Book Review with featured author, Kate Hewitt: Into the Darkest Day

Into the Darkest Hour by Kate Hewitt

Publisher & Release: Bookouture, May 14, 2020

Time and setting:  Dual setting, WW II and present day

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length: 395 Pages

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She had to step outside and hold the paper up to the moonlight to read it, but when she was able to make out the words, her heart felt as if it would drop right out of her chest. Because the message was in German. 

1944, London:
When Lily meets enigmatic GI Matthew in war-torn London, she doesn’t expect to fall in love. While her sister starts a reckless affair with another GI, Lily tries to hide her growing feelings for Matthew.

But Matthew has a devastating secret. One that could change their lives forever.

Present day, USA:
Abby lives a quiet life on an apple farm in Wisconsin. Tormented by survivor’s guilt after the tragic deaths of her mother and brother, Abby leaves the orchards as little as possible, keeping her life small, peaceful and safe… Until she is contacted by Englishman Simon Elliot, who arrives nursing a heartbreak of his own, and bearing a World War Two medal that he claims belonged to Abby’s grandfather.

Together they begin to piece together the heartbreaking story of their relatives’ war. But as the story brings Abby and Simon closer—tentatively beginning to lean on one another to heal—they uncover a dark secret from the past.

And like Lily and Matthew nearly eighty years before them, it will make Abby and Simon question whether you can ever truly trust someone, even when they have your heart…

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Into-Darkest-Day-emotional-historical-ebook/dp/B085QHKRQ2

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-forgotten-heart-kate-hewitt

KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/into-the-darkest-day

Add to Goodreads & BookBub:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52500291-into-the-darkest-day

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/into-the-darkest-day-by-kate-hewitt

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Into the Darkest Day by Kate Hewitt for the purpose of reviewing and reading prior to publication. My opinions, my own and no one has influenced them.

Into the Darkest Day is a well-written and edited novel set in 1944 and present day. There are several principal characters since Ms. Hewitt set her book in two different times. It became a bit tedious to read and dragged. Although I enjoyed Lily and Matthew’s story a great deal. For me, the Abby and Simon storyline wasn’t as compelling. 

Lily and Matthew meet when her parents open their home to two American servicemen. They develop and friendship which turns into more as the story progresses. The author’s vivid description of Lily’s emotions over the letters she must write to families of war causalities is gripping. Matthew’s response to the death camps is heart wrenching and brought tears to my eyes.

Abby and Simon’s storyline didn’t work for me. The character development could have been stronger. They too form a friendship as they try to solve the mystery of the medals and how the pieces fit together. Their backstory is tragic, but their emotions toward them wasn’t as emotional as I would have liked.

Ms. Hewitt clearly did her research and her graphic descriptions of the death camps, the imprisoned people found alive, and the devastating bombing England endured during WW II is gripping and broke my heart. This is stellar, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

If you enjoy WW II novels with realistic descriptions and a lovely romance between Lily and Matthew with a satisfying ending, then you will enjoy Into the darkest Day. Overall, I enjoyed this novel, and I’m glad I accepted the invitation. Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Kate Hewitt is the bestselling author of many novels of women's fiction, including the Hartley-by-the-Sea series set in the Lake District, the Willoughby Close series set in the Cotswolds, and Tales From Goswell written as Katharine Swartz. Her novel A Mother's Goodbye has been called 'unputdownable' and 'the most emotional book I have ever read' by readers. Her latest novel, Not My Daughter, is out now, and No Time to Say Goodbye is available for preorder.

She lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter for monthly updates and giveaways at http://www.kate-hewitt.com, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate's Reads.

Social Media:

Website: https://www.kate-hewitt.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/katehewitt1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katehewitt1/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-hewitt

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1269244.Kate_Hewitt

Book Review: My Forever Home by Debbie Burns

My Forever Home by Debbie Burns

Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, November 27, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length:   352 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Love comes to the rescue

Vet school drop-out Tess Grasso dreams of having her own pet therapy business, but she meets one disastrous obstacle after another. There's no denying she has a way with animals, so in the meantime she puts her skills to use at a local no-kill shelter. Between helping her furry companions and a budding relationship with fellow dog lover Mason Redding, Tess begins to find fresh confidence...

What Tess doesn't know is that Mason is recovering from an accident, hoping to get back to his pro-baseball career. He's afraid the truth will ruin everything-and he's right. But in the midst of hurt and betrayal, a free-spirited stray Husky enters their lives, and teaches them a few things about faith, love and forgiveness.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/My-Forever-Home-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B07FJQQYMZ

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39068287-my-forever-home

Vikki’s Musings

My Forever Home is definitely for the animal lover! Thanks go to the publisher, via Net-Galley, for a chance to read and review an advance reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

This is an interesting read. I believe it is the first book I’ve ever read where one of the main characters is an animal, including his POV. The writing is smooth and has some engaging moments that had me chuckling.

Tess’s character is an interesting one with many facets to her character. I did like her, but I would have enjoyed her more if there had been a bit substance. I never became fully engaged with Tess.

Mason is a great male leading man. He is genuine, and I really liked him a lot. I did become investing in his character. He is such an honorable man with many redeeming characteristics. His determination to save the dog was excellent. I was so glad he was able to gain the dog’s trust.

The romance between Tess and Mason is fairly minimal. The story is much more focused on the animals Tess cares for and of course Mason’s dog. While it was interesting, sometimes it was a little over the top.

My Forever Home is a great read for an animal lover. Much of the book is about Tess’s desire to save them. While this story was not quite my cup of tea, I did enjoy it. I have no doubt the author truly loves animals. Happy reading!

Book Review: Relentless by Elizabeth Dyer

Relentless by Elizabeth Dyer

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, June 12, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, D.C.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Thriller

Book Length:  300 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Ethan Somerton doesn’t do safe or easy. He’s all about the challenge. The risk. In order to rescue one of his agents, Ethan must infiltrate the ruthless Vega cartel. One tiny error—just one—and he’s dead. Which means he needs Natalia Vega. Bright, beautiful, and cut sharper than the most lethal blade, she’s finally reached her breaking point. Now Ethan must find a way to make her surrender.

Caught between desperate choices and no-win situations, Natalia has survived the unthinkable by becoming dangerous, relentless, and feared. When it comes to protecting her sister, there’s no line Natalia won’t cross. But when Ethan storms into her life with his cocksure arrogance, stone-cold competence, and seductive promises, Natalia wonders if she’s finally found a way out. But discovering whether Ethan is salvation or destruction is going to require the one thing Natalia doesn’t have—trust.

As the cartel implodes and loved ones are threatened, Ethan and Natalia are going to have to choose between love, loyalty, and the lies they cling to. They could run, knowing they’ll never be safe. They could fight, knowing they’ll probably die. Or they can trust in each other…and do something far more dangerous.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Relentless-Somerton-Security-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0772NZ8TN

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36555711-relentless

Vikki’s Musings

Relentless is another exciting thriller by Elizabeth Dyer and the second book in her Somerton Security series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, I immediately accepted the opportunity to read and review since I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. My opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Relentless and a fast-paced romantic thriller and plenty of action scenes that had my heart racing on more than one occasion. The plot is enthralling, pulling me into the story from the first page and kept me engaged to the last.

Natalia Vega’s character is hardened by the actions she’d had to take to protect her younger sister. In the beginning, she doesn’t know how to deal with her unexpected feelings for Ethan, and she fights her emotions with everything in her. Ethan still manages to win her heart.

Ethan Somerton is a great hero. He’s loyal, brave, determined and will do what it takes to win Natalia and save his friend who is being held by the ruthless Vega cartel. When he realizes she is a trained killer, he has to decide whether he can live with that or let her go. Fortunately, he can’t forget her and fights to not only save her but her sister as well.

The romance between Natalia and Ethan is sizzling from start to end. Although there are a great many obstacles in the way, they manage to overcome them and find their happy ending. There is plenty of deep emotional writing that had me rooting for Ethan.

While I was a little disappointed with how the plot played out, that’s because I’m a softie and always want everything to end with a happy conclusion, not just the romance which does end very happy. I look forward to reading future novels by Ms. Dyer. Happy reading!

Book Review: Burning Up by Jennifer Blackwood

Burning Up by Jennifer Blackwood

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, May 8, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 253 pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 3 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Blackwood fans the flames of desire in her smoking-hot series about firefighters and the women who want them…

Unemployed schoolteacher Erin Jenkins is back in Portland, the town she hasn’t called home for more than a decade. It’s not the way she wants to spend her last days of summer: in between jobs and avoiding her mother’s snooping by escaping to the ice-cream aisle. But when the opportunity arises for her to accompany her brother’s best friend—her lifetime crush—to a wedding, summer gets a whole lot more interesting.

Firefighter and single dad Jake Bennett has built a nice, safe wall around his heart—no romance, no getting burned. That doesn’t mean he’s ruling out a fling. Considering Erin’s visit is temporary, they’re the perfect fit for a scorching no-strings one-night stand. Or two. Or five. Until the worst thing happens: Erin and Jake are feeling more. Damn that four-letter word.

Now their hearts are on the line, and when their smoldering summer comes to a close, it’s going to be harder than ever to put out the fire.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Burning-Up-Flirting-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B076H5GLY9

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36561006-burning-up

Vikki’s Musings

I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review Burning Up, and since the book description peeked my curiosity, I accepted. My opinions are my own and are not influenced by anyone.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Blackwood. The story has decent pacing and an intriguing concept. The writing flows smoothly and has the right amount of description to give me a clear picture without taking it too far where nothing is left to my imagination.

Erin Jenkins’ character is a mixed bag for me. I would have liked more depth to her character. I did not understand why she felt so strongly about leaving Portland in the first place, and why she is so determined to get out of Dodge as soon as possible. Overall, I never became vested in her character.

The best part of Jake’s character is his overwhelming love for his daughter, and that he is not a player, just a nice guy. Unfortunately, that did not give me much insight into personality. I’m not even sure why he falls in love with Erin, especially since I did not care for her. Again, his character needs more depth.

Let’s talk the romance element. It is the central theme of this novel. There is sexual chemistry between Jake and Erin. There is no doubt they are physically attracted to each other, but for me, the emotional connection is not strong, and that’s what is most important to me when I’m reading a romance.

Unfortunately, Burning Up was not my cup of tea, but I could appreciate the author’s witty banter and humor. Opinions are always subjective, and other will love this book. I would have liked a bit more action and emotional romance. Happy reading!

Book Review: Her Last Word by Mary Burton

Her Last Word by Mary Burton

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, May 8, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, USA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 360 pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

An unsolved crime pits a desperate woman against a relentless killer in New York Timesbestselling author Mary Burton’s heart-stopping novel of psychological suspense…

Fourteen years ago, Kaitlin Roe was the lone witness to the abduction of her cousin Gina. She still remembers that lonely Virginia road. She can still see the masked stranger and hear Gina’s screams. And she still suffers the guilt of running away in fear and resents being interrogated as a suspect in the immediate aftermath. Now Kaitlin has only one way to assuage the pain and nightmares—by interviewing everyone associated with the unsolved crime for a podcast that could finally bring closure to a case gone cold.

But when a woman Kaitlin questions is later found stabbed to death, she fears that she’s drawn a killer out of hiding. It’s Detective John Adler’s fear that the murders have only just begun. Now his job is to keep Kaitlin safe.

As a bond between Kaitlin and Adler builds, the past closes in just as fast—and it’s darker than Kaitlin remembers. Soon, her wish will come true. She’s going to find out exactly what happened to Gina. Someone has been dying to tell her.

Buy Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Her-Last-Word-Mary-Burton-ebook/dp/B075LK442Z

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36240724-her-last-word

Vikki’s Musings

Her Last Word is another spine-chilling romantic suspense from, Mary Burton. I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

This is a fast-paced story with plenty of mystery and intrigue. It kept engaged from the first page to the last. The writing is fluid, the plot well planned and the characters were interesting. Ms. Burton held her cards tight and I was surprised when I found out who was behind her cousin’s disappearance. 

Kaitlin’s character quickly earns my empathy as she goes about discovering what really happened to her cousins fourteen years before. I loved her tenacity, even when it almost gets her killed.

John Adler is the typical cool detective, determined to right a wrong. He is drawn to Kaitlin and is determined to gain her trust. While the romance is not the central theme of this spell-binding thriller, it is gently woven into the story. By the end of the novel, I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you are looking for a novel that is hard to put down with plenty of action and mystery, then you will enjoy Her Last Word. I recently discovered Ms. Burton’s books and will definitely look for other releases by her Happy reading!

Book Review: Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee

Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee

Publisher & Release: Montlake Romance, March 6, 2018

Time and setting:  Present Day, NYC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Length: 315 pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

No one drives in New York City. Everyone knows that, including California transplant Rachel Price. But that doesn’t stop her from driving into the city. From Connecticut. Every single morning. Rain or shine…or snow.

When she runs the charismatic and good-looking Jason Fairchild off the road, their immediate spark is met with bad timing. There is also one tiny little detail: Jason is her boss. And a woman as intelligent and dedicated to her career as Rachel knows not to date her boss.

As CEO of a private jet company, Jason Fairchild is more used to flying than driving. But if he hadn’t chosen to drive home one night, he wouldn’t have met the slowest—and most irresistible—driver in the entire metro area. Jason has never had time for love. Or dating. Or really anything that doesn’t involve work. But when he finds out that Rachel is the newest superstar in his marketing department, he can’t help wondering if fate has other plans…

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-Crazy-Book-ebook/dp/B074QNLKP9

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36008082-not-quite-crazy

Vikki’s Musings

Catherine Bybee is fast becoming one of my auto-buy authors. This is book six in the Not Quite series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I immediately accepted.

As with all of Ms. Bybee’s novels, Not Quite Crazy captured my attention from the first page and kept until the last. The pacing is fast, the characters are entertaining and well-written, and the plot is fantastic.

I found Rachel Price a captivating character. She is smart, caring, and determined. Her willingness to raise her best friend’s son when she died, is admirable, especially when she has to deal with obnoxious parental grandparents. They certainly make her life difficult.

Jason Fairchild is a wonderful hero. He has all the qualities I love. Ms. Bybee gained my support and desire to see him get the girl right away. It’s refreshing to read a book with a CEO who is not a womanizer, just a good guy. He loves his family and put their needs before his own, as he quickly does with Rachel and her step-son Owen.

The romance between Rachel and Jason is strong. The sexual tension between the pair is excellent. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending. They are perfect for each other.

I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from earlier books in this series. It’s always fun to reconnect. Owen is a great character, and I could feel his confusion over his father. He’s a great teenager and very smart.

If you enjoy a romance with strong family ties, engaging characters, and an intriguing plot, then you will love Not Quite Crazy as much as I did. I highly recommend this talented author. While this book is part of a series, it is a stand-alone novel. Happy reading!

Message From the Author

In Not Quite Crazy, California transplant, Rachel Price, doesn’t understand the ramifications of driving into Manhattan from Connecticut every day; in every type of weather…especially snow. When she runs the charming Jason Fairchild off the road, sparks fly. Too bad Jason is her new boss and dating him is out of the question. Everyone knows it’s occupational suicide to date your boss. 

Determined to keep her distance romantically, the two dive into a friendship. It isn’t long before those sparks ignite and neither one of them can deny their attraction. Throw in a teenage ward that Rachel has taken on after the death of her best friend, and biological grandparents that seek custody; and this heart warming love story is bound to whisk you away.

While I was writing Not Quite Crazy I took an impromptu trip to Manhattan last March. I purposely chose a winter month where I might be able to absorb what it felt like to be in the city when snow covered the ground. That might sound silly for those of you who live in the city, but for me, a woman who has lived in Southern California since she was eighteen years old, I had no idea just how snow impacts day to day life. 

On the drive in from the airport, I was immediately struck by the bikes chained to posts and buried by snow. I observed a man digging his car out and effectively covering his neighbor’s car in the process. The plows did a great job of clearing the path for those cars actually moving, but did an equally fantastic job of making sure some vehicles couldn’t move for days. Trash piled up on the sidewalks would have to wait to be picked up until the thaw. It was astonishing to see. But the best experience for me, and one that made it into the pages of Not Quite Crazy, came when I took my first ride on the subway. You see, I was on my way uptown, from downtown to meet with my agent. Keep in mind, Manhattan is only five miles long. But it was St. Patrick’s Day and I completely forgot about the parade. I ordered an Uber, as one does, and sat bumper to bumper for nearly two hours. After arriving extremely late to my lunch, my wise and savvy agent gave me the instructions I needed to ride the subway back to my downtown hotel. I’m a grown woman, riding a subway shouldn’t intimidate me… but if I were honest, it did. So, with my purse strapped to my shoulder and zipped on the inside of my jacket, and my eyes wide open, I crowded into the underground train along with just about everyone else in the city.  Street performers jumped onto the car and started singing for change. Tourists chatted enthusiastically while locals looked bored with the whole process. 

Rachel, my heroine in Not Quite Crazy is an extension of everyone I know that has lived in California. Here on the west coast we all have cars. We’re in them all the time. Public transportation is a joke when the distance between downtown LA and Orange County is so far away. The concept of always relying on public transportation to get to work every single day isn’t something most Southern Californian’s do. So when Rachel showed up on the page, I made sure she personified my own stubbornness about independently driving to and from wherever she needed to go. Even if it takes her two hours more than it should. 

I hope you all enjoy this final chapter in the Not Quite Series and find room on your keeper shelf for Not Quite Crazy. 

Cheers, 

Catherine 

NOT QUITE CRAZY Excerpt

Rachel found the stack of mail on the dining room table. She fingered through a few bills and tossed the junk to the side to add to the recycle bin. The box Owen had spoken of didn’t have a mailing label. In fact, all that was written on the plain brown box was her name, her first name. 

She peeled away the tape, not knowing what to expect. Once she folded the lid back, she saw a handwritten envelope on top of a white canvas bag. It took a little effort to lift the noisy bag from the box—the sound of metal hitting metal struck her as odd.

Chains. 

Chains for the tires on her car. 

“Who…?” 

She opened the note and a second paper fell out. 

Rachel 

Thank you for braving this stranger in a storm and keeping me from frostbite. Welcome to Connecticut. 

Jason 

Below his name was a phone number

Something inside her stomach flipped, the buzz a teenage girl feels when she notices a popular boy watching her from the other side of the classroom. Or maybe she was reading into it. Maybe this was just a thank-you, a friendly gesture from a grateful, stranded traveler. 

Her cheeks warmed. 

Assuming he gave her a mobile number, Rachel decided to send a text.  

Hello Jason. I received your gift. They were incredibly thoughtful. Thank you. 

She read her note over, twice, then pressed “Send.” Off it went, in wherever notes went as they traveled faster than Superman in cyberspace. 

The phone in her hand buzzed, reminding her she was holding it. 

Is this Rachel? 

She grinned. 

Do you leave gifts on everyone’s doorstep in town? 

Dot. Dot. Dot. It is nearly Christmas. 

Was he flirting? It had been some time since she’d sent a text to anyone outside of the friend zone, so she couldn’t tell. 

So you double as Connecticut’s Santa Claus?

Shhh. Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret. 

Well, he wasn’t not flirting. 

I’ll keep my mouth closed on one condition. 

Oh? What’s that? 

I want to meet Vixen. She’s always been my favorite. 

I thought Vixen was a he. 

She giggled. 

A boy named Vixen. That’s just cruel. Good point. I’ll see what I can do. The team is on a strict curfew until after the holiday. 

Rachel found a rolling eye emoji. 

About the Author

When Catherine Bybee fell in love with the first romance novel she ever read, she promised herself she would one day become a published author. Now she’s written twenty-seven books that have collectively sold more than four million copies and have been translated into more than eighteen languages. Along with her popular Not Quite series, she has also penned the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.

Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. Catherine now writes full-time. Fans can learn more at www.CatherineBybee.com.

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.catherinebybee.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinebybee

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2905789.Catherine_Bybee

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