The Safe Place by L.A. Larkin

Jessie Lewis has been an outcast in her small town of Eagle Falls ever since she accused fire chief and town favorite Marcus of domestic violence. Forced by her ex and the town sheriff to drop the allegations, she has lived in fear ever since in a small cabin in the woods. Now the town is threatened by a wildfire raging in the nearby national park and an arsonist is taking advantage. When two families that are tied to Jessie are killed in their burning homes, she knows she is being framed, and no one in town will believe that she's innocent, especially the town sheriff. And the more the town focus is on her, she knows more people will be in danger while a killer goes free.
I love that the story is set with the looming threat of a wildfire. It just makes the story even more tense as the whole town is in danger, not just the victims of the arsonist. I felt so bad for Jessie being victimized by the whole town for reporting her abuse. She really had no one to turn to for help or friendship. Just when I thought I had things figured out there was a new twist to the plot. This book was a flaming hot ride!
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells

Felicity Harland, ex Federal agent,  has joined the Investigative Service Bureau,  investigating crimes in National Forest lands.  She's been called to investigate a missing campers case in Seqouia National Park. Ferdinand Huxley "Hux" is a former Navy SEAL turned park ranger and is assigned to guide Harland up to the site.  His experience and training in finding missing people, plus his easy going friendly attitude,  make Felicity trust having a partner again. 

I love this pair together and I'm excited to find out there will be a sequel. Felicity is such a strong woman despite her past,  determined not to show any weakness.  Everything seemed to be against them,  from the glamping company,  the victim's family,  even the weather. I loved the descriptions of the park with the many trails, mountains,  and lakes and how comfortable and capable Hux was in his job. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Cottage by Daniel Judson

Kate Burke has suffered from PTSD ever since the night her husband was murdered in a break in.  Refusing to move out of the house that's belonged to her family for generations, she can still picture his broken body every time she goes into the backyard.  Waking one night to vandals on her property, she agrees to taking a tenant in the cottage on the property. An extra set of eyes wouldn't hurt to make her feel more secure.  But even after Jack moves in,  strange and sinister things keep happening.  Does she have a stalker? What do they want from her? And will she and her children ever feel safe at home again?

This book was dark and creepy and just when I thought I had it figured out,  there was another plot twist.  And now I'm sitting at home alone, jumping at every noise, feeling totally paranoid. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Resting Place by Camilla Sten

What if every face you see is just a white blank, even the face of the person you just saw murdering your grandmother? This is the nightmare that Eleanor lives every day with her condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Five months after her grandmother Vivianne's murder,  she gets a call from a lawyer that the estate in Sweden, called Solhöga, has been left to her.  She and her boyfriend,  Sebastian, her aunt Veronika, and the lawyer Rickard visit the dark and imposing mansion to inventory the assets. From the first,  Eleanor feels uneasy,  like she's being watched.  Several times she sees a shadowy figure watching her outside.  Is it just her imagination,  or could it just be the missing groundskeeper? No one believes her, but unexplainable events keep happening.  What happened here fifty years ago that caused the mansion to be abandoned?

This was a good mystery,  creepy enough,  but it didn't have that punch of dark haunting dread that I felt when reading her debut novel The Lost Village. I just recently read another book about prosopagnosia,  but this book did better at using the condition to add to the creepiness of the story. While most women would feel comfort having their boyfriend with them for protection, Sebastian seemed whiny and spineless,  making Eleanor seem even stronger by comparison.  He just didn't seem that sympathetic to her situation. Overall, I liked this thriller and I love the author's writing style.  I look forward to reading more of her spine-tingling fiction in future.

Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press for sending me an early copy of this chilling new book! I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

To Save My Child by Emma Robinson

When Libby collapses one day, Anna rushes her to the hospital where she receives the worst news.  Libby requires a transplant to save her life,  and an organ from a family member would be her best chance at survival.  Unfortunately,  Anna herself isn't a match.  Heartbroken and determined to do anything,  even beg from the man who nearly broke her,  Anna contacts Libby's father,  Ryan. Throughout the battle for her daughter's life,  Anna finds her own strength. 

This book is definitely a tearjerker! I can't believe the abuse Anna had finally escaped from,  only to have to crawl back to save her daughter. Reading about this vile controlling man made me so mad I had to put the book down and take a break a few times. This was a very emotional read,  but well worth it. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman

This is truly a love story to all things Michigan in winter.  When Amberrose, or,  Sunny Dunes as she's renamed her tv personality as a meteorologist in Palm Springs,  becomes obsolete when her clueless boss replaces her with a robot, she is forced to return home to Michigan and work for a startup news station.  As her introduction to Traverse City News,  she has to tape segments of herself enjoying all the winter festivities Michigan has to offer.  All this winter fun and Christmas cheer bring back the guilt and grief of losing her little sister too young and she struggles to overcome her misery.  But then a letter from a new friend and love interest, Mason,  about his own loss helps her put things in perspective.

The author pointed out that we want our news personalities to seem like real people and I agree.  I love all the stories of them enjoying festivals,  new restaurants,  winter activities,  etc because it adds a human touch. I love how by returning home helps Sunny deal with her grief. In the end when she has a big decision to make,  she realizes what's really important in her life. Great heartfelt and inspirational story!

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

A Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash

Victoria Rowan, "Vic", escaped from her mother's controlling abusive house years ago after her father's death. Now, her response after hearing of her mother's death...ding, dong, the witch is dead. But when she returns home to Grimsby to help with final arrangements, things aren't quite that easy. How can narcissistic mother still be the center of attention after her death?

This book has well written characters, a great mysterious plot, a little bit of romantic tension, and some magic. I love this author's writing style and look forward to reading more of her books. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.