Category Archives: Mira

February 5, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Third to Die by Allison Brennan

Title: The Third to Die by Allison Brennan
Mobile Response Team Series Book One
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 464 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

An edgy female police detective…An ambitious FBI special agent. Together they are at the heart of the ticking-clock investigation for a psychopathic serial killer. The bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for high-stakes suspense.

Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage. Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous if elusive killer before he strikes again. But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before, because if they fail, one of their own will be next…

Review:

The first mystery in the Mobile Response Team series, The Third to Die by Allison Brennan is a clever law enforcement procedural.

Los Angeles Police Detective Kara Quinn is on administrative leave in her hometown when she stumbles across a dead body. The murder immediately attracts the attention of a newly formed FBI unit and Special Agent in Charge Mathias “Matt” Costa and his team are rapidly deployed from DC to investigate the case.  They are certain this recent death is the work of an elusive serial killer dubbed the Triple Killer. Working quickly to try to prevent the next murder, Kara, Matt, local police officer Andy Knolls and several police agencies are putting in long hours to try to identify the next victim and the killer.

Kara is an undercover detective whose last case resulted in her being put on administrative leave. Chafing at the bit to get back to work, she  does not hesitate to lend her expertise during the intense investigation into the  Triple Killer. Despite her sometimes brusque manner, Kara is a sharp detective with keen instincts. She proves to be invaluable to Matt and his squad as they narrow down their victim pool as they work quickly to protect suspected victims while trying to find find the killer.

While making progress with the victim list, a suspect proves to be elusive.  There are several elements of the killer’s murders that are a known quantity.  Despite the lack of leads, Matt is certain these latest killings and the murderer are connected to the area. He is also sure the victims are somehow linked, but finding the connection is frustratingly elusive.

The mystery element is intriguing and the cast of characters is appealing. However, the vast quantity of characters is confusing and difficult to keep up with.  Savvy readers will most likely pick up on clues long before Kara, Matt or other law enforcement officers. The plot is  interesting but the story gets bogged down with too many characters, lack of character development and  references to an event that took place prior to the current case.

The Third to Die is a tension-filled mystery with a fascinating crime to solve. Kara and Matt are likable and relatively well-developed. The investigation moves in fits and starts but it really picks up steam for the last quarter of the novel. Allison Brennan brings to the novel to explosive, action-packed conclusion. Despite a bit of a bumpy start, the Mobile Response Team series promises to be an adrenaline laced and unique crime fighting series.

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Filed under Allison Brennan, Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Mobile Response Team Series, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, The Third to Die

January 6, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

Title: The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr
Sullivan’s Crossing Series Book Five
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr delivers an emotional and triumphant novel about the fierce power of a mother’s love.

A summer rental, a new beginning…

Hannah Russell’s carefully crafted plans for her life have been upended without warning. When her best friend died suddenly, Hannah became guardian to a five-year-old named Noah. With no experience at motherhood, she’s terrified she’s not up to the challenge. She and Noah need time to get to know each other, so she decides to rent a country house with stunning views on a lake in rural Colorado.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by the owner, a handsome man who promises to stay out of their way. But his clumsy Great Dane, Romeo, has other ideas and Noah immediately bonds with the lovable dog. As Hannah learns to become a mother, Owen Abrams, who is recovering from his own grief, can’t help but be drawn out of his solitude by his guests.

But life throws more challenges at this unlikely trio and they are tested in ways they never thought possible. All three will discover their strengths and, despite their differences, they will fight to become a family. And the people of Sullivan’s Crossing will rally around them to offer all of the support they need.

Review:

The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr is a heartwarming romance of friendship, healing and love. This fifth installment in the Sullivan’s Crossing series can be read as a standalone.

Thirty-five year old Hannah Russell has just broken her engagement when her best friend, Erin Waters, unexpectedly passes away.  Now the guardian of Erin’s five year old son Noah, Hannah decides to rent a lakeside house in Colorado so she and Noah can settle into their life. Unbeknownst to Hannah, the home’s owner, photographer Owen Abrams and his goofy but lovable dog Romeo, are about to become an integral part of both her and Noah’s healing process.

With two broken engagements behind her, Hannah is not looking for love as she figures out her and Noah’s future. But Owen soon becomes a fixture in their daily routine as she sorts out key aspects of Noah’s care.  She looks forward to spending time with Owen, but Noah remains her priority. Uncertain about how her career will fit in with motherhood, Hannah and Noah extend their time with Owen in order to decide her next steps.

Following a tragedy, Owen now leads a very solitary life both at home and during his travels.  He has not had a serious relationship since his divorce and he is content with the status quo. Owen is surprised by how quickly Noah and Hannah become an cherished part of his life.  Will Owen be able to convince Hannah and Noah to take a chance on a new life with him?

Hannah, Noah and Owen’s tranquility is disturbed when Erin’s estranged mother enters their lives. Hannah will do anything to protect Noah and she is grateful for the love and support of her new friends  in Sullivan’s Crossing.  With the full protection of Owen and her friends, Hannah is prepared to do whatever it takes to shield Noah from his grandmother.

The Country Guesthouse is a charming novel of new beginnings. Hannah, Noah and Owen are delightful characters who are vibrantly developed and easy to root for. The storyline is well-written and engaging.  The setting is idyllic and vividly springs to life. Robyn Carr brings this heartfelt novel to an uplifting conclusion. A wonderful addition to the Sullivan’s Crossing series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance, Sullivans Crossing Series, The Country Guesthouse

December 30, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison

Title: Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 464 pages
Book Rating: 464 pages

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

J.T. Ellison’s pulse-pounding new psychological thriller examines the tenuous bonds of friendship, the power of lies and the desperate lengths people will go to in order to protect their secrets.

Goode girls don’t lie…

Perched atop a hill in the tiny town of Marchburg, Virginia, The Goode School is a prestigious prep school known as a Silent Ivy. The boarding school of choice for daughters of the rich and influential, it accepts only the best and the brightest. Its elite status, long-held traditions and honor code are ideal for preparing exceptional young women for brilliant futures at Ivy League universities and beyond.

But a stranger has come to Goode, and this ivy has turned poisonous.

In a world where appearances are everything, as long as students pretend to follow the rules, no one questions the cruelties of the secret societies or the dubious behavior of the privileged young women who expect to get away with murder.

When a popular student is found dead, the truth cannot be ignored. Rumors suggest she was struggling with a secret that drove her to suicide.

But look closely…because there are truths and there are lies, and then there is everything that really happened.

Don’t miss this fast-paced suspense story from New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison!

Review:

Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison is a fast-paced and intriguing mystery which takes place at spooky all girls boarding school.

Ash Carlisle is more than ready to leave Oxford behind. With both of her parents now deceased, she is looking forward to attending The Goode School in Marchburg, VA. A small boarding school which houses 200 young women from elite families, the school has a long history which includes a few untimely deaths. Ash is roommates with Camilla Shannon and although the sophomores are not overly close, they do get along. In the midst of hazing and mean girl antics, a death at the school brings Sheriff Tony Wood and his homicide detective niece Kate onto the grounds. Ash fears the secrets she is hiding will be unearthed, but does she have more to be afraid of than the police?

Ash wants to fly under the radar in order to focus on her studies. She also plans to leave her past behind her and thankfully the school’s Dean Ford Westhaven  agrees with her. Ash is woefully unprepared for boarding school life but she soon settles into a routine that keeps her out of sight. But when someone digs up the truth about what happened in Oxford, Ash is terrified her other secrets will soon be unearthed.

However, everyone’s attention is soon captured by the untimely death of one of their classmates. Ash is soon under suspicion but there is scant evidence to prove she is a killer. Kate is a homicide detective with impressive instincts and something about Ash feels off. As she begins looking into what happened to Ash’s parents, Kate is shocked by what she uncovers. But before she and Tony can question her, another young woman is dead and Ash might just have the answers they need to solve these horrific murders.

Good Girls Lie is a completely riveting mystery with an eerie setting. Ash is a bit of a mysterious young woman with plenty of secrets and a tragic past she wants to keep buried. Her classmates are not exactly accepting of a newcomer in their midst and this adds an extra layer of tension to the suspense-laden plot. The mystery is compelling and the boarding school is atmospheric. With a few shocking twists and turns,  J.T. Ellison brings this cunning mystery to a diabolically clever conclusion.  I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this well-executed mystery that will keep readers guessing whodunit and why for a major portion of the story.

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Filed under Contemporary, Good Girls Lie, JT Ellison, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

November 25, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Last Affair by Margot Hunt

Title: The Last Affair by Margot Hunt
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Love may be blind, but obsession’s a real killer.

Nora Holliday is not that kind of woman. Not the kind who has an illicit affair with a married man. But Josh Landon is everything Nora’s alcoholic husband isn’t. And now she and Josh are so infatuated, they can’t stay away from one another.

Abby Landon, Josh’s daughter, is home from college nursing a broken heart. She’s seeking solace, not more scandal, so when she catches her dad kissing Nora, she vows to take the homewrecker down.

And as for Abby’s mother and Josh’s wife, Gwen? To anyone on the outside looking in, the mother of two appears to be living the ideal suburban life.

Until she winds up dead.

The serene seaside town of Shoreham has always been the perfect place to raise a family—not somewhere housewives are brutally murdered. So who killed Gwen Landon, and how many twisted secrets will be exposed as the vindictive plot comes undone?

Review:

The Last Affair by Margot Hunt is a spellbinding domestic mystery.

Popular food blogger and cookbook author Nora  Holliday is unhappily married to husband Carter. But she is staying in the marriage for the sake of their children, Dylan, Matt and Katie.  Nora is devoted to her kids but when the opportunity arises to go to a convention for bloggers, she impetuously decides to attend.  This one decision sets in motion a chain of events that forever alter Nora’s life.

Orthodontist Josh Landon’s marriage to Gwen is also somewhat rocky. They have two children, Abby who is attending university and son Simon. In a surprising coincidence, Josh is attending a different convention at the same hotel as Nora. A chance meeting in the hotel bar leads to a shocking affair that neither Nora nor Josh can seem to end once they return to their small town of Shoreham.

Abby unexpectedly returns home in the middle of the semester and refuses to provide an explanation. She is very depressed and cannot get over a painful betrayal.  But after she sees her father kissing another woman, Abby becomes obsessed with uncovering the woman’s identity.

Gwen’s discontent with her marriage and motherhood is rising with each passing day. Blaming Josh for her misery over the choices she has made, she is biding her time before leaving her miserable life behind. Gwen is suspicious that Josh is having an affair but has she correctly identified the “other woman”?

Alternating mostly between Nora, Abby and Gwen’s perspectives,  The Last Affair is an absolutely riveting mystery.  Despite their affair, Nora and Josh are sympathetic  characters. However, Abby and Gwen are very easy to dislike (Gwen is a serious piece of work!). Margot Hunt does a brilliant job keeping readers guessing the killer’s identity right up until the shocking dénouement (but the ending is a little frustrating).  I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this outstanding mystery to readers of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Margot Hunt, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, The Last Affair

June 24, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards

Title: A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 496 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Could a lifetime of memories…be a lifetime of lies?

All her life Ryan Gracey watched her perfect older sister from afar. Knowing she could never top Wendy’s achievements, she didn’t even try. Instead Ryan forged her own path while her family barely seemed to notice.

Now Wendy shares two little girls with her perfect husband while Ryan mourns the man she lost after a nearly fatal mistake in judgment. The sisters’ choices have taken them in different directions, which is why Ryan is stunned when Wendy calls, begging for her help. There’s been a murder—and Wendy believes she’ll be wrongfully accused.

While Wendy lies low, Ryan moves back to their hometown to care for the nieces she hardly knows. The sleuthing skills she’s refined as a true-crime podcaster quickly rise to the surface as she digs for answers with the help of an unexpected ally. Yet the trail of clues Wendy’s left behind lead to nothing but questions. Blood may be thicker than water, but what does Ryan owe a sister who, with every revelation, becomes more and more a stranger?

Is Wendy, who always seemed so perfect, just a perfect liar—or worse?

Review:

A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards is an engrossing family-centric novel that is quite suspenseful.

Ryan Gracey is the host of a successful cold case crime podcast and lives a few hours away from her family. The youngest in the family, she is not overly close to her much older sister Wendy Cartwright who is married with two young daughters, eight year old Holly and six year old Noelle. When Wendy phones her out of the blue, Ryan is expecting an update on their father who has recently undergone heart surgery. Instead, Wendy weaves a far-fetched tale of a murder in which she proclaims her innocence along with her fear the Sheriff will name her the chief suspect. She then requests Ryan’s help in locating someone whom she believes will exonerate her.  Wendy also asks her sister to take care of her daughters because she is planning to disappear until her name is cleared. Although unsure whether to believe Wendy’s story, Ryan nonetheless agrees to return home and stay with her nieces until her sister’s return.  With the help of her best friend, Sophie, who also works on the podcast, Ryan begins investigating her sister’s story. Will they uncover the identity of the victim? And will she locate the person whom Wendy insists will clear her of murder?

Ryan loves her nieces but she has not spent much time with them.  She is a little troubled by their behavior but she is determined to make her time with them as fun and happy as possible. Little by little, Noelle comes out of her shell, but Holly is closed off and she initially resists Ryan’s efforts to engage with her.  The closer Ryan gets to her nieces, the more certain she is that something is very wrong in Wendy’s household. She is determine to uncover the mysteries surrounding her sister, but is she fully prepared for what she is about to learn about Wendy and their family?

Ryan also reconnects with former K-9 police officer Mateo “Teo” Santiago. Their brief romance years earlier continues to haunt her and their fraught history leaves her very reluctant to talk to him. Finally deciding to take charge of this somewhat disturbing part of her life, Ryan is very surprised by Teo’s reaction. Is there any chance she and Teo can overcome their painful past?

A Family of Strangers is a multi-layered novel that features a compelling mystery, many secrets and a heartwarming romance. The characters are richly drawn with enviable strengths and relatable flaws. Despite her mixed emotions about returning home, Ryan puts her nieces’ needs ahead of her own and she is surprised by her emotional reaction to the young girls. She is also drawn into the mystery surrounding Wendy but will she allow her family loyalty blind her to the truth? With plenty of intriguing twists and unexpected turns, Emilie Richards brings this absorbing mystery to a realistic conclusion that is also quite satisfying.  I highly recommend this marvelous novel.

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Filed under A Family of Strangers, Contemporary, Emilie Richards, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

April 29, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr

Title: The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A poignant and powerful story about how one woman’s best intentions lead to the worst of situations, and how love helps her to heal and ultimately triumph.

From the outside looking in, Lauren Delaney has a life to envy—a successful career, a solid marriage to a prominent surgeon and two beautiful daughters who are off to good colleges. But on her twenty-fourth wedding anniversary Lauren makes a decision that will change everything.

Lauren won’t pretend things are perfect anymore. She defies the controlling husband who has privately mistreated her throughout their marriage and files for divorce. And as she starts her new life, she meets a kindred spirit—a man who is also struggling with the decision to end his unhappy marriage.

But Lauren’s husband wants his “perfect” life back and his actions are shocking. Facing an uncertain future, Lauren discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had as she fights for the love and happiness she deserves.

Review:

The View from Alameda Island by Robyn Carr is an enjoyable novel of new beginnings, healing and love.

For the past twenty-four years, Lauren Delaney has put up with abuse from her surgeon husband Brad. He is verbally, emotionally and physically abusive and she has finally mustered the courage to take back her life.  Having carefully planned her escape, Lauren sets out to rebuild  her life but will her daughters, Lacey and Cassie, understand why she is divorcing their father? And what will Brad do to Lauren once he learns she is divorcing him?

Lauren has tried to leave Brad before but he always managed to browbeat her into returning. She has many regrets about her choices and looking back, she clearly sees all of the warning signs she ignored.   Now having left Brad, Lauren is rightfully concerned that staying with him might have sent the wrong message to her daughters.  She is surprised by Lacey and Cassie’s reactions to her news and she works hard to maintain her relationship with both young women. Having believed she is safely out Brad’s reach, Lauren is stunned by his reaction once she is out of his clutches.

Beau Magellan is also in the midst of a messy divorce from his soon to be ex, Pamela. Having dealt with her mercurial moods and manipulative behavior throughout their relationship, he has been separated from her for quite some time. Although she is hopeful for a reconciliation, Beau is done with his marriage.  But Pamela is not making it easy for their divorce to progress.

After a chance meeting, Beau and Lauren form a fast friendship in which they support each other through their divorces.  Neither of them are ready for a relationship so both are surprised when they realize their feelings for one another are deepening. But their path to happily ever after is littered with obstacles. Their soon to be exes are making their respective divorces difficult.  And both Beau and Lauren are concerned about how their adult children will react to a romance between them.

Despite a little predictability, The View from Alameda Island is a engrossing novel about starting over and finding love when it is least expected. Lauren is lovely woman who stayed in an abusive marriage for far too long. Beau is a laidback, easygoing man who has finally had enough of being taken advantage of by his soon to be ex-wife. The romance between Beau and Lauren grows organically from friendship and it is incredibly uplifting watching them fall in love. Robyn Carr deftly tackles difficult subject with a great deal of sensitivity. Despite the somewhat dark storyline, the novel is ultimately uplifting as Lauren, Beau and their families find well-deserved happiness. A must read for fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Romance, The View from Alameda Island, Women's Fiction