“The Writing Retreat”–Review

After a year of dealing with writer’s block and on the verge of throwing in the towel, Alex receives an opportunity to attend a month-long writing retreat, hosted by the famous feminist horror writer, Roza Vallo. Even though she’s not written anything, Alex can’t turn down this big chance; Roza Vallo has been her favorite author since her childhood. A writing retreat could be the answer to her problem. Despite her lack of confidence, including the fact that Alex’s former best friend and current rival, Wren, is attending the retreat, Alex packs her bags.

When Alex and the rest of the attendees arrive at Roza’s mansion and get settled in—full of hope and excitement, ready to get started on their own works in progress—Roza Vallo makes an announcement: the attendees aren’t there to work on their current projects. They each are required to write a new novel from scratch. And they have one month to complete their novels. There will be only one winner. The grand prize? A seven-figure publishing contract. It all seems impossible, yet each woman is determined to win. While Alex does her best to focus on her new story, she can’t help feeling distracted by the unusual presence that may be haunting the mansion. Roza’s unpredictable behaviors each day aren’t helping the attendees, either. Suspicion eventually happens after one of the attendees disappears during a snowstorm, and Alex starts to feel that there’s more of a bad history to the mansion, something sinister. When time starts running out, Alex is determined to get to the bottom of it all.

During the first half of the book, I wasn’t sure how to feel. I liked the story idea, even if it felt a bit slow. But, then, once I got to the second half, it got better. It was almost like Stephen King’s Misery, in my opinion. This was a good, locked room mystery about friendship, fame, and competition and how far people are willing to go to win. I still have my fingers crossed that I’ll have the opportunity to attend a writing retreat. Anyone here ever attended one? I’d love to know all about your experiences. Feel free to post your comments on the book, as well. Happy reading!

About the author: Julia Bartz is a bestselling author, therapist, and creative coach. The Writing Retreat was an instant New York Times bestseller and received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. LibraryReads chose The Writing Retreat as their Top Pick of February 2023, and the American Booksellers Association chose it for their March 2023 IndieNext list. For more info, click here.

“Notice”–Review

I didn’t notice her before…but now I do.

T-minus fourteen days…

Violet Simmons has worked for Maxwell Subsidiaries for six years. Six years of making coffee not only for all the sexist jerks in the office, but also for Grayson Maxwell, the owner, who has never once looked in her direction since she’s been there. That is, until Violet one day steps into his office and slaps him with a two-week notice. That ought to show the arrogant Grayson Maxwell for never acknowledging and appreciating her hard work. Right?

Maxwell has always been an attention-to-detail type of man, thanks to his previously being a military sniper. He knew how to focus on a target. So how could he never have noticed Violet for six years? But he suddenly noticed her when she announced her resignation. Now he can’t stop thinking about her. She’s beautiful, mysterious, and sexy, and he’s going to do everything in his power to convince her to stay. The only way he’s going to do that is to learn everything about her. And that he does by accessing her work computer and emails, sitting in his car outside her apartment building, rifling through her organized possessions in her apartment while she sleeps, and listening to the sounds of her breathing as he lies under her bed. But he cares for her, after all. He means well because “Violet is mine; she just doesn’t know it yet.”

Downright creepy, I know. As it is, Violet had to conceal as much of her life as possible to keep her psychotic ex-boyfriend—a guy who abused her, drugged her, and pimped her out for money—from finding her, and now her soon-to-be former boss is a stalker? A lot of scenes had me thinking that Grayson was just too much, especially with his constantly thinking below the belt. One of his perks is his attention on his targets and when to take action. But the obsessive stalking? Scary. But that’s what makes for a good story. I liked this book. K. Webster writes great, dark fiction. Violet’s backstory caught my attention, as well as her struggle to survive every day with fear that she’d never be safe again. I actually would have liked more of her backstory in the book. A prequel, perhaps? If not, it’s still okay. Notice is a dark stalker romance that also contains themes of trauma, workplace harassment, and sexual violence. It may not be for the sensitive reader, but give it a try if it catches your interest. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author: K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in “Tornado Alley” with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens. For more info, click here.

“The Store”–Review

No refunds.

No exchanges.

No exit.

In Juniper, Arizona, a retail chain called The Store plants its flag, selling just about everything residents could possibly need and want. Not only is it all so convenient, but the prices are also amazing. Residents are ecstatic about The Store’s deals, including job opportunities.

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about The Store. Bill Davis, a technical writer for a software firm, feels that there is something off ever since the construction of The Store. Even when The Store finally opens, everything seems too good to be true. Why did a chain retailer have to open up in a small town, he wonders? It wouldn’t be good for long-time, small businesses. Sure enough, The Store’s success gradually shuts down mom-and-pop stores, with the owners mysteriously disappearing. To make matters worse, Bill’s two teenage daughters get jobs at The Store, where customers suddenly become nothing but loyal to the retail giant. Behind closed doors, employees are forced into rituals and rules by the orders of their sadistic manager.

When Bill starts sensing evil in his town, including the fact that his daughters are no longer themselves since working for The Store, he knows it’s time that he and other concerned citizens take a stand. When he tries to find a way to get his daughters away from The Store, he is left with having to make a choice where there is no going back.

Whoa, is what I have to say about this book. While the story shows society’s obsession with consumerism, it revolves more around big corporations and the amount of money and power they desire, and that they’ll stomp on anyone who gets in the way. This book was downright disturbing and creepy. I need more books by this author. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author: Bentley Little is the author of numerous novels, short stories, articles, essays, and reviews. After earning a BA in communications and an MA in English, Little sold his soul and abandoned all artistic integrity, working for eight years as a bureaucrat for a midsized city in Orange County, California. His first novel, The Revelation, won the 1990 Horror Writers Association Bram Stoker Award for best first novel.

“Las Madres”–Review

Good evening, bloggers! Here’s one of my latest fiction reads.

Las Madres is a novel that alternates from 1970s Puerto Rico to present-day Bronx, New York. The main characters refer to themselves as “las madres,” along with their daughters, las nenas, who have been a family to one another based on friendship. In 1975, in Puerto Rico, 15-year-old Luz was the tallest girl in her dance academy, as well as the only Black girl in a group of light-skinned dancers in her school. Luz had the potential and the advantage to make it as a dancer in her future. But her future forever changed when she and her parents were in a car accident that killed her parents and left her with a brain injury, erasing her memory of the car crash, and leaving her with episodes she can’t control.

In 2017 in the Bronx, Luz’s adult daughter, Marysol, looks after her. For years, Marysol has wanted to understand her mother’s life, but her mother’s brain injury has made it impossible. Luz barely has any recollection of her own life. When Marysol’s friend, Graciela, suggests they and las madres fly to Puerto Rico as an opportunity for Luz to regain some of her memory, they jump at the chance. Although they were aware of the news of a deadly hurricane approaching Puerto Rico, las madres and las nenas still make the trip. During their stay, two back-to-back hurricanes hit Puerto Rico, destroying everything in its path, leaving communities in devastation. While las madres and las nenas are barely surviving, they start learning more about one another and learn of a big secret that may change everything forever.

What a great story. I learned that this book is based on Hurricane Maria, which left communities in Puerto Rico devasted. Thousands of people died, homes were destroyed, electricity was out, and resources were scarce. The author described the aftermath of the hurricane really well. I can’t even imagine what residents had gone through. What actually caught my interest in this book was the cover, which I came across on Instagram, so I borrowed a copy. It’s also my first novel by Esmeralda Santiago. I’ll definitely read more of her work. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author: Esmeralda Santiago is the author of the historical novel Conquistadora, and the memoirs When I Was Puerto Rican and Almost a Woman. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, she lives with her husband, documentary filmmaker Frank Cantor, in Westchester County, New York. For more info, click here.

“Dancing With Butterflies”–Review

Good evening, bloggers! I remember reading Across a Hundred Mountains, by Reyna Grande, a few years ago, and I liked it so much. It was a sad story, yet it had quite the twist, so I recommend it. Dancing With Butterflies is another one of her books that’s been sitting on my shelves for a long time, so I finally got around to reading it. I finished reading it not too long ago, so I apologize for the delay with the review. Here’s the description:

This story is from the points of view of four women who are dealing with their personal struggles, yet the one thing they have in common is their passion for folklorico. Yesenia and her husband, Eduardo, are the founders of Alegria, their namesake dance company. Dancing is Yesenia’s lifelong goal, but when her sudden health news forces her to put off dancing, she is determined to find a solution to get back what she loves most. But it isn’t just her health that’s concerning her, so she’s willing to make constant trips across the Mexican border for plastic surgery. Then there’s Elena, a schoolteacher who is grieving the loss of her baby and her marriage. She has even lost her passion for dancing, rarely showing her face at Alegria. While she’s dealing with her grief, she eventually develops strong feelings for one of her underage students. Elena’s sister, Adriana, has dealt with abandonment issues for years after being raised by her emotionally abusive grandparents. Because of her trauma, Adriana has never been able to recognize the difference between love and abuse. Then there’s Soledad, an illegal immigrant who has been nothing but sweet and giving. While she designs the costumes for Alegria, Soledad is working toward her dream of owning her own dress shop. A change of plans happens, though, when Soledad goes back to Mexico to visit her dying grandmother.

One of the things I liked about this book is that it was set in Boyle Heights and East L.A. I grew up in Boyle Heights, so I actually appreciated reading a story that was set there. While I understood Yesenia’s insecurities, her decisions were frustrating me. Elena was in dangerous territory, as well, although I could understand that she was grieving, lonely, and lost. Adriana was damaged and always turning to the one who would hurt her the most. I’d even shake my head and ask, “Why do you keep going back?” Soledad is the character I did admire because she set an example of making sacrifices, putting others first, as well as working hard to achieve her dreams.

I don’t read a lot of books by latinx authors too often, but I’m appreciating them more, so I’ll give them a chance. Just today, I finished reading a novel by another latinx author, so I’ll post a review soon. If you can recommend other titles, feel free to post them here. Happy reading!

About the author: Reyna Grande is the author of the bestselling memoir, The Distance Between Us, (Atria, 2012) where she writes about her life before and after she arrived in the United States from Mexico as an undocumented child immigrant. The much-anticipated sequel, A Dream Called Home (Atria), was released in 2018. For more info, click here.

“The Guest House”–Review

How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

After a long time of no results, Jamie and his wife, Victoria, are finally going to have a baby. During the last few weeks before the baby is due, they decide they’re going to go on a short holiday at a remote country guest house that’s miles away from the city. When they get there, they’re greeted by a nice, older couple, Barry and Fiona.

The next morning, Victoria decides to step outside for some fresh air. Yet she can’t, and neither can Jamie. The doors and windows are locked. Their cell phones and car keys are nowhere to be found, and Barry and Fiona aren’t in the house. Even though it’s too soon for the baby to arrive, Victoria feels her contractions kicking in. With both of them in panic mode, they wonder what Barry and Fiona’s intentions were when Jamie and Victoria arrived. At the same time, they know there’s no time to question anything. Victoria’s contractions are getting worse, and they have to escape fast.

This story alternates between Jamie and Victoria’s stay at the guest house to the present days after their stay. Following their stay at the guest house, Jamie and Victoria’s marriage is hanging on by a thread after losing their baby. Although they came home empty-handed, it’s still not over. But what happened with the baby?

Normally, I’m a slow reader, but I finished this book in a week. I enjoyed the tension, and I admired Jamie who was willing to put up a fight to save his family. Victoria, on the other hand, was all over the place, but that’s what made me want to know more. When I came across this book on Poisoned Pen Press’s Instagram account, I thought it looked creepy yet enjoyable, which it was. Honestly, I’ve never been to the mountains or the woods, but after reading this book, I think I’ll pass on isolated destinations. This is my first read by Robin Morgan-Bentley. Check it out if you’re in the mood for a domestic suspense novel. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author: Robin Morgan-Bentley was born and grew up in London. After studying Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University, he went on to work for Google before moving to Audible, where he has been working since 2014.

His debut thriller, The Wreckage, was nominated for the CWA Dagger John Creasey New Blood Award, the CrimeFest Specsavers Debut Crime Award and Capital Crime’s Debut Book of the Year Award.

Robin lives in Buckinghamshire with his husband and son.

For more info on the author, click here.

“The Sweet Spot”–Review

One divorce, one social media disaster, one random baby, and three unlikely friendships: welcome to The Sweet Spot.

Set in New York, this is a story of a baby who sparks an unexpected friendship amongst three women: Lauren is an artist, wife, and busy mom of three children. When she least expects it, she is given a deadline that can make or break her career. Olivia is young and on the verge of moving up in her job, until an encounter at work leaves her unemployed, with student loan debt and break-up remorse. And then there’s Melinda, who is lonely and angry after her divorce. And why not? She and her now ex-husband didn’t want children, but then he changed his mind when he fell for another, younger woman. Now Melinda wants revenge, and she knows exactly who was responsible for her ex-husband’s actions.

But revenge isn’t as great as Melinda had hoped when she ends up stuck with her ex’s baby due to unforeseen circumstances. Melinda can’t look after a baby by herself. She’s never done it before, so she swallows her pride and seeks help from Lauren and Olivia. While the three women are juggling everything in their own lives, all the while taking turns with a baby who doesn’t belong to any of them, they decide it’s time to track down the wayward parents.

The Sweet Spot is my first read by Amy Poeppel. Also, I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance at a book event at Bloomingdale’s. I have a copy of one of her previous books, Limelight, which I will read, I promise. I enjoyed reading this latest book, though. I was actually amazed by these women who were willing to lend a hand with a baby while they had their own, busy lives. It wasn’t just the three of them, though; Lauren’s family, including Olivia’s father, stepped in on many occasions. Honestly, in real life, I’m sure it would not work out that way. This was a situation, however, that not only brought everyone together, but it helped the main characters learn a lot about themselves. Whenever I read novels about family life, I often think, “My goodness, how do they do it?” I applaud them all.

Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

The Sweet Spot will be available on January 31, 2023.

About the author: Amy Poeppel is the award-winning author of the novels The Sweet Spot, Musical Chairs, Limelight, and Small Admissions. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Rumpus, Literary Hub, and Working Mother. She and her husband have three sons and split their time between New York City, Germany, and Connecticut. For more info, click here.

“An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good”–Review

Happy New Year, bloggers! I hope you all are enjoying some good books. For this past year, I made a goal to read 50 books. I believe I read only 23, so I was almost halfway there. It’s okay, anyhow. I have to remind myself that reading is supposed to be for enjoyment. Also, I’m a slow reader, yet I still like these Goodreads challenges.

Anyhow, for this year, I made the same reading goal, and it actually feels nice to start fresh. The first book I read for this year is An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good, by Helene Tursten. I found the title on Instagram, so I gave it a chance. The book is a story collection featuring an 88-year-old woman named Maud, who has lived her entire life in her family’s spacious apartment home in downtown Gothenburg, Sweden. Although her immediate family passed away, long ago, she still gets to live rent-free because of a minor clause in the contract. Ever since her family passed away, Maud has been free of family obligations, so she travels. She gets to enjoy her life of solitude. That’s the way she wants to keep things.

But then Maud suspects others are trying to ruin her plans. They all assume she’s just a confused, old lady who can’t handle herself. Little do they know that Maud is just as clever as the next person. No one suspects her of handling a problem with a new tenant—who happens to be a local celebrity—in her building who is too interested in Maud’s apartment. No one suspects Maud of foiling a new engagement of her lover from years ago. And then there’s the issue with another bad neighbor in the building. But Maud knows how to handle it. When a body is eventually found in Maud’s apartment, however, she might become a suspect.

Wow, what a clever, old lady. All she wants to do is keep the peace, as well as keep what’s rightfully hers, even if that involves murder. The woman is scary. These stories had a bit of a Twilight Zone feel to it, in my opinion. Probably because I was watching the show at the same time, last night, and the theme music was stuck in my head. Not bad for my first read for the new year. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author: Helene Tursten (born in Gothenburg in 1954) is a Swedish writer of crime fiction. Before becoming an author, Tursten worked as a nurse and then a dentist, but was forced to leave due to illness. During her illness she worked as a translator of medical articles. She is the author of two mystery series set in Gothenburg, Sweden: the Irene Huss investigations, and the Embla Nystrom investigations, beginning with Hunting Game.

“Kallista”–Review

Good evening, bloggers! I can’t believe this month is almost over. I’m actually looking forward to Halloween, so I’ve been trying to catch up with some scary books. I recently got around to reading Kallista, the second book in the Butcher series, so here’s the description:

Kallista is the follow up to the first book, Tatum. In the first book, Tatum was haunted by a ghost known as the Skeleton Woman, who Tatum fears is associated with death. The images haunted and affected her so much that her friends, including her sisters, started thinking something was wrong with her. Along with the images of the Skeleton Woman, brutal deaths were taking place within the community. Bodies were strung up, heads were severed, tongues were missing, and no evidence was left behind. The Butcher was killing anyone connected to Tatum, yet she had no idea why it was happening.

The second book takes places years following Tatum’s gruesome death. Her sister, Kallista, has put off any chance of a normal life to figure out who the Butcher is and why he targeted Tatum and her friends. While she is working on the case, the haunting figure from all those years ago is suddenly appearing wherever Kallista is. Is it all in her mind, though? Does it have any relation to the Butcher? With the possibility the Butcher might still be out there, Kalli needs to get answers fast….or meet her own demise.

I can’t remember when I read the first book, but I think it was worth the read. Aside from the fact that the first title and I share the same name, the story’s description was right up my alley. Kallista was just as good because the story featured more of the point of view of the Butcher. Fair warning, the chapters featuring the Butcher are disturbing, so it might not be for the sensitive reader. There’s plenty of gore for the hardcore fans, so enjoy it. I highly recommend you read Tatum before starting this book, so you’ll get a better idea of the story. I’ll have to buy the third book in the series, and I hope it’ll be a good one. Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author:

Known as the International Bestselling, Award-winning Author of horrific old-school terror titles such as Buried and the Asylum Series, Sian B. Claven brings back a nostalgic telling of creepy tales.

Aiming high, this misleadingly bubbly author terrifies her fans with tales of ghosts, murderers, and demonic possessions as though handing out candy to children, all while expanding her releases from her first young adult horror in 2017 to her more recent explicit demonic occult horror in 2021.

With an on the edge of your seat series, Claven enthralled her readers with her Butcher series, surprising them with a fourth and now final book in the series in 2021 as part of the Notorious Mind’s Boxset, along with Shh, which were both part of the Soul’s Day Boxset which made her an International Bestselling Author.

Claven also dabbles in the Science-Fiction Space Adventure genre, having republished her Spacehiker Adventure Series – Unlikely Hero with an updated cover and storyline after receiving criticism about the book’s length. Claven looks forward to expanding this universe.

Further challenging herself, Claven also tackled writing a paranormal romance series, the first of which released as part of the Possessed by Passion boxset in March 2021. The series will continue, and Claven looks forward to exploring this new world.

Born in Southern Africa, Claven resides in Johannesburg, where she grew up with a vivid imagination and has been writing for as long as she can remember. When she was not immersing herself in books, she created her own worlds, both by herself and with her friends.

After her sister immigrated in 2017, Claven wrote and published her first book and has been on an amazing journey ever since.

Claven is an avid Harry Potter and Star Wars fan, Funko Pop Collector, 3d Puzzle builder, Diamon Art painter, and studying addict. She also has a penchant for Lego. She resides with her two best friends, their six dogs, and two cats.

“Kane & Abel”–Review

Good evening, bloggers! I decided to stay up a little late to write this review. I’ve been behind on reviews and leisure reading, but I’ll do my best to catch up. In the meantime, here’s the description:

This is a coming-of-age story, set in 1906 to the late 1960s, revolving around the worlds of William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski, born Wladek Koskiewicz. William Kane, a millionaire financier, had an affluent upbringing. Since he was a boy, he worked hard for what he wanted, determined to be the best at everything. Because he came from a wealthy banking family, he knew that banking was going to be in his future. Abel Rosnovski, a Polish immigrant, rises to be the head of a vast hotel empire. When he was a child, he was adopted by a trapper’s family back in his country. Then he was taken in by the wealthy Baron Rosnovski. But then Abel’s new life of wealth and the best education were cut short when he and his family were captured by the Germans and the Russians and sent to a labor camp.

While Kane’s goal is to surpass the financial feats of his father, and Abel’s goal is to make up for his own early life of deprivation, there’s only one goal both men share that tops their drive for their professional successes: to destroy each other.

Over a month ago, my boss mentioned that Jeffrey Archer was his favorite author from way back, so I looked up the author’s work. Kane & Abel, which is the first book in its trilogy, caught my attention, so I started reading it during my flight back from my vacation. I was hooked during the first 80 pages. I love stories that keep me guessing, and this one provided plenty of guessing games. There were plenty of surprises, twists, and turns. A retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, this a story of determination, pride, and revenge.

Feel free to post your comments. Happy reading!

About the author: For more info, click here.