #bookreview @bookouture

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Reecaspieces

Overview

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of If You Tell comes the chilling, binge-worthy story of Sharon Nelson, the minister’s wife whose two husbands mysteriously ended up dead.

Colorado, 1976. When Reverend Mike Fuller and his beautiful wife, Sharon, arrive in the sleepy town of Rocky Ford, local residents think something’s off about the new couple. The God-fearing minister is gruff and cold, while charismatic Sharon has her husband wrapped around her finger.

It isn’t long before Sharon is charming her husband’s congregation and finds herself in a tryst with local, married optometrist Perry Nelson. After the affair ends both their marriages, Sharon and Perry tie the knot. But shortly afterward, Perry disappears. When his body is shockingly discovered the bottom of a canyon, his death is ruled an accident, allowing grieving widow Sharon to claim his substantial life insurance.

Trying to move on from the tragedy, Sharon soon remarries fireman Glenn Harrelson. But when the charred remains of Glenn’s body are discovered with two bullet holes in his skull, the police can’t help but question if both men dying in such mysterious circumstances is one coincidence too many….

Shocking, sensational, and gripping, this is the true story of the black widow Sharon Nelson, a must-hear tale of greed, sex, and murder in a sleepy Colorado town that will have true crime fans of The Staircase, American Mother, and Making a Murderer hooked from start to finish.

This book was originally published as Confessions of an American Black Widow and Bitch on Wheels.

Review

Sharon is married to a Seventh Day Adventist pastor. But that does not stop her from flaunting her goods. She struts around town in short-shorts and flirts with every man she sees. Before long, her husband has lost his job and they have to move to Colorado. This is where their marriage falls completely apart. Sharon has set her eyes on an optometrist and she is not to be stopped.

There is a lot that occurs in this lady’s life and IF she doesn’t like it, she gets rid of it and moves on to the next. It just amazes me the hold on the men this woman had. She was a master manipulator. And since she got away with it once, keep trying! She definitely lived in the moment. She did not expect any consequences to her actions. It was all about her and her WANTS! (Not needs…WANTS!)

The narrator, Karen Peakes, is excellent. She is very matter of fact. Which to me, is the best way to be reading a true crime.

Need a a good true crime thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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