BOOK REVIEW FOR - SEEKING MANSFIELD - BY KATE WATSON

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Sixteen-year-old Finley Price has perfected two things: how to direct a world-class production, and how to fly way, way under the radar. The only person who ever seems to notice Finley is her best friend, the Bertram's son Oliver. If she could just take Oliver's constant encouragement to heart and step out of the shadows, she'd finally chase her dream of joining the prestigious Mansfield Theater. 

When teen movie stars Emma and Harlan Crawford move next door to the Bertram's, they immediately set their sights on Oliver and his cunning sister, Juliette, shaking up Finley and Oliver's stable friendship. As Emma and Oliver grow closer, Harlan finds his attention shifting from Juliette to the quiet, enigmatic, and thoroughly unimpressed Finley. Out of boredom, Harlan decides to make her fall in love with him. Problem is, the harder he seeks to win her, the harder he falls for her. 

But Finley doesn't want to be won, and she doesn't want to see Oliver with anyone else. To claim Oliver's heart—and keep her own—she'll have to find the courage to do what she fears most: step into the spotlight.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Well, welcome to the writing world Ms. Watson!  Your debut novel is amazing, and has been a pleasure to read and review!  

Let's take a moment to visit the characters of this book.

Finely - has had a horribly hard life.  It started to look up when the Bertrams took her and her brother Liam in after their fathers death.  At first she is quiet and reserved, and only trusted the Bertram's son Oliver.

Liam - Finley's older brother who is on the search for a professional soccer team to play for.  He's kind, and compassionate.  He has a soft spot for his sister, and misses her terribly when he is gone.

Oliver - is yummy.  Right from the very beginning he is just yummy.  He cares for Finley like an over protective guard dog, but he is finding it harder and harder to fight his feelings for her.

Juliette - is Oliver's evil sister.  I don't think I have much more to say about her.  She's just evil.

Emma - teen movie star who moves in next door to the Bertram's.  Emma is not my favorite person.  She acts like a spoiled princess.  Of course she usually gets her way because she is famous.  She gets the "dislike" (in my eyes) because she has her eyes on Oliver.

Harlan - sounds like your typical teenage throb.  He's famous and he knows it.  He is known for all the shenanigans he puts on.  Let's just say Harlan is my least favorite person in this book.  He is a great guy to hate :).

Finley likes to be in the background.  She has only ever really trusted one person in her life and that is Oliver.  He constantly lifts her up, and watches over her.  Finley believes she might have feelings for Oliver other than friendship and then the Crawford's move in next door.  Ruining Finley's dreams of being with Oliver.

Oliver really likes Finely but doesn't quite know how to tell her.  Then a distraction in the name of Emma moves in next door to him, and he doesn't have to focus so much on Finley any more.  He is constantly concerned for her, but is able to put his feelings for her aside, as he seeks out a relationship with Emma.

Finley feels a little jaded over the whole thing, because now she is forced to spend more time with Harlan, who seems to always be around when Emma is around.  She loathes him.  She thinks he's superficial and arrogant.

Harlan decides he must win Finely over, and while doing so he volunteers to help her with her theater group, and volunteers for Oliver's passion called M.A.D.  While doing this Finley finds out there is more to Harlan than meets the eye.  Slowly he wiggles his way into her life, and Finely accepts him as he is. (which was a horrible idea...just FYI ;))

The relationships in this book are messed up :).  In a way you cannot put the book down because it's like a train wreck, you just cannot turn away.

I love the writing in this book.  I love the setting, and the characters.  They come to life with Watson's words.  You feel their joys and their pains.  It was like watching a movie while reading the book.  Fantastic.

There are so many wonderful things in this book.  Life lessons, acquired love and finding healing in the most unlikely places.  

This book was written by a good friend of one of my nieces.  I have been following her journey to see her dream come to life in this published novel.  If you like love stories, with amazing characters and writing, you will love this book.  Watson is a very talented writer and it has been fun to see her dreams become a reality.

Source:  I bought this book for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

Content:  Clean and fantastic

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AMAZING AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Kate Watson is a young adult writer, wife, mother of two, and the tenth of thirteen children. Originally from Canada, she attended college in the States and holds a BA in Philosophy from Brigham Young University. A lover of travel, speaking in accents, and experiencing new cultures, she has studied in Israel and lived in Brazil, the American South, and now calls Arizona home. 

Her first novel, SEEKING MANSFIELD, debuts in Spring 2017, with the companion novel to follow in 2018. She is also a contributor to Eric Smith's Welcome Home adoption anthology coming in 2017.

BLOG REVIEW / TOUR FOR - EVEN THIS - BY EMILY BELLE FREEMAN

Welcome to my stop on this blog tour!

pic and description taken from shadowmountain.com

DESCRIPTION:

Even This invites readers to make room for daily personal experiences with God. From the very first page readers will walk down a spiritual path meant to remind each of us that God will meet us in the unexpected, bringing His goodness, giving us cause to trust, reminding us of His capacity. Filled with deeply personal stories about holding onto belief, daring to trust, and longing for understanding, Even This chronicles one woman’s quest to find God in the everyday moments-with one of the most powerful experiences taking place as she searches for sea shells while walking on the beach-and provides many opportunities for individual introspection.

“Yes, God is good and He can be trusted,” Freeman concludes, “and it is the daily discovery of these truths that has the potential to become the greatest journey of a life and lead us closer to Him.”



Ultimately, the author hopes Even This will encourage and motivate readers to:

• Stop letting fear dictate the depth of your belief through simple daily reflections that will restore your confidence in God.
• Let go of your need to control by discovering what is holding you back from being completely vulnerable in your relationship with God.
• Diminish the power of doubt by coming to understand why the place of deepest asking is where the believing begins.
• Learn how to trust that God may have something entirely different in mind than you could ever anticipate–something better.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

First off, look at the beauty of this cover.  It's just magical to me.  Second, this is a religious book written by and LDS Author.  Having said this, I think this book would be good for anyone who is trying to find a way to trust God.

When I was asked to review this I was excited.  I have to admit when I got the book in the mail, I was a little sad because I thought it was going to be a self-help book.  I don't like self-help books because they always feel like they are written for me and what I am doing wrong ;).

I am happy to say that this book did not feel like a self-help book at all.  It was written by a wife and mother who has faced her own struggles in life and questions "Why" and "Where is God".  We journey with this mother and the way she finds how to trust God, and his timing.

So many things in this book I feel were written just for me, but in a good way.  I think that no matter what religion you are it is important to find a relationship with God.  Whatever that may look like to you as an individual.  Sharing the same religion as the author though it did add a little more insight to things I can do to increase my faith and trust in God.

This book is beautifully written, and never made me feel as though I was doing something wrong.  Quite the opposite.  It helped me to see that another person has gone through hard times in her life and has also questioned "why" things are happening.  It helped me understand that God answers prayers on his own time, and not ours.  It was just beautiful.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a tour in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

for allowing me to be part of this tour!

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

      

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from shadowmountain.com

EMILY BELLE FREEMAN is a coach’s wife, a mother to four children and a few others who have found refuge in her home, author of several bestselling books, and sought-after inspirational speaker. Her days are spent watching over teenagers, her flock of pampered chickens, and a rabbit that she adores. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. For a few minutes every day Emily forgets about the laundry, leaves the dishes in the sink, and writes. She coauthors a blog that is a stopping place for hearts seeking all that is good.

BLOG TOUR / REVIEW FOR - ALL THAT MAKES LIFE BRIGHT - BY JOSI S. KILPACK

Welcome to my stop on this awesome Tour!  I  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Proper Romance Books so, so much.  They are really my favorite.

pic and description taken from Shadowmountain.com

DESCRIPTION:

When Harriet Beecher marries Calvin Stowe on January 6, 1836, she is sure her future will be filled romance, eventually a family, and continued opportunities to develop as a writer. Her husband Calvin is completely supportive and said she must be a literary woman. Harriet’s sister, Catharine, worries she will lose her identity in marriage, but she is determined to preserve her independent spirit. Deeply religious, she strongly believes God has called her to fulfill the roles of wife and writer and will help her accomplish everything she was born to do.



Two months after her wedding Harriet discovers she is pregnant just as Calvin prepares to leave for a European business trip. Alone, Harriet is overwhelmed-being a wife has been harder than she thought and being an expectant mother feels like living another woman’s life. Knowing that part of Calvin still cherishes the memory of his first wife, Harriet begins to question her place in her husband’s heart and yearns for his return; his letters are no substitute for having him home. When Calvin returns, however, nothing seems to have turned out as planned.



Struggling to balance the demands of motherhood with her passion for writing and her desire to be a part of the social change in Ohio, Harriet works to build a life with her beloved Calvin despite differing temperaments and expectations.



Can their love endure, especially after “I do”? Can she recapture the first blush of new love and find the true beauty in her marriage?

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have so much love for the Proper Romance books, and this one is no exception.  Kilpack's writing makes me want to weep....in a good way.  She just grabs you right from the beginning, and brings you into the world of the books she writes.  The writing is beautiful.  The historical setting is awesome.  I just don't think I can say enough good things about this book.

I like that Kilpack has taken on writing about Historical Figures in a few of her novels, it just brings them to life for me.  This book especially.  I am embarrassed to admit this, but I didn't know anything about Harriet Beecher Stowe.  I have heard of her books, but I guess I just never connected the author to the person.  Does that make sense?

This book brought this amazing character right to my front room, while she lived her life in my head.  Harriet, is a talented and intellectual woman.  When she starts dating Calvin, he admits that her intellect is what endeared her to him.  Harriet found herself moving on to the world of being a wife.  She thought this would just make everything in her life just "that much" better.  

Harriet's sister Catherine did not see it that way.  She thought Harriet was wasting her life getting married just to be "ruled" by a man.  Catherine believed teaching and writing were what Harriet's true calling in life.

I could never have lived in these times when women seem to just be door mats.  I appreciated the fact that when Harriet first got married she didn't fall under the "typical" wife during that time.  Although she found herself struggling to meet the "requirements" of being a wife, and now, after only being married a few short months, a new mom.

As I journeyed with Harriet and her struggles, and triumphs I felt as though I was living her life.  That is how good Kilpack's writing is for me.  I felt her pain as she struggled to fulfill her duties to be a wife, writer, artist, and mother.  I felt her triumphs.  I felt her sadness.  

Harriet and Calvin's marriage is not an easy one, but it is one that is worth reading about.  I have to admit at the beginning I really disliked Calvin, but as the book goes on, I came to realize what a really wonderful man he was.  It just took him some time to figure it out as well.

If you like historical romances with historical figures :)....you will love this book.  Kilpack is an amazing writer.  Her stories play out as movies while I read them.  I yell, cry, and walk away with frustration at times, because that is how "real" her characters become to me.  Such a great book.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a blog tour.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO:

for allowing me to be part of this amazing tour.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

      

ABOUT THE AMAZING AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from shadowmountain.com

Josi S. Kilpack began her first novel in 1998. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Mystery/Suspense. Rocky Road is Josi’s nineteenth novel and the tenth book in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery Series. Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her husband and children. 

BLOG TOUR / REVIEW FOR - MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE - BY CHAD MORRIS AND SHELLY BROWN

Welcome to my stop for this sweet book!!

pic and description taken from shadowmountain.com

DESCRIPTION:

Based on a true story.

Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She’s been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it’s curled against her chest and she’s constantly tripping over her feet. But that’s probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right?

When Maddie’s arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She’s understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears–all of them–at the hospital, at home and at school.

She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie’s bossiness turns into bullying.  And as Maddie’s surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don’t get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her?

It will take all of Maddie’s vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her.”

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

Get your tissues ready, because you are going to need them for this sweet book.  This book is told from Maddie's POV, and Maddie is only 12.  It's so sweet and innocent, that it brought more tears to my eyes.

Maddie is in 6th grade and is trying to fit in with everyone.  Like every sixth grader.  The class Queen is Cassie.  Cassie decides each day who gets to "walk" with her and be part of her group each day.  Maddie wants to be included so bad.

Maddie places a mustache on  her face as they are walking out to recesses and gets a laugh from all the girls, and in so doing wins a place at Cassie's side during that recess.  Lexi however is not quite so lucky.  Everyone gets picked except her.  Maddie in her mind thinks that is a bad idea, but is too afraid to stand up to Cassie and tell her that Lexi should be invited as well.

Cassie decides who can try out for what part in their plays coming up.  When turning in the papers, Maddie changes her at the last minute.  

In the mean time, Maddie's arm is acting up again.  Her fingers like to curl and her arm likes to hang in a funny position.  Her parents are concerned and call the Dr to get her in as soon as possible.

This is when Maddie's life changes forever.  Going through this journey with Maddie is both delightful, and heart wrenching.  This sweet little girl is faced with some devastating news, and yet she still tries to make every one else happy.  All that is except Cassie.  Well, she tries, but Cassie thinks that Maddie has made up her illness just to get attention.

There is a part in this book where Maddie writes a letter to her parents, and all the feels come out.  I thought I was doing well, until the letter.  Looking at Maddie's illness through her eyes, is well, eye opening.  She is scared of course but more than anything she wants everyone to know that she loves them.

I was blown away by how sweet this little girl is.  How brave she is, and how compassionate she is.  I don't know many 12 yr olds who would be worrying about others when going through what she is going through.  Maddie is a shining light in the world.   

Maddie's kindness has spread further than she can imagine.  When she sees how the world and her classmates have responded her heart is touch and she decides that even people like Cassie need to know they are cared for.

I need to take a page from Maddie's book and focus on being more caring and compassionate to others.  Especially those that I don't feel deserve it.  It's not up to me to decide.  I wish I had the innocence of this sweet 12 yr old girl.  She makes me want to be a better person.

Pick this one up!  I promise you won't regret it.  Maybe read it with your kids or as a family.  It is based on a true story, which makes it even more poignant.  It touches your heart strings, and makes you weep for the sweetness, and compassion Maddie has.  The world needs more Maddie's in it.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a tour in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

This one deserves the +1!!!

A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

for the opportunity to be part of this sweet blog tour!

WHERE TO PRE-ORDER:

Releases October 3, 2017

      

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

pics and bios taken from shadowmountain.com

Chad Morris would love to be able to control animal avatars, see history in 3D, and show everyone how he imagines stories. Since the inventions that would make that possible currently exist only in his imagination, he settles for reading, writing, playing basketball, rappelling down an occasional slot canyon, dating his wife, and hanging out with his five awesome kids. Chad speaks Portuguese, can play the Phineas and Ferb theme song on the guitar, and does decent impressions of a velociraptor and Voldemort—but not at the same time. He isn’t very good at fixing his car, shopping for anything, cooking, or growing hair.

Shelly has always loved children and books so when she started writing, it seemed natural to write books for children. In her spare time, she loves the theater and traveling. She is also one of the worst tap dancers you will ever meet, but she does it anyway. In addition to her five children, she has three chickens and sixty-four Pez dispensers.

MINI CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FOR - IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN.....THE MAYAN EMPIRE - BY CAROLE P. ROMAN

pic and description taken from amazon.com

DESCRIPTION:

Join Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in the first four books of her new series. Learn what kind of food you might eat in Ancient Greece, the clothes you wore in 15th century Renaissance Italy, what your name could be in Viking Europe, and what children who lived during the Han Dynasty did for fun. If You Were Me and Lived in...does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture. So get on-board this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have loved reviewing these books for Roman!  I enjoy learning about new places myself.  This one however, I liked to learn about it, but am so thankful I didn't live during this time.

These are such fun books for kids.  They explore different cultures.  They get to learn the terms that were used during that time, the writing, and customs, all such great things for children to be exposed to.

I was a little horrified in this book with some of the practises that the Mayans had...shaping babies heads.....it was definitely one of the more interesting books I have read of Roman's.  

I love being exposed to new things, and this children's book taught me a lot of new things.  If you have little people around you these are great books to add to your collections.

Source:  I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.  I have not been compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born."Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. "Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience" Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca's Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series. This year, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis was named to Kirkus Best 2015. The entire cultural non-fiction series If You Were Me and Lived in... was named Best Series by Shelf Unbound. She has begun work on two new series that will be released in early 2016.

Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be. 
Her new non fiction series, "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico" has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca's Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and lived in ...France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in...France for best in children's non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year.
Carole was recently featured in a two part article on Forbes.com where her book, Navigating Indieworld was discussed along with her self-publishing success. 
Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - ONE OF US IS LYING - BY KAREN M. MCMANUS

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he’d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who’s still on the loose?

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I saw that this book was compared to THE BREAKFAST CLUB...so I had to buy it.  That is probably one of my favorite movies when I was younger...much younger.  There are always this group of people at school.  Thankfully I didn't believe in cliques then and don't till this day.  Everyone needs to include everyone in my opinion.  

I cannot give anything away so I am just going to talk about each character a little.  I loved each and every one....or loved to hate them!

Bronwyn:  First of all, what a unique name.  I really liked it.  She is the "princess" of the group.  She is bound for an IV League school.  At first she is just like Molly Ringwald's character in THE BREAKFAST CLUB.  Snotty, stuck up, and looks down on everyone.  No one likes a " spoiled princess"!  I think she turns out to be one of my favorite characters.  They all have something special, but she ended up being one of my favorites.

Addy:  is also a lot like Molly Ringwald's character.  She is beautiful, and has always had a boyfriend.  She is dating the most popular boy in school.  Which makes her cool..Apparently.  She is a doormat.  I don't know what else to say about her other than that.  Read and you will understand what I mean.  She plays a great one though :).

Nate:  Is the criminal.  So naturally, the most alluring character right?  I think so.  Nate is by far my favorite character.  This kid has had a tough life.  He hasn't made the best choices.  No one wants to associate with him.  He just comes off at a jerk.  Let me tell you though....this boy is my favorite.  Some don't like him, but I ended up loving him.  

Cooper:  The athlete.  Okay, Cooper is another favorite :).  Not as much as Bronwyn or Nate, but pretty close.  He is the ultimate pitcher for their baseball team.  He has talent scouts coming out to watch him all the time.  He has offers coming in from several colleges.  What's not to like about him.  Right?   This boy's dad is a horrible human.  When you read you will understand what I mean.  Cooper has a lot of things to figure out.....but when he does, he just shines.  He's so cute.

and then there is......

Simon:  He is an outcast.  There is a VERY good reason why he is the outcast.  When I say everyone should involve everyone, this kid is the perfect example of what happens when someone is not included.  He is a great character to hate.  I loved hating him....oh, this boy.  Naughty, Naughty, Naughty.

It's killing me not to say what I want to say, but even the slightest thing might give it away.  This was such a good book.  I loved the different narrators, and the different POV's.  I devoured this audio book.  I loved every minute of it.  

I have always told my kids that lies always come back to bite you in the butt.  Someone ALWAYS finds out!

Source:  I bought this book for myself on Audible.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book

Content: Drugs, dealing, sex, but too descriptive, and kissing.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from her website here

As a kid I used to write books when I was supposed to be playing outside, and not much has changed. I'm a marketing and communications professional who also writes Young Adult contemporary and fantasy fiction in Cambridge, MA.

When not writing or working I love to travel, and along with my nine-year old son I've ridden horses in Colombia and bicycles through Paris. A member of SCBWI, I hold a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Which I have never, ever used professionally.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - EVERY DARK CORNER - BY KAREN ROSE

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Every Dark Corner is the nail-biting new thriller from Sunday Times bestseller Karen Rose, and Book 3 in the Cincinnati series, following on from Closer Than You Think and Alone in the Dark.

When FBI Special Agent Griffin "Decker" Davenport wakes from his coma, he is desperate to find the missing children he knows are in danger. At the end of his last investigation, when he thought it was all over and justice had been served, he discovered that not everyone had been rescued, but he was shot before he was able to tell anyone.

Special Agent Kate Coppola has recently moved to Cincinnati. She says she's chasing a promotion but she's actually running away from heartache. She's found the recordings from Decker's time undercover and has been at his side in the hospital while she tries to put together the pieces of the crime he was investigating—and what connection it has to his own mysterious past.

When someone tries to kill Decker in his hospital bed, he and Kate realizes that the children are not the only ones whose lives are threatened, and that they must stop at nothing to hunt down the perpetrators. And danger is waiting in every dark corner.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

** might be spoilers if you haven't read the first two **

I have loved every book in this series.  They are so awesome and the narrator is becoming a favorite of mine.  

In book three we get to revisit all of my favorite characters from the previous books, but get introduced to a new fabulous character.  Special Agent Kate Coppola.

Kate has recently moved to Cincinnati and is on her first case.  Which happens to be Special Agent Decker's case also, or is connected....HOW????

Kate shoots Decker thinking he is someone else, and in so doing puts him in a coma.  While she sits by his bed after finding recordings from his undercover work, she finds that she is fascinated with this man who she has never spoken to.  She wants him to wake up so he can make sense of what is going on in the recordings.  Decker in his comatose state can hear Kate and feel her touch and it only gets steamier from there :).

While Kate is away someone tried to kill Decker in his hospital bed.  This makes Kate realize that there is more to her case than meets the eye and Decker might have the answers.

Decker is moved to a safe house where Kate also stays until she can move into her apartment.  Convenient?  I say YES :).

Decker and Kate grow closer and closer as they work on their case together.  Kate finds out that there is more to the investigation than she previously thought.  There are children in danger, videos being made, nurses, students and drug addicts are dropping like flies. 

Finding how they connect to each other is difficult enough, without their lives being in danger also. 

I could not put my ear buds away on this one.  I have loved Rose's writing.  Her world and character building.  I love how her writing pulls me in from the first sentence to the last sentence.  I love how she surprises me around every corner in this book.  Thanks Karen Rose for the Cincinnati thrillers.  They were amazing!

Content:  Language, and very descriptive sex scenes - I would consider it a very Adult book

Source:  I bought this book on Audible for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for my review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

bio and pic taken from Goodreads

Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.

Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!

Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.