Susan's Review of In The Air Tonight by Marie Force

The strong characters, suspenseful storyline and the small town setting immediately drew me into Marie Force's In The Air Tonight.

Denise, Blaise and Houston were strong, relatable and believable characters. I could relate to the teenage Blaise-the small town atmosphere, the peer pressure and how she internalized her experience. What she saw never left her—she was put in an untenable position.

Blaise’s decision moves the storyline forward and impacts every character in the novel. Houston makes the decision to contact Denise knowing that if she wanted justice; his relationship with his brother, friends and his standing in the community would never be the same. Everything would change—and it did.

The novel is fast paced and the suspense builds with each chapter. The chapters are told from alternating POVs which helped me gain insight into the characters thoughts and actions. The author perfectly captured the small town vibe and the high school popular kid mentality.There several unexpected plot twists throughout the story which kept me on the edge of my seat.

The story made me stop and think several times about what I would have done if I were Blaise. Would I have been too afraid to speak up? Would I have had the courage to speak up? Loved that the author explored the actions vs consequences theme this novel.

If you are looking for a suspenseful novel set in a small town filled with secrets - pick up a copy of In The Air Tonight!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book provided by the author

Review of Cindy Kirk's The One I Need, The One I Want & The One I Love--Silver Creek Series 4-6

The One I Need

An ocean and a secret just as deep separated them. Will a reunion in the Mile High City provide a second chance at love?

June Parker needs answers. Her sister Aubrey was killed by a hit and run driver 10 years ago. June and her mother cannot accept that no one saw Aubrey or offered to help her when her car broke down. In an effort to bring peace and closure, June has hired a private detective to help her solve the mystery.

June was introduced to Cameron Driskill while working abroad and wants to reconnect with him as he may have information regarding Aubrey's death—he could be the key to solving the mystery.

I loved the attraction between June and Cameron -- it was undeniable! June and Cameron held fast to their beliefs and supported each other during the investigation. I enjoyed how the couple faced the challenges in their relationship and the element of mystery in this novella.

The One I Want

She’s the love of his life, but is he the man she believes him to be?

June is continuing her quest to find out the identity of who left the scene of the hit and run. June and Cameron attend a fund raiser for Anson Hawkins. Anson is connected to both the Driskill family and to June. Anson and Cameron’s sister Eve are best friends who are attracted to each other. Anson’s name appears on June’s interview list—could he have been the hit and run driver?

Anson is passionate about helping others and he is admired for his integrity. On the surface, he’s the perfect fit for a seat on the City Council. But, does he remember the events of the party that he, Cameron, Aubrey and the others attended? This is the core element of the storyline. Cindy Kirk explores Anson’s character – something about the party haunts him and how will it impact his political career. Eve goes all on to help Anson—she has them re- create the night of Aubrey’s death—what will he remember? And what will be the cost to his relationship with Eve? And to Cameron and June’s second chance love story? I liked the combination of mystery, intrigue and romance in this novella.


The One I Love
Will four minutes from her past lead to a lifetime of heart break?

Eve Driskill’s world is turned upside down. A former boyfriend has betrayed her and suddenly she is a media sensation. I loved that Anson stood by Eve –he never faltered or hesitated in his love and support for her. The impact of the betrayal impacts Eve’s business and well as Anson’s political career. Loved that Eve and Anson grew closer as the scandal played out in the media.

Several people are eliminated from June’s list of partygoers and a surprising clue is provided to the police which helps uncover the identity of the hit and run driver. Cindy Kirk added the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue in this story. Loved following along as the suspects were crossed off the list—and I was totally surprised by the identity of the hit and run driver!

Kudos to Cindy Kirk for crafting a superb trilogy! June, Cameron, Eve and Anson were strong, dynamic characters! Loved Cameron and June’s second chance romance and Eve and Anson’s friends to lover’s story.

The hit and run mystery was perfectly written—each novella had a cliff hanger ending that was resolved in the next book. I loved this part of the story line because I was invested in the story and I wanted to figure out the mystery. Loved the twist and turns and the big reveal!

Cindy Kirk’s Silver Creek series is full of engaging characters, family drama, mystery and lots of heartwarming romance! Add these novellas to your summer reading list—you will enjoy them!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARCs provided by the author

Darkness, My Old Friend by Lisa Unger - Audio Book

 Darkness, My Old Friend
by Lisa Unger

Audio Version

Wow, what a series so far. The series is called
The Hollows. The Hollows is a small town outside

New York City. 

It is such an interesting group of people in these stories.

The community is typical in some ways. Typical as you 

would expect in small town. But then, it is light years 

away from anything like any small town ever in some ways. 

No one is perfect. No one is above the rest. But there are 

surely some that think they are. There is clairvoyant action.
The police would rather not have to deal with that though. 
Even if it is helpful. There is so much going on all the time. 

Between teenagers that, of course, think they know it all. 
Teenagers that have no one monitoring them. Teenagers

that are falling in love. And they are the smallest part

of the action. 

Lisa Unger has written a terrific series. The Hollows is

mysterious, crazy, funny and compelling. You will never

know what is coming next. The narration is well done. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Fragile by Lisa Unger - Audio Version

 Fragile

by Lisa Unger

Audio Version

The Hollows is a mystery series that belongs in a mystery 

lovers collection. The Hollows is a small town just a ways 

from New York City. I think the location must be what 

makes it kind of like a small town but also crazy like

most big cities are. Maybe it's something in the water. 

Each story brings out another little bit of the town. 

The characters are fun and scary and genuine. The whole

town is so real it feels like you could plan a road trip. 

But maybe don't go alone. 

The thing with a small town is secrets are never really

very far gone. They will always be just below the 

surface. Even years and years later. The only thing that

changes is someone just happens to look in the right

place.  Places don't change much over time in a small 

town. So it's all right there. Waiting for someone to look. 

So who is going to look?? 

Lisa Unger has introduced a wonderful town with

great characters. You just never know what you will 

find. Who will surprise you the most? 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger - Audio Version

 Confessions on the 7:45

by Lisa Unger

Audio Version

A friend of mine had posted that she wanted to 

read this one on Goodreads. The title and the short

synopsis I found sounded so interesting. I mean,

Confessions on the 7:45. Doesn't the title alone make

you want to check it out? I don't read

mysteries very often. But I just in the mood that day.

My library had the audio version with a long waiting 

list. Which isn't unusual for newer items. But I lucked

out and it was ready for me in no time.

My first time reading Lisa Unger. She certainly wowed me! 

She had a way of introducing the characters that was easy

for me to keep them straight. But I have to say, the time 

perspective changes, back and forth, often, during the story. 

I did not find it hard to follow most of the time. I made a

mental note of particular characters at the beginning. 

There is really no way to write a review with any 

information that doesn't include a  spoiler. 

The story is full of intrigue from the very start. 

You will be compelled to listen so close. You won't

want to miss a single word. 

I loved the story. I believe I will be a continued

Lisa Unger fan. It is 12 1/2 hours listening time. 

So you will for sure get your moneys worth. 
There is not a minute of down time. The story

moves right along. The narration is fabulous. 
Her name is Vivienne Leheny. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

One For The Money by Janet Evanovich - Audio Version

One For The Money

by Janet Evanovich

Audio version

☆☆☆☆☆

 

The Stephanie Plum books have been recommended

to me long ago. But I never got around to them.

Til now.

This is also my first Janet Evanovich read.  

 I enjoyed every minute of it.

Stephanie and her neighborhood make for

great story telling! So funny. And you can

just picture it all in your head.

 

It appears there are more than one

audio edition. The one I got from my local

library was narrated by Lori Petty.

She did a fantastic job! Lori was the

Stephanie Plum character,  inside and out.

 I loved it. And I will go on to the next one.

 

Review by Lisa Hutson

 



The Woman in the Camphor Trunk by Jennifer Kincheloe - Audible version

The Woman in the Camphor Trunk
by Jennifer Kincheloe
Audible version

 ☆☆☆☆☆☆

The story set in 1908 Los Angeles. A different time. 

But women were finding their voice and their life plans.

Anna Blanc might have been one of those women.

Anna is fearless and clever and unstoppable.

She has a faith that is just planted in her. 

Anna doesn't even think about it. She just lives it.

 

 Anna is police matron on the LAPD. She has a clever

mind and she out does the men on cases. They do not 

appreciate her. Well, except for Detective Joe Singer.

He knows how smart she is. How capable. How shrewd.

And he is tortured with how sexy she is. Along with

the rest of the LAPD.

 

Anna and Joe work together, begrudgingly, to solve

this very important case. She feels as though she

owes a debt to a long time friend. They both are

trying to stop an all out war between races in LA.

 

Jennifer Kincheloe has written another Anna Blanc tale

that has it all. Humor. Drama. Surprise. Life lessons.

Family. Romance. Anna will never fail to shock you.

The Woman in the Camphor Trunk is narrated by the

wonderful Moira Quirk. Ms Quirk is genius with her voice.

She is perfect for this story. While she is exactly right

for Anna Blanc, she does a great job for everyone in the

story. I was so glad to hear her doing this second

Anna Blanc story.

 

 

I bought my copy from Audible.com

Review by Lisa Hutson

 

 

 

 

The Duke of Olympia Meets His Match by Juliana Gray

Juliana Gray’s The Duke of Olympia Meets His Match is a delightful and charming novella! The fast- paced story takes place during an eight- day voyage from the United States to England on the White Star oceanliner Majestic. The Duke of Olympia is one of my favorite characters from the authors A Princess in Hiding series and I was excited to read a novella devoted entirely to him! 

The novella contains the expected shipboard romance between two couples with a bit of intrigue added to make the transatlantic voyage exciting! Olympia needs to locate a portfolio of papers and a female French undercover agent before the ship docks in London. He has eight days to figure out which of the guests is the spy and he encounters several roadblocks while on his quest. Mrs. Laura Morrison is one of the obstructions as she has decided that the Duke of Olympia is going to marry her daughter Rose. During the course of the voyage , she plots and schemes to get the couple together. Unbeknown to Mrs. Morrison, Robert Langley, Rose’s suitor from New York, booked a last minute berth on the ship and the couple is meeting in secret. And to complicate matters, Olympia is attracted to Rose’s companion Penelope Schuyler, a widow and poor relation to the Morrison family.

Olympia knows that Penelope has papers hidden in her trunk and suspects that she may be the foreign agent he has been asked to locate and capture! The author does a fabulous job balancing the couple’s growing attraction towards one and another and the Duke’s mission. The dialogue between the Duke and Penelope is very witty and affectionate as their relationship progresses. The author tucks in a bit of history and social commentary throughout the novella as well. The secondary characters are well developed and each plays an important role in the storyline. The conclusion to the novella was fabulous and the author kept me guessing as to the identity of the spy until the very end! The novella reads like a full length novel—great story, well developed characters and great descriptive writing infuses with humor!

Will the Duke of Olympia determine the identity of the spy before the ship docks?
Is Penelope working for the French government?
Read Duke of Olympia Meets His Match and find out! 

 
Reviewed by: Susan Gorman
Book purchased on Amazon

The Wicked Duke by Madeline Hunter

Madeline Hunter saved the best story for last in her Wicked Trilogy! The Wicked Duke is a smart, sexy, well-plotted whodunit filled with exceptional characters! Lancelot Hemingford, the Duke of Alyesbury, has spent the past nine months in seclusion at his country estate. Percy, his older brother, died quite suddenly and Lance is the primary suspect in his brother’s death. Lance is a charming rogue and is my favorite of Ms. Hunter’s heroes.

 
The author sets the tone and engages the reader in the first few pages of the novel. Marianne Radley mistakes Lance for a poacher while she is visiting a local graveyard. She exchanges polite conversation with him and mentions his rustic grooming, his beard. Lance shyly asks her if she would dance with him if he shaved. Marianne response is that they should be properly introduced first. Marianne has returned home to her childhood home with her widowed mother and cousin. Her uncle, Sir Horace inherited her family’s estate and is the local justice of the peace and he believes that Lance harmed his daughter. Sir Horace is investigating the case and will determine Lance’s fate. 

The relationship between Lance and Marianne is very romantic. Loved the scene when Lance charmed Marianne by kissing her hand….very slowly. (swoon!) The couple’s romance evolves slowly and the writing is very sensual. Although Marianne appears to be calm and in control, she falls for Lance. The couple is well suited. Marianne brings out the best in her husband and her questions force Lance to look at situations in a different way. 

 
The author does a wonderful job weaving both families into the storyline. Enjoyed Gareth and Ives’ visits with Lance. The complicated relationship between Sir Horace, Marianne’s mother and cousin Nora was an important dynamic in The Wicked Duke. Lance’s desire to solve Percy’s murder drove the plot; Percy’s presence was felt during the storyline. The author was able to blend mystery, suspense and romance in this novel. The conclusion of the novel and the unmasking of the murderer was fabulous! The identity of the murder surprised me—Kudos to Madeline Hunter for a well-written book!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Novel provided by the author.

Celeste photo by Susan Gorman

Review of I've Got My Duke To Keep Me Warm -- Kelly Bowen

"I have to assume , Gisele, that what you did--what you do--is to atone for something in your past. Something terrible. What did you do in London, Gisele?"
"I got married." she said savagely, suddenly furious he had forced her into this before she was ready.
A charged silence filled the space between them.
Jamie sat back down with a thump. "You're married?" It came out as an accusation.
"Not anymore."
'You're a widow?" His tone softened slightly.
'No. I'm..."  She trailed off, searching for the right words.
'Divorced?" he was incredulous now.
"No."
"Then what?" He demanded. "What the hell are you?"

 Gisele looked directly into his eyes." Dead," she whispered. "I'm dead." 

I've Got My Duke To Keep Me Warm is the first book in author Kelly Bowen's Lords of Worth series. The book is a fast -paced historical filled with suspense and intrigue. The 400-page novel held my interest and kept me on the edge of my chair as the story unfolded. 

Ms. Bowen has created many memorable characters in this novel. The characters of Gisele and Jamie are multi-faceted and their stories touched my heart. The secondary characters are well-developed and play important roles in the story. Gisele's friend Sebastian, who was her husbands servant, plays a pivotal role in the story. He is Gisele's confidante, Jamie's valet and is instrumental in the storyline's resolution. Eleanor, the Duchess of Worth is a wonderful character. She adds a lot of humor with her love of poultry  and her conversations with her son. She may appear to be an aging Duchess but in truth she plays an important role in Gisele's life. The author has also created a truely evil villain, Adam Levire, the Marquess of Valence. His menacing presence is felt throughout the entire novel. 

The storyline touches upon both main character's demons, domestic abuse and the after effects of wartime battle, in a credible manner. 

Four years ago, Gisele had faked her death in a boat explosion which was witnessed by hundreds of people to escape her husband's physical abuse. Gisele has learned that her husband is going to re-marry and does not want his new wife to suffer as she did. Gisele and her friend Sebastian hire former soldier, Jamie Montcrief to assist them in their plan to interrupt the Marquess' marriage. The tension increases as the three characters travel towards London. Will someone recognize them at a local tavern? On the road? On the streets of London?

There were several interesting subplots which added to the storyline. Jamie is befriended by both the Duchess of Worth's son and the future Marchioness of Valence's brother. Both of these characters were well written and added depth and credibility to the story.  I enjoyed the level of suspense in the novel. Throughout the story, I kept wondering if Gisele and Jamie would be caught--would they be discovered? Could they pull off such a dangerous plan and expose Valence before he harms anyone else? I enjoyed this engaging, suspenseful novel and found the ending very rewarding.

Congratulations to Kelly Bowen for an excellent debut novel! Am looking forward to A Good Rogue is Hard to Find which is the next book in the the Lords of Worth series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman *******************************************************************

Susan Gorman's review of I've Got My Duke To Keep Me Warm was published on Freshfiction.com on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Please click here to read the review.