suspense

Beneath The Marigolds by Emily C. Whitson

 

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Beneath The Marigolds by Emily C. Whitson was a fascinating book.  I spent a good portion of this book wondering what was going to happen next.  The author did a great job of giving just enough information to keep me confused and wanting to find out what happened next.  I know you aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover but the cover of this book is one of the reasons that I decided to read this book.  It has a haunting look to it, and that drew me in as I read.  I also bought a copy of the audiobook because sometimes it is easier for me to listen to a book than read, and the narrator of this book’s voice fits the characters.  I can say that I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next as I was reading, and I loved that.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading because I never knew what the next page turn had in store for me.  I tend to worry when I read the first book that and author ever wrote because you don’t know anything about the author, but I can tell you that even though this is Emily’s first novel, I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.  She is a fantastic writer, and I am sure I will enjoy her next book as much as I loved this one.   If you love a good mystery book, then I would for sure recommend this book to you.

About The Book

Genre: Thriller/Psychological
Published by: CamCat Books
Publication Date: September 21st 2021
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 0744304202 (ISBN13: 9780744304206)

Playing on our universal fascination with reality TV, Emily C. Whitson’s Beneath the Marigolds is The Bachelor(ette) gone terribly wrong.

When her best friend, Reese Marigold, goes missing after attending Last Chance, an exclusive singles’ retreat on a remote island off the coast of Hawaii, no-nonsense lawyer Ann Stone infiltrates the retreat.

Ann quickly realizes there’s more to Last Chance than meets the eye. The extravagant clothes, never-ending interviews, and bizarre dates hint that the retreat is a front for a reality dating show. Could Reese be safe, keeping a low profile until the premier, or did something sinister occur after all?

Torn between the need to uncover the truth and her desperate desire to get off the island, Ann partakes in the unusual routines of the “journey to true love” and investigates the other attendees who all have something to hide. In a final attempt to find Reese on the compound, she realizes that she herself may never get off the island alive.

Praise for Beneath the Marigolds:

“Cleverly plotted…Whitson’s debut novel is an intriguing new entry in the women’s suspense genre, driven by dual first-person narrators and tension-filled parallel timelines.”— Carmen Amato, Silver Falchion Award Finalist and author of The Detective Emilia Cruz Mystery Series

“Exhilarating twists and turns…a fast-paced psychological thriller that mashes up the reality series The Bachelor with Gone Girl.” — Helen Power, author of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place

“A fun, propulsive read…this book cleverly combines the archetypes of “reality TV” and the “trapped-on-a-remote-island” mystery that will perpetually keep you guessing.” — Marcy McCreary, author of The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon

About The Author

Emily Whitson received a B.A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked as a marketing copywriter for six years before pursuing a career in fiction and education. She is currently getting her M.Ed. at Vanderbilt University, where she writes between classes. She is particularly passionate about women’s education and female stories. This interest stems from her time at Harpeth Hall, an all-girls college preparatory school in Nashville, Tennessee. When she isn’t volunteering, writing, or in the classroom, Emily can usually be found with her dog, Hoss, in one of Nashville’s various parks. Beneath the Marigolds is her debut novel.

Catch Up With Emily C. Whitson:
EmilyCWhitson.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @emilycwhitson_author
Instagram – @emilycwhitson
Facebook – @emilycwhitson

 

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This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Emily C. Whitson & CatCam Books. There will be 1 winner of one (1) print edition of Beneath the Marigolds by Emily C. Whitson (US, Canada, and UK Only). The giveaway runs October 1 through November 2, 2021. Void where prohibited.

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Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills was an interesting read, but I found that it was super predictable.  I have read quite a few books by this author in the past, and I know I will read more by her in the future.   I never hold it against an author if I find one of their books predictable because, with the number of books I have read in this genre, it is rare that I am totally shocked by a book.  I felt terrible for Shelby throughout most of the book because she spent years in prison for a murder she didn’t commit, and then when she gets out, people are trying to kill her.  I mean, come on, how many bad things can happen to one person.  I did spend a lot of the book hoping that Shelby and Denton would end up a couple when the book was over because they were perfect for each other.  I also liked that this book didn’t have any parts that would offend anybody in it.  If you love reading clean mystery books, then I would for sure pick up a copy of this book or any book by this author and give them a read.

About The Book

Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 7th 2021
Number of Pages: 432
ISBN: 1496451856 (ISBN13: 9781496451859)

Bestselling and award-winning author DiAnn Mills delivers a heart-stopping story of dark secrets, desperate enemies, and dangerous lies.

Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she’s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won’t be easy for an ex-con.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. So he’s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case.

But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It’s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby—and the truth—forever.

Praise for Trace of Doubt:

“Well-researched… with some surprising twists along the way. In Trace of Doubt, Mills weaves together a tale of faith, intrigue, and suspense that her fans are sure to enjoy.” – STEVEN JAMES, award-winning author of SYNAPSE and EVERY WICKED MAN

“Trace of Doubt is a suspense reader’s best friend. From page one until the end, the action is intense and the storyline keeps you guessing.” – EVA MARIE EVERSON, bestselling author of FIVE BRIDES and DUST

“DiAnn Mills serves up a perfect blend of action, grit, and heart… Trace of Doubt takes romantic suspense to a whole new level.” – JAMES R. HANNIBAL, award-winning author of THE PARIS BETRAYAL

“Filled with high stakes, high emotion, and high intrigue.” – JLYNN H. BLACKBURN, award-winning author of UNKNOWN THREATand ONE FINAL BREATH

About The Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a former director of Blue Ridge Christian Writers, and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She shares her passion for helping other writers be successful by teaching writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed:
DiAnnMills.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @DiAnnMills
Instagram – @DiAnnMillsAuthor
Twitter – @DiAnnMills
Facebook – @DiAnnMills

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The Memory Bell by Kat Flannery

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FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Memory Bell by Kat Flannery was an interesting book but not my favorite that I have read lately.  This book is a slow starter, so you need to give it a few chapters before you give up on the book.  I didn’t think that this book was super suspenseful, but it did have enough that kept me reading until I finished the book.  I know part of the reason that I had a hard time reading this book is that I didn’t connect with any of the characters in this story.  The only character that I have any feelings about would be Grace.  She always got on my nerves because of the choices that she kept making.    The author did a great job of making the family drama come to life as I was reading.  I love when authors are able to make their characters seem like they are real-life people.  I figured out who the killer was pretty early into the book, which is why I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book.  If you love books in this genre but don’t like when they are super suspenseful, then this book will be a great match for you.

About The Book

Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Published by: Black Rose Writing
Publication Date: July 1, 2021
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 1684337089 (ISBN-13:978-1684337088

Grace Penner’s safe haven crumbles when a body is found outside of town.

Gifted the memory bell, a family heirloom, from her grandfather’s will, Grace’s excitement is soon squashed when the bell gets broken right after she receives it. While gluing the pieces back in place, she discovers three are still missing.

Determined to find them, she is halted when the new detective, Bennet James, investigates her family. Grace is intent on showing the detective her family isn’t capable of murder, but as the investigation deepens, and pieces of the bell show up with ominous notes, Grace soon realizes the Penners are not what they seem. Amidst the tightly knit family; dark secrets, deception, and possibly even murder unfold.

Will Grace be able to save the family she loves more than anything without losing herself forever?

Praise for The Memory Bell:

“A naïve small-town girl and a disillusioned big-city cop, drawn together by an unsolved crime that is itself only the tip of the iceberg, The Memory Bell serves up the perfect steamy summer read.”
–Jenny Jaeckel, author of House of Rougeaux

“The story moves beyond a small town whodunit to probe the underlying bonds of history that connect a family.”
-Midwest Book Review

“Wonderful, engaging, and fast-paced! Flannery knows what she’s doing!”
-Jonas Saul, author of the Sarah Roberts series

About The Author

Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of many writing Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. When she’s not busy writing, or marketing Kat volunteers her time to other aspiring authors. She has been a keynote speaker, lecturer and guest author inspiring readers and writers at every event she attends. Kat’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career, and continues to write for blogs and online magazines. A bestselling author, Kat’s books are available all over the world. The BRANDED TRILOGY is Kat’s award-winning series. With seven books published, Kat continues to plot what story will be next. Creativity is in all aspects of Kat’s career. She does Social Media and Marketing for her own career and businesses, writing ads, and other content.

Catch Up With Kat Flannery:
http://www.KatFlannery.com/Books-1
Goodreads
BookBub – @KatFlannery
Instagram – @katflannery_
Twitter – @KatFlannery1
Facebook – @kat.flannery.5

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Gone by S.H. Love

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Audiobookworm in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Gone by S.H. Love was a great book.  I was hooked right from the start of this book because although this is a genre that I read and listen to all the time, this plot was different from anything else that I have read.  I also really enjoyed the narrator’s voice, and I would love to listen to other books he reads in the future.  I listened to this entire book in one sitting because I had to know what was going on and what was going to happen next.  Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I would realize I was wrong and go back to trying to figure out what was happening.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat as I was listening to it, and I loved that.  I also didn’t see the ending coming, and it is always a good thing when I am reading books in this genre.  This book was just long enough to keep me interested but not so long that you get bored of the story before the end.  If you are looking for your next great read, I would pick up a copy of this audiobook.

About The Book

Author: S.H. Love

Narrator: Gary Anderson

Length: 7 hours 17 minutes

Publisher: Jason Tanamor⎮2021

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Release date: July 27, 2021

Synopsis: What would you do if you woke up and found your spouse missing?

When Rory Richards wakes up from a failed suicide attempt, he learns that his wife, Maggie, has vanished without a trace. All Rory can remember about the previous night is that the two had the fight of a lifetime.

The dispute causes him to storm out of the house and steal prescription pills from his neighbors in an attempt to overdose. After that, everything is a blur.

Now, he must retrace his steps to find out what happened to her.

Was she kidnapped?

Did she disappear on purpose?

What happened to Maggie?

Gone is a gripping psychological thriller that is filled with suspense.

Recommended if you like Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, J.D. Barker, and Paula Hawkins.

About The Author

S.H. Love is the pseudonym of a critically acclaimed author of fiction. Love writes psychological thrillers and horror stories and is influenced by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.

About The Narrator

Gary Anderson is a seasoned stage actor with 20 years experience. Currently, he narrates the true crime podcast, “still…” available on Apple Podcasts or wherever podcasts are available.

Website

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2021 Margaret Margaret

The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani was a great audiobook.  I loved the narrator of this story and how the audiobook was recorded.  I loved that after each session and was writing her notes you could hear someone writing, so it was like I was listening to a real show or movie and just not paying attention to what was happening on the screen.  I love when audiobooks include things like someone writing because it helps me get even more into what is happening in the story.  I also thought that the narrator’s voice fits this story and the characters in the story. I loved that the plot of this book was something that I hadn’t come across before that this is always a hard thing for me to find.  Because I usually read books in this genre, it is hard to find a unique plot, and this book was so different from anything else that I have read or listened to.  This book did have a good amount of suspense that made me want to listen to this book without stopping.  Just when I thought I had this book figured out, something else would happen, and I would realize that I had it all wrong.  If you love suspense novels, I know you will love this book as much as I did.

About The Book

Genre: Suspense Thriller
Published by: TouchPoint Press
Publication Date: September 26th 2019
Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that brings a unique mix of psychotherapy and sign language and Coda culture. Just when you think you have it figured out, think again!

Dr. Alicia Reese takes on a new patient. Lucas Ferro suffers with crippling anxiety, and as sessions progress, he begins to share the reasons why he’s struggling. As Ferro’s narrative becomes more menacing, Reese finds herself wedged between the cold hard frame of professional ethics and the integrity of personal truth. And, finally, when Ferro reveals his secrets, Reese learns how far she’s willing to go, willing to risk and willing to lose to do the right thing.

About The Author

Deborah Serani, Psy.D. is psychologist in practice 30 years. She is also a senior professor at Adelphi University and has been published in academic journals on the subjects of depression and trauma. Dr. Serani is a go-to expert for psychological issues. Her interviews can be found at ABC News, CNN, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Reader’s Digest, The Washington Post and USA Today, and affiliate radio station programs at CBS and NPR, just to name a few. She is also a TEDx speaker and has lectured nationally and internationally. Dr. Serani has worked as a technical advisor for the NBC television show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – where a recurring character, Judge D. Serani, was named for her. Dr. Serani is an award-winning author, writing about psychological topics in many genres.

Catch Up With Deborah:
http://www.DrDeborahSerani.com
Goodreads
BookBub
Twitter – @DeborahSerani
Facebook – @Dr. Deborah Serani

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2021 Margaret Margaret

The Journalist by David Gardner

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Partners In Crime Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Journalist by David Gardner was an entertaining read.  I love I pick up books on a whim because, more than not, I fall in love with the books.  I don’t think I would have picked this book up if it weren’t because this isn’t a genre of books that I am drawn to.  This author did a great job of hooking me right from the first page.  I spent a chunk of time laughing as I read, and I loved that about this book.  You never knew what was going to happen next, and I loved that about this book.  I also enjoyed that this book wasn’t super dark because lately, I have wanted to read fun books.  With all the crazy things happening right now, I have been more drawn to books that are funny and easy to get lost in.  I read this book pretty quickly, and I was sad when it was over.  If you are looking for a fun book to read this fall, I would recommend this one because I know you will love it as much as I do.

About The Book

Book Details:

Genre: Humorous Paranormal Thriller
Published by: Encircle Publications, LLC
Publication Date: February 10th 2021
Number of Pages: 322
ISBN: 164599144X (ISBN13: 9781645991441)

If Jeff can’t save his ghostly ancestors from disappearing, so will he.

Writing for a cheesy Boston tabloid, Jeff Beekle fabricates a whimsical tale about a mob-built CIA prison for ghosts.

Which turns out to be true.

Now both the mob and the CIA have Jeff in their sights.

Even worse, Jeff discovers that his great-grandmother is an inmate and that she and the other spectral residents are being groomed as CIA spies. (And why not? They’re invisible, draw no salary, and won’t hop into bed with enemy agents.)

To his horror, Jeff learns that ancestors held too long in earthly captivity will vanish as if never born, taking with them all their descendants, which includes him.

Can Jeff outwit the mob and the CIA, free his ghostly ancestors, destroy the prison and save himself?

About The Author

David Gardner grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, served in Army Special Forces and earned a Ph.D. in French from the University of Wisconsin. He has taught college, worked as a reporter and sold women’s shoes.

He coauthored three programming books for Prentice Hall, wrote dozens of travel articles as well as too many mind-numbing computer manuals before happily turning to fiction.

He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Nancy, also a writer. He hikes, bikes, messes with astrophotography and plays the keyboard with no discernible talent whatsoever.

Catch Up With David Gardener:
DavidGardnerAuthor.com
Goodreads
Instagram – @davidagardner07
Twitter – @dgardner_author
Facebook – @david.gardner.33483

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This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for David Gardner. There will be THREE (3) winners for this tour. Each winner will ONE (1) signed print edition of The Journalist by David Gardner (US Mailing Addresses Only). The giveaway begins on August 1 and runs through September 2, 2021. Void where prohibited.

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