jbronderbookreviews

H_NGM_N

By JC Gatlin

Genre: Mystery-Suspense

When newscaster Tori Younger learns that her childhood friend committed suicide, she has no interest in returning to her Florida home town to attend the services. Then cryptic text messages from the dearly departed’s cellphone change her mind.

Returning home, she follows the clues sent to her in the odd text messages until she learns that her friend didn’t commit suicide but was murdered. No one in town believes her and whoever is texting these cryptic messages appears to be her only ally. Is her departed friend really reaching out to her, or is someone playing a deadly game?

Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Goodreads

About the Author

JC Gatlin lives in Tampa, Florida and wrote a monthly column in New Tampa Style Magazine. He has written three Indie mystery-suspense novels set in Florida, and his last book, 21 Dares, went to Number One on Amazon’s Top Mystery Suspense and Top Young Adult charts. Also, 21 Dares was a Semi-Finalist in the Royal Palm Awards. His newest book, H_NGM_N, was picked up for publication by Millford House Press, the mystery-suspense imprint for Sunbury Press. JC is a member of the Florida Writer’s Association and a board member of the Florida Writer’s Foundation.

Website     Facebook

My Review

5 Stars

Tori Younger is a new reporter that hears about her childhood friend hanging herself from the old water tower. Tori is torn about going back for the funeral since she has her own demons that ran her out of town but she bites the bullet and returns home. While at the funeral, Tori has her own past to work through but starts questioning if her friend really killer herself leaving her five-year-old daughter alone and at the scene of the crime.

Tori’s curiosity is peaked and she starts looking into Brooks past. She finds there is a lot more happening to Brook than she knew and that the possible killers are plenty. Then Tori stars getting text messages from Brook’s phone. No one is admitting to having the phone and some look at it as Brook reaching out from beyond the grave. But someone is playing a deadly game and Tori is going to be the next victim.

Oh my goodness, where to begin. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put this book down. I don’t blame Tori for not wanting to go back home but she does the right thing. Then she learns that there is way more happening than what you see at first glance. I thought I might know where this story was going but I was wrong up until the reveal at the end. Lots of suspects, lots of suspense, and one heck of a killer.

I can’t believe that this is the first book of JC Gatlin’s that I have read. It was an amazing and dark thriller, just like I like them. I recommend checking out this book. Now I can’t wait to read more of Gatlin’s other books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Sage Adderley-Knox for the opportunity to read and share this book.

Read Full Post »

Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family – 2) by Josi Kilpack

Timothy Mayfield is ready to marry for love, but, since his personal finances are thinner than he’d like, he knows he’ll also need to find a wife with wealth. After receiving an unexpected inheritance, Timothy’s circumstances change, and he is free to pursue his “perfect woman”—one with blonde hair, blue eyes, a light laugh, arched eyebrows, elegant fingers, and a dazzling smile, among nearly twenty other characteristics.

Maryann Morrington doesn’t match anything on Timothy’s list—except for wealth. An heiress in her own right, she is tired of men pursuing her only for her money. But at nearly twenty-two years old, and not a particularly stunning beauty, she can’t be as picky as her friend Timothy is.

The two friends end up playing matchmaker for each other. Timothy will find a decent gentleman for Maryann, and Maryann will prove to Timothy that his “perfect woman” doesn’t exist.

Until Miss Shaw comes to London.

Now, with Timothy’s heart captivated by the blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Maryann must decide if she should risk her heart and reveal her true feelings for her friend, or if she should settle for someone else. It’s an up-and-down game of “he loves me, he loves me not” with both hearts and friendship on the line.

Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Goodreads

About the Author

I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven’t stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children.

Website     Facebook     Twitter

My Review

4 Stars

Maryann Morrington is an heiress and tired of men chasing her for her money. But because she is twenty two her options are getting limited. She finds herself in London and being introduced to Timothy Mayfield. Timothy has limited funds so he is going to have to settle for a rich wife. But an unexpected inheritance gives him money and the option to find the perfect wife.

Maryann and Timothy become friends as they hunt for suitable mates. But then Miss Shaw comes into the picture and Timothy thinks that she is the perfect wife. Maryann then realizes that she truly likes Timothy and is torn about confessing her true feelings and letting him marry his ideal wife.

This is a great story of two unexpected people looking for husband and wife and not realizing what they have in each other. I have to say that I wasn’t impressed with both Maryann and Timothy when I first met them. They felt like the typical characters from a historical romance until they started to “help” each other on their quest. Then I really started caring for them and wished that they would really look at what they have.

This is a great story with a lot of back and forth between should I tell him I love him, oh I can’t I’m not the wife he is looking for, but I love him. This is nothing I really enjoy in a story but I kept with it, I wanted to see if they would eventually wake up to the truth. If you like historical romances I think you should check this one out. It is a great series that anyone will like.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Shadow Mountain Publishing for the opportunity to read and share this book.

Read Full Post »