Tag Archives: 4 star review

Review – Woman Missing by A B Whelan #womanmissing #abwhelan

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Amazon / KindleUnlimited / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have read some of A B Whelan’s work and loved it, so when I had a chance to grab the ARC for Woman Missing, I jumped all over it. I love the gorgeous cover that pops off the page, and it definitely fits the story inside.

The two main characters are Susan Keller and Ethan Morro and the story is shared from their points of view.

Susan Keller had spent her life taking care of her husband and two children. But what about her? She has lost herself and her identity. What would it be like to start over? To be free? How about a hot week on Catalina Island with the girls and, maybe, find out?

With Ethan, each violent occurrence takes him a step further into darkness. How long will he be able to keep his secrets? How long will he be able to control his urges?

The story starts off a bit slow, laying the ground work as it moves along. I was lulled into a sense of complacency and I know A B Whelan won’t let me stay that way. A subtle sense of anticipation slowly rises. The suspense grows and it isn’t long before I am off and running, flipping pages with a sense of urgency.

A B Whelan is good about throwing some twists and turns into the mix and I loved the ending. Well done!

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Two strangers. One island. What could possibly connect them?

Susan Keller is a devoted wife and mother whose children have left home for college. On a weekend island getaway with friends, she begins to wonder what life might look like if she were free to start again.

Ethan Morro works two exhausting jobs to support his wife and young children. Every day he watches wealthy tourists live the life he feels was meant for him.
When tragedy strikes the island, investigators begin searching for answers.

But what could possibly connect these two strangers?

And what secrets were they both carrying that led them there?

A chilling psychological suspense about desire, resentment, and the dangerous secrets people carry beneath ordinary lives.

  • Genre: Fiction, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller
  • 285 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published June 2, 2026 by Burbank Books Publishing

ABOUT A B WHELAN

New release: No One Can Hear You Scream is a gripping, atmospheric psychological thriller about obsession, survival, and family bonds, releasing on October 20th.

A.B. Whelan

Whelan is an Amazon bestselling author of domestic psychological thrillers.

She currently resides in California with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing, editing, marketing, or researching her next book, you can find her walking her two rescue dogs, socializing online, coaching soccer, or doing another DIY project with her husband.

Find me on:
* Facebook (AuthorABWhelan)
* Instagram (authorabwhelan)
* Goodreads (A.B. Whelan)
* Twitter (AuthorABWhelan)
* Bookbub: A.B. Whelan

MY A B WHELAN REVIEW

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Romantic Suspense – Vicious Consequences by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist #viciousconsequences

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Amanda Siegrist writes some wonderful romance stories, but she has stepped up her game with Vicious Consequences, a sure to grip you in its clutches romantic suspense novel.

“This is Jake Anders. Don’t bother leaving a message because the likelihood I call you back is slim to none.” Beeeep.

I loved it. Gave me a chuckle, as does the next character in Amanda Siegrist’s novel, Vicious Consequences

I love unique characters, and Amanda Siegrist created one in Detective Victoria Johansen. She randomly spits out random facts. That could mislead someone into thinking she isn’t to be feared, but they would be wrong. She is not afraid to admit when she makes a mistake, such as arresting the wrong man, Jake Anders. She has an active mind and has been accused of thinking too much. I can relate to that. Sometimes it’s hard to shut the mind down.

The investigation has drawn them together and their relationship deepens. He accepts her and her uniqueness, but they don’t realize that the killer has them in their sights.

Darn it, Amanda. I know that killing off a character can add to the story, but sometimes it ticks me off. Now the suspense has ramped up and the villain is enjoying every minute of it.

Whenever I see Amanda Siegrist has written a new novel, I jump on her bandwagon. She has never failed to entertain me for hours on end, and recently she has amped up her game. So, if you are looking for a nail biter romance and a happy ever after, join me in reading an Amanda Siegrist novel.

My thanks go out to Amanda Siegrist for the opportunity to share her novel, Vicious Consequences.

 

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

No good deed goes unpunished.

Jason Swanson thought he was done being a victim. After barely surviving an attack that left him jumping at shadows, he refuses to stand by when he witnesses a vicious assault. Except his heroism backfires when he’s arrested for the crime. Worse, the lead detective is the same woman who shot him down at his best friend’s wedding.

Detective Victoria Johansen is tough as nails when it comes to her job, even if she’s awkward around everyone else. When she realizes she arrested the wrong man, she’s strong enough to admit her mistake. What she doesn’t expect is her growing attraction to Jason—a man who sees past her oddness to the woman beneath.

As their relationship deepens, the real killer emerges from the shadows, turning their investigation into a deadly game of cat and mouse. But they have no idea how close the danger really is. Or that the killer has been watching them all along.

Perfect for readers who crave pulse-pounding romantic suspense with jaw-dropping twists. One-click Vicious Consequences now to start this edge-of-your-seat thriller today!

  • Genre: Fiction, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller
  • 240 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published April 7, 2026 by Amanda Siegrist
  • Series: Consequences Novel, #4

ABOUT AMANDA SIEGRIST

Amanda Siegrist

Love! Gimme some love and heaps of romance. I have a sappy heart that just loves two people meeting, going through the cycles of a relationship, and ultimately, falling in love. Give me a good book like that and I’m a happy camper:)

I write contemporary and romantic suspense, but I am partial to suspense. I just love a good mystery.

Besides writing, I love baking, crafts, and baseball…oh, and meeting new people. *smiles*

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook / Instagram

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

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Review – Nowhere To Hide by Carolyn Arnold @carolynarnold #netgalley #nowheretohide

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MY REVIEW

Nowhere To Hide by Carolyn Arnold is described as an unputdownable and pulse pounding thriller…and I totally agree. Carolyn Arnold has the ability to bring her characters to life, sharing their personal and professional lives, making them become real on the pages.

I am loving Sandra Vos, Carolyn Arnold’s latest character to shine in her own series. She is fallible, yet always tries to do the right thing. She sacrifices her personal time to a crisis that could cost a man his life. He wants answers, and she wants to supply them.

I love when the peripheral characters stand out as well as the main characters. I wonder…will they appear in a later story? Could they possible have their own story? You can never be sure where the trail would lead, and I am open to traveling down the road with them.

Looking for a must read author? Carolyn Arnold has multiple series that are sure to entertain you for hours…and, if you are anything like me…trying to solve the mystery before she puts it out there for all to see.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to share Nowhere To Hide by Carolyn Arnold.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

He paced while keeping his eye on his hostages. They watched him back with their gazes fixed on each step he took. Locking eyes with the father in a home so luxurious, so unlike his own, he knew this was his only chance for justice after all these years. He’d stop at nothing to get it.

When a lone gunman takes an entire family hostage in a wealthy suburb, there is only one FBI negotiator he’ll engage with. Special Agent Sandra Vos hit the headlines for bringing a crisis incident at Founders Hospital to a close, but there’s no time to rest with a family’s life in her hands.

Arriving on the scene, Sandra discovers that Edward Hanson and his family are the hostages. Edward is the son of the late Timothy Hanson who left his entire fortune to his son. While it seems this may be all about money, the hostage taker makes a demand that is far more personal. Reopen an investigation into a fatal car accident from thirty-three years ago or he shoots the entire family. But how does this connect to the Hansons?

Sandra calls in her boyfriend, Detective Eric Birch, at the Metropolitan Police Department, and asks him to dig into the case. Eric works to untangle a web of lies which leads him straight to the heart of the police force. But can any of this help Sandra talk the hostage taker down and save the family? And how much will Eric need to sacrifice in the pursuit of the truth?

A completely addictive mystery thriller perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, Mary Stone and Elle Gray.

  • Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
  • 322 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Expected publication May 20, 2026 by Bookouture
  • Series: Sandra Vos, #3

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 – The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny & Melissa Fung #netgalley #louisepenny #melissafung

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Last Mandarin Louise Penny Mellissa Fung

 

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung is my first book by both authors. I grabbed a copy from NetGalley when I saw it, because my mother in law loves Louise Penny. I was not disappointed and I always appreciate a stand alone novel.

The Last Mandarin is look at two unlikely heroines, Alice Li, a first generation Chinese American and food blogger, and her mother, Vivien Li, a Chinese dissident, who escaped China after the famous Tiananmen Square standoff.

It begins when security and fire alarms go off all across the globe and the signal is traced back to China. Alice Li and her mother, Vivien Li are called to the White House, hoping they can decode the transmissions. Things don’t go where I thought they would and I love when an author can grab my attention and never let it go.

The suspense builds slowly. Power and greed drive the characters. Things are not as they seem, but the truth needs to be quashed or China could erupt into political disaster. I really like this twist. The mother and daughter relationship will be put to the ultimate test.

Could this be our future? Will wars still be fought by feet on the ground, or will everything cyber be the rule? How big a role with social media play? Aren’t we already living in a world where the fifth estate, social media, has the one of the loudest voices? This is one example of how something good can be twisted into something bad.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A standalone thriller co-written by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gamache series and an award-winning journalist.

In a fast-paced, all-too-real thriller co-written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Louise Penny and award-winning journalist Mellissa Fung, global politics become personal for two unlikely heroines. Alice Li, a first-generation Chinese-American, is an erstwhile food blogger who has lived in the shadow of her mother, Vivien Li. A Chinese dissident who escaped China after Tiananmen Square, Vivien is now a globally recognized human rights activist and passionate advocate for a free and democratic China.

When security and fire alarms go off simultaneously all around the world, setting off a panic, the signal is traced back to China. As world leaders scramble to respond, Vivien and Alice are called to the White House in hopes Madame Li can decode the Chinese intentions.

While it makes some sense that the President would turn to Vivien, since she regularly advises world leaders on the actions of today’s Chinese government, what isn’t clear is why they’d want to talk to Alice.

After looking at the evidence, Vivien says that the only thing worse than the Chinese government being behind it, is if they are not. It would mean, she explains, that some clandestine element within China is calling the shots. That the President of China has lost control. And an unstable China cannot be good for anyone.

Or perhaps that’s exactly what the shrewd old politician wants everyone to think.

Caught up in the chaos, Vivien and Alice are uniquely placed to stop the next, cataclysmic attack. But there are forces deep within both the American and Chinese governments intent on stopping mother and daughter. The estranged pair, who excels at misunderstanding each other, must figure out how to work together.

The increasingly frantic search for answers takes the women from the Oval Office to an office building in Akron, Ohio, from the noodle shops of Hong Kong to the necropolis of the first emperor. Along the way they must decode an old legend, and an old language invented by women, for women.

The Last Mandarin is an electrifying study of absolute power and voracious greed, political terror and personal conviction. But it is also, as to be expected from the minds of Louise Penny, beloved author of the Gamache novels, and Mellissa Fung, an acclaimed international journalist, an intimate examination of choice, of sacrifice, of memory and myths, both cultural and personal. It is the story of a mother and daughter, as well as a compelling international thriller about the precarious balance of power across the world, and within a family. And what happens when both break down.

  • Genre: China, Espionage, Fiction, Mystery, Politics, Suspense, Thriller
  • 400 pages, Hardcover
  • Expected publication May 12, 2026

ABOUT LOUIS PENNY

LOUISE PENNY is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (seven times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise lives in a small village south of Montréal.

Website

ABOUT MELISSA FUNG

Mellissa Fung is a veteran journalist, best-selling author, and award-winning filmmaker. Her latest book, written with Louise Penny, The Last Mandarin, will be published in May 2026. Fung has traveled the world producing original award-winning documentaries for Al-Jazeera International, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and TV Ontario, among others. She covered the war in Afghanistan as a field correspondent for the CBC, leading to her best-selling first book, Under an Afghan Sky, which chronicled her experience as a hostage after she was kidnapped while on assignment in Kabul in 2008. Since then, she has focused on human rights reporting, especially on women and girls in post-war conditions. She is also a frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail and Monocle Radio, and her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Toronto Star, TRT, CNN, and PBS. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University in New York. She was appointed as an officer to the Order of Canada in 2024. She lives in Toronto with her husband Paul and her scruffy rescue dog, Sammy.

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Review – Lies To Forever by Marlene M Bell #marlenembell #liestoforever #Ewephoric

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Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Lies To Forever by Marlene M Bell is dark and dangerous for April Manning. Marlene writes some fabulous mysteries, but she has upped her game with this convoluted thriller, filled with obsession and betrayal.

April’s life is moving along and she’s feeling good about herself and her situation…until she’s finds her savings has been siphoned from her bank account. Her generous nature leads to her downfall when she is served an eviction notice and the landlord of her dream home is missing. Her boss at the architecture firm she works for comes up dead. Everything revolves around April, but she has no clue why she is in someone’s crosshairs.

She is being stalked and set up to take the fall. Mysterious packages appear on her doorstep, wind chimes appear out of nowhere, bringing her past to mind, a past she thought she had left behind.

She’s lucky that her exboyfriend, Hunter, willingly steps up to the plate to help her out. It made me very suspicious. Her friend and coworker, Kelly, offers her some money and a place to stay. There are plenty of suspects as the investigation develops. Do they want her dead?

My spidey senses were tingling and my suspicions grew as the story moved along at a steady clip. The book has short chapters that make for easy reading. As the suspense grew, my need to know the answers increased. I love that there are those ‘don’t go in the basement’ moments.

My thanks go out to Marlene M Bell and Ewephoric for the opportunity to review Lies To Forever.

 

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

First they stole her trust. Now they want her life.

April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness. After being scammed out of her life savings by a trusted friend, April is left with an eviction notice and one last hope: reclaiming her position as an interior designer at her old architectural firm, even if it means a showdown with head architect Hunter Ellis, her cheating ex.

But that’s not the only hitch. When the owner of the firm turns up dead, the last thing April expects to find is the bloody murder weapon on her doorstep.

Now the killer sets a plan for April and suspicion flares at every turn…from the mysterious new handyman, to an estranged family member she’s tried to forget. Chased from her dream home and cornered like prey, April is hemmed by the wintry forests of Tennessee with few options. As chilling memories of childhood abandonment haunt her, it seems everyone has a hidden agenda to take April down.

Only one thing is certain. A monster is stalking Smoky Creek, and April must unmask them before they land the fatal blow.

  • Genre: Fiction, Kidnapping, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
  • 265 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published March 31, 2026 by Ewephoric

ABOUT MARLENE M BELL

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch for her readers, they often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic mysteries and children’s books as characters or subject matter. Marlene is an accomplished artist and photographer who takes pride in entertaining fans on multiple levels of her creativity.

Marlene’s award-winning Annalisse series boasts Best Mystery honors for all installments including these: IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, Global Award Best Mystery, and Chanticleer’s International Mystery and Mayhem shortlist for Copper Waters, the fourth mystery in the series.

She offers her children’s picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! written primarily for younger kids based on true events from the Bell’s East Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb.

Catch Up With Marlene M. Bell:
www.MarleneMBell.com
Goodreads – @dorsetghal
BookBub – @dorsetgalwrites
Instagram – @marlenemysteries
Twitter/X – @ewephoric
Facebook
Facebook – @marlenembell
Amazon Author Page

MY MARLENE M BELL REVIEWS

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Review – Damaged: Life. Death. Memory. Uncertainty @MichaelGeczi #damaged

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MY REVIEW

I have read some of Michael Geczi’s work and enjoyed his stories very much, so I was excited to get a glimpse of his new novel, Damaged: Life. Death. Memory. Uncertainty.

Shay Landon, a former Special Agent In Charge of the Minneapolis Field Office had been on leave for nine months, following the death of his partner. People had told Jacoby Overton, the new Special Agent In Charge, that Shay had a talent for seeing things others didn’t, so he was hoping his return to work would be fortuitous.

Michael Geczi delves into some difficult issues. The mind is a complex organ and it works hard to protect itself. Shay Landon will find himself in some uncertain situations. Can he trust that his memories are true? He works hard to hide the issues that are plaguing him. I was right there at his side as he struggles….

I’m not sure how I thought the story would end, but I didn’t see that coming. In hindsight, it seems obvious and that’s all I’m saying. Well done, Michael.

My thanks go out to Michael Geczi for the opportunity to review Damaged: Life. Death. Memory. Uncertainty.

 

4 Stars

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

“Damaged.” Life. Death. Memory. Uncertainty.

Perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane and Tana French.

Shay Landon, former SAC at the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office, has wrapped up nine months of mandatory leave following the death of his former partner and Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

In theory, time well spent on counseling, rest, and confronting discrepancies in his recollections of the death of his colleague, compared with the official record. In reality, trapped in therapy, lying to his doctors and his wife, second‑guessed by the Bureau, and haunted by a version of events no one else seems to share.

Today is scheduled to be his first day back at the office – not as the boss any longer, but in a special consulting role. No gun, no command, no field work. Just “analysis.” He kisses his wife, Cara, goodbye, heads into the dark garage to get in his car, and readies himself for his new beginning.

It’s too soon, however. He’s not ready. The world has tilted.

And there are mirrors everywhere reflecting back on him.

  • Genre: Fiction, Police Procedural, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller
  • 208 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published March 5, 2026 by Tierra Buena Publishing

ABOUT MICHAEL GECZI (from Amazon)

Former Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Associated Press and Dallas Morning News writer and editor; Wall Street executive; best-selling author; communications/crisis consultant and university instructor (University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism). Also author of Futures: The Anti-Inflation Investment. Lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife, Lisa.

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MY MICHAEL GECZI REVIEWS

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Military Romance Review – Buried Scars by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor #buriedscars #bearspotpublications

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MY REVIEW

I love Jane Blythe’s writing and am always excited to return to her world of strong male and female characters that rise above the danger and pitfalls that rock their world. The characters are damaged, but that makes them love life fiercely, to hold onto and appreciate the moments of love and laughter.

Numerous characters have a back story, which Jane fills in with bits and pieces of past books, so that each book ‘can’ stand alone. Series characters make appearances in other series, because Prey Security will come to the aid of their ‘family’ whenever the need arises.

Elle is in danger and they kidnap her daughter, Ruthie, to force her compliance. She seeks the help of Prey Security, who send Rafe, Panther, Neal to the rescue. He has a young son, Andy, that stole my heart…and I think he will steal yours too.

Jane Blythe delivers blow after blow to her characters. Think you can figure out when and what the next twist will be? Good luck with that. There was a stumble or two, for me, but I get it. And, we still have to find out what happened to Beth for the eight months she had been missing. Stay tuned for Wicked Scars.

Thanks Jane, for the opportunity to review Buried Scars.

 

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

He’s her only chance at saving her daughter’s life.

Becoming a mother was the best thing to ever happen to Elle Cavey. It was her first time experiencing unconditional love and her seven-year-old daughter is the center of her world. Which makes knowing she’s responsible for her daughter’s abduction that much worse. When the cops and FBI tell her there’s nothing else to do she only has one last shot at getting her child back.

Rafe “Panther” Neal is a father, if anyone can save Elle’s daughter it’s him. At least he prays he can because each moment he spends with the strong yet fragile mother he falls a little further. But he has scars, and when they rear their ugly heads it threatens his chance at building the family he’s always longed for.

Failure means losing the woman he’s falling for, her daughter, and his own son.

  • Genre: Fiction, Military, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller
  • 240 pages, Kindle Edition
  • Published June 11, 2024 by Bear Spots Publications
  • Series: Prey Security: Bravo Team #5

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!

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

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Review – The Handyman By Britney King @britneyking_ #thehandyman #hotbananapress

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The Handyman: A Psychological Thriller by Britney King

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The excellent cover of The Handyman by Britney King sure fits the story inside. I have read a lot of Britney King’s work and she can spin a psychological tale that makes your head spin, wondering who is who and what is what. I gladly hopped onto the crazy train.

Marin makes a drastic and dark decision when she finds out her boyfriend doesn’t love her any more and has been cheating on her. She believes she can change his mind. She kidnaps him, taking him out to the country and locking him in her basement, telling everyone he is ill.

Luke, a fixer, caught me off guard. He uses his hammer for more than hitting a nail on the head.

Alternately between Marin and Luke’s points of view, the story unfolds at a rapid pace.

If you are like me, once you get lost in The Handyman by Britney King, you won’t be able to stop reading. Gripping. Riveting. Jaw dropping surprises that are sure to leave you guessing….how will the story end. Mind officially blown.

I want to thank Britney King and Hot Banana Press for the opportunity to review The Handyman.

 

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

    From bestselling author Britney King comes a hypnotic and terrifying psychological thriller about a man held hostage in a remote location by the “love of his life”—aka the woman he refuses to marry.

    She only wants one thing:
 for him to love her the way he used to.

    When her boyfriend hesitates to propose—and then cheats instead of leaving—she decides the relationship needs structure. Space. Consequences. A reset. Retreating to an isolated house in the countryside feels like the responsible choice. A place where distractions disappear and commitment can finally take root.

    He doesn’t see it that way.

    At least not at first.

    To the outside world, the man in her basement is her ill husband—too fragile for one of those homes, she explains. She’s devoted. Patient. Doing the work. No one asks too many questions.

    Enter Luke.

    Luke fixes problems.

    Not the kind you call the police about.

    The kind people quietly hope someone else will handle.

    When he takes a job renovating an isolated country house, he knows something is wrong immediately. The work requests are about privacy, sound, containment. The woman who hired him is calm, polite, and lying badly.

    He doesn’t intervene.

    As Luke works, he watches her devotion harden into something stranger—and far more interesting. When he realizes her plan is flawed, he doesn’t stop it. He improves it. Suggests a way to make her boyfriend jealous. Engaged. Afraid of losing her.

    It works.

    What begins as an experiment turns into alignment. What looks like obsession becomes efficiency. And as lines are crossed—quietly, rationally—Luke understands the truth before she does:

    Some relationships aren’t meant to be saved.

    They’re meant to be replaced.

    Darkly funny, unsettling, and compulsively readable, The Handyman is a psychological thriller about love, control, and what happens when the wrong person decides to help. Perfect for fans of You, Misery, and The Housemaid, this is a story that dares you to root for the solution—even when you know it’s wrong.

    • Genre: Fiction, Noir Crime, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller
    • 308 pages, Kindle Edition
    • Published March 19, 2026 by Hot Banana Press

    ABOUT BRITNEY KING

    Britney King lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, children, a dog named Gatsby, one ridiculous cat, and a partridge in a peach tree.

    When she’s not wrangling the things mentioned above, she writes psychological, domestic and romantic thrillers set in suburbia.

    Without a doubt, she thinks connecting with readers is the best part of this gig. You can find Britney online here:

    MY BRITNEY KING REVIEWS

    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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    A Cut Above by Rebekah Dodson @authorrdodson #acutabove

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    Amazon / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    Between the cover and the title, I knew I had to grab me a copy of A Cut Above by Rebekah Dodson. It’s a fast read and an interesting plot line. Allison Chase has a condition known as Fatal Familial Insomnia, with the emphasis on FATAL. Since her failure on SuperChefs her life has fallen apart. As her grip on reality falters and chefs start dying, detective Lucas Gray becomes an ally. The more I read, the darker the story became and the more I loved it. The shifting points of view help to see the thoughts and actions of both main characters. There were a couple of bumps along the way, but I would recommed A Cut Above by Rebekah Dodson.

    My thanks go out to Rebekah Dodson for the opportunity to read A Cut Above.

     

    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    Allison Chase was on the verge of her dream of winning SuperChefs. A half-million-dollar prize and culinary stardom were finally within her grasp. But when a devastating third-place loss leaves her life in ruins, she’s forced to pick up the pieces in a world that suddenly feels cold and dangerous.

    The disaster doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling. When her former castmates fall victim to a series of tragedies, Allison realizes someone is settling a score. The only person who seems to believe her is Lucas Gray, a rugged, sharp-eyed detective with a reputation for playing by his own rules. As they team up to uncover who’s “cutting” the competition, the heat between them becomes impossible to ignore.

    In a game where the stakes are life and death, Allison must decide whether she can trust the cop who’s captured her heart or if he’s just another player in a deadly recipe.

    Fans of You by Caroline Kepnes, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides will enjoy this story of competition gone cutthroat… literally.

    • Genre: Dark Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Thriller
    • 200 pages, Kindle Edition
    • Expected publication March 20, 2026 by Thorned Heart Press

    ABOUT REBEKAH DODSON

    Rebekah Dodson is a prolific word weaver of romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Her works include the series Postcards from Paris, The Surrogate, The Curse of Lanval series, several stand alone novels, and her upcoming YA novel, Clock City. She has been writing her whole life, with her first published work of historical fiction with 4H Clubs of America at the age of 12, and poetry at the age of 16 with the National Poetry Society. With an extensive academic background including education, history, psychology and English, she currently works as a college professor by day and a writer by night.

    Website

    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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    Review – The Loura Lure by James McMahon #jamesmcmahon #thelouralure #AustinMacauleyPublishers

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    Amazon / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    The Loura Lure by James McMahon appealed to me because of the elements included in the blurb. Dr Shamus Bergin gets work as a Staff Psychologist in the Secure Treatment Unit of a mental hospital. He is drawn to an amnesiac patient that others have written off. Dr Shamus Bergin had his doubts about whether he should even be there.

    As he investigates the patient’s background, he finds he is blocked at every turn. The patient tells him that he has time traveled from a forgotten Age of Loura looking for members of The Sacred Order Of Keepers to help him locate the last living angel. Once I read about the last living angel, I knew I had to find out more.

    Shamus decides he will take a leap of faith and do what he can to help the patient, Erladok.

    The Loura Lure by James McMahon starts out a bit slow and fills the pages with many details, laying a foundation for future books. The more I learned about Erladok, the more curious I became. I can hardly wait to see what is to come in the next book.

    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    Dr. Shamus Bergin lands a coveted position of Staff Psychologist in the Secure Treatment Unit of a mental hospital right out of school. He is soon vexed by an amnesiac patient who defies clinical diagnosis and whom every other doctor has written off. Inconsistencies about the man’s origins intersect with Shamus’s own doubts that the patient even belongs in an institution.

    As his own investigation continues to be met with redacted files and evasion from governmental agencies, the doctor-patient relationship suddenly undergoes a radical shift. The patient discloses that he has time travelled from a forgotten Age of Loura to seek help from modern day members of The Sacred Order of Keepers to find the last living angel. Only the angel can turn the tide in the ultimate struggle between good and evil in this deliberately erased timeline 20,000 years in the past. With his parents tragically lost in a boating accident a decade earlier, Shamus must turn to his one true friend, Dr. John Browse, to make sense of the voices within which are calling him to action.

    With career and grip on sanity at stake, Shamus must decide whether he has succumbed to the delusions of a sick mind or whether he should take a leap of faith and help the man achieve his mission.

    • Genre: Angels, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural
    • 358 pages, Paperback
    • Published February 2, 2024 by Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

    ABOUT JAMES MCMAHON

    James is a lawyer, inventor, musician and life-long student of the Martial Arts. He and his family travel extensively and share a love for all things ancient. This first book in the series is inspired by an enduring curiosity about the lives lived, and the struggles overcome by ancient societies whose legacies continue to defy modern understanding.ames is a lawyer, inventor, musician and lifelong student of the martial arts.

    Walk amidst the dolmens and stone circles of old and hear the whispers of those who lived there. Magic was everywhere!

    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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