Tag Archives: 4 star review

Review – The Fruit Tree by Sabir Ahmed #sabirahmed #thefruittree

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Love is messy…and Adam and Eve are going to find out just how messy it can be.

A narrator is telling their story. By the end of the book, I thought that Sabir Ahmed left it up to me to figure out who the narrator was and who is the child he’s telling the story to. Am I right or wrong? I’ll leave it up to you to figure it out.

Adam and Eve are teenagers, their families are friends who think that they will eventually grow up and get married, have babies and live happily ever after. BUT, again, love is messy.

We follow them from their teenage years to adults. We watch as they struggle to make sense of their feelings. Adam is shy and Eve is…well, Eve. She thinks the world revolves around her and she can do no wrong. She will have a rude awakening.

I knew some of what was coming as I read along. ‘Love is a blessing and a curse.’ Love is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. For some, love is an obsession, and there is no telling how far the scorned will go.

Most of the time, we/re just cruising along, watching the children trying to make sense of life, going through all the angst that teenagers have. The last quarter of the book had me on pins and needles. There was an air of menace oozing off the pages. I couldn’t flip them fast enough, having to know WTH is going to happen. I knew it couldn’t be good. The ending is mind blowing and I love it.

I want to thank Sabir Ahmed for the opportunity to read and review The Fruit Tree.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Adam is your typical shy guy in school, with no thoughts towards romance outside of his daydreaming. However, that all changes one day, when he gets saved by an unlikely Eve. Eve is one of the more popular girls in school, but maybe he had misjudged her. Rescued from her boyfriend, Adam can’t help but admire Eve. They quickly become good friends and the rest, as they say, is history.
Follow them as they grow from teenagers to adults and watch how their relationship evolves with them. As they explore themselves and figure out who they are, their love will change. With the assistance of their parents, who would love for them to be together, will it be enough? Will they end up on the same page? Or will the chapters they write forever be out of sync?
This is not the same Biblical tale you’re familiar with. She wasn’t made from his rib, and he had his own garden. With no god to guide them, nor a devil to deceive them, how would they envisage Eden? They were left alone to be victims of their hearts and hostages to their minds. He was the forbidden fruit, but would she bite?

  • Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense
  • 402 pages, Paperback
  • Published October 24, 2024 by Grosvenor House Publishing Limited

ABOUT SABIR AHMED

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are arriving at school early and writing short stories before the day started. I’ve found a way to incorporate writing all throughout my life since, from stories, to journaling, to even writing guides and blog posts. My brain is constantly thinking of new ideas, if not fleshing out old ones. The Notes app on my phone has been a hero!

It’s always been my dream to publish a book. It didn’t need to be successful, it just had to be something I wrote. I was finally able to accomplish that, thanks to self-publishing. Now I have to find a new goal! It’s re-energised me to write even more, which I definitely intend on doing.

I hope you enjoy your stay in my little corner of the world.

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Review – The Human Hybrid Odyssey by A McDonald, K Witt, K Jarta #aaronmcdonald #kimathiwitt #kawsajatta

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MY REVIEW

Did you see the cover for The Human Hybrid Odyssey: Forever Changed written by Aaron McDonald and Kimathi Witt, and illustrated by Kawsa Jatta? It sure did make me curious about what I would find inside. I was not disappointed. There are some wonderful illustrations, and I love them. They add a little something extra to the novel.

I love apocalyptic/dystopian novels and The Human Hybrid Odyssey is a fresh take on a familiar genre. Catastrophic storms wiped out humanity as we knew it. A new breed of genetically altered hybrids arise from the aftermath.

Forever Changed is the first volume in the series, an introduction to a world in which the survivors struggle to create a life for themselves and are forced to leave their home and set off on a journey to the safety of the kingdom. I love all the creatures.

Nosoo is an intriguing character. His one moment of cowardice sets him off on an adventure that will test him and could cost him his life. His bravery may be spurred on because of his cowardice, his need to redeem himself in the eyes of his village.

I bounced between a 3 and 4 star rating because I wanted more depth and detail. The book is 170 pages of goodness, but I wasn’t able to get lost, though I did read straight through. I had to know what was going to happen next and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second book in the series.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GUEST POST

The Human Hybrid Odyssey: From Inspiration to Imagination

Every great story begins with a spark—and for The Human Hybrid Odyssey, that spark came from a set of stunning illustrations. Coauthor Aaron McDonald first shared the extraordinary images of half-human, half-animal hybrids, created by illustrator Kawsu Jatta, with coauthor Kimathi Witt. Immediately, the two began imagining the origins of such beings. How did they come to exist? What kind of world would they inhabit? Those questions set the stage for what would become an ever-expanding creative journey.

From a Single Idea to a Growing Saga

What started as a vivid “what if” quickly grew into a fully developed series. Today, The Human Hybrid Odyssey is available as a paperback, eBook, and audiobook—with a graphic novel adaptation in production right now. Each format lets fans experience the hybrids’ world in a new dimension, ensuring that every type of reader can step into the odyssey.

Beyond the Page: Immersive Creations

The vision didn’t stop at books. Our team has brought these characters to life in posters, 3D-printed statues, and even a custom chess game, each piece connecting fans more deeply with the story’s universe. And the adventure is only beginning—we are preparing to bring the hybrids to the big screen and, eventually, to your favorite streaming platforms.

A Platform by Authors, for Authors

Alongside our creative projects, we’re passionate about empowering other storytellers. That’s why we launched MWJ Books, a cost-sharing platform that allows authors to advertise their work at an extremely affordable price. Built by authors who understand the challenges of publishing, the platform helps writers overcome one of the most difficult—and expensive—parts of the journey: consistent, effective promotion.

Powered by Readers Like You

Perhaps the most rewarding part of this odyssey has been you, our readers. Hearing fans recite scenes and favorite moments from memory—completely unprompted—reminds us why we write. Your enthusiasm, questions, and theories fuel our creativity. And we want you to be part of the process: you can even suggest new characters or plot twists for us to explore in future volumes.

Join the Journey

We invite you to visit us at MWJBooks.com to:

  • Sign up for exclusive notifications about new releases.
  • Get updates on book signings, merchandise drops, and special events.
  • Share your ideas to help us craft the next chapter in The Human Hybrid Odyssey.

After all, we’re not just writing these stories for you—we’re writing them with you.

Best,
Aaron McDonald, Kimathi Witt, and Kawsu Jatta
MWJBooks.com

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

When the world as we know it crumbles beneath catastrophic storms and ancient forces reawaken, humanity is forever changed.

In the aftermath of global ruin, a new breed rises-genetically altered hybrids forged by chaos and instinct. Part human, part beast, they struggle to survive in a land reshaped by destruction, mystery, and myth. Tribes form, power shifts, and trust are a rare commodity in this brutal new order.

Among the survivors, unlikely alliances form as hybrid warriors embark on a harrowing journey through treacherous terrain, both physical and spiritual. Hunted by enemies, haunted by memories, and driven by a primal call they barely understand, they must uncover the truth about their transformation-and what it means for the future of their kind.

Forever Changed is the explosive first volume in The Human Hybrid Odyssey, a cinematic sci-fi saga blending action, ancient legends, and speculative evolution. This is not just a battle for survival. It’s the origin of a new species-and the beginning of an unforgettable odyssey.

  • Genre: Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural
  • 170 pages, Paperback
  • Published January 1, 2024
  • Series: The Human Hybrid Odeyssey #1
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Review – To Cage A Wild Bird by Brooke Fast #brookefast #tocageawildbird #netgalley

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Get in. Get out. Don't fall in love.
To Cage a Wild Bird tropes like enemies to lovers and slow burn romance

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I couldn’t find any information about Brooke Fast on Goodreads or Amazon. To Cage A Willd Bird is her debut novel and she knocked it out of the park.

Imagine, if you will, that by committing one single crime, you are given a life sentence. Pretty hard to put yourself in that position in this day and age. The prison is not like any prison you can imagine. I’m not sure of how much to share, but seeing it isn’t mentioned in the blurb, I won’t spoil the events that take place in the prison. Think our prisons are brutal…this one takes incarceration to a whole new level.

Raven Thorne is a bounty hunter. I love strong female main characters The romance between Raven and a prison guard develops slowly. It’s not easy to know who to trust. There are plenty of corrupt, lecherous guards who felt they could do whatever they want, but one guard tried to do whatever he could to protect the inmates from them.

I had some minor issues, but for the most part I got hooked from the very beginning. Brooke Fast had some unique and original thoughts for her dystopian novel and I am always on the lookout for a fresh take on a familiar tale.

I want to thank NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review To Cage A Wild Bird. I can hardly wait to find out what comes next.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Enter the brutal world of Endlock, a prison where the wealthy hunt the inmates for sport. The first novel in an electrifying dystopian romance series, this high-octane debut about forbidden love, found family, and a fight for survival will leave you breathless.
In the city of Dividium, the law is simple: commit a crime, and your punishment is a life sentence in Endlock.
Raven Thorne is Dividium’s most notorious bounty hunter, living on the edge of society. But when her younger brother, Jed, is sentenced to Endlock, Raven will do anything to save him—even if it means getting herself arrested.
Now trapped in a prison where danger lurks around every corner, Raven must use all her cunning and strength to protect Jed—and herself if she is to complete her perilous mission. But there’s one obstacle she never expected: the prison guard who stirs something deep inside her. The man she should hate. The man whose true motives seem impossible to pin down.
In a world where trust is a weapon and love is a liability, Raven must decide if she will risk everything to tear down a vicious system,

  • Genre: Adult, Apocalyptic, Dark Romance, Dystopian, Enemies to Lovers, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction,
  • 368 pages Kindle
  • March 3, 2026 by Avon
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MY REVIEW

Giveaway & Review – Murder Pays A Call by Nancy Cohen @nancyjcohen @dollycas #murderpaysacall

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Murder Pays a Call: A Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery
by Nancy J Cohen

About Murder Pays A Call

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Murder Pays a Call: A Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Florida
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orange Grove Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 290 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1952886376
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1952886379
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F8NNP8NN

MY REVIEW

Nancy J Cohen is a master storyteller when it comes to the cozy mystery genre. Murder Pays A Call surpassed my expectations. Usually cozies are too tame for me, but Murder Pays A Call is not your run of the mill cozy.

Welcome to Sunny Grove, Florida.

Keri Armstrong is a personal concierge. You have a need, she is happy to fulfill it, but murder was not on the menu. When the murder of one of her clients happens, she discovers the body of Fiona Sullivan. The rumor mill begins, but Fiona was one of her favorite clients and she is determined to find out the why of it herself.

Death brings out the best and the worst in people and we have a lot of people with their opinions and Keri’s list of suspects grows longer.

Cozies have nicer murders and murderers than the suspense thrillers that I love so much. Nancy does delve a little deeper than a lot of the cozies I’ve read and I find that enjoyable. Is that the wrong word? I mean, we are talking about murder. 🙂

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but solving murders wasn’t on her to-do list—until now.

When personal concierge Keri Armstrong swings by her favorite client’s mansion to drop off groceries, she expects a heartfelt chat along with a cup of tea—not Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. Though police chalk it up to a botched robbery, Keri isn’t so sure. Whispers around town suggest Fiona wasn’t as adored as Keri had believed, and many of the philanthropist’s so-called friends in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida seem glad she’s gone.

Keri refuses to let Fiona’s memory be reduced to malicious gossip. Armed with a keen eye, insider access, and a fully charged tablet, she sets out to uncover the truth. Soon her file of suspects grows faster than her to-do list. Between sneaky neighbors, resentful relatives, and tight-lipped charity board members, Fiona left behind a trail of frenemies who’d happily skip her memorial brunch.

As Keri digs deeper, she discovers her late mentor had a gift for extracting people’s secrets and using them like fine china—carefully storing them until they could serve a purpose. But Fiona also kept a few skeletons in her own walk-in closet. Now, with danger creeping closer, Keri must race to crack the case before her number comes up next… and Murder Pays a Call.

“A page-turner of a mystery from one of my favorite authors. Cohen’s deft mastery of the cozy genre shines through in every scene, delighting readers with another engrossing whodunit.” Muddy Rose Reviews

“Fans of award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen’s long-running Bad Hair Day Mysteries will be thrilled to learn there’s a new sleuth in town. Murder Pays a Call is the debut book in her Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery Series featuring a personal concierge who adds solving murders to the services she offers her clients.” – Lois Winston, author of the bestselling and award-winning Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.

About Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail and the Keri Armstrong cozy mysteries. Her books have won numerous awards including her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook. Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World.

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Friends With Benefits – Review – Opal’s Fight by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor #opalsfight

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MY REVIEW

Are you looking for heroes and heroines, foxy ladies and macho men? You can’t go wrong with a Jane Blythe novel. Her characters carry heavy baggage and I have a great time watching them get their happy ever afters. At times the stories feels all too real, making them even more terrifying.

CJ and Opal have been having a friends with benefits relationship. Neither is ready to make a commitment. Trouble arises when Opal finds out she is pregnant, right in the middle of an undercover operation. Memories of her past surface, which makes her more determined than ever to save the girls from human traffickers. (Every time I enter my doctor’s office, I see a poster about trafficked girls. Florida is known to be a high risk state for visitors). Opal’s Fight is a little bit different, in that, the traffickers want the babies. The girls are considered disposable.

Babies are kryptonite to CJ. Can he learn to love their unborn child? Well, if you are like me, you know he will overcome his feelings and become the husband and father that Opal and their unborn child need. The interesting part is the how of it.

“Need us to go beat him up for you?”

“Nah, if he needs beating up, I think we can handle it,” she said, gesturing to her sisters.

And I have no doubt they could handle it. The ladies were raised by the Master to be assassins and they don’t hold anything back when danger puts them in the crosshairs of evil. Even after the undercover operation is over, the danger lingers. I knew when IT was going to happen, I just didn’t know exactly what and by whom.

Whew. That was one wild ride, filled with highs and lows and lots of danger. I’m really excited to get started on the next series of ferocious women warriors, the Athena Team series. First up is Scarlett.

Thanks Jane, for the opportunity to read and review Opal’s Fight.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

An unplanned pregnancy could push their friends with benefits arrangement to something more or break what they have.

Despite growing up the way she did, Opal Smith always knew she wanted to have a family of her own one day. The last thing she expected was to wind up pregnant in the middle of an undercover case. Not that it matters because she knows without a doubt that the only man she trusts with her body and her heart will step up. CJ would never let her down. Ever.

Navy SEAL Cameron John “CJ” Ulrich has a secret. One he hasn’t disclosed with anyone. Including his best friend. Even though he feels things changing with Opal, starts thinking maybe he’d like more than friends with benefits, when she announces she’s pregnant that’s it. Things are over between them. For good. But the dangers of her undercover case are lingering around her, and CJ might wind up losing Opal and the baby he believes he doesn’t want permanently.

  • Genre: Fiction, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller
  • 280 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published November 14, 2023
  • Series: Prey Security: Artemis Team #4

ABOUT JANE BLYTHE

USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe writes action-packed romantic suspense and military romance featuring protective heroes and heroines who are survivors. One of Jane’s most popular series includes Saving SEALs, part of Susan Stoker’s OPERATION ALPHA world! Writing in that world alongside authors such as Janie Crouch and Riley Edwards has been a blast, and she looks forward to bringing more books to this genre, both within and outside of Stoker’s world. When Jane isn’t binge-reading she’s counting down to Christmas and adding to her 200+ teddy bear collection!

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MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

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Review – Armored by Mark Greaney @MarkGreaneyBook #armored

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He's one man with a team to protect, a secret to keep, a mission to complete.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Josh Duffy wondered who he had become. He was a security guard at the mall. Who is there to protect? He can’t even afford to take care of his family. He couldn’t help but question why he was here. Not just here at the mall, but here on earth. What was his purpose?

Josh Duffy had been a professional bodyguard. He was one of the world’s elite operatives, until Lebanon. He was successful in protecting his principal, but he had paid a price, the loss of his leg.

An old friend finds him at the mall and offers him an opportunity to work in the field. The UN is hoping to broker a truce between the different drug cartels in Mexico. He gets more than he bargains for.

Once the action starts, it never stops. Danger is found around every corner. Bodies will fall. It doesn’t take long for them to realize there is a traitor amongst their group. Who will make it out alive?

Mark Greaney’s research makes Armored shine. The vivid details and realistic characters bring the story to life. The pacing and excellent writing kept the suspense at a high level. A sense of urgency played across the pages and I found myself engrossed in the story. I would definitely read more of his work.

I won this copy of Armored, Armored #1, by Mark Greaney.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A novel inspired by #1 New York Times best-selling author Mark Greaney’s Audible Original drama, Armored.Joshua Duffy is a Close Protection Agent—a professional bodyguard—and he’s one of the world’s elite operatives. That is, he was until his last mission in Lebanon. Against all odds, Josh got his primary out alive, but the cost was high. Josh lost his lower left leg.  There’s not much call for an elite bodyguard with such an injury. So, Josh has to support his family working as a mall cop in New Jersey. For a man like Josh, this is purgatory on earth, but miracles can occur even in Paramus.  A lucky run-in with an old comrade promises to get Josh back in the field for one last job. The UN is sending a peace mission into the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico, an area so dangerous it’s known as Espinazo del Diablo—the Devil’s Spine. Only a fool would think they could broker peace between the homicidal drug cartels in the region, and only a madman would sign on to keep those fools alive.

  • Genre: Fiction, Military, Mystery, Spy, Suspense, Thriller
  • 510 pages, Kindle Edition
  • First published July 5, 2022 by Berkley
  • Series; Armored #1

ABOUT MARK GREANEY

Mark Greaney has a degree in International Relations and Political Science. In researching The Gray Man series he traveled to ten countries and trained extensively in the use of firearms, battlefield medicine, and close range combative tactics.

Learn more at MARKGREANEYBOOKS.COM

Email Mark at MarkGreaneyBooks@gmail.com

MY MARK GREANEY REVIEWS

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Review – Please Don’t Lie by Christina Baker Kline & Anne Burt @bakerkline

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GOODREADS

MY REVIEW

Please Don’t Lie by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt is the first book in the Crystal River series. Hayley moves to the Adirondacks with her new husband, but we all know, you can’t run away from your past.

It has been two years since she lost her parents to a house fire and her sister to an overdose. A shadow hangs over Hayley and no matter how many self help books she reads, she will be forced to confront a reality she never envisioned. Don’t we all know that an isolated mountain town can hold dangers that will change her life forever? The location adds a feeling of menace and the pace had me rapidly flipping pages.

I love that Christine and Anne were able to keep me guessing until the very end.

I want to thank Christine, Anne and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to share Please Don’t Lie with you. I hope to read more of their work in the future.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

In this stylish, twisty thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline and award-winning author Anne Burt, a young woman heads to the Adirondacks with her new husband for a fresh start—but the past won’t let her go.

Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family’s tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.

But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.

Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends—a free-spirited couple living on the property—can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.

As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication: September 1, 2025 by Thomas & Mercer

ABOUT CHRISTINA BAKE KLINE

The writer Christine Baker Kline (USA), New York, New York, January 28, 2020. Photograph © Beowulf Sheehan

A #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World, Christina Baker Kline is published in 40 countries. Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today, Poets & Writers, and Salon.

Born in England and raised in the American South and Maine, Kline is a graduate of Yale (B.A.), Cambridge (M.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.F.A.), where she was a Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing. A resident of New York City and Southwest Harbor, Maine, she serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Fiction (NY), the Jesup Library (Bar Harbor, ME), the Montclair Literary Festival (NJ), the Kauai Writers Festival (HI), and Roots & Wings (NJ), and on the gala committees of Poets & Writers (NY), The Authors Guild (NY) and Friends of Acadia (ME). She is an Artist-Mentor for StudioDuke at Duke University and the BookEnds program at Stony Brook University.

Website

ABOUT ANNE BURT

Anne Burt is the coauthor with #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline of the thriller PLEASE DON’T LIE. Anne’s debut novel, THE DIG, was an American Booksellers Association Indie Next Pick, the Strand Book Store’s mystery selection for spring 2023, and Indie Next’s lead “Thrills & Chills” reading group title for summer 2024. Anne is also the editor of MY FATHER MARRIED YOUR MOTHER and co-editor of ABOUT FACE. Her essays and fiction have appeared in numerous publications and venues, including Salon, NPR, and Working Mother, and she is a past winner of Meridian Literary Magazine’s Editors’ Prize in Fiction.

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Review – Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold #ThreeGirlsGone #NetGalley @Carolyn_Arnold

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am always happy to be back with Detective Amanda Steele of the Prince William County Police Department and eagerly crack open Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold. We are in the small town of Dumfries, Virginia.

I love Prologues. I love the tease. I love the hook that gets set from the opening pages.

They ended up where they were supposed to be, just like destiny had intended.

Unfortunately, that is not a good thing, seeing the killer is doing the placing of the young girls’ bodies. The murder struck close to home for Amanda. She has an adopted nine year old daughter that she loves to pieces. She has the whole work/life conflict, but Zoe understands how important Amanda’s job is, even though she feels disappointed at times. Amanda could relate to the loss of a child, because she had lost her husband and six year old daughter to a car accident.

There was a child, Julie Gilbert, twelve years back, and a colleague of Amanda’s, Katherine Graves, was back and determined to find out who killed the child. Secrets will be revealed

I always wonder when Carolyn Arnold will let Amanda have her happy every after. Her and her partner Trent have a push pull relationship. They already have a great working relationship and I think a personal relationship would work for them as well.

The detailed descriptions of Zoe’s actions are so sweet and easy to visualize, putting a smile on my face.

Carolyn Arnold never lets me down. She manages to write stories that grab me and never let me go. I race through the pages, having to know what’s coming next, who is doing what to who and how is Amanda going to catch the bad guy. The mystery is not easily solved and I like an author who can keep me guessing.

My thanks go out to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Three Girls Gone by Carolyn Arnold.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The girl in the ballerina dress lies still on the carousel with her face toward the blue sky. In her tutu and slippers, she’s ready for her next performance. But as the morning sun shines down upon her, she no longer feels its warmth on her cheeks. Her bright light is gone forever.

When the body of Hailey Tanner is found in a local park, Detective Amanda Steele races to the scene. Interviewing her devastated parents, they confirm that Hailey never made it home from her dance class. Searching for clues in the family home, Amanda discovers that some ballet clothing was taken from Hailey’s room. Could the killer have been close to her?

As Amanda and Trent question potential suspects, they’re painfully reminded of a similar case. Julie Gilbert, another gifted performer, was murdered in exactly the same way twelve years ago. Amanda’s former colleague, Katherine Graves, never gave up hope of bringing the killer to justice and now with a clear link between the two victims, she steps back into the investigation.

But she’s soon warned off when a threatening note is found in the hem of Hailey’s dress. “This girl’s your fault. Stop looking or there will be more.”

With boxes of evidence files and potential leads, Amanda knows that Katherine must have been getting close, but when a third girl is taken soon after, the clock starts ticking again. There’s no way Amanda will let another child suffer at the hands of this twisted killer. But how much will the team be prepared to sacrifice, and can they save this girl before it’s too late?

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • 356 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication August 27, 2025 by Bookouture
  • Series: Detective Amanda Steele #14

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from police procedurals, hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

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Review – A Glimpse Too Far: Based On A True Story by Karen Charles @pumpupyourbook

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A Glimpse Too Far by Karen Charles is based on a true story. I love stories that can blend fact and fiction as seamlessly as Karen has done. Elouise wakes up after a terrible accident with the ability to see glimpses of people’s pasts and futures. Is it a gift or a curse? I feel sure that there are those who would love to exploit her gift.

There are secrets that will be exposed and when she gets pulled into a powerful senators plan to use her gift as a weapon, danger surrounds her. She has no chance at a normal life, and I love the path that Karen Charles chose for her to walk.

I love that Karen Charles brought horses into the story. I had recently read another book that had wild horses in it and the dangers they face.

There is a love interest and I love that Karen Charles has chosen to veer from a familiar path that usually defines a romantic suspense novel.

To wrap things up, A Glimpse Too Far by Karen Charles was a quick, easy read with the right amount of mystery and danger that kept me flipping the pages, wanting to know what comes next. Wanting to know if Elouise can have a happy ever after. And I love that things didn’t end the way I thought they would. That makes me think there could be more in store for Elouise. What do you think, Karen? Is she still talking to you?

I want to thank Pump Up Your Book Tours and Karen Charles for the opportunity to read and review A Glimpse Too Far.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A terrifying gift. A government cover-up. And a past that won’t stay buried.
Elouise thought she had left the past behind. After a tragic accident, she woke with a chilling ability to see glimpses of people’s pasts and futures. She’s spent years trying to live a normal life. But when a powerful senator pulls her into a high-stakes game of deception and control, she realizes her gift is no longer a secret—it’s a weapon. And he intends to use it.
She must make an impossible play his deadly game or risk everything to expose the truth.
Danger closes in. Now, Elouise is running for her life, hunted by those who will do anything to silence her.
Who can she trust? The boyfriend who swore to protect her? Or the man who wants to own her gift—at any cost?
A Glimpse Too Far is a pulse-pounding thriller filled with menace, betrayal, and a race against time. Will the truth be uncovered before it’s too late?

  • Genre: Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller, Animals, Horses
  • 217 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published June 18, 2025 by BookBaby

ABOUT KAREN CHARLES (from Amazon)

Karen Charles is the author of Freeman Earns a Bike, a children’s book, and two thrillers based on true stories. Fateful Connections takes place in the aftermath of 9/11, and Blazing Upheaval takes place during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the Northridge earthquake. She has two businesses: a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English, and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she resides with her husband. Her latest book is the psychological thriller, A Glimpse Too Far.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ www.weaveofsuspense.com  

X ➜  http://www.x.com/karenra24229683 

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/karen.rabe.7/

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Review – Wings Of Steel & Fury by Sarah J Daley #WingsofSteelFury #NetGalley #sarahjdaley

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Wings of Steel & Fury by Sarah J Daley is a fabulous fantasy that gave me hours of reading pleasure. We have a lot of characters and each has a special place and purpose in the story. We have Eleazar Starson, a prince and heir to the throne of Honor, but he must earn it. Little does he know, those closest to him will betray him. He falls to Earth, to the human world, where someone who was used to light and beauty will have to learn to survive in a world of darkness, with monsters and chaos. Lucky for him, he meets Fury.

…she’d come into the world screaming and her mother had anointed her ‘Fury’ and she’s spent her life living up to the name.

Diver, Fury’s brother, Fury will work together to keep Eleazar alive. Eleazar’s brother will be back to finish off what he started, so he may have the throne. Diver is a lovable character, and, though Fury felt he had been spoiled rotten, he will rise to the occasion and become one of my favorite characters.

Wings Of Steel & Fury felt like fantasy, and steampunk rolled into one, with a splash of the apocalyptic/dystopian genre. The battles between the ‘gods’ and the humans are brutal, savage, and amazing. It is a fight to the death and I feel the loss of many of those who fall, who willing give up their life to save others. Both sides see things from their own perspective, instead of how they really are and much will be learned as they have to work together to survive.

I want to thank Angry Robot and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Wings Of Steel & Fury by Sarah J Daley. I was sad to come to the end of this wonderful novel.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The human world is no place for a god, but toiling on Earth may just teach an angel how to fly once again…

Eleazar Starson, prince of Splendour and heir to the Great Throne of Honor, is living his worst nightmare. Betrayed and grievously injured, he has been cast from a world of light and beauty to suffer in the Below, a world of darkness and despair populated with demonic ghouls and vile creatures. It is a terrible world, a human world. It is an awful place for a god, especially one as beautiful and brilliant as Eleazar.

But, broken and lost, he is a god struggling in the muck, his only allies a pair of atheist siblings who would sooner worship a burnt ghoul than show him proper obeisance and the closest gateway back to Splendour is half a world away through a wild and daunting landscape of chaos, monsters and men. He has no choice but to endure the unspeakable horrors of this human place, this war-torn world of carbines and steel rails and smoke-belching factories, not if he wishes to return to Splendour and reclaim his place among the Angelus.

  • Genre: Angels, Gods And Godesses, Fantasy, Fiction
  • Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication August 26, 2025 by Angry Robot

ABOUT SARAH J DALEY

Sarah J. Daley is a former chef who lives and writes in the Chicagoland area with her husband, son and very fat cat. Her debut novel, Obsidian, was a finalist for the 2022 Compton Crook Award. She has also published with Warhammer’s Black Library and continues to churn out work featuring indomitable MCs who get dumped into impossible, and usually violent, situations. She is also a proud stepmother to three adult children who definitely don’t consider her wicked.

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