Find Her by Lisa Gardner

February 23, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.

Find Her by Lisa Gardner was one of the better books that I have read in past few months. I read a ton of books as most of you know but this book took me back to the types of books that I loved to read before I started to review books here. I love books like this because they keep me on the edge of my seat, and I don’t want to stop reading them until I know how it all ends. I know that these books can be overwhelming to some people but for the most part, I love them. Right from the start I loved how the author was able to make me understand what it would feel like to be somewhat buried alive or, at least, be in a box that all you can do is lay down. I also loved that Flora is a survivor and you get to see how she survived and how is able to help others in the small ways that she does. I can’t say enough good things about this book and this author. If you love reading thriller/suspense books then I know you don’t want to miss this one. I can’t wait to check out other books by this author and see how they are compared to this one.

About The Book

Flora Dane is a victim.

Seven years ago, carefree college student Flora was kidnapped while on spring break. For 472 days, Flora learned just how much one person can endure.

Flora Dane is a survivor.

Miraculously alive after her ordeal, Flora has spent the past five years reacquainting herself with the rhythms of normal life, working with her FBI victim advocate, Samuel Keynes. She has a mother who’s never stopped loving her, a brother who is scared of the person she’s become, and a bedroom wall covered with photos of other girls who’ve never made it home.

Flora Dane is reckless.

. . . or is she? When Boston detective D. D. Warren is called to the scene of a crime—a dead man and the bound, naked woman who killed him—she learns that Flora has tangled with three other suspects since her return to society. Is Flora a victim or a vigilante? And with her firsthand knowledge of criminal behavior, could she hold the key to rescuing a missing college student whose abduction has rocked Boston? When Flora herself disappears, D.D. realizes a far more sinister predator is out there. One who’s determined that this time, Flora Dane will never escape. And now it is all up to D. D. Warren to find her.

About The Author

New York Times bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, cutting edge forensics and twisted plots into a streak of eleven bestselling suspense novels.
Readers are invited to get in on the fun by entering the annual “Kill a Friend, Maim a Mate” Sweepstakes, where they can nominate the person of their choice to die in Lisa’s latest novel. Every year, one lucky stiff is selected for literary immortality. It’s cheaper than therapy, and you get a great book besides. For more details, simply visit Lisa’s website.
Lisa lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with her family, as well as two highly spoiled dogs and one extremely neurotic three-legged cat. Lisa graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in international relations.

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Cancelled Vows by Lauren Carr

February 19, 2016

Cancelled Vows by Lauren Carr was an interesting book, to say the least. This is one of those books that nothing goes right from the start and at times I had to laugh because I couldn’t see some of the things happening but other parts I could totally see happening. Like when Gnarly ate the wedding rings I could totally see that happening but then you find out the David is already married when he goes to get his marriage license, but he claims that he had no idea that he got married years before. I enjoyed this story but at times, I wish I had others books in this series before so that I would know more of the backstory but you can just pick this book up and understand what is happening and who the characters all are. I really enjoyed this book even though at times all I could think about is how there is no way that anything like this could happen. This is the first book I have read by this author and I am for sure going to be adding more books by this author to my pile of books I want to read. I think pretty much everyone would love this book and have a good time reading it.

About The Book

Police Chief David O’Callaghan and Chelsea Adams’ wedding day is fast approaching. Unfortunately, at the last minute, David discovers that there is one small problem to be taken care of before he can tie the knot—divorce his first wife!

Lauren Carr takes fans of the Mac Faraday mysteries to the Big Apple in this nail-biting adventure. In Cancelled Vows, David, Mac, and Gnarly, too, rush to New York City to dissolve David’s marriage to an old girlfriend—and he’s got five days to get it done. When murder throws up a road block, it is up to David’s best man, Mac Faraday, and Gnarly, K9-in-waiting, to sort through the clues to get David to the church in time!

About The Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday and Lovers in Crime Mysteries and the Thorny Rose Mysteries. Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real live Gnarly!) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

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A Muddied Murder by Wendy Tyson

February 17, 2016

A Muddied Murder by Wendy Tyson was a cute book. I have read several other books by her and I really enjoy her style of writing. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and the setting of this one. I did find parts of this book predictable but that is pretty common for me considering that I read so many books and these types of books tend to be my favorite types of reading. I really liked Megan from the start. I love books have strong female characters because I always feel like I am able to relate to them more than other types. I loved trying to figure out who killed Simon and why they did it. I also loved following along as Megan tried to clear her name and get her businesses up and running. If you love mystery books that aren’t super gross than I know you will love this one and you need to add it to your list of books to read.

About The Book

When Megan Sawyer gives up her big-city law career to care for her grandmother and run the family’s organic farm and café, she expects to find peace and tranquility in her scenic hometown of Winsome, Pennsylvania. Instead, her goat goes missing, rain muddies her fields, the town denies her business permits, and her family’s Colonial-era farm sucks up the remains of her savings.

Just when she thinks she’s reached the bottom of the rain barrel, Megan and the town’s hunky veterinarian discover the local zoning commissioner’s battered body in her barn. Now Megan is thrust into the middle of a murder investigation—and she’s the chief suspect. Can Megan dig through small-town secrets, local politics, and old grievances in time to find a killer before that killer strikes again?

About The Author

Wendy Tyson is a corporate lawyer and former therapist whose background has inspired her mysteries and thrillers. She’s the author of three crime novels. Her latest, DEADLY ASSETS, the second Allison Campbell mystery, was released on July 22. The first Campbell novel, KILLER IMAGE, was named by Examiner.com as one of the ten best mysteries for book clubs in 2014. She’s also written THE SEDUCTION OF MIRIAM CROSS. Wendy lives near Philadelphia with her husband, three sons and two muses, dogs Molly and Driggs.

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If I Run by Terri Blackstock

January 23, 2016

If I Run by Terri Blackstock was another great suspense/thriller novel. This is the 4th book I have read by this author, and I am starting to think that she can’t write a bad book. I always get sucked into the books from the first chapter right up through the end of the book. Once the book ends I find that I am usually sad because I have fallen in love with the characters and hate that the book has ended, and this book was no different. I wasn’t sure if I liked Casey throughout most of the book but in the end, I did enjoy her. I had a soft spot for Dylan because of the things he went through and for being a veteran. I love this book because I wasn’t able to figure it out super early on which means that I love it. If you love suspense/thriller books, I know you will love this book as much as I do.

About The Book

Casey knows the truth.

But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

About The Author

Terri Blackstock has sold over six million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of “Intervention,” “Vicious Cycle,” and “Downfall,” as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, Restoration, and Moonlighters.

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The Body In The Landscape by Larissa Reinhart

January 20, 2016

The Body In The Landscape by Larissa Reinhart was an okay book. I wasn’t a huge fan of the story but it was well written and I am sure that most people would enjoy this story. I want to check out other books by this author because I loved the authors writing style and I try not to write an author off if I don’t like the first book I read by them. This is the 5th book in the series and it is the first one I have read. I was able to understand what was going on in this book but it would have been nice to read the other books first because then I would have known the back story but you can just read this one and understand what is going on. If you love chick lit books than I am sure you will like this one. I think one of the things that turned me off of this book is the fact that part of it has to do with hunting and I am not a fan of that. That being said there isn’t to much of that in the book but it just turned me off right from the start.

About The Book

“Anyone who likes humorous mysteries will also enjoy local author Larissa Reinhart, who captures small town Georgia in the laugh-out-loud escapades of struggling artist Cherry Tucker.” – Fayette Woman Magazine

“Cherry is a quirky spitfire who lights the match that sets her little town on fire.” – Dru’s Book Musings

When Cherry Tucker’s invited to paint the winning portrait for Big Rack Lodge’s Hogzilla hunt, it seems like a paid vacation. Back home in Halo, a Hatfield-McCoy-style standoff builds between Luke and Cherry’s families. She’s ready for a weekend away, hobnobbing with rich and famous hunters, where she can forget her troubles and nobody knows her name.

As Georgia sunshine turns to bleak December rain, Cherry’s R&R goes MIA when she finds a body in the woods. While the police believe the local drunk took an accidental spill, Cherry has her doubts, particularly when a series of malicious pranks are targeted at the rifle toting contestants. With loyal companions at her side—sort-of-ex-husband Todd and a championship bayer named Buckshot—Cherry tracks suspects through a forest full of pitfalls and perils. And all the while, a killer’s stalking the hunt party with a bead on Cherry.

About The Author

The 2015 Georgia Author of the Year finalist for best mystery, Larissa writes with a particular focus on sassy female characters with a penchant for trouble. The Cherry Tucker Mystery series is published by Henery Press. The first in the series, PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (2012), is a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, 2012 The Emily finalist, and 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW, HIJACK IN ABSTRACT, and DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE follow, with the Cherry Tucker novella, QUICK SKETCH, in the anthology, HEARTACHE MOTEL, as a prequel to PORTRAIT. The fifth Cherry Tucker Mystery, THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE, releases December 15,, 2015.

Although Larissa calls Georgia home, she has moved back and forth from Japan over the years and is now living in Nagoya, Japan, with her family and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit. Visit her website or find her chatting at her Facebook page, Twitter, Tumblr, and Goodreads.

A personal note: I love interacting with readers, but I don’t comment on individual reviews to respect the privacy of reviewers. I really appreciate you taking the time to give feedback and I do encourage readers to contact me through private messaging if you want to ask a question or chat!

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Killer Pursuit by Jeff Gunhus #killerpursuit

December 31, 2015

Killer Pursuit by Jeff Gunhus was a good book. I have read tons of books this past year and I think that this book is at the top of the list of the books I have enjoyed reading this year. I also really enjoyed this authors style of writing and his characters. I also can’t wait to pick a few of his others books up in the new year. Anyway, let’s get on to the review of this book. I am a huge fan of Allison because she is such a strong female character that can be hard to find in books in this genre. I really can’t say enough great things about this book because I loved it from the start and I was left feeling sad when I was done with it because I loved the book. I know I am adding his other books to my list so that I can read more of his books. If you love thriller type books than I would recommend this book to you.

About The Book

When a high-society call girl is murdered in her Georgetown home, investigators find two cameras hidden in the walls of her bedroom. One has its memory erased, presumably by the murderer. The second is connected to the Internet through an encrypted connection…and no-one knows who’s on the other end.

Special Agent Allison McNeil is asked by beleaguered FBI Director Clarence Mason to run an off-the-record investigation of the murder. The most direct path to apprehending the killer is to find the videos, but with rumors that the victim’s client list may have included Mason’s political enemies, Allison worries about the director’s motives. As she starts her investigation, she quickly discovers that she’s not the only one pursuing the videos. In fact, the most aggressive person racing against her might be the murderer himself.

About The Author

Jeff Gunhus is the author thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 100 on Amazon and have been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists.

After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.