Silver's Reviews: July 2024

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

A Lethal Lady by Nekesa Afia

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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A LETHAL LADY

NEKESA AFIA

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF DACHE J. ROGERS | BERKLEY | ASSOCIATE PUBLICIST

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A gorgeous historical mystery that will have you pining for a vacation to Paris.

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July 30, 2024

Berkley Trade Paperback Original

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ABOUT A LETHAL LADY:

A LETHAL LADY brings readers to Paris, but the protagonist at the center of the story is still her fiery self. Louise Lloyd is a hot-headed, proud and strong Black woman fending for herself and those society deems expendable. And in this installment, Lou’s much-needed vacation is cut short by the mysterious disappearance and murder of a famed Parisian artist.

Louise Lloyd is finally living the quiet life she’d longed for, working in a parfumerie by day and spending time with her new friends every night at the Aquarius club in Paris.

When a desperate mother asks for help locating her artist daughter, Louise initially refuses to keep her hard-won but fragile peace intact. But the woman comes with a letter of introduction from an old friend in Harlem, and Louise realizes she has no choice but to do what she can to find the missing young woman.

The woman’s daughter, Iris Wright, is part of an elite social circle. Louise soon finds herself drawn into a world of privilege and ice-cold ambition—a young group of artists who will do anything to get ahead—but would they murder one of their own? With the help of some friends from home, Louise must untangle a web of lies, jealousy, and betrayal to find out what really happened to Iris while fighting to keep her new life from crashing down around her.

Starring a compelling heroine and touching on themes that are both historical and modern, A LETHAL LADY is an unforgettable tale perfect for your summer reading schedule. We are excited for the release of this novel this summer, and I hope you will consider it for review or spotlight attention on your platform.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Twenty-five-year-old Nekesa Afia recently finished her undergrad degree (bachelor’s in journalism, with a minor in English) and is a publishing student.

Nekesa Afia is lives in Canada.

When she's not writing, she's sewing, swing dancing, or trying to pet every dog she sees.

**AUTHOR PHOTO AND AUTHOR INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE**

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Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman

Who is Veronica St Clair?

Is she more than what her fans see in her first book and a book that makes everyone want a sequel?

When Agnus is about to lose her job at the publishing company she works for, she does a forbidden thing.

She writes to Veronica St. Claire and asks if she would write a sequel to her very popular first book.

She didn’t expect her to reply. She expected Veronica to write back and have her boss “fire” her.

She didn’t care because she was losing her job anyway.

Much to her surprise Veronica hired Agnus to stay at Wyldcliffe Heights and write the sequel.

She was required to record as Veronica dictated and then type up everything on a manual typewriter. Nothing was to be out in cyberspace.

What a place Wyldcliffe Heights was. It is as Gothic and eccentric as the author herself.

I enjoyed meeting Veronica and hearing her story even though it was a bit confusing at times.

I also learned a new word: amanuensis. So you don’t have to look it up, it means - a literary or artistic assistant who takes dictation or copies manuscripts. (Definition taken from Oxford Languages online dictionary - https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/)

ENJOY if like surprise endings and a bit of paranormal!! 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Monday, July 29, 2024

Spotlight of The Blind Devotion of Imogene by David Putnam

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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THE BLIND DEVOTION OF IMOGENE

DAVID PUTNAM

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF LISA OF SWELL MEDIA BOOK PUBLICITY FOR AWARD-WINNING & BEST-SELLING AUTHORS.

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July 9, 2024

Level Best Books

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PRAISE FOR THE BLIND DEVOTION OF IMOGENE:

"In addition to wonderful dialogue,the plot was fantastic. There were unexpected surprises throughout. I recommend this novel highly – you won’t be disappointed.” — Men Reading Books

"Highly recommended character-driven 70's noir - She Treads Softly

“The novel’s strength lies in its ability to surprise and engage, making it a fun and engaging read.” — Underrated Reads

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ABOUT THE BLIND DEVOTION OF IMOGENE:

In 1973, Imogene Taylor is seventy-five years old, on parole for murder, and works at a store that sells dented canned goods. Twelve years earlier, she went to prison for killing her love-of-her-life-husband, Wayne. She called it an accident. The judge and jury called it murder. Imogene’s parole agent is constantly on her case, looking to send her back to prison.

During her time in prison, Imogene had to vent her angst at someone and sent the sitting Presidents (during the ten years in prison) threatening letters bringing her to the attention of the Secret Service. She does extensive research and writes a novel, Peekaboo POTUS, about the assassination of a US President.

She sends the book "over the transom" to one publisher.

The publisher, after being unable to contact Imogene, comes looking for her.

The Cigar, an organized crime gangster, walks into Dentco, where Imogene works, and extorts the store for the protection money.

Pay up or get firebombed. The entire strip center is under threat.

At the same time, Imogene’s neighbor dies of natural causes and leaves a hoarder’s mess to his daughter, Suzanne. Imogene helps Suz clear out a pyramid of boxes filled with junk in the garage. At the bottom of the pile, they find a box with a dead woman who has been hidden for many years.

Imogene must dodge an overzealous parole agent while dealing with a dead woman in the neighbor’s garage. She’s on parole for murder, so she can’t report it to the police. No one would believe her. Imogene and Suz think the woman in the box is Suz’s long-estranged mother. Rather than reveal Suz’s father as the probable killer, Imogene convinces Suz to bury her mom under the avocado tree in the backyard. Until Thelma, Suz’s mother, appears after reading the obituary.

It's a race to uncover the real killer as Imogene dodges gangsters, family members, and a publisher on her quest to find the truth.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

During his career in law enforcement, best-selling author David Putnam has worked in narcotics, violent crimes, criminal intelligence, hostage rescue, SWAT, and internal affairs, to name just a few.

He is the recipient of many awards and commendations for heroism.

A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is the second novel in the Dave Beckett, Bone Detective series. Putnam is also the author of the very popular Bruno Johnson series.

The Sinister is the ninth novel in the best-selling Bruno Johnson Crime Series, following The Disposables, The Replacements, The Squandered, The Vanquished, The Innocents, The Reckless, The Heartless, and The Ruthless.

Putnam lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife, Mary.

Learn More:

DavidPutnamBooks.com

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SOCIAL MEDIA:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/davidputnambooks/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/daveputnam

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/davidputnambooks/

Mailbox Monday - 7/29/24

BOOKMAIL THAT ARRIVED THIS WEEK.
WHAT ARRIVED FOR YOU?
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On Wednesday, July 24, I received:

1. THE BUSINESS TRIP BY Jessica Garcia, courtesy of Kejana Ayala of St. Martin's and NetGalley.

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On Friday, July 26, I received:

1. THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY by Kate Fagan, courtesy of Zakiya Jamal of Atria Books and NetGalley.

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It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 7/29/2024

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I hope you had a great reading week.

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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.

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Books Completed:

THE BOOK SWAP by Tessa Bickers - review will be on September 4.

An ok read - a bit confusing.

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THE HIDDEN BOOK by Kirsty Manning - review will be on August 15.

Excellent - a hidden book from WWII.

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TAHOE RESCUE by Todd Borg - review will be on August 3.

Very good as always.

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ALL THE WAY GONE by Joanna Schaffhausen - review will be on August 13.

Another good one - fans won't want to miss it!!

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HOUSE OF GLASS by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 6.

Ohhh...it's good. Don't miss it.

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RETURN TO WYLDCLIFFE HEIGHTS by Carol Goodman - review will be on July 30.

A bit confusing and some paranormal, but a good storyline.

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WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT by Donna Jones Alward - review is in the book's title.

Excellent read!!

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THE PERFECT SISTER by Stephanie DeCarolis - review is in the book's title.

A good thriller - a little slow at first, but the ending twists are worth the wait.

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ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY by Jamie Day - review is in the book's title.

A bit slow at first, but turns out to be a good thriller.

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LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by Kimberly McCreight - review will be on August 2.

Not a favorite - very confusing, and no likeable characters.

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