This book is part of a series featuring Detective D.D. Warren.  It can be pre-ordered now and will be available at all booksellers on February 6, 2018. 

Synopsis

If I could rate a book higher than a 5, then this would be at least a 10! Lisa Gardner’s latest book in her D.D. Warren series is not just a mystery/thriller. It is also a social commentary on so many issues. Roxie Baez has a dysfunctional family, and the whole book is centered around her and her life. When her family is found murdered, at least everyone except her, she is the number one suspect. LOOK FOR ME becomes a cat and mouse game between Detective D.D. Warren, with quirky survivor Flora Dane thrown in as a confidential informant. The social commentary is fascinating and worked into the story so well that you want to keep reading to find out what happens to Roxie and the many ways the system has failed her. First her mom failed her, then the judicial and foster system failed her, and even her school was not a place of safety for her. So, where does a young girl find help when she is desperate. Enter another character who seems to be on the autism spectrum, but Mike Davis is her only friend in foster care, the one who warns her and tries to watch out for her. The author does an outstanding job of presenting the case against bullying by having two of the main characters, Roberto and Anya be so evil to Roxie from the time she first enters the foster care system. I was enthralled by the mystery as much as by the social commentary. The whole book has an “if only” kind of aura about it. But in the book, as in life, there are no “if only’s”. There is only the reality that is heart-breaking and eye-opening at the same time. Read the book for the mystery; remember the book for the lessons you can take away from it.

Review

This is without doubt the best D.D. Warren book that I have ever read and I have read all of them.  The story itself will draw you into the abyss that is Roxy’s life.  The characters are heroic and sympathetic.  I enjoyed the plot, but I was really attracted to the social commentary about the foster care system and how when it fails children, there can be vast repercussions.  I cheered, I cried, and I stayed up late at night to finish this book because I wanted to know the end of Roxy’s sad tale.  The reality is that this book presents a world in which sometimes the bad guys win, and there is no “Cinderella” ending.  My favorite character was the quirky and intriguing Flora Dane.  Flora, who survived her own attack and over a year of captivity, now runs a site online to help survivors learn how to cope in the world after surviving the unthinkable.  Flora is the narrator for part of the story, telling her part of the story in first person; the parts with Detective Warren featured are in third person.  Roxy has a story, too, so there is a story within the story, telling what a perfect family should be.  This book was a fascinating look at society, including those who cannot speak for themselves, young children and pets.  Yes, there are pets included, too.  A review would not be complete without mentioning Rosie and Blaze, Roxy’s pets, who in many ways are her salvation.  Buy the book to be entertained.  Read the book to enter a world that is unthinkably cruel.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

Alice is a suburban housewife with a husband who is kind, understanding, and budget-challenged. With two young children, Alice is absolutely thrilled when she makes a new friend in the tony neighborhood of Jupiter Beach, Florida. Kat is a wealthy heiress who runs an art gallery and who is happy to share her bounty with Alice. They go on a mini-vacation together, share secrets with each other and depend on each other for just about everything. But all is not as it appears, as the reader finds out when Kat’s husband Howard dies from an accidental fall from the balcony of his house. Just what do these ladies want from this friendship, and who will be disappointed? This book was a real eye-opener about relationships and how much you really know about your friends.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This psychological thriller is available for pre-order now and can be purchased on January 23, 2018 from your favorite bookseller.  

Sarah Hampton is very protective of her cousin Davey who has Down’s Syndrome, but when Davey wins tickets to the haunted mansion, Sarah and all of her friends accompany him to a night that they will never forget. One of the exhibits turns out to be all too real, with real victims that have been beheaded. And the animatronic figure in the room isn’t an automaton at all, but an escaped killer. Somehow, Davey saves the day and Sarah and all of her friends escape. Years later, they are reunited when one of their group, Hannah, has been found beheaded. Sarah had loved Tyler before the mayhem on Halloween, so she is grateful that he returns to NYC from Boston to assist in the investigation of Hannah’s murder. The friends know that Archibald Lemming is dead, so who is trying to kill them all now? The book was an entertaining read, easy to figure out what was going to happen in some cases, but with a real plot twist at the end.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

 

This Harlequin Intrigue book will be available on January 16, 2018 at your local favorite bookseller.  

ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL is a fascinating look at the life and actions of an accused rapist and all of the people that his actions affect. James Whitehouse is a respected junior member of Parliament and a very good friend of the Prime Minister. When he is accused of rape, the accusation changes the lives of all around him. His wife Sophie has to make the choice to support him or to leave him. With two children, this is a difficult choice and one that makes the reader think, “What would I do?” The prosecutor has a personal reason to make sure that James is found guilty. The accuser actually loves James, so the time in court in heart-wrenching for her. The author asks the reader to examine the evidence and decide for yourself if James is actually guilty. Did Olivia say “no” and actually mean it? This is a great read that will keep you reading late into the night. And you will be choosing sides: the wife, the prosecutor, or James. Who is your favorite, and who is the most sympathetic and believable?

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This novel will be available at your favorite retailer on January 23, 2018.

Annie Murray has moved to Broslin for a job and to be close to her family there. She is a quirky ecotherapist and animal lover who puts her beliefs into actions in her everyday life. Working for a rehab center for veterans with PTSD, Annie does not expect to have any real problems other than how to deal with the horrific past of her patients. But Annie is being stalked and is in danger from the stalker who has her in his crosshairs. Annie meets Cole at the rehab center and really falls for him hard, but she struggles to maintain her patient/therapist relationship while Cole struggles to overcome the nightmares of war that haunt him. Annie has a delightfully humorous daily caring time with a group of misfit animals that she has adopted. These include baby skunks, a one-eyed donkey, a pig and llamas. Her time with these animals is a period when the reader can relax from the fast-moving drama and danger presented in the regular plot of the book. SILENT THREAT was a great read with danger lurking constantly, a real love story and a realistic portrayal of the products of war on the minds of the men fighting.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

 

This book is available free on Kindle Unlimited and is for sale at your favorite book retailer.  

 

Nat goes into her work at the local pub one day and discovers that her best friend Beth is missing. According to the barmistress Janine, Beth has just decided to move on. But to Nat this makes no sense, especially since she took nothing with her and didn’t tell Nat about her plans. Since Nat is convinced foul play was involved and something awful has happened to Beth, she sets out to prove it and to convince the local police that Beth did not leave of her own accord. While Nat is conducting her own investigation, she puts herself in danger. There are so many characters in this book that are potential suspects that Nat’s chance of success looks dim. My favorite character is a ninety plus man named Victor who is in no small way one of the heroes of the book. This novel starts out rather slowly, and I was not sure what to make of the almost stream of consciousness style, but it was well worth staying with it to the end. The more I read, the more I realized that I didn’t want to quit reading until the surprise conclusion. This is a whodunit with a villain that the reader never sees coming, so it is not only a surprise, it is a shock!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

Available at your favorite bookstore on March 6, 2018

As a young navy wife, Susie made a decision that changed her life forever when she decided to go out and sing with a local band. From that decision comes a new baby, but he is not her husband’s child. Shamed beyond belief, she turns to a local home for mothers who will give their babies up for adoption. And thus begins the sad story of a mother with a happy marriage to Danny, the sailor, with two young girls names Louise and Grace. But after what she did so long ago, Susie can’t forgive herself, nor can she talk to others about what happened because it is such a secret, one she holds close to her and weeps about annually in the attic where she keeps a chest of toys and cards for they young baby she gave away.. This book reminded me so much of when I was in high school and one of the very popular cheerleaders disapppeared for our senior year, banished to live with her aunt because she was preganant. Of course, that does not happen these days because the unwed mothers just continue to attend classes. But at one time, those who got pregnant as Susie did were shamed and ridiculed, so it was easy for me to imagine her difficult dilemma and how she made a choice that was even more difficult to live with for th e rest of her life.
Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Lynette Eason has knocked it out of the park again with a book that features Haley, the red-head with the Irish brogue.  Haley has a big heart and is always trying to help others, like the teen boy and his young brother caught in the middle of a gang war.  She also helps out at the local teen center, giving kids a place to be instead of on the streets.  But who will help Haley when her life is in danger?  And why is she always feeling like someone is watching her, waiting to attack?  This is romantic suspense at its best, so readers of Christian fiction will not want to miss it!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This is an uncommon tale of families who live in a neighborhood together and who all have real family secrets that they are keeping from each other, and sometimes even spouses. Essie is married to Ben and her mother Barbara lives next door. Essie has been known to forget that she has young children, but the new baby and Mia cannot be forgotten, so her mom watches over her care-taking. Ange is married to Lucas and they have two sons, Will and Ollie. All seems okay in their house, but Ange suspects that Lucas is stepping out on her again, but she isn’t sure that she wants to know the truth. Fran and Nigel seem to be a perfect couple, but one of their two children may not belong to Nigel. And, finally, there is Isabelle, a single lady who suddenly appeared in the neighborhood and who is watching everyone and trying to discover their secrets. What is her goal? Why is she there? This book is more entertaining than a soap opera and more dramatic, too! Lots of secrets that push the characters headlong into a multi-faceted surprise ending. Reading this book reminded me of reading “Peyton Place” many years ago, but this one is much better written and rated for all readers who enjoy finding out facts about new characters and cheering for the good guys to win!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Caroline Shipley went to Mexico to celebrate her tenth anniversary with her husband Hunter and their two children, Michelle who was a precocious toddler and the baby Samantha, about a year old. Her husband even surprised her by having their friends and her brother join them to celebrate. So, everything seems perfect until their babysitter cancels and Caroline and Hunter can’t attend their own anniversary dinner. Caroline wants to skip the dinner, but Hunter is insistent that they will just be downstairs and will check on the girls every half hour. Reluctantly, Caroline gives in, but to her horror, when she goes up to check, baby Samantha is missing. Thus begins the real drama of the book. Caroline refuses to give up hope that she will find her missing daughter. When the current story begins, it is fifteen years later, the reporters are covering the story again, and Caroline is still seeking answers. The denouement of the story is unbelievable but so realistically portrayed that it is almost as if the reader is there, with Caroline and holding her hand, walking with her through the unimaginable tale of what really happened to Samantha. Joy Fielding will not disappoint with her gripping story of a mother’s love that won’t give up hope.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”