Duplicity by Jane Haseldine

Duplicity by Jane Haseldine

From Goodreads.com :In Jane Haseldine's new novel of riveting suspense, Detroit newspaper reporter Julia Gooden is up against the city's most devious criminal--and her own painful past. 
Julia Gooden knows how to juggle different lives. A successful crime reporter, she covers the grittiest stories in the city while raising her two young boys in the suburbs. But beneath that accomplished facade is another Julia, still consumed by a tragedy that unfolded thirty years ago when her nine-year-old brother disappeared without a trace. 
Julia's marriage, too, is a balancing act, as she tries to rekindle her relationship with her husband, Assistant District Attorney David Tanner, while maintaining professional boundaries. David is about to bring Nick Rossi to trial for crimes that include drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and bribery. But the story becomes much more urgent when a courthouse bomb claims several victims--including the prosecution's key witness--and leaves David critically injured. 
Though Julia is certain that Rossi orchestrated the attack, the case against him is collapsing, and his power and connections run high and wide. With the help of Detective Raymond Navarro of the Detroit PD, she starts following a trail of blackmail, payback, and political ambition, little imagining where it will lead. Julia has risked her career before, but this time innocent lives--including her children's--hang in the balance, and justice may come too late to save what truly matters... 


My Take: This Book is the second in a series but it can be read as a stand alone.  I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for the next installment of the series. The main character Julia is a crime reporter who is trying to do her job but also keep up with her marriage.  Her husband is and Assistant District Attorney and he is prosecuting  Nick Rossi.  Just when the main witness is coming into the courthouse a bomb goes off in the courthouse.  Julia's husband is injured also.  She feels she needs to prove who the bomber was and bring him justice but other's in her family may been collateral damage.  There is alot of action and twists and turns.  That is just the way I like my mysteries.  

I received a review copy of this book from Partners in Crime in exchange for my honest review.  

His Guilt by Shelley Shepard Grey

{MORE ABOUT HIS GUILT}

His Guilt: The Amish of Hart County (Avon Inspire, July 2017)

A suspenseful tale of an Amish man who will risk all to protect the woman he loves

Mark Fisher has returned home to Hart County, determined to put the past behind him. Two years ago, after being wrongly accused of assault, he left the Amish community, though never forgot his home. When the one person who had helped him through his rough times asks for help, Mark returns. But it is pretty Waneta Cain who makes him want to stay…

Neeta is one of the few people in Hart County who doesn’t believe Mark is guilty of hurting anyone. However, his worldliness and tough exterior do make her uneasy. As she begins to see the real man behind all the gossip and prejudice, she wonders if he is the man for her.

Just when Mark starts to believe a new life is possible, a close friend of Neeta’s is attacked. Once again, everyone in the community seems to believe he is guilty. But what hurts most is Neeta’s sudden wariness around him. When another woman is hurt, a woman who is close to both Neeta and himself, Mark fears he knows the real culprit. And time is running out. Will Mark be able to find him before Neeta becomes his next victim?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY}

Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

My Take:  This book is the second in a series but it definitely can be read alone. This book is about believing in someone even when events seem stacked against them.  Mark is accused of an attack on a local woman.  He is cleared but not before the damage is done to his reputation.  Seems as if most people in the Amish community believe he was guilty.  So he moves away until his parents die and he inherits the family home.  There are really nothing but bad memories there but he is determined to remodel the house and make it a home.  He gets a job at the local nursery where the owner believes in his innocence.  There he starts to work with Waneta who has misgivings at first but decides to give him the benefit of the doubt and starts to get to know him.  Things start to get scary when there are attacks on other women and people believe that Mark is responsible.  This book was good as it kept me guessing and had me wondering if Mark really was the culprit.  A good clean mysery/suspense book.  

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere

The Captain’s Daughter(Bethany House, June 2017)

Warm-hearted Victorian romance brings 1880s London to life.

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.

A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT JENNIFER DELAMERE}

Jennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, “An Heiress at Heart,” was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, “A Lady Most Lovely,” received a starred review from “Publishers Weekly” and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.

Find out more about Jennifer at http://www.jenniferdelamere.com.

My take: This book is the first book in a new series by this author.  This is the first book I have read by this author.  I enjoyed this book fairly well as there were new to me things mentioned.  I enjoyed how the theater was brought in as a background and how Gilbert and Sullivan were in the book.  As always I found it fascinating how life during this time period was so brutal and how women were treated as less than property.  I found the scene at the train station interesting as Rosalyn was targeted by two people because she wasn't savy in the ways of the city.  I look forward to the next book in this series. 

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. 

Written in the Ahses by K. Hollan Van Zandt

In the bloody clash between Christians and pagans in fifth-century Alexandria, a servant girl becomes the last hope for preserving peace in this evocative and thrilling tale—a blend of history, adventure, religion, romance, and mysticism reminiscent of The Mists of Avalon.
“Written in the Ashes is one of those rare novels that sets ‘history’ afire, to bathe readers in the glow of a greater, hotter truth. Fans of The Mists of Avalon will find this romantic/alchemical/feminist/spiritual epic equally captivating.”— Tom Robbins, bestselling author of Tibetan Peach Pie: A True Account of an Imaginative Life and Villa Incognito.
After she is abducted from her home in the mountains of Sinai, Hannah is enslaved and taken to Alexandria, where she becomes the property of Alizar, an alchemist and pagan secretly working to preserve his culture. Revered for her beautiful singing voice, the young slave is invited to perform at the city’s Great Library, where she becomes friends with the revered mathematician and philosopher, Hypatia, as well as other pagans who curate its magnificent collections. Determined to help them uphold pagan culture and traditions, Hannah embarks on a dangerous quest to unite the fractured pieces of the Emerald Tablet—the last hope to save the pagans and create peace.
On this odyssey that leads her to the lost oracles of Delfi and Amun-Ra and to rediscovered ancient cities and rituals, Hannah will experience forbidden loves, painful betrayals, and poignant reunions. But her efforts may be in vain. Returning to Alexandria, Hannah finds a city engulfed in violence, even as her own romantic entanglements come to a head. Now, it’s not only her future, but the fate of all Alexandria that is at stake. 

My Take:  Being a book lover I have always been interested in the burning of the library in Alexandria.  Such a waste of story and history.  This book is told mostly from Hannah a young girl who was sold into slavery in Alexandria.  It also has as a character Hypatia who I had no knowledge of. I enjoy historical novels as I always learn something new either about the time period or about someone who lived at that time. This is book 1 of a series and I am looking forward to reading the next book.  This was a great debut novel by the author.  

I received a review opy of this book from Virtual Author Book tours in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Grimm Woods by D. Melhoff

A remote summer camp becomes a lurid crime scene when the bodies of two teenagers are found in a bloody, real-life rendering of a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. Trapped in the wilderness, the remaining counsellors must follow a trail of dark children’s fables in order to outwit a psychopath and save the dwindling survivors before falling prey to their own gruesome endings.

Drawing on the grisly, uncensored details of history’s most famous fairy tales, Grimm Woods is a heart-pounding thriller about a deranged killer who uses traditional children’s stories as tropes in elaborate murders. Set against the backdrop of modern-day Michigan, it’s a journey through the mind of a dangerous zealot and a shocking glimpse into the bedtime stories you thought you knew. 

My Take:  This book is the the Grimm's fairy tale that you wouldn't want to read to your kids before they go to bed but the ones that the Grimm brothers really wrote.  There are no birds doing the house work in this story.  There is besides a serial killer plotting his next kill.  And remember all those horror films that are set at a summer camp well this one is too only alittle souped up.  If you enjoy horror, mystery, thriller or even suspense you may find this book enjoyable.  There is course language, sexual references and sex scenes, violence and horror so be aware. 

I received a review copy of this book from Partners in Crime in exchange for my honest opinion.  

The Ashes by Vincent Zandri

Number 1 in Horror 
Number 1 in Crime 
Number 1 in Women's Adventure 
Number 1 in Men's Adventure 


"Don't go down into the cellar, Mommy..." 

From Thriller Award winner and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author comes the long awaited sequel to the No. 1 Overall Amazon Bestselling suspense thriller, THE REMAINS. 

"Sensational...Masterful...Brilliant." --New York Post 

"Gritty, fast-paced, lyrical and haunting." --Harlan Coben, New York Times bestselling author of Six Years 

"Tough, stylish, heartbreaking." –Don Winslow, New York Times bestselling author of Savages 

HORROR IN THE DARK WOODS 
It’s been eight years since artist and single mom, Rebecca Underhill, was abducted and left to die in an old broken down house located in the middle of the dark woods. But even if her abductor, Joseph William Whalen, has since been killed, another, more insidious evil is once more out to get her in the form of the Skinner. The son of an abusive butcher, Skinner intends on finishing the job Whalen started but failed at. 

How is he going to get to Rebecca? 

He’s going to do it through her children, by luring them into the cornfield behind the old farmhouse they live in. 

HORROR IN THE DEPTHS 
Now, armed with the knowledge that the Skinner has escaped incarceration at a downstate facility for the criminally insane, Rebecca must face the most horrifying challenge of her adult life: Rescuing the children not from a house in the woods, but from the abandoned tunnels that run underneath her property. 

But the Skinner is watching Rebecca’s every move. 

Horrifying question is, will she live long enough to save the children? 

My Take:  This is the second book in a planned triology.  Reading the first book would be helpful but it is not entirely necessary.  I was intrigued by Skinner in this book as why certain people do what they do and others don't has always intrigued me.  There is a bit of language and talk of sex. There is also some graphic descriptions of what Skinner did to his victims and what other insane patients behavior in an institution.  There was enough things that weren't anticipated to keep you guessing as to if anyone was going to get hurt, live or  what.  This would be good for someone who likes to read horror books.  


I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Pump Up your book. 

Miracle Man by William R. Leibowitz

From Goodreads.com - MIRACLE MAN by William R. Leibowitz has been unanimously heralded by reviewers and readers. With numerous 5 Star ratings in the United States and overseas, and WINNER OF A NATIONAL "BEST THRILLER" AWARD, the enthusiasm for this unique novel has been overwhelming.

MIRACLE MAN is a medical/conspiracy/psychological thriller that explores extraordinary genius, Big Pharma corruption, CIA machinations, metaphysical forces, and one man's tireless quest at terrible cost to validate his life.

---The victim of an unspeakable crime, an infant rises to become a new type of superhero. Unlike any that have come before him, he is not a fanciful creation of animators, he is real. So begins the saga of ROBERT JAMES AUSTIN, the greatest genius in human history. But where did his extraordinary intelligence come from and why do so many want to destroy him? Aided by two exceptional women, one of whom will become his unlikely lover, Austin struggles against abandonment and betrayal. But the forces that oppose him are more powerful than even he can understand. Robert James Austin is REVERED by many and REVILED by some. But none can doubt that he is REMARKABLE.

My Take:  I liked this book. I gave it a 4 stars on Goodreads.  You can't help but feel for the lead character Robert James Austin.  He has an IQ that can't be measured, there is no one that can keep up with him when he is working.  He doesn't really have any friends, everyone wants something from him.  He makes very powerful enemies and fuels his existence with alcohol and drug use.  I did figure out some of the twists in the book before they were revealed but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable and I didn't figure out the twist at the end.  Some of the scientific language and ideology was over my head but I felt that lent to the authenticity of the story.  I would recommend this book but be aware there was a bit of profane language and sexuality  was talked about.  Like I said there was alcohol and drug use.  

I received a review copy of this book from Pump Up Your Book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Tick Tock Man by R. M. Clark

When the clocks in town stop, thirteen-year-old CJ discovers an unusual "clock world" where most of the citizens are clock parts, tasked with keeping the big clocks running. But soon the seemingly peaceful world is divided between warring factions with CJ instructed to find the only person who can help: the elusive Tick Tock Man.
With the aid of Fuzee, a partly-human girl, he battles gear-headed extremists and razor-sharp pendulums in order to restore order before this world of chimes, springs, and clock people dissolves into a massive time warp, taking CJ's quiet New England town with it. 

My Take :  This was a cute and adventurous book that told the story of the main character CJ being involved in an other world adventure that the rest of his family doesn't even know exists.  CJ notices that things are a bit off with the clocks in town and enters into the world where there is a war going on.  Fuzzie is a very good character as she is a strong female and doesn't let others determine her actions.  This was a quick read and would be perfect for summertime for young readers.  The main character is 13 but this book will keep adults turning pages too.  Great adventure.  

I received a review copy of this book from Chapter by Chapter in exchange for my honest review. 

A Question of Devotion by Anita Kulina

Then she saw it – a sheet of paper in the mailbox, underneath the mail. It was white with large black letters and said LEAVE IT ALONE.

Mrs. B has a quiet life, and she likes it that way. Morning pinochle games at St. Mary’s Senior Center. Afternoon lunches with Myrtle, Anne and Rose. Peaceful evenings with a cup of coffee and the classic movie channel.

But one day she wakes to a phone call, which leads to consequences she could never have foreseen. Secrets snowball and threaten to change the neighborhood of Burchfield forever. Someone has to make things right. It’s up to Mrs. B. 

My take:  This was a really good cozy mystery.  I like cozy mysteries as they don't have alot of profanity and no gory details of the crime.  This one was especially charming as it involvoed a little old lady named Mrs. B.  She reminded me alot of my mother in law as everyone knows her and she know everyone.  She now lives in a retirement community and she loves to go to the Senior Center.  The same way that Mrs. B. does.  I found it interesting to see Mrs. B. learn how to use the computer so she could use it for interenet searches.  I liked that Mrs. B. wanted to help others in her neighborhood and to make sure the real criminals were the ones being punished.  If you like your mysteries more soft boiled and with cute little old ladies like Jessica Fletcher this is the book for you. 

I received a review copy of this book from Virtual Author Book tours in exchange for my honest review. 

The Blue Hour by VickiRighettini

Sometimes you get a second chance to live the life you’ve always wanted…if you’re brave enough to take the chance.

In this epic tale of love, loss, and redemption, the year is 1861, a time when women are expected to be married by a certain age. At 26, spinster Emily Wainwright has no reason to believe her sheltered life will ever change — until the charming Samuel Todd unexpectedly crosses her path.

Samuel yearns to homestead and start a family in Oregon, but he first needs to find a wife. Blinded by Samuel’s good looks, and grasping at her final chance to have a husband and children, Emily accepts his marriage proposal. However, Samuel is not the man she thought he was, and her marriage becomes a cold, cruel prison, offering her no solace amidst the hardships of farm life.

When Samuel dies and a second chance at love and happiness arrives in the form of farmhand Cole Walker, Emily must overcome her bitter past—or risk losing Cole and the life she has always dreamed of having. 

My Take : This must be a new topic that authors are interested in as I have seen several books lately on the topic of women going on the Oregon Trail.  Emily is a bit naive in the book and ends up in a hard life with a husband who doesn't really love her and she doesn't really love him.  She ends up going out west out of desparation which I think alot of women felt back then if they weren't married and having a family by a certain age.  This book is about maturing and realizing what you want out of life and if you are willing to buck social norms to get it.  A great historical fiction book that helps you understand that time period. 
Recommend if you like historical fiction. 

I Received a review copy of this book by Virtual Author Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.