Nowhere to Hide Book Review

Nowhere to Hide

Sandra Vos Book 3

Carolyn Arnold

 

He paced while keeping his eye on his hostages. They watched him back with their gazes fixed on each step he took. Locking eyes with the father in a home so luxurious, so unlike his own, he knew this was his only chance for justice after all these years. He’d stop at nothing to get it.

When a lone gunman takes an entire family hostage in a wealthy suburb, there is only one FBI negotiator he’ll engage with. Special Agent Sandra Vos hit the headlines for bringing a crisis incident at Founders Hospital to a close, but there’s no time to rest with a family’s life in her hands.

Arriving on the scene, Sandra discovers that Edward Hanson and his family are the hostages. Edward is the son of the late Timothy Hanson who left his entire fortune to his son. While it seems this may be all about money, the hostage taker makes a demand that is far more personal. Reopen an investigation into a fatal car accident from thirty-three years ago or he shoots the entire family. But how does this connect to the Hansons?

Sandra calls in her boyfriend, Detective Eric Birch, at the Metropolitan Police Department, and asks him to dig into the case. Eric works to untangle a web of lies which leads him straight to the heart of the police force. But can any of this help Sandra talk the hostage taker down and save the family? And how much will Eric need to sacrifice in the pursuit of the truth?

A completely addictive mystery thriller perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series, Mary Stone and Elle Gray.

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0G275Y8CTsocial

My thoughts:

 

This book grabbed me by the throat from the beginning, and didn't let me go until the end! Carolyn Arnold has done it again, with a fast-paced, tense, police thriller. Sandra Vos is pulled into a hostage situation when the hostage taker will only talk to her. Surprisingly, he wants a 33 year old case reopened, and the police start the investigation in order to save the lives of the family.

This book is set over a couple of days, not including the prologue and epilogue, so it feels very intense and in-the-moment.

 

I strongly recommend reading this book, and although it can be read alone, I recommend reading the first 2, because the series is so good that you'll want to read them all!

 

Thank you to Carolyn Arnold and Bookouture for the chance to read and provide an honest review for this book.

What readers are saying about Nowhere to Hide:

“Wow! Fantastic!… Had me glued to my kindle! Gripping suspense, dark family secrets, and jaw dropping twists! Can’t wait for more!” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Kept me guessing right until the end. An addictive, pulse-pounding thriller.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Attention grabbing intrigue from start to finish!” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Gripping… Every revelation lands with emotional weight, every twist feels earned, and the pacing never loosens its grip… A fantastic addition to the series and a story that lingers long after the final page.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What readers are saying about Carolyn Arnold:

“OH MY GOSH!… Had me reading late into the night… I was caught up in the story from the first page to the last… So addictive!” Shortbookthyme, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was not going to sleep until I finished this book. Wow!… The hits just kept coming, and I never saw most of them until they hit… You will not be able to put it down because you will have to know what happened… Keep[s] you glued to the pages as you race to the end.” Escapetobooks1503, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wonderful… I love this series… Fantastic… Kept me unable to put the book down… Fantastic… Gripping… Wonderful… Edge-of-your-seat thriller.” The Reading Café, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was absolutely obsessed with this book… Loved… Amazing.” Read_and_rescue, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“It kept me rapidly turning the pages… Gripping… It’s a must-read.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Author Bio

Carolyn Arnold

Carolyn Arnold was born in a small Canadian town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. As an international bestselling and award-winning author, she has several continuing fiction series, including her popular Detective Madison Knight series. She offers readers nearly three dozen published books in genres ranging from crime thrillers and hard-boiled mysteries to cozy mysteries and action adventures. She currently lives north of London, Ontario, with her husband and two beagles.

• Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/carolyn-arnold
• Website: https://carolynarnold.net/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolynarnold/

 

Not Actually Yours Book Review

Not Actually Yours

Vancity Fire Book 2

Sophie L. Henderson

 

Two weeks and two fake dates with Brock Holt—the infuriating firefighter with a savior complex, tough-guy attitude and a body as hot as his temper. And the last person single-by-choice schoolteacher Nix would ever fall for.

Nix’s heart is on permanent lockdown after her mom walked out on her, but she needs a date to her cousin’s engagement party. Anything to put an end to the relentless single-shaming. Can she find someone—preferably smokin’—willing to spend Thanksgiving weekend with her meddling family in a tiny seaside town in the middle of nowhere?

Brock got burned falling for the wrong girl. But his potential promotion to captain hinges on him having a date for the annual firefighters’ gala. Can he convince the entire community that his short fuse is a thing of the past, that he’s ready for a serious new role as a fire hall leader?

They’ve agreed: falling in love is not an option. And soon, they’re fooling everyone. Even themselves. When Brock utterly charms Nix’s hard-to-impress aunt over a cozy breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup, and sparks fly at the fire department dance, the alarm bells start to ring…

A swoony, sweet and steamy fake-dating romance that is the perfect comfort read. If you love Laurie Gilmore, Amy Daws and Stephanie Archer, you’ll be charmed by Not Actually Yours.

Perfect for fans of:

• 💋Fake dating💋
• 🎇He falls first🎇
• ☀️Grumpy-sunshine☀️
• 💖Small-town romance💖
• 🔥Spice🔥

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GP8SVBNKsocial

My thoughts:

 

This was such a fun, light book! I very much enjoyed the interplay between Nix and Brock, and loved the fake dating aspect (although I do wish that it went on for longer, it was a fun part of the story). The characters were pretty relatable, Nix is an overworked teacher who will do anything for her students, and Brock has a personality that shines in this story!

 

I did enjoy the spice, but the build up to it was so much better! This is book 2 in the series and I have not read book 1, but will go back to enjoy more from this author!

 

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

Readers love Not Actually Yours:

“Okay so I absolutely devoured this book in less than 5 hours, what did you put in this??!!… a fantastic read!” Rebeccaabooktok, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I absolutely tore through this one. 📚🔥… honestly? It might be my new favourite fake-dating romance… I was completely invested from start to finish 😍🙃… I LOVE IT!!” libraryofj444, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This is one of those books that will keep a smile on your face because it makes you feel all the feels. ❤️💗… Love the book so much. It was fast-paced and gripping with a bit of spice mixed in, but definitely all the feels.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I just absolutely loved it. The perfect characters… you will just fly through.” Jessica’s Book Biz, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was hooked from start to finish… And that ending… chef’s kiss. Everything wrapped up in such a satisfying, emotional way that left me smiling!” Chaptersofmorgan, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I read this book in less than 24 hours… Highly recommend for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Harper Graham.” lilyrose_is_reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I loved this book so much! I finished it in one day because I just couldn’t stop reading.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Such a fantastic read! Oh I devoured this, loved it! The emotional maturity and yet immaturity at the same time was perfection.” Juliainpaperback, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Pulls you in straight away with its addictive energy, sizzling chemistry, and characters that feel messy, real, and impossible not to root for.” Donna’s Book Addiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Amazing! Loved this book from start to finish.” Brandireadsromance, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I read this book so fast! It hooked me! This book has it all.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A heartfelt, steamy, and surprisingly thoughtful read that rises above the usual fluff. Perfect for anyone who loves their romance with both heat and heart!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Ahhhh!! That was so good 😊… Their tension was so sharp I could almost taste it. I was completely hooked…It was a huge breath of fresh air.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Author Bio

Sophie L. Henderson

Sophie L. Henderson writes steamy romcoms full of chaos, heart, and characters who swear a little too much to be considered polite. Originally from a tiny village in England, she spent seventeen years wrangling jazz hands as a drama teacher before finally listening to the voice in her head (the one telling her to write, not the one asking for another snack). She now lives in Vancouver with her husband, where she’s embraced views of snowcapped mountains from the beach, over-invests in the hockey, and talks to hummingbirds like they’re her best friends.

• Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/sophie-l-henderson
• Website: https://www.sophielouisehenderson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophenwrites/ 

 

The Tuscan Villa Book Review

The Tuscan Villa

Daughters of Italy Book 3

Ella Carey

Italy, 1945. As war rages through Europe, a crumbling family villa that becomes a vital safe space for the people of Cortona during the war. But that sanctuary is lost the day its owner, Vivi, mysteriously vanishes…

Manhattan, 1953. Francesca feels smothered by lace as she tries on wedding dresses in an uptown boutique. Can she really start a new life with her fiancé without first answering the questions she has about her childhood in Italy? Confronted with the news that the bougainvillea-covered villa she grew up in is for sale, and the lavish gardens her father designed and cultivated are destined to be razed, she buys a plane ticket and doesn’t look back. She can’t stand by and watch it all turn to rubble.

Fran chokes back a sob as she finds the gardens wild and overgrown and the once-pristine follies crumbling under the baking sun. But the lingering scent of the Italian basil from the kitchen garden brings Fran closer to the father she lost. To save this sacred space she must uncover what really happened when Vivi disappeared.

But while standoffish locals treat Fran like an outsider, she knows she is closing in on a secret at the very heart of the gardens she ran barefoot through as a young girl; a tragic love triangle that plagued the villa, defied the authorities, and might change everything Fran thinks she knows about who she is. One thing is certain: what happened to Vivi was no accident.

And just when Fran thinks she’s uncovered a truth that will shake the little village of Cortona to its foundations, she discovers a letter that changes everything once again. Can Fran find a way to save the gardens before they are destroyed? Or will she be forced to return home to a future in New York that no longer fits?

From bestselling author Ella Carey comes an utterly heart-wrenching and gripping World War Two historical novel that will transport you straight to the Tuscan countryside. Fans of Kathryn Hughes, Fiona Valpy and Victoria Hislop will be utterly enchanted.

**Each Daughters of Italy book can be read as part of the series or as a standalone**

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GHZVK9XWsocial

My thoughts:

 

Fran escaped Italy during WWII and is living in New York, engaged to be married and feeling truly stifled. Upon hearing that the beloved villa she grew up in has been sold and its beauty will be destroyed, she leaves her New York life behind to return to the gardens of her childhood to try to save them. Can she solve the mystery of what happened to the previous owner of the villa? Can she save the villa from ruin?

 

This story hits the perfect notes for me. It is wonderfully graphic in its descriptions of the gardens, the food, and the people in the book. Yet it is descriptive enough about WWII without being something that is super difficult to read. At the beginning of the book it can be a little challenging to follow along, as it is told from several timelines, but within a couple of chapters you'll be hooked! 

What readers are saying about the The Tuscan Villa:

“I longed to be swept away to Villa Aria with its lush gardens, and its peaceful, timeless surroundings. Ella Carey is a talented storyteller. A must read!” Layered Pages, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A captivating tale… filled with intrigue, mystery, and suspense…The plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat… I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this incredible story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unputdownable read that will resonate with them for a long time.” Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Full of twists and turns and secrets! The setting is stunning with all the descriptions of this heavenly location… What a plot twister!… Its setting is divine, its plot heartbreaking and characters memorable” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Had me gasping! A moving and atmospheric read,” Lifechapterswithdanni, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This story is like walking through sunlit ruins filled with secrets, and it pulled me in with its blend of history and mystery… the setting alone, war-torn Italy and a crumbling villa, made it feel immersive right from the start.” rubie_reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The setting is stunning… makes you feel has if you have been transported to the heart of Tuscany… The mystery of Vivi’s disappearance and the reasons for it will keep readers captivated… The last few chapters had me in their thrall.” Shaz’s Book Blog

 

 

Author Bio

Ella Carey

Ella Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen languages, in twelve countries, and have been shortlisted for ARRA awards. A Francophile who has long been fascinated by secret histories set in Europe’s entrancing past, Ella has degrees in music, nineteenth-century women’s fiction, and modern European history. She lives in Melbourne with her two children and two Italian greyhounds who are constantly mistaken for whippets.

Ella loves to connect with her readers regularly through her facebook page and on her website.

• Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/ella-carey
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyauthor/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ella_Carey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellacarey_author/