REVIEW: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Stevie‘s review of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Contemporary Psychological Thriller published by Celadon Books 05 Feb 19
I love well-written twisty psychological dramas, particularly those with flawed or unreliable narrators, but I’m quite picky as to which ones meet all the elements I require for a really good example of the genre. The blurb for this book certainly drew me in, as did its premise: a murderer who is unwilling or unable to offer any words of explanation as to her motives.
REVIEW: Tempt Me With Diamonds by Jane Feather
Veena’s review of Tempt Me With Diamonds (London Jewels, Book 1) by Jane Feather
Historical Romance published by Zebra 29 Jan 19
Is there a plethora of historical romances recently? Or perhaps, and more truly, I am emerging from a long hiatus and reading more of this genre. Ms. Feather is also an author that I have not read in a long time, but I definitely recommend this contemporary style novel full of sparkling wit and angst set against an historical time period.
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REVIEW: The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli
Stevie‘s review of The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli
Contemporary Multicultural Romance published by Berkley 05 Feb 19
One of the joys for me in reading about characters from other cultures and of different nationalities is about spotting the familiar as well as all the details that could potentially set us apart. When I read the list that opens this book, I knew instantly that I was in for a treat when the list maker commented that one of the boys was Bengali and so might be too short. One of my work colleagues is always making similar remarks, although she does note that the same applies to her. The rest of the list gives us a good picture of its author, so now we’re all set up to meet both her and the person she had in mind when making the list (incidentally, this is one of the rare occasions when I prefer the book’s US and Canadian title to that it was given in the UK, The Arrangement, since the list is what both drives the story and holds its various strings together).
REVIEW: Fractured Honor by Kaylea Cross
Sammy’s review of Fractured Honor (Crimson Point Series, Book 1) by Kaylea Cross
Romantic Suspense published by Kaylea Cross Inc. 25 Sep 18
I have fallen down the Kaylea Cross book hole. Boy, am I a happy reader. After finishing this book, I wanted to locate Crimson Point and take up residence. This hit all my reader buttons. Angsty, but not too angsty. Small town living, retired military men, with the added bonus of a hot Sheriff. Beautiful cottages and Victorian houses littered among the cliffs with the ocean as a backdrop. Throw in a character out for revenge and we have an edge-of-your-seat setting. Yep, book nip for this reviewer.
REVIEW: Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer
Tabs’ review of Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer
Women’s Fiction published by William Morrow Paperbacks 03 Apr 13
It has been a number of years since I’ve read chick lit or women’s fiction, so getting back into the swing with a homecoming story seemed appropriate. Queenie Wake is thirty-one years old and has spent her entire life running – from responsibility, from the love of her life who didn’t choose her when it mattered, and from a classist town that feels like it exists just to put her in her place. When her latest job ends, like they always do, she heads home for the first time in a decade or so to regroup.
REVIEW: The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas
Stevie‘s review of The Hollow of Fear (Lady Sherlock, Book 3) by Sherry Thomas
Historical Mystery published by Berkley 02 Oct 18
I love the premise of the Lady Sherlock series: a young woman contrives to make herself unwelcome in Society, then sets up as a consulting detective – ostensibly the go-between for Sherlock Holmes, a great mind too weakened by illness to meet his clients in person – aided by the redoubtable Mrs. Watson, a former actress. Their cases range from the mundane to the high stakes world of international espionage, and it’s the latter that repeatedly brings her into contact with the dastardly Moriarty, generally via her great friend, Lord Ingram, his brother, and Ingram’s estranged wife – who is now once again allied to Moriarty. I also very much appreciate the devotion Holmes shows towards her siblings, even though her attempts to take care of them from afar often lead her into trouble.
REVIEW: Hard Night by Jackie Ashenden
Veena’s review of Hard Night (11th Hour, Book 3) by Jackie Ashenden
Romantic Suspense published by Kensington 27 Nov 18
This is my first book by Jackie Ashenden and will not, by all means, be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the bad ass 11th Hour team, though most of the story is focused on Jacob and Faith. While this is the third book in the series, I had no problem diving in and enjoying this story, even as I plan to go back and get the earlier books in the series.
REVIEW: A Bone to Pick by Melinda Leigh
Stevie‘s review of A Bone to Pick (Widow’s Island Novella, Book 2) by Melinda Leigh
Contemporary Romantic Suspense published by Montlake Romance 30 Oct 18
Having read the first novella in this shared universe series, I moved straight on to the second, penned by another new-to-me author, intrigued to see how the change of writer and of point of view characters could provide new insights into the series’ overarching mystery. Tessa Black left the remote islands where she and her best friend, FBI Agent Cate Wilde, grew up in order to pursue a law enforcement career in the city. Her mother’s recent widowhood and early onset dementia have necessitated a return home for Tessa to care for both mother and teenage half-sister. Since taking up the post of Deputy on the islands, Tessa has been joined by Cate – on medical leave – and the pair have begun to uncover clues as to what happened to the third member of their schooldays best friend group, Samantha Bishop. While Cate is now dating the island’s new doctor-cum-coroner, Tessa is still single, though that looks set to change as she investigates a new murder with Cate’s older brother, Logan.
REVIEW: Illegally Yours by Kate Meader
Veena’s review of Illegally Yours (Laws of Attraction, Book 2) by Kate Meader
Contemporary Romance published by Loveswept 22 Jan 19
Sexy, scintillating, full of heart and emotional depth, this latest romance from Ms. Meader makes a cozy read you wish would never end.
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REVIEW: Governess Gone Rogue by Laura Lee Guhrke
Stevie‘s review of Governess Gone Rogue (Dear Lady Truelove, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
Historical Romance published by Avon 29 Jan 19
In the first two Lady Truelove books, the identity of the eponymous columnist and the unexpected consequences of the advice published form pivotal plot points. This time, however, the voice behind the words remains silent and it’s the queries, rather than the answers, that set events in motion. We’ve met many of the central characters before: James St. Clair, the Earl of Kenyon, is the brother-in-law of the first book’s hero, and we encountered his badly behaved twin sons in that story as well. The heroine, on the other hand, is a new member of the group, who gets herself mixed up in the twins’ education after overhearing a conversation about them.
