#BookReview All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

All the Missing Girls
by Megan Miranda

Genre: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Adult
Publication: 28 Jun 2016 by Simon & Schuster
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley, Simon & Schuster
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

It’s been ten years since Nicolette Farrell left her rural hometown after her best friend, Corinne, disappeared from Cooley Ridge without a trace. Back again to tie up loose ends and care for her ailing father, Nic is soon plunged into a shocking drama that reawakens Corinne’s case and breaks open old wounds long since stitched.

The decade-old investigation focused on Nic, her brother Daniel, boyfriend Tyler, and Corinne’s boyfriend Jackson. Since then, only Nic has left Cooley Ridge. Daniel and his wife, Laura, are expecting a baby; Jackson works at the town bar; and Tyler is dating Annaleise Carter, Nic’s younger neighbor and the group’s alibi the night Corinne disappeared. Then, within days of Nic’s return, Annaleise goes missing.

Told backwards—Day 15 to Day 1—from the time Annaleise goes missing, Nic works to unravel the truth about her younger neighbor’s disappearance, revealing shocking truths about her friends, her family, and what really happened to Corinne that night ten years ago.

I was intrigued after reading the description. It was interesting to see how the story was going to be told backward, from the time Nicolette (Nic) Farrell returned home. All the Missing Girls tells the story of the disappearance of two missing girls, Corinne, Nic's best friend who disappeared years ago, and Annaleise, who went missing shortly after Nic's return to Cooley Ridge.

Cooley Ridge holds a few secrets with Corinne disappeared. When Annaleise too, went missing, shocking truths about Nic's family and friends resurfaced.

I was a bit worried about the story at first with how the story was told. I was afraid that it wouldn't make sense, but surprisingly, the story worked better with how it was told. I admit that the story was a bit confusing at the beginning. But after reading the book, I think the author did a great job with the storytelling. It was clever to write the story backward with each secret unraveled slowly as the story goes. In the end, I feel like I wanted to reread the story again - from the way it was written and from the correct chronology.

All the Missing Girls is definitely a great crime thriller read. The writing was brilliant. There's a lot of twists that I didn't see or expect. I just didn't know who to trust in the book. It was shocking to find out the truth about the missing girls. I will definitely look forward to the author's other books.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Simon & Schuster in exchange for my review.

#OnTour A Wolf On The Loose By Daniel Straka - #Interview + #Giveaway

 A Wolf On The Loose  By Daniel Straka is now on a Virtual Book Tour from June 19 to July 22, 2016.

A Wolf On The Loose: Episode 1 (A Wolf On The Loose)
by Dan Straka

Genre: Thriller, Suspense
Publication: February 21st, 2015
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

A Wolf On The Loose is a weekly e-serial, containing 36 parts spread over 5 episodes. One part is released weekly, free, on Amazon for 5 days (Monday-Friday). Completed episodes are available for purchase. 

Amid struggling with his addictions, former Marine Andrew St George goes AWOL from his rich family and lavish lifestyle. He appears months later in Miami with one intent; convince his friend, Emilio Cortez, to start a Private Military Company with him. Having left the Corps after his brother was killed in a drive-by, Emilio’s been stuck working three jobs to support his extended family, all of whom he lives with in a small apartment. 

While Andrew and Emilio enter into the security business looking for an escape from their civilian lives, both struggle with their demons. From the slums of Miami, the glitzy South Beach nightlife, to Cartel controlled Mexico, the boys will learn that despite their best intentions, no one job is the same and that there are battles to be fought outside of war zones.

Interview with Dan Straka

1. Tell me about yourself & your book.

A WOLF ON THE LOOSE is a weekly adventure/thriller about two former Marines trying to find their place in the civilian world by starting a private security company in Miami, Florida. What they get, is more than they bargained for.

The genre, timeframe, and format allowed me to have the character’s living in our world, reacting to major events. The week-to- week format also gave the characters room to breathe; slice-of- life scenes that wouldn’t fit within a novel were able to be included.

The nature of the security company, and finding new clients with varying backgrounds, allows for social commentary on subjects ranging from police shootings to veteran’s affairs, gang wars, drug lords, and even nerd culture.

2. How do you come up with the idea of the book? What is your inspiration?

Originally I started a novel, based on a private military company (PMC), and the protagonist was a female journalist embedded with the PMC operating in Kurdistan. This plot had some legs, and may appear in future seasons, but at the time I didn't have enough "good stuff" to flesh out an entire engaging story.

Around that time I watched Showtime's "Strike Back", which was focused on two Special Forces soldiers engaging in alternative conflict theaters and in small scale battles. I thought, that's how I should do my story.

The plots of AWOTL are not about stopping a speeding train filled with bombs, on its way to DC. AWOTL is about the characters dealing with conflicts based on events that can, and do, happen in the real world, and their own struggles. That's why Andrew and Emilio are not action heroes straight out of Call of Duty. They are simply two former Marines, with their own hang-ups and issues.

3. How long did it take you to write this book?

I started preliminary work in the fall of 2013, and weekly releases began in January 2015. Thirty-six weeks later, Season 1 concluded in September 2015 with a nasty cliffhanger.

4. Do your characters ever surprise you? 

Yes, not just the characters but the flow of the narrative. I'll start planning and typing out a scene, and as the characters are talking, things happen. I sit back and think, oh, I didn’t anticipate that twist. That's in the initial draft, and then I re-write. The best way for me to edit and keep that plot twist or excitement I uncovered is: read a scene, remember what I like about it, then crtl+x and delete. And rewrite it from memory.

5. Grade your book. How many stars out of a perfect score of 5 stars? Please give the reason.

I think the story overall is fun and engaging, and the writing is clean thanks to my editor. Even my wife likes AWOTL! She is a diehard Jane Austen and classics fan, and not a fan of thrillers. So I count that as high praise!

Like most writers, I'm happy with some scenes and wish I could tweak others. Really, I'm more interested in what readers think. How they feel. And I hope they get as excited to read AWOTL each week, as I was to write it.

6. What are you working on right now?

I'm actively working on Season 2 of AWOTL. This one requires a bit more research. And, I'm going a traditional publishing route with a sword and sorcery fantasy.

7. Anything you would like to say to your readers?

As part of the blog tour, I will be releasing one episode a week for free on Amazon, beginning on July 4 th . I hope you enjoy reading any, or all, of A Wolf On the Loose. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section, or as a review on Amazon.

Thanks for reading!

Author Bio

Dan achieved a BFA in photography and metal working and since graduating, has done neither. By day he works in manufacturing. By night, often very late into the night, he writes and stalks America's sub-cultures on the vast internets.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

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#BookReview Fixin' To Die by Tonya Kappes

Fixin' To Die
(A Kenni Lowry Mystery)
by Tonya Kappes

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit, Crime, Mystery
Publication: June 14th, 2016 by Henery Press
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley, Henery Press
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Kenni Lowry likes to think the zero crime rate in Cottonwood, Kentucky is due to her being sheriff, but she quickly discovers the ghost of her grandfather, the town’s previous sheriff, has been scaring off any would-be criminals since she was elected. When the town’s most beloved doctor is found murdered on the very same day as a jewelry store robbery, and a mysterious symbol ties the crime scenes together, Kenni must satisfy her hankerin’ for justice by nabbing the culprits.

With the help of her Poppa, a lone deputy, and an annoyingly cute, too-big-for-his-britches State Reserve officer, Kenni must solve both cases and prove to the whole town, and herself, that she’s worth her salt before time runs out.

Fixin' To Die by Tonya Kappes is definitely a good, cozy mystery  read around. It was fascinating to see a bit of mystery and supernatural combined in a book. Kenni Lowry, a sheriff, faced a murder case and a jewelry store robbery on the same day.  And somehow, a mystery symbol ties the two case together. It was up to Kenni to solve the mystery.

I love Kenni as the main character. It was exciting to know that she's a sheriff. This is the first murder case she had as a sheriff and Kenni must solve the two cases with the help of her Poppa's ghost (my favorite character in the book) and the State Reserve officer, Finn.

This is definitely a cozy mystery read that I really enjoyed. The plot was nice, fun, exciting and believable. There are a little bit of twist here and there keeps me guessing until the end. I enjoy the bits of romance between Kenni and the Finn. Oh well. It wasn't really a romance. But, Kenni does have a crush on Finn. I'm excited to see them again in the next book.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Henery Press in exchange for my review.

Review: The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

The Passenger
by Lisa Lutz

Genre: Adult, Crime & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
Publication: March 1st, 2016 by Simon & Schuster
Format: ebooks
Source: Netgalley, ARC
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

In case you were wondering, I didn’t do it. I didn’t have anything to do with Frank’s death. I don’t have an alibi, so you’ll have to take my word for it...

Forty-eight hours after leaving her husband’s body at the base of the stairs, Tanya Dubois cashes in her credit cards, dyes her hair brown, demands a new name from a shadowy voice over the phone, and flees town. It’s not the first time.

She meets Blue, a female bartender who recognizes the hunted look in a fugitive’s eyes and offers her a place to stay. With dwindling choices, Tanya-now-Amelia accepts. An uneasy―and dangerous―alliance is born.

It’s almost impossible to live off the grid today, but Amelia-now-Debra and Blue have the courage, the ingenuity, and the desperation, to try. Hopscotching from city to city, Debra especially is chased by a very dark secret…can she outrun her past?

I can't stop thinking about this book. It was different than Lisa Lutz's Spellman Series, which happen to be my all time favorite. It was more mysterious and well, a bit more confusing.

The beginning starts with Tanya leaving her husband's body at the base of the stairs. She gets some money, a new name, changes her identity and skips town. Tanya, now Amelia, meets Blue, a bartender who knows exactly who she is and offers her a place to stay. 

'Passanger' has this mysterious thing going on all over the book. A few times, I have to close the book because things are getting confusing.  But I have to pick up the book again to find out to all the answers to my questions—who exactly is Tanya? What is she running away from? And Why?

I guess, Tanya, Amelia, or whoever she is starts to grow on me. She has to change her name and identity for many times to be safe. She has gone through so much while she's on the run and I couldn't help but to feel sorry for her. She finds someone who she might like on her run, and runs again once she found out that he's a cop! And I found Blue an interesting character. She helped Amelia with questioning motives, and in the end, I wish I could hear what is her story.

Lisa Lutz is excellent at building the story with good plots and twists that keeps me going as the mystery behind Tanya-Amelia-Debra unfolds. I definitely enjoy reading this book and would recommend this to fans of crime fans.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Simon & Schuster in exchange for my review.

Review: Murder on a Silver Platter by Shawn Reilly Simmons

Murder on a Silver Platter
by Shawn Reilly Simmons

Genre: Crime, Cozy Mystery, Romance
Publication: February 23rd, 2016 by Henery Press
Format: Kindle Edition, 276 pages
Source: Netgalley, ARC
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Penelope Sutherland and her Red Carpet Catering company just got their big break as the on-set caterer for an upcoming blockbuster. But when she discovers a dead body outside her house, Penelope finds herself in hot water. Things start to boil over when serious accidents threaten the lives of the cast and crew. And when the film’s star, who happens to be Penelope’s best friend, is poisoned, the entire production is nearly shut down.

Threats and accusations send Penelope out of the frying pan and into the fire as she struggles to keep her company afloat. Before Penelope can dish up dessert, she must find the killer or she’ll be the one served up on a silver platter.

I love books with a hint of mystery and food. Naturally, I have to read 'Murder on a Silver Platter' by Shawn Reilly Simmons. And I am very glad that I picked up this book. 

Murder on a Silver Platter starts immediately when Penelope and her friend, Arlena found a dead body outside her house while searching for their dog, Zazoo. Penelope is a very likeable character. She's smart, independent and loyal. She was always looking after Arlena, which was how she got into investigating a murder and accidents that happened around Arlena. The supporting characters made the story much more lively and interesting. I enjoyed getting to know them all, especially Arlena's father, Randall.

The author's writing style was easy to get into. I can't put down the book. Shawn Reilly Simmons writes a really good mystery with good characters and twists that you wouldn't see it coming. I know I didn't. I was hooked to read until the end to find out who did what and why. There was a hint of romance between Penelope and a cop, who was also her childhood friend. I would definitely recommend 'Murder on a Silver Platter' to cozy mystery fans.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Henery Press in exchange for my review.

Review: Missing Dad: Wanted by J. Ryan

Missing Dad: Wanted
by J. Ryan

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: November 5th, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition, 133 pages
Source: Netgalley, ARC
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Missing Dad – Wanted is the first in a new series featuring the gutsy Joe St Aubin, the teenage son of a secret agent who has disappeared while working undercover.

Sixteen year old Joe and his girlfriend Becks Bowman must learn the hard way how to deal with the criminal underworld after his father, secret agent Commander Julius Grayling, disappears. Desperately missing his father and failing at school, Joe is in deep trouble for driving underage, and suspected of a hit and run. In a chance encounter with the real culprit, a drug runner, Joe attracts the attention of billionaire drugs baron Alfredo Bertolini, who is hell bent on revenge.

Joe is offered a glamorous job as chauffeur to the charismatic Monsieur Le Directeur of L’Ētoile Fine Wines, but his world implodes when he realises that he has been set up as a drug runner, in a Bentley loaded with cocaine and men with guns behind him. In the most terrifying drive of his life, Joe has to resort to some unusual tactics to deal with his unwelcome company.

But even more danger awaits Joe and Becks when they confront Monsieur Le Directeur. The price of discovering whether he is friend or foe to Joe’s father turns into a nightmare of darkness, fire and water that drives the teenagers to the edge of despair.

This series draws its appeal from Joe’s desperate search and love for his father and features compelling characters, fast cars and heart-stopping action.

Missing Dad: Wanted is the first book by J. Ryan. Joe St. Aubin is the  son of a secret agent who has disappeared while working undercover. He got into trouble for driving underage, and suspected of a hit and run. Joe soon encountered the real culprit and upsetting the billionaire drug. 

This book was really exciting, fast-paced and thrilling. Joe was a teenage boy who missed his dad and would sometimes get into trouble. I like Joe and his characters. But, I find it was a bit hard to believe how Joe got the job with his age. The story was really thrilling. I especially enjoyed the driving and the car chasing. The author's description of the fast-driving scene was exciting. It was like watching a movie. I bet the car chasing scene would look really good in a movie. There was also a bit of mystery surrounding Joe's father. Turns out that Joe found out a bit about his father while working for L’Ētoile Fine Wines.

I would totally recommend this thrilling young adult books to crime lover. There are just enough suspense, mystery and romance in the book. I was a bit disappointed that Joe hadn't learnt a lot more about his father in this book, but I hope to see more Joe and his adventure to find out what happen to his father in the next book.

Review: Ghostwriter Anonymous by Noreen Wald

Ghostwriter Anonymous (A Jake O'Hara Mystery)
by Noreen Wald

Genre: Romance, Cozy Mystery
Publication: Mar 1, 2016 by Henery Press
Format: e-books
Source: NetGalley, ARC
Connect: Website

With her books sporting other people’s names, ghostwriter Jake O’Hara works behind the scenes. But she never expected a séance at a New York apartment to be part of her job. Jake had signed on as a ghostwriter, secretly writing for a grande dame of mystery fiction whose talent died before she did. The author’s East Side residence was impressive. But her entourage—from a Mrs. Danvers-like housekeeper to a lurking hypnotherapist—was creepy.

Still, it was all in a day’s work, until a killer started going after ghostwriters, and Jake suspected she was chillingly close to the culprit. Attending a séance and asking the dead for spiritual help was one option. Some brilliant sleuthing was another-before Jake’s next deadline turns out to be her own funeral.

I haven't been reading any cozy mystery this recently, and was in the mood to read one. I was happy when I found this book, Ghostwriter Anonymous by Noreen Wald. Instantly, I was hooked by the pretty cover and the promising blurbs.

Sadly, I didn't like Ghostwriter Anonymous as much as I expected to. I love Jake O'Hara's character. It was fun to read a ghostwriter mystery. I love the idea and the plot. It was new and fresh to me. The mystery behind the murders were interesting to keep me reading. But there has been just too much character in the book. It was kind of confusing sometimes. It didn't help that I didn't have much care about the minor characters or the bits of romance. It was surprising to find out who the murderer was at the end of the book, but I was disappointed on how the murderer was revealed.

Overall, Ghostwriter Anonymous by Noreen Wald was an okay cozy mystery read with interesting, but not so complicated plot.

I received a copy of this book from the author/Netgalley/publisher in exchange for my review

Review: You'll Be Thinking of Me by Densie Webb

You'll Be Thinking of Me
by Densie Webb

Genre: Romance, Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Publication:  January 12th 2015 by Soul Mate Publishing
Format: kindle
Source: ARC
Connect: Goodreads

A chance encounter with a celebrity, an impromptu video, and a shiny new espresso machine. It all added up to a juicy tale for 24-year-old Rachael Allen to share with friends. But when her best friend posts the video online, bizarre threats, home break-ins, and deadly gifts from an obsessed fan follow close behind. Mick Sullivan, the star in her video, offers to help and in the process, Rachael discovers that despite his reputation as a player of Olympian caliber, he’s down-to-earth—and emotionally damaged. He has secrets; some he’s shared only with his pseudo best friend. Others he's shared with no one. But there's one secret he’s hidden from himself, washed away by too many beers. Despite wildly divergent life paths, their shared southern upbringing (and a passion for good music) creates a common thread that draws them together.

As the threats escalate, and their relationship deepens, Rachael struggles to accept Mick’s past—and his present. And she is forced to confront her own obsessive love to ultimately decide if being with Mick Sullivan is worth the collateral damage.

YOU'LL BE THINKING OF ME is the story of Rachael's serendipitous encounter with a celebrity, her brush with obsessive love, and the bittersweet gift left behind by the very person fixated on destroying her life.

When Rachel Allen shared a video of her meeting with a celebrity, Mick Sullivan with her friend, she didn't expect that her friend would post the video online. Since then, Rachel has gotten threats, and few other 'gifts' from Mick's obsessed fan. Mick persuaded Rachel to move into his home until they caught the stalker, but the stalker's threat gotten more serious, and their lives were in danger.

Wow. This book isn't what I've expected. I really enjoyed this book right from the start. Rachel and Mick were two likable characters, and I really enjoyed their interactions and chemistry. The other characters made the story much more interesting too. Although, I couldn't say that I like Rachel's best friend. There's a little bit of crime, suspense and romance that makes me want to continue reading until the end. I really like Densie Webb's style and how she built the story in You'll Be Thinking of Me. The tension building with the sick stalker was really good. There was a little bit of twists towards the end that I didn't expect. 

I absolutely recommend You'll Be Thinking of Me to those who enjoy reading a bit of  mystery and thrill. I know that I'll be looking forward to Densie Webb's other work after this.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review.

Review: When by Victoria Laurie

When
by Victoria Laurie

Genre: Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Young Adult
Publication: Jan 13 2015, Disney-Hyperion
Format: ebook
Source: Netgalley
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Maddie Fynn is a shy high school junior, cursed with an eerie intuitive ability: she sees a series of unique digits hovering above the foreheads of each person she encounters. Her earliest memories are marked by these numbers, but it takes her father’s premature death for Maddie and her family to realize that these mysterious digits are actually death dates, and just like birthdays, everyone has one.

Forced by her alcoholic mother to use her ability to make extra money, Maddie identifies the quickly approaching death date of one client's young son, but because her ability only allows her to see the when and not the how, she’s unable to offer any more insight. When the boy goes missing on that exact date, law enforcement turns to Maddie.

Soon, Maddie is entangled in a homicide investigation, and more young people disappear and are later found murdered. A suspect for the investigation, a target for the murderer, and attracting the attentions of a mysterious young admirer who may be connected to it all, Maddie's whole existence is about to be turned upside down. Can she right things before it's too late?

I wanted to read this book when I saw the author (I have previously read Victoria Laurie's book from the The Psychic Eye Mysteries and liked it) and saw the synopsis. I was intrigued by the idea of how Maddie can see the death day.

Maddie's father died earlier in the story, and Maddie blamed herself, knowing that she could save her father's life with her gift. When she saw the death date of her client's son, she wanted to save him, because part of her felt guilty that she was not able to save her father. But when the boy went missing on the date, Maddie was suddenly a suspect. 

I really like Maddie. She's kind, loyal and brave enough to go through things to prove that she and her friend is innocent. The other supporting characters made the book much more interesting. I really enjoyed the interaction between Maddie and Uncle Donny. I like how he was always looking after Maddie and her mom. And Detective Faraday! He wasn't really my favorite in the beginning, but he wasn't so bad after a while. 

This book pulled me right from the start. Once I start, it was very hard to put down. The pace was perfect and the plot was really great. There were a few twists that I wasn't expecting, but in the end, the book was written up nicely with a cute surprise. It would be awesome if the book could be made into a movie. When, or Death Date by Victoria Laurie is an enjoyable read filled with YA mystery. This is definitely one of the 2015 books you should look forward to. I would definitely recommend When to mystery/paranormal fan.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Perception by Kim Harrington

Perception (Clarity #2)
by Kim Harrington

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Publication: March 1st, 2013 by Scholastic
Format: Paperback, 324 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head... and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared. Clare needs to see her way to the truth — before it's much too late.

In the previous book, Clarity, Clare solved a murder mystery with her psychometric ability. After that, Clare’s social life turned upside down. She began to receive attention from the people around her. But then, she started to receive notes and gifts from a secret admirer. Clare suspected that the gifts might be from Gabriel, the good-looking boy who she likes, or Justin, her ex-boyfriend who wanted to win her back. But then, the messages started to become disturbing. Clare needed to find out the truth about her secret admirer, especially after a girl in town had suddenly disappeared.

I enjoyed this book. Although, not as much as Clarity. Clare was a fun character. She’s smart, curious, kind and sassy. I enjoyed Clare’s adventure in this book to uncover the truth of her secret admirer, while poking around the mystery of a disappeared girl. The writing style made this an easy and entertaining read. I read this within one sitting. I just can’t put down the book and I need to find out the truth behind the mysteries. 

Perception was definitely an enjoyable and mystery read. If you enjoy light mystery, you’re going to love this book.

Review: Code by Kathy Reichs

Code (Virals #3)
by Kathy Reichs

Genre: Crime & Thriller, Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-fi, Young Adult
Publication: January 2013
Format: Paperback, 416 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Tory Brennan, great niece of Dr Temperance Brennan, and the Virals return for their most terrifying adventure yet.

Life appears peaceful on Loggerhead Island - rescued from financial disaster, the research institute is flourishing once more. But the tranquility is quickly shattered when Tory Brennan and her technophile gang discover a mysterious box buried in the ground.

A seemingly innocent treasure hunt soon turns into a nightmarish game of puzzles, as it becomes clear that one false move will lead to terrible, explosive consequences.

The clock is ticking. Can Tory and the Virals crack the code in time to save the city - and their own lives?

I enjoyed the first two books of the Virals series. But I can’t bring myself quickly enough to read the third book, probably because of the cover. The third book didn’t match the first two books. This wouldn’t be good for my collection.

In the third book, Tory and her friends return with their next adventure when they discovered a mysterious box on their treasure hunt. But this treasure hunt turned badly when their lives, the people around them were at stake. Now, Tory and the Virals have to crack the puzzle in time before somebody dies.

It was exciting to see the Virals back. I can’t wait to see what kind of adventure the Virals will face next. I have to say that I weren’t as interested in the puzzle that the Virals found at first. I thought that the book was a bit slow paced at the beginning. But Kathy Reichs was really good with the story building. I found myself wanting to know what it is about the game and who is it that wanted to kill the Virals. I wanted to know more about the Virals’ power. I was so excited when Chance made his appearance. I'm curious about what he knew about the Virals and how he will fit in the story.

Virals was definitely as exciting as the other books, although, probably slow paced as compared to the two. I enjoyed reading this one and I can’t wait to read the next book, Exposure!

Review: Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes

Until You're Mine
by Samantha Hayes

Genre: Adult, Crime, Thriller, Mystery Suspense
Publication: January 2013
Format: ebook, 416 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Claudia seems to have the perfect life.

She's heavily pregnant with a much wanted baby, she has a loving husband, and a beautiful home.

And then Zoe steps into her life. Zoe has come to help Claudia when her baby arrives.

But there's something about Zoe that Claudia doesn't like. Or trust.

And when she finds Zoe in her room going through her most personal possesions, Claudia's anxiety turns to real fear ...

Until Your Mine is a thrilling book full of mystery and suspense. There are 3 main characters each with a story of their own. Claudia, is a social worker, a mother of two of her stepsons, Noah and Oscar and a wife to James, a Navy officer and she was expecting her first born baby. Zoe is the new nanny that Claudia hires, and Loraine is a mother of two of her daughter, Grace and Stella, a wife to Adam and the DI investigating murder cases of pregnant women. 

This book had me hooked right from the start! If I weren’t on my babysitting job, I think I would find myself staying up to finish this book to find out how the story would progress. Samantha Hayes did a good job building the story and suspense of the book. I’m having a hard time guessing who the criminal is.  By the end of the book, I had my mouth gap open. I still cannot believe that the story would end up that way. The ending is absolutely fantastic. I can’t stop thinking about the ending after a while. I would definitely recommend this book to crime and thriller/chick-lit fan!

On Tour: Envelope: Red by K. Baskett - Review + Q&A

K. Baskett is now on tour with CLP Book Tours with Envelope: Red. Please visit the CLP Book Tours page for more blog stops. Don't forget to leave a comment on the tour page with your email address to win a print copy of the book (US Only).

Envelope: Red
by K. Baskett

Genre: Adult, Crime, Thriller
Publication: November 2013
Source: ARC, CLP Blog Tours
Connect: Website | Twitter | Youtube | Google+ | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | IAN | Smashwords | Wattpad
Buy the book: Amazon | Kindle | estore

Unemployed with no prospects, Dorian Wells is a young man trying desperately to stay afloat and be a good father to his toddler son. While already struggling to pay the bills and earn proper visitation with his child, Dorian’s tumultuous life is thrown into further upheaval when his mother is suddenly hospitalized.

On the verge of losing everything, it seems Dorian finally has a stroke of luck when he inadvertently learns of a potential opportunity with Jakkaru, a decadent, cut-throat organization that pays handsomely by the body count. Dorian’s lifelong friend, Rafe Ibadiah, is his ticket into Jakkaru and soon Dorian is training to be a professional hitman. But learning how to properly kill for a living is not as easy as it seems, and he quickly discovers the short arms of theory are a far reach from reality as the harrowing journey makes him question everything he believes.

The final test before full acceptance into Jakkaru is a contract Dorian must complete alone. Delivered to him via a small red envelope, the name inside propels the stakes of this dangerous game higher than ever before. Dorian will sacrifice anything for his son, but it’s not until he is ordered to do the unthinkable that he grasps the horrific depth of his commitment.

Award-winning author, K. Baskett, expertly weaves a chilling tale of suspense in Envelope: Red that culminates in a shocking look at the prickly nuances of loyalty. Gritty and authentic, Dorian’s story is ultimately a poignant examination of the human condition - what lies within the heart of us all.

Envelope: Red started a bit slow with the introduction of Dorian and his life. Dorian was unemployed and had no prospect. But he’s trying really hard to be a good father to his son. I can’t say that I like Dorian what with his personality – he’s lazy and a bit selfish. But Dorian had to pull himself together when he lost his mother. It was then that he got the opportunity to be a part of Jakkuru, or jackal, a very dangerous organization.

K. Baskett was really good at building the story. I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I wasn’t fond of the main character. But after a while, I was hooked with the story and the Jakkaru’s world. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Dorian and what is it with the red envelope. The story became a bit predictable towards the end of it, but still, the ending left me with my mouth agape. If you’re a fan of crime, suspense and thriller, Envelope: Red is definitely a book for you.

Q & A with K. Baskett

1. Please introduce yourself and your book.
Envelope: Red is the new suspense/thriller from award-winning author, K. Baskett. Young and unemployed, Dorian Wells is striving to pay the bills and care for his toddler son when his mother is suddenly hospitalized. On the verge of losing everything, he inadvertently learns of Jakkaru, a vicious and murderous organization that pays its associates well. Dorian’s lifelong friend, Rafe Ibadiah, is his ticket into Jakkaru and soon he is training to be a professional hitman. But killing people for a living is not as easy as it seems, and Dorian soon discovers the short arms of theory are a far reach from reality as the harrowing journey makes Dorian question everything he believes. The final test before full acceptance into Jakkaru is a contract Dorian must complete alone. Delivered to him via a small red envelope, the name inside propels the stakes of this dangerous game higher than ever before. Dorian will sacrifice anything for his son, but it’s not until he is ordered to do the unthinkable that he grasps the horrific depth of his commitment.

2. How do you come up with the idea of the book? 
Incidentally, the original idea for the Envelope: Red was not mine. It was actually my fiance who came up with the story-line and fleshed it out as a mini-short story. I thought the concept was so intriguing that I wanted to explore turning that skeleton of a plot into a full-length novel. So while the finished work is all mine (subplot, characterization, story arc, climax, etc), the seed was planted by someone else. I want to add here that I asked permission to use the story idea as the basis for my next novel before claiming it as my own.

3. What is your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the most unexpected places! Sometimes the seed of an idea may be planted by someone else, other times I might get a nugget of inspiration out of seemingly nowhere as I am going about my everyday mundane tasks. You never know when or where inspiration is going to strike, but I always embrace it when it does. I have a little notebook used expressly for that purpose, and in it I keep track of all my various topics and ideas for potential future projects.

4. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
I break myself into pieces and infuse one small part of me into each and every character that I write about. Take the “right” trait from each character, and you could combine them to come very close to knowing exactly what sort of person I am. However, I am not going to tell you which of the traits in each character came from me. Where is the mystery in that?!

5. What do you like most about this book? 
One of the main characters, Rafe, completely stole my heart as I was writing Envelope: Red. He is just so genuine and loyal - a real friend who is trustworthy, dependable and honest. That kind of strong, pure disposition is so rare these days and Rafe is definitely a gem. And not only that, he is charming and funny - a great joy to be around.

I also like the fact that this book culminates in a shocking twist. I'm eager to hear from as many readers as possible to learn how many folks were able to see it coming. From feedback I've gotten so far, it seems I have managed to surprise the majority of readers and keep them guessing all the way until the end.

6. What's something you want to try at least once in your life?
Scuba-diving. In fact, I have never even gone snorkeling. I'm convinced this means I am missing out on one of life's great experiences.

7. What are you working on right now?
I am working on my next novel, a sci-fi thriller called Renata, about a young couple who loses their daughter in a tragic accident and are willing to go to any lengths to have her back.

8. Anything you would like to say to your readers?
My books are the best part of me. I put my absolute all into the novels I write and offer to you, and I strive to make sure you receive a high-quality product (with no cliff-hangers). Envelope:Red is my second go-round but my first book still holds a special place in my heart. I call my debut novel, No Greater Illusion, my single greatest achievement and my contribution to the world. And sometimes I laugh when I say that last one, because I don’t want anyone to think that I have delusions of grandeur... but in my heart I know it is true. And so, with a humble spirit, I offer them both up for your enjoyment, or your scorn; but either way the experience is now yours. I also want to sincerely thank you for reading my words. I do this for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jack of all trades, master of none - save for the art of procrastination - K. Baskett lives by the motto, "Never do today what can be put off until tomorrow." K. firmly believes that you aren't really interested in the author's hometown, spouse, children or pets, and has therefore decided to spare you the details. No Greater Illusion is the author's award-winning debut novel. Envelope: Red is the gritty suspense-thriller with a heart-pounding conclusion.

Review: Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Trail of the Spellmans (The Spellmans #5)
by Lisa Lutz

Genre: Adult, Chick Lit, Crime & Thriller, Humor, Mystery
Publication: First Published. February 2012
Format: Paperback, 416 pages
Source: Own
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For the first time in Spellman history, Isabel Spellman, PI, might be the most normal member of her family. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities—with no apparent motive. Dad has a secret. Izzy’s brother and sister are at war—for no apparent reason. And her niece keeps saying “banana” even though she hates bananas.

That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry’s mother.

Things aren’t any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, but then fakes the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unravels like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers—even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family

Clearly, I am reading the fifth book because I thoroughly enjoy the series. I’ve been a fan of the Spellman’s series since the first book and I just can’t get enough of it. In this book, the Spellman’s agency was hired for a few numbers of cases. There was a brother who hired them to follow his sister, a wife who wants her husband's every move tracked, and parents who want their daughter investigated for possible bad behavior.  Of course, Izzy was also investigating the strange behavior of her family member.

I love the whole Spellman’s family. They are always funny. I especially love the interaction between Izzy and her niece, Sydney and the ‘banana’ mystery. I can’t believe that Rae is all grown up. It feels weird a little bit.

This book is definitely one of my favorite. Then again, all the books in Spellman’s series are my favorite. Trail of the Spellman was definitely a quick and fun read. I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who looks for a light, fun read. I can’t wait to read the next book and found out what will happen to Izzy and her family!

Review: Inferno by Dan Brown

Inferno (Robert Langdon #4)
by Dan Brown

Genre: Adult, Adventure, Crime & Thriller, Mystery
Publication: May 2013
Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Source: Own
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In his international blockbusters The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes, and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Inferno was exciting right from the beginning with Robert Langdon finds himself in Italy with no recollection of what is he doing in there. He had memory lost and someone wants him dead. I was definitely hooked! I wanted to know what was going on. It was exciting to see Robert trying to figure out what he was doing in Italy, figure out who he was dealing with while escape from the authorities as well as the people who wanted him dead.

It was definitely thrilling to follow Robert Landon in his new adventure with Dante’s Inferno. I love the mystery surrounding the provost and deducing who the bad guy was. But after a few more episodes of Robert running away from people who he was not sure he could trust, I got bored. I was stupefied when Robert found out why he lost his mind. 

Inferno, in my opinion was an okay book. It was definitely better than the lost symbol, but not as good as Da Vinci Code or Angel and Demon. I enjoyed the first ¾ of the book, but not the other ¼. I thought that the ending was a bit bland. But still, I’m looking forward to read more works from Dan Brown.