Cover Reveal: Utopia by Marie-Helene Lebeault

BOOK DETAILS:

Utopia
by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
Publication date: January 15, 2024
Genres: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Synopsis:

A Clean YA Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure

Three extraordinary teenagers, each an outcast in their worlds, unite to reshape the destiny of a utopian society. Ryn, who couldn’t adapt to life under the sea, Eira, born above the clouds but unable to breathe the thin air, and Aiden, rejected by the subterranean civilization, embarks on a thrilling journey to Vancouver’s utopia. They’ll challenge the elders, confront hidden truths, and discover the power of unity in a fast-paced young adult sci-fi adventure that explores the boundaries of human resilience, and the promise of a better world.

Utopia is a What Happens Next? novel developed from the Under the Ice short story.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201156107-utopia

Pre-order: https://amzn.to/3vjzBWa

AUTHOR BIO:

Marie-Hélène is a Canadian Speculative Fiction author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic and time travel. With important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, teens and adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book. She lives in Quebec, Canada with her grown children.
Email: info@mhlebeault.com
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/c4j9g7
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mhlebeault
Website: http://www.mhlebeault.com

Socials:
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Review: The Reservoir by David Duchovny

Goodreads Blurb

THE RESERVOIR follows an unexceptional man in an exceptional time. We see our present-day pandemic world and New York City through the eyes of a former Wall Street veteran, Ridley, as he looks back upon his life in his enforced quarantine solitude, wondering what it all means and who he really is.
Sitting and brooding night after night, gazing out his huge picture window high above the Central Park Reservoir, Ridley spots a flashing light in an apartment across the park as if a lonely quarantined person is signaling him in Morse code. His determination to find out who this mystery woman is leads him on an epic quest that will ultimately tempt him with either delusional madness or the fulfillment of his own mythic fate.
Is he a dying man going mad or an everyman metamorphosing into a hero? Or both? We accompany Ridley as he leaves the safety of his apartment window to save the Fifth Avenue femme fatale and descends into a dangerous, increasingly surreal world of global conspiracies, madness, and sickness of this viral time. As Ridley’s actions grow more and more uncharacteristic, he realizes the key to all the mysteries of now, and even all of history, seem to lie deep beneath the freezing waters of the reservoir.
The Reservoir is a twisted rom-com for our distanced time, when the merest touch could kill and conspiracy theories propagate like viruses—a contemporary union of Death in Venice, Rear Window , and The Plague .

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

COVID-19 caused fear and dread to everyone all over the world. This story hits close to home with Ridley, who lives alone in his home in NYC while the pandemic has caused everyone to stay locked away. This story is about a man who sees lights flicker from an apartment building a few blocks away. He starts obsessing about what this Morse code means and who the person trying to reach him is. He starts leaving his house at night with no face masks, trying to find this woman he believes is trying to get his attention. You start living this obsession with Ridley and do not know if this is real or a dream-like state. David’s storytelling drags you into what Ridley was feeling and going through and makes you believe it’s happening for real, only to find out he was infected and trying to fight for his life. I could feel the fear and dread Ridley experienced in the last moments on this earth.

There was a short story at the end of the book called The Scare Owl, which was another interesting story. It was a story about nature, finding acceptance, revenge, raising an animal not from the same bird breed, and trying to bring peace to someone who views them as enemies. It was a sad story at the end, but I feel that the owl thought he did the right thing and went head-on into the danger that awaited.

Author Biography

Born and raised in New York City David Duchovny earned an A.B. in English literature from Princeton University, and an ABD in English literature from Yale University. He was on the road to earning his Ph.D. when his interest in playwriting led him to acting. Subsequently, he emerged to become one of the most highly acclaimed actors in Hollywood.

Globally known for his roles in the Fox Television’s monster hit The X-Files and Showtime’s Californication, David has made his way into our pop culture lexicon. David Duchovny remains the only actor to have won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television series in both the Comedy and Drama categories.

David Duchovny has published four novels, Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale (2015), a New York Times Bestseller; Bucky F*cking Dent (2016); Miss Subways (2018) and Truly Like Lightning (2021).

Additionally, David Duchovny has completed two studio albums, Hell or Highwater (2015) and Every Third Thought (2018), and his third album is slated for release in summer 2021.

Book Signing Event

This past December, Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ, invited David to sign books for everyone. It was wonderful finally getting to meet the X-Files actor.

Come Meet Alex Michaelides at Books and Greetings

My review of The Fury

Another mind-boggling psychological thriller written by Alex Michaelides. His storytelling features a Greek tragedy, obsessive love story, a twisted storyline, and revenge that will leave you wanting to figure out who killed Lana Farrar. Who is Elliot Chase really? The actors surely were each playing their own act. The narrator slowly gives you a glimpse of the story being told, but which story is the real truth? Well, you will need to read it to find out. This will be an epic thriller for 2024.

My review of The Silent Patient

The thriller of a century with a frightening twist. I am as silent as Alicia. I can not fathom the words to speak after running to save Alicia and keeping my sanity. Alex truly created a master piece that will drag you through each corner with intense detail but with hidden tips. It will leave you thinking who the killer is, what the truth is, and why keep silent. At the end, you will be stunned from your silence and be awaken to the terror of the truth. Don’t walk to the bookstore but rather run to get this mind-blowing story. Will you be silent in the end?

My Review of The Maidens

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 if it’s Prof. Fosca or Mariana’s newfound 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.

If you are a fan of the book The Silent Patient, you have to come meet Alex Michaelides in person. He will be at Books and Greetings in Northvale, NJ, on January 15 at 6 pm. He will be signing his latest book, The Fury, which was fantastic, and he will also be signing his previous books.

Here is the link to purchase a ticket for the event https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-silent-patient-author-alex-michaelides-jan-15th-6pm-tickets-735589767797

Cover Reveal: The Sword and the Hounds A.B. Finlayson

BOOK DETAILS:

The Sword and the Hounds
by A. B. Finlayson
(Arthur Crazy, #2)
Published by: Parliament House
Publication date: April 9, 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:

Now he’s just drunk. The dead are silent, and Arthur is worried he might be living up to the family name. But after going back to where the Crazy people live and spending months sleeping off hangovers in his childhood bed, it’s finally time to return to the land of the living.

Unfortunately, the dead are not done with Arthur.
The hounds are stirring.
The guardians are moving.
The Shadowmen are watching.
And the sword in Arthur’s possession is calling them all.
They’re on their way, but you know what Britain is like—public transport is a joke. Especially at Christmas, it could take some time.

Some people have skeletons in their closet. Arthur has ghosts in his dreams and a sword under his bed… and every greedy ghoul wants it!

Evil stirs in Yorkshire.
Britain needs a hero.
Arthur needs a coffee.

On the moors, the devil rises.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203148120-the-sword-and-the-hounds

Pre-order: https://amzn.to/3RBT2Cg

AUTHOR BIO:

A Yorkshire lad living in the sun. I make up stories and eventually write them down.

Author links:

Home

https://www.facebook.com/abfinlaysonauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/a.b.finlayson/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20527780.A_B_Finlayson

Cover Reveal: Love and Reservations by Dee Rollings

BOOK DETAILS:

Love and Reservations
by Dee Rollings
(The Pacifica Series, #2)
Publication date: May 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

He’s her enemy… and her roommate.

Blake Thomas has no patience for weddings. As the general manager of a popular Santa Barbara resort, she sees far too many love-struck couples pass through her doors. She’d rather curl up with a book or go geocaching than try to find “the one”.

After an underhanded trick leaves Blake virtually homeless, she’s forced to move in with the one man she’d rather keep firmly tucked away in her past.

Sal is a talented chef with a big bank balance and an even bigger ego. He promises to take Blake in while she navigates the real estate market – on one condition – she’s got to pretend to be his girlfriend to impress his estranged parents.

Caught up in a tumultuous fake relationship and determined to avoid reawakening painful memories, Blake decides to focus on everything else she’s balancing: renovations at work, her best friend’s wedding, and an offer for a major promotion.

But as long-buried sparks begin to ignite beneath the surface, Blake and Sal begin to realize that their scheme is becoming all too real. However, Sal is hiding more secrets than she ever imagined…

Can Blake heal from her past and find the courage to open her heart? Or will her cynicism and distrust keep her from taking a chance at true love?

The second novel in The Pacifica Series, Love and Reservations will have your heart fluttering from beginning to end.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/189737843-love-and-reservations

Amazon: https://amzn.to/417KuGG

AUTHOR BIO:

Dee Rollings was born and raised in the big city, but her heart lives in the forest. She does her best writing on the porch of her tiny house in the woods when she’s not wrangling her kid and her dogs or having one-sided conversations with chipmunks. She has a gorgeous husband who resembles Paul Bunyan, builds the best campfires, and makes all her dreams come true.

Author links:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Dee-Rollings-Books-100077932172761

https://deerollingsbooks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/deerollingsbooks/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22178154.Dee_Rollings

Cover Reveal: A Change of Location by Margaret Porter

BOOK DETAILS:

A Change of Location
by Margaret Porter
Publication date: April 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Hannah Ballard’s most successful relationship: her career.

Her superpower is an uncanny ability to discover perfect movie settings while avoiding the limelight herself. Promoted from location scout to location manager, she’s involved in pre-production for a film based on a bestselling historical novel. A chance meeting with an aristocratic landowner leads her to Somerset and his estate in picturesque Milver Vale—the ideal backdrop for a period drama.

Martin Latimer, Marquess of Milverston, believes the release of a high-profile motion picture can increase tourism and bolster the local economy. And he hopes to spend more time with its intriguing location manager.

After Hannah suffers a professional setback, she accepts Martin’s invitation to attend the annual village festival before flying home to hunt for her next job. Proximity and mutual passion propel the couple into an exhilarating affair. But Hannah’s discovery that Martin is a magnet for the scandal-hungry press forces her into a painful and damaging decision.

Powering through heartbreak is hard. Especially when coping with unemployment—and dealing with members of her fractured family. For their protection, she must part from the nobleman asking her to stay with him. Who makes her believe that, at long last, she actually could be falling in love.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202751970-a-change-of-location

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sMVD2V

AUTHOR BIO:

Margaret Porter is the bestselling author of The Myrtle Wand (October 2022), The Limits of Limelight, the award-winning Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr, and a dozen more highly acclaimed historical novels. Her lifelong study of history inspires her fiction and her travels. A former stage actress, she has also worked in film, television, and radio. When not writing, she tends her extensive rose gardens, sits by the lakeside letting her imagination roam, exercises her dog, or plays her mandolin. Author website: www.margaretporter.com

Author links:
https://www.margaretporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretporterauthor/

https://www.threads.net/@margaretporterauthor

Tweets by MargaretPorter

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMargaretPorter/

Cover Reveal: A Misfortune of Lake Monsters by Nicole M. Wolverton

BOOK DETAILS:

A Misfortune of Lake Monsters
by Nicole M. Wolverton
Publication date: July 2, 2024
Genres: Horror, Young Adult

Synopsis:

When Legends Bite Back . . .

Lemon Ziegler wants to escape rural Devil’s Elbow, Pennsylvania to attend college–but that’s impossible now that she’s expected to impersonate the town’s lake monster for the rest of her life. Her family has been secretly keeping the legend of Old Lucy, the famed (and very fake) lake monster of Lake Lokakoma, alive for generations, all to keep the tourists coming. Without Lemon, the town dies, and she can’t disappoint her grandparents . . . or tell her best friends about any of it. That includes Troy Ramirez, who has been covertly in love with Lemon for years, afraid to ruin their friendship by confessing his feelings. When a very real and very hungry monster is discovered in the lake, secrets must fall by the wayside, though. Determined to stop the monster, Lemon and her best friends are the only thing standing between Devil’s Elbow and a monster out for blood.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197470077-a-misfortune-of-lake-monsters

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QZ5Gd3

AUTHOR BIO:

Nicole M. Wolverton is a Pushcart-nominated writer in the Philadelphia area. Her debut YA horror novel A MISFORTUNE OF LAKE MONSTERS is forthcoming in 2024 (CamCat Books), and she is the author of THE TRAJECTORY OF DREAMS (Bitingduck Press, 2013) and editor of BODIES FULL OF BURNING (Sliced Up Press, 2021). Her short stories and creative nonfiction have appeared in dozens publications as well.

Find her online at www.nicolewolverton.com.

Author links:

https://nicolewolverton.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nicolewolv214/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20829881.Nicole_M_Wolverton

Cover Reveal: Dirty Plans by Carissa Knight

BOOK DETAILS:

Dirty Plans
by Carissa Knight
(The One Night Stand Club)
Publication date: January 5, 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Who knew finding true love would mean juggling a secret club’s rules, rethinking marital boundaries, and a best friend you suddenly want to kiss?

Lily’s life was predictably pedestrian: side-step her husband’s aloofness, indulge in racy novels with her audacious book club, and dream about feeling that kind of passion in her own life. But a surprise run-in at a cheeky adult toy shop flings her back into the orbit of London, her endearingly rogue-ish childhood best friend, now the manager of Club Nocté—a nightclub synonymous with whispered secrets and sexy encounters.

Dazzled by the nocturnal allure of Nocté and the undeniable chemistry with London, Lily’s once-staid world gets a titillating shake-up. He’s not the boy she once built forts with, but a man with seductive depths that pull her in. And the kicker? London’s not-so-subtle feelings have the urgency of a flash sale—tempting, fleeting, and impossible to resist.

But in a world of impromptu one-night stands, it’s the long-standing emotions that prove the most scandalous. London fell first, and hard. Lily, still tethered to her crumbling marriage, finds herself torn between the nostalgic sweetness of the past and the thrilling promise of a passionate future.

Brace yourself for a joyride of giggles, gasps, and ‘oh-my-god’ moments, as Lily and London navigate a dance of friendship and flirtation, underpinned by the most tantalizing question: Will they dare to cross the line between friendship’s safety for a chance at true love?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200777025-dirty-plans

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40JdN20

AUTHOR BIO:

Carissa is all about bringing the heat in every romance she writes… but she also enjoys making the journey as angsty and awkward as possible. (Because come on! What could be more fun than making the characters squirm?)

While she’s a new kid around the rom-com block, Carissa’s actually been kicking out books for over a decade as Carissa Andrews.

So, hold onto your panties, ladies. They’re about to light on fire with her brand new titillating series, “The One Night Stand Club!”

Cover Reveal: The Beginning by Mystee Ryann

BOOK DETAILS:

The Beginning
by Mystee Ryann
(Felon Love Series, #1)
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Sometimes your past, no matter how far you think you’ve come from it, can destroy your future and the future of the one you love. Norah was a workaholic and had been alone for 8 years when she was fixed up with her friend’s son. Little did she know, soon she’d fall for the quick-tempered bad boy with a prison history. Stress, heartbreak, turmoil, loyalty, love, guilt, corruption, and more lead this story through ups and downs – good girl to ruined reputation, drugs, alcohol, sex, lies —

AUTHOR BIO:

After 14 years of book and product reviews, I have finally got my own books in the works.

Author links:

https://www.instagram.com/amomentwithmystee/

@amomentwithmystee

https://amomentwithmystee.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20288125.Mystee_Ryann

Cover Reveal: Zarin by Mystee Ryann

BOOK DETAILS:

Zarik
by Mystee Ryann
(To Meet a Highlander Series, #1)
Genres: Historical, Romance, Time-Travel

Synopsis:

Meet Zarik MacKinnon, soon-to-be chief of his clan. Stubborn, unrelenting, and not in need of love. For years he’s been told by the clan’s druid that someone will come to save him. Someone for him to love. He shrugged his shoulders and continued on in his protection of his clan. Never wanting to be chief, Zarik is surprised when Tsarina Fraser arrives and is said to be the one he must marry. The catch? She’s from the future.

AUTHOR BIO: