Three Days Missing by Kimberly Bell
Mystery Thriller
Park Row
June 26, 2018
Grade: B

Kat Jenkins wasn’t sure if her son was ready for an overnight field trip and when the police show up at her door to tell her he is missing, she knows she should have trusted her gut. Now considered a person of interest, Kat begins to examine everyone in her life, searching for who may want to hurt her or her son. From her abusive ex husband to the family of the class bully, Kat soon learns that sometimes the one you should fear the most is the one who seems to have nothing to hide.

Every parent’s greatest fear comes to life in vivid color as Belle rips a page from the headlines and weaves a tale of revenge, betrayal, and intrigue when two women discover their connection to one another after a young boy disappears from a class field trip. Told in dual POVs, Belle a builds a dramatic and heart-pounding take that takes one woman on a fear-fueled journey to find her son before it’s too late. This dramatic thriller examines domestic abuse, bullying, family ties, and a tenacity of a mother’s love for her child.  Belle keeps it so real to life as she carefully draws out Kat’s emotions through dialogue and monologue, showing us the past that shaped Kat and the present she now lives in. Her love for her son shows in everything she does and you can’t help but imagine how you would react in the same situation and then pray it never happens to you.

Moonlight Seduction
deVincent #2
Romance Suspense
June  26, 2018
Avon
Grade: B

The deVincent brothers are back in this second installment as more mystery and romance surrounds this family and all those who unfortunately chose to enter their orbit. Gabe deVincent is still struggling to process the death of his sister, his father, and the fact he has a son he never knew about. When the daughter of the family butler returns home to help out, Gabe suddenly realizes that little Nicky is now all grown up in all the right places and his vow to stay away from her no longer seems to matter. Nicolette Bresson grew up with the deVincent brothers but her heart always belonged to Gabe. A one night stand with him left her broken and she left, never to return.  As Gabe struggles against his growing feelings for Nicole, a series of events show him that she is in possible danger. When that danger finally strikes, almost taking her from him, Gabe will decide what is more important. Family or the woman he has fallen in love with.

Jennifer Armentrout’s deVincent series is an atmospheric romance suspense that revolves around a trio of brothers whose family history is steep in tragedy and secrets. In this story, the heroine definitely steals the show with her wit and charm. A vivacious woman who takes no crap from anyone, she is the perfect match for the mercurial hero she has crushed on forever. Steamy love scenes blend well with the sarcasm and hints of secrets long buried that permeates this storyline. Gabe has his moments of stupidity but his groveling is from the heart. Armentrout has saved the oldest brother for last and I can’t wait to read his story and learn who is his redemption and savior.

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand
The Jady Janies, #2
Historical/Romance Comedy
June 26, 2018
Harper Teen
Grade: B

Everyone knows the story of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.  The poor little orphan who fell in love with the tortured Mr. Rochester and eventually got her happily ever after. Or do they? What if Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte were besties and got involved with a ghost hunting society? What if Mr. Rochester isn’t Eyre’s destiny but something quite bigger? What if the story we all know so well never happened?  Cynthia Hand asks that in more in her whimsical reimagining of Jane Eyre.  Using Jane Eyre as the main focus with various other classics, Hand creates a piece of comedic historical fiction that will leave you giggling as she leads you down the rabbit hole to gothic Victorian London.

Jane and Charlotte were raised in a school for the poor together though Jane is a few years older. Able to see and commune with the dead and fearing the consequences from that, Jane leaves the school, having accepted a governess’ position in the mysterious Mr. Rochester’s home. Oh yes, let’s not forget her trusty companion, Helen, who is a ghost, tags along with her. Alexander Blackwood is a ghost hunter for the crown. Alex uses his career to get rid of ghosts while searching for his father’s killer. Having seen Jane’s gift, Alex, along with Charlotte and her brother, head to her new job to offer her a job hunting ghosts with him. Adventures Ahoy, the wit and snark are a joy to behold as you watch this foursome attempt to navigate high society while trying to discover who is haunting Mr. Rochester and convince Jane to come home with them. I adored them all through the story and love how Hand managed to incorporate just enough bits and pieces from the original tale to keep you on track while allowing her imagination free rein. I am looking forward to book three of the series.

Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs
Amish Romance
June 26, 2018
William Harper
Grade: B+

Susan Wiggs celebrates the love, loss,  hope, and family in her newest release of a man and women who meet under terrible circumstances and through that forge a bond that strengthens while eventually forcing them apart.  Emotionally honest and poignant with a delightful thread of humor running through it, Between you and Me introduces us to Caleb Stolz and Dr. Reese Strauss. Told in alternating POVs, Wiggs builds a sweet and witty romance around a experience with them the ups and downs of falling in love as religion, lifestyles, and family try to pull them apart.

Caleb turned his back on his Amish upbringing until his brother’s death brought him home to raise his niece and nephew. The victim of an abusive home and still keeping one foot in the English world, when Caleb’s nephew is hurt badly in a farming accident, Caleb has no qualms with taking him to the hospital for care. Reese is a resident whose uber famous parents have all but decided her career path though lately, she has been wishing for something more. Meeting Caleb opens her eyes to a whole new world and she fully embraces the opportunity to learn more about the Amish and him. The closer Reese and Caleb grow, the harder it is to keep their boundaries in place. And when one of them goes too far,  the price for redemption may be to much to pay.