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Fiction

Verity, Psychological Thriller by Colleen Hoover

January 18, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

“This book is a bit disturbing.” Those were the words I read when I looked up Verity by Colleen Hoover. I had never read anything by this author, so I looked it up on GoodReads. That was the first sentence of the first review I read. And I was all in! I immediately downloaded the book to my Kindle and started reading. The book was finished in exactly 24 hours from when I started it. You know a book is good when you can’t put it down.

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

verity

VerityVerityVerityUgly Love: A NovelUgly Love: A NovelUgly Love: A NovelRegretting YouRegretting YouRegretting You

About Verity by Colleen Hoover

From Amazon –

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. 

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered. 

She decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her. 

Due to graphic scenes and mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+.

My Thoughts

This is the best book I have read in a very long time. Yes it was very disturbing…that review was correct. However, despite how disturbing various parts of the book was, the way it was written was amazing. Colleen Hoover definitely has a way with words. Each and every sentence she wrote, painted a picture in my head, as if I was watching the book unfold, rather than reading it. Verity is definitely a book that I could see made into a movie. I hope it will be one day!

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Was Verity Really That Disturbing?

Yes. It really was. There were moments when I was reading it that I needed to close my Kindle and take a breather. While that may spook other people, or even turn them off from the book, it made me love the book all the more! Yes I realize liking to be spooked by the books I read is probably disturbing, in and of itself, but oh well! Let’s put it this way, I liked Verity so much that I immediately downloaded another Colleen Hoover book to read! When I like an author, I tend to read everything they’ve written!

 

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Is The Kindle Paperwhite Worth It?

In one word, yes! My husband got me the Kindle Paperwhite for my birthday one year and it was absolutely the best present I have ever gotten. I use my Kindle every single day. My Kindle is in my purse at all times. You never know when you will be stuck waiting, which gives you time to read! The other thing that is SOOOOOO recommended, is the Kindle Unlimited membership. For just $9.99 a month, you can download however many books you want to read! It’s really come in handy and I have a lot of authors that I love on Kindle Unlimited!


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Psychological Thriller

Deadly Cross by James Patterson

January 6, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

One of my favorite authors, that I read several of his series books, is James Patterson. He is the author of the ever popular Alex Cross series and the Women’s Murder Club series (among others). I’ve been reading the Alex Cross series for about 20 years. As soon as I find out that James Patterson has a new Alex Cross book coming out, I instantly go on the Libby app and reserve it for my Kindle! Deadly Cross is the latest book in the Alex Cross series. Like every other Alex Cross book, this one most definitely did not disappoint!

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

deadly cross

Deadly Cross (Alex Cross, 28)Deadly Cross (Alex Cross, 28)Deadly Cross (Alex Cross, 28)Criss Cross (Alex Cross, 25)Criss Cross (Alex Cross, 25)Criss Cross (Alex Cross, 25)Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 24)Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 24)Target: Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 24)

About Deadly Cross

From Amazon –

A double homicide in the nation’s capital opens the psychological case files – on Detective Alex Cross.

Kay Willingham led a life as glamorous as it was public – she was a gorgeous Georgetown socialite, philanthropist, and the ex-wife of the vice president. So why was she parked in a Bentley convertible idling behind a DC private school, in the middle of the night, with the man who was the head of that school? Who shot them both, point blank, and why? The shocking double homicide is blazed across the internet, TV, newspapers – and across Alex Cross’s mind. Kay had been his patient once. And maybe more. 

While John Sampson of DC Metro Police investigates the last movements of Christopher Randall, the educator killed along with Kay Willingham, detective Alex Cross and FBI special agent Ned Mahoney find unanswered questions from Willingham’s past, before she arrived in DC and became known in Washington society as someone who could make things happen. They travel to Alabama to investigate Kay’s early years. There they find a world of trouble, corruption, and secrets, all of them closed to outsiders like Cross and Mahoney.

Kay had many enemies, but all of them seemed to need her alive. The harder the investigators push, the more resistance they find when they leave behind the genteel law offices and doctors’ quarters of the state capital. Alex Cross will need to use all his skills as a doctor, a detective, and a family man to prevent that resistance from turning lethal…again.

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 19)Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 19)Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, 19)Criss Cross (Alex Cross Book 27)Criss Cross (Alex Cross Book 27)Criss Cross (Alex Cross Book 27)Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, 1)Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, 1)Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, 1)

My Thoughts

Well…first…I read the book in a day and a half. So I guess you could say, I liked it! Actually, I like Deadly Cross a lot. Like I said before, James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. With that said, sometimes when he has a co-author, the book doesn’t  have the “James Patterson voice”. Deadly Cross, however, was 100% James Patterson. The old James Patterson. I loved it! The simplistic sentence structure, and I do not mean that as an insult, keeps me engaged and moves the story along. Moves it along so much that I finished it very quickly! I’m sure the next people in line to read the book at the library was very pleased that I returned it so quickly!

 

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What Else Does James Patterson Write?

I could literally sit here all day and write out every single thing James Patterson has written, but the best thing I cold do is send you to his website. At his website you will see a list of his books, as well as, each book series broken up with reading lists. If you are like me, you will want to read the books in order. I highly recommend you do. The older Alex Cross books are so good and they provide you with a TON of backstory. If you have children, he writes excellent books for kids. When my kids were tweens (especially my son) they really enjoyed his books. They made them laugh!


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Series, Thrillers & Suspense

Trading Secrets by Rachael Eckles Review

January 5, 2021 by Leah Leave a Comment

As a writer myself, I enjoy reading novels by new authors. I get excited to see someone get their first novel published. In a sense, it gives me hope that I will finish my novel AND get it published myself. As a result, when I was approached to read Trading Secrets by Rachael Eckles, it was a no brainer, instant yes from me. Not only did the synopsis sound very interesting, but this novel is her first, and it makes me really happy to read debut novels!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I received a Kindle copy of this novel from the author, for the purpose of this review*

Rachael Eckles

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Synopsis of Trading Secrets

Celeste Donovan, a high-powered finance executive, seems to have it all–the penthouse apartment, the supermodel physique with a mathematician mind, and a trail of beautiful men she has loved and left behind.

But when her boyfriend Theodore is killed in a mysterious accident, she discovers Omar, her abusive ex she had hoped would never resurface, is behind his death.

Now she’s caught in a game of cat and mouse, trying to anticipate Omar’s next move, as she realizes he will stop at nothing to get to her. She sets out alone on a whirlwind journey to entrap him, determined to put an end to Omar’s destruction.

Soon Celeste is thrust in the middle of the largest financial scandal in decades. This time, however, powerful government officials are in bed with some of the world’s most dangerous men.

When she discovers that those she thought she knew best are involved in a secret society warring with Omar and his coconspirators, she must decide how far she will go to avenge Theodore’s death and whether she is willing to risk her own life to save everyone she loves.

Doesn’t it sound intriguing?!?

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this debut novel by Rachael Eckles. One thing I really like in this book, is the strong female lead character. And let me tell you, Celeste Donovan is probably the strongest female lead I have ever read in a book. I must warn you that this book is definitely for 18+ as it does contain explicit sex scenes. As a result, having the strong female lead, this would be a good book to be made into a movie.

 

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About the Author, Rachael Eckles

Rachael Eckles grew up in the midwest. It was after finishing law school, that she decided to move to the east coast. She is currently living in Manhattan with her puppy! As I mentioned, Trading Secrets is her first novel. However, she is currently working on book two in the Trading Secrets trilogy! While you wait, you can keep up with Rachael by following her on social media.

Facebook

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To learn more about Rachael Eckles and Trading Secrets, visit her website.

rachael eckles

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance, Thrillers & Suspense

Kendra Elliot Novella, Below the Bones

November 29, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

I’ve told you before, my absolute favorite thing to read are series books. A close second are novella’s. Why? Well, simply because they are usually part of a series and they are short. I don’t mind reading long novels at all, but sometimes I just need a quick read. Insert the novella! This Kendra Elliot novella came at the right time for me. I needed something short, but I also wanted familiar characters. This gave me exactly what I needed at the exact time!

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

kendra elliot novella

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About the Kendra Elliot Novella, Below the Bones

From Amazon –

Former FBI special agent Cate Wilde is a new bakery and bookstore owner—and retirement is now complete with a doctor boyfriend. Although she struggles with PTSD, the sweet life she’s living is a far cry from the gruesome work she left behind six months ago.

But when skeletal remains turn up on Widow’s Island—and the MO of the killer is too familiar to Cate—the dream comes to an abrupt end. What if the case she solved eight years ago isn’t as closed as she thought? Her hometown needs her, and despite her mental health and her boyfriend’s protests, she has no choice but to return to her dangerous past life.

Soon Cate is in a desperate race to stop a cold-blooded murderer from killing again, once and for all…only this time, she’ll have so much more to lose.

My Thoughts on the Novella

First things first, what is a novella? Very simply put, a novella is considered a short novel or a long short story. This Kendra Elliot novella was literally less than 100 pages. Despite not having a lot of pages, this book gave just as much as a 200 or 300 page novel. Kendra Elliot is one of my favorite authors. I have a Kindle Unlimited membership (check out the Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans) and I’ve read almost every single book by this author. In fact, when I finish one in a series, I always Google to find out when the next one comes out AND I put it on my calendar. Yes I do!

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One thing I like most about this author is that she does an amazing job making the characters feel believable. If I am reading a book and a character says or does something that just would never happen in a million years, and it’s not a fantasy type book, then it annoys me and I have a hard time buying into that character. That’s not the case with this Kendra Elliot novella or any book by this author. For instance, check out Columbia River series. This is another series by Kendra Elliot and it is fantastic.

I See the Series is Written by Two Different Authors

If you noticed that the series above is written by two different authors, then you would be correct! Both Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh co-write several series books that you find on Amazon. I don’t know the story behind how these two authors found each other to start writing, but they have very similar styles. It is not distracting at all. In fact, I sometimes don’t even realize which author wrote the book I’m reading. That’s how similar they are!


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Series, Thrillers & Suspense

Jojo Moyes – After You

November 21, 2020 by Leah Leave a Comment

A couple months ago, my sister in-law recommended that I read the Me Before You series by Jojo Moyes. I’m so glad I did. First of all, I absolutely love series books. I get so invested in the characters. It’s hard not to! As dorky as this probably makes me sound, I kind of miss the characters when the series is over! So when the second book in the series became available for my Kindle, I immediately downloaded it! After You picks up right where Me Before You left off!

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

Jojo Moyes

Me Before You (Me Before You Trilogy)Me Before You (Me Before You Trilogy)Me Before You (Me Before You Trilogy)After You: A Novel (Me Before You Trilogy Book 2)After You: A Novel (Me Before You Trilogy Book 2)After You: A Novel (Me Before You Trilogy Book 2)Still Me: A Novel (Me Before You Trilogy)Still Me: A Novel (Me Before You Trilogy)Still Me: A Novel (Me Before You Trilogy)

About After You by Jojo Moyes

From Amazon –

“You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”
 
How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?
 
Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.
 
Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .
 
For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.

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My Thoughts

Jojo Moyes has this ability to get you so involved in the lives of the characters, that you forget that they are just characters. I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like for Louisa to go through what she did with Will. Trying to move on from what she went through was rough. At times, it was annoying to see her make the mistake of focusing on her ghost of a boyfriend and almost mess things up with a current love interest. When a very important person from Will’s past shows up in Louisa’s life, I thought it was going to be lame and drawn out. It was not at all! The way Jojo Moyes wrote this character was absolutely perfect!

About Jojo Moyes

Jojo lives in Essex. She is both a journalist and a novelist. Interesting tidbit, her novels have been translated into 46 languages! Not only that, but they have hit the number one spot in 12 different countries! If you like to read a book and then see a movie, then you must read Me Before You and then look for the movie that was adapted from that book!


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction, Series

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Hi!! My name is Leah Kanaan and besides being with my husband and kids, my greatest pleasure in life is reading! I am an aspiring author and would love to have my books published one day! Take a look around and hopefully you find a new book to read and enjoy!
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