Hello, everyone! Today I am reviewing Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

The Story

Catherine Bailey meets a man named Lee Brightman. Brightman is handsome, charming and everything Catherine hoped to find in a man. At first, the relationship is exciting and Lee’s passionate attention to Catherine is flattering and pleasurable. However, it soon becomes something very different as Catherine is increasingly aware of Lee’s violent, obsessive and controlling nature. As Lee’s abuse and obsession become more and more terrifying, Catherine hopes to find understanding and help in her circle of friends. But they don’t believe her. Desperate, she plans her escape.

She starts a new life in another city. Four years pass. Lee is now in jail.  But, the paralyzing fear that shaped her past continues in her new life. As she tries to forge a new, healthy relationship with another man, she finds herself facing, once again, her worst fear.

My Review

Wow. This book is a page turner. The author moves back and forth between the present and the past, revealing what happened to Catherine slowly, piece by piece. So we have two stories unfolding at the same time, thereby ramping up the tension and the terror in an almost excruciating manner. The author does a beautiful job of describing the post traumatic stress that takes over Catherine’s daily life, even four years after her escape. The obsessive checking of locks and windows and curtains that is the only way she can feel a modicum of safety in her daily life is detailed and vivid. The description of a relationship slowly becoming a nightmare is portrayed with chilling accuracy. And the terror and fear were all too real for this reader. I’ve had friends who were in abusive relationships, who suffered trauma at the hands of someone they trusted. One marriage, in particular, of a college friend to a seemingly charming and funny guy was shockingly revealed, after many years, to have been a nightmare of physical abuse. Ms. Haynes writes with a conviction and honesty that doesn’t spare the reader. And that’s as it should be.

This story of a relationship gone haywire is terrifying and chilling. It’s a psychological thriller of the highest quality. This is Elizabeth Haynes’ debut novel and her talent for writing is clear from page one. If you like thrillers and suspense with complex, well-written characters you will love this novel. To say it is compelling is an understatement.

About the Author

Elizabeth Haynes is a police intelligence analyst. She started writing fiction in 2006 with the annual challenge of National Novel Writing Month (NaMoWriMo) and the encouragement of the creative writing courses at West Dean College. She lives in a village near Maidstone, Kent, with her husband and son.

Giveaway

One of you can be the lucky winner of a copy of Into the Darkest Corner! Just leave a comment on this post and I will randomly draw a winner on Friday evening.

Oh, goodie! I get to share another wonderful book with you. Today I’m reviewing Princess Elizabeth’s Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

From the publisher: Susan Elia MacNeal introduced the remarkable Maggie Hope in her acclaimed debut, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary. Now Maggie returns to protect Britain’s beloved royals against an international plot – one that could change the course of history.

My review: Set against the background of World War II in England, the heroine, Maggie Hope, has just finished her training to be a spy for MI-5. After all the grueling training, she hopes to be sent abroad to work undercover. She has a sharp, analytical mind, and an amazing ability to crack codes. But, much to her disappointment, she is sent instead to Windsor Castle where she is indeed to work undercover but as a math tutor to Princess Elizabeth. There are threats against the royal family and it is hoped that Maggie’s presence and her training will help to ensure the safety of the Princesses.

And then the plot, as they say, thickens. Untimely deaths, the stealing of secret coded transmissions, possible plots and suspicious characters all come together and Maggie has her work cut out for her. (Remember, I never give away too much plot!)

This book is what I would call a historical mystery. There are real-life historical characters within its pages; obviously, the Royals and several members of their household, Winston Churchill and others. The details as to life in London during a terrifying time of rationing, daily air raids and  warning sirens, underground shelters and the bombing of England’s cities are very vividly and realistically presented. Maggie, our heroine, is fictional. She is spunky, plucky, smart and aggressive when necessary. MacNeal has managed to weave a complicated plot using both real-life and fictional characters that makes sense and seems utterly natural.

It’s both charming and a real page turner. I think MacNeal has a wonderful writing style and Maggie Hope is the perfect protagonist – smart, a spy, and not about to be trifled with. I would recommend this book highly.

Lucky me, I was also sent the first book in this series, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, and I look forward to reading the beginnings of Maggie’s story. If you love history and mysteries, this is the book for you.

About the author: Susan Elia MacNeal is the author of the Maggie Hope mystery series, including her debut novel, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, Princess Elizabeth’s Spy and the upcoming Hitler’s Nightingale. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and child.

One of you will be the lucky winner of a copy of Princess Elizabeth’s Spy. Just leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on Friday evening. Good luck!

Hello to everyone on this Monday morning. Today I am reviewing Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know by Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:

Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know answers the questions that dog owners have asked for centuries. The book is a collection of 115 humorous essays that reveal the truth behind some of the most baffling canine behavior, their hopes and dreams, their grudges and pleasures, and what they really think of us humans. Peppered with lively, clever stories and visually appealing photographs, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is a verbal and visual delight that is laugh-out-loud funny. If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have.

My Review:

When I saw this book on the list of upcoming books to review, I immediately asked TLC Book Tours if I could review it. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am a big dog lover. Oh my goodness, look at the cover photograph – those Bostons are tugging at my heartstrings!

Is this book funny?

Short answer: YES.

The essays are written by 11 dogs, with names like Axelrod (Yellow Lab), Tinkerbell (Chihauaha) and Rufus T (Bloodhound). In each of the essays, the author-dog will write on a specific topic, giving us a peek into what really makes him/her tick. Or not tick. These essays are flat-out funny. If you are an owner who tries to figure out the inner workings of your dog’s mind and I must admit that I fall into that category, you will find that the answer provided by each dog is usually far less complicated than whatever you’ve dreamed up.

Some of my favorite essays and their titles:

“I Will Never be Full” by Orson (Bulldog) – I have a dog that is never full and I loved Orson’s honesty. Thanks, Orson.

“Stop Tricking Me” by Bandana (Border Collie) – where Bandana tells us that all of the tricks we use to try and disguise the fact that, for example, a bath is coming or pills are being put into dog food, simply don’t work. Dogs see through that sort of thing.

“Things We Do When You’re Gone” by Charlie (Miniature Schnauzer) – Just imagine.

“I’m Just Asking” by Bandana – in which Bandana asks, among other questions, “When you put that little box up to your ear and talk, are you talking to me? Because sometimes we’re the only two around. So are you talking to me or the box? Is the box alive?”

This book is wonderfully written, with each dog having his/her own particular writing style. The authors are clearly dog lovers who have spent the same amount of time we all do trying to figure out the inner workings of their dogs’ brains. What makes them tick? Be prepared for some funny, wise and touching answers.

It’s the perfect sort of book in that each essay is complete in itself – so you can pick it up, read an essay or two, and come back later for another quick dose of humor.

Loved it.

About the authors:

Hy Conrad:

Best known for his work in mysteries, Hy was one of the original writers for the groundbreaking series, Monk, working on the show for all eight seasons, the final two as Co-Executive Producer. In a related project, Hy was Executive Producer and head writer of Little Monk, a series of short films featuring Adrian Monk as a ten-year-old. His latest TV work was as a writer and Consulting Producer for White Collar.

Hy is also the author of hundreds of short stories and  ten books of short whodunits, which have been sold around the world in 14 languages. Hy’s first mystery novel series, Abel Adventures, will debut in 2012 with the publication of Rally ‘Round the Corpse. And his first full-length comedy/mystery/play, Home Exchange, premiered at the Waterfront Playhouse in May 2012. He lives in Key West and Vermont with his partner and two miniature schnauzers.

Jeff Johnson:

Jeff spent most of his life working in advertising agencies, currently as General Manager of Cramer-Kasselt in New York City. He is the author of The Hourglass Solution: A Boomer’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life and co-authors (with Paula Forman) a national online advice column called Short Answers, which also appears in newspapers all along the east coast (from Massachusetts to Florida). Jeff lives in Vermont and Key West and is on the Board of Directors of the Waterfront Playhouse and the Florida Keys SPCA.

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Would you like a copy of this wonderful book? You just might win one. Leave a comment on this post and you’ll automatically be entered. I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday evening.

MHC now has a Facebook Page. If you’d like to, drop by and say hello! Maybe you could click on ‘like?’

Happy Monday.