Category Archives: Standalone

#review #suspence #standalone Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

From the celebrated and bestselling author of The Banker’s Wife, worlds collide when an FBI agent investigates a string of grisly murders on Long Island that raises the impossible question: What happens when the primary suspect is your father?

FBI Agent Nell Flynn hasn’t been home in ten years. Nell and her father, Homicide Detective Martin Flynn, have never had much of a relationship. And Suffolk County will always be awash in memories of her mother, Marisol, who was brutally murdered when Nell was just seven.

When Martin Flynn dies in a motorcycle accident, Nell returns to the house she grew up in so that she can spread her father’s ashes and close his estate. At the behest of her father’s partner, Detective Lee Davis, Nell becomes involved in an investigation into the murders of two young women in Suffolk County. The further Nell digs, the more likely it seems to her that her father should be the prime suspect–and that his friends on the police force are covering his tracks. Plagued by doubts about her mother’s murder–and her own role in exonerating her father in that case–Nell can’t help but ask questions about who killed Ria Ruiz and Adriana Marques and why. But she may not like the answers she finds–not just about those she loves, but about herself.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42780284-girls-like-us

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Like-Us-Cristina-Alger-ebook/dp/B07KDW3D4G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ESTXZXFL10X9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b0Xm23XpXeFmGaKo19IJ7Ae32UNlrD3RGexDgra0xv-1Bj7HBql1hxCEaVmCQ-HLHWA2XSOwTO7yaM8f-Ko9Rf8bj5GHtG0qyqUxVjMr4f0K3ZV-VwDQ31aRpZ01XdHQKgjGUaX3Y6yoUF0Io4mD6Yj7RhmGzmI_f2oGX-_DZnKKzpqxj16FAJcigRp17BtQOeiimAR0wjoAwgq4XFdjKmV0pvFp2qRp4v_LTtTYgDI._5f1PH2W4sq3MfyI_6pOrDcmfeLt4KZUejCp0XaLD-c&dib_tag=se&keywords=girls+like+us&qid=1744057996&sprefix=girls+like%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

Nell is back at home to spread her father’s ashes out in the ocean with some of his coworkers who have become family over the years. Shes on leave from work as an employee at the BAU, so while having some unwanted time off and having to deal with her father’s estate, finding out many secrets that he never told her, even with their odd relationship, but now that he’s dead she has so many questions that no one can answer for her. Also, Nell’s mom was murdered when she was younger, more questions and now that her dad is gone will answers from her mom’s case that she always wanted to know come to the surface? Nell has a whole bunch of skeletons coming out of her families closets that she never knew about, and many wish she never found out. Will the right answers get told or continue to get covered up. this was a great read kept you engaged and on your toes.

Cristina Alger is a lifelong New Yorker and the New York Times bestselling author of THE DARLINGS, THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN, THE BANKER’S WIFE and GIRLS LIKE US. A graduate of Harvard College and NYU Law School, she worked as a financial analyst and a corporate attorney before becoming a writer. She lives in New York with her husband and children.

#review #suspence These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant


No electricity, no family, no connection to the outside world. For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods. And that’s exactly the way Cooper wants it, because he’s got a lot to hide. Finch has been raised on the books filling the cabin’s shelves and the beautiful but brutal code of life in the wilderness. But she’s starting to push back against the sheltered life Cooper has created for her—and he’s still haunted by the painful truth of what it took to get them there.

The only people who know they exist are a mysterious local hermit named Scotland, and Cooper’s old friend, Jake, who visits each winter to bring them food and supplies. But this year, Jake doesn’t show up, setting off an irreversible chain of events that reveals just how precarious their situation really is. Suddenly, the boundaries of their safe haven have blurred—and when a stranger wanders into their woods, Finch’s growing obsession with her could put them all in danger. After a shocking disappearance threatens to upend the only life Finch has ever known, Cooper is forced to decide whether to keep hiding—or finally face the sins of his past.

Vividly atmospheric and masterfully tense, These Silent Woods is a poignant story of survival, sacrifice, and how far a father will go when faced with losing it all.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56268973-these-silent-woods

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/These-Silent-Woods-Cunningham-Grant-ebook/dp/B08R2JNYLX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BNXUSLXOS4XF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s08UGy-6vVvBifP02CSpOYSDwrmWl2mMJLsuKG5mwUL1ZL6syYJesQn_S7Lys8Lkc78pf3D4a_YLLVjHvNvdBUdx3N3d6SQkWfzT9_0syccWxeonJ5Tt_VULf5SZ9gPoY9g_i5ne9WHbCeFfeDlaf4VyU695w1KrNdTOr6oYzQSxabD9RwoLFalM3BpC3kxHS3FHysDx7OZ2xrO5NR3KgcTXpft4B_wlqVrc1UtNgsM.G2FTeh61iCAJpleBWSR49fbLcrbTkWO4n8caoo5zRG4&dib_tag=se&keywords=these+silent+woods&qid=1744046291&sprefix=these+s%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

Cooper and Finch have been living off grid for around 8 years now, on his army’s buddy property away from everyone. His buddy Jake comes and visits once a year and brings enough supplies until his net years visit. but this year the date passes and no Jake, so Cooper has to do the unthinkable and go to the store for a years’ worth and bring Finch along with him. Terrified he would be out in public were someone may notice him isn’t what he wanted bit as a father he has to do what needs to be done. After being away from people except for the nosey property neighbor life is quite peaceful for them but this year feels different, and that gut feeling doesn’t go away for a while. Will Cooper be able to keep his past right where he wants it to be or will he have to face it and spend the rest of his life in jail.

Kimi Cunningham Grant is the author of four books. Silver Like Dust is a memoir about her Japanese-American grandparents and their experience in the internment camp at Heart Mountain during World War II. Her second book, Fallen Mountains, is a literary mystery set in a small town in Pennsylvania, where fracking has just begun. In her third book, These Silent Woods, a father and daughter living in the remote Appalachian mountains must reckon with the ghosts of their past. Her fourth book, The Nature of Disappearing, features a woman who must team up with the ex-boyfriend who ruined her life to trek deep into the Idaho wilderness in search of a friend who’s gone missing.

Before she wrote novels, Kimi was an award-winning poet and nonfiction writer.

She lives with her family in Pennsylvania.

#review #partofaseries #shortstory Wine in Waiheke (The Traveling Calvert Sisters 7) by Tori Ross

Clara Calvert is in an unfortunate situation. Dumped while on a plane and crying in the Auckland airport, Clara lucks into a new friend in Ember from Scotland who talks her into not catching the first plane back to the US. When Ember gets Clara a temporary job at a winery on Waiheke Island doing some “fun footwork to entertain the tasters,” Clara meets a man from Liverpool with a love for everything winemaking.

Colin Maloney soon has Clara pushing her boundaries with boulder fishing, white water rafting, and falling for the man she never expected to meet.

Wine on Waiheke is book 7 of The Traveling Calvert Sisters but can be read as a standalone!

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60708987-wine-on-waiheke

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DPLG6ZX9?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_6&storeType=ebooks&qid=1740504023&sr=8-1

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

Unlike the rest of her sisters that went on vacation and met the loves of their lives Claira went to a man she hooked up with one night only to be dumped on the flight to him. But things started looking up when a stranger was nice to her and wanted to help turn her vacation around so with the guy in the past, Claira and new friend Ember are off on an adventure of a lifetime with wine and new friends. Claira is about to learn that you can’t let a guy ruin a perfect trip, but you might find another to help get you to move on.

Tori Ross is an international bestselling, Amazon bestselling, and Apple Top 100 author. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives with her family and two rescue dogs in the Midwest.

#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries #YA Dear Wyatt (Love Notes Season 2) by Danielle Keil

Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

For Wyatt Anderson, it seems like an April Fool’s Day prank.

She quickly realizes it’s not, but the way her secret admirer sends his clues might just be.

Wyatt is one of the smartest girls in school, but the ciphers she’s given to decode really test her abilities.

On top of that, the answers she uncovers make no sense. Until she realizes how to connect all the clues together…

The other problem? She finds herself around one of her tutoring clients more often than usual… and with that proximity comes some feelings she wasn’t expecting.

It all comes down to the last letter and the last clue. Can she solve the toughest one yet or will she throw in the towel for another guy?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230836450-dear-wyatt

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Wyatt-Love-Notes-Season-ebook/dp/B0DKMJ22FG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=AEG4GL1V80EE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d37oRl5emRxKFLvRqalW34JPi7sxJvPtjgpSs_IxZ9ZJfPLlf_z1FtuMOJxUZf73PapjzWZzuRBVZnymmvQswvOOzOZk8hE2wAAxkPQa8IpVJk5NPkzj1XSDhhQ4MgTCFkzTfpCgxlC8C5J4WZh5p5ehqDs8UAIP_kDh7p52LR5tyIFUqcKvVndhMoFwkklouvSg5d1g0_JWB_Q2-ma6gJZkVJXRnCyE5vqrnYIp1-0.mXeIyQ1aNp1t-0OfIdWCmHsYWrY3NrIJpArgUEdorhQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=danielle+keil&qid=1744046638&sprefix=danielle+keil%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-3

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

One of Ryder Highs bright, smart and bubbly tutors is about to get her turn in the spotlight Wyatt Anderson got her famous teal envelope and was now this month’s “IT” girl. Which at first was difficult because she’s already on the shorter side and didn’t know what the crowd was gathered around, but the closer she got to her locker she quickly figured it out. Wyatt may have gotten her envelope on April Fools, but this was no prank, now she had clues to solve, classmates to tutor and keeping up with her life and own schoolwork. Follow Wyatt as she decodes this month’s clues and tries to figure out who the guy is while her heart starts to fall for someone who might not be behind the letters. This might be my favorite book yet (shh don’t tell Max) I loved Wyatt, her guy and their friends.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

#review #partofaseries #shortstory Turkey in Tennessee (The Traveling Calvert Sisters 5) by Tori Ross

Peyton Calvert has never really fit in with normal society. Content to work at Chili Shack and stay close to home with her tight-knit family, she’s always been happy slacking her way through life or spending her time at her local hippie commune.

When a coworker, Avery, asks Peyton to go home with her for Thanksgiving to help deal with her difficult and cold family, Peyton accepts. But dealing with Avery’s brother, Prescott Rausch the Third, is harder than Peyton imagined.

As a physical attraction grows, can the fun and relaxed Peyton teach the uptight Prescott her ways? Or will she be schooled by the Princeton-educated stock trader?

This novella is book 5 in The Traveling Calvert Sisters series but can be read as a standalone. Read the series in any order!

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197491686-turkey-in-tennessee

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CG7JGM96?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_4&storeType=ebooks&qid=1740504023&sr=8-1

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Our dear sweet Peyton never a care in the world always high has been invited to thanksgiving with her best friend whose family basically disowned her for her wanting to go elsewhere for college and didn’t want to go alone. Peyton wasn’t sure what she was getting into but wanted to be there for her friend, after a terrible death defining plane ride, which caused Peyton to pee her pants, they were finally there and waking up her besties brother to borrow some underwear and sweats because the airline lost their bags. but one thing Peyton didn’t expect was her besties brother to look as hot as he did for everything, she heard about him. Can Peyton survive the weekend without smoking weed and will he get back home without getting the Calvert vacation lovebug bite one will never know. well unless you read the book. this was another funny story where high class meets white trash but the classy kind.

Tori Ross is an international bestselling, Amazon bestselling, and Apple Top 100 author. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives with her family and two rescue dogs in the Midwest.

#review #partofaseries #shortstory Out of Luck in the Outback (The Traveling Calvert Sisters 4) by Tori Ross

Ava Calvert thinks she’s found her dream gig as a budget travel writer until her boss tells her that her stories are bland and that she needs real travel experience if she wants to keep her job. When he offers her the trip of a lifetime to Australia to work on a story about traveling on a budget, Ava jumps at the chance for real experience.

While at a bed and breakfast in Sydney, Ava catches Maddox Brewster stealing her oatmeal packet. When he sees that Ava’s frustrated with trying to enjoy Sydney on a budget, Maddox asks Ava to come to the center of the country for a weekend to show her that they can enjoy Australia without breaking the bank.

But there’s more to Maddox than meets the eye.

This book is the fourth book in the Traveling Calvert Sisters series but can be read as a standalone.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123192820-out-of-luck-in-the-outback

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BXLWT7ZZ?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_3&storeType=ebooks&qid=1740504023&sr=8-1

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Ava Calvert works in Chicago at a travel budget magazine but never really traveled because life isn’t cheap. And her boss can totally tell that within her articles and wants her to work on it just doing research isn’t enough he wanted her to experience travel, so he sends her on a mission, to the land down under and wants her to just go with no plans only so much money per day for meals and just to have fun. Culture shock is real for Ava, but she meets another American and her just might be able to help her and make her trip better than she ever expected.

Tori Ross is an international bestselling, Amazon bestselling, and Apple Top 100 author. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives with her family and two rescue dogs in the Midwest.

#Review #Mafia #Military- American Novela by Marcus Amaro


When Filipino-American U.S. Marine Angelo Marquez receives orders to work in Spain from an old friend, the assumption of a laid-back workcation in Europe disappears when his eyes catch the attention of fiery fashion editor Elena Sanchez Vicario. Quickly, the line between military discipline and succumbing to the urgings of his heart becomes blurred when remnants of Angelo’s past are discovered, and his mid-summer romance quickly turns into a fight for survival in the streets of Seville.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I picked this book up on a whim while looking for something different to read. The cover grabbed attention, the blurb piqued my curiosity, and the writing kept my attention right to the very last page.

What is the essence of war? After reading this book, to me, it can mean so many different things.

Angelo is a Marine that has been in some crazy scary situations in warzones. The writing for these situations, even though I am not well versed in this lingo or situations, felt very real causing my heart to race and the hairs on my arms to rise as if I were right in the middle of the action. Angelo’s character is so easy to like that you will feel like “one of the guys”, even though you are only the reader.

Elena, what do I say about her. I have to say that I wanted to hate her. Especially at the beginning with their first encounter. I honestly wanted to strangle her and sort of got irritated because I thought I had the plot all figured out. She was this ice princess that Angelo was going to thaw out. Well, my friends, I had it all wrong!!! Give Elena a chance because she will change your mind!

Now, we have a budding romance forming, while demons from the past come forward, all while working with multiple agencies. It sort of ends up having a Jason Bourne vibe without the amnesia (and I love me some Jason Bourne!). Seriously, this book has a lot of a lot! The story hits on so many points with suspense, thriller, action, romance, hidden identities, kidnapping, military….I mean the list goes on and on and on. I highly recommend this book!

This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading many more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

 

Marcus Amaro’s life is a dynamic story of resilience and adaptability. After a 21-year career in the US military, he discovered a hidden creative spirit and took on various roles that showcased his adventurous fire. From becoming a hibachi chef to a U.S. Marine to racing sports cars, designing clothes, and writing. Amaro has explored different paths with childlike curiosity and unending enthusiasm. Now living in San Diego, he enjoys taking on challenges and learning new things, even if he has no idea where they might lead. For him, the joy is in the journey, and he embraces each experience, hoping to surpass his own expectations as the ultimate reward. 

 



#wotr #attendingauthor #YA Dear Phoebe ( Love Notes Season2 book1) by Danielle Keil

Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

The envelope is part of a tradition called the Secret Admirers, something the students go crazy for.

After tragedy struck, no one thought there would be an admirer this month.

However, a little late, a teal envelope shows up on Phoebe Calloway’s locker.

And with it, an ongoing playlist to use as clues toward the admirer’s identity.

It’s music to Phoebe’s ears—especially since music is her biggest passion. But she soon finds out it’s not the melody that’s important in the songs her admirer chose.

It’s the lyrics.

As the songs keep coming, she’s close to figuring out who he is—but is she prepared for the actual reveal?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223952665-dear-phoebe

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Phoebe-Love-Notes-Season-ebook/dp/B0DTY5X32M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=R7WT5KHKMNHZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.02EdpRYSxjCjS2j4EaUG4O2wF3zsUrWTTsz_Dm_vNYLY6Y9uRzBn9KLUp4Oqc2zppJlejfEMQpJpQsC2wqRI-Z00OZY6t_0BGY-aa9zL_oXq3oaaKSCkZHW9FEESBuLcfmSm88Igsnp_BmYLKv7l_aVWC4df5Pt1hYWXL6rh71fEJc19ClxMU4Lvfw0KPpnAW2_21HGZV6SwwVWTda8zhQyg2sy1H0C6C2kdtJrEs58.RRuI6WPBZk4h0tnXr4h4pGNEARMfVyOYgMpRBUhF9nE&dib_tag=se&keywords=danielle+keil&qid=1739459010&sprefix=danielle+keil%2Caps%2C263&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Review by Twinsie Dee

i was given this book by the author here is my honest review

New Year, new group of kids to walk the halls of Ryder High. But this year we start with them at the cemetery mourning the loss of a beloved member of Ryder High, and everyone getting a teal envelope explaining the start of the running tradition at the school. the next day only one envelope was seen on Phoebe’s locker but liked every month Phoebe wonders why her, why was she picked she stayed to herself and spent extra time in the music booth perfecting her tapes for college. Well ready or not this guy took the saying “when words fail music speaks” for her clues. Will Phoebe be shocked, surprised, excited or not thrilled when her month is up, and he is revealed. Other than making me cry in the first 3 pages, this was another amazing month with a great story that makes you smile in the end.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

#wotr #attendingauthor #partofaseries #YA Dear Max (Love Notes 10) by Danielle Keil

Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first of the month.
This month is different.
This month belongs to Max Newman. Prankster, jokester, overall funny guy. And the first student to ever receive a teal envelope from a girl.
The Secret Admirers organization switched things up. They allowed a girl to be the admirer, and Max is about to make history.
One problem—he only has three weeks to complete an entire bingo board. Some of the things on it are out of his control. Some things are right up his alley, though, like serenading the principal and pranking his best friend.
Will Max finish the bingo board and get the reveal location?
Or will he become the first guy at Ryder High to fail his challenge?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63898220-dear-max

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNPC42GP?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_9&storeType=ebooks&qid=1739459010&sr=8-12

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book and here is my honest review

Dear Max, the laugh of Ryder High this month it’s your chance to shine brighter then you already do. One lovely lady picked you to forever change the history with our game, so have fun, enjoy and hope you are happy at the end of these 3 weeks. Having a teal envelope go to a guy indeed of a girl was out of the normal but it’s still fun for all involved. Max was thrilled about his envelope, his ego inflated just a bit more, and then he found out he only had 3 weeks to blackout his bingo board and get his clues. But Max hopes that the girl behind this month is the one who got away who he has never stopped loving, but he can’t get his hopes up incase it’s not her. Omg I loved Max’s month laughing so hard, enjoy all that he was giving defiantly a great one to end this series.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

#wotr #attendingauthor #partofseries #YA Dear Mya (Love Notes 9) by Danielle Keil

Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Mya Burton received not only one envelope, but two.

The second envelope held a change to the Secret Admirer program— if she agreed, Mya would be the first girl to have two Secret Admirers.

It had never been done before. In each clue, the boys would both answer the same basic questions, followed by writing a short, non-identifying letter to Mya.

At the end of the month, she would have to choose just one without knowing who he really is.

But before she can, a shakeup hits the school. A hater slanders the game, leaving Mya feeling defeated and the other chosen girls needing to stick together.

Will Mya be able to finish her month on a happy note?

And will her blind decision be the best one for her?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63186798-dear-mya

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BL26BC48?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_8&storeType=ebooks&qid=1739459010&sr=8-12

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

Back in the halls of Ryder High and the school play is right around the corner. Mya is already stressed out with rehearsals and normal high school things, that’s when she’s sees the famous teal envelope on her locker, she was shocked why would anyone want to be her admirer. She wasnt that girl but she was now that girl, but this month was different Mya had not one but two guys that had put her name down and so with a new set of rules and guidelines for the month Mya makes history at Ryder. 2 guys 1 girl only to fall in love with 1 guy words will Mya be shocked with who she chooses or will she not be able to make a choice.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.

Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).