Best friends Lindsey, Kendra, and Dani endure every parent’s nightmare when a tragic accident befalls their teenage boys, leaving one dead, another in a coma, and a third too traumatized to speak. Reeling from the worst night of their lives, the three mothers plunge into a desperate investigation of the bizarre incident. How could something so horrible happen in their wealthy Southern California suburb? They soon discover that the accident was just the beginning, and troubling discoveries lead to chilling questions: Do they really know their children? Do they even know each other? As more secrets surface, a fog of doubt and suspicion threatens to poison their families, their friendships, and the whole community. With the illusion of happiness and safety long gone, these women must now confront the hazards of heartbreak, the consequences of jealousy, and the dangers of living double lives.

This was the first book that I read by this author but it won’t be the last.

Kendra, Lindsey, and Dani have been friends for 30 years and now living in close proximity of the other. They were thrilled that their 16-year-old sons are also friends and hang out all the time, playing sports, and going to school together. But will their friendship survive after a horrific tragedy that is every mother’s worst fear?

These three families are not only going through every parent’s nightmare but they find during this time that there are many secrets within their own families with themselves and their other children. But can they face those head-on while trying to accept what happened that night?

As a mother of 2, now adult sons, this story was heartbreaking. I tried putting myself in the shoes of each of the women to see if I would react in the same way and I still can’t answer that question. This story is so realistic, and unfortunately, happens every day to families. A tale that will pull on your heartstrings. I suggest having tissue close by since you will feel the emotions of each of the characters in this book. A story that will stay with me for a very long time.

Highly recommend!

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Emma loves her life. She’s the mother of a precocious kindergartener, married to her soulmate—a loyal and loving police detective—and has a rewarding career as a doctor at the local hospital.

But everything comes crashing down when her son, Josh, is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Determined to save him, Emma makes the risky decision to sell opioids to fund the life-saving treatment he needs. But when somebody ends up dead, a lethal game of cat and mouse ensues, her own husband leading the chase. With her son’s life hanging in the balance, Emma is dragged into the dark world of drugs, lies, and murder. Will the truth catch up to her before she can save Josh?

We all have those authors that we patiently wait for their next book and Christina McDonald is one of those authors for me. After reading one of her previous books, The Night Olivia Fell I became a fan. I then read Behind Every Lie, and I was hooked. And she didn’t disappoint with Do No Harm.

An author once told me that if you weren’t pulled into a story within the first 20 or so pages, the odds were low that the book would keep your interest, and the author hadn’t done his/her job. Ms. McDonald definitely did her job since I knew after the first 2 pages that this book would be a page-turner.

One phrase kept coming up in the book and it was “the end justifies the means”, or does it? I’ll let you know.

Emma, a physician married to the love of her life, Nate, a police detective, and their beautiful 5-year-old son, Josh, had the perfect family. After losing both her parents in a horrific car accident when she was 8, she now had the ideal life she always wanted. Until that fateful day that Josh was diagnosed with an aggressive case of acute myeloid leukemia. The prognosis wasn’t good unless they tried a new treatment that needed to be started immediately. But their insurance only covered a minimum of what it would cost for this treatment and the rest, over $500 thousand plus, would be out of pocket. Both Emma and Nate knew they had to come up with a plan. Nate was hoping that if he took on a new case, one to find out who was bringing opioids and Fentynal into their community, he would get a promotion. But Emma knew that plan of action would take too long. So she risked everything. Her marriage, her career, and her integrity but didn’t the end justify the means, which was saving Josh?

She starts down a very dark path of selling drugs, stealing, and forging her co-workers’ prescription pads. It would only be for a short period of time, at least that’s what she thought. But then bodies start piling up and her past also catches up with her.

The suspense was heart-pounding. The setting and the characters appeared to be so real that I was pulled into and transported into the story that I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. When there was a scene where she was in danger, my breathing increased and the pages turning faster and faster. I was so afraid for her safety, even though I knew what she was doing was hurting people. When she was hurting emotionally, my heart went out to her. But didn’t the end justify the means?

The ending!!! The ending blindsided me!!!! An emotional, yet bone-chilling conclusion!!

Did the end justify the means in this story? The jury is still out on that one.

This is a novel that will be staying with me for a very long time. Highly recommend!!!

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Attorney Olivia Sinclair is shocked when she receives an anonymous video showing her husband Richard sleeping with someone else. After years of handling other people’s divorces, she thought she could recognise a marriage in trouble.

She angrily throws Richard out of the home they share. But days later she’s arrested—for the murder of his mistress.

Olivia knows she’s innocent but, with all the evidence pointing at her and an obvious motive, she must find the real killer to clear her name.

She may be used to dealing with messy divorces, but this one will be her most difficult case yet. Olivia’s husband has already betrayed her—but would he set her up for murder?

I had seen many posts about this book on FB groups I belong to, and seeing it was a thriller, I requested it. I did not know at the time that this was the debut novel of this genre and that the author has written other books, which I have to admit, I have not read.

From the start of the book, I was hooked. The writing was smooth, which I enjoyed. The suspense was constant and captivating. It definitely was a thrilling read.

However, and this could be that for the past year or so, thrillers are all that I have read that I figured out the who and why very early in the book. If my memory serves me correctly, in the past I read another book with a plot very similar to this one, which is another reason why I might have figured it out.

Would I recommend it, yes!!!! And I will be looking up this author’s other books because I did really enjoy her writing style.

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Debut author Darby Kane thrills with this twisty domestic suspense novel that asks one central question: shouldn’t a dead husband stay dead?

Lila Ridgefield lives in an idyllic college town, but not everything is what it seems. Lila isn’t what she seems. A student vanished months ago. Now, Lila’s husband, Aaron, is also missing. At first these cases are treated as horrible coincidences until it’s discovered the student is really the third of three unexplained disappearances over the last few years. The police are desperate to find the connection, if there even is one. Little do they know they might be stumbling over only part of the truth….

With the small town in an uproar, everyone is worried about the whereabouts of their beloved high school teacher. Everyone except Lila, his wife. She’s definitely confused about her missing husband but only because she was the last person to see his body, and now it’s gone.

I requested this book via NetGalley after seeing quite a lot of buzz about it in the book blogging community because I didn’t want to miss out in case it was as good as people were saying it was. At the time, I didn’t know it was a debut novel. Was it? I’ll answer this question in a bit. I will say, upfront, is this will be very vague because there is no way I want to give even a smidgen of a spoiler.

Aaron is a bit controlling when it comes to his wife Lila. That is, until the day she finds some shocking and horrendous videos that she found on a phone that he thought he had hidden from her. From that moment on, things in the Ridgefield home change. Change so much that Aaron goes missing. But it isn’t Lila who reports this. It’s the Principal at the school where Aaron is a teacher.

A local Podcast, that has been following the case of missing high school students, now add Aaron into the mix. Are these cases connected?

The reader learns that Lila changed her name 13 years ago, but no history before that. Until the police department starts investigating. The reader also learns that Lila’s early years were tied to a man who now sits in prison.

The suspense in the book did not let up. As more evidence came forth, the more my head spun. As more of the history was told, the more I didn’t know what characters to like or dislike. And who of the characters were the suspects or the victims, or even who was truly the murderer ( oh yes….the bodies start to pile up!!!!).

Was there someone in this cast of characters that had a wrong to right? Maybe even a hero? Does the truth finally reveal itself?

If this was Ms. Kane’s debut novel, then I can’t wait for what the future holds. But I know one thing, she is now on my “authors to read” list.

Was the buzz correct about this book? ABSOLUTELY and then some!!!!

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A woman disappears into the dark city night…

Gen is on the verge of a divorce from her cheating husband. When her sister, Meg, has a convention to attend in the Big Apple, she invites Gen along to celebrate her newly found freedom. But the perfect sisters’ getaway quickly goes awry when a tipsy Gen defiantly throws her wedding ring off the hotel room’s balcony. Then, wanting some fresh air, she decides to take a late-evening walk alone and vanishes without a trace.

The investigation that follows uncovers secrets–and betrayals–between sisters and spouses that will twist the truth in on itself until nothing is clear.

What really happened to Gen and who, besides Meg, was the last to see her?

Dr. Meghan Harris has invited her sister, Genevieve Thibault and who considers each other’s best friend, for a NY weekend away to lift Gen’s spirits because she is going through a very tumultuous divorce from her husband Thad due to his infidelity after 10 years of marriage.

On the first night in NY, after the sisters go out to eat and end up having a few too many drinks, they return to the hotel. Meghan asks Gen why she is still wearing her very extravagant wedding band after all these months. Gen decides it’s time to take it off and walks out onto the balcony and throws it off. At this point, she tells Meg that she just needs to be alone and get some air. That’s the last time she is seen.

This is the first book that I have read by this author but it surely won’t be the last.

The story alternates between Gen and Meg, with the then and now.

The writing and storyline were solid. The suspense was unremitting and substantial that it had me glued to every word.

There were so many OMGs!! I didn’t see that coming throughout the book.

My explanation as to why I didn’t give it a full 5 stars was for 2 reasons. Approximately a little over halfway through I did figure out who had kidnapped Gen. Even so, I kept on reading because I felt that there had to be more to this story and I had to know the whys. And it was then that many of the OMGs!!! started. The other reason, which probably wouldn’t bother another reader, but for me, I found annoying was the use of the word mercurial too many times.

Even with that, I will be putting this “new to me” author on my “authors to read” list.

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Mackenzie, Robin, and Lily have been inseparable forever, sharing life’s ups and downs and growing even closer as the years have gone by. They know everything about each other. Or so they believe.

Nothing could come between these three best friends . . .

Except for a betrayal.

Nothing could turn them against each other . . .

Except for a terrible past mistake.

Nothing could tear them apart . . .

Except for murder.

Twenty years ago while at college a friendship formed where Mackenzie, Robin, and Lily vowed to be forever bound, through life and love, through thick and thin, until that day when death will win. pg. 14

They thought that they knew everything about each other but that wasn’t the case. Each of them was broken and hiding secrets that could destroy the bond that they created in college. Could they come clean? Would they finally tell all? Would the friendship survive? Lies, betrayals, abuse, addiction, and even murder, will test this friendship.

I was hooked with the first chapter. I connected with the characters even though they all had flaws, some more than others. The writing flowed and the pages kept turning with the suspense. What I enjoyed the most was the dynamics between the three women and their loyalty, even through the toughest times. I did figure out some of the aspects in the story but there were others that totally surprised me.

This was the first book I read by this author and looking forward to future works.

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If you like smart, fast-paced thrillers with unexpected twists, then you’ll love J.K. Franko’s Eye for Eye Trilogy!

“REALISTIC & CHILLING!” – Mystery Thriller Week

This Trilogy was phenomenal!! High octane reads!!! Both thrilling and chilling!! Outstanding!!!!

The research was extensive, whereas the reader will learn many things, at least I did. Lies, secrets, betrayals, friendships, and murder fill the pages. Don’t let the 400 pages deter you from picking up these books because it was so captivating that the pages were turning at warp speed.

An exceptional ingenious story!!! I can honestly say that these books are in the Top 10 of my all-time reads!!!!

These books should be both on the NYT Best Sellers list and/or made into a series or movie!!!! Remember his name because I am sure, you will be hearing more about him!!!

Not only do I highly recommend it, but I also suggest you put your life on hold and devour it!!!!! But then, you may not have a choice because you won’t want to miss what happens next!!

BRAVO Mr. Franko!!! BRAVO!!!!!!

Amazon | Goodreads

Eye for Eye

“NEW TWIST ON STRANGERS ON A TRAIN”
~ THE SUNDAY TIMES

Roy and Susie are on a skiing holiday, trying to take a break from the constant reminders of their daughter, tragically killed by a careless driver. Out of the blue they meet Deb and Tom, another couple with a tragic past and a shocking proposal to put things right.

As the bodies accumulate, secrets are revealed and alliances crumble. Ultimate survival depends on following the rules for a perfect murder. And the first rule is… leave no singing bones.

The story starts 30 years ago in 1980 when an eleven-year-old Joan saw something shocking while she was at camp and was running to tell the adults because she knew what she saw was sinful. But she never did because a tragic and fatal accident interfered. Or was it more than just an accident?

The story then proceeds to 2018 where the reader is introduced to a married couple, Susie Font and Roy Cruise. From the outside, they have everything, the perfect marriage, wealth, and notoriety to all of their accomplishments. Or should I say had? All of that meant nothing after they lost their only child, sixteen-year-old Camilla in a fatal car accident. The other driver, Liam Bareto, hit her head on because of texting. He fell into a coma with severe injuries but the doctors thought he would survive. During this time, Susie became a shell of a person and Roy tried everything to help her through this dark time. Then a few months later, Liam also died. His mother believed it was not due to his injuries but to something more sinister.

Should life’s bad choices be an eye for an eye or should one believe in the justice system? And if there is no justice, should there be revenge? And if this route is taken, make sure there are no singing bones!

An exceptional read. With most books, the jaw-dropping usually happens at the end of the story. However, this book had multiple jaw-dropping moments throughout. There were stories within stories, each interwoven with precision. The writing fluid and sharp.

Highly, HIGHLY, recommend!!!!

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The Trial of Joe Harlan Junior

A college Halloween party. A night of fun, dress-up, and laughter. But for Kristy Wise, it quickly became a night of horror.

Now, Joe Harlan Junior, entrepreneur and son of a prominent senator, is at risk of losing everything as he stands accused of a crime he insists he did not commit.

Yet the facts are undisputed: Kristy was drugged, and she did have sex with Joe.

But was it consensual?

Read the story. Listen to the testimony. Is everything that happens next justified?

YOU decide.

This is how and when it all began. The outcome of this case set everything in motion that caused upstanding individuals to take justice, and revenge, into their own hands and become murderers.

This was a quick read. The majority was the transcript of the court proceedings and the outcome. I did feel that I was in that jury box but I’m still not sure what my verdict would have been. But then I might not have seen the silent, instantaneous reaction that the defendant gave to the victim. Would that have changed my decision?

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Tooth for Tooth

What would YOU do?

What would you do if you got away with murder? Would you stop there? Could you?

Susie and Roy thought that they committed the perfect crime.

Their planning was meticulous. Their execution flawless.

But, there is always a loose end, isn’t there? Always a singing bone.

Now, while enemies multiply and suspicions abound, their perfect world begins to crumble.

The hunters have become the hunted.

More bodies are piling up at the hands of Roy Cruise and Susie Font in the name of revenge.

In Tooth For Tooth the who, how, and why of the murders in Eye For Eye are revealed and the details are shocking and will totally surprise you. And even more jolting is that one young victim joins in the fray of vengeance.

But have this successful husband and wife, turned murderers, committed one murder too many to put themselves in the crossfire?

Tune in to Book 3, Life For Life.

Another thrilling and chilling read in this Trilogy!!!!

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Life for Life

What would YOU do if someone threatened your family?

Roy Cruise and his pregnant wife Susie barely survived an assassination attempt in their own home. The police now have them under surveillance. Meanwhile, Kristy Wise is a loose cannon—she knows too much and is trying to “set things right.”

What goes around comes around. And in this case, Roy and Susie may have pushed things too far. There are too many dead bodies. Too many foes plotting against them.

Roy and Susie must outwit the police and neutralize their enemies once and for all. If not, their days of retribution may end behind bars… or six feet under.

The drama continues and like I mentioned in my review for Eye For Eye, more jaw-dropping moments. More truths are revealed and more bodies are piling up. But is it true what they say about Karma?

In Life For Life it may have just caught up with Roy Cruise as he has to make a horrendous decision. And on the tails of that, he is charged with the murder of Joe Harlan Junior. Is there a “singing bone” that will cost him his freedom?

As much as I wanted to see how this ended, as I was getting to the last few chapters in the book, I also didn’t want it to end. I was invested in these characters.

And if you heard a scream, it was me, more books are on the horizon and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!

Eye for Eye Trilogy Details:

Read an excerpt from Eye for Eye:

Author Bio:

J.K. FRANKO was born and raised in Texas. His Cuban-American parents agreed there were only three acceptable options for a male child: doctor, lawyer, and architect. After a disastrous first year of college pre-Med, he ended up getting a BA in philosophy (not acceptable), then he went to law school (salvaging the family name) and spent many years climbing the big law firm ladder. After ten years, he decided that law and family life weren’t compatible. He went back to school where he got an MBA and pursued a Ph.D. He left law for corporate America, with long stints in Europe and Asia.

His passion was always to be a writer. After publishing a number of non-fiction works, thousands of hours writing, and seven or eight abandoned fictional works over the course of eighteen years, EYE FOR EYE became his first published novel.

J.K. Franko now lives with his wife and children in Florida.

Catch Up With JK Franko On:
jkfranko.com, Goodreads, Instagram, Bookbub, Twitter, & Facebook!

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This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for JK Franko. There will be Six (6) winners for this tour. Two (2) winners will each receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card; Two (2) winners will each receive 1 print edition of Eye for Eye, book 1 of the Talion series, by JK Franko (US and Canada Only); and Two (2) winners will each receive 1 ebook edition of Eye for Eye, book 1 of the Talion series, by JK Franko. The giveaway begins on October 19, 2020 and runs through December 21, 2020. Void where prohibited.

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Written with the chilling, twisty suspense of The Wife Between Us and Something in the Water, a seductive debut thriller about greed, lust, secrets, and deadly lies involving identical twin sisters.

Twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam.

Called to Thailand to help her sister sail the family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. When she makes it to land, Iris allows herself to be swept up by Adam, who assumes that she is Summer.

Iris recklessly goes along with his mistake. Not only does she finally have the golden life she’s always envied, with her sister gone, she’s one step closer to the hundred-million-dollar inheritance left by her manipulative father. All Iris has to do is be the first of his seven children to produce an heir.

Iris’s “new” life lurches between glamorous dream and paranoid nightmare. On the edge of being exposed, how far will she go to ensure no one discovers the truth?

And just what did happen to Summer on the yacht?

Only Iris knows . . .

One hundred million dollars is on the line to produce the first heir.

Summer and Iris Carmichael, mirror twins, are the oldest of the 7 children. Iris always felt that Summer had it all, beauty inside and out, kindness, married to a man who is wealthy by his own right, whereas Iris has one failed marriage and only had her eye on the prize. How far will she go?

I found that the plot was suspenseful throughout which kept me turning the pages. And for that, I gave it 4 stars. However, I found that there was a lot of nauticalese. And the ending was shocking, but for me, very confusing, to the point, that I didn’t truly know who received the money and for that, I gave it a 3.5 rating.

I do recommend it as I feel others that like a good psychological thriller, would enjoy it.

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