Killing Me Softly by Kathryn R Biel

February 24, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from CLP in exchange for my honest review.

I received no other compensation for this review.

Killing Me Softly by Kathryn R Biel was a good book it just wasn’t one of my favorites. I am not sure what I didn’t like about this book because it was written well and I did like Sadie right from the start. I think one thing I didn’t like was how Sadie over analyzed the people dying and blaming herself for their deaths. I really didn’t like her boyfriend at the start of the book right from the start and if I am being honest I wasn’t sad when he got killed. He bugged me and I knew that Sadie deserved someone 100% better than him. I did feel at times like some parts of the book were drug out too long and maybe some of Sadies thoughts that she had could have been cut out or shortened. This was an okay book and I am sure if you like chick lit then you might enjoy this book and you should check it out.

About The Book

Sadie Perkins has a sixth sense about things—especially people dying. Her clairvoyance has never bothered her until she starts to believe that her visions are causing the deaths of those around her. After her latest relationship ends … badly … Sadie swears off love for good. While searching for an uncomplicated life, Sadie finds her hands full not only with a home renovation project but with defending herself against suspicion of murder. There’s a fine line between predicting someone’s death and causing it. Has Sadie finally crossed that line?
Enter contractor Max Schultz, who is not only good at working on houses, but he’s good at working on Sadie too. Much to Max’s dismay, as he’s trying to win Sadie’s heart, he finds Sadie’s first love, Henry Fitzsimmons, is back in the picture, snooping around.
Sadie doesn’t know which way to turn or who to trust, including herself. Can Sadie clear her name and open her heart all at the same time?

About The Author

Kathryn Biel hails from Upstate New York, and is a spouse and mother of two wonderful, but exhausting kids. In between being Chief Home Officer and Director of Child Development of the Biel household, she works as a school-based physical therapist. She attended Boston University and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Sage Colleges. After years of writing countless letters of medical necessity for wheelchairs, finding increasingly creative ways to encourage the government and insurance companies to fund her client’s needs, and writing entertaining annual Christmas letters, she decided to take a shot at writing the kind of novel that she likes to read. Her musings and rants can also be found on her personal blog, Biel Blather.

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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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Still Counting by Phil Fragasso

February 18, 2016

Still Counting by Phil Fragasso was an interesting book. I say that because I think this is the first chick lit book that I have ever read that is written by a man. It was a fun change from the other chick lit books that I have read. I love getting the males view on everything that was going on and I felt like this book is probably more accurate than some chick lit books that are written by females. I spent the entire book interested in what was going on because I loved getting to read what males may be thinking when they are dating and are in relationships. One part that made me sad was in the first chapter when he has to put down Casey, his dog because I too just had to put down my cat so I can understand how that would make him feel. I felt like Adam was someone I would get along with in the real world so that always makes for a good book as well. If you love chick lit and are looking for something a little bit different than I would for sure, tell you to check this book out because I know you will love it.

About The Book

Adam Donatello and Nina Morales share an immediate and powerful attraction, and their future together seems assured. But love is difficult enough without adding complications—real or imagined—to the mix. Nina sees life as a thousand shades of gray while Adam tends toward black-and-white. He wants to move fast; she needs time. Nina sees her past liaisons with women as immaterial to their relationship, while her disclosure drives Adam to a state of irrational jealousy. He doesn’t know how he could compete with a woman, and his suspicions—which Nina views as hypocritical—lead them both to make decisions they may live to regret.

About The Author

I sold my first article at the age of 16. Since then I’ve written and published a wide variety of books, articles, and essays. After many years as a corporate marketer, I left to pursue endeavors that were more fulfilling personally and more contributory on a societal level. Today I focus my time on writing and teaching. I’ve often said “I live the American dream” and that is indeed how I feel. With a wonderful wife, two grown children, great friends and a couple of rambunctious Labrador retrievers, I can’t complain about a damn thing.

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Excerpt

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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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An Amish Year by Beth Wiseman

February 12, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from 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.

An Amish Year by Beth Wiseman was an excellent book. I love books like this because I love the shorter stories and the fact that I can read through one quickly and move on to a new thing. I liked that they put definitions of some of the words that the Amish use so that if you haven’t read books in this genre before you will be able to understand and follow along with the stories. I have read enough books that I don’t need the information, but if you are new, then I know you will love it. Out of the four stories that are in this book, I think I liked the first story the most. I felt like I could relate to Rosemary out of all the characters and her story was my favorite out of the four stories. I would recommend this book to people who don’t have tons of time to read because since they are short stories you can just read one and then put it down and walk away from it for awhile without having to remember what happened before.

About The Book

Spend a year in Amish country with four sweet romances.

Rooted in Love (previously published in An Amish Garden )

Rosemary Lantz is doing her best to run her family’s household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul Petersheim has pursued Rosemary for years, but Rosemary keeps turning him down. What Saul doesn’t know is that she has good reason—something no one can know—especially not him.

A Love for Irma Rose

The year is 1957, and young Irma Rose has a choice to make. Date the man who is “right” for her? Or give Jonas a chance, the wild and reckless suitor who refuses to take no for an answer? Irma Rose steps onto the path she believes God has planned for her, but when she loses her footing, she is forced to rethink her choice.

Patchwork Perfect

Eli Byler has been a widower for two years when he chooses to make a fresh start in Paradise, Pennsylvania. As Eli juggles the admiration of two women, he meets Miriam Fisher—the most unconventional Amish woman he’s ever met. She doesn’t fit the mold for what Eli is looking for, but it isn’t long before Eli realizes that Miriam is everything he wants. But Miriam has no plans to get married—ever. Will Eli be able to change her mind?

When Christmas Comes Again (previously published in An Amish Second Christmas )

Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischerappears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store.

About The Author

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.3 million books, her novels have held spots on multiple Bestseller lists. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series–Seek Me With All Your Heart–was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth lives in Texas with her family.