Review: The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni

The Eighth Sister

by Robert Dugoni

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Pages: 478

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Former CIA case officer Charles Jenkins is a man at a crossroads: in his early sixties, he has a family, a new baby on the way, and a security consulting business on the brink of bankruptcy. Then his former bureau chief shows up at his house with a risky new assignment: travel undercover to Moscow and locate a Russian agent believed to be killing members of a clandestine US spy cell known as the seven sisters.

Desperate for money, Jenkins agrees to the mission and heads to the Russian capital. But when he finds the mastermind agent behind the assassinations—the so-called eighth sister—she is not who or what he was led to believe. Then again, neither is anyone else in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Pursued by a dogged Russian intelligence officer, Jenkins executes a daring escape across the Black Sea, only to find himself abandoned by the agency he serves. With his family and freedom at risk, Jenkins is in the fight of his life—against his own country.

Kritters Thoughts:  This was an interesting sort of political thriller with a CIA and FBI edge.  This book went from an ex case officer being reactivated and running around Russia to the courtroom in the most interesting way.  Charles Jenkins left the CIA a long time ago and his previous boss has searched him out to send him out on a new case in Russia where he has had previous experience and in the mean time his boss has promised to rescue his company that is moments away from falling into financial ruin.  All while his wife is experiencing a hard pregnancy and his son is growing to know what his dad does for a living.  

I love a political thriller, but this was so different from the norm.  It had the usual biting nails wondering if he will get out of the bind, but then it went to the court room and there was a different anxiety feeling that was unexpected for this type of book for me.  With almost two stories in one, this book kept great pacing and it was almost impossible to set this one down even during a busy week.  

After reading this one, I may have go to search out more from this series and see if they all stack up to this one!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

With a week out of town for a week, not a lot of reading was finished, so I delayed posting this for another week.  Here is two weeks worth of reading.  


A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Isaac's Storm by Erik Larsen
The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
Bridesmaids by Zara Stoneley

Currently Reading:

The East End by Jason Allen

Next on the TBR pile:

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Review: The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth

The Mother in Law

by Sally Hepworth

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Pages: 352

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  From the moment Lucy met Diana, she was kept at arm's length. Diana is exquisitely polite, but Lucy knows, even after marrying Oliver, that they'll never have the closeness she'd been hoping for.

But who could fault Diana? She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice, the matriarch of a loving family. Lucy had wanted so much to please her new mother-in-law.

That was ten years ago. Now, Diana has been found dead, leaving a suicide note. But the autopsy reveals evidence of suffocation. And everyone in the family is hiding something...

Kritters Thoughts:  Have you ever read a book and wanted to start it all over again, but read it for the first time again!  That was the case for me with this book.  The twists and turns and characters were just so good that I wanted to read it again, but have the first time experience again.

Lucy is a daughter in law, mother and wife and with the chapters from her point of view she can't understand why her mother-in-law treats her the way she does.  Diana is the mother-in-law and has had quite the list of life experiences and since she hasn't shared everything with her family the way she acts may seem strange and offputting.  I loved the dynamic of these two with the mystery of who killed Diana from the beginning, this book just worked so well.

I always judge a thriller by the ending and of course I will not spoil this one, but I will say that I loved it.  The twists and turns were perfectly timed and I didn't predict the ending until it was right upon me and I love that feeling.  

I have read two out of the four current Sally Hepworth books and after finishing this one, I am going to move the other two up to the top of my TBR pile.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from St Martin's Press.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Behind Closed Doors by Sherri Hayes

Behind Closed Doors

by Sherri Hayes

Publisher: Smith Publicity

Pages: 190

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  After her life in Columbus, Ohio falls apart, Elizabeth Marshall moves a little over an hour away to the small town of Springfield. She wants to start over—leave her past behind—and build something new for herself. 
  
Christopher Daniels enjoys the simplicity of being a bachelor. He has no desire to change that philosophy…until Elizabeth shows up. He’s determined to resist her charms. But when her past begins to threaten her new life, it forces him into the role of protector. 
  
Will he be able to resist Elizabeth and still keep her safe?

Kritters Thoughts:  Before I dive into my review of this specific book, I want to say a thought or two about the romance genre.  I like romance books, they typically read real quickly and are nice and easy reads.  The reader usually knows the outcome at the beginning, but the book is still completely worth reading.  

Now into this book.  Elizabeth Marshall has moved away due to some personal experiences and has decided to keep a low profile and start over.  As she is moving into her apartment she runs into a good looking guy - Christopher Daniels.  He has lived in this town his entire life and after a bad relationship he is just trying to focus on his career.  

Overall I liked the book.  I liked these two characters.  I enjoyed reading about the past that each had that brought them to this point.  The characters and setting were great.

Here comes the but.  BUT I couldn't get past their insta love.  Christopher was talking about how much his body was craving hers way too fast and with her past (not spoiling) Elizabeth got too physical with him way too fast in my opinion.  I of course like my romance books to be a little on the less steamy side and it felt as though from page one these characters could only think about the physical.  

I liked the book, but I may hesitate before I read another Sherri Hayes romance.


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2019 Challenge: 20 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

Blood Orange

by Harriet Tyce

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Pages: 352

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Alison has it all. A doting husband, adorable daughter, and a career on the rise - she's just been given her first murder case to defend. But all is never as it seems...

Just one more night. Then I'll end it. 

Alison drinks too much. She's neglecting her family. And she's having an affair with a colleague whose taste for pushing boundaries may be more than she can handle.

I did it. I killed him. I should be locked up. 

Alison's client doesn't deny that she stabbed her husband - she wants to plead guilty. And yet something about her story is deeply amiss. Saving this woman may be the first step to Alison saving herself.

I'm watching you. I know what you're doing. 

But someone knows Alison's secrets. Someone who wants to make her pay for what she's done, and who won't stop until she's lost everything....

Kritters Thoughts:  As I have said a few times here on this blog, I am starting to steer away from books with cheating spouses - I just don't like to read books with this as the subject matter anymore.  So beyond the main storyline with Alison cheating on her spouse there was another one that kept me entertained and reading til the last page - Alison worked in the chambers in London and her first murder gets on to her desk and maybe because of her relationship with a Patrick.  At the same time that this murder is taking over her life, her marriage is falling apart and the two just may be connected.

I loved the few bits where she was interviewing the wife of the murdered man and she was getting to the bottom of the murder - the who what where when and why.  I was usually one step ahead of the main character Allison, but was glad for the confirmation when I was correct.  

The writing was good, so I would definitely try another one from this author, just hope it doesn't have cheaters in it.  The pacing was fine since I had to consider that the entire plot did not revolve around Allison's murder trial - although I wish it did!

I just couldn't enjoy the affair and its affects, especially since in this book there is a young child involved.  There was a little redemption at the end, but don't want to completely spoil it and give it all away.  If books with affairs don't bother you then I would completely recommend it.

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2019 Challenge: 19 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Grand Central Publishing  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Sophie Last Seen by Marlene Adelstein

Sophie Last Seen

by Marlene Adelstein

Publisher: Red Adept Publishing

Pages: 280

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Six years ago, ten-year-old Sophie Albright disappeared from a shopping mall. Her mother, Jesse, is left in a self-destructive limbo, haunted by memories of her intense and difficult child, who was obsessed with birds. Trapped in her grief and guilt, Jesse stumbles through her workdays at a bookstore and spends her off hours poring over Sophie’s bird journals or haunting the mall to search for the face of her missing child.

When Star Silverman, Sophie’s best friend, starts working at the bookstore, Jesse is uncomfortable around the sarcastic teen, who is a constant reminder of her daughter. But Star has secrets of her own, and her childhood memories could be the key to solving Sophie’s disappearance.

With help from Star and Kentucky “Tuck” Barnes, a private detective on the trail of another missing girl, Jesse may finally get some closure, one way or the other.


Kritters Thoughts:  This book is more than your typical missing kid story, but it took awhile to get to the good stuff.  Sophie Albright went missing 6 years ago and her mother Jesse has spent every day since looking for her.  A routine trip to the mall changed her and their family forever and she just wants an answer to what happened that day.  

There was a bit in the beginning that I was worried this book wasn't going to go anywhere much and was going to be just an emotional journey, but about 2/3 in it started going in a direction that was entertaining and interesting.  I think the thing I liked the most was that when Jesse opened herself up to other people; i.e. her daughter's former friend Star she starts getting real clues that mean something and send her down a fruitful road.  I was really hoping that we could see Jesse get some conclusions and I was so thankful no matter how it happened that she did.  

It was an interesting combo of an emotional journey and a who dun it mystery.   


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2019 Challenge: 18 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Everything Here is Beautiful

Everything Here is Beautiful

by Mira T Lee

Publisher: Viking

Pages: 368

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Two Chinese-American sisters—Miranda, the older, responsible one, always her younger sister’s protector; Lucia, the headstrong, unpredictable one, whose impulses are huge and, often, life changing. When Lucia starts hearing voices, it is Miranda who must find a way to reach her sister. Lucia impetuously plows ahead, but the bitter constant is that she is, in fact, mentally ill. Lucia lives life on a grand scale, until, inevitably, she crashes to earth. 

Miranda leaves her own self-contained life in Switzerland to rescue her sister again—but only Lucia can decide whether she wants to be saved. The bonds of sisterly devotion stretch across oceans—but what does it take to break them?


Kritters Thoughts: Two sisters moved at a very young age from China to America with just their mother and through hard work and grit they found the American dream.  Miranda is the older sister and when their mother passed away she became the protector of her sister, Lucia.  Neither sister remembers their fathers death, but it greatly impacted their lives.  When Lucia starts battling mental illness, Miranda basically puts her life on hold to put her sister and their family first.

This book was completely about the sister relationship and how unique it is.  These sisters must really rely on each other without any extended family around; they must keep each other close in the good and bad times.  Yes, there was definitely some interesting cultural things because these women are Chinese-American, but that was just a minor compared to the major dissection of the sister relationship that this book did.  

The other big aspect of this book was mental illness.  I am not close to someone who battles mental illness, so I can't rate the honesty of the portrayal, but I really appreciated how it was written.  There would be a chapter from Lucia's perspective and you forget that maybe she isn't a reliable character and then a chapter would be from the perspective of her current love and the story was oh so different - it was so interesting to read.  It really put things into view for me that a mental illness can distort the view of reality.

I loved this book and the writing.  I was so impressed and excited to find out after finishing that this was a debut and I can't wait to read what Mira T Lee has next!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Viking.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

When life is crazy, not a lot of reading gets done.  Traveling next week so maybe some plane reading!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Behind Closed Doors by Sherri Hayes
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes

Currently Reading:

The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott

Next on the TBR pile:

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly rimmer

Review: The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne

The Cliff House

by RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher: HQN Books

Pages: 384

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Three women—two sisters and their aunt—and the cliff house on the northern California coast that served as a beacon to them all…

After the death of their mother, sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport found a home with their aunt Stella in the beautiful and welcoming town of Cape Sanctuary. They never knew all the dreams that Stella sacrificed to ensure they had everything they’d ever need. Now, with Daisy and Bea grown, it’s time for Stella to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from them—a secret that will change their family forever. 

Bea thought she’d sown all her wild oats when she got pregnant far too young. The marriage that followed was rocky and not destined to last, but it gave Bea her wonderful, mature, now eleven-year-old daughter, Marisol. But just as she’s beginning to pursue a new love with an old friend, Bea’s ex-husband resurfaces and turns their lives completely upside down. 

Then there’s Daisy—sensible, rational, financially prudent Daisy. She’s never taken a risk in her life—until she meets a man who makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and the power of taking chances.

Kritters Thoughts:  I am a RaeAnne Thayne fan, but I am even more of a fan of her stand alone books.  With a little less romance and more plot and characters, her stand alone books are just top notch.  

At a young age two sisters - Daisy and Beatriz, lost their mom to drug use and after a stint in foster homes their young aunt took them in and raised them.  Through bringing them in she made some major life choices and did a lot to put them first.  Now as adults they are all living around each other and this book takes a snapshot of a few moments in their current life and at the same time tells the story of how these three women ended up where they are now.  

I loved each and every woman in this book for the character that they were.  It was so easy to see how the past shaped them into the women they were and the bond between them.  I really enjoyed reading about the big cast of characters that surrounded the women and even though the cast was big, it was so easy to keep everyone straight.  There were a few eye roll moments that reminded me I was reading fiction, but they in no way took away from the bigger story.  

I know this is a stand alone and that is a part of why I love it, but I wouldn't mind a sequel that took place a few years after the conclusion of this book and took another snapshot into these women's lives and where they are then.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

One Summer in Paris

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: HQN

Pages: 400

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Audrey can’t believe it when her husband of 25 years announces he doesn’t want to join her on their long-planned trip to Paris – he wants a divorce instead! Reeling from the shock, a devastated Audrey makes the bold decision to go on this holiday of a lifetime alone. She quickly strikes up a friendship with 18-yr old Grace, who’s been dispatched to Paris by her mother to ‘learn the language’ – in reality, it’s so her mother can concentrate on her new husband. Heartsore from this rejection, Grace is rebellious, wild, and desperately unhappy. They forge an unlikely bond. Audrey can’t believe the risks Grace takes. Grace can’t believe how lacking in self-confidence Audrey is. Together, over a summer in magical Paris, they’ll help each other overcome the pain they’re both wrestling with and through finding each other, discover stronger, happier versions of themselves.


Kritters Thoughts:  Audrey is headed to a dinner ready to surprise her husband with the trip of a lifetime as they are starting their lives as empty nesters, he is approaching this phase of life in a different attitude and needs a break from the life they have been living.  Audrey decides to take this trip alone and reset her life and priorities.  

I have really been evaluating my reading recently and really trying to avoid the cheating books.  I just don't enjoy reading books where spouses are doing that sort of thing and am just trying to stay away, I committed to reading this book before I started really limiting this in my reading.  I am glad I still read this book but there were some moments where I really cringed and and maybe skipped ahead a bit.  

The moments that I loved the most were between Audrey and Grace.  I loved how in Grace's life she needed an Audrey to step and help mentor her through her transition and Grace was able to affect Audrey through this speed bump in her life.  It was interesting to read about characters who are not related with this age different really impact each other.  

I love Sarah Morgan's writing and will always enjoy reading books, I just didn't completely love the subject matter of this one, but didn't take away from my love of her as an author.


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Aro Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Little Lovely Things by Maureen Joyce Connolly

Little Lovely Things

by Maureen Joyce Connolly

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 304

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:   Claire Rawlings, mother of two and medical resident, will not let the troubling signs of an allergic reaction prevent her from making it in for rounds. But when Claire's symptoms overpower her while she's driving into work, her two children in tow, she must pull over. Moments later she wakes up on the floor of a gas station bathroom-her car, and her precious girls have vanished.

The police have no leads and the weight of guilt presses down on Claire as each hour passes with no trace of her girls. All she has to hold on to are her strained marriage, a potentially unreliable witness who emerges days later, and the desperate but unquenchable belief that her daughters are out there somewhere.

Kritters Thoughts:  A hard book to read, but so worth it.  A busy mother who is trying to balance schooling, motherhood and being a spouse has an allergic reaction and the next thing she knows her children and her car are gone.  With a heavy layer of guilt she must continue to search for her girls while also move forward with the life that she has left.

I absolutely loved this book.  The pacing was top notch, enough where I read it in one day in two sittings - I couldn't put this one down at all.  I really wanted to know what would happen to these girls and this family.  

The writing was fantastic.  I fell in love with this family from the very beginning and felt the whole range of emotions for them all.  I had such sympathy for both parents who are put in such a horrible situation.  My favorite thing is when I have such deep emotions for a character where I have REAL feelings.  

I love it when I look up an author after I finish their book and go searching and realize that the book I read was a debut, makes me sad because there is no backlist to go dive into, but excited because if this is the debut I am in hopes that there is more and more to come from this author!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2019 Challenge: 17 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

What a great week of reading!
A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Sophie Last Seen by Marlene Adelstein
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T Lee
Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce
The Good Girl's Guide to Being a Dick by Alexandra Reinwarth

Currently Reading:

Behind Closed Doors by Sherri Hayes

Next on the TBR pile:

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

Review: Glory Road by Lauren Denton

Glory Road

by Lauren Denton

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 368

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she's fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she's really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter's wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who's known her better than anyone and whom she hasn't seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.

Meanwhile, Jessie's fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions--particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who's moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie's mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future.

As all three women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change--whether they're ready for it or not. 


Kritters Thoughts:  What a sweet book.  Jessie McBride moved back to her small hometown and has loved owning a garden shop and following her passion by bringing joy to people through flowers.  She has always strived to just keep the business running, but when a wedding opportunity comes to her front door, by way of a handsome man she wonders if she should take it and take her business to a different level.  Another man also enters the picture, but this is one from the past with past love and hurt, is the past to be left behind or a safe place to land?

I love Lauren K Denton.  She writes great women's fiction with great females at the center where love is a factor of their life, but they have other things going on also!  The thing that I really adored about this book was the three generations of women living and learning from each other.  I love when strong women beget strong women and they realize that they keeping each other close is the best way to live.  

I love small town stories because they have their own flair and they make me remember the small town where I was raised and that I love.  And of course it being a southern small town in this story gives it a few more brownie points in my book!  

I am at a point where I will read Lauren K Denton without even a look at the synopsis.  Just say it is written by her and I will pick it up and spend a day or two with her and her characters.

  
Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.