Author's last name starts with G/H

Never Tell by Lisa Gardner 🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Never Tell by Lisa Gardner is the 10th book in the Detective D.D. Warren series. The books are all about the cases that D.D. Warren takes on and solves. Often the stories twist and turn as she follows the clues.  The books are part of a series, but I have not read them all, just a few and find I can pick them right up. I enjoy the character of D.D. Warren, she is dogged, intelligent, and manages to find and understand clues and people’s behaviors only too well.

D.D. Warren is called to a murder scene only to realize that she recognizes the wife of the murdered man.  The wife who was once a teenager who ‘accidentally’ shot her father has now shot her husband. D.D. knows that this case is not going to be a open and shut case and that there is more going on.  Luckily, she has help from her CI, Flora Dane who recognizes the shot husband and this opens up still another case about Flora’s past. Add in a computer geek, a fed investigator and D.D. Warren’s team and the stories slowly start to unwind.  

Never Tell by Lisa Gardner is a thrilling, glued to your seat, waiting for everything to happen read.

The Shape of the Night by Tess Gerritsen🙂🤭👍👍

The Shape of the Night by Tess Gerritsen was a thriller. A mixture of paranormal and creepy stalker that was interesting to say the least.  The main character, Ava haunted by guilt and remorse moves to a remote location in Maine. She moves into an old mansion set on the cliffs right out of a horror story.  However, Ava is determined to finish her newest book, a cookbook, and find herself. The problem with that, includes a ghost from the past, Captain Jeremiah Brodie, local legends, gossipy old ladies, one huge Maine Coon Cat and a couple of nice guys.  Hard to believe all that works into this mystery, but it does. 

I liked the story line, which is saying a lot as I do not normally like anything with paranormal elements.  I loved how the house became an integral part of the story and made the story seem more gothic in nature. Tess Gerritsen’s newest novel The Shape of the Night was a good read. 

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin 🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin was a different type of thriller, but a thriller none-the-less.  We start out with some type A people, wanting to get rich fast in an investment banking industry.  We have the opportunity to see how they interact with each other and the cut throat strategies they use even with their closest co-workers.  Into this mix comes a younger woman who has struggled for every step she has taken, and through luck has found herself a job with these people.  The competitive nature of the business and the cut throat atmosphere leads to a series of incidences that are cruel and slowly move to … Four of these people are invited to an escape room for team building.  In reality they are concerned that they will be fired because their year has been so poor. Little do they truly understand.

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin is not a traditional thriller.  No one is chasing anyone down the cellar stairs. However, it is a thriller of another type:  one of people pitted against others, trying to stay a step ahead, hoping to maintain their luxurious and decadent lifestyle.  The majority of the characters are not likable, but you find yourself intrigued by how far they will go and how low they will fall.  The Escape Room by Megan Goldin is a good read with lots of twists and turns. People can go really, really low!

The Bad Luck Bride by Jane Goodger🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

The Bad Luck Bride by Jane Goodger is the first book in the St Ives Series.  I had not realized I had missed the first book and decided to read it right away.  In some ways I am glad this was not the first book I read, as I did not fall in love with it until I was almost 2/3 of the way through the book.  It is not that the story wasn’t interesting, as much as the pretensions of the “ton” irritated me to no end.  

The book introduces us to a group of girls (women) who are unmarried from the town of St Ives. Each of them wishes for a forever love and children.  They have been friends forever and love to spend time together. Lady Alice Hubbard has had the bad luck to be betrothed three times with each wedding falling through.  She has been dubbed the bad luck bride. Secretly she is surprised that she i not falling apart like she thought she would.  Perhaps it is because Henderson Southwell has shown back up and she is quite interested in him.  

Henderson Southwell left for India after his best friend Joseph died.  He could not imagine what happened and was devastated to lose him. However, when his grandmother wrote him to tell him that Joseph’s sister Alice was getting married a third time, Henderson realized he had to marry her himself.   Henderson does not know who his father is and is lucky that his grandparents didn’t care and loved him anyway. But he knows that his parentage will always be an issue.

The Bad Luck Bride had a slower start than I like, but once I made some headway the book got better and better.  The characters were fun and quirky. The situations interesting. The Bad Luck Bride was a good read.

 Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray was a fun read.   The main characters of Neco and Ruby made me root for them and their love.  Nico and Ruby had been together forever.  Neco protected her from her crazy mom and Ruby helped Nico with her love.  Both found a sense of family in the other one.  However Nico thinks he is not worthy of loving Ruby because of all the bad things he has done.  Ruby tries to get over him again and again.  To top it off, Ruby wants to work with the King Agency where Neco works, but not as the receptionist.  

The King Agency handles problems and finds out information.  The employees are men who are a mixture of hard, bad, sexy and alpha.   I enjoyed the bad guys to mostly good guys plot line.  I enjoyed the twists and turns of the thriller aspect.The story certainly had some dark elements, but I did not find them to be overwhelming. Reading Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray made me want to read the first book of the series and all the others that will come out.  

Broken Rebel by Sherilee Gray was a good read.

The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey is an historical romance with a bit of a different twist.  We have a determined widow Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake who is starting a school for girls.  We have a neighbor, Lord Lyon who (thanks to a nosy neighbor) believes nefarious going ons are happening.  He immediately believes that the situation is that of a brothel moved into the neighborhood. Imagine his surprise when it turns into a school to teach sewing to less fortunate girls.  

The beginning of the story really catches the reader’s attention and you find yourself wondering what is going to happen next. Adeline and the Earl next door continue to ‘run’ into each other, but it is how that makes the story so much fun. Don’t forget the nosy neighbor who actually has a spyglass!

I liked the independence of Adeline and her friends.  I like how they are planning their future regardless of the expectations of society.  The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey was a fun read with some heat!

Total Control by Laura Griffin🙂🙂👍👍

Total Control by Laura Griffin is the fourth book in the Alpha Crew series.  Let me tell you the Alpha Crew are hot, hot tickets. They are SEALS - need I say more?

Jack Heath is a SEAL who works and works more.  He has been part of many important missions and has not formed a lasting relationship because of the job. BUT then he met Alexa Mays, a kickass FBI agent and he fell.  She however does not want a relationship, because of her past and her job. Jack ends up helping her do some investigation, which turns a bit more lethal than either thought.  

This is the first book I have read in this series by Laura Griffin.  I have enjoyed other books she has written so I wanted to read more of her books. Total Control can definitely can be read as a stand alone book.  There are great chase scenes, hot scenes and some fun repartee between the characters. I enjoyed the book plot line and found it a quick fun read.  Total Control by Laura Griffin is a good read!

Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin is the second book in the Wolf Security Series.  The book follows Laura Griffin’s style with the romantic thriller genre. She also writes the Tracer Series, which are kickass stories as well.  

Private investigator Kira Vance is learning her job as she works under Ollie.  She is feeling a little used and ready to have words with Ollie when an armed gunman comes in and shoots up everything, killing Kira.   Kira immediately goes into PI mode and starts to investigate what truly happened. Luckily, she is hired by the same lawyer who has hired an elite security team Wolfe Security.   Jeremy and Trent are assigned to Kira. She continues to investigate only to draw the killer’s sight on her.

Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin is the usual gritty police, investigation drama.  I like Kira’s determination and doggedness. I did note that the book seemed to focus more on the drama than the love story between Kira and Jeremy, but I was not bothered by that.   I liked how Jeremy was willing to help Kira with her investigation, but was so worried about her getting hurt. There were some nice twists and turns. Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin was a good read. 

Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf🙂😮❤💔👍👍👍

Just when I thought I had it figured out… my conclusions all squirrel away and I am left more unsure. AND then I read the end!  OH MY!

Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf is a kick-butt thriller.   I know I have written positive reviews on thrillers before, but this is one of the top of the top ones! I actually had to put the book down a couple of times as I was so nervous about what was going to happen, but couldn’t put it down for long because I had to know what was happening.  This book has it all: creepy setting, some creepy people, unsettling incidences and a horrifying situation. That is before the parents, grandparents and siblings get involved. I found the story well written and the slow leaking of information to be at just the right level to maintain a high interest.

Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf was a masterful story told in such a way that you cannot help but feel the fear and worry at each twist and turn. 

Summer at Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale🙂🙂❤👍👍

Aunt Clara’s beach house is a place to relax and connect as a family.  However, now Aunt Clara is gone, Hallie is not looking forward to going there.  This is, to her, another straw in the camel’s back. Things have been really hard, but this loss is almost too much.  In the last piece of correspondence from her aunt, was the to do list Hallie made when she was twelve. Hallie is expected to accomplish the list in order to receive her inheritance, but how can she when she is mired in despair.  

Once there with her family and her best friend forever Ben, Hallie immerses herself in moving forward by trying to accomplish her list of todos. The hopeless feeling comes and goes, yet Hallie moves forward...That is when the book gets very interesting…

Summer at Firefly Beach was good, but not great.  I really did not like how Hallie wallowed in her grief in the beginning, however once more information became known and she moved forward, I began to enjoy the book more.  Jenny Hale’s description of a small vacation town with the heat, sand and family was spot on. Summer at Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale was a good read.

Montauk by Nicola Harrison🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Montauk by Nicola Harrison was an interesting read.  We entered the glittering world of money in New York society with Beatrice and Harry Harrison.  They are young, glittering, wealthy and summering at Montauk (out on Long Island). Harry is always off doing “business” and Beatrice is left alone a lot. Harry wants her to make friends and be a good partner.  Beatrice just wants to feel like she belongs and to be a mother.

Changing for every meal and spending time doing useless things is not how Beatrice thought she would spend her life.  Roosevelt with his fireside chats shares the precarious nature of the nation, ugly talk of going to war and she is playing tennis and planning the entertainment.  Until one day, when she meets Thomas, the Lighthouse Keeper.

Suddenly, she is in a whole new world, one that she feels comfortable in and wants to help people, not hang out with the idle rich.  Harry is coming out less and less and he is obviously having an affair (s). The cattiness and desire to be most important shows up more and more as the summer heats up as does the heat between Beatrice and Thomas. 

And it all comes down to one fateful night and day...a masquerade, a hurricane and a gun. None of the participants are ready to deal with the reality and the truth. Montauk was a wonderful read, the story, the riches and the time and place help you feel like you are part of everything happening. Nicola Harrison, the author of Montauk has written a great book to enjoy.

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth is a novel about families.  While the book is set in Australia, it is one that could happen anywhere.  We all have preconceived notions about people and what they think and why, but in reality, we truly do not know.  Sometimes, we are really wrong.

Lucy was hoping Ollie’s mother would come to cherish her and give her a mother figure.  Lucy’s mother died so young. In reality Diana was polite, but wasn’t the dream that Lucy had hoped for. Lucy’s life with Ollie’s family seemed fraught with drama. And then Diana is dead...with a suicide note and poison nearby, but as always nothing is quite as it seems.  The police have interviewed and questioned everyone only to determine it is murder.

The novel ramped up the suspense quickly.  I loved hearing Diana and Lucy’s stories and found they added just the right elements to the storyline.  Quite frankly, I didn’t figure it all out until the ending reveal. The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth was a great drama/mystery that kept me on the edge until the end.

The Missing Ones (Hester Thursby Mystery #2) by Edwin Hill👍👍🤔

Sometimes I finish a book and I am stuck about how to review on it.  The Missing Ones by Edwin Hill is one of those books. I read the entire book and felt obligated to keep reading and to finish it.  Not because the book was from NetGalley, but because I really wanted to know who was doing what. That is the true hallmark of a good book, you just need to finish it to find the ending.  Meanwhile, I did not like the long build up to the mystery. Once I finished up to about 40%, the rest of the book read very quickly. I liked the characters on the island. I liked how gossip moved around so quickly and how interesting the storyline was.   

Edwin Hill’s book is a twisted story of happenings on a small island on the coast of Maine.  Children missing, drugs coming in to a small community and Hester looking for her best friend/ soon to be sister-in-law.   How that all twists up into a mystery with an island, DEA, and state police is what makes this book very interesting. I did try to read the previous book, but was not as invested in the characters as I was in this book. 

The Missing Ones by Edwin Hill is the second book in the Hester Thursby Mystery series.  The story twines with various elements around and slowly drags you to questions and then speeds up to help you find a conclusion.  The Missing Ones was an interesting read.

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes was a fun, sweet read.  The book is a fictional novel based on the time after Evvie Drake’s husband died when she was trying to find her way out of her stupor.  I enjoyed the main character of Evvie and felt that her character, a fixer was a character I could be friends with. According to Goodreads, this book seems to be linda Holmes’s first fictional novel.

Evvie Drake’s husband died and she has been stuck in a stupor since his death.  She seems to be struggling without him. Her bestie, Andy asks her to help him out and rent an apartment in her house to a friend, and ex pitcher.  Dean moves in and they agree to not talk about the two major elephants in the room, her dead husband and his dead career. As time moves on they become closer and even avoided conversations happen and where things become clearer.

I enjoyed the book Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes for various reasons.  I enjoyed the fact it took place in midcoast Maine and the structure of a small town that expands during the summer.  I enjoyed the relationship between Dean and Evvie. I understood some of Evvie’s grief and wanted her to move forward with Dean.  Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes was a fun, sweet read.

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose 🙂🙂👍👍

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler:  Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose is an account of the exploits of the Churchill Club during WWII in Denmark.  Knud Pedersen was 15 years old, when the Danish did not put up any resistance to Germany taking over their country. While Germany did not cause damage, they sent in many soldiers and forced the country to follow German rules.  Knud, his brother Jens and some friends began a club of saboteurs. On their bikes with little knowledge but lots of bravery they rearranged signs, cut wires, blew up vehicles and other ways to make life harder for the Germans.  

The book is written with direct memories of Knud Pedersen, pictures and news accounts. The information is incredible and is written in such a way that student’s attention is gained and kept.  The book introduces so much information about WWII with the German invasions.   

This book is an amazing read for Middle Schoolers.  It allows the students to see how much can be accomplished by those who are dedicated and determined. I found the books chapters a little long, but the students didn’t seem to find the same issue.  The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose is a special read for many students.

Never Deny a Duke by Madeline Hunter🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Never Deny a Duke by Madeline Hunter is the third book in the Decadent Duke Society.  The series is based on three dukes that called themselves Decadent Dukes; this is about the last unmarried duke.  Duke of Brentworth is very proper is is not about to get married or change his life until he is ready.  His friends are happily married and he is glad for them, but it is not for him.

Davina MacCallum knows the some of the land the Duke of Brentworth owns are hers.  Her grandfather was hidden after his father died fighting the English. Her father told her about the past and she had copies of letters to the king about her title and land.  Unfortunately, the new king wants a resolution without any scenes. The King has determined that Davina should marry the Duke of Brentworth. Too bad the Duke of Brentworth disagrees strongly.  He is determined however to prove her wrong and that is his downfall.

Davina is a strong opinionated woman for her time.  She is determined that she will get her land back. She has plans to help locals medically by staffing the property with real medical professionals.  She needs that property.

Never Deny a Duke by Madeline Hunter is a fun historical romantic read.   

 Heaven Adjacent by Catherine Ryan Hyde🙂🙂❤❤👍👍

Heaven Adjacent by Catherine Ryan Hyde was interesting.  The main character, after the death of a close friend and colleague went for a drive and ended up in the middle of nowhere.  She then buys a piece of land nearby with an old house, shed and barn. The farm has lots of acres and squatters. Soon Roseanna is living there with the squatters without any warning to her family, friends and coworkers. She has found she does not want to go back to Manhattan or any city ever again.  She calls and lets everyone know, she is taking some time. Suddenly, this high powered lawyer is living a simpler life and is finding her way. Until she is found and her new existence is threatened.

Catherine Ryan Hyde writes books about people who are broken.  People who need a family or connections with others. In this respect Heaven Adjacent is similar, but for me the main character was not as likeable as some of her others.  As the book went on I found myself liking the main character more and more and perhaps that is what the author wanted. To take a person who was unlikable and make her change to someone we might like better.

Heaven Adjacent by Catherine Ryan Hyde was a good read.  

The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchinson🙂🙂👍👍

The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchinson is the first book in a series for middle schooler called the Mighty Muskrats Mysteries.  The series is about four cousins who together help solve mysteries with the guidance of their grandfathers words of wisdom. The setting is a Windy Lake First Nation.  They have a secret fort made of an old school bus and spend time everyday helping their grandfather out.  

Sam, Otter, Atim and Chickadee make up the Mighty Muskrats and they are searching for a missing archeologist, but along the way they deal with various family members and learning about their heritage. The storyline is clever with lots to help a young person learn about the Windy Lake First Nation.  

The story may capture middle schoolers attention with the adventure and the mystery.  It is a book I would recommend to several students who enjoy those genres. I found the book interesting and believe the adventure would help capture youngsters.