#BookReview #ForgivingParis #KarenKingsbury #AtriaBooks

 

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of life-changing fiction brings her signature “emotional, heart-tugging” (Woman’s World) prose to this wise and worldly novel of forgiveness and hope in the City of Lights.

In Indiana, Ashley Baxter Blake and her husband are about to take an anniversary trip to Paris, but she is hesitant. More than two decades ago, she made her most grievous mistake in that same city. She has never forgiven herself for what happened there, and she still harbors secrets that she’s afraid will come to light. Just before the trip, Ashley gets a call from her niece. Jessie explains that her French boyfriend’s mother remembers working at a bakery with an American named Ashley. “Could that be you?” 

When Alice and Ashley meet, a flood of memories comes for both women, taking Ashley back to a reckless affair and an unexpected pregnancy and Alice to the night she nearly ended it all. Can this reunion bring healing and closure? Maybe it is finally time for Ashley to forgive herself...and Paris 

Book Trailer

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty-nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

Forgiving Paris

Written By Karen Kingsbury

Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank the Buffalo and Erie County Library for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. 

This book is a must read if you saw The Baxter’s on Prime Video and wondered what really happened to Ashley in Paris . If you are like me you needed to rush out to your local library and scoop up all her books! I was dying to know what really happened in Paris that the show didn’t elaborate on! Not only did I find out what happened, I learned so much more. 

If this is your first time reading Karen’s book no worries this is a standalone book. She does a great job explaining the Baxter family's characters and their backstory. 

For those who have read prior books or saw the tv series this will just be a good refresher.

This is my second book that I have read from Karen after seeing the tv series. It was good to catch up with the characters and see where they were today. Not only that but it was good to meet some of the character’s kids. 

Forgiving Paris started out so incredibly intense that I was sucked in instantly and could not put my book down! It was a very emotional introduction to the characters and the storyline. I was literally blown away by the scenes. 

The scene where John was reading back some letters written to Ashley was just beautiful! Not to mention the other surprise he found was so bittersweet. Tears welled up inside. 

 I loved when all the kids got together to share their backstory with one another. Some of them were very interesting. 

Karen taught me a few things about the history of the Eiffel Tower that I never knew prior to reading this book. 

The ending is filled with some shocking moments that I never saw coming. 

Karen has included some discussion questions at the end of this book that would be great for book club. 

#BookBlitz #Excerpt #IfYouLovedMe #BriannaRemus #XpressoTours

 

If You Loved Me
Brianna Remus
Publication date: April 26th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

My parents would lose their minds if they found out their precious daughter lost her virginity to the town’s notorious bad boy and ex-convict.

Ranger Adams might have been a dangerous pariah after he was released from prison, but he was the only man I wanted. And after I convinced him to take me on a date, I got exactly what my body…and heart desired.

I spent my entire life trying to get away from my parents’ overbearing grasp. They’ve tried to control every part of my life, even down to the man I was supposed to marry. That was the price of being born into one of the South’s richest families.

The second I had a chance to get away, I did. Ten years of pissing them off and making my dreams come true was worth the sacrifice. No fun. No relationships. And no sex.

My life had been all work until Ranger came back into town. Everyone whispered about what he’d done to land in prison. But I didn’t care.

He was rough around the edges, wild, and free.

And I wanted every bit of what he was willing to give me.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

“Ranger,” she breathed, my name was a prayer on her lips.

I let her wrist go and reached down to pick her up. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as she kissed me, opening up fully and dipping her tongue into my mouth. She was so warm and sweet. Her little moans vibrated against my tongue making me want her mouth on another part of me.

I settled us on the couch and watched as she leaned back, threading her fingers through my hair. “I love that you have long hair.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked before bringing my thumb to her lower lip wondering what it might feel like to run the head of my cock over it.

Her tongue darted out between her lips and she took my thumb in her mouth, her cheeks hollowed as she sucked. “Mmhmm,” she mused. “It’ll make it easier to keep your head in place when it’s between my legs.”

My cock jolted. I yanked my thumb from her mouth and snagged her bottom lip between my teeth, suckling it with my tongue and lips before letting it go with a pop. When I smacked her ass, she ground her hips into me, another moan slipping out of her mouth. “You won’t have to keep me anywhere, babe. I’ll gladly feast on your sweetness for the rest of my fucking life.”

Her lids fluttered, eyes dazed with lust. “But what if I want to be the one to taste you?”

Fuck. Me.

Grabbing the back of her neck, I brought her closer so I could whisper in her ear, “You wanna taste me?”

Tendrils of her hair tickled my cheek as she nodded.

“Then let me give my girl what she wants.” I lifted her off me and stood before her. The fear I’d seen in her eyes before was gone. Erased with the heady need we felt for one another and I was thankful for it. This I could do. Watching her eyes trace my body as I unbuckled my belt and undid my jeans. Seeing her in pain had been too much for me to bear. My chest had felt like it was caving in.

But this. Just the two of us together. This I could do all fucking night. Hell. All day and night.

Her breathing quickened as her eyes darted to where my fingers slid under the edge of my boxers. “You’re sure?” I asked.

Those molten eyes looked back up at me. “Yes, I’m sure.”

With her permission, I hooked my thumbs into the band of my boxers and pulled them down. My cock was heavy, pulsing upward as she took me in.

She swallowed. “I’ve never done this before, Ranger.” Those beautiful eyes I loved so much were wary like I might flee from her admission. What she didn’t know was that I didn’t give a shit about her being experienced. I only wanted her.

“We’ll take it slow. Whatever you don’t want to do, just tell me, okay?”

She nodded again as I grabbed her hand and sat back down on the couch.

“Kneel,” I commanded and I watched as she lowered herself to her knees.

“Good girl.” Seeing her kneel between my legs nearly had me seeing stars from how much my dick throbbed. Dark eyelashes fanned over her cheekbones when she looked down at my length.

Author Bio:

Brianna Remus is a Florida-based author who lives with her husband, three pups, and terrorizing cat. She started her writing journey in 2016 to ward off the woes of graduate school. The light-hearted hobby quickly turned into a passion filled dream that consistently distracts her from the real world.

When Brianna isn't working as a psychology resident or writing books, you can find her getting lost in the worlds created by others (through writing and movies), spending a day at the ocean, or taking a walk in the forest. She loves to spend her days outdoors surrounded by the beauties of nature.

A true Tolkien nerd, she also spends a lot of her time immersed in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as praying that Amazon doesn't completely fuck up the new LOTR series.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub

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#BooksonTour #ThreeDrownedGirls #OneLiarLeft #DetectiveFreyaSinclairSeries #EmilyShiner #Bookouture #NetGalley

 

Three Drowned Girls:

When Freya Sinclair was a little girl, she had no idea what her parents were hiding in the basement of her childhood home…

After five years away from her hometown of Fawn Lake, Detective Freya Sinclair isn’t expecting a warm welcome from the people she’s sworn to protect. She became a detective to bring serial killers like her parents to justice, but the tight-knit North Carolinian community can’t see past her twisted roots.

Minutes after stepping foot back home, the body of a dark-haired young girl is pulled from the river and Freya races to the scene. She’s determined to identify the child and finally prove herself, but before Freya even has a chance to search through missing persons, another girl is reported missing.

Freya’s heart breaks at the sight of little Isa’s blonde ringlets and pristine soccer uniform in the photo her father clutches, but the look on his face says he doesn’t trust Freya. Does he think she’s just like her parents, or does he have a sinister secret of his own?

But when another innocent girl is found drowned, Freya finds a white hair ribbon snagged on a branch, and instantly recognizes it as part of the soccer team uniform at the local school…

Two drowned girls. One daughter still missing. Can Freya save Isa before she becomes the third victim? Or has the killer already set their sights on Freya next?

The first in a new, totally gripping serial-killer thriller series by Amazon bestselling author EmilyShiner. Fans of Melinda Leigh, Mary Stone and Elle Gray won’t be able to put this down!

Buy Link:

Three Drowned Girls: https://geni.us/B0CYHG23KPsocial

One Liar Left: https://geni.us/B0CZ1DSKLCsocial

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Three Drowned Girls

Detective Freya Sinclair Book 1

Written By Emily Shiner

Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews 

First, I want to thank Emily Shiner, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review. 

DANG!!! Emily Shiner’s latest psychological thriller Three Drowned Girls reads like an episode of Law and Order SVU!! That is a huge compliment as that is one of my favorite shows!! Three Drowned Girls was fast paced, insanely addicting, very detailed in descriptions, intense, and so very twisted! This book is book 1 in the Detective Freya Sinclair series and deserves way more than 5 stars! I can’t wait to see if the next book in the series is as good. Stay tuned for my review for that one. 

WOW! Emily wasted no time and jumped into her intense, powerful and jaw dropping storyline. She totally blew me away with this book. I have been a fan of hers for a while now and can say with each book she comes out with gets better and better. This one has to be my favorite. 

Not only did this book read like an episode of Law and Order but it could also be a storyline ripped from the headlines as well. This is one book that I would absolutely binge watch on Netflix if it ever made its way there. 

All character names were totally unique as was this storyline. I did have to giggle at two musical artists' names thrown in as a character. 

There were parts of this book that pulled on my heartstrings and were totally heartbreaking! Oh and many times I found myself yelling OMG at my Kindle. Oh there were dark twisted secrets and revelations I just can’t get out of my head. 

Emily brought light to some very important topics within her storyline. 

There was one aspect of the storyline in which I wish was elaborated upon. I didn’t feel like I got the answers as to why Freya moved away and her past. I am hoping in the next book we will get our answers. 

Three Drowned Girls will be a book that every reader will be talking about! So what are you waiting for? Go out and get it and put it on the top of your TBR list! You will thank me later! 

One Liar Left:

The one killer Detective Freya Sinclair never caught is back…

High up in the mountains of Clear Creek Forest, where mist clings to the pines, the bodies of Millie Woodward and Jolie Marin are discovered by their fading campfire. Could this be the work of the notorious Fawn Lake Killer? This forest was once his hunting ground. And Freya knows the tattered, red woolen scarf wound tightly around Jolie’s neck is hiding his chilling MO. Her throat has been cut.

The one case Freya has never solved has haunted her for years. She knows the Fawn Lake Killer is organized, that he never leaves any DNA. But why did he stop, and why has he resurfaced now? Before she can even search the forest, Freya makes a heart-breaking discovery in her own backyard: the body of Annaliese Nowland, her long blonde hair fanned out in the tall grass. Annaliese’s tongue is missing. Freya knows it’s a message: he’s silencing these women. And taunting Freya.

Working day and night to make a connection, Freya finally uncovers the missing puzzle piece: a photograph of all three victims in high school together. But there’s a fourth woman in the photo, her face turned slightly away from the camera. Freya must track her down before it is too late.

Freya won’t let the past repeat itself. Did these women die because of her failure, or is she overlooking a vital clue that points to someone close to home? Freya must face her demons if she’s going to stop this predator taking another innocent life. But he’s one step ahead. And he’s coming for her…

An unputdownable mystery thriller perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Rachel McLean and Mary Stone. Prepare to sleep with the lights on!

One Liar Left

Detective Freya Sinclair Book 2

Written By Emily Shiner

Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank Emily Shiner, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. 

Emily Shiner is back with her second book in The Detective Freya Sinclair Series called One Liar Left. Even though this is part of a series I found that it can be read as a standalone book. However, reading the first book in the series will give you a better sense of the characters and backstory. 

In One Liar Left we get the pleasure of being reunited by Freya, Candy, Ester and Brad to catch up. 

Like Three Drowned Girls One Liar Left is fast paced, addictive, secrets, twists and turns as well as shocking revelations. However, in this book there were some detailed descriptions of graphic scenes. I can’t imagine seeing a dead body let alone one with their tongue cut off or their ear bit off (visions of Alexander Holyfield danced in my head).

I really liked the bond that Ester and Freya had and how they were always looking out for each other. 

Emily made me smile by including a character’s name Courtney as that is my sister’s name. 

I really enjoyed the mystery and investigation into who killed the two girls. I can’t imagine how hard it is for Freya and Candy to give out such sad news to the family. 

Emily Shiner always dreamed of becoming an author. After spending years devouring stacks of thrillers, she decided to try her hand at writing them herself. Now she gets to live out her dream of writing novels and sharing her stories with people around the world. She lives in the Appalachian Mountains and loves hiking with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.

https://authoremilyshiner.com/

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#BooksonTour #TheAnniversary #ColeBaxter #Bookouture #NetGalley

 

I gaze across the candlelit table into the eyes of the man I love. It’s our anniversary dinner, a celebration of our marriage, of how far we’ve come. But within hours our romantic date has ended in murder…

When I wake in a hospital bed, blinking under the blinding white lights, I hear someone saying there has been an accident. My heart misses a beat when I recognize my husband’s voice. He says I was driving the car. He says I’ve killed someone.

I can’t breathe. I know I wasn’t the one behind the wheel. Tom was.

The love of my life — the handsome, clever man I’ve been married to for five years — has betrayed me. But why? And on the anniversary of our wedding day…

I need to uncover the secrets he’s been keeping. Before I lose my freedom — or my life…

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists. For fans of The Doctor’s Wife, TheMarriage and The Housemaid.

Buy Link(s):  https://geni.us/B0CSTR1LG7social

Audible:

UK: https://ow.ly/aTsJ50ReOBa

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Listen here: https://ow.ly/pI5Y50ReOB9

Narrated by: @sparkthecannon

Cole Baxter is a top Amazon bestselling author who is a practicing primary care physician who writes bestselling psychological suspense thrillers. 

His stories will have you reading through the night – they are very addictive!

Social Media Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17955716.Cole_Baxter

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The Anniversary 

Written By Cole Baxter 

Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank Cole Baxter, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

WOWZERS!!!!! Guaranteed this is one anniversary you won't forget! Cole Baxter took his readers on an insanely intense roller coaster ride with a lot of twists and turns reading The Anniversary! You will be glued to your kindle and at the edge of your seat as this is a very fast paced addicting read. It is a book that exceeded all my expectations as it deserves more than a 5 star rating. You must go out and grab this book and put it on top of your TBR list. 

Cole has such an eye for detail in his descriptions. There were times when I honestly felt I was in the scene with the characters. So much so that I too felt incredible anxiety during many of the scenes just like Catherine did. 

Right away Tom rubbed me the wrong way and as I got deeper into the story we saw his true colors. He was controlling, manipulative, secretive, abusive, reckless, etc! There were times when I started yelling at my Kindle and he irked me so badly! 

My heart ached for Catherine as nobody should ever endure what she did. One thing for sure she is a very strong woman and a fighter! So many times I wanted to jump into the book and rescue her. 

Cole brings up a lot of very important issues in The Anniversary.

There are so many deep dark secrets around every twist and turn in this book. However, nothing can prepare you for the jaw dropping twist at the end. 

The Anniversary by Cole Baxter NEEDS to be made into a Netflix series!! It would be so bingeable!!! It was just incredible!!!