
Happy Tuesday, friends!I have a new roundup of books for you. I’m still sharing reviews of books I read during April quarantine, along with a newer title. Lately, I’ve been immersed in a single series (Harry Dresden), but we’ll chat about that in the weeks to come. 🙂
In the meantime, I hope one of these fabulous novels tickles your reading fancy.
The Accident
by Natalie Barelli
I believe I’ve found a new auto-buy author, if the rest of Natalie Barelli’s work is anything like The Accident. Katherine is a shining star on a fast-track career, plus a single mom with a teenage daughter. She becomes friends with Eve, who worms her way into Katherine’s life and her place of employment. When the two have a girls’ night out, Katherine wants to call an Uber, knowing she’s had too much to drink. Eve talks her into driving, pointing out the roads will be deserted. Halfway home, Katherine strikes a pedestrian on a lonely road. Eve convinces her they need to get back in the car and take off. It’s a decision that will become a nightmare for Katherine as her life spirals out of control. But as each day passes and she wrestles with what happened, she realizes Eve is not at all the person she originally thought.
The book gets very twisty very quickly. I blew through it in two sittings, glued to the pages. It’s fast-paced, does require a stretch of credibility in a few places, but is pure popcorn enjoyment. Part soap-opera, part Lifetime movie, it sucks you in quickly and doesn’t let go until the thoroughly satisfying ending. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this is an excellent read. I’m already scouting out more books by this author.
5 Stars
Amazon Link
Genre: Psychological Fiction > Women’s Psychological Fiction
Wall of Silence
by Tracy Buchanan
Wall of Silence presents an interesting mystery and an interesting concept. Melissa Byatt has an ideal life with three wonderful children and a popular husband who is running for a local office. She lives in an upscale “forest” community, with neighbors who look out for one another. Her childhood was less than ideal, but she’s risen above it and has so much for which she’s grateful.
One day she comes home from a bike ride to find her husband stabbed, her three children clustered around him with the knife. It quickly becomes apparent one of them is responsible, but which one and why? When the police arrive, Melissa decides to protect her children at all cost. With her husband, Patrick, in a coma waffling between life and death, Melissa must unravel what happened to so drastically alter her perfect family.
As the book progresses, the reader gains insight not only to the Melissa’s children, her in-laws, and her childhood, but also the neighbors in the community of Forest Grove. A neighborhood Facebook group is used for back and forth chit-chat (and gossip) to advance the story, which I thought was a brilliant and intriguing move by the author. Slowly, old secrets, suspicions and grudges come to light, and many are not who they seem at first glance.
There were times I was thoroughly aggravated by Melissa’s behavior, and the behavior of her children, much of which contributed to the slow build of the story. This is not a book that moves at a fast clip but a mystery that falls into place bits and pieces at a time. The tension is constant and there is always some new nugget of information to keep the reader flipping pages. I found this an intriguing mystery and would definitely read more by this author in the future.
5 Stars
Amazon Link
Genre: British and Irish Literary Fiction > Psychological Fiction
Bad Habits
by Judi Lynn
There is a lot of heart in this story. To be sure, there is mystery too—murder, drugs, a crime to solve—but the characters themselves bring an entirely different dimension. Lux hasn’t had a great upbringing or childhood, but she’s independently wealthy. She finds the loving environment she lacked with her own parents with her best friend Gabbie’s family, including Gabbie’s brothers. She’s especially drawn to Keon, a chef, and soon realizes what she feels surpasses simple fondness.
As Keon and Lux grow closer, they find themselves caught up in a web of trouble revolving around Keon’s brother, Tyson. The cast of characters is large, but there are many standouts, including Pete, a cop who’s attracted to Gabbie. I also liked Ian, who found himself in difficult situations even as he tried to do the right thing, and his sister, Shelly—a fifteen-year-old learning the value of self-worth over game-playing and manipulation.
The mystery ties together neatly at the end, but it is the warmth among the characters that brought me a special smile when I finished the story. I also have to mention that I really loved the addition of Lux’s yellow Bentley as a cute aside. Although this story is complete, the book has all the earmarks of an engaging series. A pleasure to read.
5 Stars
Amazon Link
Genre: Amateur Sleuths > Women Sleuths
Although I did a minimal amount of writing during shelter-in-place months, books were my friend. I still have a few more to share before I catch up to the present. You just can’t go wrong with books. Here’s hoping you’ve had a few entraining tales to distract yourself as well! 🙂
These look like some great reads. I always love it when I find an auto-buy author. Thanks for sharing, Mae 😊
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I have a feeling I’m going to be reading a lot by Natalie Barelli, Harmony. The book was that good.
Erm, that’s assuming I every get caught up with a certain urban wizard 😉
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These all sound so intriguing, Mae! Have to admit my mouth dropped open at the description of the second book when the children were standing over the body of their dad with a knife – wow.
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That was my reaction when I read the blurb, Teri. I just had to read it. Very different. And I loved how the author used the back and forth in a Facebook chat group to forward the story.
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Three wonderful-sounding reads but The Accident really caught my eye – a twisty turner psychological thriller – nothing’s better ❤️. Great reviews, Mae!
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The Accident had been on my radar for a while, Tessa. Now the author is going to be on my radar for everything she writes. It was an awesome read!
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The Bad Habits cover made me chuckle.:-) Hitting a pedestrian would be AWFUL!
Yay for three 5-star reads!
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Isn’t that a great cover for Bad Habits? It definitely draws the eye. 🙂
I’ve been so fortunate with 5-star reads lately. There was only one book during my shelter-in-place reading that I thought didn’t deliver. And now I’m on Harry Dresden which is all 5 stars, LOL!
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I just bought The Accident. These all sound great. I’ve read books by Judi Lynn before. I might grab the other two after reading The Accident.
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Oooh, Lauralynn, I think you’re really going to enjoy The Accident. And it reads so fast. I’m definitely a new fan of the author.
And Judi Lynn always delivers a great story. Her newest is no different. Happy reading! It’s great to see you. Hope all is well 🙂
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I read The Accident, and OH MY STARS! It was SO good. I couldn’t put it down! I immediately grabbed another of her books.
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Wasn’t it awesome? I am thoroughly hooked on her work. I took a detour with the Harry Dresden urban fantasy series, but I am so looking forward to reading more of her books. I can’t wait to purchase more. I’m so glad you enjoyed The Accident. I thought it was exceptional!
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Sounds like you’ve found some more winners.
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I’ve been so lucky with my selections lately. I love when that happens!
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Thanks for your review of BAD HABITS. I’ve never read Harry Dresden, but you’re the third person I know who’s stuck on the series. I’m going to have to check it out.
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Bad Habits was another entertaining read, Judi, but then everything you write is always a pleasure to read.
As for Harry Dresden, I can’t recommend the books highly enough—especially if you enjoy urban fantasy, Butcher wrote the first one at 21 for a college writing course, and each one just gets better and better as his writing matured. I’m seriously smitten/hooked/engrossed/besotted! 😀
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5 stars for all three! I wonder how do you choose such promising books Mae! Thanks for sharing.
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I’ve been really fortunate in my choices, Balroop. Covers and blurbs draw me (as do certain authors), and lately I’ve been really fortunate with those choices. Thanks for reading!
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“The Accident” really drew my attention, as I actually knew someone a similar scenario happened to. It totally destroyed her life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these books, Mae!!
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Oh, Jan, that is so dreadful about the person you knew. Just thinking about that scenario is upsetting. The book was fantastic, but it’s frightening to think that it could happen.
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So many books – so little time. I want to read all these – Thanks for keeping my TBR list full!
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HI, Beck! I know what you mean about reading, and having so little time. Like you, my TBR is out of control. Yet I keep adding to it regularly. It’s a disease, LOL!
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Wall of silence sounds very different, Mae. I am already thinking how could that happen? What would I do in that situation. Thanks for sharing your reviews.
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The dilemma faced by the mother (and the children) in Wall of Silence was well presented, Robbie. The story raised a lot of questions and made me think what I would do in a similar situation. An excellent read.
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Great reviews of all three books, Mae. The Accident reminds me of a friend’s case involved in a motorcycle rider she killed not to her fault. Wall of Silence, OMG, what a tragic story. Now I want to find out if her husband would come around from his coma. Bad Habits seems to have a satisfying ending. Thank you for sharing, Mae. Have a great week!
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Hi, Miriam. That is so sad and scary about your friend. I think that’s what makes The Accident so engrossing and disturbing at the same time–it’s easy to imagine it happening.
Wall of Silence was also disturbing and engrossing, and Bad Habits was a wonderful read. I enjoyed all three immensely.
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Good books and good recommendations, Mae.
Yes, It has been a couple years and has not resolved yet. The parents of the deceased asked for lots of money, in millions. My friend’s attorney keeps filing for continuance, hoping to drag long enough that they would settle for a reasonable amount. After all, their son was speeding. It’s just that he got killed.
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So scary and so sad, Miriam. I hope it all works out.
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Thank you so much, Mae, for your beautiful review of my poetry book and posting it on Amazon and BookBub. I appreciated every word you said in your review. ❤
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My pleasure, Miriam. I’ll be sharing my review on my blog in the next few weeks. I’m still catching up posting reviews. Your book was inspirational!
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Thank you again, Mae! I don’t know if I’ll have a review this week. I’m trying to catch up also. I may post review every two weeks or once a month with reviews like what you and some authors do. Thank you for your insightful words in the review. I appreciated that. Look forward to your post!
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All great reviews, Mae. Wall of Silence has me intrigued, but they all sound good.
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Thanks for checking out the reviews, Denise. Wall of Silence was very different and kept me flipping pages. I recommend all three 🙂
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Super reviews, Mae. Thank you..
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Thanks for reading, John. I enjoy sharing these.
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It shows.
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🙂
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I really like the sound of The Accident. Your love of this one really shone through 🙂
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It was riveting, Jess. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
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Great selection (again), Mae.
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Thanks, Staci. They were all enjoyable.
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Fantastic and intriguing selection, Mae! Like you, I’m somewhat “otherwise engaged” at the moment, plowing through the 15 Dresden Files books as we await the release of #16. But I can see my TBR pile is NOT going to stop growing while I’m following my favorite wizard around. 😀 Thanks for the super reviews! Taking note, for sure. 🙂
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Dresdenphiles Unite! Where have I heard that before, LOL?
Like you, I am currently knee deep in the Dresden series, but I keep buying books and adding to my TBR or saving to my wish lit. Once I finish with Harry, I’m going to have a lot of catching up to do. Glad a few of these caught your interest 🙂
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😀 😀 😀 You know what would be funny? What if Preston & Child release a new book at the same time as Peace Talks?? 😯 Our heads might explode!! 😀
And yep. The old TBR just keeps on a-growin’!! 😀
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But it would be a deliriously happy explosion! 😀
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Good list, Mae. The cover for Bad Habits–that sure says a lot! It looks quite interesting.
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Judi wrote a great story, Jacqui. That cover is a gem to be sure!
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All three sound great! A hit and run, drug smuggling, and attempted murder- another story idea for me! 🙂
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Heehee, Glad you found a few to intrigue you, along with inspiration along the way, Jacquie!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mae. By the way, I love the kitten in your post header.
I loved the short lived Dresden Files TV series. At the time I didn’t know about the books. I’ve bought the first one now — just trying to find time to read it. So, I’m looking forward to your thoughts on that series. Hugs on the wing.
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Books and kittens/cats, Teagan. What an awesome combo 🙂
I never saw the Dresden series but I got the impression the actor didn’t really fir the character as described in the books. I’m going to have to look it up.
And that’s fab you picked up the first book in the series. Jim Buchter wrote it when he was 21 for a college writing course. Every book I the series just gets better and better. And I fully understand about trying to find the time to fit it into your TBR. I lament mine every day, LOL, {{Hugs}}
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The Accident sounds like a great pick, Mae. I haven’t read any of the Dresden Files (just waiting for the series to finish before I start) but I’ve read tons of great press about that one. I’m looking forward to your thoughts. Happy Reading!
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The Accident was superb, Diana. I’ll definitely be reading more from that author.
As for Dresden, the hope is that it will continue to be ongoing with no end currently in site. I just finished book 7 last night and was blown away. WOW!! No wonder the series has such a huge following!
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I just love binge-reading, so I’m waiting. Good to hear it’s awesome though.
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Wonderful reviews to share, Mae! I’m intrigued by all. Thanks a bunch. Happy Friday! 🙂
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Happy Friday, Natalie. I thoroughly enjoyed all of these books. Thanks for checking out the reviews!
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Sounds like some great books to look into. Thanks for sharing with us, Mae!
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My pleasure, Mark. Thanks for checking them out!
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Great reviews, Mae. Thank you for sharing some of your reading pleasures.
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My pleasure. Thank you for visiting, Gwen. Hope all is well with you!
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These all look great especially the first one.
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I enjoyed them all, Kim. And The Accident was amazing!
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