"My Lovely Wife" by Samantha Downing

                                                                                              

"My name is not Tobias. I use that name only when I want someone to remember me. In this case, the bartender. I introduced myself and typed out my name when i first walked in and ordered a drink. He will remember me. He will remember that Tobias is the deaf man who left the bar with a woman he just met. The same was for his benefit, not Petra's."..........

A contemporary serial killer story. A seemingly nice husband and wife, 2 children, nice neighborhood. A tennis teacher and a real estate agent, a normal family right?

This couple leads a secret double life, one that includes murder. They stalk, kill, and dispose of their victims. The story takes us on a chilling ride through their everyday life with teens, work, friends. It takes a turn to the dark side as the husband describes his adventures in making contact with their potential victims. I don’t know who scared me more, him or his wife. The ease with which it was done, as if all couple do these kinds of things, or the sheer terror that someone could do these things so calmly and so coldly.

Big secrets aren’t good to share with anyone. There’s always a weak link when more than one person knows. Will they get caught? Will they stop? A recent discovery of a past victims body sets them on edge. Especially when he realizes his “Lovely Wife” may have been keeping secrets from him.

Oh the damage from the secrets we keep. A thrilling ride with more than one shocking surprise. Loved this exciting thriller, and the ending was perfect. Cleverly written, and so hard to put down.


Thank you Samantha Downing, Netgalley, and Berkley Publishing Group.

#mylovelywife #netgalley

Buy "My Lovely Wife" on 3/26 on Amazon: click here!

"The Last Woman in The Forest" by Diane Les Becouets

“It was a beautiful spot, the river wide enough to let in a nice expanse of sunlight. Tate had chosen this location, had sat on the rocky outcrop a few feet from where Marian stood now, had pressed the river rock against her palm and asked her to remember. That was before the story Marian had believed in, the one she was certain had been written for her, had begun to change, like a kaleidoscope. Turn the cylinder one way, and the pieces shift, and a new image appears, as if each of her memories were a shard that could be rearranged to fit whichever story she chose to believe, and she wondered if truth existed at all. The only thing she was certain of was that each day forward would carry the past.”....Marian is living her dream job, and working out doors with rescue dogs used to protect wildlife, “K-9’s for Conservation.” Her job sends her to the wilds of Alberta, Canada. There she finds herself falling for a man named Tate. Believing him to be her one true love, they continue working together on special assignments. Happiness won’t last. When tragedy strikes, Marian will be left to question everything she thought she knew about Tate. Discovering the news of the unsolved murders of four women in the forest will leave her wondering if she ever really knew Tate at all. Is he a killer? Can she prove it one way or another? Marian contacts a man that may be able to help her. Nick Shepard is a retired forensic profiler. Perhaps he can help her uncover the truth. While they’re looking to prove one way or another if Tate is responsible, someone is watching Marian’s every move. An exciting mystery read. I loved the outdoor back drop to this story. I also liked that the author gave names and faces to the victims. Often in crime stories little more than a name is given. Here the women are made real, they are more than victims of a serial killer. Descriptive and eerily entertaining. Will Marian uncover the facts about these dead women? How will it leave her feeling about Tate? If she’s uncovering the truth, it may put her in danger. You’ll have to read for yourself and find the answers. Thank you Diane Les Becquets, Berkeley Publishing, and Netgalley.

    Buy "The Last Woman in The Forest" on Amazon 3/5: click here!                                                                                                    #thelastwomanintheforest #netgalley

"All The Lovely Children" by Andrew Nance

"The morning began with a stop downtown. I wandered the park, which sure seemed bigger than when I was a kid. I cast a wary eye at the sheriff's department across the street and wondered if Kit was in. If so, should I go talk to him? Not yet. Instead, I went over to Le Bistro and looked at the park from that perspective. If Savannah Smallwood left the restaurant and walked straight across the street, she'd be at the playground. At twelve, she might have been too old for a swing set, teeter-totter, and merry-go-round. Perhaps she'd gone exploring around the park. That's what I would have done at that age.".......

There are four missing children in Charly Bloom’s hometown. Returning there will be painful. Charly was also once a victim of a child abduction, some twenty years ago. She managed to get away, and was thought to have killed the kidnapper, known as the “Snatcher.”

Can Charly return home and help the latest victims? Will what happened in the past guide her to the answers? Is the “Snatcher” really dead? Is it a copy cat? Charly has worked in law enforcement. Her former childhood friend, Kit, is now the sheriff of their hometown. Kit thinks Charly can help them. She figured it out back in 1959 didn’t she?

The story goes back and forth between 1959 and the first kidnappings, to 1982 when they start again. Told with vivid description and detail, you can feel yourself being pulled in. A different time and place. In this case the story takes place in a place called Temperance, North Carolina. Carefully woven twists and turns made for a great if not disturbing read.

The only thing that kept me from a five star review would be some story content. While some may not find it disturbing, I find anything involving children and sexual violence out my reading taste. While it’s not used in a flamboyant manner, it’s still unsettling. Then again serial killers are disturbing. I’d still give this book a fair chance and feel it’s worth a read.

Thank you Andrew Nance

"Keep Her Close" by Erik Therme

"Ally stepped into the room but lingered just inside the entrance. The man in the chair had to be Frank-who else would it be? -but he looked nothing like Ally had imagined. His face was heavily line with wrinkles, and although he was bald on top, there was a ring of thin gray hair strewn across the the recliner's headrest. His arms and legs were twigs, and even from this distance, she could hear his choppy, uneven breathing. If she didn't know any better, Ally would have guessed the man to be her grandfather, not her father.".....

A little girl, barefoot and alone. Found in a parking garage. Where are her parents? Who would abandon a child like this?

Fifteen years later a dramatic event caused Ally to question everything. Ally had been adopted. Someone is looking for her. What really happened that night so long ago? Will she find out? She’s been lured out.

Her adoptive father and mother, Dan and Holly, have suffered from their past as well. Now Ally is missing. Dan will stop at nothing to bring Ally home. A boyfriend they’ve never met, a good friend that maybe isn’t a good friend. They know more then they’re saying. Dan and Holly will have to figure it out on their own.

Life lessons for Ally, if she survives this ordeal. Will she ever find the truth? People will die. Lies will be revealed. Nobody will ever be the same.

A gripping, fast paced read. Exciting from start to finish. After all, the only thing a parent wants to do with their little girl is “Keep Her Close.”

Thank you Erik Therme

"EVO" by Diane May

"I did what you asked me to do. I created Evo." 
"This isn't Evo! Evo means "Evolution," means superhumans! Means health and genius! This, he yelled pointing at the horror lying on the green grass outside the window, "is death and destruction!"
"You see, you've always thought that Evo was short for evolution, when in reality it's not.".......


This thriller takes place in Verona, Italy. Exciting from the first chapter. Captain Livio Marchiori, is a hard working, never takes a day off type of police officer. Marchiori may have just met his match. 

A murderer is hiding in the shadows. Known as “The Hypnotist,” he kills his victims and leaves a video of it. Can Marchiori and his team figure out the who and the why? 

A new relationship between Livio and the medical examiner, Abby, may also complicate the situation. It may also give “The Hypnotist” a new focus. 

Help presents itself to Livio when an Interpol officer arrives. A man he’s previously worked with, but should he be trusted? Captain Victor Miller is carrying secrets of his own. The future is complicated and there is more at stake then anyone realizes. The future is evolving at an alarming rate. Can it be altered? Can it be stopped? 

Behind every serial killer is the story that keeps them company on their journey of death and destruction. A well written tale, with an unusual story line. Carefully crafted layer by layer. Characters that you will connect to and take you on a thrilling, if not murderous ride. What a great read, with an ending that will take your breath away. 

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. What an thrilling, intelligent story line. I look forward to more from this new author. 

Thank you Diane May.

Buy " EVO" now on Amazon: click here!

"Her One Mistake" by Heidi Perks

Charlotte takes her three children, and her best friends daughter to the school fair. Only her children come back, little four year old Alice does not. What happened to Alice? Can Charlotte be trusted? Does she know what happened to Alice?

Harriet is Alice’s mom. Her only child has gone missing. Entrusted to her best friend, she’s never left Alice with anyone before this day. Now she will forever regret it. Who can she trust?

The police are investigating and putting pressure on the women. A child is missing and they’re doing all they can to find Alice. Will one of them have more information than they claim? What will it take to get to the truth?

The story was gripping from the start. I wasn’t overly fond of Charlotte at first and her parenting skills. This mystery thriller leads you on a psychological ride of mistrust and fear. Is she alive? Where is she? Will Harriet ever see her baby girl again? It will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you Heidi Perks, Netgalley, Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books.

Bu!y "Her One Mistake" on sale Jan. 8th on Amazon: click here

"Exposed Fury" by Marie Flanigan

"Annie barely registered her name. The hair stood up on the back of her neck, and a chill ran down her spine. It didn't seem possible. She'd just taken pictures of Nick Carlton kissing a redhead yesterday afternoon. Regardless of how she felt about his morals, Nick Carlton had been full of life. Gunnar was going to have his hands full with suspects."....


This mystery, suspense story takes place in Leesburg, Virginia. Annie, recovering from being shot, has left the police force. She's opened her own private investigation business as a means to keep working. While not her ideal job, it’s about to get a bit complicated.

Nick Carlton, womanizer, cheater, husband. Now dead in downtown Leesburg. The only problem now for Annie is that she’s been trailing him as a job for his wife. It doesn’t help she found the body, and it’s near her home. Is she a suspect? 

I was immediately drawn into this story line. I love Annie’s character. She’s a strong woman. The story is well written, fast paced, appealing to my love of the crime thriller genre. 

Will her ex- partner, Gunnar, be able to solve Nicks murder with or without Annie’s help? She may be in over her head. As if recovering from gunshot wounds aren’t enough, she has other complications. 

Being the detective she is deep down, I wouldn’t expect Annie to stay in the shadows while the police investigate. Let’s hope her strong will doesn’t get her or those she loves killed. 

Love this book. Felt like a good set up for a series. 

Thank you Marie Flanigan.

Buy "Exposed Fury" on Amazon: click here!

"Not Just Lovely Laura" (Sisters by Marriage Book 2) A Clean Regency Romance by Jessica Spencer

"Laura looked forward to her visits to the children's home. She also had the satisfaction of knowing the children were happy to see her."...

Laura is the daughter of the Earl of Daventon. As a child she suffered the consequences of her parents broken marriage. Raised by her reclusive father, she’s now on her way to meet with her estranged mother.

While visiting her mother she becomes enthralled by Anthony, Duke of Wimberley. Suffering from a jaded heart, he’s in search of a woman to be a mother to his child, not a love match. Laura has her love aspirations secretly pinned on Anthony. They are in search of opposite things, or are they?

A scandal will threaten to ruin the Duke and his reputation. Will Laura side with him or against him? Can he convince her of the truth? Are they meant to be, or will fate keep them apart?

Once again a nice flowing story by this author. Out of my usual genre, and a wonderful change of pace. Such a pleasant read.

Thank you Jessica Spencer.

Buy "Not Just Lovely Laura" now on Amazon: click here!

"Forbidden Cure" Part Two:Revelations by William Rubin

                                                                             
 Get your copy of "Forbidden Cure" Part Two: Revelations on Amazon: click here!

This is Book Two in the “Chris Ravello” medical mystery stories. We are back in the aftermath of Book One. 

Former Detective Chris Ravello has lost his wife and his job. A debilitating disease is threatening to also take his life. His best friend, Detective Kevin Kennedy, continues to be his support. He also focuses on helping Chris, and letting Chris help him.

A possible trial cure for Chris has taken the lives of other “patients.” As Kennedy investigates he realizes the connection. Can Chris be saved? Will the perpetrator of this “cure” be caught? What will be the “Revelations?”

I enjoyed both books in this series. Someone from the past makes startling claims. Can a killer be used to catch a killer? Now to look forward to “Forbidden Cure 3: Sordid Aspirations.”

Thank you William Rubin

"Going to the Sun" by Eddie Owens

Buy " Going to the Sun" now on Amazon: click here!

"Sometimes, on a Sunday morning or on a holiday. Beth would pick him up and they would head for the mountains. The "Going-to-the-sun" Road was the main tourist road in Montana, fifty miles long, crossing Glacier National Forest.".....

Danny and Beth are supposed to graduate high school and go on to live happily ever after. At least that was the plan before the tragic violence that tore them apart. One goes to prison and one goes into the army. They each live a life they’d not expected. 

The story winds through the before and after of their relationship. A looming threat will reunite them in a way. Can the past be laid to rest? Is there forgiveness for the mistakes they’ve made?

This tale was compelling from the start. I liked how the characters developed from young teenagers into young adults, faced with hard reality of both prison and war. What would they learn and take away from these lessons? 

The book was mostly about their lives apart. The end tied up the beginning. Kind of like real life. You meet when you are young and you part, going about the business of your life. One day fate intervenes and you are back in the others space again. So many ways that ending can go. 

Thank you Eddie Owens.