Category Archives: St Martin’s Griffin

August 10, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Until I Find You by Rea Frey

Title: Until I Find You by Rea Frey
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Suspense
Length: 316 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Until I Find You, celebrated author Rea Frey brings you her most explosive, emotional, taut domestic drama yet about the powerful bond between mothers and children…and how far one woman will go to bring her son home.

2 floors. 55 steps to go up. 40 more to the crib.

Since Rebecca Gray was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, everything in her life consists of numbers. Each day her world grows a little darker and each step becomes a little more dangerous.

Following days of feeling like someone’s watching her, Bec awakes at home to the cries of her son in his nursery. When it’s clear he’s not going to settle, Bec goes to check on him.
She reaches in. Picks him up.
But he’s not her son.
And no one believes her.

One woman’s desperate search for her son . . .

In a world where seeing is believing, Bec must rely on her own conviction and a mother’s instinct to uncover the truth about what happened to her baby and bring him home for good.

Review:

Until I Find You by Rea Frey is an edge of the seat domestic mystery.

Widowed mother to three month old Jackson, Bec Gray has lost most of her vision due to a degenerative eye disease. She is still grieving the death of her husband Chris and she has also recently suffered another heartrending loss. Living on her own and refusing any help offered to her, Bec is exhausted and struggling with her increasing fears that something will happen to Jackson. Suffering from nightmares and insomnia, Bec is already on edge when she makes a shocking discovery: someone has swapped Jackson for another baby. With her ex-boyfriend homicide detective Jake Donovan suddenly back in her life, he tries to convince the local police department to take her assertions seriously. But with the police slow to act, he and Bec try to figure out whose baby she is now caring for.

Bec has a circle of friends who are only a phone call or text away. Jess also has a young baby but she has a nanny to help care for her son. She urges Bec to allow her to take Jackson to give her a much needed break, but Bec stubbornly refuses. When Bec tells her about the baby switch, will Jess believe her friend?

Beth is another mom that Bec and Jess spend time with. Her baby is about the same age as Jackson but their parenting philosophies are quite different.  Her son is much fussier than Jackson but Beth would not switch babies with Bec. Would she?

Bec also attends a grief support group and she has become close friends with Crystal and her ten year old daughter Savi. The women have bonded over their respective losses but their lives are quite different. Crystal is busy building her interior design business while Bec is focused on caring for Jackson. Beth is initially unaware of about Bec’s search for Jackson, but she completely and fully supports and believes her friend’s belief that her son is missing.

Switching seamlessly between Bec’s and Crystal’s perspectives, Until I Find You is a chilling domestic mystery. Bec’s anxiety and increasing desperation are palpable as she frantically tries to find Jackson. The storyline is engrossing and the tension builds to a fever pitch with every chapter.  With a jaw-dropping plot-twist, Rea Frey brings this riveting mystery to an unanticipated conclusion.  I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this clever mystery to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Mystery, Rated B+, Rea Frey, Review, St Martin's Griffin, Suspense, Until I Find You

February 3, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham

Title: An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham
Heart of a Hero Series Book Two
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Length: 327 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From award-winning author Laura Trentham comes An Everyday Hero, an emotionally layered novel about redemption, second chances and discovering that life is worth fighting for.

At thirty, Greer Hadley never expected to be forced home to Madison, Tennessee with her life and dreams of being a songwriter up in flames. To make matters worse, a series of bad decisions and even crappier luck lands her community service hours at a nonprofit organization that aids veterans and their families. Greer cannot fathom how she’s supposed to use music to help anyone deal with their trauma and loss when the one thing that brought her joy has failed her.

When Greer meets fifteen-year-old Ally Martinez, her plans to stay detached and do as little as possible get thrown away. New to town and dealing with the death of her father in action, she hides her emotions behind a mask of bitterness and sarcasm, but Greer is able to see past it and recognizes pieces of who she once was in Ally. The raw and obvious talent she possesses could take her to the top and Greer vows to make sure life’s negativities don’t derail Ally’s potential.

After Greer is assigned a veteran to help, she’s not surprised Emmett Lawson, the town’s golden boy, followed his family’s legacy. What leaves her shocked is the shell of a man who believes he doesn’t deserve anyone’s help. A breakthrough with Ally reminds Greer that no one is worth giving up on. So she shows up one day with his old guitar, and meets Emmett’s rage head on with her stubbornness. When a situation with Ally becomes dire, the two of them must become a team to save her—and along the way they might just save themselves too.

Review:

An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham is a beautiful novel of healing, redemption and love. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Heart of a Hero series, it can be read as a standalone.

Thirty year old Greer Hadley is back in her small hometown of Madison, TN after years of trying to launch her music career in Nashville.  Living with her parents and performing court ordered community service, she is uncertain what she wants to do next. Although nervous and unsure, Greer begins her community service. She is initially skeptical that she can help fifteen year old Ally Martinez work through her issues stemming from her military father’s death in Afghanistan. But she is very pleased as she begins making progress in connecting with Ally.

Despite her small successes with Ally, Greer is less certain she will be able to help former classmate Emmett Lawson.   Emmett is a military veteran discharged from service after he was wounded in action. He has retreated from everyone as he spends his days in isolation in a cabin on his family’s horse farm.  Greer refuses to give up, but he is not exactly cooperative as she continues working on bringing him back from the darkness that envelopes him.  Her persistence gradually begins to pay off, but Emmett’s emergence from grief and survivor’s guilt is a slow, fragile process.

Despite her feelings of failure and uncertainty, Greer is surprisingly upbeat and positive as she helps both Ally and Emmett. She is also little taken aback at how glad she is to be in Madison. Greer’s journey of self-discovery is a work in progress as she finds herself taking employment that feels like a step backward. But with her self-confidence beginning to return due to her sessions with Ally, Greer feels much optimistic about her future.

Greer and Emmett’s relationship is a delicate dance as they both try to deal with their respective issues. Greer does not back down from Emmett’s somewhat adversarial attitude and he slowly but surely begins to emerge from his self-imposed isolation. Greer is uncertain what her next steps will be and Emmett offers her unexpected support and encouragement. Their friendship slowly turns into a real relationship but do they have a future together?

An Everyday Hero is an warm and engaging novel with a vibrant cast of characters and a heartfelt storyline. Greer and Emmett are multi-layered, true to life characters who are working on personal problems that are realistic and relatable. Ally’s grief is palpable as she tries to come to term with her heartbreaking loss.  Although there is slight romantic element, the main focus of the novel is the characters’ growth as they work to overcome their issues.  Laura Trentham brings this captivating novel to an uplifting conclusion that tugs on the heartstrings. 

I absolutely loved and highly recommend this latest addition to the Heart of a Hero series to readers of the genre.

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Filed under An Everyday Hero, Contest, Heart of a Hero Series, Laura Trentham, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Griffin, Women's Fiction

October 28, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland

Title: The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

For fans of Josie Silver’s One Day in December, The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae is a wholly original, charismatic, and uplifting novel that no reader will soon forget.

Ailsa Rae is learning how to live. She’s only a few months past the heart transplant that—just in time—saved her life. Now, finally, she can be a normal twenty-eight-year-old. She can climb a mountain. Dance. Wait in line all day for tickets to Wimbledon.

But first, she has to put one foot in front of the other. So far, things are as bloody complicated as ever. Her relationship with her mother is at a breaking point and she wants to find her father. Then there’s Lennox, whom Ailsa loved and lost. Will she ever find love again?

Her new heart is a bold heart. She just needs to learn to listen to it. From the hospital to her childhood home, on social media and IRL, Ailsa will embark on a journey about what it means to be, and feel, alive. How do we learn to be brave, to accept defeat, to dare to dream?

From Stephanie Butland, author of The Lost for Words Bookshop, The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae will warm you from the inside out.

Review:

The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland is a bittersweet yet heartening novel.

Ailsa Rae and her mum Hayley have been planning for the worst when Ailsa finally receives the heart transplant she desperately needs. They are a devoted family of two since Ailsa’s biological father has never been a part of her life. But now the time has come for her to start living, she and Hayley are at odds over Ailsa’s plans for the future. Hayley agreed to move out and let her daughter live on her own, but she is having difficulty letting go. And it does not help that Ailsa still relies on her blog readers to help her make her decisions. But the real sticking point between mother and daughter is Ailsa’s quest to learn the identity of the bio dad who deserted them years earlier.  Can their once close relationship survive the changes facing Ailsa and Hayley?

Ailsa is a delightful woman in her late twenties who is finding it difficult to navigate her new life. Having lived for so long facing the very real possibility she will die before getting a new heart, Ailsa is a bit adrift as she tries to plan for her future.  She has a degree but with no work experience, is she employable? Can she make it living on her own in the flat she has always shared with Hayley? These questions are just the tip of the iceberg as Ailsa attempts to figure out her future.

With so much uncertainty lying ahead of her, Ailsa focuses on the things she knows she wants to do. She is determined to live a healthy life and one of her first decisions is to sign up for dance lessons. She is also enjoying an unexpected friendship with a celebrity who has recently undergone a transplant. Over the course of several months, their relationship has the possibility of turning romantic, but is Ailsa ready to fall in love?

Through a series of poignant flashbacks, Ailsa’s relationship with childhood friend and former boyfriend Lennox Douglas tugs on the heartstrings.  Their teenage romance ended after they went off to uni, but they eventually reconnect. Ailsa and Lennox shared a close bond as her health worsens and she must now reconcile how differently their medical situations turned out for each of them.

The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae is a stirring novel that offers a realistic portrait of Ailsa’s life both before and after a life sustaining heart transplant. Her reactions to her change in circumstances ring true as do her conflicted feelings about other people’s expectations. Spanning the first year after Ailsa’s transplant, Stephanie Butland has penned an emotionally compelling and surprisingly upbeat novel of new beginnings.  A touching and humorous story that I absolutely loved highly recommend.

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Filed under Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, St Martin's Griffin, Stephanie Butland, The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae

October 14, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

Title: Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 328 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A heartwarming Christmas story filled with the magic and miracles of the holiday season by USA Today Bestselling author, Nancy Naigle.

Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Antler Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn’t another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.

While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she’s meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Antler Creek—be able to show Liz that she’s found a home? And possibly true love as well?

Review:

Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle is an endearing novel of love and new beginnings.

Liz Westmoreland’s fondest memories are the times she spent at her grandparents’ lodge. Despite her lucrative career, she dreams of owning a bed and breakfast.  In a moment of serendipity, Liz gets the opportunity to bid on her grandparents’ property when it is unexpectedly up for auction.  After winning the auction, Liz travels to Antler Creek where she delighted by the townspeople’s welcome and offers of assistance.

Since Liz  purchased her grandparents’ lodge sight unseen, she is unaware of the changes made to the property over the years by different owners. She is filled with doubts when she realizes how much work the lodge will need before she can open for business. But despite her trepidation, Liz is not  willing to give up on her dream just yet. Luckily she has a town full of hardworking residents who are eager to help her return the lodge to its former glory.

Matt Hardy also bid on the property but he is not at all resentful when he meets Liz. He entertains fond memories of her from their childhood and he is quick to step in and assist Liz during her renovations. Unbeknownst to Liz, Matt’s feelings run deeper than friendship but he is careful to keep his hopes for a future with her to himself.  With quiet determination, Matt lends his expertise while nurturing their connection but will Liz fall in love with him?

Both Liz and Matt are wary of becoming involved with one another. Matt’s previous relationship with someone from the city ended badly and he is in no hurry to repeat his mistake. Liz’s future is uncertain since she has no idea how successful the lodge will be after opening for business. But with an easygoing friendship quickly developing between them as they spend time together, will Liz and Matt decide to explore their growing feelings for each other?

Christmas Angels is a warm and inviting romance with a lovable dog, a wonderful cast of characters and an idyllic setting. Liz and Matt’s relationship is sweet yet understated.  Although their romance is mostly drama free, conflict arises very late in the story due to a misunderstanding.  Fans of wholesome romances are sure to enjoy this cheerful and uplifting holiday story by Nancy Naigle. 

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Filed under Christmas Angels, Contemporary, Nancy Naigle, Rated B, Review, Romance, St Martin's Griffin

October 9, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

Title: The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Historical, Supernatural Elements (Ghost), Romance
Length: 346 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A young widow restores a dilapidated mansion with the assistance of a charming, eccentric genius, only to find the house is full of dangerous secrets in this effervescent Gilded Age romantic comedy debut

It’s 1875, and Alva Webster has perfected her stiff upper lip after three years of being pilloried in the presses of two continents over fleeing her abusive husband. Now his sudden death allows her to return to New York to make a fresh start, restoring Liefdehuis, a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time.

However, fresh starts aren’t as easy as they seem, as Alva discovers when stories of a haunting at Liefdehuis begin to reach her. But Alva doesn’t believe in ghosts. So when the eccentric and brilliant professor Samuel Moore appears and informs her that he can get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds Liefdehuis, she turns him down flat. She doesn’t need any more complications in her life—especially not a handsome, convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, though Alva is loath to admit it, Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and a member of the nationally-adored Moore family of scientists, is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history—and her heart.

Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, The Widow of Rose House is a gorgeous debut by Diana Biller, with a darkly Victorian Gothic flair and an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers.

Review:

Set in 1875, The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller is a charming romance with ghostly elements.

Widow Alva Webster’s scandalous reputation precedes her  as she returns to New York following the death of her husband, Alain. She has recently purchased a purported haunted house which she plans to restore. Alva also has a publishing deal to write about her restoration but when her construction crew walks off the job due to ghostly appearances, Alva turns to Professor Samuel “Sam” Moore for help.  With a surprising attraction simmering between them,  can Alva guard her heart and her secrets while she and Sam get to the bottom of the ghost’s identity?

Alva is more than ready to move on from her abusive marriage but rumors still follow her. She is focused on renovating her new home and starting over. Alva has no plan or desire for a new romance and she is surprised by how much she enjoys spending time with Sam and his family. With serious trust issues due to her past, is there any way she can risk heart again?

Sam is an absolutely delightful man. He is the epitome of the absent minded professor as he is continually distracted by thoughts and ideas for new projects. Sam is genuinely kind-hearted and compassionate and he is quite smitten with Alva right from the first time he sees her.  Is there any way Sam can gain Alva’s trust and win her heart?

The Widow of Rose House  is an engaging novel with a slow burning romance and an intriguing ghost hunt. The storyline is appealing but the pacing is sometimes a little slow. Sam is a wonderfully patient man who is absolutely perfect for emotionally wounded Alva. The search for the ghost is quite interesting and perfectly complements the overall story.  Fans of historical romances are sure to love this endearing debut by Diana Biller.

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Filed under Diana Biller, Historical, Rated B, Review, Romance, St Martin's Griffin, Supernatural Elements, The Widow of Rose House

August 5, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: Because You’re Mine by Rea Frey

Title: Because You’re Mine by Rea Frey
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 358 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

An “insidious, suspenseful tale” (J.T. Ellison) with a “shocker of an ending you won’t see coming” (Michele Campbell), Because You’re Mine by Rea Frey, the author who “brings to mind Jodi Picoult” (Booklist) and “will appeal to readers of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen” (Sally Hepworth)is a novel about how the truth will set you free.

But it’s the lies that keep you safe.

Single mother Lee has the daily routine down to a science: shower in six minutes. Cut food into perfect squares. Never leave her on-the-spectrum son Mason in someone else’s care. She’ll do anything—anything—to keep his carefully constructed world from falling apart. Do anything to keep him safe.

But when her best friend Grace convinces her she needs a small break from motherhood to recharge her batteries, Lee gives in to a weekend trip. Surely a long weekend away from home won’t hurt?

Noah, Mason’s handsome, bright, charismatic tutor—the first man in ages Lee’s even noticed—is more than happy to stay with him.

Forty-eight hours later, someone is dead.

But not all is as it seems. Noah may be more than who he claims to be. Grace has a secret—one that will destroy Lee. Lee has secrets of her own that she will do anything to keep hidden. And what will happen to Mason, as the dominoes begin to fall and the past comes to light?

Perhaps it’s no mystery someone is gone after all…

Because You’re Mine is a breathtaking novel of domestic drama and suspense.

Review:

Because You’re Mine by Rea Frey is an absolutely riveting domestic mystery.

Lee Chambers is a single mom to seven year old Mason who is highly intelligent but suffers from sensory processing disorder. She is very protective of him and she is quite pleased at his progress now he is homeschooled by Noah Banks. Lee’s best friend Grace Chambliss is very supportive and she has a good relationship with Mason.  Lee is guarded and tight-lipped about her past but will a girls’ weekend away provide her the opportunity to confide in Grace?

Lee has carefully structured her life to revolve around providing the environment Mason needs to thrive. She is a skilled hairdresser who runs her business out of her home. She and her son socialize with Grace, her son Luca and the other two women in their circle of friends and their children.  Lee is uneasy about going away on a three day getaway but after Noah agrees to stay with Mason, she begins to look forward to relaxing with her friends. After a fun-filled evening in which they take turns sharing secrets, will Lee be able to handle an unexpected revelation?

Grace is completely devoted to Lee and Mason but she is  irritated that Lee’s problems sometimes dominate their time together. She and Mason share a tight bond and since the two families spend so much time together, she knows how to relate to him. Grace is frustrated when her attempts to confide in Lee are thwarted, but she plans to tell her friend her news during their girls’ trip.

Noah is patient, kind and compassionate and it is quite obvious Mason is special to him. He is also a friend to Lee as she navigates the ups and downs of single motherhood. Noah is absolutely delighted by Mason’s brilliance and he quickly adapts his lessons to nurture his student’s curiosity. But is there more to Noah than meets the eye?

Narrated from several points of view and weaving back in forth in time,  Because You’re Mine is an engaging mystery with a clever storyline. The characters are richly developed and likable despite their all too human flaws. The plot is unique and filled with tension as Lee wrestles with an unexpected attraction and Grace tries numerous times to discuss something important with her best friend. Rea Frey deftly builds suspense  from the explosive opening chapter until the twist-filled,  stunning conclusion.  I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this fantastic mystery to readers of the genre.

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Filed under Because You're Mine, Contemporary, Mystery, Rated B+, Rea Frey, Review, St Martin's Griffin, Suspense