Look at all my wonderful book mail this week!
Thank you Bonnier Zaffre for sending me The Body in The Ice by A. J. MacKenzie.
I am honoured to be part of the blog tour for this novel on April 26, 2017.
#BookReview No Easy Target by Iris Johansen @Iris_Johansen @StMartinsPress
Title: No Easy TargetAuthor: Iris Johansen
Published by: St. Martin's Press on Apr. 25, 2017
Genres: Mystery/Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback, ARC
Source: St. Martin's Press, Goodreads Giveaways
Book Rating: 7/10
New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen returns with another thriller, No Easy Target
Margaret Douglas has worked hard to put her painful past behind her. Raised off the grid in an abusive home, her only escape was the nearby forest where she sought refuge whenever she could. There, in the peaceful woods, she discovered a strange gift: the ability to understand animals and to communicate with them. And so those creatures became her only friends, her only joy during a desolate childhood. Now Margaret wants nothing more than to live a quiet life, close to the animals and under the radar. But her abilities have not gone unnoticed and there are those who would use them for their own purposes. Determined not to be a pawn in anyone’s game, every time someone gets too close, Margaret uproots her life and outruns them.
When John Lassiter breaks into Margaret’s apartment, she vanishes again, but Lassiter has good reason to be persistent. As a CIA operative, he owes his life to his men , one of whom is being held captive by an unrelenting enemy—an enemy who has set his sights on Margaret. Which means that Lassiter must control her to use her as bait.
With danger in hot pursuit, Margaret finds herself matching wits with a man who refuses to stop or be stopped. Turning from the hunted to the hunter, Margaret must use everything she has ever learned to not only survive, but to defeat a great evil. And to prove once and for all that she’s no easy target.
Review:
Suspenseful, macabre and entertaining!
This is an intense, often disturbing, romantic thriller that reminds us of the dark, despicable evil that exists in the criminal underworld and takes us on a journey into the jungles of Colombia and a world filled with sadism, violence, murder, revenge, lust and a little supernatural.
The writing is good. The main character, Margaret, is intelligent, determined, and unique, and the other characters are a mix of despicable villains, a handsome hero and an adorable dog.
Fans of Johansen will not be disappointed with this latest outing which utilizes her trademark strong, female protagonist and straightforward storyline and will be excited to finally get a better understanding of the Margaret Douglas character we’ve often seen a glimpse of in the Eve Duncan series.
This book is due to be published on April 25, 2017.
Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Goodreads Giveaways for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Iris Johansen
Iris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
#BookReview The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence by Alyssa Palombo @AlyssInWnderlnd @StMartinsPress
Title: The Most Beautiful Woman in FlorenceAuthor: Alyssa Palombo
Published by: St. Martin's Griffin on Apr. 25, 2017
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: St. Martin's Press, NetGalley
Book Rating: 8/10
A girl as beautiful as Simonetta Cattaneo never wants for marriage proposals in 15th Century Italy, but she jumps at the chance to marry Marco Vespucci. Marco is young, handsome and well-educated. Not to mention he is one of the powerful Medici family’s favored circle.
Even before her marriage with Marco is set, Simonetta is swept up into Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici’s glittering circle of politicians, poets, artists, and philosophers. The men of Florence―most notably the rakish Giuliano de’ Medici―become enthralled with her beauty. That she is educated and an ardent reader of poetry makes her more desirable and fashionable still. But it is her acquaintance with a young painter, Sandro Botticelli, which strikes her heart most. Botticelli immediately invites Simonetta, newly proclaimed the most beautiful woman in Florence, to pose for him. As Simonetta learns to navigate her marriage, her place in Florentine society, and the politics of beauty and desire, she and Botticelli develop a passionate intimacy, one that leads to her immortalization in his masterpiece, The Birth of Venus.
Book Rating: 8/10
This is an intriguing interpretation about the life of Simonetta Cattaneo, a young, intelligent girl who became known as the “Most Beautiful Woman of Florence” and who developed a close, intimate relationship with the famous Renaissance painter, Sandro Botticelli.
It is a story about familial responsibilities, duty, strength, coming-of-age, friendship, art, passion, desire, loss and love.
Simonetta was a feminist ahead of her time who understood quickly that her beauty was both a gift and a curse, and who ultimately longed and strived in her regrettably short life to be known and loved for her knowledge and mind instead.
The prose is smooth and fluid, and the storyline takes us back to the mid-to-late 1400s to the city of Florence when politics, learning and the liberal arts were revered and who you knew was certainly more important than what you knew.
This certainly is a well written, vivid, rich story, and even though there is not much known about Simonetta’s life and the events that led up to Botticelli’s immortalization of her in his famous painting, Palombo has done a remarkable job of taking those historical facts and surrounding them with fiction that is passionate, alluring and incredibly captivating.
This novel is due to be published on April 25, 2017.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Alyssa Palombo
ALYSSA PALOMBO is the author of The Violinist of Venice, The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, and The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel. She is a recent graduate of Canisius College with degrees in English and creative writing, respectively. A passionate music lover, she is a classically trained musician as well as a big fan of heavy metal. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her friends, traveling, or planning for next Halloween. She lives in Buffalo, New York.
Photograph by Jennifer Hark-Hameister.
#BookReview Walk of Shame by Lauren Layne @_LaurenLayne @readloveswept
Title: Walk of ShameAuthor: Lauren Layne
Series: Love Unexpectedly #4
Published by: Loveswept on Apr. 18, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 218
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Loveswept, NetGalley
Book Rating: 10/10
Sparks fly between a misunderstood New York socialite and a cynical divorce lawyer in this lively standalone rom-com from the USA Today bestselling author of Blurred Lines and Love Story.
Pampered heiress Georgianna Watkins has a party-girl image to maintain, but all the shopping and clubbing is starting to feel a little bit hollow—and a whole lot lonely. Though Georgie would never admit it, the highlights of her week are the mornings when she comes home at the same time as her uptight, workaholic neighbor is leaving to hit the gym and put in a long day at the office. Teasing him is the most fun Georgie’s had in years—and the fuel for all her naughtiest daydreams.
Celebrity divorce attorney Andrew Mulroney doesn’t have much time for women, especially spoiled tabloid princesses who spend more time on Page Six than at an actual job. Although Georgie’s drop-dead gorgeous, she’s also everything Andrew resents: the type of girl who inherited her penthouse instead of earning it. But after Andrew caps one of their predawn sparring sessions with a surprise kiss—a kiss that’s caught on camera—all of Manhattan is gossiping about whether they’re a real couple. And nobody’s more surprised than Andrew to find that the answer just might be yes.
Review:
Sexy, witty and adorably romantic!
This story is set in the prestigious streets of New York City and gives a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, complete with elegant events, extravagant parties and swanky couture. It is told from two different perspectives; Georgie, a warm, optimistic glitterati who believes in fairy tales; and Andrew, an intelligent, serious, skeptical divorce lawyer who would rather play it safe than follow his heart.
The writing is effortless. The characters are clever, alluring and lovable. And the plot is enchanting, exceptionally funny and filled with spirited hijinks, delicious tension, caustic banter, steamy attraction and true love.
I have always been a fan of Lauren Layne and I think this might have just become one of my favourites. I loved the characters; I loved the chemistry; I loved the story. It was ridiculously perfect! If you like light-hearted rom coms you can’t do much better than this.
This book is due to be published on April 18, 2017.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Random House – Loveswept, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Lauren Layne
Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.
A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.
She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL’s ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
#BookReview The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley @lucindariley
Title: The Storm SisterAuthor: Lucinda Riley
Series: The Seven Sisters #2
Published by: Atria Books on Mar. 22, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction
Pages: 501
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Book Rating: 9/10
Ally D’Aplièse is about to compete in one of the world’s most perilous yacht races, when she hears the news of her adoptive father’s sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father – an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt – has left each of them a tantalising clue to their true heritage.
Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway…
There, Ally begins to discover her roots – and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over 100 years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg’s iconic music set to Ibsen’s play ‘Peer Gynt’. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?
Following the bestselling The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister is the second book in Lucinda Riley’s spellbinding series based loosely on the mythology surrounding the famous star constellation.
Review:
Fascinating, enchanting and bittersweet!
This story is predominantly set in Norway during the late 1800s, as well as present day, and is told from two different perspectives, Ally, a young sailor who journeys to Scandinavia to unravel the mystery surrounding her ancestry after suffering heartbreaking tragedies; and Anna a country girl with an angelic voice that at times was not only a blessing but a curse.
The story, itself, is a dramatic tale filled with family, love, loss, grief, introspection, and new beginnings; as well as a comprehensive look into the composition of music and the art of sailing.
The prose is lyrical, fluid and vividly descriptive. The characters are complex, intriguing, sympathetic and real. And the plot is written in a back and forth, past/present, style that captivates and engages you as it sweeps you along through the highs and lows of both Ally and Anna’s life.
This once again is another large novel by Riley, with over 700 pages, but it is so remarkably researched and well written that before you know it the story is finished and you’re yearning for more. I absolutely loved this story and even though it can be read as a standalone novel I strongly recommend you read The Seven Sisters (Book #1) first.
This novel is available now.
Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
About Lucinda Riley
Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland and, after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four.
Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold thirty million copies worldwide. She is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestseller.Lucinda's Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is inspired by the mythology of the famous star cluster, has become a global phenomenon. The series is a number one bestseller across the world and is currently in development with a major TV production company.
Though she brought up her four children mostly in Norfolk in England, in 2015 Lucinda fulfilled her dream of buying a remote farmhouse in West Cork, Ireland, which she always felt was her spiritual home, and indeed this was where her last five books were written. Lucinda was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and died in June 2021
#BookMail The Rome Affair by Karen Swan @PGCBooks @KarenSwan1
Wow!
Thank you so much Publishers Group Canada for this deliciously wonderful “Rome Affair” package.
A book from one of my favourite authors and some treats to enjoy while reading it!
You spoil me!
I can’t thank you enough. You’ve made my day!
For more information on PGC Books and their upcoming releases check out their website at: pgcbooks.ca
#BlogTour & #BookReview Gone Without A Trace by Mary Torjussen @MaryTorjussen @BerkleyPub
Title: Gone Without a TraceAuthor: Mary Torjussen
Published by: Berkley Publishing on Apr. 18, 2017
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
Pages: 352
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Berkley Publishing, NetGalley
Book Rating: 6.5/10
A jaw-dropping novel of psychological suspense that asks, “If the love of your life disappeared without a trace, how far would you go to find out why? “
Hannah Monroe’s boyfriend, Matt, is gone. His belongings have disappeared from their house. Every call she ever made to him, every text she ever sent, every photo of him and any sign of him on social media have vanished. It’s as though their last four years together never happened.
As Hannah struggles to get through the next few days, with humiliation and recriminations whirring through her head, she knows that she’ll do whatever it takes to find him again and get answers. But as soon as her search starts, she realizes she is being led into a maze of madness and obsession. Step by suspenseful step, Hannah discovers her only way out is to come face to face with the shocking truth…
Review:
Suspenseful, complex, and highly descriptive!
This is a psychological thriller that emphasizes that people aren’t always who they seem and victims have many faces.
The pose is clear and precise. The main character, Hannah, is intelligent but hard to relate to. She is incredibly selfish, in constant denial and consistently makes poor choices. And the plot, which is ultimately about obsession, anger, hatred, physical abuse and violence is mysterious and very twisty but has just a little too many sub plots including family, neighbour, friendship and work drama to remain believable and realistic.
I have to admit that this story captured my attention from the moment I read the synopsis and for the first half of the book I was exceptionally intrigued and curious, but I found that by the time Torjussen wrapped up all the loose ends she had lost me. I will commend the author on an incredible imagination though and I do believe that this is one of those books that some people will absolutely love, unfortunately for me the moments of lucidity in this novel were too outweighed by all the chaos.
This book is due to be published on April 18, 2017.
Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Berkley Publishing, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Mary Torjussen
Mary Torjussen has an MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University. She worked for several years as a teacher and lives outside of Liverpool, where Gone Without a Trace is set.
#BookReview Dancing in the Rain by Kelly Jamieson @KellyJamieson @readloveswept
Title: Dancing in the RainAuthor: Kelly Jamieson
Published by: Loveswept on Apr. 11, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 311
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Loveswept, NetGalley
Book Rating: 8/10
A retired athlete meets the daughter he never knew—along with the woman who reignites his passions—in this powerful standalone romance from the bestselling author of Hot Shot and the Heller Brothers series.
Drew Sellers is drowning in broken dreams and empty beer bottles. Hockey was his world, until a bum knee reduced him from superstar to has-been. Then he learns that, thanks to a one-night-stand back in college, he’s the father of a preteen girl with major issues. Her protective aunt sees right through Drew’s BS, but “Auntie P” is no stereotypical spinster. With her slender curves, toned legs, and luscious lips, she has Drew indulging in fantasies that aren’t exactly family-friendly.
At another point in her life, Peyton Watt would have been all over a cocky alpha male who pushes all her buttons like Drew. Right now, though, she needs to focus on taking care of her niece during her sister’s health crisis, all while holding down a job and keeping her own head above water. Besides, Drew’s clearly no father of the year. He’s unemployed. He drinks too much. And he’s living in the past. But after Peyton gets a glimpse of the genuine man behind his tough-guy façade, she’s hooked—and there’s no going back.
Review:
Charming, poignant and sweetly romantic!
In this new novel by Jamieson she takes a little sidestep from her usual fun-loving, lighthearted rom coms and give us a much deeper, emotional story involving Drew, a disheartened hockey player struggling with the loss of his career and the unexpected news that he is the father to an 11-year-old daughter; and Peyton, a successful, determined woman floundering between the career she has always wanted and her ever-increasing role as caregiver to her sister and niece.
The writing is smooth and seamless. The characters are sympathetic, complex and real. And the plot is a soul-searching journey filled with familial relationships, compassion, honesty, support, rapport, loss, life and love.
Overall this truly is a captivating, heartwarming story that may have you in tears for more than half of it but will definitely leave you satisfied and smiling by the very end.
This novel is due to be published on April 11, 2017.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Random House – Loveswept, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Kelly Jamieson
Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 romance novels and novellas. Her writing has been described as “emotionally complex”, “sweet and satisfying” and “blisteringly sexy”. She likes black coffee, white wine and high heels…and of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season!
#BookReview The Paris Secret by Karen Swan @KarenSwan1 @PGCBooks
Title: The Paris SecretAuthor: Karen Swan
Published by: Pan Macmillan on May 10, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback, ARC
Source: Publishers Group Canada
Book Rating: 9/10
Not every door should be opened . . .
With stunning locations and page-turning tension, The Paris Secret is an intense and gripping tale from bestselling author Karen Swan.
Somewhere along the cobbled streets of Paris, an apartment lies thick with dust and secrets: full of priceless artworks hidden away for decades.
High-flying fine art agent Flora from London, more comfortable with the tension of a million-pound auction than a cosy candlelit dinner for two, is called in to assess these suddenly discovered treasures. As an expert in her field, she must trace the history of each painting and discover who has concealed them for so long.
Thrown in amongst the glamorous Vermeil family as they move between Paris and Antibes, Flora begins to discover that things aren’t all that they seem, while back at home her own family is recoiling from a seismic shock. The terse and brooding Xavier Vermeil seems intent on forcing Flora out of his family’s affairs – but just what is he hiding?
Review:
Compelling, emotional and deliciously mysterious!
This is a riveting tale that sweeps us into the glamorous world of art and takes us on a journey to find the true provenance of precious paintings that have been concealed for decades.
The story is predominantly set in Paris during both the latter part of WWII, as well as present day and is filled with mystique, familial drama, heartbreak, secrets, deception, history, abuse, self discovery, exotic locales and of course a little bit of romance.
The prose is precise and vividly descriptive. The characters are complex, independent and affluent. And the plot uses a present/past style to not only build suspense and tension, but to create depth and understanding to the personalities, motivations and relationships within it.
I have to admit that when it comes to Karen Swan I’m a little bit biased. I’m a huge fan (as you can see)! To me her books are like a cosy jumper, every time I pick one up I know I can snuggle down for the whole day and be immersed in a story that will captivate me, make me smile, probably make me laugh, and possibly even make me cry and this one was no exception.
This novel is available now.
Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.
Thank you to PGC Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Karen Swan
Karen Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and a puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest outside Sussex, England, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs.
An internationally bestselling author, her numerous books include The Rome Affair, The Paris Secret, Christmas Under the Stars, and The Christmas Secret.
Photograph by Alexander James
#BlurbReveal Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy @SarinaBowen @ElleKennedy
Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never even met?
Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch–an anonymous virtual assistant service–is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson.
Although it’s against the rules for her to check his file, she’s 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting…until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.
Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He’s still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth–that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won’t show her pretty face.
But it’s nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can’t fix. Hailey can’t resist the offer. Matt can’t resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn’t have to. Fire up the kiss cam!
Warning: Contains rabid hockey fans, misunderstood dick pics, hockey players at the opera and exploding ovaries.
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