Category Archives: Rated B

March 29, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter

Title: K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter
K-9 Alaska Series Book Three
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Romance
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Two bombs in six days…

And the culprit isn’t finished.

With the help of his K-9 companion, Patches, FBI victim specialist Jax Diallo vows to help police chief Keara Hernandez solve the attacks rocking their Alaskan community. Evidence suggests the crimes are connected to her husband’s long-unsolved murder. And the strikes are becoming more personal. When dodging bullets becomes a daily event, Jax risks everything to keep his beautiful new partner from meeting a violent end…

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

For more action-packed stories, check out the other books in the A K-9 Alaska Novel series by Elizabeth Heiter:

Book 1: K-9 Defense

Book 2: Alaska Mountain Rescue

Book 3: K-9 Cold Case

Review:

K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing mystery that takes place in the Alaskan bush. This third installment in the K-9 Alaska series can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend the previous books as well.

Desparre Police Chief Keara Hernandez moved to Alaska to try to put her husband Juan’s murder behind her. She has grown to love the small town and she closely watches over its residents. When a bomb goes off in nearby Luna, Keara’s past comes rushing back when something found at the scene appears to link the current case to Juan’s still unsolved murder. Keara and FBI victim specialist Jax Diall (and his adorable K-9, Patches) work together to try to find the person or persons responsible for the bombing and Juan’s murder.

Keara is attracted to Jax but she does not want her personal interest in him to interfere with their investigation. She hopes that solving Juan’s case will allow her to fully move on. Although his fellow agents doubt her conviction Juan’s murder and the bombings are related, they do give Jax the go-ahead to look their case files. Since he is not an investigator, Jax and Keara go through the case files together in search of  similar cases. With growing excitement, Jax and Keara discover information that backs up their theory. But this new lead is quite puzzling and they continue trying to figure out how this new information can help them unearth the suspect(s)’s identity.

Jax is also interested in Keara, and he finds it difficult to ignore his growing attraction to her.  He mainly succeeds in focusing on the ongoing investigation. Jax becomes a little frustrated with his fellow agents’ skepticism about his and Keara’s theory but he manages to push his irritation aside. Jax cannot quite turn off his psychologist’s mind so he is able to deduce a few things about Keara.  Jax is not the only one in tune with her emotions. His K-9 comfort dog Patches is also quite intuitive and she sticks close to Keara’s side.

K-9 Cold Case is a clever mystery with an interesting storyline. The characters are engaging and their reactions and issues ring true. Patches is a wonderful dog who will steal readers’ hearts. The Alaskan setting springs vibrantly to life.  With an unexpected plot twist, Elizabeth Heiter brings this incredible mystery to a breathtaking conclusion. Old and new fans do not want to miss newest addition to the outstanding K-9 Alaska series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Elizabeth Heiter, Harlequin Intrigue, K-9 Alaska Series, K-9 Cold Case, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Romance, Suspense

March 25, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good

Title: An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good
Surprised by Love Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sometimes love is found in the most unexpected places—as three blessed men will discover in Rachel J. Good’s heartwarming Amish romance series, set in a bustling Pennsylvania community . . .

When an organic farm causes rents to skyrocket at the Valley Green Farmer’s Market, Fern Blauch’s family baked goods stand is driven to the edge of eviction. . . . Until a mysterious temporary reprieve. Fern is confused when she discovers the benefactor is barbecued chicken stand owner—and her longtime crush—Gideon Hartzler. She’s grateful, but pridefully tells him she intends to pay him back. If only she can find a new place to sell her wares . . .

To stay competitive, and help as many others as he can, Gideon expands his stand to provide full meals—including dessert. That’s where Fern comes in. As the two work long hours, side-by-side, business booms—and so does their attraction. Still, the demands of caring for aging parents and struggling relatives cause them to hide any feelings beyond friendship. But as new challenges emerge and Gideon and Fern turn more deeply to their faith, and to each other, will love find a place at their table?

Review:

An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good is a warm-hearted Amish romance.

Fern Blauch loves working in her family’s baked good stand at the Valley Green Family Market. She and the people who work the other stands have formed warm friendships over the years. They are shocked when the new owner, Russell Evans, raises their rent so high they will not be able to turn a profit. Realizing they will most likely go out of business, Gideon Hartzler steps in and strikes a secret deal with Russell in order to give Fern and the others the opportunity to decide their next steps. When the two months are up, what will happen to Fern and the others?

Fern is a kind-hearted young woman who genuinely cares about others. She has long had a crush on Gideon but she tries to hide her interest in him.  When she unexpectedly gets the chance to continue selling her baked goods, they spend their days in close proximity. Pleased to spend most of her days with him, Fern’s hopes are soon dashed he might view her in a more romantic light. When she believes someone else has captured his heart, will Fern continue to work with Gideon?

Gideon is a loyal person who always keeps his word. He bears more than his share of responsibility as he works his family’s chicken stand, helps his widowed sister-in-law with her children and takes on the mess his deceased brother left behind. Gideon often acts before he thinks and several situations in his life begin to spiral out of control. Then there is his inconvenient attraction to Fern…

The majority of the story takes place in the Market. The daily contact between Fern and Gideon gives each other even more to admire as they deftly handle issues with compassion. They also assist a troubled teen as his relationship with his father deteriorates. Gideon faces a new quandary when he feels vaguely threatened by a businessman who recently begins working at the Market. In between drama, misunderstandings and weighty personal obligations, Fern and Gideon’s feelings for each other continue to deepen.

With a tiny hint of mystery, An Unexpected Amish Proposal is a sweet Amish romance. The plot is engaging with interesting story arcs. Gideon and Fern are wonderfully developed with realistic foibles, strong faith and giving hearts.  Rachel J. Good brings this charming novel to a sigh-worthy conclusion. Fans of Amish romances are sure to enjoy this first installment in the Surprised by Love series.

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Filed under Amish, An Unexpected Amish Proposal, Contemporary, Rachel J Good, Rated B, Review, Romance, Surprised by Love Series, Zebra Books

March 23, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: You’ll Thank Me for This by Nina Siegal

Title: You’ll Thank Me for This by Nina Siegal
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Action, Suspense
Length: 256 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A pulse-pounding psychologicalthriller based on the popular Dutch tradition of blindfolding and dropping teens and pre-teens in the middle of a forest — and what happens when it goes horribly wrong.

Twelve-year old Karin is blindfolded and dropped into the Hoge Veluwe National Forest with three other children. With nothing but a few basic supplies and emergency food, the children are tasked with working together to navigate one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful and wild locations and return to where their families are anxiously waiting.

Karin quickly finds herself at odds with two of the older teens, and suddenly looks up to see that the other children have vanished. As Karin struggles against the elements to find her way back, she soon realizes that something far more sinister lurks in the woods.

Grace, Karin’s mother and an American married to a Dutch husband, has been nervous about this practice from the start. At first she tells herself the space is good for her daughter, but as the hours begin to tick by and the children fail to arrive at their designated campsite, she becomes certain something has gone horribly wrong.

As Karin fights for survival, and Grace hastens to find her daughter, the night culminates in the reveal of a deadly secret—and a shocking confrontation—that will push each of them to her edge.

Review:

You’ll Thank Me for This by Nina Siegal is a tense mystery with stunning twists and cunning turns.

Following the Dutch tradition known as dropping, twelve-year-old Karin and three of her fellow scouts are left in the Hoge Veluwe National Forest to find their way to the campsite. This adventure is usually safe with adults following at a safe distance behind the pre-teens. Armed with a map and compass, the four children are supposed to work together on their venture. Instead, two of the group, Dirk and Margot, pair up and leave Karin behind with Lotte. After Karin reflects back on her last time in Veluwe with her father Pieter before he passed away, she discovers that Lotte is nowhere in sight. Scared but confident, Karin sets off to find her way to the scout campsite.

Meanwhile, her mother Grace returns home to enjoy an evening by herself since her second husband Martijn is one of the parents with Karin and her group.  She also takes the opportunity to find out what keeps Martijn so busy in his “man cave”. Grace’s instinct that she might have made a mistake marrying her current husband appears to be proven true when she uncovers stunning information. Martijun was Pieter’s accountant but why would he have copies of her photojournalist former husband’s photos? And why are there pictures of  them that appear to be taken without her and Pieter’s knowledge? Grace is trying to understand this startling turn of events when a phone call about Karin sends her on a panicked drive to the national forest.

You’ll Thank Me for This is an exciting mystery that is quite engrossing. Karin is a resourceful, intelligent young woman with an extensive knowledge of the Hoge Veluwe National Forest. Grace’s growing uneasiness with Martijn prompts her to do the unthinkable as she searches for answers about him. The shocking information she unearths finally encourages her to act. The storyline is gripping and moves at a brisk pace.  Nina Siegal brings this suspenseful novel to an action-packed conclusion.  I highly recommend this thrilling novel to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Action, Contemporary, Mulholland Books, Nina Siegal, Rated B, Review, Suspense, You'll Thank Me for This

March 22, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep, a thrilling novel of an eighteen-year-old girl’s search for answers and what she finds instead.

Four days…
Trapped in a well, surrounded by dirt, scratching at the walls trying to find a way out.
Four days of a thirst so strong, that when it finally rains, I drink as much as possible from the dripping walls, not even caring how much dirt comes with it.

Six months…
Since my escape. Since no one believed I was taken to begin with – from my own bed, after a party, when no one else was home…
Six months of trying to find answers and being told instead that I made the whole incident up.

One month…
Since I logged on to the Jane Anonymous site for the first time and found a community of survivors who listen without judgment, provide advice, and console each other when needed.
A month of chatting with a survivor whose story eerily mirrors my own: a girl who’s been receiving triggering clues, just like me, and who could help me find the answers I’m searching for.

Three days…
Since she mysteriously disappears, and since I’m forced to ask the questions: will my chance to find out what happened to me vanish with her? And will I be next?

Review:

The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz is an intriguing young adult mystery. Although this newest release is a companion to Jane Anonymous, it can be read as a standalone.

Several months after being kidnapped, Terra is desperate to prove to herself and everyone that she was, in fact, taken from her bedroom. Everyone, including her Aunt Dessa, initially believes her story. But after not finding any evidence to back up her claims, Detective Marshall, Dessa and her friends arrive at the conclusion she is not being truthful. Having lost her parents in a fire that she survived, Terra has a troubled history including stays in psychiatric hospitals. Now on medication and undergoing therapy, Terra turns to the online support group Jane Anonymous where survivors share their stories and offer support. She has formed a bit of a friendship with Peyton whose experience closely matches her own. While still trying to prove she is not lying about what happened to her, Terra is also concerned for Peyton’s safety. Will Terra find the evidence she needs to prove she is not lying? And is her worry for Peyton warranted?

After losing her parents, Terra moves in with her aunt. She struggles to come to terms with her loss and she clings to the few items rescued from the fire. Terra attends an alternative school where she has a small circle of friends. She and a friend attend a sorority party and leaving early, she decides to walk home after meeting college student Garret. With a heightened sense of fear, Terra is relieved to arrive home. After locking up and going to bed, Terra is startled awake by a man in her bedroom who then kidnaps her. For four long days, she is left by herself in a well. After managing to escape, Terra tries to cope with a myriad of issues arising from the kidnapping.

The people she meets in the Jane Anonymous forum are supportive of each other. Terra is especially close to Peyton who fears her kidnapper is planning to take her again. As Terra attempts to keep to her daily routine, she spends a great deal of time on the forum commiserating with the others and chatting privately with Peyton. She is also trying to balance her job as she works to get her high school diploma. She is also obsessive about finding the well where she held captive.  Unable to sleep, Terra is already on edge when the situation with Peyton takes a dangerous turn and she contemplates trying to locate her on line friend in real life.

Moving back and forth in time, The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep is an engaging mystery with an unreliable narrator. The storyline is interesting but the first half is a little slow moving. The pace picks up in the last half as Terra becomes more desperate to find where she was held. With a shocking plot twist, Laurie Faria Stolarz brings this compelling young adult mystery to an edge of the seat conclusion. An enjoyable read that I recommend to older teen readers.

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Filed under Contemporary, Laurie Faria Stolarz, Rated B, Review, The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep, Wednesday Books, Young Adult

March 19, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Not Dark Yet by Peter Robinson

Title: Not Dark Yet by Peter Robinson
DCI Banks Series Book 27
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 334 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

One of the world’s greatest suspense writers returns with the 27th novel featuring the legendary detective Alan Banks in the mystery series Stephen King calls “the best now on the market.” 

When property developer Connor Clive Blaydon is found dead, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and his Yorkshire team dive into the investigation. As luck would have it, someone had installed a cache of spy-cams all around his luxurious home. The team hope that they’ll find answers—and the culprit—among the video recordings.

Instead of discovering Connor’s murderer, however, the grainy and blurred footage reveals another crime: a brutal rape. If they can discover the woman’s identity, it could lead to more than justice for the victim; it could change everything the police think they know about Connor and why anyone would want him dead.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising between Banks and his friend, Zelda. A super recognizer—able to recognize faces significantly better than most people—Zelda is determined to bring the men who abused her to justice. But stirring up the murky waters of the past will put her in far greater danger than ever before, and Banks worries that he won’t be able to stop her from plunging too deep before it’s too late.

Review:

Not Dark Yet by Peter Robinson is a multi-layered mystery. This twenty-seventh installment in the DCI Banks series can be read as a standalone.

DCI Alan Banks, DI Annie Cabott and DC Gerry Masterson are currently investigating the double murders of Connor Clive Blaydon and his employee Neville Roberts. After making a shocking discovery, Cabott and Masterson attempt to identity the woman on the grainy tape. In the midst of the investigation, Banks’ friend Nelia “Zelda” Melnic is kidnapped from the home she shares with Annie’s father Raymond Cabott.  Alan uncovers information that convinces him her disappearance might be connected to her past. Will he locate Zelda before it is too late? And can Annie and Gerry identify the woman they are searching for?

Alan is in a good place in his personal life. He enjoys a good glass of wine while listening to his favorite music. At work, Alan is more than pleased with the team he leads. But during the search for Zelda, Banks begins to question his satisfaction with his career. He is also very protective of Zelda as he uncovers intriguing evidence. After an evening with Raymond, Banks finds himself in a very dangerous situation.

Having lost both parents at a young age, Zelda grew up in an orphanage.  The head of the orphanage eventually sold her to traffickers. After making her escape, Zelda takes justice into her own hands. Although happy in her relationship with Raymond, Zelda is still avenging her past. Both Raymond and Alan notice she is a little nervous and jumpy in the days leading up to her kidnapping.

Annie and Gerry continue to try to identify the woman from the tape. They are very concerned about her mental health. Their worry grows after they finally know who she is but will Cabott and Masterson locate her?

Not Dark Yet is a gritty mystery with a topical storyline involving the trafficking of women. Zelda is a strong woman who wants to avenge the wrongs others have wrought on her. Alan is surprisingly sympathetic and unexpectedly grateful as he and Zelda eventually cross paths. Annie and Gerry are determined to find the young woman from the film and find out who murdered Roberts and Blaydon.  Peter Robinson brings this leisurely paced mystery to a surprising conclusion will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next book in the series. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this newest addition to the DCI Banks series.

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Filed under Contemporary, DCI Banks Series, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Suspense

March 18, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Are We There Yet? by Kathleen West

Title: Are We There Yet? by Kathleen West
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Among fake Instagram pages, long-buried family secrets, and the horrors of middle school, one suburban mom searches to find herself in a heartfelt and thought-provoking novel from the author of Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes.

Alice Sullivan feels like she’s finally found her groove in middle age, but it only takes one moment for her perfectly curated life to unravel. On the same day she learns her daughter is struggling in second grade, a call from her son’s school accusing him of bullying throws Alice into a tailspin.

When it comes to light that the incident is part of a new behavior pattern for her son, one complete with fake social media profiles with a lot of questionable content, Alice’s social standing is quickly eroded to one of “those moms” who can’t control her kids. Soon she’s facing the very judgement she was all too happy to dole out when she thought no one was looking (or when she thought her house wasn’t made of glass).

Then her mother unloads a family secret she’s kept for more than thirty years, and Alice’s entire perception of herself is shattered.

As her son’s new reputation polarizes her friendships and her family buzzes with the ramification of her mother’s choices, Alice realizes that she’s been too focused on measuring her success and happiness by everyone else’s standards. Now, with all her shortcomings laid bare, she’ll have to figure out to whom to turn for help and decide who she really wants to be.

Review:

Are We There Yet? by Kathleen West is an engrossing novel with a topical storyline.

Alice Sullivan’s hectic but happy life implodes on the same day.  Just as her husband, Patrick, begins going out of town for business, she learns troubling information about both of their children, seven-year-old Adrian and twelve-year-old Teddy. Adrian’s problem has time to fix as long as Alice makes her daughter’s daily reading a priority. But she finds Teddy’s troubles worrisome, shocking and unfathomable.  He has just begun seventh grade and he is bullying fellow student Tane Lagerhead.  Alice is an interior designer who is about to take on a huge project at work but her boss is less than understanding about her issues at home. Then her mother, Evelyn Brown, reveals stunning information that also affects Alice. How will Alice find the time and energy to deal with all of these stressful problems?

Entangled in Teddy’s troubles is long time friend Sadie Yoshida. Sadie’s mom Meredith is friends with Alice. Initially, Meredith has no idea what that her daughter is breaking their rules about social media. Sadie has a crush on Tane and this just adds to Teddy’s jealousy toward the other boy. The situation quickly escalates which causes conflict between Alice and Meredith. How will Sadie recover from her daughter’s mistake? And how will Meredith cope with the ensuing fallout?

Alice and Meredith are also friends with Nadia Reddy. Her son Donovan has long been experiencing problems both at home and at school. Nadia is more easygoing than Alice and Meredith but as Alice turns to her for advice about Teddy, she has a difficult time keeping her unspoken resentment to herself. Neither Alice nor Meredith have been overly sympathetic or understanding about Donovan. Will Nadia allow her feelings to interfere with helping Alice? And will the three women’s friendships survive the tension arising from their children’s missteps?

Are We There Yet? is a gripping novel that deals with socially relevant issues.  Alice is genuinely bewildered at Teddy’s misdeeds and her difficulty handling his behavior rings true. Meredith is shocked at her daughter’s actions but she is prone to placing blame on others for Sadie’s mistakes. Nadia is a caring, compassionate woman whose help and friendship are greatly appreciated during times of crisis. Kathleen West brings this thought-provoking novel to an uplifting conclusion. I completely enjoyed and highly recommend this wonderful novel.

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Filed under Are We There Yet?, Berkley, Contemporary, Kathleen West, Rated B, Review, Women's Fiction