Saturday, October 3, 2015
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR by A. J. BANNER
Isn't it nice to live in a quiet neighborhood where you feel safe? The neighbors are friendly and look out for each other. Sarah and Johnny seem to be content in their quaint neighborhood. Sarah is a children's author and Johnny is a dermatologist . One evening as Johnny is away at a conference, something wakes her from a sound sleep. She glances at the clock which she noticed was1:17 am. Sarah begins to smell smoke and starts running to find where it is coming from.
As terror engulfs her, she realizes that her neighbors house next door is on fire. These are her friends and she suddenly hears a small cry of help coming from the second floor . Sarah is now surrounded by others neighbors and screams to get her a ladder. She has already called 911, but she can't wait any longer. Will Sarah be able to rescue Mia, the little girl in the house? What about her parents? Why are they not responding to their names?
The story starts off with an intense trauma but does slow down a bit as the author begins to bring different characters into the forefront. The book had many layers and showed several couples who were having marital problems. Sarah starts to suspect her husband is having an affair and begins to follow him. It seems that Johnny has quite a few admirers. Is he cheating on Sarah? The investigation into the fire leads to more unanswered questions as they discover it was done by an arsonist . The story has many suspects and as you follow the trails the author does a great job of giving readers doubt as to the innocence of several people.
I thought I had figured out the arsonist, but the author brilliantly throws in a twist and it is like a cat and mouse game to the end. The true identity of the person responsible will definitely surprise readers. This is a true psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes.
In the midst of the storyline about the devastating fire, we have Johnny trying to declare his innocence to his wife about his being unfaithful . This was well written as I felt like I was reading a scene from ""Fatal Attraction." The author overall wrote a very intense well thought out story within a story. Who is the woman that is obsessed with Johnny? Will Sarah fight for him or give up and leave him? If you are looking for intrigue , deceit and an ending you won't see coming, this book is for you.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
As terror engulfs her, she realizes that her neighbors house next door is on fire. These are her friends and she suddenly hears a small cry of help coming from the second floor . Sarah is now surrounded by others neighbors and screams to get her a ladder. She has already called 911, but she can't wait any longer. Will Sarah be able to rescue Mia, the little girl in the house? What about her parents? Why are they not responding to their names?
The story starts off with an intense trauma but does slow down a bit as the author begins to bring different characters into the forefront. The book had many layers and showed several couples who were having marital problems. Sarah starts to suspect her husband is having an affair and begins to follow him. It seems that Johnny has quite a few admirers. Is he cheating on Sarah? The investigation into the fire leads to more unanswered questions as they discover it was done by an arsonist . The story has many suspects and as you follow the trails the author does a great job of giving readers doubt as to the innocence of several people.
I thought I had figured out the arsonist, but the author brilliantly throws in a twist and it is like a cat and mouse game to the end. The true identity of the person responsible will definitely surprise readers. This is a true psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes.
In the midst of the storyline about the devastating fire, we have Johnny trying to declare his innocence to his wife about his being unfaithful . This was well written as I felt like I was reading a scene from ""Fatal Attraction." The author overall wrote a very intense well thought out story within a story. Who is the woman that is obsessed with Johnny? Will Sarah fight for him or give up and leave him? If you are looking for intrigue , deceit and an ending you won't see coming, this book is for you.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Friday, October 2, 2015
THE WOUNDED WARRIOR'S WIFE by HANNAH CONWAY
This is a story about Collier and Whitleigh, a young couple married and excited about the future. Collier is a strong fiercely determined man. Whitleigh is a sweet woman who is proud of her husband serving in the Army. When they discover that their unborn son has serious health issues, their world starts to take a turn into the unknown.
The author does an incredible job of describing Collier's time overseas fighting for his country. The fighting, bombings and loss of life take a toll on him. He has to stay focused on his job as a soldier, yet his thoughts are always about his family. He takes emergency leave when their son is diagnosed with a heart condition. The news that he needs heart surgery days after being born is overwhelming.
Whitleigh is doing the best she can trying to stay strong for her baby, but when she learns Collier has been called back to duty she almost collapses from emotions gripping her. He is leaving before their son has surgery and all the burden is being left on Whitleigh's shoulder. Who will she turn to for strength?
The story is intense and shows with great detail how PTSD can affect someone . The author gives us characters we cry with, get angry at and pray for. The part of the story where Collier sees his father after many years was written with grace and a great deal of bottled up emotion from both. There is something in this story for everyone. It is not easy to forgive someone, but the author shows the pain and sorrow unforgiveness can do to someone.
The book was so well written and filled with many trials that many couples face everyday while one or both of them are serving our country. Thank you for a book written with compassion for those who serve so that we may be free. There is no time to give up, or walk away, but only a time to be a warrior.
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
The author does an incredible job of describing Collier's time overseas fighting for his country. The fighting, bombings and loss of life take a toll on him. He has to stay focused on his job as a soldier, yet his thoughts are always about his family. He takes emergency leave when their son is diagnosed with a heart condition. The news that he needs heart surgery days after being born is overwhelming.
Whitleigh is doing the best she can trying to stay strong for her baby, but when she learns Collier has been called back to duty she almost collapses from emotions gripping her. He is leaving before their son has surgery and all the burden is being left on Whitleigh's shoulder. Who will she turn to for strength?
The story is intense and shows with great detail how PTSD can affect someone . The author gives us characters we cry with, get angry at and pray for. The part of the story where Collier sees his father after many years was written with grace and a great deal of bottled up emotion from both. There is something in this story for everyone. It is not easy to forgive someone, but the author shows the pain and sorrow unforgiveness can do to someone.
The book was so well written and filled with many trials that many couples face everyday while one or both of them are serving our country. Thank you for a book written with compassion for those who serve so that we may be free. There is no time to give up, or walk away, but only a time to be a warrior.
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
HARD FALL by P. T. Reade
Thomas Blume finds himself in London determined to find out who killed his wife and son. He retired from the New York City homicide division and now focuses on finding the killer of his family. After doing a favor for his friend Amir, he is supplied with a rental office space and apartment. Amir believed he owes Thonas because he saved his sister's life. The first thing Thonas needs to do is stop drinking until he falls asleep every night. How will he find his family's killer, if he stays drunk all the time?
Thomas takes on a case as private investigator. He fills sleezy for doing it, but hey it pays the bills . It is the typical husband suspects wife cheating. Thomas gets the proof in pictures and gives it to his client. Sounds like a easy payout. But Thomas doesn't seem to have much luck these days. Who comes knocking on his door? What ultimatum do these men give him?
If that isn't enough to handle, sone strange woman knocks on his door, but she disappears before he can open the door. Who is this mysterious woman? Is there a connection between Thomas's son's disappearance and this woman's son. He knows that in order to really do an investigation right, he needs to stop drinking
The author does a great job of creating a character that is down on his luck, determined to find a killer and get his life back. Will helping this woman give him answers that he has been seeking? The author writes at a steady pace will clear and concise direction. It will get you hooked as you follow Thomas on his journey for the truth. The ending will have you seeking out the next book in this series.
I was given a copy of this book by Librarything for an honest review.
Thomas takes on a case as private investigator. He fills sleezy for doing it, but hey it pays the bills . It is the typical husband suspects wife cheating. Thomas gets the proof in pictures and gives it to his client. Sounds like a easy payout. But Thomas doesn't seem to have much luck these days. Who comes knocking on his door? What ultimatum do these men give him?
If that isn't enough to handle, sone strange woman knocks on his door, but she disappears before he can open the door. Who is this mysterious woman? Is there a connection between Thomas's son's disappearance and this woman's son. He knows that in order to really do an investigation right, he needs to stop drinking
The author does a great job of creating a character that is down on his luck, determined to find a killer and get his life back. Will helping this woman give him answers that he has been seeking? The author writes at a steady pace will clear and concise direction. It will get you hooked as you follow Thomas on his journey for the truth. The ending will have you seeking out the next book in this series.
I was given a copy of this book by Librarything for an honest review.
From New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas comes the first book in a compelling, emotionally resonant series set in a remote west Texas town—where family can be made by blood or by choice.
Rancher Staten Kirkland, the last descendant of Ransom Canyon's founding father, is rugged and practical to the last. No one knows that when his troubling memories threaten to overwhelm him, he runs to lovely, reclusive Quinn O'Grady…or that she has her own secret that no one living knows.
Young Lucas Reyes has his eye on the prize—college, and the chance to become something more than a ranch hand's son. But one night, one wrong decision, will set his life on a course even he hadn't imagined.
Yancy Grey is running hard from his troubled past. He doesn't plan to stick around Ransom Canyon, just long enough to learn the town's weaknesses and how to use them for personal gain. Only Yancy, a common criminal since he was old enough to reach a car's pedals, isn't prepared for what he encounters.
In this dramatic new series, the lives, loves and ambitions of four families will converge, set against a landscape that can be as unforgiving as it is beautiful, where passion, property and pride are worth fighting—and even dying—for.
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Praise for Ransom Canyon
“Ransom Canyon is a tale of redemption and hope filled with authentic dialogue and characters engaging enough to chat with over a cup of coffee.” – Fort Worth Star Telegram
“Western romance legend Thomas opens her latest series in a small Texas town…. Ransom Canyon will warm readers with its huge heart and gentle souls. For all romance collections.” – Library Journal
“Once again a delightful entry into a new series by a favorite of mine. Jodi Thomas has the ability to reel me in every time with her enterprising, intelligent and caring cast of characters and RANSOM CANYON has some of the best yet. ” – Fresh Fiction
A fifth-generation Texan, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A former teacher, Thomas traces the beginning of her storytelling career to the days when her twin sisters were young and impressionable.
When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling with her husband, renovating a historic home they bought in Amarillo and “checking up” on their two grown sons.
I have read several of Jodi's books and always thought the storyline was well thought out and moved at a good pace. As I began to read her newest book, I began to wonder where the story was going. We have Staten Kirkland, a rancher who lost his wife to an illness that is emotionly drained. But death would knock on his door once again. This time it is his beloved son was has tragically been killed in a car accident. How much more heartache can he withstand? During his darkest moments over the years, he has secretly turned to Quinn, his wives's best friend for comfort. It's an odd relationship and one I had a hard time accepting. He goes there late at night to her house, and leaves soon after. It seems almost like a cold and calculated use of a woman. Will Quinn continue to allow Staten into her bed whenever he feels down? Has Quinn's feeling for Staten become more than just a need to be close to him? Quinn seems to be a woman that has yearned for Staten for years and is willing to continue to be used by him hoping his feeling will suddenly change.
Lucas is a nice surprise in the book. A young man who is respectful and a hard worker. He has big plans and his main goal is to leave the little town and make it to college . Being a ranch hand is respectful work, but his desire reaches much bigger than an extra hand for a ranch. Will his night out with friends change everything? Can one mistake , one poor choice change his destiny?
Yancy Grey is my favorite character in the book. The author does an amazing job of giving him an attitude of take what you can from whoever you can. He has just been released from prison and needs a small town to start over. He has plans to make a new start. What better place then a laid back sleepy town . When he comes upon a group of senior citizens, will they welcome him? Can Yancey protect this group from people who want to take advantage of them?
The authors description of the town is well done with a feeling of storefront shops and friendly people just waiting to say hi. Overall it's a good story of romance, working together, dealing with the past and finding happiness. The town is very picturesque with a sweeping of land spread as far as the eyes can see. Most romance readers will not be disappointed in Jodi's new book to Ransome Canyon.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Lone Star LitLife for an honest review
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