Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: Dying To Tell by Keri Beevis

Hi, everyone!

I am very excited to share this Feature Post/Blog Blitz and Book Review for DYING TO TELL by Keri Beevis. This is a suspense/psychological thriller that had me hooked from page one and I cannot believe I have not heard of this author before now.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review and the author’s biography.

I highly recommend this book and author!

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Book Blurb:

As the only survivor of a horrific car crash, Lila Amberson believes she is on the road to recovery after she is released from the hospital. Her memories of the accident are blurred though and a series of unsettling incidents leave her fearing for her safety. Does she have survivor’s guilt or is something more sinister at play?

Jack Foley is reeling from the shock of losing his sister in the crash and when he first meets Lila, he lashes out, blaming her for Stephanie’s death. But when Lila gives him a locket that she believes belonged to his sister, it presents more questions than answers.

As Lila and Jack work together to find out what really happened on the night of the accident, they are unaware that someone is watching them closely. Someone who has much to lose if the truth comes out, and someone who is prepared to do everything necessary to ensure all loose ends are taken care of.

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My Book Review:

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

DYING TO TELL by Keri Beevis is a new suspense filled, psychological thriller that has so many suspects and plot twists, I just had to keep turning the pages long into the night. Ms. Beevis is a new-to-me author who knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat with a well planned, fast paced plot and memorable characters.

Lila Amberson is the sole survivor of a horrific car crash. At first, when she wakes, she has no memories of the accident, but slowly she begins to remember. The more she remembers, the more she has a feeling of dread. After several incidents, she realizes that someone is trying to hurt her and she has no idea who or why.

Jack Foley is a famous thriller writer who lost his youngest half-sister in the accident Lila was involved in. When Lila shows up to pay her respects at his sister’s funeral, Jack is angry and lashes out, but he soon realizes he was wrong about Lila. He wants to protect her and begins to care for her romantically.

As Lila and Jack begin talking to people to find out what happened on the night of the accident, they begin to realize that someone is watching and does not want a truth to be revealed.

I enjoyed this thriller from page one! Ms. Beevis’ plot has well placed red herrings, increases in intensity and surprised me in the end. The story is easy to read with very likable and believable main characters and a secondary cast of characters that are not just placeholders, but well fleshed out realistically flawed people. I am very grateful I tried this new-to-me author and I will be watching for more books by her even as I go back and check out her previous titles.

I highly recommend this thriller and author!

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Author Biography:

Keri Beevis wrote her first novel at age twenty, but it was a further twenty years before she was published after entering the Rethink Press New Novels Competition 2012. Her entry, Dead Letter Day, was a winner, earning her a publishing contract, and the book proved to be a minor hit, leading to a sequel, Dead Write. However it was Keri’s third novel, standalone mystery thriller The Darkness Beneaththat gained her the most success, along with many new fans, both in the UK and the USA.

Born in the village of Old Catton, less than a mile from where Anna Sewell was living when she wrote Black Beauty, Keri had a passion for reading and writing from a young age, though her tastes veered more to the macabre. 

Today she still lives in Norwich, along with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel), where she writes a comedic lifestyle column for a local magazine. She loves Hitchcock movies, exploring creepy places, and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes. She is also a self-confessed klutz.

 Keri’s previous books have all been US based and she is looking forward to the release of her first UK based novel, which is set in her beautiful home county of Norfolk.

Book Review: Lethal Agent by Kyle Mills

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

LETHAL AGENT (Mitch Rapp #18) is the fifth book by Kyle Mills in the world of Mitch Rapp started by author Vince Flynn. Mr. Mills has never disappointed me in his continued portrayal of Mitch and all the secondary characters that continue to surround him. While I am always intrigued and drawn into the chosen threat in each book, the thought of a bioterrorism attack has always terrified me more than any other.

Mullah Sayid Halabi survived Mitch Rapp’s last attempt to rid the world of the ISIS terrorist leader, while almost losing his own life in the process.

Halabi is back and has learned a few things since his near demise. Instead of and army of zealots, he now has a few well trained and trusted men around him and on-line around the world. He has kidnapped two doctors and a nurse from Doctors Without Borders who were fighting a virus similar to SARS in a Yemen village. One of the doctors is a brilliant French biochemist. Halabi releases a video to prove he is alive, has possession of the doctors and to tell the world he now has the means to produce anthrax and destroy the enemies of Allah.

As Mitch races against the clock to stop the terror plot, he finds that everything they believe is a red herring. Halabi’s true plot could end up destroying the America we know forever. And if that is not enough, at home Halabi’s threat stokes a Republican Senator’s campaign of fear and division to advance her campaign for President.

I read this book completely in one sitting! Mitch is a darker, harder character working alone once again, but it is necessary for this plot. As in all the books in this series the fight scenes are detailed and realistic. Mr. Mills had me feeling the dread of the possibility of a bioterrorism attack, anger at the political machinations in D.C. and contemplating the ethical issues that arise in the dark world that Mitch and all of his team dwell in.

This is another Mitch Rapp thriller that will leave you hyped, scared, exhausted and very satisfied in the end!

Thanks very much to Atria and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to be a Mitch Rapp Ambassador for another year and sending me an ARC of this book before publication.

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Deserve To Die by Miranda Rijks

Deserve to Die by Miranda Rijks

#DeserveToDie @MirandaRijks #InkubatorBooks @damppebbles #damppebblesblogtours

Hi, everyone!

Today is my turn on the Blog Tour for DESERVE TO DIE by Miranda Rijks. This is a well written page turner and the second book by this author that I have read and enjoyed.

Below you will find a book blurb, my book review, the author’s bio and social media information and purchasing links. Enjoy!

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Book Blurb:

Dom and Stacey have the perfect life. Until they meet Tamara. Brilliant, beautiful, she hides a horrifying secret. One that may destroy them all.

Happily married with two beautiful children, Dom and Stacey have it all. He runs a successful design agency, she is finding fame as an author of children’s books.

Everything is perfect. Until they meet Tamara.

Because Tamara is a woman with a plan.  She executes it step by step – patient, systematic, methodical.

And as her plan unfolds, Dom and Stacey find their lives slipping out of control.  Taking them from heaven into the deepest, darkest hell.

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DESERVE TO DIE by Miranda Rijks is a new domestic psychological thriller. I read the mystery, “Fatal Fortune” by this author that I enjoyed so I was excited to give this book a read. I was not disappointed.

Dom and Stacey are happily married with two children. Dom is the head of a successful design agency and Stacey works from home writing and illustrating children’s books. They are very happy.

It is a complete shock when the account executive of Dom’s firm commits suicide and blames his unhappiness on his job. Conveniently, the perfect replacement shows up for his job. Tamara is beautiful, classy and highly motivated. She has a plan, not only for the company, but also for Dom and Stacey.

As Tamara’s plan begins to unfold, the seeds of mistrust between Dom and Stacey grow. Stacey is gas-lighted by Tamara as she moves to replace her at Dom’s side and in her home.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Stacey and Tamara. The pace increases as the story progresses and the tension escalates to the point of not wanting to put the book down. All of the steps Tamara takes really scared me because of how believable it was and how easily it was done. I did have some difficulties with Dom and Stacey though. Dom switched sides a little too quickly for me if they were as happy as it seemed and he even believed Tamara over his two children. I liked that Stacey went for help when needed, but she seemed completely incompetent when looking into Tamara’s background. She worked at Dom’s company before their children and she is an author, so I found it difficult to believe.

Overall this is an intense and well written domestic psychological thriller. It is not unique, but it kept me turning the pages and I was satisfied with the ending.

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About Miranda Rijks:

Miranda Rijks is a writer of suspense novels.

Miranda has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.

Miranda loves connecting with her readers, so you can reach out to her at www.mirandarijks.com

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MirandaRijks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaRijksAuthor/

Website: www.mirandarijks.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mirandarijksauthor/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3AMiranda+Rijks&s=relevancerank&text=Miranda+Rijks&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1

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Purchase Links:

At the time of putting this media pack together the book isn’t available for pre-order but I will send the links as soon as I see them go live.

Publishing Information:

Published in paperback and ebook formats by Inkubator Books on 31st July 2019.

Blog Blitz/Feature Post and Book Review: The Art of Murder by Rebecca Muddiman

Book Blurb:

How do you catch a killer who thinks murder is art?

Michael Fisher sees himself as an artist rather than a killer and poses his victims to resemble famous paintings.  

Detective Nick Kelly is called to attend the latest crime scene and finds himself at the centre of a media storm. But while the rest of the police department feels under pressure, Nick relishes the attention.

Karen Kelly, Nick’s soon to be ex-wife, watches in horror as this brutal game of cat and mouse plays out. But Karen has secrets of her own.

And when another body is found, Nick is disturbed to discover he knows the victim and things start to get a little too close to home.

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My Book Review:

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

THE ART OF MURDER by Rebecca Muddiman is a suspense/thriller by a new to me author. Each chapter alternates between the perspectives of the three main characters.

Detective Nick Kelly is on an NYPD team working the case of an unknown serial killer who poses his victims to replicate famous paintings. As the number of victims increases, the pressure is on from the media for more information. Nick’s superior does not want the public to know how the victims have been displayed, but Nick enjoys the spotlight and wants to release more information.

Karen Kelly is cohabitating unharmoniously with Nick as they wait for the court to decide which one of them gets their NYC apartment in their divorce. Karen owns an independent bookstore which is struggling financially and is generally unhappy with her life at this point in time. She meets a nice man on her birthday while she is out on her own, but she had such poor taste in picking Nick, she does not know if she can trust this charming new man.

Michael Fisher wanted to be a famous artist. His father belittled him and he dropped out of art school. Now he works on his personal masterpieces to replicate famous master paintings to prove his talent to his father and the world. The backdrops are painted, but the main figure is not. If you are squandering your true talent, Michael will make a painting to feature you.

I felt this book was predictable for about the first third of the story, but then the author does manage to insert a few curve balls that increase the suspense and pace. I enjoyed the serial killer in this book more than Nick and Karen. Nick is a narcissist in every sense of the word. Karen was a whiny wimp until the very end and I find it surprising that she even came through then, which somewhat limited the believability for me. This was a group of characters that I did not like, but the plot does have a few unique twists that carried me through to the end.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for allowing me to read this eARC in advance of release.

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Rebecca Muddiman was born and raised in the North East and worked in the NHS for many years. She has published six crime novels – StolenGone, Tell Me LiesMurder in Slow Motion, No Place Like Home, and The Art of MurderStolen won a Northern Writers Award in 2010 and the Northern Crime Competition in 2012. She is also a screenwriter and was selected for the London Screenwriters Festival Talent Campus in 2016.

Most of her spare time is spent re-watching Game of Thrones, trying to learn Danish, and dealing with two unruly dogs. Sometimes all at the same time.

https://rebeccamuddiman.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rebeccamuddimanauthor

Book Review: The Rebound Effect by Linda Griffin

RATING: 3 out of 5 Stars

THE REBOUND EFFECT by Linda Griffin is listed as a romantic suspense. It is not a romance. This book is a domestic psychological thriller. If considered in that genre, it is a high intensity read of a single mother on the rebound and the new man who comes into her life while women are disappearing in the area.

Teresa Lansing is a struggling single mother working as a veterinary assistant in the small town of Cougar. She is doing the best she can for herself and her six-year-old deaf son. Both are trying to get over the recent break-up of Teresa and her fiancé after she found out he cheated.

While visiting her best-friend at her local family bar and grill, Teresa is swept off her feet by Frank McAllister. Frank just moved to Cougar four months ago. He is a cop and works on the S.W.A.T. team in the big city near Cougar. Frank is handsome, charming and very sexy. Teresa and her friend believe she has finally found a good man.

As the courtship progresses, Teresa at many times feels overwhelmed by the fast pace Frank wants to set for the relationship. She tries to draw some lines, but she always feels ungrateful for everything he is doing for her and her son and lets Frank continue to have his way. While Frank is pushing for a permanent commitment, Teresa’s former fiancé continues to try to win her back.

While tensions rise between Teresa and Frank, the number of missing women in the area also increases. Is Teresa safe or is she the next to die?

Ms. Griffin’s characters are realistic and make you easily understand how psychopaths and psychological abusers can overwhelm you. Yes, there were times I wanted to smack Teresa in the head and tell her to wise up and put her son first, but Frank knew how to tie them both together to get what he wanted. The sense of danger and the high intensity of the emotions in this book keep you turning the pages. As I wrote previous, this is a thriller and not a romance. For me, a romance or romantic suspense must end with or be leading to a HEA. The dating and sex in this book is not a romance.

If you are looking for a domestic psychological suspense, this is a fast paced, high intensity read.

Written for The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: The Lost Man by Jane Harper

RATING; 5 out of 5 Stars

THE LOST MAN by Jane Harper is a slow burn, atmospheric murder mystery set in the unforgiving and remote Australian Outback.

The apparent suicide of Cameron Bright seems to be just another tragedy in this family’s story. A well liked family man, no one can understand why he would leave his well-stocked vehicle and walk to the Stockman’s Grave in the deadly heat of the Outback summer to die.

When Nathan Bright meets his youngest brother Bub at the fence-line between his and the family’s properties at the Stockman’s Grave to recover his brother’s body, Nathan has more questions than answers. The local police believe it is a suicide, but Nathan has trouble believing. He returns to the family homestead to help, but the past returns to haunt him as well as the secrets his brother was hiding.

As the family grieves, Nathan’s suspicion grows that there may be a murderer among them.

This is one of those books you start and just fall into the intrigue of the location and mystery. Ms. Harper’s description of the heat and dry in the Outback in the summer pulls you in and makes you believe you can feel the isolation and danger of the location for the families that live there. My opinion of the point-of-view main character, Nathan changes continually with each new family revelation Ms. Harper weaves into the story. The secondary characters are all hiding their own secrets and add to the feeling of surprise and dread with each revelation. The resolution of the mystery was a surprise I did not see coming which makes this a truly memorable read.

I highly recommend this book and author!