Welcome spring! I am ready to enjoy the return of the birds, flowers, and the landscape bursting with life. It’s my favorite time of year, along with fall. We had quite a winter here. Some epic and sometimes overwhelming storms finally ended our three-year drought—at least in our area.
Time to enjoy nice spring hikes along the river, take Harley rides, and read some great books! Stories and poetry can touch us in many different ways and change us. You have already seen these books reviewed here on my blog. Since I have read some fantastic books lately, more of those will be making their way here in other seasons. Today these are the book revisiting with their blurbs as some of my top reads.
Redemption: A Father’s Fatal Decision
Family secrets can be deadly. When Lisa visits her parents one fateful Saturday morning, she hugs her father and takes her suitcase to her childhood bedroom. The doorbell rings, and one minute later her father lies dead on the floor—three bullets to the chest. The death of Eric Holmes sends shockwaves throughout the quiet neighborhood. But for the Holmes family, it is devastating.
In this fast-paced psychological thriller, Lisa and her brother embark on a quest to solve the mystery of their father’s murder. The journey takes them into a secret world where nothing is as it seems. Once the puzzle pieces begin to coalesce, they realize that their father had multiple lives. As the facts unravel, the siblings discover the true meaning of Redemption.
The Clock in My Mother’s House and other stories
Life can change in an instant, but that’s not always a bad thing.
A hotel explodes leaving staff and guests in peril; a woman retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences; one man leaves heart break behind him, and another arrives to bring adventure.
In this haunting collection, Annalisa Crawford creates characters who will charm, captivate, and intrigue you.
Annalisa’s stories have featured in Fairlight Shorts, Fictive Dream, and Reflex Fiction; and have been short- and longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, the Bath Short Story Award, Globe Soup, and more.
By Alex Craigie
If you want to destroy someone’s reputation, social media provides the perfect tool.
Emmie Hobson, children’s author and TV presenter, is riding high on a wave of popularity when an unscrupulous newspaper editor, desperate for a scoop, brings Emmie’s world crashing down.
Social media picks up the baton and a terrifying backlash of hate and abuse is unleashed. Threats are made and there are those, inflamed by the rhetoric, prepared to take the law into their own hands.
For the young at heart and middle grade readers:
Amanda in France: Fire in the Cathedral (An Amanda Travels Adventure Book 9)
Amanda explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet, while being drawn into the mystery surrounding the destructive fire of Notre Dame cathedral.
Amanda is in love! With Paris – the city of love. She’s in awe of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. While there, she gets to work as a volunteer and stay in a famous book store, along with her bestie, Leah, and Leah’s eccentric Aunt Jenny. A dream come true for a book lover like Amanda.
Except, while she’s at the Paris Opera House there is a bomb threat. Then the lights go out during their visit to the Louvre. Worst of all, a devastating fire blazes in Notre Dame. Why does a mysterious man, who claims to be a busker, writer and artist, show up every time something bad happens?
Join Amanda as she explores the exciting streets of Paris, the fabulous Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet, all the time looking for clues as to who would want to destroy such a beautiful, historic cathedral.
Embrace your inner child by reading a great book—D. L. Finn
I’ve read two of these books (and enjoyed them). The other two sound just as good!
Can’t go wrong with any of them, Prisicilla 🙂
Thanks so much for including Amanda in France along with these other wonderful books! Amanda and I are delighted!
Happy to have Amanda here, Darlene 🙂 She made me want to pack my bags and head to Paris.
Great collection. I love the title “The Clock in my Mother’s House”. My brain is drawing images I love of that. And Amanda–she is a fascinating character.
Thanks, Jacquie. Isn’t that a great title? There were a couple of stories in there I still think about. Can’t go wrong with any of these.
My goodness, thank you for including Redemption in your list. I’m elated you enjoyed, Denise. Big hugs… 🤗
It had to be here, Gwen. Your best so far xo
Fantastic reviews, Denise! Of all these books, I’ve only read “Redemption.” I agree with your review. It’s a page-turner! The others sound so good. My TBR pile is growing. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and congratulations to these authors.
It is definitely a page turner, Jan 🙂 I know about growing TBR piles, I promise myself no more new books and I break that promise the same day I make it…LOL. Can’t go wrong with any of these books!
Great books, Denise! Thanks for sharing!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of these great reads.
Congratulations to these authors, Denise.
Thank you, John. Been reading some excellent books lately 🙂
Good stuff, Denise. I’ve read books from three of these authors, and you sure picked some rock stars.
Thank you, Pete! I agree they are rock stars 🙂
Rock stars – love it!
The only one of these I’ve haven’t read is The Clock in My Mother’s House, which does sound intriguing.
It’s a good one, Liz. A couple of the stories have stuck with me.
Thank you for the recommendation, Denise.
Many thanks, Liz – I loved your review!
You’re welcome, Trish! I’m so glad you were pleased with my reviw.
Congratulations to all of these authors!
I’ve read Redemption and The Bubble Reputation, both of which I really enjoyed.
Thanks for sharing your reviews, Denise.
Thanks, Mae 🙂 All good one xo
Many thanks, Mae. It means a lot!
Congratulations to the authors. Sounds like I’ve got some reading to catch up on, though I thoroughly enjoyed The Clock in my Mother’s House.
Yes. Always reading to catch up on, Sandra xo
Excellent selections, Denise. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Staci 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of them!
I’ve read all but one- great choices, Denise! Enjoy your much-deserved spring🌷
Many thanks, Jacquie! 🙂
Denise, I’m so sorry to only have found this post now! it’s such a lovely surprise and your support means a huge amount to me. I’m going to add The Clock in My Mother’s House to my groaning Kindle! 🙂
I’m happy to share your great book more here, Alex! I know about groaning Kindles 🙂 Happy reading.
Hi Denise, three terrific reviews. You have certainly been clocking up books with your reading. I have read DArlene’s lovely book and have two of the others on my TBR already. “The Clock in my Mother’s House” sounds very intriguing and is new to me.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 All good ones. You are right I have been able to keep up a quick pace of reading. At least for now
A great list of books Denise. Loved Trish’s book, and looking forward to reading Gwen’s. <3