Words Between Us - A Review

Published - September 2019, Revell Books
Author - Erin Bartels
Title - The Words Between Us
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
Robin Windsor has spent most of her life under an assumed name, running from her family's ignominious past. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary in her rather unremarkable used bookstore just up the street from the marina in River City, Michigan. But the store is struggling and the past is hot on her heels.

When she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father's scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the long-lost summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. That book--a first edition Catcher in the Rye--is soon followed by the other books she shared with Peter nearly twenty years ago, with one arriving in the mail each day. But why would Peter be making contact after all these years? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she's about to be exposed all over again?

My Thoughts:
I was excited to hear about Bartels's newest book after loving her debut. This one did not disappoint. Well, ok, maybe a little. 

Seriously though, this one was still a pretty awesome read. I love dual timeline books and this one had one. I love how the main character is trying to connect the pieces of the past with the novels she's getting. Sure, it's a little slow-moving. But it didn't really feel that way. I agree with what others have said - the ending was rushed. I felt that the author had spent all this time developing the plot only to rush the ending. Maybe she had to hit a certain word count or was on a deadline. To be honest, I felt cheated. Cheated because there wasn't the development to the end that I was hoping for. 

I received a copy of this book from Revell for the purpose of sharing my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of women's fiction, Rachel Hauck

Rating - 4 stars

Finding Lady Enderly - A Reivew

Published - August 2019, Revell
Author - Joanna Davidson Politano
Title - Finding Lady Enderly
Format - ebook, paper
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About the Book:
Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within--and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

My Thoughts:
Let me start by saying that this book was not for me. I'm in a minority here if the reviews on Amazon are any indication. 

I was intrigued by the back cover and the actual book cover. The way the book is described had me expecting a sort-of My Fair Lady type story. And it sort of is. 

Yet, I couldn't get into this book. I tried. I really did try. Perhaps this author's style isn't for me. I didn't connect to the characters. I was bored while reading it. In fact, I kept looking for reasons NOT to read the book. 

Obviously, I'm in a minority. Others LOVE the book. Others whose opinions I respect have raved about this book. And to be perfectly honest, I kept wondering "What are they seeing that I'm missing?" Followed by "when will it get better?" 

I know that not every book I pick up is going to be one that I love. Just like I know that not every author is for every reader. But I still don't like giving a negative review because I know how hard authors work on their book babies. 

This one, it's not for me. I plan on donating my copy to my local library though, so that others CAN enjoy the book.

I received a copy from the publishers in order to share my honest opinion of it. That is what I've done. I was not required to like the book, only share my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating - 1 star

Vow of Justice - A Review

Published - August 2019, Revell Books
Author - Lynette Eason
Series - Blue Justice Book 4
Title - Vow of Justice
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes his life to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her "murder." As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time--this time for good.

My Thoughts:
I have been looking forward to this book for a long time. I really like the St. John family. Yet this one fell short for me. Yes I enjoyed it, but I really just feel blah about it. It was ok. I've found other books by this author to be better. I figured out by like the 3rd chapter who was the inside person, and I wasn't wrong. So, for me, there wasn't much suspense. I also wish that there had been more interaction with the St. John family. That's what I enjoyed most about the previous books. Will I read her next one? Yes! She's a great author. This one particular book just wasn't the best one for me.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion on it. I was not required to like the book, only share my honest opinion of it.

Recommended to fans of Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason

Rating 3 stars

Deadly Intentions - A Review

Published - August 2019, Revell Books
Author - Lisa Harris
Title - Deadly Intentions
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victim's husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn's theory, Josh soon realizes that the attack that took his wife's life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn's team--and what their end game is--before it's too late.

My Thoughts:
This book had me captivated from the beginning. I was enthralled with it. Caitlyn wants answers. Josh feels that there's more to his wife's death than what was official. As the two kept finding more and more clues that point to murder, the book kept getting better and better. I didn't have any suspicions as to who was the master mind, so it came as a complete shock when I found out. I look forward to more by this author.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion of the book. I was not required to like it only to give an honest opinion. 

Recommended to fans of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon

Rating - 4 stars 

Th String - A Review

Published - July 2019, Revell Books
Author - Caleb Breakey
Series - Deadly Games Book 1
Title - The String
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
Welcome to the string, a game of impossible decisions and deadly consequences. Let's go over the ground rules.

Rule #1: Participation is mandatory.
Rule #2: If anyone refuses to play, all threats will come to pass.
Game on.

Get ready for a deadly social experiment as a sociopath known as The Conductor delivers disturbing threats and twisted moral dilemmas to unsuspecting students and staff.

As a powerful instinct for self-preservation sweeps through the campus, one man has a grave decision to make. Will university cop Markus Haas play the game to protect those he loves? Or will he break the string and incite massive chaos--and even death?

My Thoughts:
This wasn't what I expected. I expected more of an adventure almost like DaVinci Code, but this one was way more than that. There were twists and turns that had me staying up way to late reading this book. This is one book that I'd classify as a thriller. Fans of Dekker, Peretti, and Steven James will enjoy the thrill ride that this book takes the reader on before it comes to a conclusion. This is a debut author that will certainly be on my radar again!

I received a copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in order to share my honest opinion on it. I was not required to like the book, only share my honest opinion of it. 

Recommended to fans of Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti, Steven James, thrillers

Rating - 4 stars