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A darkly suspenseful novel about a piano teacher, a secret, and a family on the brink of disaster.
Clive and Martha have been a couple since they met at university; they now have a young daughter, Eliza, and on the surface, all seems well in their family. Then a woman from their past reappears in their lives: the enigmatic Eliot Fox is Eliza’s new piano teacher and young Eliza is charmed. But Eliot Fox knows that Clive has a secret–a secret that he is desperate to ensure Martha never finds out, and that could destroy his perfect family.
With shades of Joanna Briscoe, Poppy Adams, and Patricia Highsmith, in prose that is as elegant and vivid as it is surprising, Olivia Glazebrook demonstrates how apparently ordinary lives can contain–or fail to contain–extraordinary acts of destruction.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
This book really hits reality for some people. Lies and bad decisions can haunt you forever. This book really showed that keeping your children happy, overrules any other issue you had in the past or the present. Martha had made the decision that even if she was not happy with Eliot, Martha felt that Eliot had been taken advantage and he lost a very important part of himself. I feel that Martha was able to let Eliot stay in her life because she had everything that Eliot had lost, which was a child and a partner. Clive’s guilt has knocked at his door for years. His panic and torture for sleeping with Eliot while dating Martha and asking Eliot to abort the baby has haunt him for years. As I read, I knew that Clive was going to spill his kept secret. Unfortunately, this book portrayed the life’s of many people today. There are many issues in marriages today with cheating and losing connection of what marriage is all about.
Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek Tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike—particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.
Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.
Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?
When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
The people you love and you feel safe with, can sometimes be the ones that will tear your heart apart. Mariana with her many losses will not see what is coming right at her. Mariana receives a call from her niece Zoe, because one of her friends was found dead. Mariana decides to investigate the murder and un-masquerade professor Edward Fosca, who Mariana believes is the murderer. Prof. Fosca is fascinated with Greek Tragedy. The maidens who are a group of elite privileged girls are the ones that are being murdered and who also have a very close relationship with Prof. Fosca.
As you read the story you will think that the murders can either be caused by a Greek goddess just like Mariana believed is how her husband was killed, you start wondering that it’s Prof. Fosca or Mariana’s new found friend, Fred. Alex will keep your mind spinning trying to make it so obvious that it must be Prof. Fosca, but what lurks in the dark will you leave you stunned. You will find out that Mariana herself was living a Greek Tragedy one that she didn’t even suspect. Sometimes you just don’t know even those closest to you.
I loved the story, but it definitely wasn’t as good as The Silent Patient. The story keeps you guessing until the very end. Your heart will shatter for Mariana when the sinister secrets unravel. I loved that Alex included Theo Faber the criminal psychotherapist in his first book The Silent Patient in this book. To have both stories run at the same time is brilliant. Mariana told Theo about the available position at the Grove. If you are looking to read a good murder mystery filled with Greek Tragedy at Cambridge University, then look no further.
Author Biography
Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel and was the biggest-selling debut in the world in 2019. It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking forty-nine countries. Alex lives in London.
It’s that time of year for YALLWEST book festival. YALLWEST 2021 is a full day of panels + a Friday preview and two weeks of giveaways, Instagram Lives and special events!
In the first ever crossover episode, Zak and Zoe join forces with Hawaiian visitors Luke and Lani, to find out who killed a historian visiting Ashton Falls in order to find a treasure map left by his grandfather a hundred years earlier. Meanwhile, Ellie and Levi move in with Zak and Zoe while the boathouse is being renovated and Alex helps Ellie prepare the nursery for baby Eli who is due to be born any day. Throw in some humor and Easter fun and you have a Zak and Zoe crossover mystery.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
I loved that Kathi had another character from a different series make an appearance in this book. I love the chemistry between Lani and Zoe. It made the story very interesting having two strong willed characters trying to solve a murder mystery. I love the whole plot for this story. It was interesting to see so many characters work together to solve the murder. This was another fun mystery with my favorite character Zoe. Can’t wait to see what there adventures in Hawaii together unravel.
Author Biography
Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.
A beautifully illustrated book of inspiration from the beloved entertainer and #1 New York Times bestselling author John Cena
Be brave enough to embrace humility. The reward will be confidence.
For years, John Cena has been using his popular Twitter feed to uplift his followers with his unique brand of positivity. Now, he collects his favorite words of wisdom on the benefits of being bold and open-minded, embracing discomfort, and making the most of every opportunity.
Heartfelt and hopeful, Be a Work in Progress is the pick-me-up readers will turn to again and again to reap the benefit of Cena’s values.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
We all know John Cena as a wrestler and now he is also a writer. He has written a children’s book series and now has written an inspirational book. Social media sometimes can be very negative. John Cena decided to use twitter to make a different. He would tweet inspirational quotes to spread positive thoughts. His quotes are all different. Some are about self-love, encouragement and self-empowerment. You need to love yourself in order to love others. The illustrations were funky in black and yellow colors. It’s a book that you can read in less than an hour. This book will spread positive vibes and I am sure many of us will find a quote that speaks to us. I loved this quote “Your happiness does not require the consent of others”. Let’s spread love and not hate.
Author Biography
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, author and television host.
With pictures from the illustrator behind Last Week Tonight’s A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, this delightfully punny story about ocean life, conservation, and cooperation is perfect for sparking conversations in the classroom and at home.
Walt is a proud lobstah whose greatest dream is winning the annual Swell Gahdens contest. But year after year that honor always goes to his chowdah-head neighbor Milton. One day, when heaps of gahbage show up in their yahds, the rival lobstahs must join forces to save their beloved gahdens from the trash floating down from above.
Our oceans are beautiful, colorful, diverse ecosystems that are home to over a million species of underwater creatures. Unfortunately, humans are putting our friends under the sea at risk by polluting Earth’s oceans daily. Lobstah Gahden will help kids understand the importance of conservation, and additional backmatter about sea life and pollution will give readers practical ways they can help preserve our oceans.
My Review: 4 Out of 5 Stars
An adorable book with two Lobstah from Boston. They even have the Boston accent. One of the lobsters is blue, which makes him very rare. The two lobsters are neighbors and they have beautiful gardens that they always compete every year to win the best garden in the ocean. Of course Milton always wins the trophy, while not really putting so much effort like Walter does. They are always arguing. One day each of their gardens start getting different trash littering their garden. They each believe it’s the other trying to mess up their garden. What they soon realize it’s a human busy throwing all of his trash to ruin the ocean and it’s living creatures. They team up and teach him a lesson. I love the illustrations and the Boston accent was an added bonus. The author added a glossary, references, and lobster knowledge. Kids will enjoy this book. Great to teach them not to pollute our oceans.
Alli Brydon is a children’s book author and lifelong New Yorker who moved to the south of England with her family in 2018. She really likes to draw, and dreams about illustrating children’s books one day. Her favorite place is the beach, but the mountains constantly call to her. Alli has the sense of humor of a 7-year-old. And she will never ever kill a spider.
Myths and Legends of the World, Alli’s first fiction book for children, published in October 2019 with Lonely Planet Kids. Her wicked ah-some Boston-themed picture book Lobstah Gahden comes out in April 2021 with Sourcebooks eXplore. She has fiction and nonfiction books forthcoming with Amazon/Two Lions, Disney, Macmillan, and National Geographic Kids.
Alli is also a freelance children’s book editor, with nearly 15 years of experience nurturing authors and illustrators to improve their craft and create outstanding children’s books. You can find her editor site at www.allibrydoncreative.com.
BOOK DETAILS: Trip the Light Fantastic by Nicole Bea Publication date: May 4th 2021 Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Nothing heals a broken heart like an enticing new dance partner.
Eighteen-year-old freshman Chelsea DesRosiers is ready to reinvent herself. After an abysmal breakup with her cheating ex, Chelsea vows to step out of her comfort zone.
The answer? Swing dance classes. Maybe not the best idea for someone with two left feet, but the overwhelmed Chelsea soon finds herself in the arms of swoon-worthy campus dance president, Lux Colford. The attraction rises as the two spend their extra evenings practicing their moves until an old flame of Lux’s shows up.
NICOLE BEA is a short story author and novelist who primarily focuses on contemporary teen fiction. An avid storyteller since childhood, she has honed her skills through a variety of educational programs including management, sociology, legal studies, and cultural diversity in the workplace, most recently engaging in coursework about communication for technologists. In addition to writing for young adults, Nicole is also a technical writer for a global manufacturer of CPAP masks, machines, and other products that manage sleep-disordered breathing.
When she isn’t busy updating her manuscript portfolio or catching up on her To Be Read pile, Nicole can usually be found gardening, horseback riding, or pursuing her new hobby of learning to cook. She and her husband share their home in Eastern Canada with a collection of multi-colored cats and a lifetime’s worth of books. Author links:
Embark on a journey of peace and tranquility with this collection of three miniature books
This giftable mini box set includes:
Instant Meditations, a practical and accessible guide to the most effective meditation techniques from ancient and modern traditions.
Simple Wisdom, a collection of thought-provoking quotes from artists, writers, philosophers, and pop-culture icons from around the world and across the ages that will challenge you to reflect on your own path to wisdom.
Secrets of Serenity, a compilation of the inspiring thoughts of writers, philosophers, scholars, theologians, and leaders who have sought — and found– the secrets of serenity, offering you a guide for finding peace in your own heart, mind, and soul. This guide book and two compilations of quotes on which to meditation and ruminate offers readers a simple way to pause, be in the moment, and find calm.
My Review: 4 out of 5 stars
Adorable small box set to brighten anyone’s day. There are 3 small little colorful books in this kit. The first book is Instant Meditations. It goes over all the different types of meditation, the reason for meditation and the 5 techniques to still your mind. The Simple Wisdom book goes over different quotes from amazing people that will help you find wisdom within you. The last book is Secrets of Serenity, which you will find inspiring thoughts from writers, philosophers and scholars.
I enjoyed the beautiful background pictures behind all the inspirational quotes. This small little box set can fit anywhere and you can take it with you. Great little set to keep you positive, mindful, and to find your inner-self and peacefulness. This set is great as a gift for anyone that needs some quiet time to find peacefulness within themselves.
BOOK DETAILS: Heirly Ever After by Magan Vernon Published by: Entangled Embrace Publication date: May 10th 2021 Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Sometimes, you’ve got to take a fake date to your sister’s royal wedding…
After pumping the breaks on my college degree and being dumped at the last minute, I’m looking forward to skipping off to a whole new country for the week-long event. But I’ll need the perfect distraction to keep both my sister and mother from finding out about my epic disaster life. So when I meet a charming Scottish stunner on the train, whose chivalry and humor have me swooning, a quick coin toss seals the deal on my hot date.
It’s the perfect plan, until he reveals he is Lord Jacob MacWebley, odd duckling and long-lost cousin of the family my sister is about to marry into. Thanks for the full disclosure. Oh, and apparently no one wants him there because he might have a claim to the inheritance. Wedding week is going to suck, but it’s too late for other options—luckily, I’m a pro at dealing with a little family drama.
But between a gentle countryside horse ride that turns into a chase, and the baking class that ends in a food fight we forget to keep up the lies and start blurring the lines instead… against any available surface. Jacob brings me out of my shell and makes me want to break all etiquette rules, but he’s keeping secrets and if I’m not careful, I might end up royally screwed…Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57585308-heirly-ever-after
Author Biography
Magan Vernon believes that no matter what your story is, everyone deserves a happily ever after and tries to include that in all of her stories. She’s had top 100 stories in everything from YA aliens to angsty New Adult tales. When not writing, you can find her on her Texas ranch, trying to wrangle two kids, two dogs, and a colony of whatever other kids or animals ends up in her yard. Author links:
FabulousReader4Ever 