Where I Left Her by Amber Garza

This was an interesting story and could be hard for me to follow at times. Whitney is a single divorced mom and very protective of her 16 year old daughter. We learn a little about Whitney and a little about her daughter and her friend. Then her daughter does not come home from a sleepover. Whitney goes crazy like any parent would. At this point the story gets crazier and crazier. I was very surprised by what happens in the end. I loved this part of the book. I really did not like any of the characters very well. I received a copy of this book from Harlequin for a fair and honest review that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a four out of five stars.

WHERE I LEFT HER

Author: Amber Garza

ISBN: 9780778332060

Publication Date: August 24, 2021

Publisher: MIRA Books

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BookShop.org

Harlequin 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Powell’s 

Social Links:

Author Website

Twitter: @ambermg1

Instagram: @AmberGarzaAuthor

Facebook: @AmberGarzaAuthor

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Author Bio: 

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California.

Book Summary:

From the author of WHEN I WAS YOU comes a spine-tingling new thriller about a mother’s worst nightmare come true, when she goes to pick up her daughter from a sleepover, and she’s nowhere to be found.

Whitney had some misgivings when she dropped her increasingly moody teenage daughter off for a sleepover last night. She’s never met the friend’s parents, and usually she’d go in, but Amelia clearly wasn’t going to let something so humiliating happen, so instead she waved to her daughter before pulling away from the cute little house with the rosebushes in front.

But when she goes back to get her, an elderly couple answers the door–Amelia and her friend are nowhere to be found, and this couple swears she’s at the wrong house. As Whitney searches for Amelia, she uncovers a trail of secrets and lies her daughter has told her–from Finsta accounts to rumors of a secret relationship. Does she really even know this girl she’s raised, and can she find her before it’s too late?

Crossed Lines by Jennifer Delamere

This is a wonderful story that incorporates some aspects of Cyrano de Bergerac. Emma and Mitchell are wonderful characters that need to learn that looks and flowery words are not all there is in a relationship. I enjoyed learning about some of what Christopher did in his job also. I hope that the next book in this series will let us learn more about Rose and Christopher. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION

When romance finally blossoms in her life, will it grow in the right direction? Emma Sutton knows she should be satisfied with her life. She has a position at London’s Central Telegraph Office, and behind her rented rooms is a small plot where she can indulge her passion for gardening. But ever since she was orphaned as a child, she has longed for a family of her own and the stability and consistency it provides. Her deepest wish appears realized when a handsome engineer is thrown into her orbit and sends her a thrilling love note. Mitchell Harris’s sharp wit and facility with a pen have enabled him to thrive despite serious obstacles. That the woman of his dreams works just two floors above his should make life perfect. But a childhood accident has left Mitchell convinced he’ll never draw a woman’s affection, especially from someone like Emma. When his best friend–who once saved his life–falls in love with Emma too and asks for help writing her love letters, Mitchell must choose between desire and loyalty.

All Pets Allowed by Adele Griffin

I was definitely not disappointed in this second book in this series for children. Becket and her brother Nicholas and her sister Caroline are all back. This story revolves around Beckets and Nicholas tenth birthday party and a Halloween fair at school. There are lots of laughs in the story. I really like this group of kids. I received a copy of this book from Algonquin for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION

New dog, no tricks!

Becket Branch has one birthday wish–a dog! Dogs are outgoing and friendly, and they live life loud, just like Becket. Becket’s twin, Nicholas, wants a pet more like him–a peaceful, quiet indoor cat. When their parents take them to the shelter to choose a dog and a cat, it should be Becket’s biggest BEAUTIFUL ALERT ever. But Becket’s dream dog, Dibs, turns out to be a super-shy scaredy-pooch. Meanwhile, Nicholas’s kitty, Given, loves being the center of attention and greeting visitors to Blackberry Farm.

Can Becket and Nicholas learn how to love Dibs and Given as they are–even if they aren’t exactly the pets the twins dreamed of?

With black-and-white drawings throughout by award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham (Real Friends), this second volume of the Blackberry Farm series offers a gentle message about embracing new friends who may not match preconceived expectations.

The Becket List by Adele Griffin

This is a wonderful start to a new book series for children age 7-11. This would also be wonderful for parents to read to their children. I love Becket and her twin brother and their older sister Caroline. These children move from the city to a farm and have adventures during the summer as they meet other children. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from Algonquin for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this a five out of five stars.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION

“Charming and beautifully humorous . . . A sparkling story of weathering change.” —Booklist, starred review

Everything is changing for Becket Branch.

From subways to sidewalks to safety rules, she is a city kid born and raised. Now the Branch family is trading urban bustle for big green fields and moving to help their gran on Blackberry Farm, where Becket has to make sense of new routines, from feeding animals to baling hay.

But Becket is ready! She even makes her own “Becket List” for How to Be a Country Kid. Things don’t always work out the way she planned, but whether it’s selling mouth-puckering lemonade, feeding hostile hens, or trying to make a new best friend, Becket is determined to use her city smarts to get a grip on country living.

Get ready to yell “Beautiful Alert!” along with Becket as she mucks through the messy, exuberant experience of change she didn’t ask for, in a story that sparkles with quirky characters, cheerful humor, and unexpected adventures.

Dangerous Amish Showdown by Mary Alford

This story is filled with romance and suspense. There are lots of thrills. Mason and Willa are great together. I love that Mason wonders why he really left the Amish faith. Samantha was a brave little girl. There was a lot of action throughout the whole story. I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION

From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Mary Alford

Under siege in Amish country…

She must fight for their lives.

Gunshots shatter Willa Lambright’s placid Montana evening–and that’s before she discovers on-the-run lawman Mason Shetler on her doorstep. Willa hadn’t glimpsed her childhood friend since he’d turned his back on Amish country years before. Now the US marshal’s returned with an injured partner, a young witness he must protect at all costs…and vicious Mafia agents dead set on making sure none of them survive.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Such A Good Wife by Seraphina Nova Glass

This was an interesting psychological thriller. I was surprised at the ending of the book. I did not really care for the main character as much as I would have liked. I liked her husband and the kids and I did like trying to figure out who committed the murder. This is a pretty good story. I received a copy of this book from Harlequin for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a four out of five stars.

SUCH A GOOD WIFE

Author: Seraphina Nova Glass

ISBN: 9781525896019

Publication Date: August 10, 2021

Publisher: Graydon House Books

Buy Links: 

BookShop.org

Harlequin 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Powell’s 

Social Links:

Author Website

Twitter: @SeraphinaNova

Facebook: Seraphina Nova Glass: Author

Goodreads

Author Bio: 

Seraphina Nova Glass is a professor and playwright-in-residence at the University of Texas, Arlington, where she teaches film studies and playwriting. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Smith College, and she’s also a screenwriter and award-winning playwright. Seraphina has traveled the world using theatre and film as a teaching tool, living in South Africa, Guam and Kenya as a volunteer teacher, AIDS relief worker, and documentary filmmaker.

Book Summary:

From the author of Someone’s Listening comes another thriller that will leave you breathless, about a housewife implicated in a murder investigation, perfect for fans of The Last House Guest and Someone We Know.

Melanie Hale has the perfect life. Her husband, Collin, is a loving and supportive partner and she loves their small-town home just outside of New Orleans. She doesn’t mind (too much) that she’s given up her career dreams to care for her two beautiful children. It’s all worth it.

So why, when she joins a writers’ group for fledgling novelists, does she embark on a steamy affair with Luke, a local bestselling author who gives a talk during the group? Why does she go back to Luke again and again, when she knows it’s wrong?

And then Luke is found dead, and Mel knows she was the last person to see him alive. Now, she not only has to keep the affair a secret, but somehow avoid being implicated in Luke’s death. But who would want to kill him? And if Mel finds the truth, will she be next? What follows is a sinister cat-and-mouse game that will leave readers guessing until the very last page.

A Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly.

This is a nice mystery taking place in a town that is trying to become a Victorian village. I really love the characters. My favorite character is Kate. She is working hard to fix this Victorian home so it can be used for tours. Kate is trying to bring this town back to life but of course their is a death that she must help solve. I enjoyed this story and hope to read many more of the books in the series. I received a copy of this book from Minotaur for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

Kate Hamilton is feeling good about her plans to recreate Asheboro, Maryland as the Victorian village it once was. The town is finally on her side, and the finances are coming together.

Kate’s first goal is to renovate the Barton Mansion on the outskirts of town. Luckily, it’s been well maintained in the century since the wealthy Henry Barton lived and died there. The only substantial change she’s planning is to update the original kitchen so that it can be used to cater events in the building. But when the contractor gets started, he discovers a hidden staircase that had been walled in years earlier. And as Kate’s luck would have it, in the stairwell is a body.

After her initial shock wears off, Kate is relieved when the autopsy reveals that the man had died around 1880. Unfortunately, it also reveals that his was not a natural death—he was murdered. And serious questions remain: who was he and what was he doing there?

Kate begins a hunt to identify the man and figure out what he was doing at the Barton Mansion. But when a second body is found—this time from the present day—Kate realizes that real dangers lie in digging up the past…

Cul-De-Sac by Joy Fielding

This book really shows some great family dynamics within a small area. Each house in the cul-de-sac contains a family that are all quite different from each other. This shows what others might think of you even if you are quite different from what they think. This book will keep you wondering till the end what each of these family members are really like and what they might actually do in the end. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION

A shooting lays bare the secrets harbored by five families in a sleepy suburban cul-de-sac in this riveting psychological thriller from the New York Timesbestselling author of All the Wrong Places.

“Cul-de-sac proves once again that Joy Fielding is an ingenious master of domestic suspense.”—Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge

Someone on this quiet, unassuming cul-de-sac will be shot dead in the middle of a sultry July night.

Will it be Maggie, the perfectionist wife, or Craig, the husband who can’t quite live up to her expectations? They’ve packed up their two children and fled their life in California, hoping for a fresh start in Florida, only to find the demons of the past hovering on their doorstep.

Maybe it will be Nick, a highly respected oncologist, or his wife, Dani, a successful dentist, both with well-kept secrets of their own.

Or perhaps the victim will be Julia, an elderly widow, whose troubled grandson has recently moved in with her, introducing unsavory habits and even more unsavory acquaintances into her formerly quiet existence.

Then there’s Olivia and her husband, Sean. Having lost his job at a prestigious advertising agency, Sean is depressed, resentful of his working wife, and drinking heavily. He is also prone to increasingly violent fantasies.

And what of the newlyweds, Aiden and Heidi, whose marriage is already on the rocks, due to Aiden’s reluctance to stand up to his intrusive mother? Matters aren’t helped when Heidi befriends Julia’s grandson, setting the stage for a major blowup.

A diverse group of neighbors, to be sure. Yet all harbor secrets. All bear scars. And all have access to guns.

Not all will survive the night.

Deadly Delivery by Tonya Kappes

I enjoy this more and more with each book in the series. I love getting to know all the quirky characters that live on Bernies mail route. She has a great boyfriend and wonderful friends and a great son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. There is always a great murder to solve and I love that she is older. There was great tension is this story between Bernie and Mac. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION

There’s more than mail being delivered in the small, southern and cozy town of Sugar Creek Gap.

Discover the southern life of Bernadette Butler, along with the eccentric and lovable citizens, along with all the fur babies, who live in Sugar Creek Gap in this popular southern cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. Don’t miss out on the good RECIPES at the end of the book!

Man With A Past by Mary Connelly

If you are wanting to read a good old western historical romance you have come to the right place. This has great characters, lots of romance, and lots of thrills. Cheyenne and Falcon teach each other some ways to get along and become friends. You will not want to put this down before finding out what is happening in their lives. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review that I gave of my own free will.

I give this book a five out of five stars.

Falcon Hunt awakens without a past, or at least not one he can recall. He’s got brothers he can’t remember, and he’s interested in the prettiest woman in the area, Cheyenne. Only trouble is, a few flashes of memory make Falcon wonder if he’s already married. He can’t imagine abandoning a wife. But his pa did just that–twice. When Falcon claims his inheritance in the West, Cheyenne is cut out of the ranch she was raised on, leaving her bitter and angry. And then Falcon kisses her, adding confusion and attraction to the mix.Soon it’s clear someone is gunning for the Hunt brothers. When one of his brothers is shot, Falcon and Cheyenne set out to find who attacked him. They encounter rustled cattle, traitorous cowhands, a missing woman, and outlaws that take all their savvy to overcome. As love grows between these two independent people, Falcon must piece together his past if they’re to have any chance at a future.