Her Perfect Lies by Lana Newton

Summary

The twisty psychological suspense that will keep you guessing…


Claire is beautiful.
Claire is famous.
Claire has a handsome husband and a house to die for.

But Claire doesn’t know any of that. Claire isn’t even sure who she is…

When Claire Wright wakes in a hospital, she sees a stranger staring back at her in the mirror. With no memories from before the devastating car accident that left her and her father with life-changing injuries, she must navigate the life of a stranger along with all the mistakes her former self left behind.

As Claire discovers the person she used to be she must also unravel the mystery that surrounds the accident. But the more Claire uncovers, the more she will be forced to face up to the dark secrets from her life before…

My Thoughts

The summary sounded extremely good so I was really excited to start reading!  I was instantly drawn into the story.  I love it when that happens!

Now, while I didn't hate this book, there were a few things that are keeping me from giving it a higher rating.  First of all, without giving too much away, I did guess too many things before they were revealed.  All of the "twists" that other reviews had talked about were not surprising tome at all.  I figured it out way early in the book.  That made for an uneventful read.

If I hadn't figured everything out early I probably would have enjoyed this book a bit more.  All in all it wasn't a bad book, just not what I was ultimately hoping for!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Alex and Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz

Summary

Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.

1777. Albany, New York. 

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball. 

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history. 


My Thoughts

I don't know what took me so long to read this!  I really did enjoy it!

Eliza is such a great character!  I honestly didn't find her to be annoying or anything like that.  Sometimes a main character tends to have certain quirks that make them seem stuck up or extra judgey or something.  But, I didn't find that in Eliza at all.

And, Alex!  I love Alex so much!

This is such a great, solid book!  I'm so glad I finally read it and I can't wait to pick up the next one!

Solving Cadence Moore by Gregory Sterner

Summary

How much will one man risk to solve the unsolvable?

Ten years ago, famous young singer Cadence Moore disappeared without a trace on a remote highway in western Pennsylvania. To this day her fate remains unknown. Was she kidnapped or murdered? Or did she simply run away in search of a new life, leaving behind the abuse and heartbreak that haunted her?

Charlie Marx, host of the popular conspiracy radio show "Underground Broadcast," is obsessed with Cadence. Desperate to find her after deceiving his boss to save his job, he launches an investigation of his own, digging deep into the missing woman's past and uncovering her darkest secrets. Working feverishly for weeks, he claims to have solved the mystery and promises to reveal Cadence's fate at the end of a groundbreaking podcast series and live radio special.

But is it all a lie? As years of twisted details slowly unravel, Charlie races to solve the biggest mystery of the decade. If he succeeds, it will mean closure for Cadence. If he fails, his entire world will come crashing down live on air--and the truth may be lost forever.How much will one man risk to solve the unsolvable?

Ten years ago, famous young singer Cadence Moore disappeared without a trace on a remote highway in western Pennsylvania. To this day her fate remains unknown. Was she kidnapped or murdered? Or did she simply run away in search of a new life, leaving behind the abuse and heartbreak that haunted her?

Charlie Marx, host of the popular conspiracy radio show "Underground Broadcast," is obsessed with Cadence. Desperate to find her after deceiving his boss to save his job, he launches an investigation of his own, digging deep into the missing woman's past and uncovering her darkest secrets. Working feverishly for weeks, he claims to have solved the mystery and promises to reveal Cadence's fate at the end of a groundbreaking podcast series and live radio special.

But is it all a lie? As years of twisted details slowly unravel, Charlie races to solve the biggest mystery of the decade. If he succeeds, it will mean closure for Cadence. If he fails, his entire world will come crashing down live on air--and the truth may be lost forever.

My Thoughts

I love mysteries!  I love listening to and watching things about unsolved cases.  I had such high hopes for this book!

It's not that I hated it.  I found it simply ok.  I guess that's the problem... I was underwhelmed.  It didn't have what I was hoping for!  I can't exactly put my finger on what it is that I felt that it was lacking, I just needed something more!

Like I said, this isn't a bad book, it just isn't great.

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Summary

Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.


My Thoughts

I have come to realize that I own so many books that I still haven't read!  So, I decided to write each one on a piece of paper and put it in a big jar.  So now, just about every Friday, I pick one of the book titles from my TBR Jar and I read that book.  Recently, I picked A Curse So Dark and Lonely.

I was pretty excited to pick this book up.  I love retellings so I knew that I would enjoy this one.  I was not disappointed.

This book was actually a lot more intense than I expected!  I have already recommended it to a few people and I'm sure I will continue to recommend it to others.

Now, the only problem is that there is a sequel that I will HAVE to pick up soon!

Hidden Scales by A.M. Robin

Merrowsaresupposedtobeextinct.Noonehasseenthewater-breathingcreaturesinoveracentury.

That'salleleven-year-oldMirahastimetothinkasshestaresatthesilverscalesthathavespreadoverherfootbeforesheaccidentallytriggersacursethatwillchangeherworldforever.Sheandherbestfriend,Peter,areforcedtoembarkonajourneyacrossthekingdom,escapingfromruthlessspieswhowillstopatnothingtocapturethembeforeanyoneelselearnsMira'ssecret.

Withthehelpofarunawayscholarandafamiliaryoungboywhorevealsthathe,too,hasjustdiscoveredthatheisamerrow,thechildrenbegintotraintobeatthespiesattheirowngame.Beforetheycantrulyfindsafety,Miramustlearntousethemysteriouspowersofherpeople,orelsesheandherfriendsmayneverbeabletoreturnhomeagain.Merrowsaresupposedtobeextinct.Noonehasseenthewater-breathingcreaturesinoveracentury.

That'salleleven-year-oldMirahastimetothinkasshestaresatthesilverscalesthathavespreadoverherfootbeforesheaccidentallytriggersacursethatwillchangeherworldforever.Sheandherbestfriend,Peter,areforcedtoembarkonajourneyacrossthekingdom,escapingfromruthlessspieswhowillstopatnothingtocapturethembeforeanyoneelselearnsMira'ssecret.

Withthehelpofarunawayscholarandafamiliaryoungboywhorevealsthathe,too,hasjustdiscoveredthatheisamerrow,thechildrenbegintotraintobeatthespiesattheirowngame.Beforetheycantrulyfindsafety,Miramustlearntousethemysteriouspowersofherpeople,orelsesheandherfriendsmayneverbeabletoreturnhomeagain.

Summary

Merrows are supposed to be extinct. No one has seen the water-breathing creatures in over a century.
That's all eleven-year-old Mira has time to think as she stares at the silver scales that have spread over her foot before she accidentally triggers a curse that will change her world forever. She and her best friend, Peter, are forced to embark on a journey across the kingdom, escaping from ruthless spies who will stop at nothing to capture them before anyone else learns Mira's secret.

With the help of a runaway scholar and a familiar young boy who reveals that he, too, has just discovered that he is a merrow, the children begin to train to beat the spies at their own game. Before they can truly find safety, Mira must learn to use the mysterious powers of her people, or else she and her friends may never be able to return home again.


My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book!  The plot is great and the characters are so much fun.  This may be considered to be a middle grade book but I really think it will be enjoyed by teens and adults as well.

Mira  is the main character.  She develops silver scales on her feet and discovers that she is a merrow.

I actually think that Peter is my favorite character.  He loves books and likes to find answers for the problems they are having in books.  There is just something about him that I love!

Overall, this book is a great read!  I really enjoyed and definitely recommend it to any other fantasy lovers!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cozy Mystery Book Spotlight! Cats, Cannolis, and a Curious Kidnapping & A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Best Seller by Cheryl Denise Bannerman

Cats, Cannolis, and a Curious Kidnapping

“Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping” is the first novel in the Anna Romano Mystery Series. It is a funny, whimsical, murder mystery series that appeals to ‘mystery readers’ of all ages. Anna Romano is a middle-aged, Italian woman who is also a successful published author, a lover of cats, and an excellent cook with a hankering for Italian cuisine. She lives by herself in her quaint house, in a quiet community, with a white picket fence in Central New Jersey.  

When she is not writing her next book or hosting book-signing events with her publicist, she is cleaning litter boxes and baking Cannolis…but never at the same time, of course! In this first installment, on a typical day in Anna’s somewhat-perfect life, a book-signing event turns her world upside down. Is it a case of mistaken identity or was she just being paranoid? 

After being stalked for weeks, Anna quickly finds herself literally ‘tied up’, fighting for her life, and desperate to get back home to her cats; all while unwittingly falling in love with the detective who was trying to save her. How she finds her way out of this mess is anyone’s guess! Find out more about Anna and the dangerous cases of murder and mayhem she ‘haphazardly’ gets herself into, in the new Anna Romano Mystery Series.

A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Best Seller

This story doesn't have just one murder; it has TWO murders...Once again, Anna charms readers with her witty and candid commentary. This was definitely a juicier case than the last one. - Sandra's Book Reviews

In this second installment of The Anna Romano Mystery Series, Anna gets herself into a mess that lands her in hot water with the prime suspect and her new Bo, Detective John Solace.
Their new romance was going great, when all of a sudden, a simple trip to the grocery store turned into a wrestling match between two scorned women. Piquing her interest for a juicy story, Anna's snooping to find out more about the seemingly 'innocent' love triangle, catapulted her into the middle of a murder investigation.

The murder weapon of choice? A red stiletto...conspicuously pointing the police in the direction of a female assailant. No one knows whether the adulterating husband killed his wife to avoid a costly divorce, or if his mistress killed her in a fit of jealousy and rage. While the detectives are convinced the husband is the 'killer', it seems Anna's faith in his innocence may be in vain, as additional bodies, and mistresses, keep piling up.

Meanwhile, Anna's publicist, Shirlene, tries to convince Anna to leave the detective work to the police, but, as usual, falls on deaf ears. In the end, not even a pan of lasagna and a neighborly smile could save Anna!

Find out in A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller if Detective Solace will be able to handle Anna's crazy antics, or if he will make her vow to stay OUT of the realm of 'Murder and Mayhem' once and for all.Meanwhile, Anna's publicist, Shirlene, tries to convince Anna to leave the detective work to the police, but, as usual, falls on deaf ears. In the end, not even a pan of lasagna and a neighborly smile could save Anna!
Find out in A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller if Detective Solace will be able to handle Anna's crazy antics, or if he will make her vow to stay OUT of the realm of 'Murder and Mayhem' once and for all.

Heart of the Storm by Michael Buckley

Summary

“There’s something out in that water. Be ready to take the people you love and leave when it comes onshore.”

For three months, Lyric Walker has been trapped in the hunting grounds, the Alpha city at the bottom of the ocean. But Lyric Walker, Brooklyn girl, is not going down without a fight. She makes an unlikely alliance with her jailor, a Rusalka named Husk. Husk reveals the truth about what actually resides in the Great Abyss. The Great Abyss is not some Alpha god but belongs to an unknown clan of monsters, ones who think in a hive mentality and believe anyone who cannot hear their voice is broken and must be destroyed. And Lyric has just woken them.

After a death-defying escape, Lyric makes her journey back to the mainland to prepare humanity for another monster invasion. Once reunited with her parents, Bex, and hot-nerd-with-potential Riley, Lyric has to break the terrible truth.

Lyric was just a girl when the Alpha arrived in her hometown. She was a soldier in the second attack that saved her world. What will she have to become now, and who will she have to leave behind?


My Thoughts

When I read Undertow I was thrilled!  A new, exciting book!  I knew I HAD to get the next in the series, Raging Sea.  Then, when I read Raging Sea I loved it even more than Undertow!  So good!  So, it was natural to long to pick up the next in the series, Heart of the Storm.  So... I did...

This book is my least favorite in the series.  I honestly didn't like it very much at all.  Now, I have read books that were a lot worse, but this one was not very good.

I flew through the first two books yet this one seemed to take a lot longer to read.  I think it is because I just couldn't get that into it!  There were things about it that just seemed so frustrating and rushed!  I hate that I didn't like this book.  I really enjoyed the last two so I had such high hopes for this one!

I will still read other Michael Buckley books.  I loved Raging Sea so much that I am still open to reading more of his books.  I just didn't really enjoy this one.