Category Archives: Rated B

July 30, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair

Title: RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair
When in Rome Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Growing up the lone Asian in a community of WASPs, Annie has always felt out of place.  Her solution?  Start a family of her own. Not easy when every man she’s dated, including her ex-fiancé, finds “his person” right after breaking up with Annie. Even worse than canceling the wedding eight weeks beforehand?  Learning the “other woman” plans to walk down the aisle wearing her wedding gown. New plan—find a fresh, man-free start. Too bad her exit strategy unexpectedly lands her working at a hospital in Rome, Rhode Island, rather than Rome, Italy, and sharing a cabin with a big, brooding, and annoyingly hot male roommate.

Home on medical leave after covering a literally explosive story in China, investigative photojournalist Emmitt embarks on his most important assignment—cementing his place in his daughter’s life. Three men and a baby might work in the movies, but with a stepdad and devoted uncle competing for Paisley’s attention, Emmitt has lost his place at the family table. Then there’s the adorably sexy squatter in his cabin, who poses another problem, one he’d very much like to solve up close and personal. But he can’t win—Annie has sworn off men, Paisley’s gone boy crazy, and Emmitt’s estranged father reappears with a secret that changes everything.

Annie and Emmitt are about to discover love comes in many forms, and sometimes the best families are the ones we make.

Review:

RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair is a charming contemporary romance.

Anh Nhi  “Annie” Walsh relocated to Rome, Rhode Island after her fiancé dumped her and immediately found someone new. She is enjoying her new job and friends but she is still struggling to figure out where she fits in.  Annie adores her parents but she wants to know more about her Vietnamese culture and heritage. She is also not looking for love so when her should have been absent landlord Emmitt Bradley appears, Annie resists her attraction to the appealing but irritating man.

After being seriously injured while on assignment in China, Emmitt has no choice but to return to Rome to recover.  Since he cannot convince Annie’s  boss to clear him so he can go back to work, Emmitt tries to work his magic on his unexpected roommate. He is a likable man but Emmitt comes across as a little superficial at first.

Emmitt is a little shocked by his fifteen year old daughter Paisley’s reaction  when they are reunited. He is used to being the “fun” dad since he spends most of his life traveling the globe. They have always shared a special bond but Paisley is not at all pleased to see him. Since Emmitt will be in town much longer than usual he must learn to navigate co-parent with his daughter’s stepdad.  Thankfully Annie offers sound advice that proves to be invaluable.

RomeAntically Challenged is a sweet romance with engaging characters and  well-developed storyline. Both Annie and Emmitt grow and evolve throughout the story. Their romance is a slow burn but their scenes together and their witty exchanges are quite enjoyable.  In spite of a late in the story conflict, Marina Adair brings this wonderful romance to a sighworthy conclusion. An outstanding first installment in the When in Rome series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting book two.

Comments Off on Review: RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair

Filed under Contemporary, Kensington Books, Marina Adair, Rated B, Review, Romance, RomeAntically Challenged, When in Rome Series

July 22, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Someone’s Listening by Seraphina Nova Glass

Title: Someone’s Listening by Seraphina Nova Glass
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She wrote the book on escaping a predator… Now one is coming for her.

Faith Finley has it all: she’s a talented psychologist with a flourishing career, a bestselling author and the host of a popular local radio program, Someone’s Listening, with Dr. Faith Finley. She’s married to the perfect man, Liam Finley, a respected food critic.

Until the night everything goes horribly wrong, and Faith’s life is shattered forever.

Liam is missing—gone without a trace—and the police are suspicious of everything Faith says. They either think she has something to hide, or that she’s lost her mind.

And then the notes begin to arrive. Notes that are ripped from Faith’s own book, the one that helps victims leave their abusers. Notes like “Lock your windows. Consider investing in a steel door.”

As the threats escalate, the mystery behind Liam’s disappearance intensifies. And Faith’s very life will depend on finding answers

Review:

Someone’s Listening by Seraphina Nova Glass is a suspenseful domestic mystery.

Psychologist Faith Finley’s life imploded months earlier with a shocking accusation and the unexplained disappearance of her husband, Liam. Unable to move past her grief, Faith relies on alcohol and pills to cushion her from her pain. Ready for a change, she makes a snap decision to move from their house in the suburbs to their apartment in downtown Chicago.  After making a shocking discovery, Faith hopes the police will take her assertions that Liam did not abandon her more seriously.  And when sinister notes begin appearing in her mailbox and at her apartment, Faith takes matters into her own hands to try to unearth the truth about who is stalking her and what happened to Liam.

Faith and Liam are happily married and she is stunned by the realization that her beloved husband does not instantly discount the accusation leveled against her.  But Faith gives him the space he needs in hopes that he will realize she is telling the truth. By the night of her anticipated book release, their marriage is in a much better place.   Which is why Faith is so convinced that Liam did not leave her following the accident on their way home from the book release party.

Uncertain whom to trust after returning to Chicago, Faith tries to avoid new neighbor Hilly Lancaster. She has an unexpected tie to Liam but Faith cannot decide whether the woman is just eccentric and harmless or hiding a devious mind.  Faith is grateful for neighbor Marty Nash who provides her unexpected assistance as she tries to find out more information about her husband’s life. And although a little uncomfortable, Faith turns to old friend Will Holloway for legal advice as she continues to be a suspect in Liam’s case.

Detective John Sterling is suspicious of Faith’s account about what happened but they do go through the motions of investigating the accident. When evidence points toward Liam leaving of his own accord, the case is soon closed. But an astonishing finding changes the course of the investigation.  Faith remains under suspicion but will the increasingly menacing threats she is receiving change Sterling’s mind?

Someone’s Listening is a perplexing mystery with an intriguing storyline. Faith’s history is interesting but considering her profession, she does not always make the wisest choices.  A bit slow moving at first, the pace picks up steam and Seraphina Nova Glass brings this clever mystery to a twist-filled conclusion.

Comments Off on Review: Someone’s Listening by Seraphina Nova Glass

Filed under Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Graydon House, Rated B, Review, Seraphina Nova Glass, Someone's Listening, Suspense

· 11:56 pm

Review: The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

Title: The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From Michele Campbell, the bestselling author of It’s Always the Husband comes a new blockbuster thriller in The Wife Who Knew Too Much.

Meet the first Mrs. Ford
Beautiful. Accomplished.
Wealthy beyond imagination.
Married to a much younger man.
And now, she’s dead.

Meet the second Mrs. Ford.
Waitress. Small-town girl.
Married to a man she never forgot,
From a summer romance ten years before.
And now, she’s wealthy beyond imagination.

Who is Connor Ford?
Two women loved him. And knew him as only wives can know.
Set amongst the glittering mansions of the Hamptons,
The Wife Who Knew Too Much is a decadent summer thriller about the lives of those who will do anything for love and money. Who is the victim? Who is the villain? And who will be next to die?

Review:

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell is an intriguing domestic mystery.

Tabitha Girard is divorced and working as a waitress in her hometown.  During her shift one evening, Connor Ford, her teenage fling, walks through the door and forever changes her life. Their young romance ended abruptly years earlier and Tabitha realizes she is still in love with him. However, there are a couple of big obstacles standing in the way of a possible relationship: Connor’s wealthy wife, Nina Levitt and a pre-nuptial agreement. Connor promises to find a way out of his marriage without losing a fortune but Tabitha grows uneasy when he refuses to take her calls or meet with her.  After Nina’s death, Tabitha and Connor quickly marry. Now ensconced at Nina’s beachfront home in the Hamptons, Tabitha grows suspicious of everyone around her, including Connor.

Tabitha is a bit naive and views Connor through starry eyes and rose colored glasses. She does not ask too many questions and tiptoes around her new husband and the other occupants of the Hampton estate.  Tabitha is a fish out of water in the wealthy world she now occupies and her missteps and mistakes exacerbate the gossip swirling around Connor and Nina’s death. Unsure whom to trust, Tabitha puts her faith in her husband, but is he acting in her best interests?

Connor’s family’s fortunes changed for the worse and he floundered for a few years after his first fling with Tabitha. An employee of Nina’s company when they first meet, they married following their whirlwind summer romance. Connor has moved up the company ladder but he is growing increasingly unhappy with his wife.  But is Connor being completely honest with Tabitha about ending his marriage so they can be together?

After her unexpected reconciliation with Connor, Tabitha is frightened by a series of strange events.  She is also growing increasingly desperate to talk to him but he is proving to be extremely elusive.   Following a shocking discovery, Tabitha makes an impetuous choice that could blow up in her face.  In the aftermath of Nina’s death, Tabitha’s reservations about her new marriage and living arrangements continue to grow. Will she find her way out of an increasingly dire situation?

The Wife Who Knew Too Much is a suspenseful domestic mystery.  While the plot is interesting, the characters are a little underdeveloped. Some of the dialogue is stilted and elements of the storyline require suspension of disbelief.  The beachfront mansion provides an eerie backdrop that is quite atmospheric. Readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats as Michele Campbell brings this tense mystery to an exciting conclusion.

Comments Off on Review: The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

Filed under Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Michele Campbell, Rated B, Review, St Martin's Press, Suspense, The Wife Who Knew Too Much

July 19, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase

Title: The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 365 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

An isolated forest estate.
A family with a terrible secret.
The discovery that changes everything.

England, 1970. On the one-year anniversary of the Harrington family’s darkest night, their beautiful London home goes up in flames. Mrs. Harrington, the two children, and live-in nanny Rita relocate to Foxcote Manor, ostensibly to recuperate. But the creeping forest, where lost things have a way of coming back, is not as restful as it seems. When thirteen-year-old Hera discovers a baby girl abandoned just beyond their garden gate, this tiniest, most wondrous of secrets brings a much-needed sunlit peace, until a visitor detonates the family’s tenuous happiness. All too soon a body lies dead in the woods.

Forty years later, London-based Sylvie is an expert at looking the other way. It’s how she stayed married to her unfaithful husband for more than twenty years. But she’s turned over a new leaf, having left him for a fresh start. She buried her own origin story decades ago, never imagining her teenage daughter would have a shocking reason to dig the past up–and to ask Sylvie to finally face the secrets that lead her back to Foxcote Manor.

Review:

The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase is an atmospheric, twist-filled mystery.

In 1971, Rita is the Harrington family nanny. She is young but she loves thirteen year old Hera and six year old Teddy Harrington. Following a tragedy, Walter Harrington insists she, his wife Jeannie and the children spend a few weeks at Foxcote Manor, the family’s dilapidated house in the forest. Much to her discomfort,  Rita is expected to keep detailed notes about Jeannie’s behavior for Walter. The forest is eerie but the children love spending time exploring their surroundings. Rita is concerned about Jeannie but an unexpected visitor helps raise her spirits. As does the discovery of an abandoned baby girl that  she insists on keeping despite Rita’s unease.  With Walter’s visit fast approaching,  Rita grows increasingly concerned about the situation at the Manor.

In the present, Sylvie Broom is making much needed changes in her life. Unfortunately eighteen year old Annie is not exactly pleased with her mum’s choices. Just as she is trying to settle into her new routine, Sylvie is devastated when her mum is seriously injured in an accident.  At the same time, changes in Annie’s situation lead to an exploration of their family’s past.  After years of avoiding delving into her  history, Sylvie finally decides it is time to look into the secrets her mum has been very reluctant to reveal.  But is she prepared for the revelations awaiting her?

Weaving back and forth in time, The Daughters of Foxcote Manor is a compelling mystery. Rita is a delightful young woman but she soon finds herself out of her depth. Sylvie is finally breaking free of the inertia that has prevented her from finding happiness.  The suspense builds with each passing chapter and  Eve Chase weaves past and present into a very satisfying conclusion.

Comments Off on Review: The Daughters of Foxcote Manor by Eve Chase

Filed under Contemporary, Eve Chase, GP Putnams Sons, Historical, Historical (70s), Mystery, Rated B, Review, Suspense, The Daughters of Foxcote Manor

July 15, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: What You Wish For by Katherine Center

Title: What You Wish For by Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living.

But she wasn’t always that way.

Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations, guided by the knowledge that bad things can happen.
But he wasn’t always that way.

And Sam knows it. Because she knew him before—at another school, in a different life. Back then, she loved him—but she was invisible. To him. To everyone. Even to herself. She escaped to a new school, a new job, a new chance at living. But when Duncan, of all people, gets hired as the new principal there, it feels like the best thing that could possibly happen to the school—and the worst thing that could possibly happen to Sam. Until the opposite turns out to be true. The lovable Duncan she’d known is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he’s willing to destroy it.

As the school community spirals into chaos, and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love—which is the riskiest move of all.

With Katherine Center’s sparkling dialogue, unforgettable characters, heart, hope, and humanity, What You Wish For is the author at her most compelling best.

Review:

What You Wish For by Katherine Center is an entertaining romance with eccentric yet lovable characters.

Samantha Casey adores her job as a librarian at the Kempner School.  She has finally found a family for herself so she is heartbroken when the principal and co-founder of the school unexpectedly passes away. Surprising everyone, his workaholic son-in-law now in charge of the board and he hires Duncan Carpenter as the school’s new principal. Samantha is both horrified and delighted about the news. She worked with Duncan a few years earlier and his fun-loving playful personality will be an excellent fit with the teachers and students. But she dreads seeing him again since she had the worst crush on him when they were co-workers. However, Samantha’s joy turns to dismay when Duncan is nothing like she remembers him.  Why is Duncan so serious and strait-laced? And can Samantha help him find his way back to the joyful person she once knew and loved?

Samantha is vivacious and full of life. She is also quite passionate about her job and the Kempner School. The school’s relaxed and creative atmosphere is a huge part of its success so she is horrified at some of the changes Duncan plans to make. She is also very concerned at the differences in the man she once admired from afar.  Samantha’s crush dies a quick death but she cannot help but still worry about Duncan.

Duncan is laser focused on ensuring the students’ and staff’s safety. He does not see or appreciate the school’s charm and he is impossible to dissuade as he begins making changes. Duncan is now sadly lacking in joie de vivre and he remains stodgy and ignores Samantha’s efforts to change his mind about his plans.

Despite her distress over  the new and not at all improved Duncan, Samantha is still drawn to him. She never quite gives up hoping he will revert back to the zany man she once knew and admired. Finally seeing flashes of the Duncan, is it possible to rekindle his wacky, fun-filled spirit?

With a friendship forming between them, Samantha is hopeful she will find out why Duncan’s personality is so drastically different.  As she tries to help him find the joy in life, they become more at ease with one another. Samantha realizes her feelings for Duncan have not changed but is there any chance for a future together?

What You Wish For is a quirky romance with an uplifting message. Samantha is an effervescent and compassionate woman who has learned the hard way to embrace and enjoy life. Duncan is a little bit broken but he is a willing partner as Samantha aids him on a healing journey. Katherine Center brings this charming novel to an unpredictable but sigh worthy conclusion.  An absolutely delightful novel of hope and resilience that I enjoyed and highly recommend.

Comments Off on Review: What You Wish For by Katherine Center

Filed under Contemporary, Katherine Center, Rated B, Review, Romance, What You Wish For, Women's Fiction

July 13, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Cut to the Bone by Ellison Cooper

Title: Cut to the Bone by Ellison Cooper
Agent Sayer Altair Series Book Three
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 329 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In Ellison Cooper’s new standalone novel Cut to the Bone, a bus full of high school students has disappeared from Washington D.C. and FBI neuroscientist Sayer Altair must hunt down the culprit who has a link to her own past.

After grieving the death of her fiancé and almost losing her job, Agent Sayer Altair is finally starting to rebuild her life. Her research into the minds of psychopaths is breaking new ground and her strange little family is thriving. But Sayer’s newfound happiness is threatened when she is called in to investigate a girl’s body left inside a circle of animal figurines below a cryptic message written in blood. When they discover that the dead girl is one of twenty-four missing high school students, Sayer quickly realizes that nothing in this case is what it seems.

As the investigation draws her in to a tangled web of fake identities and false leads, the trail soon begins to point directly to her own life. Now, Sayer must confront her painful past to uncover her connection to the deranged killer if she hopes to save the missing teens and protect everything that she loves.

Review:

Cut to the Bone by Ellison Cooper is a chilling mystery that is quite suspenseful. Although this newest release is the third installment in the Agent Sayer Altair series, it can be read as a standalone.

FBI Director Anderson assigns Senior Special Agent Sayer Altair to a murder investigation that turns out to be very complex.  Looking first into the killing of a police officer, a teenage girl’s lifeless body is discovered nearby. Her murder includes very puzzling elements that Sayer  fears could be the work of a possible serial killer. After FBI analyst Ezra Coen discovers the victim’s possible identity, Sayer is shocked to discover that twenty three students and several adults are also missing.   Now in a race against time, Sayer and the members of her team begin their frantic search for the missing teens.  Will they find them before it is too late?

Sayer knows time is not on her side and she presses hard to find the rest of the teenagers. She is unprepared for what awaits her and the pressure becomes more intense after their stunning discovery. Altair is also searching for the meaning behind some of the items found at the scene of the first murder. She knows that finding the explanation for what the killer left at the scene might lead her and the rest of the team to their murderer. Sayer is also very uneasy once she is certain that someone is following her.  Is this person linked to her current investigation? Or is there a more sinister reason for this person to keeping such a close eye on her?

Sayer is also a little uneasy due to Director Anderson’s hand’s off approach to this high profile investigation. Pushing her concerns aside, she enlists the aid neighbor Tino De la Vega to question one of their witnesses. She also relies on Max Cho and his search dog Kona to find a possible trail to the missing students. With Ezra compiling useful information and other experts providing valuable details, Sayer has to act fast due once they realize the murderer is going to strike again.  But with scant leads to follow and little viable evidence, can Altair and her team find this disturbed person before the next victim is murdered?

Cut to the Bone is a clever mystery with a fantastic cast of characters and intriguing storyline. Sayer works virtually around the clock in order to prevent the next death.  Past and present collide as Ellison Cooper brings this fast-paced mystery to a jaw-dropping conclusion. Old and new fans of the Agent Sayer Altair series are sure to enjoy this latest high octane mystery.

Comments Off on Review: Cut to the Bone by Ellison Cooper

Filed under Agent Sayer Altair Series, Contemporary, Cut to the Bone, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Suspense