TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by Stacy Juba

Published by Mainly Murder Press

ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
  Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
  Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
  Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
  Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relateable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn’t? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed, ow was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!

 

THESE THINGS HIDDEN by Heather Gudenkauf

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778328797
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed.
  The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you imprisoned.
  When Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’s golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.
  But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister.
  Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Could not put this book down!!! One fateful night, five years ago, a secret of a sixteen year old, many lives of those associated with her will change. This story follows four of the women that are most affected by what happened that night at Druid River and how it comes to be that they all have something in common and the one thing that they are trying to protect. The novel alternates chapters with each of the characters’ perspectives of then and now. A heart wrenching novel whereas I was so engrossed it felt that I was transported into the storyline. Each and every character relatable. The suspense was constant but on many different levels and for different reasons (do not want to include spoilers). The ending was shocking. This is the first book I ever read by this author but she is definitely going on my tbr author list.

THESE THINGS HIDDEN by Heather Gudenkauf

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778328797
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed.
  The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you imprisoned.
  When Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’s golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.
  But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister.
  Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Could not put this book down!!! One fateful night, five years ago, a secret of a sixteen year old, many lives of those associated with her will change. This story follows four of the women that are most affected by what happened that night at Druid River and how it comes to be that they all have something in common and the one thing that they are trying to protect. The novel alternates chapters with each of the characters’ perspectives of then and now. A heart wrenching novel whereas I was so engrossed it felt that I was transported into the storyline. Each and every character relatable. The suspense was constant but on many different levels and for different reasons (do not want to include spoilers). The ending was shocking. This is the first book I ever read by this author but she is definitely going on my tbr author list.

Published by BookSurge
ISBN-13: 978-1439202401
At the request of the author, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (provided from author): When diabetic Karen Wheaton learns she is pregnant, she is unable to come to grips with the effects the ripples of life within her will have on her body. She desperately wants to have a baby-perhaps even more than she wants to live. For her husband, Steven, there is no question. Steven loves his wife, and would do anything to protect her including wanting to terminate her pregnancy if need be.
  While Steven struggles to save his wife and his marriage, He must also match wits with their pastor, Ryan McDonald in a trail to save Karen’s life or solidify her death. With a plot twist around every corner, readers will open one door only to find another in this rich plot of drama and suspense, Can Steven save his wife and his baby’s life? If he can’t which will he choose?
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I am literally at a loss of words for this book. I was quite skeptical when I read the synopsis thinking that I might be a little biased due to my own personal beliefs but wanted to challenge myself, step out of my comfort zone and try to read this novel with an open mind. Then when I received it and saw the thickness (512 pages), my initial reaction was “oh no” lol especially since it was from a debut author. Not only did Mr. Soto pull me in within the first few pages, he proved me wrong on both of my original thoughts. This book has everything!! A fluid and solid writing style, an unconditional love story, good versus evil, faith, family, trust, suspense, deception, honesty and even murder. Characters that became life like, whereas I didn’t want the story to end but on the other hand, I couldn’t put the book down. The suspense and drama surprised me to the very last page. Put this author on your radar!!!! Impressive!!

Addendum:  I am hosting a signed two (2)  book giveaway (see sidebar to enter).

Published by BookSurge
ISBN-13: 978-1439202401
At the request of the author, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (provided from author): When diabetic Karen Wheaton learns she is pregnant, she is unable to come to grips with the effects the ripples of life within her will have on her body. She desperately wants to have a baby-perhaps even more than she wants to live. For her husband, Steven, there is no question. Steven loves his wife, and would do anything to protect her including wanting to terminate her pregnancy if need be.
  While Steven struggles to save his wife and his marriage, He must also match wits with their pastor, Ryan McDonald in a trail to save Karen’s life or solidify her death. With a plot twist around every corner, readers will open one door only to find another in this rich plot of drama and suspense, Can Steven save his wife and his baby’s life? If he can’t which will he choose?
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I am literally at a loss of words for this book. I was quite skeptical when I read the synopsis thinking that I might be a little biased due to my own personal beliefs but wanted to challenge myself, step out of my comfort zone and try to read this novel with an open mind. Then when I received it and saw the thickness (512 pages), my initial reaction was “oh no” lol especially since it was from a debut author. Not only did Mr. Soto pull me in within the first few pages, he proved me wrong on both of my original thoughts. This book has everything!! A fluid and solid writing style, an unconditional love story, good versus evil, faith, family, trust, suspense, deception, honesty and even murder. Characters that became life like, whereas I didn’t want the story to end but on the other hand, I couldn’t put the book down. The suspense and drama surprised me to the very last page. Put this author on your radar!!!! Impressive!!

Addendum:  I am hosting a signed two (2)  book giveaway (see sidebar to enter).

TOYS by James Patterson & Neil McMahon

ISBN 978-0-316-09736-9
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from publisher): James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do–they’re Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!
  The one with the most toys–dies
  The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.
  Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible–fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives–maybe even his own. James Patterson’s Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane–with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book had all the typical Patterson traits, short chapters, fast read, etc. However this takes place in the year 2061 whereas there is a war between the “elite” and the “humans”. I felt it was more of a science fiction novel as compared to his usual mystery suspense that I enjoy reading. And to be quite honest during descriptions of certain scenes, even those that were action packed, my mind would visualize “The Jetsons”. I have been struggling with the rating for this novel, but truthfully have to say it was jusk an OK for me, but then, that’s only my opinion.

TOYS by James Patterson & Neil McMahon

ISBN 978-0-316-09736-9
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from publisher): James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do–they’re Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!
  The one with the most toys–dies
  The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.
  Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible–fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives–maybe even his own. James Patterson’s Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane–with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book had all the typical Patterson traits, short chapters, fast read, etc. However this takes place in the year 2061 whereas there is a war between the “elite” and the “humans”. I felt it was more of a science fiction novel as compared to his usual mystery suspense that I enjoy reading. And to be quite honest during descriptions of certain scenes, even those that were action packed, my mind would visualize “The Jetsons”. I have been struggling with the rating for this novel, but truthfully have to say it was jusk an OK for me, but then, that’s only my opinion.

Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

Published Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-03304-6
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a ARC HC was sent to, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from Publisher): Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.
  Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia’s case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.
  But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In GEORGIA BOTTOMS, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Loved it!! The reader first gets to meet the character as she is preparing for the annual “high society” luncheon in a small town in Alabama, that she hosts every year except no one is showing up. It happens to be 9/11 and she can’t understand how that could interfere in her luncheon and now the huge problem it has created, what does she do with all this food? At times I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of the main character, Miss Georgia Bottoms, who, at times, would come across as a “ditz” and other times “sly as a fox”. The dysfunctional family dynamics between her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, her alcoholic brother and her illegitimate son that no one knows about but shows up on her door step with a very big surprise is hysterical. I could not put the book down to see what trouble she would find herself in next and more importantly, how would she get herself out of it. A fun read!!!!