Jul 20, 2019

Review: Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake

Book Summary
Lindsey Payne left her small, southern hometown six years ago for the bright lights of New York City with big dreams of becoming an actress. Now, she’s returning to Georgia with regrets and hoping to steer clear of those she’s wronged. 

Dakota Calhoun fills his days with work to keep his mind busy. The last thing he wants is time to dwell on the past or the mistakes he made. When a ghost from his past comes barreling back into his life, everything gets harder—and more dangerous. Now, Dakota is struggling to stay on the straight and narrow. 

Dakota and Lindsey have a past as long as their memories, but their future is tied up in old wounds. They’ll have to decide if they can forgive each other and themselves. Can they overcome the past and have the future they always wanted?


Jul 18, 2019

Review: Why She Lied by Julie Coons

Author Julie Coons

JULIE COONS lives in a small town in Oregon. THIS DOES NOT LEAVE THIS HOUSE was her debut memoir. Amy's bookshelf reviews awarded it the #1 position for top 10 books of 2018. Her second book WHY SHE LIED is based on a true story. Her books are written to lead a movement toward positive change. She tells the stories of her life with honesty and strength. 

I write about my life hoping to inspire positive change in the world. I write in a very honest and sometimes emotional way. I have been threatened into silence far too long. It's time to get these secrets out into the open and end the cycle of abuse in families once and for all.  My latest book "Why She Lied" is also based on stories in my life and shines a light on human trafficking.  I really have lived through a lot of things in my life.  I consider myself more of a story teller than a writer although I am working hard to improve my writing skills every day.  Until then, I hire the best editors money can buy.   

Book Trailer of Why She Lied

Book Summary

Will she have to lose her child to save her child?

The day she tells her boyfriend she’s pregnant, is the same day he tells her he’s been accused of molestation. His trial is set to begin the following day.

She needs answers…

To get them, she tricks her boyfriend into signing a release form, giving her full access to all of his legal documents. She uncovers the truth, he’s guilty.

To save her unborn child from this monster, she gets an abortion.

FIVE YEARS LATER and still rebuilding her life, Julie finds out her ex-boyfriend has just become the most wanted man in America, involved in human trafficking. When detectives ask for her help locating him, she gets drawn into a baffling mystery. What began as a seemingly simple search soon turns into a much darker reality.

Someone from her past is watching…

Bit by bit, the tapestry of her own secret childhood begins to unravel. What she learns about her past will haunt her forever: family isn’t always what it seems.

Can she help bring this predator to justice, or will she die trying?

WHY SHE LIED is a gripping psychological thriller full of mystery, intrigue, and buried secrets. 


Why She Lied
Julie Coons
Review by HeidiLynn's BookReviews

First, I want to thank Julie Coons for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Julie Coons is an incredibly strong and brave woman to share her very intense and powerful story with the world in Why She Lied. This book is not only on my must read of the year-but-my all time favorite read of the year. It is one of those psychological thrillers that will totally shock you, blow you away, make you cringe, make you cry (at least I did), but then you have to remember-this is someone’s true story! This actually happened to someone!! Then all I wanted to do was hug Julie and never let her go.

I will be blunt this is a dark and twisted book. This is not a feel-good book at all! It is a book with a lot of issues that I feel need to be discussed in the review in case it is a trigger for the readers. This book deals with pedophile, sex and human trafficking, rape by nuns and priests at a Catholic School, Abortion and the aftermath of it, narcissistic parents, murder, lots of secrets, molestation, etc. This is not a book for just anyone. This went beyond any #MeToo book I have ever read before.

Julie blew me away with this book. Right away she captured my attention with the book. She mentioned she is in an Em-path and has a caring heart. This is why she went into the medical field. I too have that trait and I too was in the medical field. In the beginning of the book she discussed many medical cases she worked on. This part of the book very much intrigued me to no end. I love medical themed books as well. So I was loving this book.

She continued to capture my interest throughout the book. Why She Lied was one of the books with the most secrets, shockers, twists and turns. This was the first book I was ever truly scared to death for the character and cried my eyes out at the end for her. I wanted to hold her and be there for her at the end of all this.

Single ladies be careful who you choose to date!!! Not everyone is who you seem!!
Julie Coons Why She Lied needs to make it to the big screen or even NetFlix Original! This movie has to be made. I am so incredibly passionate about this book and this author!! This has blockbuster written all over it!! You just have to read the book to see what I am talking about.

I honestly hope by writing this that she was able to heal from all of this. I also hope by writing this that it could help someone in this situation. 


Jul 15, 2019

Review: I've Got You by Becca Seymour

I've Got You - Becca Seymour


Becca Seymour has a new mm/bi romance out: I've Got You.


When a single dad and a newly outed veterinarian meet by chance, it takes red-cheeked conversations, a tentative friendship, and the willingness to put their hearts on the line to show these men they’re made for each other.

Single dad Davis Jackson is busy balancing his coffee shop and being the best dad he can be. That doesn’t mean he’s not lonely. After a fumbling encounter with a man who looks as gorgeous as he does unhappy, Davis is left wondering who the mystery man is.

Jul 14, 2019

Review: Hidden Jipsie by Rachael Sircar

Author Rachael Sircar
#CandidBookReviews
Rachael Sircar is the author of the Data Driven series, as well as several stand alone novels, including Taking Pictures.
Her novels are written with a Christian mindset in dealing with earthly situations.

When not writing, she enjoys teaching second grade.
During school breaks, you will find Rachael tapping away at her laptop on her patio while watching the waterbirds, deer, and other delightful creatures meander around their own personal lake.
She loves camping, playing flute/percussion with the band at church, and spending quality time with friends, but especially teaching. She absolutely loves to work with her kiddos.

Rachael has been married to a wonderful man for over twenty years and has two amazing children and a spoiled rotten dog.

Review: I Saw Him Standing There by Holly Kerr Oceanic Dreams Series Book 1


Author Holly Kerr

Holly Kerr grew up as a country girl but now calls Toronto home. After 'retiring' from her job to raise her three kids, Holly jumped into writing very quietly while her kids took very long, enforced naps. Now the author of eleven books, ranging from action-packed Chick Lit, fun rom-com/mom-com, and sister-saga woman's fiction, she has even tried her hand at writing middle-grade dragon tales for her kids. Holly stays awake with countless cups of tea, the occasional Pepsi, before-dinner wine, and a weekly dirty martini.

Review: Yield to Me by Audrey Rush

Author Audrey Rush

Audrey was born in California and studied writing in Las Vegas, but currently lives in a quiet Southern beach town where she raises her daughter and snuggles her husband. She writes dark romance novels and erotic short stories during nap time, and reads anything and everything after the little one goes to bed. Audrey believes that the best stories have strong (& perhaps stubborn) female characters who eventually find love, usually with the help of some blindfolds, handcuffs, & a life-changing orgasm.

Audrey loves mac & cheese, chocolate cake, and jogging equally. In her opinion, a well-placed curse word is like a glass of wine after the baby goes to bed: sensually sweet, & makes you feel sassy.


Jul 11, 2019

Review: The Scent for Love by Sophia Knightly

Author Sophia Knightly
#CandidBookReviews
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance novels, Sophia Knightly, loves to transport readers from everyday life into happily ever afters. A BookBub featured author, her modern novels feature hot alpha heroes and strong smart women and are laced with humor, international appeal and a dash of glamour. 
Her popular Tropical Heat Series and Heartthrob Series books have consistently been on bestseller lists and continue to grow in readership. 
Sophia is passionate about writing books that end with a sigh and a smile. She loves traveling, foodie adventures, and appreciates the arts in all forms. 
One of her favorite pastimes remains simply watching people, especially those in love!

Jul 10, 2019

Review:The Moment Between by Gareth Frank


Author Gareth Frank
Gareth Frank is a former union organizer and administrator. He received a Master's Degree at the University of Wisconsin and later studied at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The Moment Between is his first published novel. His short stories have been published in various journals and have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize as well as the Silver Pen Write Well Award.


Jul 9, 2019

Review: The Scandal by Nicola Marsh




Book Summary

My life is like one of those cheap snow globes my twins collected when they were younger. Shiny and pretty on the outside, blurred beyond recognition when shaken.Ever since her twin girls left home, Marisa has felt there’s something missing from her life. Her sprawling mansion is no longer filled with laughter and chaos, and she’s desperate to feel needed... and to be distracted from the secret she’s been hiding from her husband for all these years.Coffee with her best friends might be the only thing holding Marisa together. But Claire and Elly have their own secrets. Like why Claire hasn’t been to work in weeks, or why Elly won’t tell anyone who’s buying her flowers.When Jodi, a pregnant young girl, turns up at Marisa’s doorstep, Marisa is quick to come to her aid. She sees herself in Jodi and she knows how devoting yourself to looking after others can take up all your time in the most marvellous way.But Jodi’s arrival quickly pushes everyone’s lies to the surface. The father of her unborn child is someone the women know very well, and Marisa starts to wonder if her obsession with helping Jodi might come at a devastating price…The Scandal has a twist that will take your breath away. An emotionally charged novel about secrets, affairs and perfect small towns from USA Today bestseller Nicola Marsh, that will be devoured by fans of Kerry Fisher, Big Little Lies and The Other Woman.

Jun 15, 2019

Review: The Publicist by Cara Wade

About the Author
Cara Wade
Cara Wade is a daydreamer and a lifelong teenybopper. Boy bands forever! She would love to spend the day in the kitchen baking up sweet treats but hates doing the dishes after. When she is not writing (or suffering writer’s block) you can find her reading, hiking, or relaxing by the water. She lives in northern Massachusetts with her loving husband.

Jun 5, 2019

Review Once Upon A Wedding A Fiction From The Heart Second-Chances Anthology By Jamie Beck, Tracy Brogan, Sonali Dev, K.M. Jackson, Donna Kaufman, Sally KilPatrick, Falguni Kothari, Priscilla Oliveras, Barbara Samuel, Hope Ramsay, Liz Talley


Say I do

Eleven best-selling and award-winning authors request your presence as they share all-new novellas that will have you humming the wedding march and dreaming of champagne toasts. It’s easy to tie the knot with these heartwarming, second-chance love stories.

I Do, Again by Jamie Beck
A makeup artist who is forced to become her bridezilla client’s eleventh-hour bridesmaid is dumbstruck to discover her ex-husband is a groomsman and he wants a second chance.

Weather or Knot by Tracy Brogan
Two meteorologists with a turbulent romantic history join a team of storm chasers and discover that love, like lightning, sometimes strikes twice.

The Runaway Bride by Sonali Dev
A groom has one night to convince his runaway bride that her fears that he's settling for her are anything but true.

Starboard Vow by K.M. Jackson
A cruise director is taken off course when the country’s hottest bachelor – and her secret husband – arrives aboard her ship for a whirlwind cruise.

A Wedding in Swan Harbor by Donna Kauffman
A widowed blueberry farmer is reunited with her late husband’s best friend when he returns to escort her daughter down the aisle.

Jun 2, 2019

Review: Chasing Strength A Harper Family Romance Part 4 By Nancy Stopper

Author Nancy Stopper

Living in beautiful northern Virginia, Nancy dreams of small-town living where the everyone knows everyone else (including their business) and neighbors wave when you pass. Since she doesn’t live in one, she creates them for everyone else to enjoy through her books.

She’s a mom to (almost) 2 college students and 1 middle schooler who has spent more hours at the baseball field and the dance studio than she cares to admit. With her husband, her primary goal is to finish raising her 3 kids into productive adults!
Nancy writes small-town contemporary romance with sexy heroes and strong heroines. Her books tug at your emotional heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling that lingers long after the last page. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, and Virginia Romance Writers.

Jun 1, 2019

Review: Doctors of Darkness Boxed Set Books 1-3 By Ellery Kane

Author Ellery Kane
#CandidBookReviews
Forensic psychologist by day, novelist by night, Ellery Kane has been writing--professionally and creatively--for as long as she can remember. Just like many of her main characters, Ellery loves to ask why, which is the reason she became a psychologist in the first place. Real life really is stranger than fiction, and Ellery's writing is often inspired by her day job. Evaluating violent criminals and treating trauma victims, she has gained a unique perspective on the past and its indelible influence on the individual. And she's heard her fair share of real life thrillers. An avid short story writer as a teenager, Ellery recently began writing for enjoyment again, and she hasn't stopped since.

May 25, 2019

Review: Chasing My Cure A Doctors Race to Turn Hope into Action By David Fajgenbaum





Author David Fajgenbaum
#NetGalley David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc is one of the youngest individuals to be appointed to the faculty at Penn Medicine. Co-founder and executive director of the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network and an NIH-funded physician-scientist, he has dedicated his life to discovering new treatments and cures for deadly disorders like Castleman disease, which he was diagnosed with during medical school. He is in the top 1% youngest grant awardees of an R01, one of the most competitive and sought after grants in all of biomedical research. Dr. Fajgenbaum has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 healthcare list, as a top healthcare leader by Becker's Hospital Review, and one of the youngest people ever elected as a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the nation's oldest medical society. He was one of three recipients--including Vice President Joe Biden--of a 2016 Atlas Award from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. Winner of the Rare Champion of Hope Science award, Dr. Fajgenbaum has been profiled in a cover story by the New York Times as well as profiles by Reader's Digest, Science, and the Today Show. Dr. Fajgenbaum earned his BS from Georgetown University magna cum laude with honors and distinction, MSc from the University of Oxford, MD from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and MBA from The Wharton School. He is a former Division I College Quarterback, state-champion weight lifter, and co-founder of a national grief support network.

May 22, 2019

Review: Love in Chaos by Beth Gildersleeve

Author Beth Gildersleeve

Beth Gildersleeve lives for a happily ever after, especially when it’s part of a contemporary sweet romance story. Beth’s a big fan of Dr. Brené Brown and her work around shame, vulnerability, and bravery. Her characters’ struggles and successes reflect these themes. When Beth isn’t plotting or writing, she’s busy Googling answers to her adult daughters’ questions (they still think she knows everything), finding misplaced items for her husband of almost thirty years, serving her rescued dogs’ needs, losing at Words with Friends, and searching for the last three books to complete her Betty Neels collection. She is a member of RWA and Northern Lights Writers.

May 21, 2019

Review: All Your Buttons by Rene Bouche



Author Rene Bouche

All Your Buttons 
By Rene Bouche 

Review written by 
HeidiLynn's BookReviews

First, I want to thank Rene Bouche for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Rene Bouche’s All Your Button’s will push All Your Buttons until you scream in ecstasy!  Rene is an extremely talented writer. With his vivid imagination, sexual fantasies of her own, and incorporating that into the story line Rene has become my favorite author in this genre. I am not ashamed to say it he had me aroused for most of the book. Not many authors can pull that off.

Review: The Mortuary Arts by John Gregory Hancock

Author John Gregory Hancock




May 15, 2019

Review: Just The Way You Are by Ann Roth


Author Ann Roth

Award-winning author Ann Roth writes small town contemporary romance and women's fiction. She has published over 35 novels, as well as several short stories and novellas, both through New York publishers and independently.

A true believer in love and happy endings, Ann enjoys watching her characters learn and grow as they face challenges and hurdles, and ultimately find love.

Ann has lived in the greater Seattle area since she headed for the University of Washington and fell in love with Seattle... and her future husband. 


May 7, 2019

Review: Abigail's Window By Susan Lynn Solomon



Book Summary

Abigail Bender lost her only love at Gettysburg in 1863. One hundred and fifty years later Kaitlyn Novacs, teetering on the edge of a breakdown after the loss of her one love, encounters Abigail’s spirit in a quaint Canadian inn. There’s a connection between these women, Kaitlyn feels it the first moment she sees the ghost but refuses to admit it. She is forced to accept how closely her fate mirrors the ghost’s when through Abigail’s window she witnesses the ghost’s life and death. Still, there’s a secret Abigail withholds from Kaitlyn. Will discovering that secret come too late to save Kaitlyn from Abigail’s fate? 

May 5, 2019

Review:Just as I am By Mandi Blake






Author Mandi Blake

Apr 20, 2019

Review: This Kind of Silence by Michele Susan Brown

Author Michele Susan Brown

Michele Susan Brown is a writer, author, and speaker based in Northern California, where she lives with her husband, two dogs, cat, and the wild birds that visit her backyard feeders. A former elementary school teacher, principal, and district-level administrator for eighteen years, Michele now spends time following her passions: writing, meditation, exercise, time in nature, swimming with wild dolphins in the Bahamas, and traveling on unique adventures all over the world with her husband, Gordon. Michele enjoys connecting with others and engaging in deep discussions about the importance of listening to our own intuition, being brave and vulnerable, and the freedom found in authenticity and truth. You can connect with her at www.michelesusanbrown.com, and/or write to her at michelebrownauthor@gmail.com

Apr 10, 2019

IndieView Interview with HeidiLynns BookReviews




Thank you to Indie Review for interviewing Me for HeidiLynns BookReviews!   

How did you get started? 
I have always been a very passionate reader. Reading was a way for me to escape my reality. A local author friend of mine thought I would be perfect for reviewing books. I found a great company called Candid Book Reviews that was actively looking for reviewers to join their team. Through Candid Book Reviews they introduced me to many creative and talented authors who I am blessed to still read and review for today.
How do you review a book? Is it a read first, and then make notes, or do you make notes as you go along?
Many of the books I read are on my Kindle or hard copies that the authors send me. If it is a Kindle book then I usually use the highlight feature as I go. That makes it easier to go back when you are reviewing it. If it is a hard copy, I make notes as I go.
What are you looking for? 
I am looking to help promote Indie Authors any way that I can by providing them an honest review on multiple social media sites. All I ask in return is for their book (mobi, pdf or hard copy) and their friendship. I pride myself in having a friendship with the authors. We communicate heavily on my HeidiLynn’s BookReviews Facebook page.  I have 2,303 followers made up of authors, personal assistants, book boggers/reviewers, and fans of my reviews.  Along with book reviews on my site I can add book covers, synopsis of the book, buy links, and author bio and pictures. This can also be cross posted to my Facebook page for more viewers to see it.
If a book has a great plot, great characters, but the grammar is less than perfect, how do you deal with that?
If I find the grammar, spelling or formatting of the ebook is off I will let the author know upfront before I post my review. This way if it is a ARC copy they can fix the issue before the book goes live. However, if the formatting and spelling are really bad I will have to bring it up in the review.
How long does it take you to get through, say, an eighty thousand-word book?
Depending how good the book is I would say 3-4 hours.
How did you come up with your rating system, and could you explain more about the rating system? 
I won’t review anything that is below a 3 star for an author. I don’t think it is fair to the to bash the author on the social media sites. They work hard for their craft. If I feel like I can’t read the book or It does not deserve higher than a 3 star I will contact them. I will let them know my reasoning behind it and obviously apologize.
You will usually get a 5 star from me if you write something close to your heart and it shows in your writing, books that grab your attention from start to finish, and books that leave a permanent etching in your memory.
What advice could you give to authors looking to get their books reviewed?
Do your homework on the reviewer before messaging them. Make sure they review what genre you write before approaching them. Please introduce yourselves to us reviewers telling us about yourself, your book synopsis, how you learned abut us, etc.
I would say go on Facebook and start a street team of ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) reviewers. Build a relationship with your readers and get to know them. They are your fans and look up to you.
Try going on NetGalley that is an amazing resource for authors and reviewers. I have found some extremely talented authors there.
Do you get readers emailing you and thanking you for a review?
Few of my readers have commented on my reviews.  However, I have gotten much more positive feedback from authors thanking me for my review. Many have said I had made their day, that they have cried, that my reviews were very thorough. I have a section on my website of that authors reviewed my service.  This feedback is priceless and is why I love doing what I am doing. Giving back to the authors that let me escape to new worlds without leaving my couch!
My advice to authors on getting a ‘bad’ review (hasten to add that might mean a perfectly honest, well written, fair review – just bad from the author’s point of view) is to take what you can from it and move on. Under no circumstances to ‘argue’ with the reviewer – would you agree with that?
Yes, I agree with that. The author wants an honest review and I am going to give you what you asked for. I won’t lie in a review.

About Reading

We talk a lot about writing here on the blog, and possibly not enough about reading, which is after all why we’re all here. Why do you think people love reading? We’re seeing lots of statistics that say reading as a pastime is dying – do you think that’s the case?
For me reading is an escape from reality into a new world for a while. I don’t think that is true that reading is dying. Even my young nieces and nephews are always with a book in their hand.

About Writing

We’re told that the first page, paragraph, chapter, is absolutely key in making or breaking a book. Agents typically request only the first five pages of a novel; what do you think about that? If a book hasn’t grabbed you by the first five pages, do you put it down?
A really good book would grasp my attention and pull me in by the end of the first page. If it doesn’t capture my interest by the third chapter then we might have a problem.
Is there anything you will not review?
YES. I will not read Paranormal, Sci-Fi Fantasy, MC, Shape-Shifters, Political, Historical, Time Travel
End of Interview:
To see HeidiLynn’s reviews, visit HeidiLynn’s Book Reviews.


Mar 29, 2019

Review Timothy Mean and The Time Machine by William A.E. Ford

Author William A.E. Ford

William has always had a passion for books, writing and story-telling.  William’s favorite way to end a cosy evening is to spend time dreaming up and reading bed-time stories to his five wonderful children.

Just one of his many stories, ‘Timothy Mean and the Time Machine’ was inspired by the spark of his children’s colorful imaginations as they tirelessly created unique, laughter filled days from even the most mundane, everyday objects and situations!

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