Category Archives: Laura Caldwell

Review: The Dog Park by Laura Caldwell

dog parkTitle: The Dog Park by Laura Caldwell
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A couple’s best friend? 

Stylist Jessica Champlin knows it takes more than a darling goldendoodle to save a marriage. She and her ex-husband, investigative journalist Sebastian Hess, had too many irreconcilable differences for even their beloved dog, Baxter, to heal. So they’ve agreed to joint custody, and life has settled into a prickly normalcy.

But when Baxter heroically rescues a child and the video footage goes viral, Jess and Sebastian are thrown together again, and her life takes some very unexpected twists. The line of dogwear she creates becomes wildly successful, and suddenly she’s in the spotlight with everyone watching—the press, the new guy she’s seeing, Sebastian and the past she never imagined she would face again. Soon there’s only one person by her side—and it’s the person she least expected. She’s willing to open up to a new normal…just as long as Baxter approves.

The Review:

The Dog Park by Laura Caldwell is an absolutely delightful novel about an adorable dog named Baxter and his dog mom, Jessica Champlin. This sweet and light-hearted read is also a wonderful journey of self-discovery and healing for Jessica after she and Baxter unexpectedly become an overnight sensation on social media and in the press after Baxter saves a young girl’s life.

Jessica and her ex-husband Sebastian Hess adopted Baxter as a puppy in an effort to save their marriage. Although both fell madly in love with Baxter, their marriage ended in divorce and now they share joint custody of their lovable dog. After the video of Baxter’s heroic exploit goes viral, Jessica begins a wildly successful dogwear line while Baxter remains everyone’s favorite canine hero.

Since Jessica and Sebastian share custody of Baxter, they continue to see one another on a regular basis. They still have some of the same arguments that led to their divorce but when Jessica becomes involved with her new business, a lot of her animosity towards Sebastian lessens. She also begins a new romance and she is surprised by how much she enjoys her new life. But a shocking betrayal by someone close to her exposes her long hidden secrets and leads to a long overdue reconciliation with someone from her past. When another calamity strikes close to home, Jessica finds help from unexpected people in her life, but her most startling discovery is the hidden strength she finds within herself as she takes charge of a frightening situation.

The Dog Park by Laura Caldwell is an engaging novel with a charming cast of characters and a refreshingly unique storyline. While there is a bit of a romantic element, it is not a traditional romance. Instead, it focuses mainly on lead protagonist, Jessica, as she heals the wounds of her past. It is a fun, heartwarming read that I absolutely loved and highly recommend to everyone who enjoys stories with animals.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Laura Caldwell, Mira, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Dog Park

False Impressions by Laura Caldwell

Title: False Impressions by Laura Caldwell
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HarlequinMIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Chicago attorney Izzy McNeil is ready to take a break from private investigation and focus on her career in criminal law. But as a favor, she agrees to work with Madeline Saga, a beautiful art gallery owner who fears that artwork she has sold is fake. Who in Madeline’s tight circle of artists and gallery owners is guilty of the forgeries?

When Madeline’s life is threatened, Izzy is suddenly asking a more troublesome question: Who wants the gallery owner dead?

As the case spins out of control, there’s only one person who makes Izzy feel safe—Detective Damon Vaughn. But getting close to her former nemesis is full of surprises. Astonishing truths about the glittering Chicago art scene will introduce Izzy to the deadliest art of deception…

The Review:

False Impressions by Laura Caldwell is another fabulous mystery starring Izzy McNeil. Just as she is about to focus on her law career, John Mayburn asks Izzy to look into the threatening comments and e-mails that gallery owner Madeline Saga has been receiving. Adding to Madeline’s problems is the discovery that some of the works she has sold appear to be forgeries. Who is stalking Madeline? And why?

While the investigation into Madeline’s stalker is integral the storyline, Izzy is the main focus of False Impressions. Her growing friendship with Madeline is complicated by her inability to rule her out as a suspect. While Izzy’s relationship with her father is much improved, they still experience some tense moments. Her love life is filled with intriguing and surprising possibilities as she begins dating again. And her professional life is about to undergo a dramatic change as she assumes more responsibility at the law office.

The mystery surrounding Madeline and her art gallery is quite engrossing. The list of suspects is quite long with Izzy trying to figure why anyone would threaten Madeline. Madeline is a fascinating character, and the art aspect of the story is quite interesting.

Laura Caldwell keeps this delightfully innovative series fresh with unique storylines, ever evolving characters and unpredictable twists and turns. Although it is the sixth installment featuring Izzy McNeil,False Impressions can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, False Impressions, Harlequin, HarlequinMira, Laura Caldwell, Mystery, Rated B

Question of Trust by Laura Caldwell

Title: Question of Trust by Laura Caldwell
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint : Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what if you can’t tell which is which?

When attorney Izzy McNeil’s home is broken into, right after her boyfriend, Theo, moves in, she ignores the coincidence. When Theo is arrested on charges of fraud, she wants to believe he’s innocent. But when a neighbor is found dead, she can’t ignore that something is very, very wrong.

Izzy also can’t forget how Theo was inexplicably turned down for a mortgage. Or his recent moody silences. Or how a stranger warned her that Theo needs to “accept responsibility…”

Thrust into Theo’s case, Izzy must walk the line between attorney and lover to prove that Theo is innocent. But only Izzy can decide whether trusting Theo will keep her safe…or throw her into unimaginable danger.

The Review:

With Question of Trust, the fifth novel starring lawyer Izzy McNeil, Laura Caldwell brings her readers another well-executed and engaging mystery. With Theo’s company in serious financial trouble and Theo as the prime suspect, Izzy finds herself questioning how well she knows her much younger boyfriend.

When Theo unexpectedly moves in temporarily with her, Izzy begins to reevaluate her feelings for him and where their relationship is headed. With each new piece of evidence seemingly implicating him along with his unusual behavior, Izzy’s doubts about his innocence mount. When the investigation heads in an unexpected direction, Izzy decides to trust her instincts and find the evidence that will exonerate Theo from all the charges against him.

Izzy is also still dealing with the unexpected reappearance of her father, Christopher. His assistance in Theo’s case proves to be a turning point in their relationship. She is finally able to resolve her past issues with Detective Damon Vaughn. And her friend and boss Maggie Bristol is about to undergo a life-altering experience that could have a profound impact on both of their lives.

Question of Trust is a fascinating blend of mystery and romance. The apparently unrelated events and characters finally come together bringing the novel to a shocking and unanticipated ending. A surprising epilogue will leave readers eagerly anticipating Laura Caldwell’s next installment of this fabulously compelling series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Laura Caldwell, Mira, Mystery, Question of Trust, Rated B+

Claim of Innocence by Laura Caldwell

Title: Claim of Innocence by Laura Caldwell
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Forbidden relationships are the most tempting. And the most dangerous.

It was a crime of passion–or so the police say. Valerie Solara has been charged with poisoning her best friend. The prosecution claims she’s always been secretly attracted to Amanda’s husband…and with Amanda gone, she planned to make her move.

Attorney Izzy McNeil left the legal world a year ago, but a friend’s request pulls her into the murder trial. Izzy knows how passion can turn your life upside down. She thought she had it once with her ex–fiance, Sam. Now she wonders if that’s all she has in common with her criminally gorgeous, younger boyfriend, Theo.

It’s Izzy’s job to present the facts that will exonerate her client–whether or not she’s innocent. But when she suspects Valerie is hiding something, she begins investigating–and uncovers a web of secret passions and dark motives, where seemingly innocent relationships can prove poisonous…

The Review:

In Claim of Innocence, Laura Caldwell weaves a complex tale of friendship, murder and betrayal. Although it is the fourth novel starring Izzy McNeil and there are references to incidents in previous novels, Claim of Innocence can be read as a standalone novel.

Claim of Innocence opens with Izzy re-entering the legal world as a civil attorney who quickly finds herself drawn in a criminal court case by good friend Maggie Bristol. As Izzy plunges headlong into the trial and investigation, she discovers there are no easy answers when it comes to a client’s guilt or innocence. She also learns that sometimes the answers to her questions are more complicated than she could possibly imagine.

Interspersed with the trial and investigation are Izzy’s intricate relationships with family, friends, and boyfriends, past and present. When her ex-fiancé Sam reappears in her life, she is forced to re-evaluate their past relationship and her present romance with the much younger Theo. She is also dealing with changing family dynamics as they continue to cope with the unexpected reappearance of Izzy’s long missing father.

Claim of Innocence is a compelling and well-plotted novel. Laura Caldwell engages the reader with interesting subplots, multi-faceted characters, and an intriguing mystery. Unexpected twists and turns bring Claim of Innocence to a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

This review was originally posted at The Readers Roundtable

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Filed under Claim of Innocence, Contemporary, Laura Caldwell, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Suspense