Social Media Icons

Monday, April 30, 2018

REVIEW: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist
by William Peter Blatty


Publisher:  HarperTorch
Publish Date:  February 1, 1994 (first published 1971)
Mass Market Paperback
40th Anniversary Edition
385 pages
Standalone
Genres:  Horror, Classics, Paranormal, Thriller

Four decades after it first shook the nation, then the world, William Peter Blatty's thrilling masterwork of faith and demonic possession returns in an even more powerful form. Raw and profane, shocking and blood-chilling, it remains a modern parable of good and evil and perhaps the most terrifying novel ever written.

My Review:


I'm going to get a lot of feedback from this rating I'm sure.  I have to stay honest in my reviews though, otherwise what's the point?  So let's talk about why I didn't fall in love with this read where most people have!

The first 50 pages or so really bored me.  I read all the dialogue in that black and white up lilted voice - yes, yes, it's a product of my own head I realize, but regardless that's what happened and quite frankly, I was getting on my own nerves because of it.  Once the ouija board came into play, luckily those voices went away and I found the book start to get interesting... for a bit anyways.  The parts without Regan were still dull for me... until we get to parts three and four and well, HERE'S where the story takes off... FINALLY.

OK OK - look, it's not that I don't realize this is an amazing book and well loved throughout the horror community.  I feel how I feel about it and for that I'm not going to apologize.  I think this is also one of the reasons I don't read the book if I've already seen the movie.  My imagination doesn't get to go wild and I only see what the film/tv adaptation has given me and I feel shorted and stunted.  The movie made such an impact on me that I think the book was doomed for me from the beginning.  I didn't find this book scary in the slightest.  There were some creepy moments, sure.  But scared? Not at all.

The book definitely goes into more detail than the film did but I was happy to see that the movie stayed true to the book since a lot of adaptations don't.  Personally, I just think books on possession don't do it for me.  I felt the same about A Head Full of Ghosts and was an unpopular opinion on that as well.  Moving forward I'll keep my possession genre to the big screen and not in my reads.

★★★

REVIEW: Our Little Secret by Roz Nay @stmartinspress @roznay1 #allthebookreviews

Our Little Secret
by Roz Nay

Thanks so much to St. Martin's Press for this copy!
An impressive and unique debut thriller about first love.


Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Publish Date:  April 17, 2018
Hardcover
272 Pages
Standalone
Genres:  Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

Goodreads Synopsis:

Roz Nay's Our Little Secret is a twisted tale of love, pain, and revenge that will stay with the reader long after they turn the last page.


They say you never forget your first love. What they don't say though, is that sometimes your first love won't forget you...

A police interview room is the last place Angela expected to find herself today. It's been hours, and they keep asking her the same inane questions over and over. "How do you know the victim?" "What's your relationship with Mr. Parker?" Her ex's wife has gone missing, and anyone who was close to the couple is a suspect. Angela is tired of the bottomless questions and tired of the cold room that stays the same while a rotating litany of interrogators changes shifts around her. But when criminologist Novak takes over, she can tell he's not like the others. He's ready to listen, and she knows he'll understand. When she tells him that her story begins a decade before, long before Saskia was in the picture, he gives her the floor.

A twenty-something young professional, Angela claims to have no involvement. How could she? It's been years since she and H.P., Mr. Parker that is, were together. As her story unfolds, it deepens and darkens. There's a lot to unpack... betrayal, jealousy, and a group of people who all have motives for retribution. If Angela is telling the truth, then who's lying?

My Review:


I absolutely love it when a debut novel just shines!  This is Angela's story as she is being held and questioned by the police.  As she talks to Detective Novak, she starts at the very beginning.  In high school, when she met HP and how it relates to the disappearance of Saskia.

I have to say... I was intrigued from the beginning.  I was enthralled with Angela/LJ's story and had a hard time putting the book down.  She continually goes back and forth with the Detective.  She claims she had nothing to do with the disappearance.  She hasn't spoken with or been around HP or Saskia for some time.  As the story unfolds, we get a full picture of what developed over the years and the further we get in, the more we see how complicated things could get.  But what is the absolute truth when we are only getting Angela's side of the story?

This is a compulsive and quick read.  I liked the uniqueness in how the story is told and there's never anything muddled when going from past to present.  All of these kids are a bit whacked but really, when you're young and just starting out in life you tend to make some interesting decisions and really everything seemed fairly "normal" all things considered.  At under 300 pages, Roz really pulls you into this story and tells it well.  As always, short chapters help to move it along and I found myself powering through this on my train ride.

I did figure it all out well before the ending.  However, that did not detract from how entertaining I found this.  Especially so as a debut.  I look forward to seeing what else Roz brings our way.  Anyone who likes those quick, compulsive thrillers will likely find this well within their wheelhouse.

★★★★

Jessica's Review:


Not only do I love a great orange cover, but I love debut novels. It's always so exciting to pick up work from new authors, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed with Roz Nay's OUR LITTLE SECRET.

We begin with Angela in an interrogation room. She is cycling through different detectives and being asked the same questions over and over. Then Detective Novak takes a seat opposite her with the same question, what was her relationship with Saskia like. We are taken through her history with HP, her first love, and the transformation of their relationship, as well as his current relationship with Saskia. Is she simply missing or is this something worse?

We go through the story of HP and Angela's romance and how Saskia came into the picture. Angela slowly starts to let Detective Novak in on how she knows Saskia and we also discover how HP and Saskia came back into her life.

This is a quick read, and just under 250 pages we get just enough character and story development to keep you hooked. This is one you can easily finish in a sitting, or at least a day! While it seems like a lighter read, is is packed with dark secrets and sinister plots. You'll find yourself sucked into the story and wanting to know the answers from this potentially unreliable narrator.

I give this 5/5 stars!

SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: Amsterdam Exposed by David Wienir @davidwienir @amsterdambook


Amsterdam Exposed:
An American’s Journey into the Red Light District
By David Wienir

Spotlighting this cultural book about Amsterdam!
Look for an excerpt below.
Continue below for information and then head to my Instagram page to win a SIGNED copy!

Prostitution, Cannabis, and an Innocent Exchange Student Abroad:
2018’s MOST COMPULSIVELY READABLE MEMOIR WILL RESHAPE HOW WE SEE EUROPE’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL CAPITAL

“A provocative, enlightening, humorous, and impressively executed guide to
Amsterdam’s twilight world.” – Kirkus Reviews


 Amsterdam Exposed by David Wienir tells the true one-of-a-kind story of an innocent exchange student who moves to Amsterdam hoping to write a book about the red light district – and everything that follows. 

It’s an American abroad story, and also a love story; it’s an uplifting tragedy, full of humor from beginning to end; it’s an Amsterdam survival guide; a sympathetic look at a societal problem; a little piece of policy; a sweet farewell to a world just about gone; and, ultimately, as close as you can come to a free trip to Amsterdam without leaving your couch. 

In sum, Amsterdam Exposed takes readers deep into the district on a journey never before possible, forever reshaping their understanding of one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and the women who work there. 

If you’ve ever spent time in Amsterdam, or dreamed of doing so, this book’s for you.

Purchase:  AMAZON | WEBSITE



About David Wienir: David Wienir is a business affairs executive at United Talent Agency and entertainment law instructor at UCLA Extension. Before UTA, he practiced law at two of the top entertainment law firms where he represented clients such as Steven Spielberg and Madonna. His previous books include Last Time: Labour’s Lessons from the Sixties (co-authored with a Member of Parliament at the age of 23), The Diversity Hoax: Law Students Report from Berkeley (afterword by Dennis Prager), and Making It on Broadway: Actors’ Tales of Climbing to the Top (foreword by Jason Alexander).

Educated at Columbia, Oxford, The London School of Economics, Berkeley Law, and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, David is married to Dr. Dina (to whom the book is dedicated), a pioneer of the cannabis movement who has been named “Queen of Medical Marijuana in LA” by Rolling Stone Magazine and is the inspiration for the Nancy Botwin character in the show Weeds.

Keep up with all things Amsterdam Exposed at AmsterdamExposed.com, and connect with David on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram @RedLightDistrictBook, and Twitter @AmsterdamBook.

Amsterdam Exposed: An American’s Journey into the Red Light District will be released May 1, 2018 with De Wallen Press, and available at that time in paperback and e-book formats wherever books are sold.

EXCERPT

“Amsterdam is in my heart,” she said as she clutched the purple nylon shirt that clung tightly to her chest. “Amsterdam, it is life.”
           
Inga had only lived in Holland for two months and had already been bewitched by the infamous Dutch town. As we walked down Haarlemmerstraat in the direction of the central station, I had not much to add to the conversation. Not yet. I had only been in Amsterdam for a few hours. The city had yet to make its impression.

That said, this wasn’t my first time in town, though it had been a while. Like so many Americans, I had backpacked through Amsterdam while an undergrad during a year abroad. I visited the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and a live sex show, all must-see attractions.

Back then my trip was an innocent one. At the time, I had never even tried weed. I grew up on a cul-de-sac in the San Fernando Valley, went to an all-boys high school, and had very little contact with anything having to do with drugs. It was not a part of my upbringing, or something I was interested in. I even remember reprimanding one of my friends for smoking weed before going into the Van Gogh Museum. As for sex, well, I grew up in the height of the AIDS epidemic. We were taught to associate sex with death. It was terrifying, and I got off to a late start. When walking through the red light district during that first trip, I walked fast. I tried to not make eye contact with anyone, and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. I never imagined living in Amsterdam, or even returning. Six years after my first visit, the forces of my life were taking me back.

I was entering my third year of law school at Berkeley and about to begin a career in international law. The school agreed to give me a full semester of credit to study in Amsterdam. Many thought I was crazy for leaving Berkeley for even a semester. This was not the normal path. As Holland is an important center of international law, I tried but couldn’t think of a good reason not to go...



Friday, April 27, 2018

REVIEW: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay @wmmorrowbooks @paulgtremblay

The Cabin at the End of the World
by Paul Tremblay


Thank you to William Morrow and Astoria Bookshop for this beautiful copy in return for my honest opinion.  This book completed WOWED me!  Put this on your TBR immediately!


Publisher:  William Morrow
Publish Date:  June 26, 2018
Hardcover
288 pages
Standalone
Genres:  Horror, Suspense, Fiction, Thriller

Goodreads Synopsis:


The Bram Stoker Award-winning author of A Head Full of Ghosts adds an inventive twist to the home invasion horror story in a heart-palpitating novel of psychological suspense that recalls Stephen King’s Misery, Ruth Ware’s In a Dark, Dark Wood, and Jack Ketchum’s cult hit The Girl Next Door.

Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin on a quiet New Hampshire lake. Their closest neighbors are more than two miles in either direction along a rutted dirt road.

One afternoon, as Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a stranger unexpectedly appears in the driveway. Leonard is the largest man Wen has ever seen but he is young, friendly, and he wins her over almost instantly. Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, "None of what’s going to happen is your fault". Three more strangers then arrive at the cabin carrying unidentifiable, menacing objects. As Wen sprints inside to warn her parents, Leonard calls out: "Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world."

Thus begins an unbearably tense, gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse, and survival that escalates to a shattering conclusion, one in which the fate of a loving family and quite possibly all of humanity are entwined. The Cabin at the End of the World is a masterpiece of terror and suspense from the fantastically fertile imagination of Paul Tremblay.


My Review:



I typically write my reviews as soon as I'm done reading the book so my thoughts are fresh and I say exactly how I felt as I turned that last page. With this one, I'm glad I took the night to mull my thoughts over. Tremblay has outdone himself with this book. The blurb on the back cover sums it up perfectly: a "...gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse and survival..." You really don't need to know anything more than that before going in.

The beginning starts off innocently enough as we get introduced to the adorable 7 year old Wen catching grasshoppers... and by the end of that first chapter the ominous and creepy tone sets in and that's it. You're done. You may as well cancel any plans you have and just read until you're done. Otherwise the story will just cling inside your brain and you'll hear that buzzing sound until you complete your mission! 

The characters are brought to life in such a way that you almost instantly feel a connection to them. I fell in love with Wen immediately and then her fathers secondary. As for the rest of the crew - I was torn. I love them but I hate them... but I love them... I think. Or not. I don't know! At one point I had to grab the pint of chocolate ice cream out of my freezer and eat my feelings as I kept reading. GAH! (true story)

Look, this book has a LOT going on - it's a tale of faith, loyalty, love and sacrifice. Tremblay punches you right in the gut a few times and I heard myself gasp out loud a few times. I had visions of The Strangers in my head during one of the scenes which then turned into a cult like phenomenon which then turned into what-the-hell-is-actually-going-on?! I'll admit, I was a little bit plundered by the ending.. which is what I needed to simmer on, even though I already knew it was going to be a 5-star review. In retrospect, it's brilliant... bloody brilliant when looking at the grasp of the entire story arc. 

As a final note, I don't know about the rest of you but Leonard had the same voice in my mind as Leland Gaunt and Charlie Manx. Haha! I heard a rumor this was coming to the big screen and I'm EXCITED about this news! 

Lovers of horror touched with home invasion apocalyptic suspense will be absolutely thrilled by this page turner of all page turners.

★★★★★

Thursday, April 26, 2018

REVIEW: The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter @emilydcarpenter @LUAuthors @amazonpub

The Weight of Lies
by Emily Carpenter

In anticipation of Carpenter's new book Every Single Secret, coming May 1, 2018, I decided to FINALLY pick up my copy of The Weight of Lies. First, a thank you to the author for sending me this copy last year.  Second, an apology for waiting so long to read it. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!


Publisher:  Lake Union Publishing
Publish Date: June 6, 2017
Paperback
380 pages
Standalone
Genres:  Mystery, Thriller, Suspense


Goodreads Synopsis:

In this gripping, atmospheric family drama, a young woman investigates the forty -year -old murder that inspired her mother’s bestselling novel, and uncovers devastating truths—and dangerous lies.


Reformed party girl Meg Ashley leads a life of a privilege, thanks to a bestselling horror novel her mother wrote decades ago. But Meg knows that the glow of their very public life hides a darker reality of lies, manipulation, and the heartbreak of her own solitary childhood. Desperate to break free of her mother, Meg accepts a proposal to write a scandalous, tell-all memoir.

Digging into the past—and her mother’s cult classic—draws Meg to Bonny Island, Georgia and an unusual woman said to be the inspiration for the book. At first, island life seems idyllic, but as Meg starts to ask tough questions, disturbing revelations come to light…including some about her mother.

Soon, Meg’s search leads her to question the facts of a decades-old murder. She’s warned to leave it alone, but as the lies pile up, Meg knows she’s getting close to finding a murderer. When her own life is threatened, Meg realizes the darkness found in her mother’s book is nothing compared to the chilling truth that lurks off the page.

My Review:


What a fantastic and compulsive read!  I'm kicking myself for leaving this on my nightstand for the better part of a year before getting to it.  I have heard NOTHING but GOOD things about this book from fellow readers and they were a thousand percent correct!

Do you like book within book type of read?  This one has that component.  We have Meg's tragic relationship with her mother which prompts her to dig into the mystery behind her mother's Book, Kitten.  As we read, every other chapter is a excerpt from Kitten.  I personally enjoyed this aspect a lot.  This book is multi-layered with in depth characterization, that cult classic feel with a touch of gothic paranormal.  All things I LOVE. 

I kept going back and forth on what I thought was the truth and what wasn't.  Just when I thought the truth had come out, then wham bam, another layer is uncovered and I'm all whaaaaaaaaaaat?  Honestly, this isn't a slap you upside the head, throat punch kind of thriller.  It does keep you second guessing yourself up until the very end though. 

I'm thoroughly impressed with how Carpenter has managed to bring in all aspects of this story without it faltering at any point.  I imagine note cards with push pins and strings attached showing how everything interconnects. 🤣 

When your life is built on a tower of lies, who actually ends up benefiting from the truth when it comes out?  Does anyone? How long can a mystery remain unsolved?

Fantastically atmospheric, complicated, well plotted and a Southern Gothic read that will keep you turning the pages well into the night. 

★★★★

COVER REVEAL: Needle Song by Russell Day #NeedleSongBook @rfdaze @fahrenheitpress @damppebbles

Needle Song
by Russell Day

COVER REVEAL
Take a look at this cover! 👀

Continue below for a synopsis, about the author and
how you can get a FREE short story!



Spending the night with a beautiful woman would be a good alibi, if the body in the next room wasn't her husband.


Doc Slidesmith has a habit of knowing things he shouldn’t. He knows the woman Chris Rudjer meets online is married. He knows the adult fun she’s looking for is likely to be short lived. And when her husband’s killed, he knows Chris Rudjer didn’t do it. 

Only trouble is the police disagree and no one wants to waste time investigating an open and shut case.

No one except Doc.

Using lies, blackmail and a loaded pack of Tarot cards, Doc sets about looking for the truth - but the more truth he finds, the less he thinks his friend is going to like it.



FREE RUSSELL DAY SHORT STORY IN EXCHANGE FOR A TWEET:

Russell Day came to Fahrenheit Presses attention when they asked for submissions for their NOIRVILLE short story competition.  A panel of judges placed Day’s stories in first AND SECOND place!  Only one of the stories features in the NOIRVILLE anthology which means we’re giving the second story away for FREE, you lucky people!…….(well, free in exchange for a tweet!).

To receive a copy of Russell Day’s award-winning story, make sure you’re following @damppebbles (so you can receive the DM with the download links) and then tweet the following:

NEEDLE SONG by Russell Day (@rfdaze) published by @fahrenheitpress in eBook on Monday 30th April! #NeedleSongBook | @damppebbles.

No retweets, it has to be a shiny new tweet otherwise it won’t count!  Any problems then please contact @damppebbles.



About Russell Day:

Russell Day was born in 1966 and grew up in Harlesden, NW10 – a geographic region searching for an alibi. From an early age it was clear the only things he cared about were motorcycles, tattoos and writing. At a later stage he added family life to his list of interests and now lives with his wife and two children. He’s still in London, but has moved south of the river for the milder climate.
Although he only writes crime fiction Russ doesn’t consider his work restricted. ‘As long as there have been people there has been crime, as long as there are people there will be crime.’ That attitude leaves a lot of scope for settings and characters. One of the first short stories he had published, The Second Rat and the Automatic Nun, was a double-cross story set in a world where the church had taken over policing. In his first novel, Needle Song, an amateur detective employs logic, psychology and a loaded pack of tarot cards to investigate a death.

Russ often tells people he seldom smiles due to nerve damage, sustained when his jaw was broken. In fact, this is a total fabrication and his family will tell you he’s has always been a miserable bastard. 


BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: The Pursuit of Ordinary by Nigel Jay Cooper @nijay @RoundfireBooks @annecater

The Pursuit of Ordinary
by Nigel Jay Cooper

So happy to be leading off the Blog Tour for The Pursuit of Ordinary by Nigel Jay Cooper.
I read his first novel, Beat the Rain, back in 2016 and really enjoyed it - see my 4 Star review HERE.
When introduced to his new novel, I just could NOT pass it up!



Publisher:  Roundfire
Publish Date:  April 27, 2018
Paperback
320 Pages
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Buy Link:  AMAZON UK | AMAZON US

After witnessing a fatal car accident, a homeless man wanders the streets of Brighton, trying to ignore the new, incessant voice inside his head. But he can't forget the crash, can't get the face of the woman cradling her dying husband out of his mind. She stared into his eyes, his soul. He has to find her. Is Dan mentally ill or has he really been possessed by the spirit of Natalie's dead husband, Joe? If he hasn't, why does she let him into her home so easily? Does she have secrets of her own? The Pursuit of Ordinary is a twisting tale of modern life and mental health where nothing is what it seems... Following the success of debut novel Beat the Rain, Roundfire introduces the second book from bestselling author Nigel Jay Cooper.


Author, writer, father, runner. Not always in that order. Born in London, England, Nigel lives in Brighton with his partner, their two children and greying ginger dog.

His first novel, Beat The Rain, was published in July 2016 and became his publishers bestselling title. It was also nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards 2016 for Best Debut Author. 

His second novel, The Pursuit of Ordinary, will be published in 2018.

Nigel was co-founder of global advocate marketing platform Qubist (Qube Media) and previously worked as a writer and editor for Channel 4 Television and as a newspaper sub editor.

He's a sometime marathon runner and occasional actor and singer. Sometimes his brain switches off and lets him sleep, but not that often.

Follow Nigel Jay Cooper here:  TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE

My Review:


Cooper's sophomore novel brings us another thought provoking, sat at times and hopeful in others, kind of read. While bleak, like his debut novel, it didn't quite pack the punch that Beat the Rain did.  However, Cooper elicits emotions from his readers by tackling issues of abuse, mental health and grief.

The author brings us a unique story in which a homeless man, Dan, witnesses a crash and sees a man, Joe, dying in the arms of his wife, Natalie.  As a result, Joe's spirit seems to jump into Dan's body and is directing him to go to his wife.  That she will help.  That he would always find a way back to her.  So "they" show up at her door and she unexpectedly invites "them" in.

I can't say too much without giving anything away so I'll keep this short and sweet.  This book goes back and forth between Natalie, Joe and Dan's POVs.  The beginning felt a bit disjointed and I was a little confused but then quickly saw what the author was doing.  While we see the same scenes through each person, it began to feel slightly redundant in certain aspects and I could feel my mind wander.  However, each one, while similar in scene, did bring something new to the character at hand... and that became fascinating for getting to really know the characters.  Boy are they interesting - and ALL full of secrets.  Each has their own agenda.

Intriguing, unique and emotional.



Monday, April 23, 2018

REVIEW: When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger @lweisberger @simonschuster @simonbooks

When Life Gives You Lululemons
by Lauren Weisberger

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for this very funny and engaging read!
After reading The Singles Game last year, I was very excited to get my hands on this copy!


Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Publish Date:  June 5, 2018
Hardcover
352 pages
Standalone
Genres:  Chick Lit, Womens Fiction

Goodreads Synopsis:


New York Times bestselling author Lauren Weisberger returns with a novel starring one of her favorite characters from The Devil Wears Prada—Emily Charlton, first assistant to Miranda Priestly, now a highly successful image consultant who’s just landed the client of a lifetime.


Welcome to Greenwich, CT, where the lawns and the women are perfectly manicured, the Tito’s and sodas are extra strong, and everyone has something to say about the infamous new neighbor.



Let’s be clear: Emily Charlton, Miranda Priestly’s ex-assistant, does not do the suburbs. She’s working in Hollywood as an image consultant to the stars, but recently, Emily’s lost a few clients. She’s hopeless with social media. The new guard is nipping at her heels. She needs a big opportunity, and she needs it now.



Karolina Hartwell is as A-list as they come. She’s the former face of L’Oreal. A mega-supermodel recognized the world over. And now, the gorgeous wife of the newly elected senator from New York, Graham, who also has his eye on the presidency. It’s all very Kennedy-esque, right down to the public philandering and Karolina’s arrest for a DUI—with a Suburban full of other people’s children.



Miriam is the link between them. Until recently she was a partner at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms. But when Miriam moves to Greenwich and takes time off to spend with her children, she never could have predicted that being stay-at-home mom in an uber-wealthy town could have more pitfalls than a stressful legal career. 



Emily, Karolina, and Miriam make an unlikely trio, but they desperately need each other. Together, they’ll navigate the social landmines of life in America’s favorite suburb on steroids, revealing the truths—and the lies—that simmer just below the glittering surface. With her signature biting style, Lauren Weisberger offers a dazzling look into another sexy, over-the-top world, where nothing is as it appears.


My Review:




Sometimes you need the perfect, lighthearted and hilarious read to cleanse that thriller palate and this book does the job!  I haven't read The Devil Wears Prada but I have seen the movie and it's one of my favorites.  I DID read Weisberger's The Singles Game back in 2016 and absolutely loved it (see my 5 star review HERE) so was THRILLED when this copy came in the mail for me!


This book brings in Emily, Miranda Priestley's ex-assistant, as an image consultant to the stars who is losing popularity to a younger version who is more in tune with today's social media which makes her start to question herself.  Then there's Miriam, who has moved to the suburbs with her husband and kids, quitting her job and feeling predictably underwhelmed in all aspects.  She's the link between Emily and Karolina - a former supermodel who gets busted for a DUI while driving her step-son and his friends in her own neighborhood.  This somersaults into political and social devastation and now she must count on her friends to help her through this horrible situation.

What I absolutely love about this story is the coming together of these three very different women as they bond and figure their lives out.  At any age, and in any station, you never stop growing, things never stop changing and insecurities regarding infidelity, career moves, body image and self worth come to a head in this roller coaster we call life.  And who better to take these crazy rides, other than two amazing women who you can consider your best friends? 

This makes me think of my two best friends from college.  Twenty years plus and we are all radically different from each other and yet through it all, we have been there for each other through thick and thin and that bond is a sisterhood only others who have the same relationships can understand.  I was just discussing with someone earlier about how at a younger age you think that once you hit your 40s (or even sooner sometimes), you think the drama and bad decision making will just disappear and you'll fall into the routine you're meant to be set in at that age.  I'm living proof that is NOT true. 🤣  Really not a whole lot changes and this book just goes to show that even in these "richer" lives, that there are still drama to be had and that nothing is ever as it seems at face value.

Delightfully funny and with the best chapter headings I've seen in a LONG time, I highly recommend this if you're in the need for something hilarious and entertaining.  This is pure fun, somehow incredibly relatable and extremely quotable.  

★★★★★


SPOTLIGHT: White Night by J.J. Holt @JJ_HoltAuthor

White Night 
by J.J. Holt

Spotlighting this new hot detective series from J.J. Holt!
Continue below for a synopsis, about the author and book trailer!



Publisher:  New Take Publishing
Publish Date:  January 21, 2018
Paperback
348 Pages
Series: Detective Connors (Volume 1)
Genres:  Police Procedural, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense


With reviews like “Long story short. Read this book…”, “Best detective novel I’ve read in a long time!” and “If only they were all this good…” Lovers of crime fiction and mystery – J.J. Holt’s White Night is for you.

---------------------
Her last case nearly killed her.

After a year fighting her way back from life-threatening injuries, Homicide Detective Jen Connors is finally reinstated, but tough questions still surround her actions that night.

Now, partnered with the controversial Detective Alan Ross—a move she suspects is designed to end her career—she faces a homicide case that quickly spirals into a horrifying twist of death, terror and survival as the mysterious “White Night” event threatens more than just their lives.

But there’s more to Alan Ross than the department rumors suggest. He could just be the best partner she’s ever had, or her last.

Together, they are the city’s strongest chance at preventing White Night’s destruction and stopping a killer who uses every resource, including the NYPD themselves, to carry out his plan for redemption...

Purchase on AMAZON



Review from OnlineBookClub.org

White Night by J.J. Holt follows Detective Jen Connors after she is reinstated to the NYPD following a devastating accident on her last case. With her career in jeopardy and her fitness for duty in question, she's less than thrilled about her new partner, an uncooperative transfer who is damaged in his own right. Their first case together involves solving a murder mystery with almost no viable initial leads, and Connors must ultimately stop a plot orchestrated by a mob member that could lead to many casualties.


Many crime thriller books fall into predictable patterns. White Night bucks this trend completely, with uncooperative witnesses, personal flaws that greatly hinder the protagonists, and a variety of unknown quantities that lend a great deal of suspense to the narrative. Holt doesn't shy away from throwing any variety of catastrophes at her characters, so even the result of the book's climactic operation seems like it could go either way. These elements never feel shoehorned in or disorganized, though, and the ending is still quite satisfying.

Another striking narrative element was the sheer amount of character in the book's world. Rather than focusing on only a few main characters to develop, Connors' enemies, co-workers, and even people she knows personally are incredibly distinct. This also leads the reader to sympathize, at least a little bit, with several of the antagonists. It's a bit hard to quantify, but every single character in this book, regardless of the impact of their role, feels like a real person.

White Night is very character-driven, and while it takes place in New York City, I felt that the story could be transposed to practically any urban setting with very little difference. This isn't necessarily a flaw, merely a stylistic choice that follows in the footsteps of most police procedurals. There is also no romance between Connors and Ross. I found this refreshing, as it would undermine Connors' struggle to become independent after her injury, but readers who demand romantic relationships in thriller books may not be satisfied with how their relationship develops.

Ultimately, its character-focused narrative is White Night's greatest strength. It is an incredibly engaging novel with starkly realistic motives and relationships, and every page is infused with a sense of urgency and tension.

For these reasons, I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I'd highly recommend it to both new and old fans of police procedurals, from literature to television cop dramas.


Author Bio:

J.J. 's background is about as varied as it gets. A consultant for the British Navy, Fortune 500 Companies, various branches of the US Government and non-profit organizations, it was only a matter of time before J.J. returned to a love of writing.


J.J. never has a shortage of experiences to draw from after living in the UK, US and Canada. With a natural storytelling voice and a talent for connecting characters and readers via real world emotions and experiences, J.J. is already turning heads with White Night.