THE PERFECT MOTHER by Aimee Molloy

May 23, 2018

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From the publisher:

THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE SUMMER—SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING SCANDAL’S KERRY WASHINGTON

An addictive psychological thriller about a group of women whose lives become unexpectedly connected when one of their newborns goes missing.

A night out. A few hours of fun. That’s all it was meant to be.

They call themselves the May Mothers—a group of new moms whose babies were born in the same month. Twice a week, they get together in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park for some much-needed adult time.

When the women go out for drinks at the hip neighborhood bar, they want a fun break from their daily routine. But on this hot Fourth of July night, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is taken from his crib. Winnie, a single mom, was reluctant to leave six-week-old Midas with a babysitter, but her fellow May Mothers insisted everything would be fine. Now he is missing. What follows is a heart-pounding race to find Midas, during which secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are destroyed.

This is one of the latest psychological thrillers with an unreliable narrator; in this case, there are several. Plus there’s a missing baby and the setting is Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and my son lives right near there and spends many weekends in that park. So I was hooked.

But….I had a hard time following all the characters and I found it very slow. I know I’m in trouble with a book when I keep putting it down and looking for something else to read. It took me a week to read this, and I read 5 or 6 other books during that time. I was determined to finish it – Kerry Washington, after all, and Brooklyn, and a missing baby for heaven’s sake. But no, this was just not my favorite.

Any time there is a baby missing, that automatically ups the suspense, at least for me. But here it didn’t work, it just got lost (no pun intended!) as the story wanders off too many times. I much prefer a tighter book. There is a trope with these kinds of thrillers where the main incident is brought back time after time with a bit more information given after each revisit, and I have seen that done to great effect many times. Here, it just felt slow and repetitive.  I also didn’t understand why each chapter started with an email of parenting tips; I found it distracting (was that why?) and ultimately pointless.

All in all, not a great read for me. But if you like mommy books like those from Liane Moriarty (which I loved), or unreliable narrators, The Perfect Mother may be the perfect book for you.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE PERFECT MOTHER by Aimee Molloy. William Morrow; 1st Edition edition (January 2, 2018). ISBN 978-0062678416. 448p.

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FIELD OF VALOR by Matthew Betley

May 22, 2018

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Logan West Thrillers Series, Book 3

This is an exciting, action packed novel featuring Logan West and his deadly task force. While it is based on some facts from a previously written book about a world wide plot to take down the U.S. government and pit America against China, it can be read in one gulp. The plot is the same as other Matthew Betley books with West and his task force. A huge amount of military style action and danger filled sequences set on a stage in the U.S. itself. The area is near Washington D.C., i.e., Virginia, Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. The enemy is a gigantic, extremely well funded international organization with the means to rival many first world countries.

Leadership of this titanic organization runs to the very top of the U.S. government with the means to learn secrets only held by a few.

Betley does include some humanizing facts about the warriors comprising West’s task force. Two of the members are in the starting stages of a romance with the girl as much of a fighter as her boy friend. Logan himself is married with his wife aware of the dangers he faces and worried about him for that. The book is a fast read, as indicated as much action as can possibly be crammed into it’s pages, and certainly a draw for those books featuring Logan and his task force coming out in the future.

5/18 Paul Lane

FIELD OF VALOR by Matthew Betley. Atria/Emily Bestler Books (May 22, 2018).  ISBN 978-1501161988. 400p.

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SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE by Susan Wiggs

May 21, 2018

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The Lakeshore Chronicles, Book 4

The fourth entry into this terrific series centers around two minor characters that appeared in previous books – Greg’s ex-wife Sophie Bellamy and veterinarian Noah Shepherd.

Greg has had custody of their kids since the divorce, but once teenage daughter Daisy had a baby, she moved out despite being such a young, single mother. But their younger son still lives with Greg, and Daisy lives nearby.

Meanwhile Sophie, an international attorney, has been working on a two year long intense case at The Hague. When the case finally is resolved, there is a party to celebrate but the party is cut short by terrorists and she is kidnapped. Surviving such a horrific incident really puts her life in perspective for her and she decides her life isn’t worthwhile without her kids. So she surprises everyone when she moves into the small town in the Catskills.

On moving day, it is snowing and once she gets to town it basically turns into a blizzard and her car gets stuck in a ditch. Veterinarian Noah Shepherd rescues her but she pretty much has to stay with him as there is no safe way for her to get to her new home. Luckily, he seems like the nice guy he really is and she’s not too uncomfortable staying with a stranger until the storm lets up. And that is the meet-cute.

There is definite chemistry going on with Noah and Sophie, but of course there are problems too. Noah’s last girlfriend broke up with him when he told her he wanted kids, and Sophie already has more or less grown children. And Sophie is ten years older than Noah, a fact that he finds out pretty early and doesn’t care about, but she does.

Have I mentioned before that some of the books contain recipes? This one does, too. just a nice added bonus as far as I’m concerned. I love this whole series and this book is no exception, it’s wonderful.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE by Susan Wiggs. MIRA; Reprint edition (October 24, 2017)). ISBN 978-0778331322. 432p.

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Six Picks: Beach Reads

May 20, 2018

Very eclectic list!

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HURTS TO LOVE YOU by Alisha Rai

May 19, 2018

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Forbidden Hearts, Book 3

I didn’t read the first two books in this series, but I didn’t feel like I was missing out – until I finished this book, and liked it so much that now I know what I was missing. I will find the first two books in this series for sure.

This is a character driven story, and I really enjoyed watching Eve grow from a naive, shy, sheltered young woman into a strong woman who knows her mind and isn’t afraid to express herself. Eve has always had a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Gabe, and when her brother’s wedding approaches, Eve and Gabe are forced to spend time together.

Gabe is the housekeeper’s son so always felt like a bit of an outsider. He is a typical romance bad boy, tattooed etc., but he’s also a really nice guy. He feels like he is too old for Eve and that they have too much dividing them, like the fact that she is an heiress who is forbidden to date him. Despite his strong feelings of attraction for her, Gabe is keeping his distane for these reasons and more – he is also hiding something and it takes a while for it to come out, and until it does, he doesn’t want to get involved with Eve.

Eventually, they work out their problems and as always, true love finds its reward along with plenty of steamy sex. I really enjoyed this book and will look for others by this author.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

HURTS TO LOVE YOU by Alisha Rai. Avon (March 27, 2018). ISBN 978-0062566768. 384p. Kindle

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THE FAMILY GATHERING by Robyn Carr

May 18, 2018

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 3

As per my usual, I stumbled across this book, loved the cover (isn’t it pretty?) and started reading. Yes, I occasionally do judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, this is the third book in a romance series that is probably best read in order. I was a bit lost, but I liked it enough to go find the first two books, What We Find (2016) and Any Day Now (2017) and read those. Then it all came together for me and I am happy to report that this is a terrific series.

Dakota Jones has just gotten out of the army and isn’t really sure what he wants to do with his life. Like most soldiers, he has baggage aplenty so he decides to move to the small Colorado town where his brother and sister have landed. He finds himself enjoying reconnecting with his siblings and really likes the peaceful atmosphere of the small town, the friendly people and the surrounding mountains.

Dakota’s not planning on hanging around for too long, though, until he meets Sid Shandon, a bartender who seems immune to his charms. Meanwhile, there are a couple of other women who find him most appealing and make for an interesting subplot with the lengths they will go to date him. Sid and Dakota both have really interesting backstories and it is fun watching them make those discoveries and fall in love.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE FAMILY GATHERING by Robyn Carr. MIRA (April 17, 2018). ISBN 978-0778330769.  352p.

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BESIDE THE SYRIAN SEA by James Wolff

May 17, 2018

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Jonas works as an analyst for the British secret service with no background as an agent in the field. He is confronted with the taking prisoner of his father by ISIS gunmen in Syria and with no apparent interest by his agency in freeing the man decides to take matters into his own hands. Realizing that the most interesting thing he can bring into any negotiation with ISIS is documents with intelligence gained by his agency. Accordingly, he proceeds to steal some of what he feels might be the most interesting pieces of information from his agency’s files.

Jonas’s next step is to travel to Beirut and there contract a Swiss priest: Father Tobias. The father takes the job even with an episode of being captured in the past by ISIS and barely escaping from them. He agrees to again travel into territory controlled by the Islamic state and inform them Jonas is willing and able to bargain for his father’s life.

At this point the British and also the American governments realize that they have a traitor on their hands looking to leak information and have to start their own action to halt Jonas. The ingredients presented give rise to a novel repleat with action and suspension. The question of getting both his father and Tobias out alive becomes of paramount importance to him.

Wolff (not his real name) is indicated as having a long background with the British government and is more than qualified to set up the events and places where the action occurs. He has also done an interesting job in creating a distinct personality for Jonas; a quiet man definitely not the literary hero type and content to work behind the scenes suddenly forced to become a man of action in a kill or be killed world.

The author already has another book in the works reported to be ready for publication sometime in 2019. It is sure to be a novel well worth obtaining to undoubtedly devour in one long sitting.

5/18 Paul Lane

BESIDE THE SYRIAN SEA by James Wolff. Bitter Lemon Press (May 15, 2018). ISBN: 978-1908524980. 320p.

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ANY DAY NOW by Robyn Carr

May 16, 2018

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 2

This sequel to What We Find is a wonderful story again set at Sullivan’s Crossing, where the Colorado and Continental Divide trails converge. The first book was centered around Cal Jones, and this one is about his sister, Sierra.

Sierra’s had a troubled life,and she lands at her brother’s place for a brief stop – or so she thinks. Growing up, the siblings had parents that were difficult. Their father suffers from possible schizophrenia, and their mother spends all her time protecting him. He self medicates and refuses any traditional therapies. They traveled a lot, living on communes before ending up on a farm. Because Sierra was the youngest, she was alone with them for a while. She ended up a drug addict, but after a stint in rehab she is ready to start over. Unfortunately, she has a bit of a stalker issue as well.

Sullivan’s Landing is run by Maggie’s father, Sully, and he takes a shine to Sierra and she to him. He is the father figure she always wanted. She helps out at the store to earn her campsite and meets Connie, a firefighter and rescue worker. She is not ready for a relationship, and he is willing to take it as slow as she likes.

There is a lot of meat to this story, it is not the usual fluffy rom-com type romance. I really liked this characters, Carr does a terrific job of creating three dimensional characters that I couldn’t help get invested in. This was an excellent addition to the series.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ANY DAY NOW by Robyn Carr. MIRA; Reprint edition (February 20, 2018). ISBN 978-0778331186.  400p.

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THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor

May 15, 2018

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Jonathan Hunter is an employee of the CIA who has not seen his family for years due to assignments in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and other mid-eastern hot spots. Out of the blue he gets a call from his brother Kevin to rush home to help him. In spite of being estranged for 15 years Jonathan goes AWOL from his duty station and rushes home.

Unfortunately it is just in time to meet Kevin dying by a lake that both brothers are familiar with and hear his last words, “Khalifah not them, Maya.”

Kevin has obviously been murdered and Jonathan, in spite of not seeing him for so long, vows to find and execute his killer.

With the violence of the killing beginning the novel it is a safe bet that the remainder of the book will feature more of the same. And that is certainly what happens. While going after the killer or killers Jonathan meets his brother’s widow, his adopted son and has his CIA supervisor find him up and okay the search. Oh yes, seems like Kevin’s death is tied into a plot by extremists to cause a mass killing of Americans in several areas and the forcing of action against the perpetrators by the U.S. government. Also Kevin’s widow develops an attraction for Jonathan, and she also has an adopted son that is somehow tied into Islamic terrorists.

O’Connor vividly portrays the hierarchy of the CIA to which Jonathan is attached. His direct supervisor, Oscar LaRue, shows up in time to tie many other side factors to the murder and orders Jonathan to investigate these while he is working on his brother’s case. Tall order, but our hero is certainly able to do so in spite of all the factors working against him. He gets involved with a female FBI agent who starts out very antagonistic but does develop a liking for him, and a local police officer that is so certain that Jonathan is guilty of something that he becomes a tormentor to him.

The ending leaves enough clues to make it almost a certainty that there will be future books featuring Jonathan Hunter, his supervisor and others who are front and center in “The Consultant”. I look forward to these for the promise of steady action in those novels.

5/18 Paul Lane

THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor. Oceanview Publishing (May 15, 2018).  ISBN 978-1608092833. 432p.

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WHAT WE FIND by Robyn Carr

May 14, 2018

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 1

This is the first book in a wonderful series, and I made the mistake of reading the third book first. I definitely felt like I was missing too much, so went back and read this one next. I’m very happy I did.

Maggie Sullivan is a neurosurgeon in Denver who is beyond stressed. An emergency car accident leaves some teens in big trouble, and triage indicates one could wait longer than the others. Unfortunately, Maggie was the one who made the call and his family is now suing her for malpractice.

With her practice shut down, Maggie decides to get out of town and decompress while the lawsuit plays out, so she goes home to Sullivan’s Crossing, the campground her father owns and run in rural Colorado at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails. It’s a family business, passed down from one generation to the next and includes a general store as well. I have to say that I really enjoyed the bits about hiking and camping as my husband does both, and I felt like I gained a bit of insight into something he is so passionate about.

Cal Jones is a camper that’s not in any kind of rush to hit the trail. So when Maggie’s father becomes somewhat incapacitated, Cal steps up to help out. Maggie is suspicious of the stranger and his motivation, but eventually his kindness and laid back demeanor win her over. Eventually, they realize they belong together and I totally enjoyed watching their journey to get to their happily ever after. Book 2 up next!

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WHAT WE FIND by Robyn Carr. MIRA; Reprint edition (February 28, 2017). ISBN 978-0778319788.  400p.

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