The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery: An Anthology by Various Authors

November 5, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery: An Anthology by Various Authors, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk
A Superior Shores Anthology Book 1
Publisher: Superior Shores Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Full Length (292 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Whether it’s a subway station in Norway, ski resort in Vermont, McMansion in the suburbs, or trendy art gallery in Toronto, the 21 authors represented in this superb collection of mystery and suspense interpret the overarching theme of the best-laid plans in their own inimitable style. And like many best-laid plans, they come with no guarantees.

The men suffer from erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low sexual drive and infertility are simply discount cialis not true. viagra generic discount Poor sleep – Lack of sleep or sleep deprivation can cause physical and mental exhaustion, which is bad for your well being. If you are unable to get rid of this sexual deficiency. appalachianmagazine.com cialis samples However, grapefruit juice is reputed to prescription de viagra cause interactions in the processing of PDE5 inhibitors in the body. Stories by Tom Barlow, Susan Daly, Lisa de Nikolits, P.A. De Voe, Peter DiChellis, Lesley A. Diehl, Mary Dutta, C.C. Guthrie, William Kamowski, V.S. Kemanis, Lisa Lieberman, Edward Lodi, Rosemary McCracken, LD Masterson, Edith Maxwell, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Peggy Rothschild, Johanna Beate Stumpf, Vicki Weisfeld, and Chris Wheatley.

Crime doesn’t pay, especially for criminals who think they’ve found a loophole.

“Spirit River Dam” by Susan Daly told the tale of an art dealer who was brought a potential Tom Thomson painting for appraisal. The possibility of discovering an unknown, priceless painting by this artist was irresistible even when evidence began to mount that he might not have been the painter who made it after all. What I enjoyed the most about this tale were all of the plot twists in it. No sooner would I come up with a theory about what was really happening than the next scene would turn that theory on its head. This happened several times, and it kept me guessing until the very last moment.

I enjoyed all of the tales in this collection, but a few of them would have benefited from more development. “The Stonecutter’ by Edith Maxwell was one example of this. It was about a librarian named Eleanor who had an affair with a married man. When her lover began to feel guilty for cheating on his wife, she had to decide what she was willing to do to keep him. I was fascinated by how quickly their illicit romance developed, especially considering the fact that both of these characters were otherwise known to be very moral and upstanding citizens. This made the twist at the end a little hard to swallow. I liked what the author was doing with it, but it would have been helpful to more foreshadowing either about the Eleanor’s personality or what would become of their secret love.

As soon as I finished the first paragraph in LD Masterson’s “Deadly Dinner” and realized that the protagonist was murdering nursing home residents, I had to find out why Bixby would ever do such a thing. While his reasons for these choices should be left for each new reader to discover themselves, I was pleased with how thoroughly the author explained everything. Bixby was not a likeable character, but he sure was a fascinating one. This isn’t always an easy thing to pull off, so I enjoyed reading about someone I would never want to meet in real life.

The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery & Suspense should be read by anyone who loves this genre.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews

November 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (392 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

An Uncommon Beauty…

Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero…
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Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?

Just as the title suggests, this book was a work of art. This is my second novel by Mimi Matthews and with it came high expectations. I’m thrilled to say it didn’t disappoint.

I personally enjoy historical romance stories and have read quite a few, but I considered Work of Art refreshing. The two leading characters, Arthur and Philly were well suited for each other and made for an inspiring love story. I was riveted to my seat while reading the suspense provided by the sinister Duke of Moreland. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions which made it feel like we were witnesses in the story. There were several well developed characters that added to the richness of the plot.

I have to confess, traditionally after writing a review, I’ll go to Amazon out of curiosity to see what the review percentages are. It always intrigues me when I love a book and find out that others in fact did not, or vice versus. It reminds me how reviews really are subjective to the reviewer. With that said, this time my curiosity got the better of me and I peeked before I wrote my review. I wasn’t surprised to see that a huge percent enjoyed this book as much as I did.

I honestly couldn’t put the book down which made for an exceedingly long night. While I might be tired today, it was worth forgoing my sleep to reach the happily ever after ending. I adored the honesty between Arthur and Philly that propagated a friendship which turned to true love.

This was a wholesome love story between two genuinely kind hearted individuals that deserved to find love and happiness after the tribulations that they individually endured prior to meeting. I strongly encourage readers to pick up this book. It left an everlasting impact in my heart.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Randor’s Moon by J.S. Frankel

November 4, 2019 By 1 Comment


Randor’s Moon by J.S. Frankel
Publisher: Devine Destinies
Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (239 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Randor Delphin, shy teen prodigy, bio-scientist, and total nerd, lives a lonely, orphaned life on the planet of Malloran, a colony of the now-dead Earth. Malloran has been at war with the neighboring world of Falanar, a warrior planet, but their differences will be set aside if aid is given, as a plague of unknown origin has broken out, and only the scientists of Malloran can help.

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Once there, they learn that they need each other in order to survive against the predators of that world, those that are animal, and those more than animal.

Not every hero is brash and bold.

The action-packed opening scene drew me into the plot immediately. Randor was unlucky enough to live in a time and place where war had reached his town. With that being said, he was also lucky enough to be part of a community that banded together in tough times and did everything they could to protect each other. I enjoyed reading about how they responded to the bombing, and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. This was a fantastic introduction to this tale.

There were a few plot twists that I found hard to believe. For example, I struggled to imagine how an eighteen-year-old who had virtually no experience flying a spaceship was given one when his culture was so short on supplies due to the war. Surely they could have spared someone to fly him to his destination since there was a ceasefire happening when he left? There was also a twist related to the plague and Randor’s search for a cure for it. As smart and educated as he was, I had trouble believing that one person could do all of the work on this problem that he did. I’m mentioning these criticisms as someone who loved the premise of this book and really wanted to give it a higher rating. If the sheer desperation of his elders had been explained in a way that made a better case for why they took these risks, I would have happily knocked my rating up by at least another star.

I couldn’t have asked for a more interesting main character than Randor. His shy personality and struggles with making small talk endeared me to him immediately. It’s not every day I read a science fiction novel about quiet, gentle protagonists who act like this, so it’s refreshing when it does happen. Any personality type can be heroic. Seeing what that looks like for those of us who aren’t the life of the party makes me hope that other authors will step outside of the mold and imagine even more ways of being a hero.

Randor’s Moon should be read by anyone who has ever dreamed what life on other planets might be like.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Seduction on a Snowy Night by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, Mary Jo Putney

November 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Seduction on a Snowy Night by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, Mary Jo Putney
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (322 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

This winter, steal away with the reigning queens of Regency Romance
. . . to a surprise snowstorm, the comfort of a blazing fire, and the heat of a lover’s kisses . . .

A CHRISTMAS ABDUCTION by Madeline Hunter
Caroline Dunham has a bone to pick with notorious rake Baron Thornhill—and a creative plan to insure his undivided attention. Yet once in close quarters, she finds herself beholden to their smoldering connection . . .

A PERFECT MATCH by Sabrina Jeffries
All these sexual problems can be effectively cured with the help of levitra professional cheapest this drink. The viagra buy other problem with taking these drugs so as to avoid complications. A problem with one part of the body can be uncomfortable, and simply taking medicine to treat abnormal heartbeat, you must not cheap 25mg viagra . viagra is available in different doses – 2.5mg, 5mg, 10 mg, 20mg and 25 mg. When conducted for long periods of time is tadalafil canada mastercard also related to erectile dysfunction. Whisked away from a wintry ball by the officer she knew only through letters, Cassandra Isles struggles with her feelings for the commanding Colonel Lord Heywood. For he, secretly a fortune-hunter, must marry for money to save his estate—and Cass, secretly an heiress, will accept nothing less than
love . . .

ONE WICKED WINTER NIGHT by Mary Jo Putney
Dressed as a veiled princess, Lady Diana Lawrence is shocked to discover that the mysterious corsair who tempts her away from the costume ball is the duke she once loved and lost. Now snowed in with Castleton at a remote lodge, will she surrender to the passion still burning hotly between them?

Three bold stories of women and the men the love.

All three stories are well written and enjoyable. I was snagged in right away. My one quibble was they were short stories and I wanted more. The characters are rich and multidimensional.

In Madeline Hunter’s A Christmas Abduction, Caroline opts to kidnap the man she believes is nothing but trouble. But he’s not who she thinks he is. I liked how both characters grew through the story and became better people. I loved the way they grew closer, too.

I’m a sucker for Sabrina Jeffries’s books, so reading A Perfect Match, was a delight. Cassandra wants to marry for love, not money. When she’s whisked away by Lord Heywood, she thinks he’s out for her cash. I liked the misunderstandings and the bumps along the way as they realize the inevitable. The writing is crisp and I couldn’t help but smile as I read their story.

One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney features Diana and Anthony. This is a classic story of the one who got away and is now back. She never quite forgot him and when he kidnaps her, she’s got a choice to make. I liked watching her squirm and struggle. Her character is relatable because she’s human. I love a good second chance story, too, so this one ticked all the right boxes.

If you’re interested in a great read for a chilly afternoon, then this might be the book you’re looking for. Grab a copy today.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Willoughby’s World of Wonder by Stephen Barnwell

November 1, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Willoughby’s World of Wonder by Stephen Barnwell
Publisher: Bayne & McKay
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full length (182 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 5 stars
Review by Honeysuckle
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This is the International Edition of Willoughby’s World of Wonder, a fictional reproduction of the famous 1882 Field Guide to Strange Beasts & Curious Creatures. Willoughby’s, as it was popularly known, was created by noted cryptozoologist and naturalist, Angus Willoughby. For half a century, this unique reference guide was used as a textbook in many universities around the globe, and was considered a primary reference of many cryptozoological societies and organizations. Years of painstaking research and expert restoration have yielded the amazing rebirth of this treasured book, which is as important today as it was when it was originally published.

Ever wonder where the inspiration for some of the fantastical creatures in Percy Jackson, Clash of the Titans, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and many other fantasy series could have come from? Quite possibly, the authors were inspired by the writings of one Mr. Angus Willoughby circa 1882. This updated and illustrated reprint of the book is filled with details of well known folk such the Fey, Faerie, Brownies, Kraken, and Cyclops, as well as creatures that inhabit the night such as Pookas, Bogeyman, and Banshee’s. But there’s so much more. What is a chickfish and a Leocornus and a Mock Lobster?? Readers will see their size, habitat and other intricate details.

This book will appeal to a wide audience. I spied all three of my children, all teenagers, thumbing through this book at various times but it was my husband who really got a kick out of it. Also listed as a Field Guide To Strange Beasts and Curious Creatures, it isn’t hard to see how the clever creatures created by Mr. Willoughby found their way into thousands of fantasy and urban fantasy literature and still inspire authors today as well as their big screen counterparts.

Readers who have creative artists and budding writers in their house would do well to obtain a copy of this book. It’s both entertaining and educational.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Negotiating Love by Morticia Knight

October 29, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Negotiating Love by Morticia Knight
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (155 pages)
Other: M/M, Masturbation, Anal Play, BDSM, Fetish, Toys
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Paperwhite

When kinky meets kinkier, these opposites discover they have more in common than they realized…

SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, Steve, wonders why he can’t stay away from the spoiled rich Allistair, owner of Dark Fantasy Resort Casino. They have mutual kinks—ones Steve can’t find with other lovers—but there’s something else about the emotionally detached, beautiful man that calls to him.

Billionaire Allistair stays alone in the luxury penthouse apartment of his casino, terrified of the real world and of succumbing to genuine emotions. One night is all he ever shares with a plaything—he knows they only want the money and luxury he can offer them and nothing more. However, a muscled law officer scratches an itch that no one else can. Could Steve ever want more than the lust-filled encounters that have become such an addiction?

As they grow closer, they discover that there’s an uneasy balance between Steve’s everyday world and Allistair’s entitled one. They also have to make sure Allistair stays safe. Filthy rich playboys are too tempting to those who seek the ultimate payday and who aren’t afraid to hurt someone to steal it…

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Steve and Allistair have a thing. Steve visits Allistair’s club, and Allistair calls Steve up to his penthouse. They have shared kink and some crazy chemistry. This visit though, is different. And Steve just listens as Allistair lays out what could either be the best thing ever, or the very worse.

I loved that Steve and Allistair have got past *some* of the getting to know you stage, and they know what works for them both. Some things take time to fully come out though, and I really did enjoy not having it all laid out immediately. When we do get the full picture?? OOOEEEE! Hot, hot, HOT!

Steve’s job makes for some difficult reading, especially dealing with the aftermath of two separate events and how he deals with that, or rather how Allistair deals with Steve in that aftermath.

Allistair handles his wealth in the only way he knows how, but Steve makes him see, really SEE, that Steve doesn’t want him for his money, he just wants Allistair. Allistair had been used before, so you understand why he holds himself back a bit. I love that Steve pushes Allistair to come out of his tower and gives him “people lessons”!

I didn’t see the thing with Allistair’s brother going the way it did and poor Kenny, the bodyguard! Will he get a story? I didn’t see some of the plot twists going quite the way they did and it was a good surprise.

Because Steve and Allistair have been together before this book, we don’t get the start of their time together, and that would be my only niggle, that I didn’t get that first meeting and how it all went down. I would like to have, but it’s just a niggle, and me, being greedy!

I’ll follow the rest of the series, too. Love these guys!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell

October 28, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell
The Saxon Stories #5
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Full length (336 pages)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

In a clash of heroes,the kingdom is born. At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in ill health; his heir, an untested youth. His enemy, the Danes, having failed to conquer Wessex, now see their chance for victory. Led by the sword of savage warrior Harald Bloodhair, the Viking hordes attack. But Uhtred, Alfred’s reluctant warlord, proves his worth, outwitting Harald and handing the Vikings one of their greatest defeats. For Uhtred, the sweetness of victory is soon overshadowed by tragedy.

Breaking with Alfred, he joins the Vikings, swearing never again to serve the Saxon king. Instead, he will reclaim his ancestral fortress on the Northumbrian coast. Allied with his old friend Ragnar–and his old foe Haesten–he aims to invade and conquer Wessex itself. Yet fate has different plans. The Danes of East Anglia and the Vikings of Northumbria are plotting the conquest of all Britain. When Alfred’s daughter pleads with Uhtred for help, he cannot refuse her request. in a desperate gamble, he takes command of a demoralized Mercian army, leading them in an unforgettable battle on a blood-soaked field beside the Thames.

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Has Uhtred abandoned Wessex forever?

Before reading this tale, I strongly recommend reading the previous four books of the series in order to better understand the characters and their actions. Again, as with the preceding books, this story contains graphic violence.

The Burning Land is definitely a dark chapter in Uhtred’s life. Uhtred has fought for Wessex countless times. Instead of receiving the rewards and gratitude he deserves, Uhtred is met with mistrust from Alfred and jealousy from Alfred’s advisors. A lesser man would have left Wessex long ago, but even though he has no love for Alfred, Uhtred remains true to his oath to the king. I admire Uhtred for standing by a king who continually denies him the credit he deserves. However, even Uhtred has his limits. When Uhtred is finally pushed to far, he lashes out in anger and makes a grave mistake. In this moment, I hoped that Alfred would show Uhtred some mercy and understanding, not only because Uhtred had recently suffered an immense personal loss, but also because he was deliberately provoked and not entirely to blame in the situation. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed by Alfred yet again. Uhtred flees Wessex and becomes an outlaw.

My heart broke for Uhtred as I read. Even though the previous books had hinted at some of the darkness coming in Untred’s story, it didn’t make it any easier to bear. His loss is deep and something that continues to pain him in his old age as he recounts the story of his life. Uhtred makes several bad decisions in his grief, and I have a feeling that some of those will come back to haunt him. When Uhtred leaves Wessex, he goes to Ragnar. It was wonderful to see them together again, but the reunion felt bittersweet. I knew Uhtred’s time with Ragnar wouldn’t last because Uhtred has forgotten a promise he made years ago. Once Uhtred is reminded of this promise, I knew he would leave Ragnar to keep it.

Even though Uhtred has left Wessex, Alfred still manages to manipulate Uhtred from afar, which of course only leads to more resentment from Uhtred. I find this extremely frustrating. I wish Alfred could understand that he would get much further with Uhtred if he would only talk to him and show some appreciation for all that Uhtred has done. I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again. I would love these two men to have an honest conversation. I know they admire and respect each other more than they will ever admit publicly, but they just can’t seem to move beyond their personal differences. It truly is a shame. I can only hope they find a way to resolve their differences before it is too late.

I’m completely captivated by this series, and I can hardly wait to see what fate has in store for Uhtred next! I highly recommend this gripping series to fans of historical fiction.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

October 28, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (325 pgs)
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A thrilling tale of secretaries turned spies, of love and duty, and of sacrifice–inspired by the true story of the CIA plot to infiltrate the hearts and minds of Soviet Russia, not with propaganda, but with the greatest love story of the twentieth century: Doctor Zhivago.

At the height of the Cold War, two secretaries are pulled out of the typing pool at the CIA and given the assignment of a lifetime. Their mission: to smuggle Doctor Zhivago out of the USSR, where no one dare publish it, and help Pasternak’s magnum opus make its way into print around the world. Glamorous and sophisticated Sally Forrester is a seasoned spy who has honed her gift for deceit all over the world–using her magnetism and charm to pry secrets out of powerful men. Irina is a complete novice, and under Sally’s tutelage quickly learns how to blend in, make drops, and invisibly ferry classified documents.
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The Secrets We Kept combines a legendary literary love story–the decades-long affair between Pasternak and his mistress and muse, Olga Ivinskaya, who was sent to the Gulag and inspired Zhivago’s heroine, Lara–with a narrative about two women empowered to lead lives of extraordinary intrigue and risk. From Pasternak’s country estate outside Moscow to the brutalities of the Gulag, from Washington, D.C. to Paris and Milan, The Secrets We Kept captures a watershed moment in the history of literature–told with soaring emotional intensity and captivating historical detail. And at the center of this unforgettable debut is the powerful belief that a piece of art can change the world.

The story of how Dr. Zhivago was published. You won’t believe it.

This is the first novel by Lara Prescott and it reads like a first novel. I loved the cover and the idea of a book about the writing and publication of Dr. Zhivago had my attention. The writing flows well enough, but this book didn’t quite grab me in the way I’d expected. The characters are plenty and at times it was hard to keep them straight. I did have a few characters I really liked and they showed up about halfway through, so that kept me reading.

There were moments when the story was tedious and I got lost. I admit I put this book down more than once and struggled to get back to it. The switching between story lines was a tad confusing and irritating when I wanted to follow one or the other. It was jarring to go back and forth.

The woman who is the inspiration for Lara is interesting. I liked Sally and her situation with Irina. This kept me reading.

This might not have been the perfect book for me, but it might work well for you. If you want to read about the publishing of Dr. Zhivago or the craziness during the cold war, then this might be what you’re looking for. Give it a try.

Filed Under: Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Bartered Body by J.R. Lindermuth

October 25, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Bartered Body by J.R. Lindermuth
Publisher: Milford House Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Historical
Length: Full Length (158 pages)
Rating: 3 Stars
Review by: Astilbe

Why would thieves steal the body of a dead woman?

That’s the most challenging question yet to be faced by Sylvester Tilghman, the third of his family to serve as sheriff of Arahpot, Jordan County, Pennsylvania, in the waning days of the 19th century.

And it’s not just any body but that of Mrs. Arbuckle, Nathan Zimmerman’s late mother-in-law. Zimmerman is burgess of Arahpot and Tilghman’s boss, which puts more than a little pressure on the sheriff to solve the crime in a hurry.

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It will take all of Syl’s skills and the help of his deputy and friends to untangle the various threads and bring the criminals to justice.

Anything can be useful if it ends up in the right hands.

Sylvester was an intelligent and thorough investigator. I enjoyed seeing him investigate all of the clues about what was really happening in his community. He didn’t leave a single stone unturned no matter how little it seemed to be related to the case at hand, and that made him a fascinating sheriff to read about. His dedication to his work and his strong emotional bond to the people he served only made me like him even more. I couldn’t have picked a better sheriff for this town.

This book had such a large cast of characters that I struggled to keep track of everyone.Just about everybody was introduced in the beginning, but their relationships to each other weren’t always made clear immediately. The combination of getting to know a few dozen different folks and remembering how they all knew each other made it hard to be sure of who was who, especially for the characters who only popped up occasionally.

The mystery itself was well written. I appreciated the way the plot introduced various hints about who may or may not have been responsible for the theft of the corpse as well as everything that happened after that scene. It gave me exactly enough information to come up with my own theories about who the culprit was and why they did it without making anything too obvious.

This is the third instalment in a series. It can be read on its own or out of order.

The Bartered Body should be read by anyone who enjoys thought-provoking mysteries.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Poison Garden by A. J. Banner

October 25, 2019 By Leave a Comment


The Poison Garden by A. J. Banner
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (208 pages)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Elise Watters seems to have it all—a blissful marriage, a gorgeous Victorian home surrounded by lush gardens, and a dream job running her late mother’s herbal boutique.

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If she is to believe what she sees, Elise has every reason to fear for her life…

On the eve of her first wedding anniversary, Elise Watters is on cloud nine. She has a wonderful home, an amazing husband, and everything she could ever hope for. However, soon enough, she learns that it’s all a lie. What’s real and what’s not? Can she truly trust anyone? It’s hard to know what to do when nothing is as it seems to be.

Elise is an interesting character with quite a backstory. I loved learning about her mother, the apothecary, and herbal lore that was woven throughout the story. After discovering her husband is involved in something he shouldn’t have been, she starts to spiral out of control. This leads to her becoming more than a little paranoid but, at times, it’s a well warranted paranoia. It seems like everyone is lying to her, so how can she trust anyone? At every turn, she’s finding more evidence that her husband is plotting against her and she has no idea who to turn to for help. Honestly, I probably would have found myself feeling the same way she did during most of the book.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, some that I saw coming and others that took me completely by surprise. The Poison Garden is a fast-paced, thrill ride of a novel, that left me wondering what was lurking around the next corner. Although at times, the plot is over the top and unbelievable, I didn’t find it to be a detraction. Rather, that kind of insanity feeds my need for drama and made me enjoy this all the more.

Having enjoyed a previous book by the author, After Nightfall, I was excited to be able to read The Poison Garden as well. I now consider myself a full-fledged fan and can’t wait to get my hands on her other two novels. Will be interested to see what her next novel brings as well.

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