Fiction

The Thinnest Air by Minka Kent

July 2, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I have written about this author before. Minka Kent is one of my favorites. I have read so many books by her and each one has me on the edge of my seat, literally. The book, The Thinnest Air, was no different. I think I read that book in two days. In fact, I woke up randomly at 4 am, couldn’t fall back to sleep, so I started reading. I read until 6 am. Yes. I was a little tired today!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

About The Thinnest Air

From Amazon –

Meredith Price is the luckiest woman alive. Her husband, Andrew, is a charming and successful financial broker. She has two lovely stepchildren and is living in affluence in a mountain resort town. After three years of marriage, Meredith’s life has become predictable. Until the day she disappears.

Her car has been discovered in a grocery store parking lot—purse and phone undisturbed on the passenger seat, keys in the ignition, no sign of struggle, and no evidence of foul play. It’s as if she vanished into thin air.

It’s not like Meredith to simply abandon her loved ones. And no one in this town would have reason to harm her. When her desperate sister, Greer, arrives, she must face a disturbing question: What if no one really knows Meredith at all? For Greer, finding her sister isn’t going to be easy…because where she’s looking is going to get very, very dark.

The Perfect Roommate The Thinnest Air The Stillwater Girls

My Thoughts

If you have seen any of my other book reviews, you will know that I am good at figuring the book out. For some people, that may be annoying, but I love it! I currently read on a Kindle Paperwhite, but when I was reading actual paperback books, I was the type of person that would skip to the last chapter, read it and then read the book. I know. So terrible! With this book, however, it wasn’t until the last few chapters that I started to figure it out. Nevertheless, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this author. I’ve liked every single book she’s written that I’ve read.

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Is A Kindle Worth It?

Well…I read on one, so I obviously think it is! If you get one or have one, definitely check out the Kindle Unlimited plan. You can read as many books as you want in a month, for only $9.99 a month! Best part…your first month is FREE! This book, The Thinnest Air, is free with a Kindle Unlimited membership!

Mary Torjussen – Gone Without a Trace

June 25, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

Over the last few days, I read a book that ranks up there as one of my favorites. I can’t tell you how many nights I stayed up well after my husband fell asleep, just so I could read a few more pages. Normally I am able to figure out what is about to happen, and I like that. With this book, that wasn’t the case. I had theories, but boy was I wrong. In fact, one of the quotes about the book says, “…with a twist so sharp it will give readers whiplash,” and boy does it ever. I never saw that ending coming! Mary Torjussen, author of Gone Without a Trace, is one author I hope to read more books by!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

The Closer You Get Gone Without a Trace The Girl I Used to Be

About Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen

From Amazon –

Hannah Monroe’s boyfriend, Matt, is gone. His belongings have disappeared from their house. Every call she ever made to him, every text she ever sent, every photo of him and any sign of him on social media have vanished. It’s as though their last four years together never happened.

As Hannah struggles to get through the next few days, with humiliation and recriminations whirring through her head, she knows that she’ll do whatever it takes to find him again and get answers. But as soon as her search starts, she realizes she is being led into a maze of madness and obsession. Step by suspenseful step, Hannah discovers her only way out is to come face to face with the shocking truth…

CoBak Kindle Paperwhite Case – All New PU Leather Smart Cover with Auto Sleep Wake Feature for Kindle Paperwhite 10th Generation 2018 Released, Sky Blue Kindle Paperwhite – Now Waterproof with 2x the Storage – Includes Special Offers Amazon 5W USB Official OEM Charger and Power Adapter for Fire Tablets and Kindle eReaders – Black

My Thoughts

I was hooked on this book from the moment I started reading it. The idea of a boyfriend or spouse disappearing without a trace, as if they never even existed, was mind boggling to me. In the beginning, I thought that possibly Hannah was crazy and this boyfriend never really existed. However, I was quickly proven wrong when she spoke with her friends about the situation. I don’t want to give anything away. Like the quote on the top of the cover, the twist in this book is epic. I truly did not see it coming. What happened at the end was not even a blip on my radar. I may have even said “oh my gosh” out loud when I realized the twist. It was that good! Definitely add this book to your reading list.

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Unlimited

My absolute favorite thing I own is my Kindle Paperwhite. I read on that thing every single day, multiple times a day. I opted to use a Kindle Paperwhite (and also the Kindle app on my iPhone) over reading a book, because it’s so easy to throw in my purse and the charge lasts for weeks! Since I spend so much time sitting in my car waiting on kids, having my Kindle with me to read is great! Along with my Kindle, I also have a Kindle Unlimited membership. For just $9.99 a month, I have access to TONS of books. I can read as many as I want in a month! Click the link above to see the membership plans AND get your first month for free!

Other Books You May Like

I’ve read a lot of books while stuck at home. Shoot, who am I kidding…I read a lot of books, regardless if I have a governor telling me to stay home or not! A few books I’ve read recently, that I totally recommend are:

Women’s Murder Club – 20th Victim

Hunger Games Prequel

Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

What books should I add to my “must read” list? Have you read any books by Mary Torjussen?

Salvation Station by Kathryn Schleich

June 17, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I really get excited when new (to me) authors reach out to me to read their book. What also excites me is when this new (to me) author agrees to an author interview (go read it)! Kathryn Schleich is the author of the new crime novel, Salvation Station. This page turning novel will have you on the edge of your seat, anxious to get to the end!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The author of this book provided me with an ebook for the purpose of this review*

After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology Salvation Station: A Novel Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and other Images

Salvation Station Synopsis

When committed female police captain Linda Turner, haunted by the murders of two small
children and their pastor father, becomes obsessed with solving the harrowing case, she finds
herself wrapped up in a mission to expose a fraudulent religious organization and an
unrepentant killer.

Despite her years of experience investigating homicides for the force, Captain Linda Turner
is haunted by the murders of the Hansen family. The two small children, clothed in tattered
Disney pajamas, were buried with their father, a pastor, in the flower garden behind a church
parsonage in Lincoln, Nebraska. But Mrs. Hansen is nowhere to be found—and neither is the
killer.

In St. Louis, the televangelist Ray Williams is about to lose his show—until one of his
regular attendees approaches him with an idea that will help him save it. Despite his initial
misgivings, Ray agrees to give it a try. He can’t deny his attraction to this woman, and
besides, she’d assured him the plan is just—God gave her the instructions in a dream.

Multiple story lines entwine throughout this compelling mystery, delving into the topics of
murder, religious faith, and the inherent dangers in blindly accepting faith as truth. While
Reverend Williams is swept up in his newfound success and plans for his wedding, Captain
Turner can only hope that she and her team will catch the Hansens’ cunning killer—before
more bodies surface.

About the Author

Kathryn Schleich has been a writer for thirty years. Her most recent publications include the short story “Reckless Acts,” featured in After Effects: A Zimbell House Anthology, and her story “Grand Slam,” published in The Acentos Review in May 2017. She is the author of two editions of the book Hollywood and Catholic Women: Virgins, Whores, Mothers, and Other Images, which evolved from her master’s thesis. Her guest posts have been featured on the Women On Writing blog, The Muffin, and she writes for the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s volunteer newsletter. When she’s not writing, Schleich is likely volunteering in the education and arts communities in the Twin Cities, where she lives. Friends, family, good food, wine, and traveling are important aspects of her life. Salvation Station is her first novel. It is available for sale on on Amazon.

Connect with Kathryn Schleich on Social Media

If you are like me, you probably liked to connect with authors you like on social media. You can find Kathryn Schleich on the following social media platforms:

You can also visit her website for more information about her and the books she has for sale right now!

My Thoughts

Typically, I like stories that have multiple storylines. This novel was no different. There were many storylines intertwined throughout the book and getting invested in each one quickly, was very easy! Go ahead, read it for yourself. Find out what I mean!

Women’s Murder Club – 20th Victim

June 10, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. I have been reading his books for a very very long time. Alex Cross and the Women’s Murder Club are two of his book series that I love to read. Recently, James Patterson released another book, 20th Victim, part of his Women’s Murder Club series. I was very lucky to get a copy on my Kindle, almost right away, from the library. That literally never happens! Though, I think the library is ordering extra copies of popular books while it’s closed. Whatever the reason, I was very happy I didn’t have to wait long to read it!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

Women’s Murder Club Series

What do you get when you combine a sergeant, a medical examiner, a crime reporter, and an assistant district attorney? You get the fearsome foursome that make up the Women’s Murder Club! The four each work their day jobs, but always find time to get together at their favorite restaurant to officially and unofficially talk about cases. With their unique backgrounds, the foursome have helped each other solve cases and problems that, on their own, would have taken them much longer to solve.

The 20th Victim (Women’s Murder Club (20))The 19th Christmas (Women’s Murder Club)The 18th Abduction (Women’s Murder Club (18))

About 20th Victim

From Amazon –

Three victims, three bullets, three cities. The shooters’ aim is as fearsomely precise as their target selection. When Lindsay realizes that the fallen men and women excel in a lucrative, criminal activity, she leads the charge in the manhunt for the killers. As the casualty list expands, fear and fascination with this suspicious shooting gallery galvanizes the country.
The victims were no angels, but are the shooters villains . . . or heroes?

My Thoughts

I liked this book a lot. It felt like the “old James Patterson”. If you are familiar with his books, you may know what I’m talking about. The last Women’s Murder Club book I read, as well as the last Alex Cross book I read, didn’t feel like James Patterson. One of the things I like about this series is that he switches among the various characters so we see a little about what they are doing, thinking, etc. The last book or two, didn’t really seem to have much of that. This book, however, made up for it! He also had a lot for Lindsay’s husband, Joe. Which I liked a lot. I’m hoping that is a foreshadowing into future books and give Joe a bigger part!

The nice thing about the books in this series is that you can read them out of order, if you want to. Some things may not make much sense, but James Patterson does a good job filling in a little of the backstory. So you can catch on quickly. However, I would just read them in order…but I tend to be a rule follower so that could just be me!

Other Books You May Like

Reading is something I make time for every single day. Even if I only read one page, I still read every day. I tend to read a wide variety of genres. If you follow me on Goodreads, you would notice that! While I do tend to gravitate towards psychological thrillers, especially those with serial killers, I also like to read celebrity memoirs. One I read recently by Jessica Simpson, was really interesting to me. Other books I recommend are:

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

The Woods by Harlan Coben

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is actually the prequel to the Hunger Games series! If you read that series, and enjoyed it, you may want to read the prequel that just came out! I enjoyed it! Everything I have read by Minka Kent is excellent. Especially Stillwater Girls! On June 12th, The Woods will be a series on Netflix! I can’t wait to watch it!

What books do you recommend for me?

Two Can Keep a Secret – YA Novel

May 8, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I’ve not been quiet about the fact that my passion (after reading) is writing. Recently I signed up for a writing workshop. It was supposed to be an in person conference, but ended up needing to be online because of Covid-19. Not only was that workshop great, but it reaffirmed the genre I wanted to write. Young Adult. I just finished Two Can Keep a Secret, a YA novel by Karen M. McManus. Fun fact for you…while YA novels are typically targeted to young adults, 55% of the people reading YA are adults!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases*

One of Us Is Lying Two Can Keep a Secret One of Us Is Next: The Sequel to One of Us Is Lying

About Two Can Keep a Secret

From Amazon –

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery’s never been there, but she’s heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it’s hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she’s in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous–and most people aren’t good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it’s safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

My Thoughts

I’ve read other books by Karen M. McManus and enjoyed them. Two Can Keep a Secret is no different. I enjoy books that are written by multiple points of view. It allows us to have more insight into the characters and plot. From a plot standpoint, I think this book was spot on. It moved along nicely and held my attention. I did have a little trouble with a few of the characters. They got a little jumbled up and I wasn’t sure who a few of them were at one point. I eventually figured it out, but that was really my only “complaint” with the book. And lets face it, we have been stuck in our house for the last couple months, so it is quite possible that my focus wasn’t what it normally is when I am reading! I can admit that!

Other Books by Karen M. McManus

I mentioned that I have read other books by this author. The book that stands out to me, and one I would definitely recommend, is One of Us is Lying. There is a sequel to that book, that I have not had a chance to read yet, and I am itching to do so. One of Us is Lying reminded me of the Breakfast Club combined with the game/movie Clue! Pick up a copy of the book and let me know what you think! While you’re reading, try this delicious Andes Mint brownies I recently made!

Fiction

About The Thinnest Air

My Thoughts

Is A Kindle Worth It?

Other Minka Kent Books to Read

About Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen

My Thoughts

Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Unlimited

Other Books You May Like

Salvation Station Synopsis

About the Author

Connect with Kathryn Schleich on Social Media

My Thoughts

Women’s Murder Club Series

About 20th Victim

My Thoughts

Other Books You May Like

About Two Can Keep a Secret

My Thoughts

Other Books by Karen M. McManus