Book Review: Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik

 

Title: Girl in Ice

Author: Erica Ferencik

Star: 3 1\2

Review:

This is the first book I have read by Erica Ferencik.  The author gives a very detailed world readers can dive into.  At times the details take readers out of the story and can be distracting. 

The story has interesting elements, but the end feels extremely rushed taking away and unbalanced. The author tries to pull the everything together instead of taking away from endless details and giving the ending it truly needed.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Erica Ferencik Girl In The Ice. 

Synopsis:

Valerie “Val” Chesterfield is a linguist trained in the most esoteric of disciplines: dead Nordic languages. Despite her successful career, she leads a sheltered life and languishes in the shadow of her twin brother Andy, an accomplished climate scientist stationed on a remote island off Greenland’s barren coast. But Andy is gone: a victim of suicide, having willfully ventured unprotected into 50 degree below zero weather. Val is inconsolable—and disbelieving. She suspects foul play.

When Wyatt, Andy’s fellow researcher in the Arctic, discovers a scientific impossibility­—a young girl frozen in the ice who thaws out alive, speaking a language no one understands—Val is his first call. Will she travel to the frozen North and meet this girl, try to comprehend what she is so passionately trying to communicate? Under the auspices of helping Wyatt interpret the girl’s speech, Val musters every ounce of her courage and journeys to the Artic to solve the mystery of her brother’s death.

The moment she steps off the plane, her fear threatens to overwhelm her. The landscape is fierce, and Wyatt, brilliant but difficult, is an enigma. But the girl is special, and Val’s connection with her is profound. Only something is terribly wrong; the child is sick, maybe dying, and the key to saving her lies in discovering the truth about Wyatt’s research. Can his data be trusted? And does it have anything to do with how and why Val’s brother died? With time running out, Val embarks on an incredible frozen odyssey—led by the unlikeliest of guides—to rescue the new family she has found in the most unexpected of places.

About The Author:

Oprah chose Erica Ferencik’s debut novel, The River at Night as a #1 Pick, calling the book “the page-turning novel you’ve been waiting for, a heart-pounding debut.” Entertainment Weekly named it a “Must Read,” and calls the novel “harrowing…a visceral, white knuckle rush.” Miramax has recently optioned the novel for a film.
Her new novel, Into the Jungle, one woman's terrifying journey of survival in the Bolivian Amazon, will be released on May 28, 2019. Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, calling it: “[A] ferocious fever dream of a thriller…Ferencik delivers an alternately terrifying and exhilarating tale.” Her work has appeared in Salon and The Boston Globe, as well as on National Public Radio.

Book Review: Accidental Magic (Myrtlewood Mysteries #1) by Iris Beaglehole

 

Title: Accidental Magic (Myrtlewood Mysteries #1)

Author: Iris Beaglehole

Star: 3 1\2

Review:

Accidental Magic is a supernatural who don it mystery.  The mother/daughter relationship is a fun new take on supernatural mystery that will have readers enjoying every page.  The story moves quickly and with some simple editing this will be the perfect beach read for anyone who loves a fun who done it mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Iris Beaglehole Accidental Magic

Synopsis:

Welcome to Myrtlewood, a quirky town, steeped in magic, tea and mystery…

Life’s a struggle for Rosemary Thorn and her teen daughter, Athena. But their regular troubles are turned upside down after Granny Thorn’s mysterious death. 

Despite her cousin's sinister manoeuvrings, Rosemary returns to Myrtlewood and the sprawling, dilapidated Thorn Manor. But there's more to the old house than meets the eye, as Rosemary and Athena soon find out — in a whirlwind of magic, adventure, mystical creatures and endless cups of tea.

Life in Myrtlewood would be bliss if Rosemary could only clear her name in a certain murder investigation, solve the mystery and stay out of mortal peril – for at least a little while! 

A small town with endless secrets, strange activities and a house with a mind of its own. 

About The Author:

Iris Beaglehole is many peculiar things, a writer, researcher, analyst, druid, witch, parent, and would-be astrologer. She loves tea, cats, herbs, and writing quirky characters

Book Review: Cop An Attitude: An Unlawfully Funny Romantic Comedy By Hilary Grossman

 

Title: Cop An Attitude: An Unlawfully Funny Romantic Comedy

Author: Hilary Grossman

Star: 3

Review: Cop with an Attitude doesn't seem to know what it wants to be.  The characters are far from likeable mainly annoying.  The romance moves quickly because the characters knew each other as children but not as adults.  The making male characters jealous felt like it came out of left field and not needed to advance the story.  Hilary Grossman could have used someone else anyone else but she choose her the female leads best friends husband. Throwing off the already slow story. 

The story lacked any emotional connection between the characters leaving the story flat and not nearly as funny as the author wants you to think.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Cop An Attitude. 

Synopsis:

Their reunion left a lot to be desired. Are they a disaster in the making or totally meant to be?

I kicked love to the curb for the greater good. After all, my soaring career would’ve made my family so proud, and men have a tendency to stop success cold. But I never expected a single and sexy police officer to pull me over, flirt with me, and then write me a ticket.

Now I see the infuriating cop everywhere I go. It doesn’t help that we have a past, and he’s an amazing dad to his daughter. And every time I want to get back to my small-town routine, I can only think about what my life would be like with the no-nonsense policeman…

I should really just forget the whole thing. But if I do, will I lose my last chance at love?

About The Author:

Hilary Grossman is a recovering corporate executive. She spends her mornings and weekends hanging out with her "characters." She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

Book Review: Not the Witch You Wed (Supernatural Singles #1) By April Asher aka April Hunt

 

Title:  Not the Witch You Wed (Supernatural Singles #1) 

Author: April Asher aka April Hunt

Stars: 4

Review:

I have read all of April Hunt Romantic Suspense books so I thought I would take a chance on her latest book series Supernatural Singles Not The Witch You Wed.

I am not 100% sold on this series that being said the story is enjoyable, funny and yes readers will laugh out loud. 

April Asher bring reader into her Supernatural world where a witch doesn't have powers and werewolf has broken the witches heart.  Second chance at romance even if the two want nothing to do with each other.  At least that is what Violet Maxwell things.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Not the Witch You Web.

Synopsis:

Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.

The joke’s on them. When old feelings make a reappearance—along with Violet’s magic—they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after, again. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.

About The Author:

April Asher, aka April Hunt, was hooked on romantic stories from the time she first snuck a bodice-ripper romance out from her mom's bedside table. She now lives out her own happily-ever-after with her college-sweetheart husband, their two children, and a cat who thinks she's more dog—and human—than feline. By day, April dons dark blue nursing scrubs and drinks way too much caffeine. By night, she still consumes too much caffeine, but she does it with a laptop in hand, and from her favorite side of the couch.

From the far left cushion, April Asher pens laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a paranormal twist, but when she’s not putting her characters into embarrassing situations with supernatural entities, 

Book Review: True Wolf by Paige Tyler

 

Title: True Wolf

Author: Paige Tyler

Star: 5

Review:

Author Paige Tyler moves her STAT characters forward with one of my favorite characters Brielle Fontaine who has supernatural abilities that were used to protect those she loved.  Caleb Lynch didn't want a true mate like all the other Werewolf in Paige Tyler stories. Brielle is one character that will stick with readers long after they put down the story.

The question readers will have at the end of True Wolf? How many other supernatural are out there and what are the abilities in the world that Paige Tyler created.  

Thank you to Netgalley for advance copy of True Wolf

Synopsis:

Werewolf agent Caleb Lynch takes the lead on STAT's newest case: to track down the thieves who stole nuclear weapons from the air force. His best lead points him to a brother-sister duo with a shady record, but Caleb sees something in the mysterious woman that could change his whole world.

Brielle Fontaine's supernatural abilities are a force to be reckoned with, making her one of STAT's biggest threats and a most useful ally. But Brielle is suspicious of anyone who might use her for their own gain, so she keeps most people at a distance—that is, until she meets werewolf Caleb Lynch.

About The Author:

Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines who fall in love with them.

Book Review: Gemini Divided by Lauren Kristen Roberts

 

Title:  Gemini Divided

Author: Lauren Kristen Roberts

Stars: 3 1\2 

Review:

Gemini Divided by Lauren Kristen Roberts is a creative story with a few red herring along the way. The characters are likable for a Chic lit story but lacks the finishing touches that will have readers coming back for more. 

The story felt unsure of what direction it wanted to go darker or more humor.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of Gemini Divided.

Synopsis:

Everyone has secrets, but the skeletons in Jen's closet are bigger than most: by day, she writes fanfiction for her favorite TV show, Gemini Divided, but by night, she works as an assassin to pay her mother's chemotherapy bills. Her world tilts on its axis the day she is assigned to kill Will Bryant-the handsome and charming star of Gemini Divided, and her celebrity crush. What could Will have done to land on someone's hit list?

The assignment gets Jen up close and personal with Will, who is just as kind in person as he is in the media coverage she obsesses over. When she stumbles onto the reason Will ended up as her target, she must make a life-altering choice: kill Will and keep her mother alive, or save Will and put herself in danger, leaving no way to fund her mother's treatments in the future. She has to decide quickly, because in two days, the choice will be made for her.

About The Author:

After earning a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in International Communication, she thought about joining the US Foreign Service. Instead, she taught elementary school for nearly ten years, followed by four years as an au pair coordinator and several more at a residential property management company.

Basically, she did not know what she wanted to be when she grew up.

She rediscovered her love of writing by accident, starting with fanfic for her then-favorite TV show, and wrote so much of it that her husband encouraged her to write a book instead. He even came up with the basic plot and characters for what became Gemini Divided, which finally lured her out of her fanfic bubble. After that, it wasn't long before fanfic was an afterthought.

Today, Lauren's little corner of Northern Virginia is the hometown she's been looking for all her life, where she lives with her husband, three kids, and their rescue dog, Thor - who is, ironically, afraid of thunder. She writes books about stubbornly independent women whose lives have spun out of their control, helping them land safely on their feet.

Book Review: Murder on Prescott Mountain (Tennessee Cold Case Stories #1) by Lena Diaz

 

Title: Murder on Prescott Mountain (Tennessee Cold Case Stories #1)

Author: Lena Diaz

Star: 4

Review:

This is a can't miss start to a new series by Lena Diaz.  The author is able to create characters and stories that comes to life in fast pace story with two points of views. One from Grayson Prescott and the other from Willow McCray. The author creates a story that will move readers and have them wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy Murder on Prescott Mountain. 

Synopsis:

Could the mystery that’s haunted him for years

Be the break her latest case needs?  

Former soldier Grayson Prescott started his cold case firm to bring murderers to justice. Specifically the one who destroyed his life. When his obsession intersects with Detective Willow McCray’s serial killer investigation, they join forces. But Willow falls hard for the haunted investigator—even as danger mounts. Stopping the River Road rapist will save the victims…but will it save their future together?

Discover more action-packed stories in the A Tennessee Cold Case Story series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: Murder on Prescott Mountain
Book 2: Serial Slayer Cold Case

About The Author:

Romantic suspense author, Lena Diaz, is a four time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She's also a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist and has won numerous other awards.

Her popular Buchanan brothers family is highlighted in the Deadly Games Series, beginning with HE KILLS ME, HE KILLS ME NOT. Her EXIT Inc. series features assassins-turned-heroes who work to bring down the corrupt company they used to work for and save the innocent civilians in the company's crosshairs.

Book Review: Husband Undercover (Phantom Agents #1) by Catherine Edward

 

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Title: Husband Undercover (Phantom Agents #1)

Author: Catherine Edward

Stars: 2

Review:

Catherine Edward Husband Undercover has protentional to be a fun story instead falls flat with endless sex scenes, talk about sex and hot Jacks husbands' body is. 

The story feels old as in 20 years behind time expect for the use of cell phones. The characters are flat and lack any creative side to them. The author tries hard but even the side story of Phantom Agents is lacks focus. Leaving readers with a less than stellar book series.  The sad part is even the moments of humor come off awkward.  

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of Catherine Edward Husband Undercover.

Synopsis:

Jacqueline Hughes thought she had everything she ever wanted––a career as a kindergarten teacher, a home with a white picket fence, and a handsome husband. However, her life as she knows it is sent tumbling down the stairs and then onto a roller-coaster ride when she’s caught in crossfire.

Matthew Hughes is a secret agent for a top-secret government organization. The perfect balance he maintains between his personal and professional life is put to the test by his new assignment.

What happens when Jacqueline discovers her husband is not who he claims to be? Will Matthew be able to restore the balance in his life?

Disclaimer: The medical terms, medicines and its effects mentioned in this novel are fictitious.

About The Author:

Hailing from India, Catherine is an author and law graduate, specializing in Intellectual Property & Copyright Infringement. She is passionate about Lycans, Werewolves, Witches and Vampires, and writes sizzling tales of love and betrayal.


Her love for books started from a very young age, when her loving father would gift her books like Russian Tales woven with fantasy. But it was in late 2015 when she found the books of Paranormal Romance author Cynthia Eden, whose books introduced her to the whole new world of paranormals. The more she read the more she got enticed and she penned her first novel in 2016.

When she isn’t writing, she likes to travel and read. Music and writing goes hand in hand for this night owl. Her family and furbabies are her world.

Book Review: Stolen Angels (Detective Ellie Reeves Book 5) by Rita Herron

Title: Stolen Angels (Detective Ellie Reeves Book 5)

Author: Rita Herron

Stars: 4 1\2

Review:

Not joke this story will pull at readers heart strings no matter who your are cheering for. Book 5 in the Ellie Reeves series have been though a crazy amount of death and murder in a short amount of time.  Which makes the next story just a little hard to take that Ellie is able to bounce back from book 4 and the emotional roller coaster ride that hit every read hard.

Now Ellie has to find Ava before she disappears forever.  Ellie blames herself for everything that has happened in the small town and this time she refuses to give up until she is able to bring Ava home for Christmas. 

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Rita Herron Stolen Angles. 

Can Ellie get a break or at least a vacation before the next murder in her town?

Synopsis:

Twisting her hands together, she bites back a sob. She only turned her back for a second, and then her daughter was gone. Every mother in town would be hugging their children tighter tonight.

Lara is baking cupcakes when her daughter Ava runs to catch the school bus just one block away. Chasing after her, Lara sees the bus tumbling past, and waves. But Ava never turns up at school.

About The Author: 

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.

Update on the Life After Covid

 Covid for most people isn't a big deal its a nasty head cold that lay you flat for a few days.  For me after the end of Covid I couldn't move if I wanted to.  

I compare inflammation like A toddler who refuses to clean up the room they just destroyed.  That is what inflammation does to my body it leaves behind a mess that only certain medication can help.  What happens next is my Mixed Connective Tissue attacks my joints, organs, and thing it doesn't like.  Even that pretty cell that isn't a virus but isn't looking like the others. 

For the first time in almost 4 weeks I am able to type without pain in my hands.  My knees do not like to kneel down for yoga.  

Covid isn't bad its annoying.  It's what it leaves behind that is difficult for me to deal with.  Pain, sleepless nights, fatigue and best yet memories issues.  Like I need anymore of that.

Reviews are coming I promise and more fun and exciting news in the world of books.

Book Review: You Can Run (Laurel Snow #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

 

Title: You Can Run (Laurel Snow #1)

Author: Rebecca Zanetti 

Stars: 5

Review:

Sorry for the late reviews. Covid all but one went down with it. 5 out of 6. More on another post

Rebecca Zanetti has the ability to write likeable characters who are just real enough to come to life on paper.  Everything about Laurel will speak to readers heart with her abilities to track down killers to her connecting to Abigial Caine. The alpha male Huck is what you expect from the author. 

The story moves quickly with no detail left out pulling reading into Laural Snows world.

Readers of romantic suspense readers who like a little serial killer will love You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of You Can Run

Synopsis:

Laurel Snow wouldn’t call hunting a serial killer a vacation, but with a pile of dead bodies unearthed near her Genesis Valley, WA, hometown, she’ll take what she can get. Yet something about this case stirs her in unexpected ways. Like the startling connection she feels to Dr. Abigail Caine, a fiercely intelligent witness with a disturbing knack for making Laurel feel like she has something on her. Then there’s Laurel’s attraction to Huck Rivers, the fish and wildlife officer guiding her to the crime scene—and into the wilderness…

A former soldier and a trained sniper, Huck’s thirst for blood is rivaled only by his fierce pursuit of Laurel. He’s been burned by love, wounded by the government, and betrayed before, and to say he has trust issues is the ultimate understatement. Plus, he might be closer to this killer than anybody knows…

Once in the heart of darkness with Huck, Laurel must negotiate her distracting desire for him, her complex rapport with Abigail—and her mission to find a serial killer among a growing list of suspects and a danger that’s far too close to home. So close in fact, Laurel fears she will never find her way back to the woman she once was

About The Author:

Author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She writes dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and sexy contemporary romances

Covid Just hangs on and doesn't let go!

 

As you can see our little house got hit with Covid.  Sorry No photo of the crazy insantiy that happened having all 4 kids back online school, taking care of a sick husband and trying hard to keep everyone from getting it.  While being high risk.

Good New we have all been vax and hubby was boosted.  It started off with Hubby than 4 days later the oldest went down next, the next morning number 3 tested positive by just feeling a little off.

My 43rd birthday arrived celebrating with a quite good morning and getting everyone not testing positive off to school. I noticed I was getting more congested and coughing so I tested Positive 4 days after number 3 had tested positive.  The next day the youngest went down as in testing positive otherwise totally fine.

Our oldest ran a temp of 101 followed by me righting a slight fever. I was beyond grateful for friends and church members jumping up and dropping off meals.

While it wasn't bad it was enough to keep my already bead up body from my MCTD flare up, reaction to my current medications.  The worst part my hubby who was little testing positive after 5 days had to go back into work.  He didn't test negative for 13 days.  No wonder this virus is spreading.  After 5 days home my kids were allowed to go back to school masked for another 5 days.  (FYI not a big deal to my kids they have been wearing mask for 2 years straight.)

I am still testing positive after 9 days and still having symptoms; congestion, sore throat and tried which could be MTCD still flaring.  Since testing positive I was able to take any medication to help calm down my body.  That is not a lot of fun!

That being said I have been reading and I just need to catch up on reviews.