Tag: Fiction

About ME · Book Reviews · Family Drama · Fiction · Thriller · WomensFiction

A Motherhood Monday book review featuring ‘The Best of Friends’ by Lucinda Berry (and a pic of two actual bff’s)

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Thank you @amazonpublishing #thomasandmercer for my gifted copy of ‘The Best of Friends‘ by Lucinda Berry! (pub 8/18)

The two lovely ladies pictured in today’s post are my daughter & her BFF. I really need to get an updated pic of me & my BFF sometime soon, but if you go to my Instagram post HERE, you will get to see a picture of us running a 5k together a few yrs ago & a couple other pics of my daughter & her BFF’s.

(And remember this silly little song written by actor Zach Galifianakis, from the movie, The Hangover, (if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll understand the simplicity of the lyrics. Click here to view on YouTube)

We’re the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We’re the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have.

We’re the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
And We’ll Never ever ever ever
Leave Each Other.

We’re the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have
We’re the Three Best Friends
That Anyone Could Have…
(Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Zachary Knight Galifianakis
Three Best Friends lyrics © Warner Olive Music Llc.)

Now for the book: ‘The Best of Friends‘ by Lucinda Berry

An unthinkable tragedy forever changes a group of teens & turns family against family in this edge-of-your-seat thriller that begs to be read in one sitting.
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Best friends Lindsey, Kendra, & Dani endure every parent’s nightmare when a tragic accident befalls their teenage boys, leaving one dead, another in a coma, & a third too traumatized to speak. Reeling from the worst night of their lives, the 3 mothers plunge into a desperate investigation of the bizarre incident. How could something so horrible happen in their wealthy Southern California suburb?
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They soon discover that the accident was just the beginning, & troubling discoveries lead to chilling questions: Do they really know their children? Do they even know each other? As more secrets surface, a fog of doubt & suspicion threatens to poison their families, their friendships, & the whole community. With the illusion of happiness and safety long gone, these women must now confront the hazards of heartbreak, the consequences of jealousy, & the dangers of living double lives.
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‘The Best of Friends‘ relentlessly grabs you from the first pages & doesn’t let go! As a parent of 5, 2 of which are currently teenage boys, this book resonated w/ me & how as a mother, I would go to the end of the world, through hell & back, to protect my child, & if something bad happened to them, I would never give up on finding the truth behind the incident. This book is a heart-wrenching, compelling, thought-provoking domestic suspense, & I loved it! I can’t wait to check out other books by Berry soon!

Click HERE to add ‘The Best of Friends’ to your Goodreads lists.
Click HERE to visit Lucinda Berry’s website.
Click HERE to go to my Instagram post & give it a LIKE. (…please…& thank you!)

**And don’t forget to enter my 4-book thriller giveaway on Instagram that ends tomorrow night! Click HERE to go to that post now!

Dr. Lucinda Berry is a former clinical psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. Now, she spends her days writing full-time where she uses her clinical experience to blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche.

If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases, visit her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter at https://lucindaberryauthor.com/

Book Reviews · Family Drama · Fiction · WomensFiction

Book Review: ‘Only Human’ by Diane Chandler (pub 9/8)

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Thank you @blackbird_bks for my gifted copy of ‘Only Human‘ by Diane Chandler! (pub date 9/8)

QOTD: Do you like to try out new authors or do you stick to specific ones? Personally, I love discovering new authors & I am very glad to have been introduced to the writing talent of Diane Chandler.

Every betrayal has a consequence…One family…one summer…one woman…

Anna Bond is floundering. Tiger mom to tricky teen Sophie, now slipping through her fingers, & loyal wife to big sociable Ollie, whom she no longer trusts, what does she do next with her life? Once a confident career woman, after so many years at home & the school gate, Anna now finds her mind is chattering & her soul is searching – for what matters.

Then Jack walks into their lives. Sophie’s first boyfriend is a breath of fresh air for the whole family, & Anna gradually discovers new purpose for herself. But when deceit creeps in, tensions surface, & she finds herself propelled through a tangled web of secrets & lies towards a devastating climax.

This is my first book by Diane Chandler & it will not be my last. ‘Only Human‘ is a very profound, heartbreaking, poignant, beautifully told story about the human condition w/ vividly fleshed out characters that are realistically portrayed throughout the pages. It’s an all-consuming family drama that was truly hard to put down.

‘Only Human‘ is a very thought-provoking, well-written, relatable story about family dynamics that also has some humor woven in as well. I highly recommend this book, which is available now.

On another note, don’t forget to enter my current giveaway for 4 thriller arc’s on Instagram. Click HERE to go to the giveaway now. Ends on 9/29.

Click HERE to purchase ‘Only Human’ on Amazon.
Click HERE to give my Instagram post some LIKE love!
Click HERE to add ‘Only Human’ to your Goodreads list.

Diane was a political lobbyist in Brussels before then working at the European Commission in overseas aid for several years. Back in London, she joined the Ukraine and Africa desks at the Department for International Development (DFID). Her first novel, The Road to Donetsk, draws on her experiences in overseas aid. Her second, Moondance, on the emotional impact of fertility treatment. Her third novel, Only Human, is about a woman struggling to find new meaning in life after her husband cheats on her and her only daughter flies the nest. Diane co-runs Creative Writing Workshops London with Stephanie Zia of Blackbird Digital Books, and also coaches aspiring writers. She hosts www.Chiswickbuzz.net book club Words with Wine in W4.

Book Reviews · Fiction · Thriller · ThrillerThursday

Book Review: ‘For the Best’ by Vanessa Lillie

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Click HERE to give my IG post a LIKE!

It’s THRILLER THURSDAY! Thank you @vanessalillie for my gifted copy of ‘For the Best‘ by Vanessa Lillie! (pub 9/8)
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Suspected of a murder she can’t remember, a troubled woman takes an unusual approach to proving her innocence in this gripping thriller from the bestselling author of ‘Little Voices‘.
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When Jules Worthington-Smith’s wallet is found next to a dead man, she becomes the prime suspect in his murder. After struggling for years to build the perfect family & career, she’s dangerously close to losing everything. Sure of her innocence, Jules is desperate to clear her name. But there’s one big problem: she was blackout drunk when the murder took place & can’t remember what happened.

Unsatisfied with the police’s handling of the case, Jules embarks on her own gin-fueled murder investigation. As she uncovers fresh clues, she starts a true-crime vlog that becomes a viral sensation, pushing her into the public eye. It’s not long before the ordeal forces Jules to confront her demons, including her turbulent childhood & excessive drinking.
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The deeper Jules digs, the more dirt she uncovers about the murder & herself. Unexpected truths pile up until she’s buried so deep even finding the killer might not be enough to set her free.
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After having enjoyed Lillie’s debut novel, ‘Little Voices‘, I knew her sophomore thriller, ‘For the Best’ would be another slam dunk…& it was all that & more! ‘For the Best’ is an edge of your seat, nuanced, & thought-provoking domestic/psychological thriller that I flew through & absolutely LOVED! The book held me captive from page 1!
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Masterfully plotted, edgy, & tautly paced, ‘For the Best‘ is a suspense-filled thrill ride that keeps you guessing right up until the shocker of an ending! Get this on your TBR list & pre-order it today! While you’re at it, might I suggest adding ‘Little Voices’ to your cart, too, if you don’t already have it. It is equally amazing! ‘For the Best‘ comes out this Tues, 9/8.

Click HERE to add ‘For the Best‘ to your Goodreads.
Click HERE to add ‘Little Voices‘ to your Goodreads.
Click HERE to visit Vanessa Lillie on Instagram.
Click HERE to visit MomLovesReading on Instagram & give my post a LIKE.

‘Little Voices‘ (2019):
The voice in her head says he’s guilty. She knows he’s innocent.
Devon Burges is in the throes of a high-risk birth when she learns of her dear friend’s murder. The police quickly name another friend as the chief suspect, but Devon doesn’t buy it—and despite her difficult recovery, she decides to investigate.

Haunted by postpartum problems that manifest as a cruel voice in her head, Devon is barely getting by. Yet her instincts are still sharp, and she’s bent on proving her friend’s innocence.

But as Devon digs into the evidence, the voice in her head grows more insistent, the danger more intense. Each layer is darker, more disturbing, and she’s not sure she—or her baby—can survive what lies at the truth.

Vanessa Lillie is originally from Miami, Oklahoma, where she spent a lot of time investigating local ghost stories at the public library. After college, she worked in Washington, DC, until moving to Providence, Rhode Island, which she calls home with her husband and dinosaur-aficionado son. Smitten with the smallest state, she enjoys organizing book events and literary happenings around town.

BeachReads · Blog Tour · Book Reviews · Booksparks · Fiction

Book Tour and Review: ‘Barbarians at the PTA’

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Please click HERE to give my IG post a LIKE!

‘Desperate Housewives’ meets ‘Mean Girls’ was all I needed to hear to inspire me to read Stephanie Newman’s debut novel, ‘Barbarians at the PTA‘, about a mother-daughter duo facing cliques, cyberbullying, & snobs in a wealthy NYC suburb.

Victoria Bryant is starting over. After a rage-inducing scandal & the realization that her dreamy fiancé is faker than a faux Fendi purse, she moves her psychology practice & 10-yr-old daughter, Rachel, to Mayfair Close, an idyllic Westchester, NY, suburb known for its manicured lawns & excellent schools.

The transition is initially seamless; several PTA moms befriend Victoria, her already busy practice booms, & Rachel finds a group of friends. But before anyone can say “helicopter mom,” in walks Lee DeVry. Wealthy, glamorous & perfectly toned, the PTA president is everything Victoria is not.

Vic tries to fit in w/ Lee & the other SUV driving, athleisure-wearing mothers. At first, she manages to balance the demands of her practice, single parenthood, & her budding romance w/ Jim, a handsome school administrator. All seems well until Rachel is suddenly targeted, first by the girls at school, & then by an anonymous cyberbully. As Rachel spirals, becoming isolated, playing hooky, & exhibiting signs of depression & disordered eating, Victoria vows to find out who has been messing w/ her daughter.

After she learns a secret that will help her rescue her child, Vic faces the ultimate dilemma: should she expose the bully publicly, despite the potential consequences to her professional reputation & relationships w/ Rachel & Jim?

A witty, sharp, & hope-filled debut, ‘Barbarians at the PTA‘ will have you cheering for badass moms everywhere who go to the ends of the earth for their children—& will leave you wanting more from Dr. Stephanie Newman.

Having the insight & fortitude of a psychologist & mother, Newman nails it in this book w/ the all too realistic scenarios & heart-breaking challenges of being a parent to a child who is being bullied at school & online, not just by peers, but by over-involved, competitive mothers. One of my fave comedies is ‘Bad Moms‘ & this book compares to that movie, but on a more serious level, & balanced out w/ humor, twists & sass.

‘Barbarians at the PTA‘ makes a great summer (or back to school time) read & is available now. Look for it at your local indie stores today! And Thank You to Booksparks for inviting me on the virtual book tour & to Stephanie Newman & SkyHorse Publishing for the autographed copy of the the book!

BeachReads · Blog Tour · Book Reviews · Booksparks · Fiction · Romance · RomCom · WomensFiction

Online Book Tour for ‘Kiss My Cupcake’ by Helena Hunting

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Click HERE to give my IG post some LIKE love!

QOTD: Do you have a sweet tooth? (I totally do!) Well, have I got a book that will get your taste buds tingling & your heart swooning!

Thank you @booksparks & @readforeverpub for my gifted copy of Helena Hunting‘s latest rom-com, ‘Kiss My Cupcake‘! This book published on 8/11 by Forever Publishing.

*As two neighborhood shop owners battle for business, they prove opposites attract in this outrageously funny romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of ‘Meet Cute‘, ‘The Good Luck Charm‘ & over a dozen other novels.

Blaire Calloway has planned every Instagram-worthy moment of her cupcake & cocktails shop launch down to the tiniest detail. What she didn’t plan on? Ronan Knight & his old-school sports bar next door opening on the very same day. He may be super swoony, but Blaire hasn’t spent years obsessing over buttercream & bourbon to have him ruin her chance at success.

From axe throwing (his place) to frosting contests (hers), Blaire & Ronan are constantly trying to one-up each other in a battle to win new customers. But with every clash, there’s also an undeniable chemistry. When an even bigger threat to their business comes to town, they’re forced to call a temporary time-out on their own war & work together. And the more time Blaire spends getting to know the real Ronan, the more she wonders if it’s possible to have her cupcake & eat it too.

We actually have one of those axe throwing bars in the next town over & I am still dumbfounded by the very fact that axe throwing while consuming alcohol exists! Cupcakes & adult bev’s, on the other hand…now THAT I am down with!

I just received ‘Kiss My Cupcake‘ a couple days ago & I started reading it that same night! I will probably finish it later today, but so far I am LOVING it! It is hilarious, charming, sexy & very engaging! Hunting does such a great job of creating a sense of place, you can practically smell the buttercream frosting (& bourbon)! I can’t wait to get back to reading it this evening! (& the flavors of cupcakes Blaire whips up in the book will make you drool with confectionery delight!) ‘Meet Cute‘ is also a super engaging, romantic, fun read that I definitely recommend & I will be reading ‘The Good Luck Charm‘ soon, too!

‘Kiss My Cupcake‘ & Helena’s other books are available now. Look for it at your local indie bookstore today!
(PS: Did you know this Sat is National Independent Book Store Day? What better way to help them celebrate than to support your local (or an online) indie bookstore! You can use BookStoreLink to locate indie bookstores. (PS…Today is the last day to enter the Murderino Monday giveaway on Instagram. Click HERE to go to that post.)

Click HERE to read more about ‘Meet Cute”
Click HERE to read more about ‘The Good Luck Charm’

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think the best place to sleep is her keyboard. She writes all things romance — contemporary, romantic comedy, sports and angsty new adult. Helena loves to bake cupcakes, has been known to listen to a song on repeat 1512 times while writing a book, and if she has to be away from her family, prefers to be in warm weather with her friends.