Blog on the Run: Suspense

BLOG TOUR | THE LAST AFFAIR by Margot Hunt

Hey there! Welcome to The Last Affair blog tour! I'm thrilled to share my thoughts about Margot Hunt's new novel with you, and can't wait for you to read it! Take a look!

About the book:

Gwen Landon—poster woman for perfect wife, mother, and suburban bliss—is found brutally bludgeoned to death behind her Floridian McMansion. Beautiful and beloved by her community, Gwen makes an unlikely victim. But just a scratch below the surface of her perfectly curated world reveals one far more sinister. When looking back over the six months leading up to her death, the question of, “who would do this?” quickly shifts to, “who wouldn’t?”

Commercially successful food blogger and mother of three, Nora Holliday never imagined she would have the nerve, let alone time, to get involved an affair. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, she does whatever it takes to keep it all together. But when Nora runs into Gwen Landon's husband at a hotel in Orlando, his easy kindness and warmth proves too tempting to resist. As their affair spirals dangerously out of control, it seems things can’t get more complicated—until Gwen turns up dead.

My review:

From the opening scene, until the very end, this book will have you turning pages and guessing. This book kept me intrigued and entertained, plotting theories and trying to find the truth, and tell me if that’s not the best thing about suspense’s books: the emotion to play detective, follow clues and get the answers.

This was my first time reading the author, and I found in the book a thrilling story, characters were well developed fueling the plot with their particular relationship dynamics, and lots of surprises.

All started with a body found in the backyard of a house. But then the author takes us back in time to meet Nora, Josh, Abby and Gwen.

Nora is a food blogger who will attend a convention. Josh is an orthodontist who found himself in the same place as Nora. They have met before. They talk. That chat turns into flirting, and the flirting drives them to share a bed. The only problem there is that Josh and Nora are married to other people.

Then we have Abby. She’s Josh daughter and she’s back home after a heartbreaking experience in college. She’s having a hard time. And they she discovers her dad is cheating on her mother.

Finally we have Gwen. She’s Josh wife and Abby’s mom. She’s the body found in the backyard in the opening scene. Through the pages you will know part of her story, as well as follow the clues to discover who killed her.

I couldn’t put this book down. It was amazing! I had a great time reading it and I recommend it to all fans of suspense out there.

About the author:

Margot Hunt is a critically acclaimed author of psychological suspense. Her work has been praised by Publisher's Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews.

Follow her:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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, by Miriam Meza

NEW RELEASE | THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE

Hi there! Let's start the week with a wonderful read...

I'm always drawn to stories with Gothic flair, suspense and mystery, also I'm a huge fan of romance novels, so when the publisher offered me the chance to try this book I couldn't say no.

I read THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE a couple of weeks ago and loved it! Every single page of it. From the gorgeous views the author described, to the thrilling narration that trapped me from the start, this story was filled with wonderful characters, unforgettable moments, intriguing ghost tales... and ALL THE FEELS!! You have to read it! For real. This book is everything! Now check the details below and go to grab your copy.

BLURB:

A young widow restores a dilapidated mansion with the assistance of a charming, eccentric genius, only to find the house is full of dangerous secrets in this effervescent Gilded Age debut novel

It's 1875, and Alva Webster has perfected her stiff upper lip after three years of being pilloried in the presses of two continents over fleeing her abusive husband. Now his sudden death allows her to return to New York to make a fresh start, restoring Liefdehuis, a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. However, fresh starts aren't as easy as they seem, as Alva discovers when stories of a haunting at Liefdehuis begin to reach her. But Alva doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the eccentric and brilliant professor, Samuel Moore, appears and informs her that he can get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds Liefdehuis, she turns him down flat. She doesn't need any more complications in her life―especially not a handsome, convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam.

Unfortunately, though Alva is loath to admit it, Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and a member of the nationally-adored Moore family of scientists, is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva's new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva's history―and her heart.

Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, The Widow of Rose House is a gorgeous debut by Diana Biller, with a darkly Victorian Gothic flair and an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers.

Buy your copy now:

Amazon US | iBooks | Kobo | Nook | Google Play

Add it to Goodreads

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, by Miriam Meza

In ARC Review, Blog Tour

BLOG TOUR | DESERT ROSE by K. Moore

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, by Miriam Meza

In Desert Rose, goodreads

NEW RELEASE | DESERT ROSE by K. Moore

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, by Miriam Meza

In goodreads, Kindle Reads

REVIEW | SAY YOU'RE SORRY by Melinda Leigh

Hi there! Today I wanted to share with you something special. It's not a new book, or a romantic story, but it was a novel that I enjoyed a lot, and I think you may enjoy as well.

Say you're sorry is the first installment in the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh. The lead character is a former prosecutor, and in this book she will be facing the most personal —and deadly— case of her life.

About the book:

After the devastating loss of her husband in Iraq, Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls, seeking the comfort of her hometown. Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity—until her babysitter is killed and her neighbor asks her to defend his son, Nick, who stands accused of the murder.

Tessa was the ultimate girl next door, and the community is outraged by her death. But Morgan has known Nick for years and can’t believe he’s guilty, despite the damning evidence stacked against him. She asks her friend Lance Kruger, an ex-cop turned private eye, for help. Taking on the town, the police, and a zealous DA, Morgan and Lance plunge into the investigation, determined to find the real killer. But as they uncover secrets that rock the community, they become targets for the madman hiding in plain sight.

My opinion:

This book was simply spectacular. The rhythm, the plot,the characters, the suspense in the story... Everything was carefully managed to make us, readers, enjoy the book, engage in the investigation and feel part of everything is happening in front of us. And it was perfect! The author played a little game, alternating the characters in each chapter, and that helped to built the tension, but also helped to meet them better.

Morgan Dane surprised me as character. I loved her evolution in the book, her sense of justice and her determination about finding the truth, but also how she endured her grief until she was ready to let go and move on.

While reading this book I remember what I felt the first time I read Michael Connelly (one of my favorite writers) or David Baldacci, because I had the same feeling reading Say you're sorry. Pure and unadulterated emotion. What a great story it was! It was love at first chapter, my friends. Can't wait for you to read this book.

You can find this book in your favorite retailers and bookstores. I bought mine on Amazon.

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, Broken Promise

#Review BROKEN PROMISE by Tara Thomas

Hi there! Today I wanted to share with you a new release! I'm talking about BROKEN PROMISE, the third book in the Sons of Broad series by Tara Sue Me writing as Tara Thomas, and published by St. Martin Press.

If you love romantic suspense novels, then take a look at this one!

Blurb:

In the sultry streets of Charleston, one family, ruled by its powerful, take-no-prisoners sons, has risen to the top. But a merciless enemy is out to destroy them…and everyone they hold close…

SHE SWORE TO KEEP HER PROMISES.

BUT CAN SHE KEEP THEM SAFE…AND PROTECT HER HEART?

Charleston Police Officer Alyssa Adams made a promise years ago to protect innocent women from harm. Now, she won’t rest until she can reunite every lost daughter with her family. Bring closure to every grieving husband. And, most of all, find out what happened the night her own sister disappeared, more than ten years ago…

As the eldest of the Benedict brothers, Kipling will stop at nothing to protect his family from a threat that aims to destroy them once and for all. But when a long-lost sibling is kidnapped by a powerful adversary, Alyssa is the only one he can turn to to get her back.

As Alyssa and Kipling band together to find their lost siblings, a powerful attraction builds between them that they can’t ignore. As the truth comes to light, will one broken promise tear them apart?

Exclusive bonus content available only in the print edition!

Buy your copy now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Let's talk about this book:

As I said at the beggining of this post, this book is the third installment in the Sons of Broad series, but it can be read as standalone. I haven't read the previous installments (I'm planning to, tho) but I didn't need it in order to understand the story. The author explain briefly previous situations to keep the reader updated and develop a plot full of suspense and passion.

The lead characters, Alyssa and Kipling, had a rocky start but since the very first page you can feel the tension and the chemistry between them. The way the story is constructed let you spy in their minds, to explore what are they thinking every moment, and it was cool to experiment through them the fear and insecurities, but also the heat and the longing, the passion and the discovery of love.

But this story isn't about romance. Or isn't just about romance. It's also a thriller. Alyssa's sister disappeared and was killed over a decade ago, and she has dedicated her life to bring justice to families in the same situation as hers. She has some clues about her sister's case but that murder wasn't solved. But then she find the connection between her sister's case and a new one, and the hope to discover what happened blooms again.

Kipling discover, soon after his brother's wedding, that his recently found sister has been kidnapped so he'll ask Alyssa's help to find her. But the case is more complicated that they imagined, and the connection between Jade's disappearance and Alyssa's sister will put both of them in danger.

The thrilling situations Kipling and Alyssa will be involved in will lit the fire between them. Even if they try to deny their attraction, that fire will be hot enough to burn their defenses and make them surrender to a passion like no other.

There were a few moments in Broken Promise were I felt the author could have feed the suspense a little more, but the book was pretty cool. I liked the buildup between Kipling and Alyssa, not just the romance between them but how they teamed up to find Kipling's sister and solve Alyssa's case. The villain in the story, The Gentleman, was creepy AF and he had some impressive moments in the book while we discover what drive him to act the way he did. Maybe it was just me, but I kinda wanted more at the ending with him. I felt it was missing something. But that's probably because I didn't read the other books, so don't mind me.

Broken Promise was a fast-paced romance filled with suspense and will engage you in the story from the beginning. It was a great read and can't wait for you to read it.

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As you may know by now, I really enjoy making teasers about my reads. So I made a few about Broken Promise.

Take a look:

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, by Miriam Meza

In Acacia Santos, ARC Review

ARC REVIEW - THE MAN IN THE BLACK SUIT by Sylvain Reynard

Hi there everyone! Today I'm sharing with you a new review to celebrate Sylvain Reynard's newest release.

This book is a contemporary romance novel, filled with suspense and passion, that will take us to experience life in Paris and Santorini among other cities while discovering the mysteries behind The Man in the Black Suit.

Cover design by: Heather Carrier

Synopsis:

Brazilian Acacia Santos excels at her job as concierge at the prestigious Hotel Victoire in Paris. When her senior colleague is attacked and sent to the hospital, she is tasked with serving one of the hotel’s most mysterious and attractive guests.

Nicholas Cassirer checks into the hotel under an assumed name every three months. Usually, he stays in the penthouse suite with a beautiful female companion but on this occasion, he arrives alone and is displeased in having to deal with someone new. A match of wits ensues as he tests Acacia’s expertise with a series of almost impossible demands. Her intelligence and creativity rise to the challenge, earning his respect.

They strike a tenuous accord until Acacia discovers a famous stolen painting in his suite. Compelled to report her discovery, she contacts a former boyfriend who works for the elite BRB, a unit of French law enforcement that deals with stolen art.

Nicholas is questioned by police and released when it is revealed the painting is a reproduction. Irked with her behavior, Acacia’s supervisor demotes her, threatening dismissal and the cancellation of her work permit.

But Acacia has already attracted Nicholas’s attention. Remorseful that she may lose her job on his account, he offers her a choice—she can wait until her supervisor dismisses her, or she can leave the city of lights behind and become his personal assistant.

Acacia initially refuses his offer, but Nicholas is persistent. He reveals himself as a man who quietly acquires stolen art in order to restore it to its rightful owners. Faced with mounting familial debts and the possibility of dismissal and deportation, she agrees to work for him.

Nicholas opens up a whole new world of beauty and intrigue to Acacia as they travel the globe. Soon the line between employer and assistant is blurred, and the two lonely people embark on a passionate relationship.

Secrets and danger abound as Nicholas and Acacia try to solve the mystery of a piece of stolen art. But Acacia may prove to be the most dangerous mystery of all.

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Add it to Goodreads

Buy your copy on Amazon | Audio

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TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

My Review:

When I first read it this book, I was speechless. I was so impressed about the development of the plot and characters and how the story resolved at the end, that I was at a loss of words. It took me a few hours to collect myself and start to write down my thoughts.

My excitement about the story grew bigger , thus I started to read it for a second time. This time, I did it slowly. Enjoying the little details that I'd ignored the first time, and understanding more deeply the complexity of the story.

One of my favorite memories as kid (when I was 8 or 9 years old) is watching 'Murder, she wrote' in the TV and reading Agatha Christie's books. The books were grampa's and he lend them to me. I read them instead of doing my homework (he used to say I was weird, but I think he liked my weirdeness). I liked the mystery, the secrets, but also follow the clues to solve the cases. With this book I felt as that kid again, curious and eager to solve all the secrets behind the man in the black suit.

As the story begins, we meet Acacia Santos. She's the concierge at the prestigious Hotel Victoire in Paris. Her duty is mainly satisfy every guest need. No matter how extravagant it may be. She excels in her work. Acacia is smart, kind and discreet, cualities highly apreciated in her line of job. The author described her as a woman with "intelligent hazel eyes, (...) tan and flawless skin, and (...) black, curly hair she wore in a bob."

She's in her desk when the mysterious Pierre Breckman enters the hotel. Their first encounter wasn't exactly friendly, but Acacia wasn't the kind of person who let others disturb her inner peace. With a smile plastered on her face, she tried her best to satisfy this costumer's needs. Even if he didn't want her to make it.

But... Who's this guy?

Pierre Breckman is, according with the book, a businessman who went to Paris to have some meetings. Those meetings had to be arranged by Marcel, Acacia's coworker, but there weren't any record about it.

Despite their bad start, Pierre agrees to work with Acacia, and she's determinated to do her best to satisfy his demands. But, Pierre Breckman started to act in suspicious ways, and all the alarms in Acacia's head went off.

As the story goes on, we discover that Pierre Breckman isn't who we thought. But then again, nothing seems to be what we think.

TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

There are secrets and lies surrounding our characters, scars marking their souls and shields protecting them from the outside world. Acacia doesn't trust anyone, neither does this mysterious man. But they have to work together in order to survive.

One of the secrets about Pierre Breckman is his real identity. That person is just a facade to hide Nicholas Cassirer, who after a "little incident" in the hotel shows his real identity to Acacia. It's then when things start to change and the story took a fast-paced rythmn.

Action, suspense, and dangerous secrets spice up this book while the romance cooks in a slow burn.

Since the beggining there's an intense magnetism between the characteres. From the way Nicholas assesed Acacia in their first encounter, or the way the sparks fly every single time they discussed something... it's subtle but it grows stronger page after page.

TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

Despite the atraction, Acacia has her reservations about Nicholas. And it has nothing to do with him, but with herself. She's hiding something that has the potential to destroy her and the people she cares about. And as we reveal Nicholas mission, the secret of Acacia threatens to shake the present that she has meticulously created for herself... as also threatening Nicholas's plans.

And while this is happening, the author takes us from Paris to Geneva, and then to Santorini among other cities, describing vividly the colorful places, traditions and the emotions one person experiment while traveling.

Every place we visit with the characters is key to resolve the mysteries around Nicholas and Acacia, so pay attention to every single detail.

Also, in every destination, the feelings between Nicholas and Acacia take a point of no return, and all the passion is unleashed.

This book is, by far, one of the readings that I've enjoyed the most this year. The way the author developed the story caught me from the first page, I was unable to stop reading it. While I was turning the pages, my mind replayed the scenes as in a movie, every movement, every dialogue, every plot twist. It was awesome! I loved that feeling. I was so into the book that I skipped phone calls, social media and the (rare) knocks on my door. I missed that, turning off the world and just enjoy a book.

Sometimes life is pretty asfixiating and you just need a break, an escape. This book is perfect for that.

TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

Brief notes about the book:

This book was written in third person, giving you the chance to appreciate the characters better. It's also a standalone, so you don't need to have read the author previously to enjoy the story, but if you let me give you a suggestion I recomend you to read his other books too. You can do it after this one, no problem.

The Man in the Black Suit is a contemporary romantic suspense novel. It has the same title as a Stephen King short story published in 1994, even though they aren't of the same genre.

It's the first time this author writes a romantic suspense, but it's not the first time writing contemporary. As you may know, his debut novel, Gabriel's Inferno, was a contemporary romance.

TMitBS is the first self-published novel by Sylvain Reynard.

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I did more teasers about this book,featuring my favorite quotes,

if you keep scrolling down, you will see them:

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, by Miriam Meza

In #NewRelease, Ardent Prose PR

#NewRelease BLACKWOOD by Celia Aaron

Amazon

I dig. It’s what I do. I’ll literally use a shovel to answer a question. Some answers, though, have been buried too deep for too long. But I’ll find those, too. And I know where to dig—the Blackwood Estate on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. Garrett Blackwood is the only thing standing between me and the truth. A broken man—one with desires that dance in the darkest part of my soul—he’s either my savior or my enemy. I’ll dig until I find all his secrets. Then I’ll run so he never finds mine. The only problem? He likes it when I run.

Author’s Note: This is a mystery/suspense romance with violence and explicit sex. Trigger warning.

“You can’t keep me here,” I said with far more bravado than I felt. “I refuse to be held prisoner by a psycho in need of a shower and shave.”

He laughed, this time the sound rich and sultry. It reverberated inside my chest. Something about it reminded me of the forest, the way the sunrise warmed it but couldn’t quite reach its dark heart.

“You don’t like my beard?” He sat next to me, much closer this time.

My pulse ratcheted up, and I took in a quick breath.

“Well?” He grinned and took my wrist.

I tried to pull it away, but his grip was like an iron shackle. He eased the back of my hand down his cheek. “Not so bad, is it?”

It wasn’t. Not exactly soft, it felt thick and masculine. Rich. “What are you doing?” I leaned back until I pressed up against the headboard.

He moved closer, his woodsy scent a mix of smoke and soap. Maybe he didn’t need a shower after all. I didn’t turn away, not even when his lips were only inches from mine.

“I just wanted to see.” His eyes flickered to my lips.

“You’re about to see what a vicious head butt looks like.” My rapid pulse infected my voice, making it quaver.

“Yeah?” He squeezed my wrist harder. “I don’t believe you.”

“Fuck you.” I stared into his eyes, searching the stormy irises for some way to solve the enigma of Garrett Blackwood.

He smirked again, just the slightest quirk of his lips, then leaned back and released my wrist. The air cooled between us, and goose bumps rose along my bare arms.

Celia Aaron is the self-publishing pseudonym of a published romance and erotica author. She loves to write stories with hot heroes and heroines that are twisty and often dark. Thanks for reading.

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