Friday, July 17, 2026

With Her Baby on Her Back Review


With Her Baby on Her Back

Suzette D. Harrison

 

Will she ever see freedom for her babies?

Mississippi, 1848. It’s a bright spring morning when enslaved midwife Zinnie is forced to begin an unimaginable journey: two thousand miles on foot. Her newborn baby is strapped to her back, her two little girls holding her hands, as she walks behind the slavers’ wagons.

Every mile brings blistered feet, aching limbs and the constant terror of what might happen to her children. But Zinnie carries an unbreakable determination to protect them. When they cross state lines, could it be her chance to fight for their freedom?

Texas, present day. Elementary school teacher and single mom Lynette is exhausted, balancing work, motherhood and life-changing decisions about her future. Then, while sorting through her grandmother’s attic, she discovers a sapphire brooch hidden among long-forgotten treasures.

The brooch unlocks an extraordinary family story of courage, sacrifice and a woman who refused to give up. As Lynette uncovers the truth about her ancestors, will it have the power to change her life forever?

This utterly heart-wrenching and unforgettable novel is inspired by the true story of Biddy Mason, an African American woman and midwife who fought for her family’s freedom and saved countless lives. Perfect for fans of emotional historical fiction by Amy Harmon, Olivia Hawker and Marie Benedict.

My thoughts:

 

This story grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. It made me feel all the feels, including laughing out loud about some of the very current political thoughts, crying for the characters in the story and all of the people they represented, proud of the women in the story and what they've overcome, and so much more.

This story links 1800s slavery with the current day in a way that tantalizes you throughout the whole book, trying to solve the mystery of why these two stories are being told together. And as much as I thought I knew the answer, I was totally surprised by the connections in the story.

I absolutely 200% recommend this book, but be prepared to sit down with it for awhile and not be able to stop reading it! 

What readers are saying about I Know You Killed Your Husband:

23 hours. I devoured this book in 23 hours. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so consumed by a book… destroyed me in the very best way I will absolutely be recommending this book to EVERYONE!” NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WOW! Deserves 10 stars Touched my soul I laughed, cried, cussed.” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If I could increase the ratings on this I would I was literally blown away… I can’t see anything surpassing this. I need more books like this.” Read Along with Sue ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My, My, My and Wow, just Wow!!… What an excellent and amazing story!… Whew!!… Hallelujah!! This is an awesome book!! Geri’s Things ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was hooked from the very first page… Be prepared to laugh, cry, and find that your mouth is unexpectedly dropping open!… A MUST-READ!” Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was completely blown away by this beautiful story… I felt so many emotions… I laughed, cried, got angry, forgave, loved and so many more… Thank you for putting this book in front of me. I am so very grateful… Will stay with me forever.” Book Reviews For U ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 
 
Author Bio

Suzette D. Harrison grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Turning her love of reading into a rising literary career, Suzette was first published when her poetry appeared in her middle school’s creative journal. While Suzette pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. Literally! The award-winning author is a wife and mother who holds a culinary degree in pastry and baking, and is currently cooking up her next novel…in between batches of cupcakes.

 


A portrait of the author Suzette D. Harrison



Wednesday, May 27, 2026

I Know You Killed Your Husband Book Review


I Know You Killed Your Husband

Steena Holmes

 

As we toast our champagne, Lyndy leans over and whispers six little words that change everything: ‘I know you killed your husband.’

James and I were the perfect couple. He swept me off my feet, and after years of marriage, we still seemed totally in love. Then his sudden death destroyed everything. This girls’ trip to Paris with my best friends is my first chance to try and start again.

But at Lyndy’s words, my heart races in my chest. The police said my husband’s death was accidental. If Lyndy thinks I killed him… what else does she know?

I can’t believe my best friend would turn on me. After everything we’ve been through. Everything we covered up for her…

But the next morning, Lyndy is found dead in the hotel pool. And the letter shoved under the door to my suite makes my blood run cold:

Now you’re free, liar.

From New York Times bestselling author Steena Holmes, I Know You Killed Your Husband will keep you up all night reading! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Gone Girl.

My thoughts:
 
This book has tons of twists and turns, and some serious slow burns! The long wait for revenge makes for a truly diabolical mystery. At first I struggled a bit with the different point of views from the characters, but once I figured out who was who I was hooked.
 
This story is loaded with descriptions, and fun to read. I recommend it for a great escape into Paris and a mystery!
 
Thank you to Steena Holmes and Bookouture for the chance to read and provide an honest review for this book.

What readers are saying about I Know You Killed Your Husband:

Brilliant I couldn’t put this one down… mind-bending ride… delighted in the twists and turns… my favourite… I lovedthis drama-filled read gripped Love it.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I couldn’t put this book down… an exciting rollercoaster of a read!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely loved this! OMG!” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wastes no timepulling you in… I was hooked Addictive and entertaining… fast-paced suspense.” rubie_reads

Fantastic… I couldn’t put it down.” Goodreads reviewer

Wastes no time pulling you in… Fast, addictive… it hooks you instantly.” MyFictionAddiction82

“Fast-paced, twisty… This rollercoaster ride kept me hooked all the way through… I absolutely loved.” Goodreads reviewer

Hookedme right away… a fun ride… I love… new favorite And that twist? Did not see it coming… a win… a juicy little trap you’ll want to fall into.” Juliereadzintherockies

“Fast-paced… You will not want to put this down!” Goodreads reviewer

Wowwhat a ride… so many secrets… I loved.” Spookysmazeofbooks

Compulsive read… Left me turning pages long after I should have been asleep.” Goodreads reviewer

 
 
Author Bio

Steena Holmes is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with over 2 million copies of her titles sold worldwide, including The Patient, The Forgotten Ones, and The Sister Under the Stairs as well as her latest psychological suspense The Twin. Named in the Top 20 Women Author to Read by Good Housekeeping, Steena has also been featured in various newspapers and magazines, websites such as RedBook, Glamour, Coastal Living, and Goodhousekeeping. One of Steena’s passions is to travel with her readers, so she created her Sweet Tours, where she shares her love for sweets, whether in Paris, Italy, or exploring European Christmas Markets. To learn more about her books and join her on the next Sweet Tour, visit her website at http://www.steenaholmes.com.

 





Tuesday, May 26, 2026

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.

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 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.