Tropical Delusions……

The Last Thing I Saw – Alex Sinclair

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

This story revolves around Darren and Emma Turner, along with their son Jayden – in the opening prologue, Emma is holding a gun in trembling hands, and pointing it towards her husband, wondering how things had come to this point.

The novel then segues into life ‘before’ – an idyllic life that the three shared, while Darren runs what appears to be a thriving construction business. They live in an upper middle-class home and appear to be the typical family. Then, a construction worker is hurt on the job – and files a lawsuit. Then strange things begin happening – the family feels as if they’re being stalked, presumably by a member of the injured workers family. The police offer little support.

Then, you learn about things ‘after’. Emma is in a psychiatric facility, with no idea as to why, and what might have happened to place her there. She’s puzzled and hurt by the fact that her family won’t come and visit her. As she receives psychotherapy in attempts to piece together the events that lead to her hospitalization, she struggles with the advances and hatred of a corrupt orderly in the hospital.

The novel continues in this vein, switching between ‘before’ and after in the narrative as you learn about the sequence of events that lead up to the moment described in the prologue, and you see Emma’s slow recovery as she attempts to regain her memory of the events of that horrific night, with the storylines culminating into a showdown you won’t see coming, and with a protagonist that will shock you!!

I very much enjoyed this book! Had work not gotten in the way, I would have read it in one siting, because I did not want to put it down. Each chapter reveals a bit more and pulls you in deeper, and you keep flipping those pages, wanting – no – needing to know what happens next. A great read!! I look forward to reading more from this author!!

Second Chances – Rachel Cullen

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Set in Manhattan and suburbs, this is the story of four different women who are trying to make their way in a crazy world. We first meet Michelle, who in a moment of anger/despair, walks out on her husband and children, for reasons not yet known to us, and isolates herself in a small apartment. We then meet Danielle, a newly divorced and now single Mom to a newborn, who’s father wants nothing to do with her. She’s all alone and frantically trying to manage a screaming baby. We meet Sabrina, Danielle’s friend, who works in a sales venue, which has her traveling frequently, having one-night stands with men, who seems to shy away from any commitment, but suddenly finds herself in a compromising situation that threatens everything. Then we meet Megan, daughter of Danielle’s ex-husband; she’s 15 years old, and struggling with the autocratic ways of her father.

As the novel progresses, these women’s lives all merge – each chapter detailing a different character and her story, as each individual struggles with betrayal, hope, self-confidence, and self-worth, as they make the most of their situations and attempt to find their happy-ever-after’s.

I truly enjoyed this book! It is a sweet story, one suitable for the beach or rainy day, with thoroughly engrossing characters, scenarios and situations that we can all likely relate to! A wonderful read!! Thank you Ms. Cullen! I loved Second Chances!!

One Last Breath – Jackson & Bush

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

I LOVE when sisters Lisa Jackson & Nancy Bush team up to write a book!
Aurora ‘Rory’ Abernathy & Liam Bastian seemed to be star crossed lovers. Married quietly after a mere month together, Liam’s mother, initially outraged at her son’s choice, now insists on a ‘real’ wedding, fitting of the family’s stature as a premier Portland, Oregon family. As Rory anxiously awaits her step-brother for her walk down the aisle, she’s accosted by a stranger who threatens her and her unborn baby – a baby she’s not yet told anyone about. After getting the upper hand on her would-be murderer, she flees the wedding venue in a panic. Shortly thereafter, gunshots ring out, with multiple people from the wedding injured, including the groom.

Five years later, Rory, living under an assumed name, has raised her child alone, and provides for her best as she can, working as a barista in a coffeehouse. But, lately, she’s had the strange sensation that she’s being followed. Then, while manning the drive-thru, she hears Liam’s voice through the speaker, and sees his image in the camera – and flees for safety with her daughter.

But Liam is not to be denied, and eventually he finds Rory. But as the past comes alive to haunt them as strange things start to happen – vandalism to Bastian construction projects, murder of a former suspect and the murder of a woman who looks suspiciously like Rory…

I enjoy anything these two create, and this latest novel is no exception! Full of twists and turns, and loaded with action, all hurtling to a climax you won’t see coming!! Fabulous read!!

Jack Frost – Christopher Greyson

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Jack Stratton is a former police officer, turned private investigator, who takes a case for an insurance agency after an untimely death on the set of a reality survivor show. While the death was termed accidental, the crew of the show have been receiving death threats, and Jack is to go in undercover to evaluate the situation.

The television show is presently filming atop a snow-capped mountain, with a gondola as the only transportation to the top. Alice, Jack’s fiancée and investigative partner, will stay behind, albeit unwillingly, and research records, crew background checks and raw footage from the shows filming.

As Jack transports to the mountain top, he sees a sign – the Iroquois’ sign for death, carved into the mountainside. One atop, he becomes the crews newest ‘gofer’, as his undercover role. As he begins to meet and assess the crew and contestants, malicious things begin to happen. A contestant is disqualified, and after a show of temper, goes missing.

Numerous incidents begin to occur, hampering and narrowly missing injuring cast and crew. As tension mounts, Jack desperately searches for a killer, Alice makes her own discoveries to identify a killer, and a monstrous snowstorm changes course and heads in their direction…

I’ve been an avid reader for years and I cannot believe that I’ve never discovered Christopher Greyson and his Jack Stratton series! I read this all in one sitting and stayed up late into the night to finish it! Non-stop action, adventure, intrigue and of course mystery! This book has it all! Fabulous read!!

My next goal now is to read the rest of the Jack Stratton series! Mr. Greyson, you have a new fan!!