Theo Baxter

Madelyne marries George (a restaurant owner) after divorcing Damon because he kept leaving the family to serve in the military. Madelyne and Damon’s sixteen-year-old daughter (Connie) feels there is something wrong with George and she doesn’t trust him. Connie turns to her father (Damon) with her concerns. Eventually Connie witnesses something that puts her in danger.

This book started off a bit slow, but it picked up as it went and it got more interesting. I liked Connie, she was quite bold and gutsy at times. Damon was alright, trying to make up for his mistakes of the past. My main problem with this book was Madelyne. She was unlikable, stupid, and a total idiot. She never listened to her daughters’ concerns over George. She brushed off everything that George did wrong. She stuck up for him when it was obvious he wasn’t the man she thought he was. And she was constantly criticizing and arguing with her ex-husband, Damon. Sometimes it was hard reading the story when it was from Madelyne's annoying point-of-view. Other than that, I ended up enjoying this suspense-thriller that really picked up towards the end.… (más)

Wade and Leona Woodrow will celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary by hiking part of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Leona can hardly contain her excitement for the long weekend. She thought Wade had forgotten their anniversary. Little did Leona realize when Wade announced his surprise that Wade planned more surprises for his wife than she could have ever imagined.

Marketing for the novel indicates it is “a gripping psychological thriller with a chilling twist.” For this reader, it was a quick read of women’s fiction. With that perspective, I enjoyed it. The intensity of Leona’s feelings did not connect to her actions; at times, her actions did not connect to her emotions. That disconnect became a flatline rather than a compelling and/or chilling thriller.

Thank you to Theo Baxter, Inkubator Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

#TheWidowsSecret #NetGalley… (más)

Dean wakes disoriented, his hands covered in blood.

He realizes he must have had another seizure, and it’s stolen all memories of what happened.

Given his history of violence during his episodes, fear immediately sets in.

And when his step-mother enters the room and screams, he notices his father’s bloody corpse on the bed.

When questioned by the detective investigating the case, what unravels is a story of deception, infidelity, and revenge that rivals any Hollywood film.

But will she believe his story?

He’s not even sure he does.

And when he’s released on bail, things only get more confusing and convoluted.

Things are not as they appear.

With his inability to remember anything leading up to the murder, Dean can only hope the truth comes out before he spends the rest of his life behind bars...or worse.… (más)