Review of All The Little Children by Jo Furniss

All the Little Children by Jo Furniss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A creepy good time! Fans of Nick Cutter will appreciate Jo Furniss’ new novel, All the Little Children. This novel played to my love of all things horror! Picture this...two women, one teenage girl, and three little kids take a camping trip. Although there is a cellphone tower nearby, they lose all connectivity. They later come across a farm filled with screaming cows who have not been milked. A dog appears, blood on its coat. They eventually head back to town and discover an atrocity. This novel takes the reader on a wild ride filled with creepiness and fringed with governmental plots. I would love to see a sequel!


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Review of The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A true edge-of-your seat mystery! The book begins with Cassie Bowden waking up after a blackout drunk night, next to a corpse. The reader is immediately drawn in, and will find themselves reading late into the night, to find out if Cassie is ultimately held responsible, or silenced, by those who wanted Greg Sokolov dead. The author’s style reminded me of Robin Cook, and I believe fans of his medical espionage novels will also appreciate The Flight Attendant.


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Review of What Goes Down by Natalie K. Martin

What Goes Down by Natalie K. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story details main character, Seph's, discovery that the father she has always known is not, in fact, her biological father. Seph has been dealing with anxiety issues (speaking as someone who has suffered with anxiety, I must give author Natalie Martin kudos for nailing the feelings associated with such a disorder!), and her mental state is beginning to spiral out of control. Nestled amidst this story line, is chronicled the love story of Seph's mother and her biological father, and how her father ultimately disappeared from her life. Martin does a great job of portraying sensitive issues, while keeping the reader interested throughout.

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Daughters of the Night Sky by Aimie K. Runyan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was one of those few and far between, one of a kind books, that entrenches itself in one's soul and mind. The book stars, Katya, a member of one of Russia's elite bombing regiments, consisting solely of women pilots and navigators in the 1940's, during a time of war. Author Aimie Runyan does such an exceptional job in detailing Katya's pride in country, sisterhood with her fellow women pilots, and doubts and insecurities about the family she left behind, and a husband serving elsewhere on the front lines, that Katya does not seem to be a character at all, but someone you would choose as a best friend. This was one of those books that you must see through to the end, but slowly, so that you can savor it until the last drop. Well done, Aimie Runyan!

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Review of The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks


Like an off-the-beaten-path mountain road, this book is twisty! Just when you think you have it pegged, you realize you've been thrown for a loop. This book is about a philandering, despicable husband and the hold he has over his wife. Or does he? The authors do a great job with keeping the reader on their toes. Do not miss out on this one, folks!

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Review of The First Day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb

The First Day of the Rest of My Life by Cathy Lamb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Characters filled with heart and grit...that is what you get when you read a novel by Cathy Lamb. In this gem, main character, Madeline, suffered a childhood of heartache and despair. She is a popular life coach who feels as though she is a fraud. She and her sister must face the demons of their pasts, while coming to terms with their grandmother's dementia and the revealing of secrets pertaining to their heritage. Lamb's characters have a way of finding their niche in the reader's heart. This novel does not disappoint!

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Review of The Wake Up by Catherine Ryan Hyde

The Wake Up by Catherine Ryan Hyde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Readers, you are in for a treat! Catherine Ryan Hyde’s newest book, The Wake Up, will give you a serious case of the “feels.” Main character, Aiden, has found himself in a strange place in life, where his newfound empathy makes it impossible for him to continue raising cattle for slaughter. He is also in a new relationship, and his love interest has two children, one of whom comes with many emotional issues. Aiden finds himself remembering pieces of his own past that were long forgotten. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learning how to trust and empower a child many would consider beyond help. The author’s rich descriptions allow the reader to feel the emotions of the characters and leave one discovering there is hope in difficult circumstances. This was my first book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, and I will be sure to read her others as this one has made me a true fan!


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Review of The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman

The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A hauntingly beautiful, yet devastating, story. In The Life She Was Given, Ellen Marie Wiseman transports the reader back in time to circus life in the 1930s. A young girl, Lilly, is ripped from the only life she has known, thrust into the harsh realities of performing in the circus sideshow. Through the years, she learns to overcome many obstacles and finds love in a young man and in performing with her cherished elephants. Fast forward two decades to the life of Julia, a young woman who has inherited her parents’ estate. She uncovers secrets her parents have stashed away, including articles about a circus performer. The mystery splendidly unfolds, revealing the correlations between the two girls’ lives. Wiseman’s writing pulls the reader wholly and deeply into the story and reflects between the two storylines seamlessly. This book will go down as one of my favorites of all time, and I would not be surprised it becomes a classic to future generations.


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