April Reading Wrap Up

 

📚 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽 𝗨𝗽 📚

April was a good reading month. Here’s my wrap up, better late than never. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved

📖All the Colors of the Dark- extraordinary characters & storytelling. Publishes on June 25. Thank you Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the digital tree copy. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - really enjoyed 

🎧 Madame Pommery - inspired by the true story of a trailblazing woman. Thank you Lion Heart Publishing and @bookandwinelovers for the review copy. 

🎧 Broken Harbor - not my favorite by Tana French, but good stuff. 

🎧 Lola on Fire - lots of action and suspense. An entertaining thriller. 

🎧The Hotel Nantucket - Hilderbrand is my go-to beach read author. 

📖 Chain-Gang All-Stars - thought provoking. 

🎧 Murder Road - spooky thriller fun

🎧 The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - book club read. 

🎧 The Murder of Mr. Ma - an interesting homage to Sherlock Holmes. 

🎧 Deus X - not the best in the August Snow series, but solid. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️ good 

🎧 The Eyre Affair - I liked the premise, but the execution missed the mark for me. 

QOTD: what was your favorite read last month or what’s your current read? 

I’m currently listening to The Good Sister because @ohiobookgal recommended it. 

#readingwrapup #monthlywrapup #audiobooks #audiobookstagram #librarybooks #crimefiction #historicalfiction #thrillerfiction #suspensethriller #beachreds #suspensebooks #supernaturalfiction #bookclubbook #bookstagram #mysteryfiction #bookstagram 

Madame Pommery

 

Author: Rebecca Rosenberg

Narrator: Katherine Anderson

Publisher: Lion Heart Publishing

Year: 2024

🥂𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿🥂

Thank you @bookandwinelovers and 

@rebeccarosenbergnovelist for the #giftedcopy audiobook. 

Madame Pommery, an etiquette teacher and mother of two, must support her family after the death of her husband. In the Champagne region of France in 1860, that is no easy task. Madame Pommery decides, with no experience, to convert her husband’s small wine making business to making champagne. When she gets no help from others in the champagne business, Madame Pommery forges ahead and learns the intricacies of making champagne.

She perseveres through war and occupation, keeping her business going when most of her workers were conscripted into the army. She ignored the naysayers and created brute (dry) champagne which became wildly popular. She trusted her instincts, creating an innovative & incredibly successful business. 

This is a well researched and entertaining book. I could tell author Rebecca Rosenberg did a deep dive into the time period, the events taking place, and the intricacies of making champagne. It all comes together in  an extremely engaging look at the life of a trailblazing woman. Katherine Anderson provides a wonderful narration, really bringing the woman and the story to life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read this one if you’re looking for: 

🍾 Historical fiction

🍾Strong female character 

🍾Family drama

🍾A little romance 

Madame Pommery is available now in all formats. 

QOTD: Have you ever been to France?  If so, what did you love about it?

I’ve never been, but would love to go. 

#bookandwinelovers #bookandwineloversmarketing #booktours #bookstagram #audiobooktour #audiobook #france #historicalfiction  #historicalfrenchfiction #rebeccarosenberg

#madamepommery #champagnewidowsseries #champagne #author #authorofinstagram #bookclubpick #wine 

All the Colors of the Dark

 

Author: Chris Whitaker

Publisher: Crown Publishing 

Release date: June 25, 2024

📖 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 📖

Girls are disappearing around a small Missouri town. When the daughter of the town’s wealthiest family is targeted, she’s saved by the most unexpected hero. Patch, a poor boy with only one eye and one friend, saves her life. But his impulsive heroism sets off a lifetime of heartache and the search for answers, love, and justice. 

I’m not sure I can put into words how much I loved this book and these characters. This book pulled me right in. Chris Whitaker’s writing is beautiful and lyrical. It’s an atmospheric story filled with haunted and heartbreaking characters. I’m giving this book all the stars because I already know it’s going to be my favorite book this year. 

All the Colors of the Dark is out June 25 and you don’t want to miss this extraordinary book. Thank you @crownpublishing and @netgalley for the digital review copy. 

#allthecolorsofthedark #chriswhitaker #crownpublishing #netgalley #publishingsoon #bookstgaram #literaryfiction #crimefiction #historicalfiction #lovestory #readthisbook #lifetimefavorite 

Nothing but the Bones

 

Author: Brian Panowich

Narrator: Brian Troxell

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Release date: April 16, 2024

Author Brian Panowich’s soon to be released book Nothing but the Bones returns readers to McFalls County in rural Georgia. Everything on Bull Mountain is run by crime boss Gareth Burroughs. Nelson “Nails” McKenna has been Burroughs’ enforcer since he was a teenager. One night at a local bar, Nails goes too far defending a beautiful young woman named Dallas. Nails and Dallas go on the run to Jacksonville & become unlikely friends and partners. Jacksonville may offer the possibility of escape, but it’s a perilous journey. A rich & powerful man seeking Dallas & revenge is on their trail and Burroughs is worried Nails might spills his secrets if he’s captured by the authorities. Is freedom just a dream or will Nails and Dallas pay with their lives? 

Panowich delivers another rural noir gem of a book. This is the fourth book in the Bull Mountain series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Nails is a complex character. He’s not exactly the cliched tough guy with a heart of gold. He’s way more layered than that which makes for a great main character. I couldn’t help rooting for him. 

This is an atmospheric story filled with unforgettable characters, over the top action, and surprising twists. At its heart, it’s a story of friendship, loyalty, love, and hope. Brian Troxell provides an excellent narration of the audiobook. Nothing but the Bones releases on April 16, so make sure it’s on your tbr list. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Macmillan audio and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy. 

#nothingbutthebones #brianpanowich #macmillansudio #netgalley #audiobook #audiobookreview #ruralnoir #ruralnoir #bullmountain #crimefiction #thrillerfiction 

Assassins Anonymous

 

Author: Rob Hart

Publisher: Putnam Books

Release date: June 11,2024

📖𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄📖

“𝘚𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘞𝘪𝘤𝘬?” 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘴. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭. “𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘞𝘪𝘤𝘬.”

Mark, aka the Pale Horse, is the world’s most lethal assassin, but he left that world behind. He joined a twelve step program for recovering killers. He’s about to earn his one-year-without-killing chip when he barely survives a brutal attack. Now he must figure out who & why someone wants him dead. And that is a very long list. 

Author Rob Hart’s latest offering is an action-packed fun read. Mark is a charming & funny, and main character. He’s working hard to squash his training & instincts. He’s determined to not kill anyone on his quest to find out who’s trying to take him out. Not an easy task. 

I loved Hart’s breezy writing style and humor throughout the book.  The breakneck pace, jam packed action, humor, and Mark’s sincere desire to change all combine to make this book a rollicking good time. I hope we get more of the former assassin with the heart of gold in the future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and G.P Putnam’s Sons for the digital review copy. Assassins Anonymous releases on June 11. Add it to your tbr list because you’ll definitely want to binge this one. 

QOTD: Have you seen any of the John Wick movies? Are you a fan?  I like them!

#assassinsanonymous #robhart #gpputnamssons #putnambooks #netgallery #crimefiction #mystery #thrillerbooks #action #mayhem #bookreview #booksbooksbooks #bingebooks #bookstagram #publishingsoon 

Missing White Woman

Author: Kelley Garrett

Publisher: Mulholland Books

Release date: April 39, 2024

📖𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄📖

Author Kellye Garrett follows up her 2022 bestseller Like a Sister with a new thriller that’s chock full of twists & turns. 

Breanna’s excited to spend a romantic weekend getaway in New York City with her new boyfriend Ty. It all goes wrong when she wakes up to find a dead body in their Airbnb & Ty nowhere to be found. Is the victim Janelle Beckett - the missing woman whose disappearance has gone viral? 

Janelle’s disappearance went viral because a Tik Tok influencer used her platform to amplify the disappearance. In the guise of “just asking questions” the influencer casts Breanna as a suspect. Breanna becomes the internet’s new favorite target & her life gets picked apart by online sleuths. 

I liked Breanna’s character arc. Her life has been stuck in a rut for ten years because of a drug conviction in college. She lost her scholarship & her dreams. She can’t move on because she’s burdened by the conviction. The dead body & Ty’s disappearance force her into action to clear her name and Ty’s. 

This was an intriguing mystery with plenty of twists and turns. The story also looks at racism, friendship, and the internet’s/media’s influence on public opinion. The pacing is good and Garrett once again provides an intricate story with insightful social commentary. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the digital arc. Missing White Woman releases April 30. 

#missingwhitewoman #kellyegarrett #mulhollandbooks #netgallery #publishingsoon #crimefiction #thrillerbooks #mysterybooks #suspensethriller #jerseycity #socialmedia #bookstagram #bookreview 

What Happened to Nina?

 

Title: What Happened to Nina? 

Author: Dervla McTiernan

Publisher: William Morrow

Release date: March 26, 204

We know right from the jump that something bad happened to Nina, a smart & vivacious college student. She & her boyfriend Simon were spending some time at Simon’s family’s vacation house. Simon made it home, but Nina never did. The rest of the story deals with Nina’s family’s increasing concern for her whereabouts & the search to find her. As Nina’s parents become increasingly desperate for answers, Simon’s parents use their wealth & power to protect him. Will the truth ever come to light? 

This was a gripping story that resembles the real-life Gabby Petito case. Beautiful young couple goes on vacation, only the boyfriend returns. The contrast between Nina’s mother, Leanne, & Simon’s mother Jamie is striking. Leanne is frantic with worry & scared for her daughter. She seems almost crazed at times running off halfcocked & disheveled when she’s overwhelmed with an idea & desperate for any kind of resolution. Meanwhile, Jamie usually appears calm, cool, & put together while trying to look concerned just for the sake of appearance. The story also highlights how social media plays a part in the public’s perception during an investigation. Simon’s father hires a PR firm to help bolster his reputation as an innocent victim of circumstance, while at the same time smearing Nina’s family-especially her stepfather. 

There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I wasn’t prepared for the really big twist. That one took me by surprise. I really liked this fast paced thriller that’s told from multiple points of view. Mark your calendar for its release on March 26. You won’t want to miss this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital arc. 

#whathappenedtonina #dervlamctiernan #williammorrow #netgalley #crimefiction #thriller #thrillerthursday #mystery #mysterfiction #bookreview