Lay Me Down by Tamara Hart Heiner-Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Jan 222016
 

laymedown#2 28543486Product Details

  •  Title:  Lay Me Down
  • Author: Tamara Hart Heiner
  • Paperback: 332 pages
  • Publisher: Tamark Books (January 15, 2016)
  • Genre: YA, Romance, Mystery, Supernatural
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0989088847
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review ARC in exchange for an honest review
  • Reviewed by:Sheila

Book Description:
Life is more than just breathing.

Kylee Mansfield knows what it is to be alone. Her dad left when she was seven, and her mother remarried an abusive alcoholic. Kylee finds ways to escape reality, usually by substituting one pain for another.

Things take a deadly turn when a jagged cut shows up on her arm, and she doesn’t know where it came from. She enlists her neighbor, Price Hudson, to help her uncover the truth. But Price shows her much more than just her past—he shows her what it is to be alive.

Excerpt from Lay Me Down:

 Kylee leaned against her bedroom door, her heart beating erratically. Even from here, she could hear Bill swearing and yelling in the living room. She squeezed her eyes shut. Why was he still going on? He should have forgotten about her by now.

“Please stay in the other room. Please stay in the other room,” she chanted to herself. She glanced down at her throbbing arm, noting the small rivulet of blood collecting in the corner of her elbow.

Her mom’s shouting mingled with Bill’s, and something large crashed into a wall. The single-story house rattled as Bill’s thundering footsteps approached.

“Kylee!” he roared, the full extent of his fury echoing in the one word.

She whimpered. Her eyes landed on the chair scooted against the wooden desk next to the closet. She lunged for it, intent on propping it under the doorknob like she had so many times in the past.

Barely had she vacated her spot by the door before it banged open, slamming into the opposite wall with its force. Kylee shrieked and spun around.

“I’m sorry,” she sputtered, her hands splayed out in front of her for protection. “I should have stayed out of it. I—”

He cut the rest of her apology off with a left hook to her jaw. Kylee stumbled backwards and went down to her knees, a little surprised she hadn’t seen that coming. Bill was angrier than usual.

*****Order Lay Me Down on Amazon HERE

My Review: 
I must preface this review by saying first: this review may be vague in what I can tell you about the story. The reason why is, I absolutely do not want to ruin the story for you. This book is so far one of the best I’ve read this year in 2016. It has a little of everything in it: romance, mystery, and supernatural. Quite a combination wouldn’t you say?

The story starts with us looking at the world through main character Kylee’s eyes. Her life is not easy. She lives with her browbeaten, druggie mom, and abusive stepfather Bill, in a rundown home. Kylee doesn’t go to public school anymore and is always in fear of her life because of Bill’s explosive temper. Kylee is cut off from her few friends and the rest of the world. She feels like she is non-existent and no one cares.To help her deal with the pain in her life she cuts herself.

It is amazing to me how this story is told so beautifully in such an ugly situation, but Author Tamara Hart Heiner is able to do so. You are pulled into Kylee’s world of emotional pain,verbal and physical abuse, and her longing to be loved.You will be mesmerized like I was as this story unfolds. This is one of those stories that you won’t be able to put down. You’ll be reading as fast as you can to figure out the many mysterious things that start occurring in Kylee’s life. 

The story brightens a bit when Kylee’s cute, new neighbor, Price Hudson, starts talking to her.He’s hesitant at first because of his own heartache he’s living through, but soon he can’t stay away from Kylee. Price soon shows her that the world can be a brighter and more loving place. They also form a friendship that can’t be broken. The two teens are quickly pulled into a supernatural world where they work together to figure something very important out. Price is a wonderful character that you will like because of his kindness and loyalty.

As you figure out what is truly going on, the tension in the story does not die down, it only builds. Time is running out for the mystery to be solved and both Kylee and Price are in danger. With the help of a Medium, Madame Humphrey, the story finally comes to an end with a shocking revelation. I was left with a feeling of contentment at the end, though the ride getting there was full of angst. This is a must read and I think I heard there may be a sequel. I hope it is true!

**I read this book with my teen daughter and we had some good discussions along the way. The story is for older teens and adults. There is some violence, blood, and mild gore within the book.** 

 
Meet Author: Tamara Hart Heiner 

I live in Arkansas with my husband and four children, two crazy boys and two pretty little princesses.

I am the author of the young adult suspense PERILOUS series (DELIVERER, PERILOUS, ALTERCATION, and a third book under contract!), INEVITABLE, and the Cassandra Jones saga. My non-fiction book about the Joplin tornado came out in May, 2014. You can find out more about what I’m writing and catch deleted scenes from my books on my blog at http://tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com.

Lost King by H. B. Moore

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Dec 022015
 

25704022Lost King

Author: H. B. Moore

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Published: Dec. 1, 2015

ISBN13: 9781503949621

Paperback: 338 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Undercover agent Omar Zagouri has been ordered to Giza. A prominent Egyptologist was murdered, and a priceless artifact—the only complete version of the Book of the Dead—is missing. Omar is still reeling from the recent disappearance of his girlfriend, Mia Golding, but he puts his quest to find her on hold to track down the lost piece of history.

Omar’s mission is not just to locate the sacred book; he must also rescue the two archaeologists kidnapped and forced to translate its hieroglyphics under threat of death. Their kidnapper is determined to discover the text’s rumored explosive revelation: that Moses did not receive the Ten Commandments from God but instead copied them from the Egyptians. Though Omar’s need to find Mia grows more urgent, he must focus on finding the enemy who will stop at nothing to ignite a controversy that will change history, and the world, forever.

My Review

Another exciting and not-able-to-put-down-book by H. B. Moore. Her characters are flawlessly written and the plot is page-turning. I enjoyed the switch from Omar to Hatshe.  At times the switch would allow me to catch my breath, if only for a moment.  There is heart pounding action and romance as well.  It was hard to say what I liked best in the book.  I know I loved the characters, but if I were to choose a favorite if would be Hatshepsut.  Her strong personality and determination leapt off the page.  As much as I loved the scenes with Omar, and all the action and excitement going on with him, I looked forward to reading more from Hatshe.  Heather has a talent and is a very gifted author.  The reader will appreciate all the research and care put into writing this book.  All of the characters and scenes are written well.  This story reads fast and is very action packed too.  Omar is a great character too, and I enjoyed his sense of humor.

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tulips and Treason by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Book Reviews
May 152014
 

tristi-pinkston-02Tulips and Treason (Omni Orchids Mystery)

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Publisher: Walnut Springs

Published: April 9, 2014

ISBN13: 978159929002

ebook: 246 pages

FTC FYI: Received a PDF copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary 

The town of Omni has a thorny problem. Two rival crime syndicates have chosen the quiet mountains of Utah as their hideout. Now they want to join forces and become stronger than ever. When the FBI needs to send two undercover agents to infiltrate the mob, they call on Jack and Molly field operatives of experience and skill to pose as floral-shop-owning Mormons so they’ll blend in to the conservative background. Jack bears a resemblance to Joe Baker, notorious mob hit man, and stands the best chance of going undetected. The biggest challenge? Teaching Molly how to arrange a dozen roses. Compared to that, bringing down the Mafia will be a tiptoe through the tulips.

My Review

Tulips and Treason is another extremely enjoyable read from Tristi.  I really loved her Secret Sisters series and was thrilled when my favorite characters appeared in the Omni Orchids Mysteries Series too.

Molly North and Jack Coleman are FBI agents.  They are also partners who secretly got married, having kept it a secret from everyone but their boss.  Now their marriage is in a rough patch.  But they are still partners and have been given a special assignment.  A lead has come on an investigation of a mob case the FBI is following.  Molly and Jack are being assigned to a small town in Omni, Utah to run a flower shop as a married Mormon couple.  Normally this assignment would be exciting for the couple, but Molly has her doubts.  How are they going to pose as a married couple when they are on the brink of a divorce.

Jack and Molly head to Omni and are in need of “Mormon” lessons.  That is where Ida Mae, Tansy, and Arlette come in.  Molly and Jack have to run a flower shop to keep up the mob front and to find their contact.  Molly is lost and is really nervous about it.  As they are moving things around the shop, a wall gets busted and they hire a fix-it man to come.  When he gets murdered, the mystery begins.

I loved this book.  Tristi’s books are full of fun, humor, heart, and good ole-fashion mystery.  I loved having my favorite ladies from the Secret Sisters series make an appearance in this book.  I have missed them.  Having said that, the new characters held my attention and Tristi’s writing, as always, was solid.  I would email her back and forth while I was reading to update her on who I thought was the murderer… Let’s just say, I better not quite my day job. :)

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Trifecta Books / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Till Death Do Us Part by Tristi Pinkston

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jun 122013
 

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Till Death Do Us Part

Author: Tristi Pinkston

Publisher: Walnut Springs Press

Published: May 2013

ISBN13: 978-1-59992-880-7

Paperback: 245 pages

FTC FTI: Received a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Will Ida Mae survive her own wedding?

When charming—and mostly bald—widower George Gilmore asked Ida Mae Babbitt to marry him, she was surprised and delighted. But now he has made another proposal—to hold the wedding in two weeks, while all his children are in town. Flustered but sure she can handle it with the help of her friends, Ida Mae
agrees.

The plan doesn’t go over so well with George’s family, however, and Ida Mae finds herself the victim of a plot to stop the wedding. At first the incidents seem like harmless pranks, but they escalate until Ida Mae finds herself in real danger—and in real pain. Bells are ringing, but are they wedding bells or death knells?

My Review

Till Death Do Us Part finds Ida Mae knee deep in trouble again.  This time is seems that someone from George’s family doesn’t want her to marry George.  Right away events occur that rattle her nerves, but (as always) Ida Mae stands her ground.   George has not told Ida Mae that he is very wealthy, and it appears that someone from the family doesn’t want Ida Mae taking what they think it theirs.  Danger lurks around every corner (and elevator) as Ida Mae and her friends try to plan her wedding to George.

There is nothing more delightful then a Secret Sisters mystery by Tristi Pinkston.  I have grown to love these characters and their endearing quirks.  As I’m reading I remember what a fantastic writer Tristi is.  (Not that I had forgotten :) Consistent, consistent, consistent is how she writes.  Every line is important and most of the time, very funny.  I was thrilled to learn that Ren reminded Ida Mae of Ewan McGregor, “only without the light saber and with a temple recommend.” (page 37)  I was happy that the love triangle between Eden, Ren, and Kevin was quickly solved so I could focus on other aspects of the story.

I could quote the whole book for it’s humor and cleverness, but this was one of my favorite moments:

The officers waited until Arlette got the minivan turned around, and then they climbed into their own vehicle.  Ida Mae was surprised when one of them flipped on red and blue lights built into the front of the car.  All the vehicles ahead of them edged out of the way, and Arlette followed the officers down the canyon and toward Federal Heights.

“If this weren’t so extremely frightening, it would be exciting,” Tansy remarked.

For once, Ida Mae knew exactly what she meant. (page 144)

5 out of 5 stars.  This is the last book in the series.  If you are new to the Secret Sisters, definitely start with the first.

Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Deadly Undertakings by Gregg Luke

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 242012
 

Deadly Undertakings

Author: Gregg Luke

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: August 2012

ISBN13: 9781621080749

Paperback: 288 pages

Genre: mystery suspense

FTC FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: Being an assistant to the state medical examiner in Salt Lake City might sound like a dead-end job, but Rebekah Smith loves the mystery and challenge of determining the cause of death in the bodies delivered to their morgue. Tutored by her friend and boss, Dr. Sandeep Mahesh, she gains understanding not only for her job, but also for how to mask her own troubled past.

While analyzing the corpse of a 100 year old woman, Rebekah discovers some disturbing elements: not only was the deceased woman a healthy centenarain, but she was also embalmed before anyone discovered she’d passed away. When two identical cases surface, Rebekah enlists the help of her boyfriend, special investigations officer, Josh Logan. Together they uncover shocking truths about the bizarre deaths, which eventually lead them to the nightmarish revelation they weren’t prepared for. Yet, unknowingly, the more they reveal, the closer they come to being the killer’s next guinea pigs.

My Review

5 out of 5 stars.  I am starting right off with a rating today, because I can’t wait to tell you how much I loved this book.  My husband gets a kick out of sitting next to me when I’m reading, especially when I’m reading spooky books.  I gasp loudly, hold my breath, and shake my head too many times for him to count.  This book was no exception.  I loved it!  I loved the mystery, the science, and Rebekah and Josh most of all.  I loved them as a couple and their playful banter, even under extreme stress.  I also enjoyed the point of view changes.  It was interesting to see how characters in the story saw their situation.  (I can’t say more :)  Each character was written exceptionally well with care and detail.  Gregg has definitely out done himself with this book.  I can tell by reading his books that he has a brilliant mind, and have greatly enjoyed the books I have read from this great author.  I also loved the Easter Egg from his Whitney nominated book from 2011, Bloodborne.

Gregg is the author of many books.  Follow him on Facebook and Goodreads.

AMAZON / DESERET BOOK / SEAGULL BOOK