#blogtour and #bookreview: Childhood Sweetheart #Bookouture

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Bang. Bang. Bang. I jump as the knocks on the window crash above the roaring wind outside. Who could it be, at this late hour? I open the curtains and peer outside. ‘Hello?’ But the dark, the rain and the empty lane are all I see.

It’s been eleven years since I last saw Jonah, after his brother died that stormy summer night. And now, without warning, he’s back, living in his old house next door just like old times, on the remote Scottish island that is home. Where I used to imagine we’d stay, together, forever, sharing our lives and our secrets as we always had. But that was before.

Jonah’s not the sweet boy I once knew. His mood is changeable, his behaviour unstable, our brief conversations are forced and awkward. And then the knocks on my window begin. It can only be him, but why, and what does he want? I used to love him. Now I don’t even want to invite him in.

Because after all these years, I see our childhood secrets, the ones we swore never to reveal, in a newly terrifying light. Was his brother’s death truly an accident? Could Jonah’s secrets have been worth killing for? And how safe am I now, on this isolated island, with the man I used to love…?

A totally addictive and twisty psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. Anyone who loves The Woman in the WindowThe Wife Between Us and The Housemaid won’t beable to put Childhood Sweetheart down!

BOOK REVIEW

Ailsa’s childhood love, Jonah, is back after 11 years, living next door and bringing with him memories of secrets that were long buried. But Ailsa has little time for anything new, as she’s trying to raise her autistic son, Kyle, of whom she is very protective. But Jonah has changed so much, and even the best-hidden secrets have a way of coming to light.

This thriller is somewhat slow-paced at first, but eventually picks up speed. I enjoyed the setting on a Scottish island, and there are plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings. Ailsa’s challenges as a parent of an autistic child are well described, and Kyle’s personality is very well done. I also feel that the reaction of some of the characters to Kyle is very realistic. There are varying points of view as well as flashbacks, and as a warning rape and child abuse are a part of the story.

Overall, this is an entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing.

I received a free copy of this book via Bookouture. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendy Clarke

Wendy Clarke was a teacher until the small primary school where she worked closed down. Now she is a writer of psychological suspense but is also well known for her short stories and serials which regularly appear in national women’s magazines.

Wendy has two children and three step-children and lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex. When not writing, she is usually indulging in her passion for dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!

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BUY LINKS

Amazon | Amazon UK 

Blog Tour and Book Review: #TheAdoption #Bookouture #JennaKernan

Your little girl is all yours… isn’t she?

Dani and her husband Tate’s life together is almost perfect. But Dani is haunted by guilt for causing a terrible car accident that left her unable to have children. She can’t remember why she was driving so fast that day or where she was going. Her therapist says she should try to move on.

So when their application to adopt is accepted, Dani sobs with joy. As perfect little Willow nestles in her arms, Dani looks at Tate’s loving smile and knows he will always provide for his family, no matter what.

When Dani sees a woman staring as she pushes Willow’s stroller around the safe, gated Florida community where they live, she tells herself it’s simply an admiring passer-by. After all, Dani herself used to watch the local moms and wish she was in their shoes.

But when Dani wakes in the night to find Willow’s crib empty, their perfect life becomes a nightmare.

In her frantic distress for her daughter, Dani’s memories of the accident flash through her mind. And with a jolt she realises: everyone around her has been lying about that day.

Will Dani find out the truth before it’s too late for her baby girl?

Or will facing her own dark secrets tear them all apart?

A totally addictive and heart-stopping read with a truly mind-blowing twist. Fans of The Woman in the WindowGone Girl and The Wife Between Us won’t be able to put down this incredible thriller from bestselling author Jenna Kernan.

BOOK REVIEW

After a devastating car accident, Dani is affected with prosopagnosia, which is an inability to differentiate facial features. Dani is in counseling, dealing with the aftermath of the accident and the fact that she cannot recognize her own husband. She also has enormous guilt for the injuries caused to her twin sister in that accident. Then Dani and Tate adopt a little girl, and life is perfect for a while, But memories begin to surface, and Dani starts to realize things are not as they seem.

This is a novel filled with deception, betrayal, and suspense. The first half of the book builds the tension and the second half is diabolical, thrilling, and filled with surprises you won’t see coming. I had never heard of prosopagnosia, so this story also taught me something new. The plot is expertly crafted and the characters are well developed. This is a gasp-inducing, eye-widening, read-in-one-sitting thriller! Don’t miss it.

I received a free copy of this book from Bookouture via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling author Jenna Kernan writes gripping domestic thrillers. Her 2021 release, A Killer’s Daughter, won the bronze medal from the Florida Book Awards in the popular fiction category and her next release, The Adoption, arrives in May 2022 and features a couple whose adoption goes from blissful to terrifying when a dark secret and menacing stranger threaten the baby. Visit Jenna at www.jennakernan.com.

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Jenna Kernan here: https://www.bookouture.com/jenna-kernan/

Buy Links: Amazon|Amazon UK

Blog Tour and Book Review: If She Wakes #BookTour #BookReview

*Book Review is near the bottom of the page.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Who do you trust when everyone is lying?

My name is Tess Parker.

Two days ago, I was in a car accident with my sister-in-law, Torrie. Before she slipped into a coma, she asked my husband and me to care for her four-month-old son, Levi.

Yesterday, a woman claiming to be Torrie’s estranged sister knocked on our door. But Torrie has no siblings . . . or so she said. She and my brother were only together a short time before he left, and Torrie has clearly been keeping secrets.

Today, another of Torrie’s “sisters” has come to town. Both say the other is lying about who they are.

Neither of them is telling the truth.

Both of them want Levi.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erik Therme

Erik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. When he’s not at his computer, he can be found cheering on his youngest daughter’s volleyball team, or watching horror movies with his oldest. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature. Join Erik’s mailing list to be notified of new releases and author giveaways: Mailing List

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BOOK REVIEW

After a car accident causes serious injuries to her sister-in-law, Torrie, Tess and her husband Josh begin taking care of their nephew, Levi.  They are almost immediately besieged by Torrie’s two sisters, who have conflicting stories.   Put in a situation where she does not know who to trust,  Tess tries to figure out the truth.  She is also still dealing with a marriage at the breaking point, as well as an obsession with Brady Becker, the man who killed her five-year-old daughter.

This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you guessing.  The plot is riveting and the characters are full of intrigue.  The reader literally never knows who to trust.  Manipulation, secrets, and lies seem to underscore most of Tess’s relationships, and I was glued to the page, trying to figure out who was being deceptive.  Tess, the grieving mother, is easy to connect with.  The other characters are somewhat in shadow, but they are all part of the expertly crafted plot, which keeps you in suspense until a mastermind suddenly emerges. Captivating, mournful, and thrilling, this book will not let you go until the end.

If She Wakes is Book 2 in the Harlow series by Erik Therme.  It can be read as a standalone. However, reading Book 1,  If She Dies, would be beneficial.  

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Link to Buy Both Books in The Series (US)

Link to Buy Both Books in the Series (UK)

Blog Tour and Review: Death in the Last Reel

BOOK DESCRIPTION

‘Stop standing in the way of bullets.’

‘I will if you will.’

Does the camera ever lie?

1911: After the violent murder of three policemen in the line of duty, tensions between London constabulary and Whitechapel anarchists simmer. Meanwhile accusations and counter accusations of espionage further weaken relations between Germany and Britain. Can Margaret Demeray and Fox find out which potential enemy is behind a threat to the capital before it’s too late?

In the shadow of violence in the East End, just as Dr Margaret Demeray starts to gain recognition for her pathology work, a personal decision puts her career at the hospital under threat. Needing to explore alternative options, she tries working with another female doctor in Glassmakers Lane. But in that genteel street, a new moving-picture studio is the only thing of any interest, and Margaret’s boredom and frustration lead to an obsessive interest in the natural death of a young woman in a town far away.

Meanwhile intelligence agent Fox is trying to establish whether rumours of a major threat to London are linked to known anarchist gangs or someone outside Britain with a different agenda. When another mission fails and he asks Margaret to help find out who provided the false intelligence that led him in the wrong direction, she can’t wait to assist.

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK

Amazon US

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paula Harmon

Paula Harmon was born in North London to parents of English, Scottish and Irish descent. Perhaps feeling the need to add a Welsh connection, her father relocated the family every two years from country town to country town moving slowly westwards until they settled in South Wales when Paula was eight. She later graduated from Chichester University before making her home in Gloucestershire and then Dorset where she has lived since 2005. She is a civil servant, married with two adult children. Paula has several writing projects underway and wonders where the housework fairies are, because the house is a mess and she can’t think why.

BOOK REVIEW

This is a compelling mystery/thriller set in the United Kingdom in 1911, prior to Word War I. Margaret Demeray is a strong female protagonist–a pathologist who helps determine suspicious means of death. Intelligence Agent Fox is a spy, and the relationship between the two of them is full of sparks. The dialogue between our two protagonists is witty and fun, and they are not afraid of an argument. There are multiple storylines in this book, and they all progress well, with twists, turns, and surprises. The limits and constrictions put on women of that time are made evident. Real events from history are woven expertly into this story as the world appears about to begin The Great War. This is Book Two in the Margaret Demeray series, but can be read as a standalone.

Self-Published Saturday: The Perfect Sister

Here is SP Saturday, a little late!

Self-Published Saturday is my effort to help Self-Published/Indie authors with marketing. These authors have to do it all, from cover design to editing to marketing. If I can help even a little bit with marketing, I’m happy to do it. This week’s feature is a The Perfect Sister, a murder mystery set in 1904.

BOOK REVIEW

The Perfect Sister is a well-written, intriguing, and engaging historical mystery set in 1904. Katherine, the “good” and “quiet” sister, has never felt good enough in her father’s eyes. When her “perfect sister,” Lorraine, is murdered, and she encounters Lorraine’s accused killer, Katherine begins to learn the truth.

This is a compelling murder mystery/thriller and historical love story. The characters are well written and I connected with them right away. Katherine and Michael capture the reader’s attention right away, and the villains in the story are perfectly loathsome. The mystery held my interest, and I enjoyed the growth that Katherine experienced.

I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens. My review is voluntary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Gail Meath writes historical romance novels that will whisk you away to another time and place in history where you will meet fascinating characters, both fictional and real, who will capture your heart and soul. Meath loves writing about little or unknown people, places and events in history, rather than relying on the typical stories and settings.

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BUY LINKS

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

*If you buy the book(s), please leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as anywhere else you review books.  Some people feel very daunted by writing a review. Don’t worry. You do not have to write a masterpiece. Just a couple of lines about how the book made you feel will make the author’s day and help the book succeed. The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon will promote it.

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Blog Tour and Book Review: #TheWidow #Bookouture

BOOK DESCRIPTION

My husband was not a monster. No matter what they say…

The day my husband, Michael, stepped in front of a lorry after being questioned by the police, my world fell apart. He was devoted to me and our six-year-old daughter. But they’d connected him to the disappearance of a young mother from our tiny village.

Now I stand at Michael’s funeral, clutching my little girl’s hand, with tears in my eyes as I insist to all our friends that he died an innocent man. Yet the questions have started, and nothing I say will stop them digging for the truth.

But none of them can read the secrets in my heart, or know about the phone I found hidden in his toolbox…

I’m determined that my daughter will not remember her father as a monster. I will erase any hint of wrongdoing in this house whatever the cost.

Because to keep my daughter safe, the last thing I need is for people to start looking at me…

A completely gripping psychological thriller from the author of the number one bestseller The Marriage. If you like Gone GirlThe Girl on The Train and The Wife Between Us then you will love The Widow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K.L. Slater

For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents but never made it off the slush pile. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating, she received five offers of representation from London literary agents which was, as Kim says, ‘a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’

Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottingham with her husband, Mac.

Kim’s social media:

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BOOK REVIEW

The Widow is a compelling psychological thriller that will keep you guessing and turning the page. The characters are well written, and the mystery is complex, with many twists and turns. The heartbreak of a young widow trying to protect her daughter and possibly clear her late husband is so real. The children, Tansy and Aleks, are captivating, and such a big part of the story. The author does a great job with character development and world building. The points of view change seamlessly between the various characters and the police department, and it does not disrupt the story. The reader will find themselves rooting for the widow as she tries to solve the mystery her husband left her. The final revelations in this multifaceted tale left me praising the author for a job well done. Fans of thrillers will be completely captivated by this enthralling mystery.

BUY LINKS

Amazon
Apple
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Google

#Book Review: Local Woman Missing

Shelby Tebow goes missing while out on a run. Soon after, a mother, Meredith, is found dead and her daughter Delilah has disappeared. Eleven years later, a young girl escapes from a basement prison. Who is she? Does it all tie together?

This is a heartrending thriller by Mary Kubica. It is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the end. The story is told from several points of view, which can be unsettling at times. There are some occurrences which seem a little unrealistic, but overall this is a riveting, captivating story. Three and a half stars, rounded up to four on sites with no half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book from Harlequin (Park Row Books) via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many novels. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in History and American Literature. Mary lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two children

BUY LOCAL WOMAN MISSING

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BARNES AND NOBLE