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

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

Susan's Review of The First To Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Fascinating, suspenseful and emotional –are the three words that describe Hank Phillippi Ryan’s First to Lie. The novel is filled with interesting, multi-faceted characters and the plot is teeming with suspense, deception and retribution.

TV news reporter Ellie Berensen’s investigation of Pharminex drew me into the story. Health care is a touchstone topic for everyone. People think drugs will help them, not harm them. Ellie’s determination to pursue the truth about the Pharminex drug Monifan kept me reading. The cast of characters including Nora, the pharmaceutical rep, Meg, Ellie’s assistant, attorney Gabe and police lieutenant Rafel Monterio added to the suspense filled storyline. The characters lie to each other throughout the novel. I loved trying to sort through the lies to see if there was a hint of honesty behind the deceptions.

Hank Phillippi Ryan blends the perfect amount of conflict and drama in this book to create a nail biting, intriguing story. There were lots of plot twists and turns. I felt like the characters were playing chess as each character waited for the other to make a move. I was focused on Ellie’s sorting through the facts and clues that I fell for a few of the strategically placed red herrings. First to Lie kept me on the edge of my chair as it was filled with suspense until the very last page.

First to Lie is engaging and well written—I found it hard to put down. I recommend it to all mystery and thriller readers.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC from publisher--All opinions are my own.

Susan's Review of Perfectly Famous by Emily Liebert

As a mother and a famous author, Ward DeFleur has it all. She lives in a beautiful estate in picture-perfect Connecticut, along with her teenage daughter, Stevie, where nothing can go wrong. Until, one night, when Stevie is brutally murdered and Ward’s entire world is shattered. Consumed by panic and grief, Ward vows never to put pen to paper again.

Enter Bree Bennett.

Bree is a recently-divorced, former-journalist-cum-housewife, desperate to fill her days with something other than Pilates classes and grocery shopping. So she decides to start writing for the town newspaper. What begins as Bree’s effort to tell Ward’s tragic narrative turns into a fixation with finding her favorite author. Unfortunately, Ward doesn’t want to be found. Even worse, Stevie’s killer is still on the loose…

A chance encounter connects journalist Bree Bennett with author Ward DeFleur. On paper, the two woman have a lot in common; both have 16 year old daughters, live in the same town and both of them write for a living. The well-defined, complex characters and the fast-paced plot drew me into the story immediately.

Emily Liebert tells the story of bestselling author Ward DeFleur and Journalist Bree Bennet from the first person viewpoint by alternating chapters. I enjoyed this narrative choice because I was able to understand each characters feelings and motivations. This technique also heightened both the tension and the mystery elements in this page turner. Ward DeFleur is a bestselling author who vanishes after her daughter is kidnapped and dies. Ward disappears without a trace. Bree feels a connection with Ward and decides to tell Ward’s story.

The author creates outstanding female characters in this book. Loved Bree’s relationship with her mom and best friend Maggie. Bree’s mom is hilarious. She cares for Bree by trying to fix her up on dates with her friend’s sons. And she advises Bree to update her Facebook page with a photo with makeup. A subtle way of saying Bree needs to step up her image to find her next husband. Maggie is Bree’s true north friend-they share everything. Maggie is a psychologist and understands Bree’s need to move on emotionally. The push pull relationship between teenage Chloe and Bree was spot on. I understood Bree’s desire to reinvent herself after her divorce. She’s no longer someone’s wife; and her cookie baking and carpool days are behind her.

I figured out who was out to get Ward early on in the novel and I was patiently waiting for Bree to put the puzzle pieces together. I was invested in Bree’s desire to find Ward and to tell her story. The mystery of Ward’s disappearance held my interest—how can someone disappear in this age of the internet and social media?

In my opinion, the last few chapters seamed rushed and didn’t resonate with the feel of the book. I felt that the conclusion was more dramatic than suspenseful. The last page came out of nowhere and I have had a hard time believing the resolution.

Would I read another book by this author? Yes, I would. I enjoyed the fast paced suspenseful storyline and thought the characters of Bree, Maggie and Chloe and Ward were complex yet, very relatable.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Net Galley

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.

His Wicked Seduction--League of Rogues--Book Two by Lauren Smith

League Rule 2


One must never seduce another member's sister. Should this rule rule be broken, the member who sister was seduced has the right to demand satisfaction.

"Shall I kiss you, Horatia? I find you so hard to resist when you look up at me with those dark eyes. They are begging me to kiss you. Did you know that?" His voice was a soft growl that made her breasts heavy and her nipples harden.

Incapable of speech Horatia shook her head. She wanted to throw his arms across his neck and drag his mouth to hers. She ached to drag her hands through his dark red hair. Endless nights has been spent imagining what this moment would be like, to be close enough to touch, to kiss.

His Wicked Seduction is the second book in Lauren Smith's League of Rogues series. This book is an excellent addition to the series and can be read as a stand alone novel. I was absorbed by Lucien and Horatia's story and found it hard to put down. Horiata has loved Lucien for years. Lucien cares deeply for her as well but his friendship with Horatia's brother Cedric and the League rule prevents him from moving forward. Lucien and Horatia's passion sizzles off the pages from their first kiss to the last page of the book.

After another mysterious incident involving the league members, Cedric, Horatia and their younger sister Audrey travel with Lucien to his family estate to celebrate the holidays. I loved Lucien's mother Jane Russell, the Marchioness of Rochester. She was forthright about wanting to see one of her children married as she longed for a grandchild. Loved her plotting behind the scenes at the house party. Lauren Smith has created a fabulous cast of characters in this series. The friendship between the league members is deep as they have shared many adventures and stuck together through difficult times. There is a bit of foreshadowing regarding possible stories for Cedric, Ashton (my favorite) and a hint of a story for Lucien's brother Avery. Just adored Cedric and Horatia's sister Audrey! She was definitely the standout scene stealer in this novel! Am hoping Ms. Smith has a story planned for her!

Perhaps, the most intriguing character is the book's villain Hugo Waverly. He has sworn vengeance against each one of the members of the league. Waverly is always in the background in this story and he has many connections throughout Europe. His evil presence is sensed as the novel's story unfolds.

I read the last few chapters of the book in one sitting. The path to the ending of the novel was filled with passion and intrigue. I loved the balance between emotions and suspense played out during the holiday house party. The conclusion was a clever "who done it" and the ending was very, very satisfying.

Am looking forward to the next book in the series. Will it be Cedric's story? Ashton's ? Or Audrey's?

Reviewed by Susan Gorman